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.

Wilderness Scotland announces new ethical travel accolade!

2008-10-14 17:02:55

Wilderness Scotland is delighted to have been named as the leading UK tour operator in the Guardian and Observer Ethical Travel Award 2008!

This prestigious award enlisted travel industry heavyweights Isabel Choat (Guardian Travel Editor), Jo O'Connor (Observer Travel Editor) and Richard Hammond (founder of Green Traveller.co.uk) to judge the category. This accolade recognises our commitment to ethical travel which has been at the core of our business since we started out in 2000.

While the category prize went to Paris Velib (the city's self-service bike scheme), we are extremely proud to take second place and enhance our reputation as the UK's leading ethical travel company. In addition to running inspiring adventure holidays in the wild places of Scotland, we are dedicated to operating in a sustainable manner , which means that responsibility to the environment, the communities and the local economies where we run our holidays is at the forefront of everything we do.

As well as the above award, we have been named as a finalist in two separate categories of the Scottish Thistle Awards, which are announced on the 24 October - check our blog soon to see if we win and remember to keep your fingers crossed for us!

Munros, autumn colours and birthdays in the Cairngorms!

2008-10-27 12:01:55

Let out of the office for good behaviour, I recently joined one of our Wilderness Walking groups for some fantastic walking in the Cairngorms. As part of our Wester Ross & Cairngorms trip, I met up with the group in the peaceful Highland village of Boat of Garten, where our base was the elegant 4-star Boat Hotel. I was allocated a room in the recently refurbished Garden Wing and was very impressed with the high level of comfort.

The next morning we headed off for our first day of walking. Starting at Glenmore Forest Park, our route took us through one of the few remaining pockets of ancient Caledonian Pinewood in Scotland. Growing alongside the Scots pine are a range of deciduous trees including rowan and oak, and their leaves were starting to turn the most amazing shades of golden browns and mellow reds – a true feast for the eyes. Continuing along the Ryvoan Pass and then up the Lairig an Laoith, we walked to the summit of Bynack Beg, where we had lunch. It was our guide, Gordon’s, 65th birthday, and I was on an undercover mission: I was tasked by the office with carrying a birthday cake in my rucksack and producing it as a surprise. The lunch stop provided the perfect moment and Gordon was touched by the gesture, although we didn’t try to light the candles due to the gusts of high wind! After lunch we scaled Bynack Mor – at 1,090m, this was the first Munro that the majority of our group had climbed (myself included).

The next day we tackled our second Munro of the trip, Sgor Gaoith (1,118m). A pleasant walk up through the forest of Glen Feshie again demonstrated the wonderful autumnal colours of the trees. Once we got up a bit higher, the views out across the Monadhliath were spectacular. Traversing along the plateau to the summit was challenging – we had some very strong gusts of wind and some light snow to deal with but we made it nonetheless. We had our lunch in the lee of the summit, perched on some precipitous rocks overlooking Loch Einnich before starting our descent. Gordon guided us down through the tranquil Rothiemurchus forest to the picturesque Loch an Eilein.

Our last day was spent in the Northern Corries. We climbed up the wide ridge of Miadan Creag an Leth-choin, passing Coire an Lochain, until we reached the snow-dusted summit of Cairn Lochan. From here we admired the view across to Cairn Gorm before descending the rough Goat Track to Coire an t-Sneachda. After a quick stop for lunch, we continued back through the Coire to start of our journey home.

Our guide for the trip was Wilderness Scotland’s head guide, Gordon Birnie, whose knowledge of the geology, wildlife and history of the diverse areas in the Scottish Highlands is renowned within the company. I was eager to experience this out on the hill and we were certainly not disappointed. Each of the group commented on Gordon’s seemingly endless knowledge, particularly of the plants and trees around the plateau, and we all agreed that it was a privilege to have Gordon as our guide.

