Mountains & Sea
Dates: Start: Saturday, Oban Pier 15:15 Finish: Saturday, Fort William 11:00 Cost: £525 Price Includes: 7 nights Bed & Breakfast, ferries during the trip, RIB Mallaig - Knoydart, 6 days guided walking. Single Room Supplement: £70
This four-centre holiday is designed to highlight the dramatic relationship between mountain and sea, which gives the landsape of the northwest Highlands its unique character, light, and form. Thus, we journey along the western seaboard, crossing sounds and sea lochs to climb those mountains which we feel best illustrate this very special aspect of the region’s topography. From Oban we cross the Firth of Lorn to the island of Mull where, via the rocky connecting ridge A’ Cioch, we climb Ben More above Loch Scridain. Then, after a crossing over the Sound of Mull to Lochaline we strike north to Strontian, our sights set on Beinn Resipol; a corbett which at 846m gives spectacular views up and down Loch Sunart and towards the Ardnamurchan peninsula. Next, we aim to traverse the long ridge of Rois-Bheinn and Druim Fiaclach, between the Sound of Arisaig and the River Moidart. If the weather allows, we then zoom - by fast RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) - from Mallaig to Camusrory at the head of Loch Nevis. Now in Knoydart, we ascend Sgurr na Ciche whose rivers flow east to Loch Quoich, west to Loch Nevis and south to Loch Morar and Loch Arkaig. Finally, we cross the Sound of Sleat to Armadale on the Isle of Skye. Within the Black Cuillin we tackle Blaven and its south ridge - bounded west and east by Loch Scavaig and Loch Slapin respectivley - and, to complete our journey over land and sea, the southern end of the Cuillin Ridge, Garbh Bheinn and Sgurr nan Eag above Soay Sound. - The mainland hills are unfrequented with a lot of rough ground. Some easy scrambling on the island peaks - Accommodation We spend two nights on Mull, three nights in Glasnacardoch and, finally two nights on Skye. Throughout the week we stay in comfortable guesthouse and B&B accommodation. Walking Grade We climb Munros and Corbetts with 3000 to 5000 feet (900-1500 m) of ascent per day. On some days we will be walking for more than 8 hours. Steep ascents and descents, exposed ground and some scrambling may be involved. You need to be very fit and must have a good head for heights. Regular mountain-walking experience, preferably in Scotland, is a must for full enjoyment.

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