Nach langjähriger Erfahrung als Wander-Guide im wilden Nordwesten Schottlands haben sich die folgenden Wanderungen als meine Top 4 Wege bzw. Bergbesteigungen herausgestellt.
Quinag
Quinag ist ein 808 m hoher Gebirgszug in Sutherland, der nur 40 Autominuten nördlich von Ullapool liegt.
Es handelt sich nicht um einen einzelnen Berg, sondern um eine dramatische Gipfelkette, die auf Schottisch-Gälisch Sàil Gharbh, Sàil Ghorm und Spidean Coinich heißt.
Der Quinag ist insofern ungewöhnlich, als er dem normalen Wanderer nicht weniger als drei einzelne Gipfel über 2.500 Fuß (Corbetts) bietet – eine Tour zu allen Gipfeln ist ein ziemlich großes Unterfangen. Das bedeutet, dass dies kein einfacher Tagesausflug ist, wenn man alle drei in Angriff nimmt. Aus diesem Grund nehmen wir nur zwei in unsere Tagesroute auf, um sie für die meisten erreichbar zu machen.
Ihre Anstrengung wird mit atemberaubenden Ausblicken auf Loch Assynt im Süden, Conival und Ben More Assynt im Südosten und Loch a’Chàirn Bhàin belohnt.
Details zur Wanderung: 12 km – Aufstieg 800 m, Abstieg 800 m – Gehzeit 5 – 6 h
Taken from the ridge of Quinag.
Ben More Assynt und Conival
Ben More Assynt und Conival sind die einzigen Munros in Assynt (Berge über 3000 Fuß/915 Meter).
Es handelt sich um zwei felsige Berge, die durch einen feinen Bergrücken miteinander verbunden sind und zusammen einen anspruchsvollen, aber lohnenden Tagesausflug über unwegsames Gelände bieten.
Von den Gipfeln aus eröffnen sich fantastische Ausblicke auf eine abgelegene und bemerkenswerte Landschaft in einem geologisch faszinierenden Gebiet des nordwestlichen Hochlands. Der Ben More Assynt, übersetzt “Großer Berg von Assynt”, ist mit einer Höhe von 998 Metern der höchste Punkt in Sutherland.
Diese Berge haben Kultcharakter und sind ein Muss für Munro-Fans und Liebhaber wilder Gebiete. Ein wunderbarer und unvergesslicher Tagesausflug in einer atemberaubenden Gegend von natürlicher Schönheit.
Details zur Wanderung: 17,25 km – Aufstieg 1075 m, Abstieg 1075 – Gehzeit 8,5 – 9,5 h
Suilven
Dies ist eine inspirierende Art, diesen herrlichen Berg zu besteigen.
Suilven ist zwar nur 731 Meter hoch, aber seine bemerkenswerte Silhouette macht ihn zu einem der bekanntesten und am leichtesten zu identifizierenden Berge Schottlands.
Seine Lage im Herzen der Cnoc-and-Loch-Landschaft von Assynt und die herrliche Aussicht machen ihn zu einem der schönsten Gipfel Großbritanniens.
Der Rückweg erfolgt auf der gleichen Route, die wir hinaufgewandert sind.
Details zur Wanderung: 19,5 km – Aufstieg 750 m, Abstieg 750 m – Gehzeit 7 – 8 h
Suilven seen from the path to Glencanisp Lodge
Cul Mor
Assynt im äußersten Nordwesten Schottlands ist im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes atemberaubend. Die Landschaft ist so außergewöhnlich, dass man meinen könnte, man sei auf einen anderen Planeten gereist.
Der felsige Gipfel des Cul Mor, einer der höchsten Gipfel in Assynt, bietet nicht nur wunderschöne Ausblicke, sondern auch einen Einblick in die Geschichte der Entstehung der umliegenden Landschaft. Cul Mor, was so viel wie “großer Rücken” bedeutet, erhebt sich von Knockan Crag im Osten und überblickt Loch Sionascaig und den benachbarten Gipfel Stac Pollaidh im Westen.
Trotz seiner größeren Höhe ist er weniger bekannt als seine beiden anderen Nachbarn, Suilven und Stac Pollaidh, aber da er höher liegt, hat man von hier aus einen herrlichen Blick auf diese und andere Nachbarn sowie einen weiten, atemberaubenden Blick bis zu den Summer Isles.
Details zur Wanderung: 13 km – Aufstieg 670 m, Abstieg 670 m – Gehzeit 5 h–5,5 h
All Walking trips and Day Walks are bookable for 2022
We haven’t been posting much here recently. The summer has been amazing and most of it we have been out and about guiding folk all around Ullapool and the North-West of Scotland.
We thank every single person who booked with us in 2021, especially all the returning guests. We all need this in times likes this.
Then we got surprisingly a job offer to return to the Canaries for guiding walking trips after a 2 years abstinence. COVID stopped us from regularly heading out in Autumn and Spring.
Now after being here 8 weeks working here we are slowly shifting our focus back to our beloved Scotland and home village Ullapool.