To find out more details of our Wilderness Walking – Wester Ross & Cairngorms trip click here

Glitz, glamour and Good Times at the Thistle Awards

2008-11-04 17:15:40

The team at Wilderness Scotland was over the moon to have won up the Best Operator Programme for our Small Group Adventures, at the recent Scottish Thistle Awards.

The team were out in force - or should I say kilts and dresses - at the glamorous evening on the 24 October 2008. It was funny to see us all dressed up and void of gore-tex and fleeces for a change!

The evening was fantastic from start to finish with good food, conservation, champagne and to top it all off we had the incorrigible Ronnie Corbett as compere for the evening. He is just as dinky and formidable as he is on screen and his wit and humour was received with thunderous applause.

All the well-wishing that we received over the last few weeks must have helped ensure our success in winning the award. We can assure you that with our recent run of award wins we won't become complacent! In fact, it simply spurs us on to make sure that we become even better and inspire others to do the same.

Thanks again to everyone who joined one of our Small Group Adventures this past summer. We know from our feedback that you enjoyed some amazing holidays and we hope to see you all again next year!

Wilderness Scotland - Guide Gathering

2008-11-13 11:23:59

On the 7 - 9 November, the Wilderness Scotland team were held captive at a remote estate in the Central Highlands for a team gathering and training sessions. I hasten to add that we were all willing captives - who could not be in the beautiful, tranquil, secluded surroundings of Loch Ossian?

On the way north from Edinburgh the heavens were jarred open and it rained incessantly. Luckily, we were in the dry and comfort of our minibus but some of our guides decided to minimise their carbon footprint even more by hiking or biking from their homes - the longest journey was an impressive 9 hour hike!. This was no mean feat given the appalling weather and the fact that the destination was so remote - which is just the way we like it!

After their journeys, everyone was pleased to be staying in such luxurious lodgings and once everyone settled in, we enjoyed a delicious and exquisite meal cooked by 'office Tim' - soon to be known as Chef Extraordinaire! Creamy haddock risotto and tarte tatin was just a taste of the delightful dishes we devoured over the weekend.

The next day after a sound sleep and hearty breakfast we got cracking with the weekend's agenda. We gathered round and discussed several topics ranging from customer service to conservation contributions. The objective of these discussions was to find ways in which the company can improve and progress and by sharing ideas and knowledge we can lay the foundations for this.

The discussions were enlightening, funny and very much inclusive - they even listened to me despite the fact that I've only been working here 2 weeks! The great thing was everyone had something to say and contribute to the development of Wilderness Scotland. On a personal level it made me feel happy to be part of a team who are genuinely passionate, enthusiastic, and extremely knowledgeable. It also provided further affirmation to me that Wilderness Scotland is truly trying to make a positive impact on local communities as well as helping the environment on a global context.

Interspersed with our animated discussions, we went on several leisurely hikes - one of my favourites was walking towards Meall Nathrach Mor to over look Loch Ossian, which was beautifully framed by the grey blanket of sky and steep silhouettes of the hills.

Sunday morning was what Christmas Day should be like. There was a complete ablution of the landscape, where snow flakes had fallen and continued to fall in abundance. So much so, in fact, that we were forced to make a hasty departure for fear of getting snowed in (if only! - the weekend was way to short to explore the delights of this wilderness). The good news is that if the snow over the weekend is any indicator of the coming winter, we are going to be in for one snow-tastic winter - winter walking, ski touring and snowball fights all the way!

You can view a short video of the snowfall, which Stevie and Tim made, by clicking here. It can also be seen, along with more videos and photos, on our Facebook page.

If you would like to experience this Central Highlands wilderness near Loch Ossian, we can arrange walking holidays in this beautiful estate for private groups.

Skiing in Scotland this weekend?

2008-12-05 08:58:38

Winter arrived early in Scotland this year, with significant snowfalls at the end of October and during November. This cold weather is set to continue through December as we've already had some heavy snowfalls in parts of the Highlands and the outlook is for it to remain cold.

