Wilderness Scotland - Blog

Winter is coming

2007-12-05 09:56:16

On a recent walking trip to the Highlands, I spent a week hiking in the hills of Kintail, the Cairngorms and Assynt. It was November which is not a popular time to go hill-walking in Scotland. However, this meant that we had the hills all to ourselves every day!

My friend and I enjoyed a walk each day, visiting the summits when the weather was fine (4 days) and exploring the coastline when it was wet and cloudy on the high tops (2 days). This mix of weather is typical for November but it makes for some fantastic light conditions, great for photography. On some days we hiked to the summits of Munros in T-shirts, while on the final day, we enjoyed excellent winter walking conditions, with several inches of fresh snow, crisp clear air and superb blue sky views in every direction.

Although most of our group trips run in the summer months, walking in Scotland can be wonderful at any time of year and can be a very relaxing and peaceful experience in the low season. Definitely worth thinking about when you are planning your next walking holiday in Scotland, especially if you enjoy self-guided walking holidays.

Sea-Kayaking on Skye - A Special Trip

2007-12-13 12:00:11

Simply a superb long weekend in the Skye Cuillin to celebrate our business mentor, Neil's, 40th birthday.

Saturday dawned wet and miserable in Kintail but with the drive to Elgol the sun worked its magic and the Cuillin were revealed in all their glory. Of more concern, was the brisk westerly wind which meant the planned sea-kayak in to Loch Coruisk was a paddle too far. However, thanks to David and the superb team at Bella Jane we loaded the kayaks on to their boat and, much to the amusement of the international contingent aboard, hitched a ride through the rising sea.

Later that evening, having arrived safely at Loch Savaig, we enjoyed a fantastic evening paddle among the seals, cormorants and shags and even tried (with varying degrees of commitment and success) to break-in to the whitewater spilling into the sea from the UK's shortest river.

Sunday's plan was to ascend the classic Dubh Ridge, considered to be one of the UK's finest (and longest) low grade rock-climbs. Gearing up at the base of the route in the increasing gloom and rain, the most probable outcome looked like mid-morning coffee back at camp. Fearing the worst but hoping for the best we set off up the dripping gully which provides access to the main ridge.

Some 6 hours later we were on the summit of Sgurr Dubh Mor having enjoyed an epic climb in dry and increasingly sunny conditions. The abseil off Sgurr Dubh Beag certainly ups the ante and halfway down must be one of the best situations in the whole of the islands.

For me this was something of a pilgrimage having dreamt of climbing the route in good conditions for many years. The return paddle the following morning in exciting conditions rounded off a superb and unforgettable weekend in the Cuillin. When the weather is good here, it is simply unbeatable.

Hogmanay on Knoydart

2008-01-03 12:25:34

I am just back from spending New Year on Knoydart. What better way to burn off the excesses of my chocolate eating and single malt whisky drinking from Christmas than with a week long trip to the beautiful Knoydart Peninsula. We were blessed with fabulous weather and the views we took in from the summits of the hills we walked up had to be seen to be believed.

Crisp, clear days allowed for stunning vistas over the sea to Skye and Rum and a virtual amphitheatre of snow peaked mountains all around. On clear evenings, the night sky had on show more stars than I have ever seen in this country. What touched me most though was the incredible hospitality and friendliness of the locals - Knoydart truly is a special place to be and I long to return. Why not join us on one of our winter walking trips to Knoydart in January or February / March? Click here for details.

The Snow Keeps Coming!

2008-01-11 17:15:44

Winter has arrived with a bang! After several minor snow falls in December, January has brought a bonanza of snow! I was in the Cairngorms yesterday, where around 8 inches fell in the villages. Up on the tops, there was deep snow drifting, which made for tough going in places - as my companion found out (see photo). But the walking was wonderful and the views magnificent.

The snow conditions are being quoted as being the best for seven years. It's certainly the best we've seen for a long time. And the good news is that it has arrived early so should provide a good base for the rest of the winter, especially as the cold weather is due to continue (up here at least!) into next week.

