Iconic Scottish hills

From a base in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, we take day trips to some of the most iconic mountains that Scotland has to offer with spectacular views and enjoyable hiking. This is not to be missed and is an excellent trip for those who are venturing out into Scotland uplands for the first time.

Difficulty: 2/3. Mixed duration hill days (5-8 hours) over mostly pathed, but sometimes steep terrain. Suitable for anyone able to walk for at least 6-7 hours and reasonably fit.

Accommodation: Self-catering accommodation (e.g. YH/deluxe static caravan)

The following itinerary is given as an example. The exact itinerary will depend on prevailing conditions and group suitability.

Day 1: Pick up from the airport and first hike out in the afternoon to our first summit, such as Ben Vorlich to the West of Loch Lomond. 

Day 2: To the West of Loch Lomond are the Arrochar Alps. These mountains, including three Munro’s and the famous Cobbler hill offer varied terrain and excellent hiking and fabulous views over the Loch.

Day 3: What’s in a name!? Ben Lomond to the East of Loch Lomond is an often climbed Munro, but for some very good reasons. A good path leads to the top for some classic views of Scotland’s lower Highlands.

Day 4: On this final day, participants have the opportunity to partake in a shorter walk in the morning with their guide (suggestion will be made) or may select to seek out other nearby activities of their own choice, before we head back to the airport in time for the drop-off in the afternoon.

Introduction to Scottish mountain ridges

Have you ever seen those photos of inspiring mountain ridges overlooking lochs with views for miles? Well, this is your chance to stand on top of and traverse some of these beauties. During three mountain days, we will traverse the impressive ridges surrounding Glen Shiel in the West Highlands. Some sections will be steep, some section narrow, but all highly enjoyable.

Difficulty: 3/4. Demanding and long hill days (8-11 hours), some rough terrain and steep ascents. Suitable for most fit and trained people.

Accommodation: Self-catering accommodation (e.g. YH/deluxe static caravan)

Day 1: Pick up from the airport and a shorter afternoon hike up a mountain on route to Glen Shiel, to get the bodies used to the terrain and movement.

Day 2: First ridge day. The famous Five Sisters of Kintail rise high above the North side of Glen Shiel and are a well-known classic ridgewalk taking in three Munros, and give a wonderful days excursion with magnificent views.

Day 3: Second ridge hike day. This will be either of two options (to be decided depending on conditions and suitability to the group). The first is over the south ridge of Glen Shiel that contains an impressive seven Munro’s and will offer some of the best hiking during this trip as well as some of the best views. This option is a long (up to 11 hours), but highly enjoyable day. Alternatively, on the North side of the Glen are the Brothers of Kintail, which give a very fine ridgewalk and are in no way overshadowed by their more famous siblings.

Day 4: On this final day, participants have the opportunity to visit the iconic Eilean Donan castle, one of Scotlands most famous and photgraphed castles. Participants may also elect to seek out other activities of their own choice, before we head back to the airport in time for the drop-off.

Scottish 4000-ers challenge: Ben Nevis + all nine 4K’s

A 4-day trip across Scotland’s highest 9 peaks, all above 4000-foot. This is a physically challenging trip with many kilometres of ascent and descent, but all very worth the effort in some of the most beautiful and remote parts of Scotland. It starts with the wilderness of the Cairngorms mountains, head through the famous Lairig Ghru valley and summit the highest points of this exquisite national park. We conclude with the spectacular Nevis Range, which includes the highest mountain in the UK: Ben Nevis.

Difficulty: 4. Challenging. Potentially long days (8-10 hours) with over 3000m of ascent/descent across sometimes rugged ground including some classic routes, such as the finale onto Ben Nevis via the CMD arete. Suitable for very fit and/or trained people and those with sufficient experience.

Accommodation: Self-catering accommodation (e.g. YH/deluxe static caravan) and 1x wild-camping/bothy

Day 1: Pick up from the airport and drive to the Cairngorms. In the afternoon we will climb the first summit Cairn Gorm, which is actually pretty easy going and will get us warmed up. We continue onto Scotlands second highest peak Ben Macdui and wild-camp in the evening near to or in the Lairig Ghru in middle of the Cairngorms.

Day 2: We continue to explore Cairngorms highest peaks, summiting the close-by Cairn Toul, Sgor an Lochain Uaine and Braeriach, before heading back along the Lairig Ghru to our starting point and then on to food and a good night’s sleep.

Day 3: After a good rest, we start our attempt to conquer the four summits on the Nevis range starting from the unbelievably beautiful Glen Nevis. We head up and over the two Aonachs, covering some rather rocky terrain, then we summit Cairn Dearg Mohr (CMD) followed by the classic CMD arête route onto the summit of Ben Nevis to complete the challenge! After that, we still need to descend and get back for a well-deserved meal and celebration.

Day 4: This day is kept as a reserve day if required due to conditions. It can alternatively be used to add an additional walk or participants may elect to seek out other nearby activities of their own choice, before we head back to the airport in time for the drop-off in the afternoon

Scottish wilderness (Ben Alder)

This 4-day trip takes you far away from the beaten track into some of Scotland remotest wilderness. Even in Scotland, civilisation is never far away, but luckily there are still places where you can reside further than a day’s walk from the outside world. This trips ventures into the Ben Alder and Corrour region of Scotland and seeks out some of the spectacular mountains that hide away in these areas, such as Ben Alder mountain. NB: this same trip is also available for other remote areas of Scotland

Difficulty: 3. Demanding and long hill days, some rough terrain and steep ascents. Suitable for most fit and trained people.

Accommodation: Wild-camping

Day 1: Pick up from the airport and drive to the starting point, followed by the first miles and summits. Camping out in the evening to take in the amazing views and nature.

Day 2 & 3: We continue to traverse this breath-taking region of Scotland and summit hills as we go along at a relaxed and steady pace.

Day 4: After completing our circuit, we will head back to the starting point and stop enroute to the airport, to have a celebratory lunch and a chance to freshen up.

Introduction to Scottish hills in Winter

Winter in Scotland is a very different beast to summer. It is often sought out by experienced Alpinists for training and rightly so. Winter is the time to capture some of the most breath-taking scenery and adventures. This trip will lead you up some of Scotland’s grandest winter hills and offer a good introduction to Scotland in winter. On the first day, we will start with some basic winter skills training to ensure that the whole group has the basic skills to go out in winter. The following days, we will spend summiting some of the mountain beauties that Scotland has to offer.

Difficulty: 3/4. Walking in winter can be strenuous, especially in snowy and icy conditions. A good level of fitness will be required as well and some prior mountain experience is highly recommended.

Accommodation: Self-catering accommodation (e.g. YH/deluxe static caravan)

Day 1: Pick up from the airport and drive to start of first hike. We will perform a quick gear-check and then head up on a short route, stopping along the way for winter skills lecture and practice. In the evening, we will head back to our accommodation.

Day 2, 3 & 4: With a taste of the Scottish mountains, we will spend the next two days, discovering why Scotland in winter is a fabulous adventure, while we summit a number of nearby Munro’s. On Day 4, we will head back to the airport in the afternoon after a suitable morning walk/hike.

The location and exact scope of this adventure is dependent on the prevailing conditions. In all circumstances, we will aim to offer an enjoyable trip, whatever the conditions.

Possible areas: Drumochter hills (near Dalwhinnie), Ben Lawers range, Glen Lyon, Glen Lochy.