Meeting on the 4th August at place and time to be arranged, we will car share to reduce the ferry cost and remove the need to use the infrequent bus service on Jura.
The summer ferry timetable has yet to be arranged.
The round of the Paps of Jura is a bona fide Scottish classic hillwalk. These three great cones of rock and scree give a challenging walk with views that are - on a clear day - unforgettable.
Leaving our starting point, the first objective, Beinn Shianntaidh, looks daunting and quite formidable. We end up battling up scree slopes. This is as tough as the going anywhere on the route. Heading to Beinn an Oir, with the remains of it's Colby Camp, Ordnance Survey in their mapping of the Highlands and Islands.
We continue to Beinn a' Chaolais where there are great views back to the two Paps already climbed.
Descending and heading back, the terrain is pathless and boggy and can be hard going.
We'll return to our accomodation, before taking the ferry out on Sunday.
Accomodation can be found here https://www.welcometojura.com/plan-your-trip/where-to-stay/
These are fantastic walks on the most Northerly Munros in the country. They are considered remote due to their distance from the Central Belt rather than distance from a road. The landscape is unique in Scotland, photographs never give the true scale of the wilderness with few roads, villages and even less people.
Day one, Friday - Ben Hope, the most Northerly of them all. We will drive from our base in Lairg, via Altnaharra, a distance of about 35 miles but due to the single track roads, it will take us at least an hour. Ben Hope itself is a short but steep walk which should only take around six hours to complete. The views are amazing in all directions. On our return we will stop of at the famous Crask Inn for a refreshment and some cake.
Day two, Saturday - Ben More Assynt and Conival. We will drive from our base in Lairg to Inchnadamph and park at the Hotel. This is a 33 mile drive, taking about 1 hour. The walk begins immediately from this point and takes us on a 17 km linear trek across the ridge that links these two Munros. It should take us about 8-9 hours to complete.
Day three, Sunday - Ben Klibreck (Meall Nam Con), just a 15 mile drive from our base to Vagastie Bridge where we will pick up the track for the hill. Another relatively short day at only 14 km, the final 200m section is a little steep but we should have this one in the bag within 7 hours.
There is a campsite in Lairg at www.pondside.co.uk and a Hotel (which also has a Bunkhouse) in nearby Invershin. There are also several B&B's in either location to suit all tastes.
We will meet at 9am in the large public car park below the Church of Scotland, A836, Lairg, IV27 4BL where we will organise car share for the days trip.
These will be magical days spent in the unique Cuillin of Skye. Famed for its scrambling and climbing, it has been a mecca for climbers for over 100 years.
The mountains here are some of the most challenging in the UK and revered by us hill walkers. With significant grade 1 and grade 2 scrambling involved, on most peaks, with exposure, in some of the most beautiful Island scenery on the Island of Skye in the West Highlands. You will need to have a good level of fitness for these walks as well as a head for heights and exposure.
A small group of no more than six clients per leader will tackle the three peaks of Sgùrr na Banachdich, Bruach na Frithe and Blà Bheinn (Blaven). These three peaks offer some mild scrambling and airy ridges, without the need for climbing equipment.
Choice of accommodation is yours. Sligachan offer a Hotel, with a bar and large restaurant open to walkers, a bunkhouse andself catering lodges. An alternative campsite in Broadford is Camping Skye.
We will meet at 0830 in the car park outside the Sligachan Hotel on each morning to begin the walk unless otherwise agreed. If the weather means group safety on the Cuillin will be compromised, alternative walks will be arranged on Skye.
Ideally we would organise car share in advance to minimise our environmental impact. Sligachan is on the main City Link bus route from both Edinburgh and Glasgow and is a direct service.
Cost is only £185 per person. It's highly recommended that you check your chosen accommodation on the Island first and please book early to avoid disappointment, this event is by far our most popular weekend trip.
If you have any specific peaks you wish to climb, please contact us before booking to ensure we can accommodate your needs.
These will be magical days spent in the unique Cuillin of Skye. Famed for its scrambling and climbing, it has been a mecca for climbers for over 100 years.
The mountains here are some of the most challenging in the UK and revered by us hill walkers. With significant grade 1 and grade 2 scrambling involved, on most peaks, with exposure, in some of the most beautiful Island scenery on the Island of Skye in the West Highlands. You will need to have a good level of fitness for these walks as well as a head for heights and exposure.