Anyway, I believe we still have a few places left on our winter walking trips to the Cairngorms, Knoydart and Kintail and Skye. With all this snow, however, I'm quite tempted to join the Introduction to Ski Touring Course in March! I just need to work on my ski turns a bit first!

Whatever you do this winter, get up here and enjoy the snow!

Ski Touring in Scotland at its Best!

2008-01-18 08:38:22

Two metres of snow in the last two weeks. It sounds like the Alps but it is, in fact, the Scottish Highlands. Since Hogmanay the skies of the Highlands have unloaded vast quantities of neige. This white magic has transformed the mountains and for the first time since 2001, we are enjoying some truly amazing winter conditions which could well last through to May.

My personal passion is ski touring and after years of waiting, so many routes are now in condition I don’t know which to choose. Ski touring or ski mountaineering has been described as many things including the “sport of kings”. However, it is the Spanish mountaineer Lorenzo Arribas who seemed to capture the very essence of the activity where he said “resort skiing is the adaptation of the mountain to the man, whereas ski touring is the adaptation of man to the mountain”.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy hooning it down a freshly groomed piste as much as the next person but the appeal of ski touring is so varied. Skiing, navigation, avalanche awareness, mountaineering techniques are all called upon in a typical day of ski touring. Add in the sense of a journey through the wild mountains and, for me, you have the ultimate day out in the mountains.

We have been running introductory courses to ski touring in the Highlands for many years now and it’s just great to see such fantastic conditions at the moment. The best touring should be yet to come with the longer days of February and March.

Once you have learned the essential skills, it is only natural to want to progress to extended ski tours overseas (staying in alpine huts) where you will need to add the ability to sleep with several snoring strangers to your mountaineering arsenal! There are many tours to choose from throughout Europe and without a doubt the classic, is the Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt. I have done this trip twice now, and while there are many other tours out there I’m even considering a third outing. To stand on the Pigne d’Arolla at almost 4000m on the high point of the route with grandstand views of all the major alpine peaks is enough to inspire even the most stubborn piste skier!

Closer to home, it was an epic day out in the Cairngorms last Saturday. Attached is a picture showing the amazing snow cover and conditions. More of the same please for the rest of the season!

Winter returns to the Highlands

2008-02-02 16:22:56

After a mild week or so, winter has returned with avengance to the Highlands over the last few days! There has been lots of snow across the Highlands, especially in the Cairngorms National Park. It's windy today but with lots of new snow, conditions look like they will be superb for ski touring or winter walking over the next few weeks.

I'm looking forward to getting out winter walking soon. If you're keen to experience the Highlands in full winter conditions, we still have a few places left on our winter walking trips to the Cairngorms which runs 13-16 March and also to Kintail & Skye (for people with some experience) which runs 19-23 March.

We also have a few places left on our Introduction to Ski Touring course which runs 3-6 March. This is a great way to explore the Cairngorms so get in touch soon if you are keen!

After a few mild years, it's a delight to see the Highlands getting what we call a 'good' winter once again. My advice is get up here and enjoy the snow!

A Mountain Biking Epic!

2008-02-08 10:42:07

Contrary to what you may have heard, it is not always warm, dry and sunny in Scotland - especially not in February! Last weekend was a bit wet and overcast so rather than heading for the hills on foot, I went mountain biking instead.

Mountain biking truly is an activity for all seasons. It's easy to choose to stay at home on a winter weekend when the weather is less than perfect. However, if you decide to venture out on your mountain bike, it can be very rewarding.

Scotland is now officially recognised by the International Mountain Bike Association as the world's No.1 destination for mountain biking. I feel lucky to live here with so many great rides and trails on my doorstep.

Last weekend, as I splashed through puddles, fought my way along muddy trails and breathed in the cool air as I recovered at the top of a challenging ascent, I remembered once again that mountain biking is not just for the summer time!

Now I'm wondering if I can wangle some time out of the office in June to join our epic Coast to Coast trail ... maybe see you there?