All walks are now bookable from the 1st of April until the 15th of October 2022. Our approach this time is different and every walk can be booked every day. We now have a guide pool in place and can offer more walks per day if needed.
Each walk needs a minimum of at least 4 guests to make it viable.
Should a walk not have the minimum amount of guests a few days before we will offer you either to pay a supplement to guarantee the walk or we refund you in full if this is the preferred option.
Opportunities are endless when it comes to walking and if you don’t find what you like to do please get in touch. We endeavour to find a suitable walk for you or you may have an idea yourself.
We are looking forward to welcoming you to our wee corner of the North-West in Scotland in 2022.
From April 2021 (depending on COVID-19 Rules at the time) we are delighted to offer 1 Day Walking Adventures “Walks around Ullapool” (within 45 minutes drive maximum) on a monthly basis.
We will mix each week with difficulty levels from easy to hard and will outline the week regularly on our Blog, Facebook and Instagram pages in advance.
All groups will be run with a maximum of 1:7 Guide to client ratio.
More walks will follow and we add them every week. Here you can read more about each walk and book straight online 24/7.
Walk details: 3.2 miles, 11 km – Ascent 515 m, Descent 515 m- Walking time 3 – 4 h, Ride details: 9 miles, 14.5 km – Ascent 115 m, Descent 115 m – Cycling time 1.5 h
Walk details: 3.2 miles, 11 km – Ascent 515 m, Descent 515 m- Walking time 3 – 4 h, Ride details: 9 miles, 14.5 km – Ascent 115 m, Descent 115 m – Cycling time 1.5 h
6.5 miles, 10 km – Ascent 750 m, Descent 750 m – Walking time 4.5 – 5 h
Level 3+
2021 – Walks around Ullapool
All McKenzie Mountaineering – Guided Walking Adventure walks and courses are limited to 7 places, to give you a great experience and to minimise our impact on the environment.
We would love for you to read our blog about Ullapool and the surrounding sights and hope that it gives a brief outline of what a wonderful area we live in and the abundance of walking available, but we ask that all people who are considering visiting our wee community please do not do so until government guidelines state it is permitted to travel.
The Scottish government will update when it is deemed safe to do so with social distancing measures put in place and when local business are likely to be slowly reopening. Many thanks for your patience and understanding and we hope to welcome you back to our special wee corner of the North West soon. (22/06/2020)
Ullapool – What to see and do!
Where is Ullapool in Scotland
Situated in the North West of Scotland, just a stone’s throw from some incredible mountain walks, is the picturesque and characterful village of Ullapool.
This delightful village that we are lucky enough to call home, has around 1500 inhabitants and is a very popular stop-off point for people visiting the highlands and driving on the NC500. It is becoming more usual for visitors to spend more than one day in the village as it’s a great base for exploring the wonderful surroundings.
Fishing has played a hugely important role in the history of the village over centuries, herring being the main catch in the early days. It is worthwhile to spend a bit of time in the museum in the village to learn more about the fascinating history of this sometimes turbulent industry.
These days you can enjoy locally caught fish and seafood in one of the many bars/restaurants dotted around the village.
Ullapool lies just 60 miles north of Inverness and takes around 1hour 20 minutes by car. It can also be reached via bus from Inverness, with regular trains and buses serving Inverness from several towns across the country.
The drive is wonderfully scenic and there are plenty of stunning places to stop off on route for photos or short walks to stretch the legs.
Walks near Ullapool
Rogie Falls is a popular beauty spot and you can enjoy a short circuit walk here through the forest to visit the dramatic falls which can be seen from a suspension bridge.
A little further north from Rogie Falls you will find a lovely walk called the Silverbridge circuit which reveals two beautiful old stone bridges and lovely woodland. A true delight!
Further north still with a slight detour off the main road is Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature reserve, one of the most spectacular gorges in the UK at 1.5km long, 60 metres deep and 10 metres wide. It’s home to some unusual species of insect and flowers and plants. There are short walks that take in the suspension bridge and a fantastic viewpoint.
Around 7 miles south of Ullapool you will find Lael Forest garden. There are beautiful walks through the woodland here with over 200 species of trees, some of which are from all over the world and with signboards identifying the trees along the paths.
Ullapool nestles seductively into the shores of Loch Broom, a sea loch that flows into the Atlantic ocean.
A ferry runs from the terminal in the village over to the Outer Hebrides, the most North Westerly islands in the UK, and indeed when the ferry pulls into the harbour with its locals and tourists alike, the houses along the shorefront appear tiny in comparison.
Where to eat and drink
Within the village, you will find several friendly bars and restaurants serving good local produce with seafood being a speciality.
The Seafood Shack, a catering trailer with attractive outside seating area and always cheery staff has won several awards in recent years for its delicious fresh seafood cooked in innovative ways served with excellent accompaniments at competitive prices.
Langustines in the Seafood Shack
Other eating establishments include the Ceilidh Place, a lovely friendly good sized bar and restaurant offering a great menu with daily specials and oozing character inside and out. It even has an eclectic bookshop inside where you can browse the great literature whilst waiting on your dinner! It also has a music venue across the road with regular gigs from up and coming and well-established bands.