With several guides on hand and a ratio of 1 guide to two clients, we will tackle some of the iconic peaks of the Cuillin and depending on the weather and the group experience, will look at Sgurr nan Gillean, Am Basteir, Sgurr Mhic Choinnich, Sgurr nan Eag and Sgurr Dubh Mor as well as other peaks of the Black Cuillin.
We will also include an option for clients to ascend the Inaccessible Pinnacle, affectionately known as the 'Inn Pinn', the only Munro that needs to be climbed. Again, depending on the weather, clients will be able to tackle this infamous peak with a climbing instructor for a small additional fee, paid in advance. The Instructor will provide helmets and harnesses for the short climb.
Choice of accommodation is yours. Sligachan offer a Hotel, with a bar and large restaurant open to walkers, a bunkhouse and self catering lodges. An alternative campsite in Broadford is Camping Skye.
We will meet at 0830 in the car park outside the Sligachan Hotel on each morning to begin the walk unless otherwise agreed. If the weather means group safety on the Cuillin will be compromised, alternative walks will be arranged on Skye.
Ideally we would organise car share in advance to minimise our environmental impact. Sligachan is on the main City Link bus route from both Edinburgh and Glasgow and is a direct service.
Cost is only £350 per person. It's highly recommended that you check your chosen accommodation on the Island first and please book early to avoid disappointment, this event is by far our most popular weekend trip.
Ben Alder is a magnificent mountain in a remote setting at the end of Rannoch Moor and some 16 km from Dalwhinnie. It's surrounded by a further five Munros, making an expedition into the area well worth while. This is a challenging trip where your fitness and stamina will be tested walking in steep, mountainous terrain, far from civilisation.
Day one. Walk the 16 km from Dalwhinnie along good estate tracks and paths to the area by Culra Bothy (now disused and closed by the estate due to the presence of asbestos) Set camp, relax and take in the breathtaking scenery.
Day two. Leaving all our kit in base camp, we'll be up early and heading out to tackle this magnificent six Munro circuit in an epic 12 hour day. From behind the bothy, up onto Cairn Dearg, Geal Charn, Aonach Beag and Beinn Eibhinn before crossing the glen and up onto Ben Alder, across the vast plateau then down and over Beinn Bheoil. This is a 27 km day and will be a real test of your fitness and stamina with over 2,000m ascent.
Day three. A leisurely rise and after breaking camp, we will walk the 16 km back out to Dalwhinnie for a well earned coffee in the Ericht Hotel
If you require to borrow some gear for this trip, please contact me beforehand. I have tents, sleeping bags, rucksacks and stoves.
We will meet at 1200 on Friday 9th June 2023 at the Petrol Station on the main road in Dalwhinnie. There is a car park where we can leave our vehicles, the charge is £3 per vehicle per night and is payable in the Petrol Station.. Dalwhinnie is served by good bus and train links and there are some local B&B options such as Balsporran Cottages B&B or in Dalwhinnie itself.
Ideally we would organise car share in advance to minimise our environmental impact.
Please contact me in advance if you have any questions or concerns.
Not sure if you're ready for the camping aspect of this trip? Join us for our beginner's wild camping weekend and pick up the skills you'll need.
This walk has everything. It's in the Cairngorms, it's high on the plateau and takes in five of those special Munros that are over 4,000 feet high. You get to camp way up high, over 900m high, with a chance to see the sunrise over Ben Macdui or maybe to be above the clouds. And, we add in the iconic Devils Point Munro, after dinner on the first evening. Wow, what a trip.
This is a fairly challenging walk across the stunning arctic tundra that is the Cairngorm plateau, amongst some of the most beautiful scenery in the Highlands, taking in the 4,000 foot Munros of Braeriach, Sgor an Lochan Uaine (Angels Peak), Cairn Toul, Ben Macdui and Cairngorm. We will also take in The Devils Point, a Munro but not the magical 4,000 feet, as we're within 1km of it and it offers quite spectacular views. The photo above was taken from the summit on our 2017 trip.
You will need to have a good level of fitness for this walk which is mostly on paths but there are some rough boulder patches to contend with and a significant amount of ascent, some 2,500m across the two days.
Previous experience of camping is not essential as we will spend time coaching you in the art. You will be carrying a rucksack, which may weigh up to 15 kg, as this will contain all your gear for the trip, including shelter, sleeping bag, food and a means to cook it.