Winter Walks in Kintail

2008-02-27 10:50:06

I managed to get a few days off work at the end of last week and headed north with some friends for some winter walking. After 10 days of glorious sunshine as a high pressure sat over Scotland, the weather broke on the first day of my break and the clouds returned - not great timing on my part!

We managed a good day out in Kintail at the start of the break, however, climbing some of the fine Munros in that region. The blue skies had gone but we still enjoyed some good views when the clouds parted in the afternoon.

The next few days were perfect for ... reading! However, when the skies again cleared on Sunday, we enjoyed another good day out with just a few snow showers and good views.

The BBC weather website is predicting a cold month ahead and it's always worth remembering that when it is raining in Inverness, it's usually snowing in the mountains. So it seems that winter in the Highlands should last until the end of March at least. If you're keen to get out into the snow, our winter walking trip to Kintail & Skye still has a few places available - it is suitable for people with some experience of winter walking.

Winter vs Spring in the Highlands!

2008-03-14 15:31:53

It's a wonderful time to be in the Highlands just now as the contrasting seasons of winter and spring collide and battle for supremacy.

We've had regular snow over the past week so all the mountain tops are white and there are good conditions for winter walking. If you haven't been up north yet this year, our winter walking trip to Kintail & Skye next week might be your last chance to enjoy a taste of a Highland winter.

In the forests and glens, however, the spring flowers are appearing, bringing an enchanting combination of colours back into the landscape. Springtime is here and will gradually spread up the high mountain sides until summer arrives.

April and May are some of my favourite times to be out walking in Scotland. The sky is a blend of blues and bulging cumulus clouds, which are great for photography. The light which follows spring showers is simply beautiful and stops you in your tracks to admire it. And the hills, glens and trails are still quiet as the summer visitors have still to arrive.

Why not treat your partner to a short break in the Highlands this spring? Our self-guided walking holidays combine some superb hikes - I know, as I wrote the route notes! - with excellent accommodation in some of our favourite small hotels. Or come up to Speyside and enjoy the gentle challenge of hiking the length of the Speyside Way.

Spring meets winter just once a year and it's a great time to be here. As to which season will come out on top - I think spring is a pretty good bet!

Sea-Kayaking in Scotland - in Winter!

2008-03-28 16:21:28

What a mixed winter it has been! However, the last few weeks have given us some stunning cold but sunny days. Which has tempted me to get out in my sea kayak in the area where we run our introductory course, at a time I am more used to reaching for axe and crampons.

The light at this time of year is superb and with many of the hills still with more than a dusting of snow, it is a truly awe inspiring place to paddle. The low winter light on the sea makes it seem like u are paddling on a sea of mercury.

I'm really looking forward to the sea kayaking season starting in just a few weeks! The first Introduction to Sea-Kayaking Course is already fully booked but we do have availability for our trips in May - a great time to be out sea-kayaking! As well as Introduction Courses, we also have trips to the Summer Isles and the Isle of Skye in May.

I hope you can join me for some sea-kayaking adventures this spring or summer!

Knoydart's Young Film-makers Shine

2008-04-04 18:21:37

Children from the primary school in Knoydart, the isolated community where we run many of our Wilderness Walking holidays, have won a major award for a film they made about the forests of Knoydart.

Their short documentary, called 'Munchatreeaforest', won the 'Best Film by 12s & Under' category at the First Light Movies Awards, which were presented by Davina McCall. The film looked at the changing forestry in Knoydart through the eyes of the local children, who enjoy playing in the forest.

The forestry in Knoydart is changing as part of the local community's land management plan, the aim of which is to create an area of diverse flourishing habitats with their full potential of native flora and fauna, supporting a thriving community that offers a warm welcome to visitors.

At the moment, some of the forestry plantations close to the village of Inverie, which consist mainly of spruce, are being felled and replaced by native tree species. I'm looking forward to walking through these native mixed woodlands in future years.

