UK Trips

Aviemore has fairly good transport links and there are a various ways to arrive depending on how much time you have and where you are coming from.

Some of the options are

• Drive to Scotland

• Take the train to Inverness/Aviemore:

You could get the Caledonian Sleeper Train back to London (https://www.sleeper.scot/)

Leaves 20:25 Inverness on Sunday and arrives in London Euston at 8am on Monday

• Fly to Inverness:

There are direct flights from Bristol, Gatwick, Luton, Heathrow and Manchester

From Inverness Airport you can take a train or hire a car to get to Aviemore. If you arrive late, you may have to stay in Inverness one night before travelling to Aviemore in the morning. There is a train that arrives at 9.25am. It takes just over 1 hour.

You can hire a car from Inverness Airport for just over £40 per day.

• Hire a car from Inverness

We would recommend hiring a car for the weekend as once we meet in Aviemore you will need to get to the start points of our activities. We have a few spaces in the van but this will be first come first served or you can arrange taxis but it is better if you have your own transport.

If you need any advice on how to reach Aviemore, please don’t hesitate to contact us

Please arrive by 9.30am on Saturday 17th Feb and meet outside the Aviemore Youth Hostel

The short answer is yes. We do not have enough spaces in the van to accommodate taking everyone to the hills. It is possible to hire a car from the Inverness airport and in Aviemore or book taxis. We will link you up with other participants so you can car share if you prefer.

However, if you cannot drive or need transport once you are in Scotland, please let us know. We have a couple of spaces in the van so can offer transport to you on a first come first served basis.

Yes, this course is designed to give you the confidence to enjoy winter hiking and learn how or gain confidence in using crampons. All we require is that you have some experience in summer hillwalking.

The guide ratio on our winter skills trip is 6:1. If we have more than six participants, we will have an extra guide.

We will provide a full kit list once you are booked onto the trip but the main things you will need are:

* Waterproof jacket and trousers

* Insulated synthetic jacket with hood

* Winter Boots

* Gaiters

* Crampons

* Ice Axe

* Helmet

* 40lt rucksack

* Walking poles

Most of these items you can hire from outdoor shops in Aviemore if you do not have them or want to wait before purchasing. If you need any advice of what gear to buy or rent, we will be very happy to help.

We recommend that you have some summer hill walking experience and that you have a level of fitness that means you can spend two days out in the mountains in winter conditions. If you are unsure whether this is the right trip for you, please get in touch.

If you like the look of this trip but you can’t make the dates work, then our Ben Nevis Winter Adventure on the 2nd - 3rd March would be a great alternative.

Alternatively, get in touch to arrange a private trip on the dates that work for you. If you are a group of family or friends, the price may not be that different.

We recommend that you use B2 or B3 boots for winter hiking. These will take C2 crampons. B1 boots may be too soft or cold for the conditions.

Don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions about which boots and crampons you should bring or rent.

There are lots of places to stay in Aviemore for a whole range of budgets. It’s worth looking on booking.com and AirBnb to get some ideas and then finding the website or phone number to book directly if possible. Accommodation in Aviemore does book up fairly quickly, especially at the weekend, so it is worth getting something booked as soon as possible.

We have listed some suggestions below of places you might want to consider. Let us know if you have any questions.

£:

Aviemore Youth Hostel: from £30/night in a dorm or £49/night for single private room

Aviemore bunkhouse at The Old Bridge Inn: from £25/night in a dorm, or £60/night for twin room

Rothiemurchus Campsite: from £15/night for camping

££:

Cairngorm Hotel: from £89/night for single room or £107/night in double room

High Range Lodge Hotel: from £95/night for a double room

Private room in Aviemore: £88/night for double bed (https://shorturl.at/emQS5)

£££:

Macdonald Morlich Hotel: from £130/night for a double room

Aviemore Stay and explore: A 2 bedroom bungalow (found on booking.com as well): from £150/night

Ardlogie Guest House : £110/night single, £140/night double (2 night minimum stay)