Please do not underestimate the level of fitness you will need for these two demanding days. Please contact me in advance if you have any questions.
Day one - Walk from the Sugar Bowl car park, through the Chalamain Gap and across the Lairig Ghru before beginning the ascent of Sron na Lairige on our way to Braerich, the 3rd highest mountain in the UK. Continuing on by the Wells of Dee and up to Angels Peak before crossing to one of my favourite view points, Cairn Toul. We'll be thinking about getting down to camp for dinner then the short detour to The Devils Point is well worth it for the view. 20km and potentially a 10 hour day.
Day two - First we drop down to Corrour Bothy and across the river then heading north, we will pick up the Clach nan Taillear burn and follow the faint path up steep slopes onto the southern flanks of the UK's 2nd highest mountain, Ben Macdui. Views over Lochan Uaine towards Derry Cairngorm will be appreciated before we turn for the summit. A little way passed the summit we get amazing views of the great corries of Braeriach that we traversed just 24 hours earlier. High on the plateau now we head for Cairngorm and its automatic weather station. Hell's Lum Crag and Coire an t-Sneachda are passed on the way. After Cairngorm we will drop into the Cas restaurant for a coffee, just 1km north, on our route downhill and back to the Sugar Bowl car park. 18km and potentially a 9 hour day.
A variety of accommodation options are available in Aviemore, including Hostels, B&B and Hotels. Buses and trains are frequent as it is on the main routes to Inverness from the Central Belt.
We will meet at 0815 on Saturday morning in the public car park opposite Cairngorm Mountain Sports, 111 Grampian Road, Aviemore, PH22 1RH. We will have a kit check before heading to the start of our walk at the Sugar Bowl car park for 0900.
Not sure if you're ready for the camping aspect of this trip? Join us for our beginner's wild camping weekend and pick up the skills you'll need.
This is a stunning walk in some of the remotest and beautiful scenery in the West Highlands. This alternative route avoids the bog and river crossings associated with the highly popular Sheneval bothy route and is a much more pleasant way to tackle this remote area, in my opinion.
You will need to have a good level of fitness for this walk which is a mixture of estate paths, rough track, and open, boggy, pathless moorland. These are big mountain days in extremely remote countryside and should not be underestimated. If you have any questions or reservations about your fitness and ability to achieve this walk, please contact me beforehand to discuss.
Day one - Meet at Kinlochewe at the Incheril car park at 1200 hours. From here we will walk into Lochan Fada and setup our base camp on or about Bealach Odhar at about 800m, to give us easy access to the Munros for the coming days. Total distance about 13 km and taking about 4-5 hours.
Day two - From our camp we will head out early to tackle the three Munros, Beinn Tarsuinn, Ruadh Stac Mor and the remotest of them all, A'Mhaighdean, in a circular route bringing us back to base camp. This is a big day of about 16 km, 1,300m of ascent with around 8-10 hours walking.
Day three - Again, from our base camp, head out early to tackle the two Munros of Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair and Sgurr Ban. Return to camp, pack up and walk out to Kinlochewe. a total days distance of about 20 km, 850m of ascent and taking between 8-10 hours.
If you require to borrow some gear for this trip, please contact me beforehand. I have tents, sleeping bags, rucksacks and stoves.
We will meet at Kinlochewe at the Incheril car park at 1200 hours. Take a sharp right (signposted Incheril parking) just as you enter the village over the cattle grid. Follow the single track road for about a mile, passing the Primary School, and you will find the car park on your left in the bushes and trees.
Ideally we would organise car share in advance to minimise our environmental impact.
Cost is only £165 per person (maximum group size is 8) Book early to avoid disappointment.
Not sure if you're ready for the camping aspect of this trip? Join us for our beginner's wild camping weekend and pick up the skills you'll need.
The tiny, remote, railway station at Corrour, famously shown in the film Trainspotting, really is a cracking spot to spend a weekend in the hills. With no public road access, walking in or the train are our only options. The fantastic off-grid Loch Ossian Youth Hostel is a 20 minute walk from the station and will be our base for the weekend. I will arrange bookings for the relevant dates. Please note the Youth Hostel is self catering so you will need to bring your food. You will also need a towel, there are none available to hire. More information about the Hostel here.