One of the reasons we enjoy taking our clients to Knoydart is so that they can experience the genuine spirit of community which exists there. Everyone plays a part in decisions which affect the community. Sometimes, our trips there coincide with local events, such as ceilidhs or shows at the community hall. These are always great to be involved in and everyone who attends receives a warm welcome.

Knoydart really is a very special place to visit and I would encourage you to get there if you can. I haven't even mentioned the unbeatable walking and hiking yet, in the mountains, glen and coastlines; or talked about the regular sightings of golden eagles, red deer, otters and dolphins that our groups report.

There's not enough room for that in this blog but if you are interested in visiting Knoydart with us on a Wilderness Walking holiday this summer, click here for details.

Killer Whales at Sandwood Bay

2008-04-21 14:51:51

A stranded Orca, or Killer Whale, has been found at Sandwood Bay, the most north-westerly beach in the UK. Although such strandings are rare, sightings of Orcas in Scotland are becoming more common.

Only last week, an increase in Orcas in the seas around Orkney and Shetland was said to be responsible for a decline in the number of grey seals in that region. In the past month, several large groups of killer whales have been seen around the northern coasts of Scotland and the Isle of North Rona.

Orcas are one of the ocean's top predators and their diets can include fish, octopus and squid, to birds, seals, sharks and large whales. Males are much larger than females, and it is easy to tell adults apart, males having a tall straight dorsal fin measuring up to 6 foot high, whilst females have a more dolphin-shaped fin.

Despite the name 'killer whale' orcas are in fact the largest member of the dolphin family. At the top of the food chain, they have no natural predators, and are at risk only from man's activities. The natural life span of a wild orca is up to 60 years for males and 90 years for females.

The eight metre long adult found on Sandwood Bay is thought to be a male and has been stranded for too long to establish a cause of death. As sad as its death is, it is exciting to know that these beautiful creatures are returning to Scotland’s seas and coastlines.

On our Wilderness Walking trip to Cape Wrath & the North West Highlands, we enjoy cliff top walks, including one to Sandwood Bay. Such walks are great for whale-spotting as we enjoy a high vantage point looking down onto the sea.

The next trip to Cape Wrath & the North West Highlands runs from 17-23 May and is being guided by Lorraine McCall. We still have a few places available if you would like to join us! We also have a few places on our Wilderness Walking holidays to The Orkney Isles and to the Shetland Isles later in the summer.

Jo' s Sea-Kayaking Adventure in Torridon

2008-05-14 14:51:50

As the office insisted that I went out sea-kayaking last week, what could I say? I simply had to go and try out our Introduction to Sea-Kayaking trip. And boy, did we have the perfect weather to do it: scorching sunny days with hardly any wind made for a very gentle introduction to this increasingly popular activity. On our first afternoon out on the water we did have some gusty winds and rain, but we survived and no-one capsized. That particular situation was kept until the second-last day of the trip when two intrepid members of the group decided they wanted to know what it felt like to capsize, and what to do with regards to being rescued. Good on them for trying it out but the water was pretty cold!

Our guide, Myles, was an experienced and knowledgeable leader and was great at encouraging the group and improving our paddling techniques. He was particularly good at explaining where we were heading each day, and showing this to us on the map. The best part of the trip for me would have to be when we landed on Shieldaig Island and an enormous white-tailed eagle flew out from the trees, just literally a few feet above our heads. Shieldaig Island itself is a fascinating example of Caledonian forest, and how the Scottish Highlands would look today if the forest had not been all but destroyed. The island is owned by the National Trust for Scotland and it was interesting to find out that they have chosen to leave the trees and plants to their own devices so that they can grow undisturbed by humans, sheep or deer!

If you would like to join an Introduction to Sea-Kayaking trip this summer, click here for details.

Sail away this weekend

2008-05-16 11:34:27

Do you have any plans for this weekend? Would you like to come sailing on the west coast on a private yacht complete with skipper and chef?

This was the question I was asked by my colleague last week - the answer was instantaneous and was never in any doubt!