The recent snows have persuaded some of the Scottish ski centres to open for skiing this weekend. However, while the skiing may not be great at the centres, some of our guides have already been out ski-touring in the backcountry.

One of the benefits of ski-touring is that you are able to seek out the best snow conditions and parts of the Cairngorms are already in condition. Although our ski touring trips in Scotland do not run until March, the early snowfalls and cold conditions bode well for a great season. If you don't know too much about ski-touring, check out this short video we made.

Of course, for those of you who enjoy winter walking, the hills are already in perfect condition and we can't wait until Janaury when our winter walking breaks begin. Many of these trips already have limited availability, so it is worth thinking about booking your place before the post-Christmas rush starts, especially if youcan only make certain dates.

Stevie and Tim from the office have been out enjoying the snow recently! They recorded a short clip with the first snowfalls in November - click here to watch it.

Crazy costs of holidaying abroad

2008-12-22 12:46:28

On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me - disgruntled tourists at three of Britain's major airports where they were getting less than €1 to the pound at the Bureau de Changes. Bad news for those heading to the continent this winter with everything from hotel rooms in Paris to ski passes in the Alps are far more expensive than a year ago. The Government has warned that it would not risk a repeat of Black Wednesday by propping up the plummeting pound. As a result planning a trip to the Eurozone has become a toughie to budget for.

It seems that no holiday purchase has escaped a price hike – no matter how small or how frugal the product is, an epidemic of soaring prices is happening across the continent. Take France for instance the cost of a bottle of beer has ballooned from £3.03 to £3.72, a three day car hire has rocketed up by £24; even buying an English paper is an extra 40p.

But if you work hard you need to play hard and there should be no reason for you to substitute your annual holiday. The solution? Enjoy a holiday on your doorstep.! You don’t have to cross the channel to get away, just the border. Wonder why the Scots are proud to be Scottish? It’s because Scottish scenery is second to none, this is one asset which certainly won’t become devalued. More of a culture vulture? Then Scotland oozes Art appeal opera, dance, film you name it Scotland has it, in abundance.

In comparison to its European counterpart, Scotland offers unbeatable value for money at the moment so please have a look around our website to find an adventure holiday which is perfect for you.

Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth list published

2009-01-12 10:00:55

Wilderness Scotland has started 2009 with a bang by being named top UK tour operator in tNational Geographic Adventure Magazine's prestigious list of the 'Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth’.We were rated as the 16th best adventure travel company in the world , and as the top UK-based adventure travel company - outscoring many larger, well-established companies.

We are thrilled to be the first Scottish company to be featured in what is considered to be the definiitive list of adventure travel companies in the world and particularly delighted to be ranked so highly, as almost 250 companies were initially short-listed. Our overall score was 94.9% but we were especially pleased to be awarded 100% in the client satisfaction category, which involved some of our previous clients being interviewed by travel experts.

Scotland is one of the world's best adventure destinations and we hope that, with many UK residents choosing to stay at home this year, many more people can discover its limitless opportunities for adventure.

We can think of no better way to start the year than receiving this recognition! Our New Year's resolution is to make it to the top ten in 2010!

If your New Year's resolution was to get outdoors more and spend time doing the activities you love, then check our our adventure holidays and start planning your next holiday today!

Wilderness Photography Competition

2009-01-16 12:40:09

As you plan your holidays for 2009, I'm sure that a lot of you are looking through photographs of your past adventures for ideas of where to go and what to do next. We would like you to share some of your photographs with us and enter our wilderness photography competition. And to provide you with an extra incentive for this, we have several copies of the new book by Rob Penn - The Wrong Kind of Snow - to give away as prizes.

The theme for the competition is 'My Wilderness Adventure in Scotland' - so we would like to see photographs of you and your friends enjoying activities in the wild places of the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Please note that we would like to feature your photos on our website and in our brochure. Unless you state otherwise in your email, entry in our competition permits us to do so.