Simplest access from the East of the country is from Rannoch Station. From here it's only a short 10 minute train ride north to the next stop, Corrour. If coming from the West, the closest hop on is at Upper Tyndrum Station and it takes about an hour to get to Corrour.
We hope that you can join us on Friday evening but if you prefer to arrive early on Saturday morning, we will be leaving the Youth Hostel at 0930.
The nearby (well, 20 minute walk) Corrour Station House cafe serves food and we have a provisional booking for the Saturday evening, should you wish to dine out, rather than self cater in the Youth Hostel.
Saturday morning we will head out and tackle Sgor Gaibhre and Carn Dearg in a nice easy circular route and pop into the recently refurbished Corrour Station House cafe for a coffee. Back to the Youth Hostel for our overnight, remember to bring your own rations for the weekend and I'm sure there will be a wee tipple and a blether.
Sunday morning, depending on train times, up sharp and out to tackle the easy Beinn Na Lap which is only 7 km and 550m ascent right out the back of the Youth Hostel. Return and checkout before getting the train home.
A lovely relaxed weekend in a beautiful, remote setting, taking in the Munros at a leisurely pace.
Another one of those Scottish Classics, a full round of all nine Munro summits of the Fannichs, split into two big mountain days of about 25 km each. A beautiful and stunning area that takes effort to get into but is rewarded with excellent views and great walking.
You will need to have a good level of fitness for this walk which is mostly pathless on the walk in\out with some areas of boggy ground and a significant amount of ascent, some 2,500m across the two days. The walking between the summits is surprisingly easy going with some stalkers paths and more gentle slopes than you might expect. It's the getting into and out of the hills that takes it out of the legs! Please do not underestimate the level of fitness you will need for these two demanding days.
Day one - Walk from the A832 near to Loch a' Bhraoin, south, into the Fannichs. We will take in the summits of A' Chailleach, Sgurr Breac, Sgurr nan Each, Sgurr nan Clach Geala and Meall a' Chrasgaidh. 25 km and potentially a 11 hour day.
Day two - From the Torrandhu Bridge car park on the A835 at the end of Loch Glascarnoch we cross the road south into the forest and follow the Abhainn a' Ghiubhais Li river for a short distance before picking a route south up onto An Coileachan, our first Munro of the day. Then clockwise to Meall Ghorm, Sgurr Mor and finally Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich before descending back towards the river and out to the carpark. Another 25 km and potentially an 11 hour day.
We will meet at 0830 on Saturday morning at the layby on the A835 Braemore junction with the A832 and transfer into as few vehicles as possible as parking is limited 5km further on at the start of our walk.
Previous clients have used Ullapool as a base for a weekend in the area with the following being popular. The SYHA, Forest Way private bunkhouse or the Caledonian Hotel. All are within a 20 minute drive of the start points for this walk.
I always find it a challenge to convince Munro Baggers that are so many other (better?) hills in Scotland than several Munros, Carn Aosda anyone! Assynt is an area chocked full of classic hills, multitudes better in every way (other than easy accessibility) than aforementioned horrible little lump. Photographs go some way to showing them the error of their ways but it never really prepares them for the awesome and unique landscape and Suilven is a brilliant introduction.
On this weekend, our primary target will be the iconic Suilven, remote and challenging, yes, but quite simply unique in stature. An absolute classic hillwalk. We will take stock of the weather forecast and tackle this amazing mountain on the best weather day.
Our other day will be spent on one of the other classic peaks in the Assynt range, the three Corbetts on the Quinag ridge, often said by many to be the finest hillwalk in all of the UK, a stunning walk with incredible views all along it's ridges. Canisp, with it's majestic, rising profile, Cul Mor with one of the postcard views of all the main Assynt peaks around it. There are too many to choose from, but choose we must.
Choice of accommodation is yours. Previous clients have stayed at the Lochinver Bunkhouse and the Culag Hotel, also in Lochinver or camping out at Achmelvich or Clachtoll beaches.
We will meet at 0830 in the car park just to the north of the Church of Scotland building (IV27 4JY), which is on the main A837 through the village.
Knoydart is often referred to as the last great wilderness in the UK. It is certainly some of the remotest, rugged, challenging and most beautiful scenery in the West Highlands. To tackle these remote mountains you will need to be fit, resilient, and have good movement on often pathless steep ground. You are probably well into your Munros and are capable of several back-to-back, challenging, days. The rewards for achieving this trip are great.