The west coast of Scotland has some of the best sailing in the world, excellent wildlife, superb views and when the sun shines, which it was that weekend, there is no where else on the planet that I would rather be!

Our private charter yacht is called Sealgair, She’s a 46 foot wooden ketch of great character, for our clients to enjoy sailing trips from two days all the way through to ten days throughout the course of the summer.

Our skipper is highly experienced, knows the west coast like the back of his hand and creates a very relaxed and fun atmosphere on board. The chef produced mouthwatering meals that would not have been out of place in a five star hotel!

The west coast has a wealth of islands to explore, historical sites to visit and hills to climb. We spent a relaxing night moored beside the beautiful Garvellach Island which we explored and climbed to the top of for some superb views; sailed through the Corryvreckan Whirlpool - the third largest in the world; walked to the northern tip of the Isle of Jura; swam in turquoise waters and spent an afternoon basking in the sunshine spotting porpoises, otters, seals and a whole host of birds.

If I had my way, I would charter Sealgair all summer long and would never leave!

For details of our charters on Sealgair, click here.

The Sunny Summer Isles!

2008-06-16 18:20:39

I've recently returned from my annual trip to the Summer Isles, which I extended this year to visit the Outer Hebrides as well. It was a fantastic holiday, with superb sunny weather and some great walking, mountain biking and wildlife experiences.

There's something about the Summer Isles which makes it a special place. Our accommodation was based on the mainland in Coigach and enjoyed views over the islands. I didn't have a sea-kayak with me, so, looking out across the archipelago, I was a bit jealous that I hadn't been able to join our sea-kayaking group who had been here the week previously.

However, we enjoyed some great hikes, including up Canisp and also Stac Pollaidh, which allowed us to gaze across the great Inverpolly wilderness, which we explore in one of my favourite wilderness canoe trips.

One day we enjoyed a coastal walk and spotted two otters swimming out in the bay, catching fish. We crouched quietly on the rocks and were delighted when, after a long dive, they emerged on the rocks just 10 feet in front of us and ate their dinner without being put off by our presence! It was one of the best wildlife experiences I've had recently and a special moment.

The following week, we headed over to the Outer Hebrides. We enjoyed some coastal walks on the unfeasibly large and inexplicitly deserted beaches. We were even lucky enough to see a rare Corncrake one day while on Lewis. The walking on these islands really is magnificent and it is a fantastic place to get away from it all. Our Outer Hebrides guided walking trips are popularwith our clients but if you prefer to go it alone, we also offer self-guided trips which explore the islands at your own pace.

While on the islands, we used our bikes to get around as much as possible rather than drive. As well as lovely quiet roads, there is also superb mountain biking in the Outer Hebrides - it's worth getting here to experience it before the word gets out!

Going back to work after a two week holiday is never fun - even when you love your job! However, I'm always happy to talk about holidays, so if you are interested in visiting the Summer Isles, North West Highlands or Outer Hebrides with us this summer, please do get in touch! I'd be delighted to be distracted by your call!

Walking Holiday in Knoydart Inspires Poetic Feedback

2008-07-15 16:22:10

Our walking holidays in Knoydart have long been a favourite of our clients, with some people returning several times on the same itinerary. With the incredible variety of scenery explored during the week, the superb walking and the welcoming meals and accommodation which awaits the end of each day, many people find this trip simply unbeatable!

We received some feedback this week from a client who joined our trip to Knoydart in July which was a bit different - it was a poem they had written, inspired by the trip, the landscape and the accommodation at Doune on Knoydart. The modest poet has kindly allowed us to publish the poem here:

Beguiling Doune

Sea Sleat; sky slate

Sucks us in as the tide,

And pitch and yaw and hard slap of pewter

Presses us to the tender shore.

Heather, bracken, silvered pathways –

Sandpiper pipes a shrill warning welcome:

Tomorrow’s dawn and you will never leave…

Cleave to the shattered schist;

Hard volcanic layers trap us in their tender snarl.

Sodden peat pulls.

