Kirkhope Mountaineering

I've been out on expedition for the last two days with a small group of Students from West Highland College UHI. We headed to the far western end of Loch Arkaig and walked in yesterday to camp as high up in Glen Dessarry as we dared given the forecasted winds. We arrived at camp early and were set up for a wild and wet night. I think I saw every hour of the night as the winds blew down the Glen and gave my tent a good shaking.
We woke early to a bright but still blustery morn...ing and were stood on top of the fantastic mountain of Sgurr na Ciche for 9.30am. From here we carried on east over Garbh Chioch Mhor, Garbh Chioch Beag and then our final summit of Sgurr nan Coireachan.
This really is a very quiet and beautiful part of Scotland and is especially amazing at this time of year with the Stags roaring.
@ami_professionals @rab.equipment @dmm_wales @thinkuhi @whc.uhi @soas.uhi #Munros #hillwalking #scrambling #mountaineering #guiding #scottishhills #mountainprofessionals #mountaineeringinstructors
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I've been out on an expedition for the last two days with a small group of Students from West Highland College UHI. We headed to the far western end of Loch Arkaig and walked in yesterday to camp as high up in Glen Dessarry as we dared given the forecasted winds. We arrived at camp early and were set up for a wild and wet night. I think I saw every hour of the night as the winds blew down the Glen and gave my tent a good shaking.
We woke early to a bright but still blustery m...orning and were stood on top of the fantastic mountain of Sgurr na Ciche for 9.30am. From here we carried on West over Garbh Chioch Mhor, Garbh Chioch Beag and then our final summit of Sgurr nan Coireachan.
This really is a very quiet and beautiful part of Scotland and is especially amazing at this time of year with the Stags roaring.
Association of Mountaineering Instructors DMM Climbing Rab University of the Highlands and Islands School of Adventure Studies UHI
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A wintery feel to Ben Nevis today.
@ami_professionals @dmm_wales @rab.equipment @scotwinter

A wintery feel to Ben Nevis today.

This climbing group from the School of Adventure studies at West Highland college are coming on in leaps and bounds with their skills and climbing movement. With a nice forecast and them keen to try some climbing outside we headed for Kingussie, to let them have a try and with a couple of abseils thrown in too.
Association of Mountaineering Instructors DMM Climbing School of Adventure Studies UHI West Highland College UHI... University of the Highlands and Islands
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This climbing group from the School of Adventure studies at West Highland college are coming on in leaps and bounds with their skills and climbing movement. With a nice forecast and them keen to try some climbing outside we headed for Kingussie, to let them have a try and with a couple of abseils thrown in too.
@ami_professionals @rab.equipment @dmm_wales @soas.uhi @whc.uhi @thinkuhi @lochaberguides #climbing #instruction #climbingpicturesofinstagram #mountainprofessionals #mountaineeringinstructor

With strong winds forecast for today and heavy rain coming in later in the day we decided to stay low and concentrate on building the guys navigation skills. Repetition and varying the practice with different scales is a great way to keep things fresh and help the learning.
@ami_professionals @whc.uhi @thinkuhi @dmm_wales @rab.equipment ... #navigation #guiding #mountaineeringinstructor #mountainleader #mountainprofessionals #hillwalkingscotland #hillwalking @ Torlundy
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With strong winds forecast for today and heavy rain coming in later in the day we decided to stay low and concentrate on building the guys navigation skills. Repetition and varying the practice with different scales is a great way to keep things fresh and help the learning.
Association of Mountaineering Instructors West Highland College UHI University of the Highlands and Islands... DMM Climbing
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A stunning day on the 2 Munros west of Loch Treig, Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin and Stob Coire Easain. Great views in all directions and a real eye opener for some of the @thinkuhi students, all of this is on their doorstep now.
A dusting of snow for us today but there looked much more over the Nevis range and Aonachs. @ Roybridge, Highland, United Kingdom

It's been a real mix of work this week with some guiding, teaching navigation and some indoor wall work. Great to be back working with students from @thinkuhi and @whc.uhi and the @soas.uhi department.
@ami_professionals @dmm_wales @rab.equipment #climbingpicturesofinstagram #climbing #navigation #guiding #mountaineeringinstructor #mountainprofessionals #mountaineering #scrambling #teachingleadingcoaching