Day one - Walk from Kinloch Hourn along the rough path beside Loch Beag for 10 km into Barisdale where we will setup base camp. There is a small private bothy run by the estate which has 12 bunk-bed spaces, running water, a flushing toilet and not much else. There is a small area to camp outside and share the facilities of the bothy. There is an honesty box in the bothy for a few pounds per nights stay (£3 last time I visited). It is essential that everyone takes a tent as space in the bothy cannot be guaranteed.
Day two - From Barisdale we will ascend towards Mam Barrisdale and summit Luinne Bheinn and Meall Bhuidhe before descending back north towards Mam Barrisdale and returning to base camp at Barisdale bothy. This walk is a distance of about 17 km and should take no more than eight hours.
Day three - Again, from Barisdale, up early, we will take on the quite stunning mountain that is Ladhar Bheinn by ascending via Coire Dhorrcail and up onto the spectacular ridge to the airy summit cairn before returning the same way. This walk is a distance of about 13 km. We will now pack up base camp and return the 10 km back to Kinloch Hourn.
These are big mountain days in remote countryside and should not be underestimated. Please speak to me in advance if you are in anyway unsure.
If you require to borrow some gear for this trip, please contact me beforehand. I have tents, sleeping bags, rucksacks and stoves.
We will meet at 1200 in the carpark at the end of the public road at Kinloch Hourn. The car park has an honesty box for a small charge when leaving your car for the three days, it was £5 last time I visited.There is a cafe in the house\hotel opposite the car park which sells tea and coffee (when it's open!) After a kit check, we will begin our walk into Barisdale by 1300, expecting to arrive no later than about 1700.
Ideally we would organise car share in advance to minimise our environmental impact.
Looking to get into long distance backpacking, maybe the West Highland Way is on your radar? Having learned the basics on our wild camping experience earlier in the season This is a great way to hone your skills building up to the longer treks.
This is a quite stunning walk in some of the remotest and beautiful scenery in the West Highlands. This walk covers the route I did with the BBC Travel Show in Spring of 2016 for their piece on Natural Navigation, presented by Benjamin Zand and shown on BBC 2 in May 2016.
You will need to have a good level of fitness for this walk which is a mixture of estate paths, landrover tracks, eroded rocky rights of way and wet peat bog. Previous experience of camping is not essential as we will spend time coaching you in the art. You will be carrying a rucksack, which may weigh up to 15 kg, as this will contain all your gear for the trip, including shelter, sleeping bag, food and a means to cook it. Please ensure you have the appropriate level of fitness and determination to succeed in a remote environment.
Day one - Walk from the Glenfinnan Monument visitor centre under the viaduct used in the Harry Potter film, past Corryhully bothy and through Glen Finnan before dropping down into Gleann Cuirnean, a distance of about 18km. Our first night will be spent camping by the river Pean.
Day two - Into Glen Dessary and across the Bealach an Lagain Duibh, past the Lochan a' Mhaim before dropping down to Sourlies bothy where we will camp outside by the beach. Day two is about 20km.
Day three - From Sourlies to the ruin at Carloch before turning west and up the steep path to Mam Meadail from where we might just glimpse the first houses of Inverie in the distance. Downhill all the way now on a good path into the village of Inverie, a distance of about 20km.
From here individuals can either elect to stay the night locally, choice of accommodation is yours, either camp or stay in the bunkhouse by contacting via email or Tel 01687462163 or get the last ferry from Inverie to Mallaig at 1830, which needs to be booked in advance at Western Isles Cruises or by calling 01687462233.
Those electing to stay can enjoy an evening in The Old Forge pub\restaurant (we will have a table booked) and take the Monday morning ferry at either 0800 or 1100.
If you require to borrow some gear for this trip, please contact me beforehand. I have tents, sleeping bags, rucksacks and stoves.
We will meet at 1030 on Friday 16th September 2022 in the Long Stay car park (free), Mallaig where we leave a couple of vehicles to help with travel logistics on our return. We will then all jump into another couple of cars and drive to Glenfinnan for a coffee before starting our walk around 1230.
Ideally we would organise car share in advance to minimise our environmental impact.
Please contact me in advance if you have any questions.
Not sure if you're ready for the camping aspect of this trip? Join us for our beginner's wild camping weekend and pick up the skills you'll need.