To enter our competition, simply email your best photos (maximum of 2 photos per person) to polly@wildernessscotland.com

Please ensure that any emails you send to Polly are a maximum of 3MB.

At the end of February we will choose the best photos and send out copies of Rob Penn's book to the lucky winners. We look forward to receiving your photographs - good luck!

If you would like to buy a copy of Rob Penn's book, or simply find out more about it, please click here.

Hiking the West Highland Way? Read This!

2009-01-21 00:11:46

If you are thinking of hiking Scotland's famous West Highland Way this year, our advice is to book as early as possible. With many UK residents choosing to holiday in Scotland this year, the West Highland Way - as well as other hiking trails such as the Great Glen Way and Speyside Way - promise to be busier than normal.

In addition to the increased number of British hikers, the strong value of the Euro and dollar means that Scotland is a much better value destination than it has been for several years, so we expect there to be an increase in the number of international hikers on the trail as well. Spring and early summer are the most popular time to hike the trails, with Easter week being especially popular.

Each of Scotland's long distance hiking trails has only limited accommodation along the route. So while this means that the trail is rarely busy, it does mean that people who try to book late may find that there is no accommodation available for them.

While the West Highland Way remains the most popular trail, the Great Glen Way is a worthy alternative. It is slightly easier, has less ascent and passes some of Scotland's great lochs including Loch Ness. It is also a satisfying route as it traverses Scotland from coast to coast.

The Speyside Way is the quietest of Scotland's long distance trails, and is also the easiest - although it still provides a good challenge! The relaxing route follows the banks of the River Spey from its estuary on the coast to near its source in the Cairngorms National Park. It is also a great route for whisky lovers, as it passes several whisky distilleries along the way!

If you are planning to hike one of these trails this year, please do contact us soon to make plans. This will allow us to reserve the best possible accommodation for you and will ensure that you are not left disappointed.

New Online Store Launched

2009-02-27 14:59:01

We are pleased to launch a new Wilderness Scotland online store! The store includes a selection of books, Scottish music and, of course, outdoor equipment and clothing which will be useful for your next adventure holiday in Scotland.

The outdoor equipment includes clothing by our gear partner, Mountain Equipment, camping equipment which is suitable for our expedition-style trips and a selection of other useful items - such as leg gaiters, water bottles and skin-friendly insect repellent! - which you might want to bring on your trip.

Our carefully selected books about Scotland will inspire you ahead of your next holiday in Scotland - whether you plan to walk, sail, sea kayak or whatever. The books also make for great holiday reading! We have also included a small selection of Scottish music, which makes a wonderful souvenir of a trip to Scotland.

To visit our new store - click here. Once you are on the store page, you can navigate through the various product categories using the menu on the left hand side of the page.

We hope that you find this a convenient way to help you prepare for your holiday in Scotland. If there are other items that you feel would be useful for us to include, please let us know!

Photography Winners Announced

2009-03-06 12:34:06

Wilderness Scotland would like to thank all those who entered our photography competition 'My Wilderness Adventure in Scotland'. We had a fantastic selection of images to choose from and we would like to congratulate Charlie Rhind (Middlesburgh), Ralph Snape (Lincolnshire) and Denzil Broadhurst (Oldham) on their winning entries. Each winner receives a copy of Robert Penn's new book - The Wrong Kind of Snow. Ralph Snape's image of a snowhole was taken recently when he was on our winter walking trip in the Cairngorms and Denzil Broadhurst's image highlights the beauty of Assynt. While Charlie Rhind's captures the fantastic snow conditions that we have had this year - perfect for winter walking or ski touring, definitely the right kind of snow! To view all three winning entries then please visit our Wilderness Scotland page on Facebook. For those who missed out or didn't win this time round we will be running different competitions over the course of the year and look forward to receiving your entries. Bye for now...