With the forecasts suggesting that the winds would ease as the day went on, Mike and I decided to stick with plan A and go for the Aonach Eagach.
It was breezy at times on the walk up but we stopped and had a sandwich as we kitted up at the summit of Am Bodach in relative calm. The weather was doing as promised so we headed along the ridge. We did have some hefty gusts at times during a couple of very nasty short, sharp showers but the strong breeze helped dry the rock very q...uickly.
Well done to Mike, not bad for 72. I hope I'm still moving like that at his age.
@ami_professionals @dmm_wales @rab.equipment #aonacheagach #ridge ##scrambling #mountaineering #mountaineeringinstructor #mountainprofessionals #guiding #Glencoe @ Aonach Eagach
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With the forecasts suggesting that the winds would ease as the day went on, Mike and I decided to stick with plan A and go for the Aonach Eagach.
It was breezy at times on the walk up but we stopped and had a sandwich as we kitted up at the summit of Am Bodach in relative calm. The weather was doing as promised so we headed along the ridge. We did have some hefty gusts at times during a couple of very nasty short, sharp showers but the strong breeze helped dry the rock very q...uickly.
Well done to Mike, not bad for 72. I hope I'm still moving like that at his age.
Association of Mountaineering Instructors DMM Climbing
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With strong winds and snow forecast for the high tops, Amy, Jenny and I opted to stay low and be flexible.
We headed to Polldubh first and climbed the Gutter in 4 pitches to give the ladies a taste of outdoor climbing. It was dry mostly but a couple of heavy showers did pass through and it was chilly.
A quick bite to eat and we decided to run away to @3wisemonkeysclimbing to look at some movement coaching. A great day of work with a big range of skills learnt.
... @ami_professionals @mt_association #climbing #rockclimbing #climbingpicturesofinstagram #coaching #movementskills #tradclimbing #scottishrockclimbing
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I've been in Glencoe the last couple of days observing more of the Mountaineering Instructor Award training course being run by Glenmore Lodge.
Yesterday was spent looking at climbing and guiding techniques on the east face of Aonach Dubh. Cold in the wind and some showers passing through yesterday kept the rock wet and the teams on their toes.
Today we were on the Bauchaille looking at guiding one or two people over a mixture of terrain. There is a lot to consider and to tak...e in during this day and was very interesting to watch and listen.
The last three days have been very interesting and I hope useful for me to apply to future mentoring.
Association of Mountaineering Instructors
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Wet, cold and windy in Glen Nevis today.
Part of my role as an Association of mountaineering Instructors Mentor for the MIA scheme is to help trainee members prepare for their working lives and their assessment.
This week I have been lucky enough to be asked along to shadow a few days of the Mountaineering Instructor Award training course at Glenmore Lodge. This is a great opportunity for me to touch base with the people delivering this training course and to keep up to date ...with current thoughts and practices, as well as getting a bit more information about the assessment process and what is to be expected.
This will hopefully help with any future mentoring I do with trainees and it is always good to see how other professionals work. A big thanks to Glenmore for letting me tag along and to Bill and the training team for sharing and to the trainees who have a lot of information to take in over this 9 day course.
@ami_professionals @glenmorelodge @dmm_wales @rab.equipment #rockclimbing #climbing #climbingpicturesofinstagram #mountaineeringinstructor #mountainprofessionals #mia
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Wet, cold and windy in Glen Nevis today.
Part of my role as an Association of mountaineering Instructors Mentor for the MIA scheme is to help trainee members prepare for their working lives and their assessment.
This week I have been lucky enough to be asked along to shadow a few days of the Mountaineering Instructor Award training course at Glenmore Lodge. This is a great opportunity for me to touch base with the people delivering this training course and to keep up to date ...with current thoughts and practices, as well as getting a bit more information about the assessment process and what is to be expected.
This will hopefully help with any future mentoring I do with trainees and it is always good to see how other professionals work. A big thanks to Glenmore Lodge for letting me tag along and to Bill and the training team for sharing and to the trainees who have a lot of information to take in over this 9 day course.
Association of Mountaineering Instructors
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Despite a pretty miserable day of weather we had a great day on the Forcan ridge in Kintail. This was my first time on the route so it was a new adventure for all of us and I have to say I was pretty impressed with it. How had I not done this route before?
It might be controversial but I think it is a better day out than a couple of the 'Classic' mainland ridges. The main difference is that it doesn't link two Munros, which is why I think it is overlooked.
If you haven't don...e it, go have an adventure.
@hebrideanpursuits @ami_professionals @rab.equipment @dmm_wales #mountaineering #scrambling #mountaineeringinstructor #mountainprofessionals #scottishhills #Munros #kintail #guiding @ Kintail, Highland, United Kingdom
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Despite a pretty miserable day of weather we had a great day on the Forcan ridge in Kintail. This was my first time on the route so it was a new adventure for all of us and I have to say I was pretty impressed with it. How had I not done this route before?
It might be controversial but I think it is a better day out than a couple of the 'Classic' mainland ridges. The main difference is that it doesn't link two Munros, which is why I think it is overlooked.
If you haven't don...e it, go have an adventure.
Hebridean Pursuits Association of Mountaineering Instructors
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With a bright start to the day forecast we headed out early this morning to make the most of the day. We went straight up to the In pinn and we had it pretty much to ourselves with Gillian and her team following just behind.
We carried on North to An Dorus from here taking in as much of the scrambling on the ridge that we could. A few drizzly showers had drifted in so we called it a day at An Dorus and headed down.
@hebrideanpursuits... @ami_professionals @rab.equipment @dmm_wales #Skye #Skyemunros #Cuillinridge #skyecuillin #guiding #mountaineering #scrambling #mountaineeringinstructor #mountainprofessionals
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Thanks Scott we had a brilliant day- looking forward to tomorrow

Thank you Scott for sorting out and arranging our Ben Nevis climb on Saturday night. James and Ben were fabulous.