Day’s end - bidden rest,

Breathe-in beguiling Doune…

Our Wilderness Walking holidays in Knoydart are fully booked for this year but dates for 2009 will appear on our website in late September.

If you are keen to visit Knoydart this year, we still have a few places on our hiking expedition in September. This is a backpacking journey into the heart of the Knoydart wilderness, wild camping each night. A superb expedition for keen hikers and trekkers. Click here for details.

Thanks again to our poet - perhaps more of our clients will share poetry with us later this year!

Photo Sharing & Facebook Group

2008-07-25 12:07:25

Everyone looks forward to seeing their photos at the end of a trip. In the Wilderness Scotland office, we also enjoy seeing guides and clients' photos from recent trips. To help make this easier, we've set up a new online page where we can share photos with everyone.

We hope that you will enjoy visiting the gallery and that it will provide you with happy memories of your holiday in Scotland.

To visit the photo gallery, which is hosted by SmugMug, please click here.

Submitting your holiday photos to the gallery

If you have some good photos from a recent trip with Wilderness Scotland, please email them to us and we will upload the best ones to the gallery. If you are emailing images to us, we would be grateful if you could send emails no greater than 10MB in size!

In addition to the new photo gallery, we have recently set up our own group on social networking website, Facebook. We would be delighted if you would join our group!

Joining our Facebook group will allow you to share photos, swap trip stories, and catch up with old friends that you met on our adventure holidays in Scotland. There might even be some special offers posted on the group site for our members from time to time!

Joining the group is simple. If you are already a member of Facebook, log into your account as normal and then click on 'groups'. On this page, use the search function and look for 'Wilderness Scotland'. If you are not a Facebook member, joining is easy - simply visit the Facebook website and follow the instructions.

We hope that you are able to join us and look forward to hearing from you soon! If you are still looking for a holiday in Scotland in August, we can help - click here for August availability.

Sea-Kayaking with Orcas - in Scotland!

2008-08-01 09:28:37

Our group of clients who were lucky enough to be on the sea-kayaking holiday exploring the Sound of Arisaig had an incredible experience last week. They encountered an Orca - a killer whale - while sea-kayaking.

It has been well-documented in the media recently that Orcas are now inhabiting UK waters but sightings are still rare. But last week's sea-kayakers got very lucky indeed. They were guided by Jeremy Martin when they spied the easily identifiable dorsel fin breaking the water up ahead. Jeremy said:

"It was just amazing - the most beautiful thing that I've seen in Scotland. I know how rare it is to spot Orcas here, so we all felt incredibly privileged."

A couple of years ago, I spied some Orcas on a sailing trip as we sailed past the island of Raasay - I remember calling the office in sheer elation so that the guys could share in the experience - although it wasn't quite the same for them!

Jeremy is leading a sea-kayaking trip to the islands of Raasay and Rona from 17-22 August so perhaps he will get lucky again! It's certainly a beautiful place to visit and I understand that there are places available.

There are also a few places available on our final sea-kayaking trip to the Sound of Arisaig, which runs 31 August - 5 September. Please contact the office if you would like more information or to sign up to either trip.

Wilderness Scotland Short-listed for Awards

2008-08-22 13:13:52

We were delighted to learn this week that Wilderness Scotland has been selected as a finalist for the Scottish Thistle Awards - in two separate categories! Often referred to as the 'Oscars of Scottish Tourism', these awards recognise tourism businesses which are leading the way in terms of customer service, innovation and sustainability - all areas which we are passionate about!

Adventure travel used to be thought of as being very specialist and not really part of the mainstream tourist market. While Wilderness Scotland is definitely a specialist company, we are delighted that more and more people are discovering the rewards that come from experiencing a country through outdoor activities, be it from walking, sea-kayaking, mountain biking or canoeing.

Our programme of sea-kayaking holidays has been selected as a finalist in the 'Innovation' category and our programme of small group adventure holidays is a finalist in the 'Best Operator' category. The results will be announced late October so we look forward to finding out how we get on!

