Guided UK walking and mountaineering holidays, specialising in Scotland's long distance trails.
It is another busy week with groups on the Arran Coastal Way, the East Highland Way and the Cape Wrath Trail North! All are bracing themselves for incoming the colder weather...
Photo from the north-east coast of Arran, taken by our guide Ed.
Emerging from the mountains on final leg of the Affric Kintail Way.
The Affric Kintail Way
From Drumnadrochit to the eastern edge of Loch Affric, our group have wound their way through the woodlands on the first 2 days of our Affric Kintail Way trek. Tomorrow, they set out deep into Glen Affric itself for at night below the mountains at Alltbeithe Youth Hostel.
Yesterday, our Hebridean Way group caught the morning ferry to Barra for the last leg of their trek. A reasonably strenuous day to end the trip winds it way up and through the hills of Barra, concluding with Beinn Tangabhal and then onto Vatersay.
As in May, the white sands and sunshine again welcomed our lucky group to this most beautiful of trek endings.
Three days in the mountains of Kintail and Glen Shiel with Annette and Sarah, two Thistle Trekking regulars keen on bagging a few Munros in the area.
We were met with some challenging conditions, especially on the Five Sisters, but six new Munros over 3 days isn't a bad haul!
Yesterday, after two tougher days in the hills, we scaled back our ambitions in favour of some type 1 fun. The sun came out and we made the relatively straightforward ascent of Creag a' Mhàim from Loch Cluanie.
We spent half an hour on the top, taking in excellent views over to the Brothers and Sisters ridge, back down the lochs Cluanie and Loyne, as well as west along the rest of South Shiel ridge. A fine way to finish!
A few more pics from our Hebridean Way trip this week. Our group are now in Lochmaddy, with the Uists and Barra still to go.
We're back on the Hebridean Way!
After a long day travelling to Stornoway on Saturday, we began with a trip to Calanais. Taking in this historical site really sets the scene before we begin our week of walking.
On this "highlights of" trek, our walking really begins on Harris, heading south on the Hebridean Way/Harris Walkway to Tartbert. After a bright morning on Lewis, Harris was in moody form and the brightness in the afternoon brought by the waterproofs and the bag covers!
A typical Hebridean day, and our guiding team (Ed & Harry) rounded it off with an evening jaunt up An Cliseam.
They are Luskentyre bound today, linking the Golden and the Coffin Roads, via the Scholars Path.
Last week was another Thistle Trekking West Highland Way week! Our group was treated to a Rannoch Moor rainbow. In a place where there is often more rain than bow, it is still a favourite section of the route.
Walking under the Black Mount, with the expanse of Rannoch Moor before you, it has a unique feel. The parliamentary road can be hard underfoot, but towards its end is that view of Buachaille Etive Mor - a just reward.
Earlier this year we took our first ever trip to the Outer Hebrides for our Highlights of the Hebridean Way trek. As we gear up for our second visit, we have been looking back at our first, over on our blog.
https://www.thistletrekking.co.uk/2024/07/23/the-hebridean-way/
Hebridean Way
Our first ever trek on the Hebridean Way didn't disappoint. Follow our trail from Stornoway to Vatersay.
A few more photos from our Cape Wrath Trail group, who over the past few days have walked up Glen Oykel, over to Inchnadamph, and around the sea lochs to Kylestrome. Some of the most beautiful and most challenging days on the trail.
Last week Matt joined one of our instructors, Mark, for a day working on advanced navigation skills. They went off the beaten track into the Monadhliath Mountains, in search of contour features and terrain on which to hone micro-navigation techniques.
We wish Matt all the very best as he works towards his Mountain Leader qualification.
Last month we took our fifth group of pilgrims along St Cuthbert's Way. It is fast becoming a favourite and within each of our groups comments of surpassed expectations have been common. Our guide, Sam, has written this excellent blog piece on our walk and the points of interest along the way. It is well worth a read if you are considering this trek or simply interested in the area.
https://www.thistletrekking.co.uk/2024/07/23/st-cuthberts-way-july-2024/
Cuthberts Way South Scotland - Scotland Starts Here
Follow an account our journey from Melrose to Lindisfarne on St Cuthbert's Way - July 2024.
Our Cape Wrath Trail walkers have faced down some "mixed" weather conditions this week. Monday began in a downpour, but things cleared as the group made their high point for the day, with fantastic views over Glen Shiel. The Falls of Glomach benefitted from the rainfall to put a good show the following day. As this is typed our group are on the final push through Fisherfield to Corrie Hallie, on what is the biggest day of our CWT South trek. One day to go before a well earned rest day in Ullapool!
Last week's 'Lochnagar & Upper Deeside' itinerary was adapted on request to include an extra Munro day! Rather than our planned low-level recovery day, we headed for Broad Cairn and Cairn Bannoch, taking a route less trodden to make this a circular walk.