Top notch guys �

Couldn’t ask for better �

Spent two days with him and Hannah. They were great! Brilliantly accommodating and undoubtedly know what they were doing!

Highly recommend for guiding on Skye Cuillin, especially Innaccessible Pinnacle

Fantastic tuition and instruction. Well recommened :-)

Fantastic day of scrambling on Ben Nevis thanks to Scott.



Scott is very knowledgeable and I felt safe in his hands.

Could not have had a better time on my intro to some light winter mountaineering. Scott is a fantastic guide and I'd gladly put my life in his hands any day.

Andy was a fantastic guide, full of knowledge and interesting information. The weather was horrendous but we made it to the summit of Ben Nevis, not sure we would have without Andy's spot on pacing of our group and the confidence he gave us all! Most impressively he patiently listened to the incessant ramblings and a million questions from my boys (aged 7, 10 &11) and helped to give them an experience they will remember for life! Admin was all super easy too and they even sent me some photos taken on the day, even if we looked a little worse for wear!! Thank you all!!

Absolutely top notch guidance from Scott over the last three days.I took my family and he really filled us all with confidence and took the time to impart his knowledge of the mountains. He is full of info on the local wildlife and history of the area as well. I would thoroughly recommend anyone to try Kirkhope Mountaineering. He backed up what knowledge I already had and taught me a lot of new techniques to use in the future. Brilliant.

Thanks Scott we had a brilliant day- looking forward to tomorrow

Thank you Scott for sorting out and arranging our Ben Nevis climb on Saturday night. James and Ben were fabulous.

Top notch guys �

Couldn’t ask for better �

Spent two days with him and Hannah. They were great! Brilliantly accommodating and undoubtedly know what they were doing!

Highly recommend for guiding on Skye Cuillin, especially Innaccessible Pinnacle

Fantastic tuition and instruction. Well recommened :-)

Fantastic day of scrambling on Ben Nevis thanks to Scott.



Scott is very knowledgeable and I felt safe in his hands.

Could not have had a better time on my intro to some light winter mountaineering. Scott is a fantastic guide and I'd gladly put my life in his hands any day.

Andy was a fantastic guide, full of knowledge and interesting information. The weather was horrendous but we made it to the summit of Ben Nevis, not sure we would have without Andy's spot on pacing of our group and the confidence he gave us all! Most impressively he patiently listened to the incessant ramblings and a million questions from my boys (aged 7, 10 &11) and helped to give them an experience they will remember for life! Admin was all super easy too and they even sent me some photos taken on the day, even if we looked a little worse for wear!! Thank you all!!

Absolutely top notch guidance from Scott over the last three days.I took my family and he really filled us all with confidence and took the time to impart his knowledge of the mountains. He is full of info on the local wildlife and history of the area as well. I would thoroughly recommend anyone to try Kirkhope Mountaineering. He backed up what knowledge I already had and taught me a lot of new techniques to use in the future. Brilliant.

Thanks Scott we had a brilliant day- looking forward to tomorrow

Thank you Scott for sorting out and arranging our Ben Nevis climb on Saturday night. James and Ben were fabulous.

Top notch guys �

Couldn’t ask for better �

Spent two days with him and Hannah. They were great! Brilliantly accommodating and undoubtedly know what they were doing!

Highly recommend for guiding on Skye Cuillin, especially Innaccessible Pinnacle

Fantastic tuition and instruction. Well recommened :-)

Fantastic day of scrambling on Ben Nevis thanks to Scott.



Scott is very knowledgeable and I felt safe in his hands.

Could not have had a better time on my intro to some light winter mountaineering. Scott is a fantastic guide and I'd gladly put my life in his hands any day.

Andy was a fantastic guide, full of knowledge and interesting information. The weather was horrendous but we made it to the summit of Ben Nevis, not sure we would have without Andy's spot on pacing of our group and the confidence he gave us all! Most impressively he patiently listened to the incessant ramblings and a million questions from my boys (aged 7, 10 &11) and helped to give them an experience they will remember for life! Admin was all super easy too and they even sent me some photos taken on the day, even if we looked a little worse for wear!! Thank you all!!

Absolutely top notch guidance from Scott over the last three days.I took my family and he really filled us all with confidence and took the time to impart his knowledge of the mountains. He is full of info on the local wildlife and history of the area as well. I would thoroughly recommend anyone to try Kirkhope Mountaineering. He backed up what knowledge I already had and taught me a lot of new techniques to use in the future. Brilliant.