While we wait to hear if we have won an award, we'll continue to do what we do best - running inspiring adventure holidays in the wild places of Scotland. There is still time to join us this summer, so please do get in touch if you would like to join one of our holidays.

A little mountain adventure!

2008-09-12 11:11:04

It's always great to escape from the city and spend some time in the mountains. Living in Scotland, we are lucky to have the Highlands within easy reach of the city, with many excellent walks and hikes possible on a day trip and many more options available for a long weekend. Being based in Edinburgh, however, we are lucky enough to have a mini-mountain right in the middle of the city - Arthur's Seat.

Last night, some of the Wilderness Scotland office team hiked up Arthur's Seat after work. We left straight from the office door, walked through the busy centre until we reached Holyrood Park. Suddenly, everything became more peaceful. As we climbed, the noise of the city was left far below and the views across the skyline and over the sea to Fife opened up.

We reached the summit of Arthur's Seat (251m / 823 feet) at around 7.30pm, having followed a route along the top of the Salisbury Crags first. The sun was sitting low in the sky, making the city skylines glow orange while dark rain clouds loitered menacingly on the city's outskirts. We sat on the summit, identifying all the landmarks and breathing in the mountain air.

While this wee mountain perhaps lacks the grandeur of the Highland peaks, it does offer a superb view and, perhaps more importantly, it reminds you how good it is to escape to the mountains and wild places every now and then. If you are in Edinburgh, I'd definitely recommend climbing Arthur's Seat. And if you have a local mountain where you live, why not climb it this week - you'll be glad you did!

If you haven't been there recently, have a look at the Wilderness Scotland page on Facebook, and let us know about your local mountain and your experiences on it (there is a discussion board about this). You can also check out the short promotional video for Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival, which runs 17-19 October (Wilderness Scotland sponsors this inspiring event).

Finally, if you need an escape to the mountains, our self-guided walking holidays are a great way to experience the Highlands in autumn. Alternatively, join our Head Guide Gordon Birnie as he leads our final walking holiday of the year, 11-17 October, to Wester Ross and the Cairngorms.

Walking and Mountain Biking in the Cairngorms

2008-09-29 09:38:31

After a frustratingly wet August, it was great to take advantage of the good weather we've had here in Scotland recently to enjoy a walking and mountain biking weekend in the Cairngorms National Park. My friend and I had picked out a couple of the most remote peaks in Scotland as our goal for the weekend and had a superb time reaching them, combining mountain biking and walking.

After a cold but beautiful night camping with the stars at their brilliant best, we set off early the next morning on our mountain bikes. Our route followed part of our epic Coast to Coast mountain bike trip, heading towards Glen Feshie from near the village of Braemar. The riding was superb and it got me thinking that, having ridden most sections of our route on individual days, I must really join one of our groups and do the whole route sometime! It was certainly and inspiring ride as the sun came out and bathed the mountainsides in a soft early morning light.

After a couple of hours on the bikes, we left them in the heather and started, on foot, up the first of our two peaks. We had gained a lot of height on the bikes so it took us less than 2 hours to reach the summit. What a place it was - surrounded by genuine wilderness with the nearest habitation or road around almost 20km away. Inspiring as this was, we couldn't help thinking that it was going to be a long way back to the car!

After descending to the col, we climbed our second peak and then dropped down to our bikes. It was 3.30pm and we were mildly concerned about how long it would take us to get back to the car. We needn't have worried. With the wind on our back and enjoying a downhill descent after our earlier labours, we sped along and were back at our car, exhilerated, in just over an hour!

The Cairngorms is one of my favourite mountain ranges in Scotland. The ancient pine forests which fill the Cairngorm glens are magical and the mountains are of a grand scale matched in few other locations in the UK. If you would like to explore them, we have a Wilderness Walking in Wester Ross and the Cairngorms trip running 11-17 October. And if you are inspired to ride our Coast to Coast mountain biking trip and experience the best backcountry riding in Scotland, click here for details.