Overview
Introduction to the Assynt & Sutherland: The Far North West
In the far north west of Scotland lies some of its most wonderful hills, mountains and scenery. This hillwalking holiday will give you a chance to explore the Munros, Corbetts and the coastline of this unique landscape. Based in the tiny coastal village of Scourie we will travel each day to take on some of the best hillwalking Scotland has to offer.
Highlights of the Assynt & Sutherland: The Far North West
- Climb the iconic Suilven
- Collect further Corbetts on the mountains of Arkle & Quinag
- Tick off a couple of Munros in Ben More Assynt and Conival
- Enjoy a trip to Handa Island nature reserve
- Take in the expansive views of the north-west on a section of the Cape Wrath Trail
What's Included with this Holiday
- 6 nights comfortable holiday cottage accommodation
- 5 days guiding from a qualified UK Mountain Leader
- Max group size of 6 plus your guide
- Free transfer to/from Inverness on arrival and departure days
- A comprehensive information pack to help you prepare for your trip
What to Expect from the Assynt & Sutherland: The Far North West
The walking in this holiday is physically challenging with lots of hill climbing, as well as rough and rocky terrain. The effort is well rewarded in these mountains.
Is the Assynt & Sutherland: The Far North West Right For Me?
To make the most of this holiday you will want to have a good level of fitness. The hills we will be tackling will be in parts rough, rocky and boggy. We will be making significant height gains most days. Previous hillwalking experience would be advisable, but if you are physically fit and want to experience something new then this could be a good choice for you as well.
Assynt & Sutherland: The Far North West Gallery
Assynt & Sutherland: The Far North West Guided Walking Itinerary
Daily Plan
Below is our Plan A for exploring the hills of Assynt & Sutherland. The order may change but the hills listed below our main objectives. This area has countless options for excellent walking and should the weather dictate a change then we will always have good options. At the end of each day we will return to our accommodation to relax and recharge the batteries.
Day 1: Arrival
This is your chance to make your way to Scourie. You can do this under your own steam but as this is an area tricky to get to on public transport we offer a free transfer from Inverness. Whether you are planning to get the bus, train or drive to Inverness you are very welcome to finish the last part of your journey to Scourie with us. Please do note that the transfer will take 2.5 hours and we will be leaving Inverness at 2.30pm.
Accommodation Scourie
Day 2: Arkle
Take on this magnificent quartzite Corbett. A curving ridge with a short narrowing, where care is needed, along with a head for heights. Spectacular mountain views are afforded from this vantage point and then of the coast as the summit is reached. We return via the ascent route. Distance: 17.5km/11 miles Ascent: 880m Time: 6.5-7.5 hours
Accommodation Scourie
Day 3: Suilven
The iconic Suilven is our aim for day 2. One of Assynt's most recognised mountains this former nunatak really stands out. We will approach the mountain from the west before tackling the steep slopes to its saddle. Turning west we will ascend to take in its broad grassy summit and the unrivalled views. We will return via the same route. Distance: 20km/12.5 miles Ascent: 950m Time: 7-9 hours
Accommodation Scourie
Day 4: Handa Island
After 2 days "on this hill" we will take a more leisurely pace today by visiting Handa Island RSPB nature reserve. After the short Ferry ride we will have time to explore the island and take in the wonderful wildlife. A day to bring the binoculars!
Accommodation Scourie
Day 5: Munros: Ben More Assynt & Convial
We will be back in the hills today with the aim of bagging the Munros of Ben More Assynt and Conival. With some rough going underfoot these are hard won Munros, but as with all the mountains here the views more than compensate. We start by heading up the glen from Inchnadamph before making the steep climb to gain the north ridge of Conival. If energy levels allow we will continue east to take in the second Munro of Ben More Assynt. The distance isn't great between the tops but it does take concentration and balance on the rocky terrain. We will return by retracing our steps. Distance: 17.25km/10.75 miles Ascent: 1075m Time: 8.5-10 hours
Accommodation Scourie
Day 6: Quinag
Today's objective is Quinag (koon-yak). This complex mountain whose name translates from the Gaelic as "milk pail" will give us the opportunity to summit 3 Corbetts. This walk has the advantage of beginning at 250m above sea level which might be welcomed come this stage in your holiday. However, it is still a big day of walking if attempting to take in all 3 Corbetts. Distance: 14km/8.75 miles Ascent: 1125m Time: 7.5 - 8.5 hours
Accommodation Scourie
Day 7: Departure
Today we will leave Scourie and the far north-west. Those taking advantage of the free transfer to Inverness will leave at 9.30am.
Assynt & Sutherland: The Far North West Accommodation Options
For this walking holiday we will base ourselves in a self-catering holiday cottage in the north-west of Scotland.
Holiday Cottage
For this trek the accommodation is a comfortable and spacious holiday cottage in the small village of Scourie. Bathroom facilities are shared.
Dates & Prices
The dates of our scheduled treks can be seen below. We also off the option of private bookings for groups. Please get in touch if you'd like to book privately.
| Date of Trek | Availability |
|---|---|
| Saturday 25th May 2024 to Friday 31st May 2024 | FULL waiting list available |
No Suitable Date?
If there are no dates on this calendar to suit you please let us know, sometimes we can add extra dates if there is enough demand for an extra trip to be added.
Waiting List
If a trek is full but you would like to be added to the waiting list, please do let us know. The waiting list is there so that if anyone drops out of the trek we will contact you and let you know, so you can take their place on the trek instead.
Future Dates
Our trekking calendar is released a year in advance each spring. Keep an eye on the 'Year Planner' in the menu above, or send us a request for an email alert when the latest calendar is published. If you are keen to book early and secure a trek on a date to suit you, do feel free to get in contact with us to suggest a date
Pricing
Price for Holiday Cottage:
The price of this trip is £1029 per person (based on two sharing).
To book this trip we will require a £200 deposit per person with the rest to be paid a month before your trip.
If you are booking as a solo traveller and happy to share a twin room with another solo traveller of the same sex the price is £1029.
There is no single supplement available for this trail as rooms are mainly of a shared basis.
How to Book
Booking is simple, you can either phone us, email us or use our online shopping cart below.
Book Assynt & Sutherland: The Far North West Online
What Happens Once you Have Booked
Once we have received your booking (either through the online shopping cart, email or phone). We will then confirm with you that your accommodation option and room type, single, twin or double, is available. We will then send you a full booking form and information about paying your deposit for your trek. All deposits can be paid by cheque, bank transfer or debit/credit card. Once we have received back both your booking form and deposit we will let you know and your place on the trip will be secure.