walk location map
A week of guided walks based mainly in Glencoe, Scotland.Walking Holiday Itinerary: The following itinerary is intended to give you a general idea of what your Glencoe Guided Walking Holiday will include. However, this may be subject to change at short notice if, for example, I judge the weather conditions are unsuitable to carry out the intended route a lower level walk will take place. The emphasis of the holiday will be on providing an enjoyable and rewarding experience for everyone rather than simply 'Munroe bagging'. Your holiday starts when we meetYour holiday starts when we meet in the evening at Crianlarich Youth Hostel on a Saturday in September. This will give you the opportunity to meet me and get to know the other group members. I will be available to answer any questions you may have and tell you more about our intended plans for the forthcoming week. Day 1 - Sunday Depart from Crianlarich for approximately a 30min drive north to Bridge of Orchy.
After completing the walk we continue our drive north, which takes us through the spectacular scenery of Glencoe itself. Our destination is Glencoe Youth Hostel, which will be our accommodation for the next 5 nights. Day 2 - Monday
We return by the same route to Glencoe. Day 3 - Tuesday
Day 4 - Wednesday Bidean nam Bian (1150m or 3766ft) is the highest mountain in Argyllshire. It is often referred to as the 'Queen of Argyll' and is one of the best mountains in Scotland. The summit itself is almost hidden from Glencoe by three huge rocky outcrops known as 'The Three Sisters of Glencoe'.
Day 5 - Thursday
Day 6 - Friday
Upon completing the walk, unless you have booked the optional extra night's accommodation, it is time to depart for home. Taking with you I hope some unforgettable memories of Scotland's spectacular scenery. I hope this has given you a good idea of what your Glencoe Guided Walking Holiday will involve. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions you wish to ask about the holiday or are interested in booking. This holiday will run in September 2009 if there is enough interest. ***** BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL ***** |
Beinn
Dorain (1076m or 3530ft) & Beinn an Dothaidh (1002m or 3287ft), both
of which are Munroe's provide an excellent start to the walking holiday
by offering relatively easy walking with excellent views from their summits
particularly to the north across Rannoch Moor.
A
day of sightseeing is planned. By a combination of driving and ferries
we will visit the Isle of Mull. From the Isle of Mull a short half mile
ferry trip takes us on to the historic island of Iona. St Columba came
here from Ireland in the sixth century and established the Celtic Church.
If time and tide allow it may be possible to take a boat to the island
of Staffa and look at Fingal's Cave.
Ben Nevis
(1344m or 4406ft), is our destination today. We will follow the main path
to the summit of the highest mountain in Britain. Although the path is
good the walk is still physically demanding. On a clear day the views
of the western seaboard, mountains as far as the eye can see and Ben Nevis's
northern cliffs are unforgettable.
Initial
height is gained by relatively easy walking to Coire a Gabhail (The Lost
Valley), an atmospheric place where the McDonald clans allegedly hid cattle
stolen from the Campbell's. The walking then becomes steeper until the
main ridge is reached, then on to the summit itself with superb views
opening up all the time.
Garbh
Bheinn, Ardgour (885m or 2903ft) is described in the Scottish Mountaineering
Club Corbetts Guide as 'one of the finest mountains in the western Highlands….'.
An undulating ridge walk with excellent views terminates at the summit
of Garbh Bheinn. Ben Nevis, the Mamores, Glencoe and the Hebrides can
all be seen from this splendid viewpoint.
Buchaille
Etive Mor (1022m or 3354ft) or 'The Great Shepherd of Etive' is the destination
today. Dividing the watershed between Rannoch Moor and Glencoe is one
of the best known and most photographed mountains in Scotland. A good
path leads to the summit ridge from where a short walk leads to the summit
of Stob Dearg. From its airy summit the desolate Rannoch Moor to the east
is well seen as well as mountains in all directions.