Courses on the Black Cuillins, Isle of Skye
The Cuillins are arguably the best alpine terrain to be found in the UK and the most unique located off the western seaboard of Scotland.
This compact massive has attracted walkers and climbers to the Cuillins for well over a hundred years, the ridge hosts 11 munro summits and 9 munro tops in all 67 peaks on or adjoining the main Cuillin ridge, the 12th Munro Summit is off the main ridge.
This ridge length is 7 miles of flesh eating rock, their are a variety of rock types however the main types encountered are Gabbro and Basalt. Climbing on the Cuillin was first recorded in 1810, first recorded guiding on the cuillin began in 1870.

This cluster of sharp peaks, narrow ridges and ice scoured corries is one of the most spectacular and dramatic contrasting scenery to ever experience and on their day the Cuillins are a match for anywhere in Northern Europe.
Climbmts began guiding on the Black Cuillins in 1995, our detailed knowledge of the Cuillin ridge is highly detailed and spans 360° on average our company spends up to 4 months of the year running courses and privately guiding on the island. Our experience, skills and knowledge is second to none, and on our courses you will experience some of the very best we have to offer. This mountain range offers exciting exploits and challenging terrain and that’s the appeal that makes getting to this amazing playground of ridges and summits an exciting undertaking, classic mountaineering adventures just waiting to be enjoyed.

A classic traverse of this snaking Hebridean ridge is the finest mountaineering expedition and arguably the only genuine alpine mountaineering expedition Britain has to offer. A unique challenge in a spectacularly twisted and vertical landscape.
A successful crossing of the ridge demands good weather conditions, knowledge of the route, good tactics and good planning and from the course participant, plenty of good stamina, strong will power, enthusiasm and a passion for alpine mountaineering.
So what’s involved?
The course is ran over 5 days and we always recommend this minimum time frame as you need to capture the right weather window for the continuous 2 day traverse to be a success.
Both days on the traverse take up to 14 hours with an overnight bivouac high on the ridge. 13000ft of combined ascent is experienced over 11 Munro summits.
The other three days of this course is consumed with classic mountaineering, for example we aim to complete the Clach Glas-Blaven traverse, Pinnacle Ridge and the famous A’ Cioch.
One of the days might be used to stash your bivi kit prior to the traverse where a classic multi-pitch scramble route is climbed to get there. For day 1 of the traverse we try to lighten your carry load as much as possible that is why we encourage a pre kit stash.
The ridge grade goes at very difficult with the odd severe move, but the vast majority or main grade is moderate to difficult with full roped protection provided where appropriate, of course there are easy walking sections too.
The traverse experience is fully guided however, you will receive coaching in mountaineering skills such as scramble moves, abseiling, belaying, rope management and alpine expedition skills.

Ratio 1-3
Course duration: 5 days

Our packaged course includes self catering accommodation, bunkhouse style for 5 nights, on a shared room basis. For exclusive / single rooms requirements! a supplement charge is added. We can organise B&B, guest house or hotel accommodation up to date costs are given at point of booking.
If you want to organise your own accommodation requirements separate from our course package, please ask our course bookings administration for accommodation contacts.

If you need further assistance please call our bookings team on 01887 822 699

Cuillin Mountaineer packaged course

So, you’re not yet looking to do the Cuillin traverse but fancy getting to grips with some of the best alpine routes in Britain, then our Cuillin mountaineer package is the course for you and it’s one of our most popular. We’ll guide you, instruct you on classic mountain routes and sections of the Cuillin’s narrow crest.
This course will concentrate on teaching you alpine skills for graded terrain. For example key training areas are;

Movement on multi-pitch scrambles / graded rock
Protecting roped climbing and ridges
Rope management
Anchor building
Belaying
Abseiling
Alpine expedition skills including overnight bivouaqing
Mountain weather and navigation
Interpreting guidebooks and route planning

A range of classic routes this course regularly visit are; Pinnacle Ridge, The Dubhs Ridge, Sections of the Cuillin Ridge like The West Ridge of Sgurr Nan Gillean, The inaccessible Pinnacle, A’Cioch, Clach Glas-Blaven traverse, West Ridge of Sgurr A’ Mhadaidh and many more. There’s enough routes and ridges to last a life time of mountaineering on the Cuillins.

Ratio 1-4
Course duration 5 days

Our packaged course includes self catering accommodation, bunkhouse style for 5 nights, on a shared room basis. For exclusive / single rooms requirements! a supplement charge is added. We can organise B&B, guest house or hotel accommodation up to date costs are given at point of booking.
If you want to organise your own accommodation requirements separate from our course package, please ask our course bookings administration for accommodation contacts.

If you need further assistance please call our bookings team on 01887 822 699