From the Spittal of Glenmuick we followed the north-west shore of Loch Muick passed Glas-allt-Shiel (no Royals in residence), and then upwards to the Dubh Loch. The dark imposing crags and loch below were both impressive.
From here the route becomes rough and steep in places, as we wound our way on to the summit of Cairn Bannoch. Along the tops the route is more straightforward and we followed one or two walkers completing their set of five White Mounth Munros.
We also met a dog who was ticking off his 100th Munro, apparently around 15 more than his owner!
It was great addition to the trip, with improving weather making for quite a hot afternoon. We concluded the trip the following day with the Corbett of Creag nan Gabhar to give a total of 7 Munros and a Corbet for our 5 days in the hills.
A few more pics from our Coast to Coasters, who are now just one day from Robin Hood's Bay and the North Sea!
Some longs miles, but some lovely countryside over the last few days.
Two days, 5 Munros! Lochnagar today, showing off those "steep frowning glories" in blazing sunshine and blustery winds, followed yesterday's day of bagging up Glenshee.
A glorious couple of days on Wainwright's Coast to Coast!
The sun is out and so are we!
This week we have groups both here in Braemar for our hillwaking holiday and heading for Robin Hood's Bay on the Coast to Coast. Hopefully the good weather lasts.
🗓REMAINING AVAILABILITY FOR 2024 TREKKING 🗓
We have had a short pause in trekking this week before the remaining 2 months of our season. We have lots of marvellous miles and mountains still to cover. If you would still like to join us we would be delighted to walk with you. Here is our remaining availability for this season.
WEST HIGHLAND WAY: 10-18 August - 4 spaces left 🥾
BEN NEVIS: 19 August - 4 spaces left 🏔
SKYE TRAIL: 24 Aug. to 1 Sep - 1 space left 🏞
GLENCOE & THE BUACHAILLES: 2-5 September - 2 spaces left 🌄
AFFRIC KINTAIL WAY: 2-7 September - 1 space left 🌳
BEN NEVIS: 7 September - 4 spaces left 🏔
EAST HIGHLAND WAY: 7-14 September - 2 spaces left 🗺
ARRAN COASTAL WAY: 7-14 September - 4 spaces left 🏝
PEMBROKESHIRE COASTAL PATH: 14-22 September - 2 spaces left 🌊
ST CUTHBERT'S WAY: 15-22 September - 1 space left ⛪
SKYE TRAIL: 28 Sep. to 6 Oct. - 5 spaces left 🏞
Our August treks on the Cape Wrath Trail South & North, and the Hebridean Way are sold out, along with our September West Highland Way trek. We are happy to add you to our waiting list for these treks.
All our treks have there own page on our website full of lots of useful info, but do get in touch ([email protected]) if you have any questions or queries!
We have two groups out on the West Highland Way this week, and the first began their final leg to Fort William today. They've had lots of fun and good weather on Scotland's most popular long distance trail.
Despite the wonderful scenery, that 3rd day on the West Highland Way can really take it out of you! It's up-and-down-and-up-and-down, over roots and rocks, before finally concluding at Beinglas campsite. A top effort from our group today!
We made it! Yesterday, at around 4pm, we arrived at the Cape Wrath lighthouse to complete our Scottish National Trail. From Kirk Yetholm to the north-west tip of Scotland, we have had a blast.
Rasha, Nicole and Sue joined us for each of our 6 stages (a total of 36 walking days) on this length of Scotland trek. What a tremendous achievement! Thank you to all the other walkers who joined us along the way, with a special mention for John, who came to Sandwood Bay to see us off yesterday, despite not being able to join us for the full stage this time.
It has been a pleasure to share the trail with you all!
A fine last day on the Isle of Arran Coastal Way! We very much look forward to returning in September.
In the last few days we have passed through the magnificent mountains of Assynt on our Scottish National/Cape Wrath Trail trek. The hard won views on this section of the trail have been wonderful!
Another otterly marvellous day on Arran yesterday!
A few pics from the first 2 days on the Isle of Arran Coastal Way, including a side trip to the standing stones at Machrie Moor today. That's Sannox to Machrie complete and our group now head south down the west coast of the island.
Today is a well-earned rest day in Ullapool for our walkers on the Cape Wrath Trail/Scottish National Trail. The South section was concluded yesterday with a fine walk over the coffin road from Corrie Hallie.
As we rest up, our group on Arran get underway from Sannox Bay on their trek around the Arran Coastal Way.
2 big days through the hils from Morvich followed by a shorter day through the Coulin Pass today. Our Scottish National Trail and Cape Wrath Trail walkers have made it safely to Kinlochewe.
The Falls of Glomach were in full flow, and Maol-bhuidhe a perfect camp spot. It was warmer today as we enjoyed the views over Torridon and an earlier finish.
And we're off! Cape Wrath bound on the final stage of our Scottish National Trail.
Another West Highland Way trek reaches the finish. This fun group of walkers joined us for the 96 miles of classic Scottish trekking from Milngavie to Fort William. Well done to them all!
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