The Seaforth Bar and restaurant has a substantial and varied menu with something for everyone including an excellent choice of burgers, sharing platters and a good selection of fish dishes. It also hosts occasional music events.
The Arch Inn which is home to some regular live music including the wonderful Ruairidh Maclean, a renowned young musician known for his outstanding accordion-playing incorporating traditional music with a modern twist. This friendly pub/restaurant also serves excellent food in its adjoining restaurant.
Other places to eat and drink include the Royal Hotel waterfront bar with its Italian themed simple menu and a vast range of malt whiskeys and super friendly staff. The Argyle Hotel and bar is very popular with the locals and has a great wee pub menu as well as lots of live music nights each week.
The Frigate on the shore serves up some great food and drinks in comfortable surroundings and the Ferry Boat inn – known to locals as the FBI has wonderful views of the fishing boats in the harbour and boasts a cosy atmosphere and a super wee menu in its bar and adjoining restaurant.
We also have not one but two excellent ‘Chippys’ where you can buy fish and chips and a large choice of other hot takeaway food.
What can you do and local walks in Ullapool
Ullapool is also proud to be home to several festivals including a yearly guitar festival, a beer festival and a book festival to name but a few, as well as having several interesting and quirky shops and art galleries.
There are two fantastic bookshops and a wonderful social enterprise shop where you will find beautifully made and scented candles of all shapes and sizes.
There are some lovely local walks in and around the village including Ullapool hill which sits at 258 metres high and offers many Enjoyable tails around it and to its summit.
You are treated to some fantastic viewpoints on the many paths including superb views back down to the village and of the surrounding mountains and far out to the summer isles.
View over to the Summer Isles and Loch Broom
There are endless mountain climbs and walks to choose from In the surrounding area for the more adventurous including the iconic Suilven, recently featured in the film Edie, as well as Stac Pollaidh with its craggy distinctive outline and so many more Interesting Hills offering outstanding views.
For the Munro enthusiast (list of Scottish mountains over 3000 feet) there are numerous to choose from just a few miles driving distances in either direction of the village including Ben Dearg and it’s surrounding tops allowing a strenuous traverse of four Munros in one very long adventurous day!
Not to forget the challenging and mighty An Teallach with It’s two Munro tops joined by a scrambly and exposed ridge. The options of hillwalking adventures are endless and there really is something for all abilities!
Summit view of Beinn Enaiglair
A visit to Ullapool and the North West is simply not to be missed on any trip to Scotland and truly has something for everyone, especially those looking for a wonderful experience in the outdoors amidst some of the most beautiful scenery to be found anywhere in the UK.
Please feel free to send us any questions you may have about the area.
Finally we hope to meet you someday
We also offer a variety of guided walking trips if you prefer to explore with the experience and knowledge of a friendly qualified mountain guide. These trips include accommodation but we can also do day trips and longer trips that can be tailor-made to suit your needs, with or without accommodation included. Feel free to drop us an email or give us a call to discuss.
The health and safety of our clients is of the utmost importance to us. With this in mind we are in the process of establishing a framework for how we can run our adventures and trips in a safe manner.
We will take steps to protect you and mitigate the risk of contracting & spreading Coronavirus / COVID-19 while you are traveling on our adventures.
These are the principles we will make our decisons on:
Safe
Trip provision will be informed and guided by a public health assessment of risk.
Lawful
We will respect government guidance and legal restrictions.
Evidence-based
We will use the best available activity-specific evidence and analysis to guide our decision making.
Socially responsible
We recognise that there must be a balance between economic growth and the welfare of local communities, society and the environment. Guests, suppliers and their staff are accountable for fulfilling their civic duty; the actions of an individual must benefit the whole of society.
Clear
We will provide clarity to our guests to enable compliance, engagement, and accountability.
At the moment we are awaiting guidelines and legal restrictions which will come into effect after the lockdown in Scotland is lifted by the government.
The guidelines will be established by the Mountain Safety Group (Scottish Mountain Rescue, Police Scotland, Mountain Training Scotland and Glenmore Lodge) on how we can deliver a phased return to the hills and mountains.
These proposals will be submitted to the Scottish Government outlining how mountaineering activities such as hill walking, climbing and bouldering can be re-introduced.
With these guidelines and how we can travel to and from a place, we will establish safety measurements for our activities. We will publish these here as soon we have updates from the Scottish Government and Mountain Safety Group.
Updated payment and refund policy (valid until 1st September 2020)
We decided to change our payment and refund policy in regards to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 situation.
To make it easier for all new bookings for trips taken between July and September 2020, we take the usual 20 – 25 % trip deposit at the time of booking but this is now refundable. You can cancel any time before the trip without any explanation and we will refund the deposit in full.
The balance is only due on the day the activity is commencing. This should give you and us a much more flexible approach if there are any changes in guidelines or travel restrictions.
If we have to cancel for guideline reasons, illness or travel restrictions you will receive a full refund of deposit and balance as soon as possible after our cancellation.
This COVID-19 policy will be in place until the 1st September and valid for all new Tours that we run between July and September 2020. We will review the situation daily and if there is further uncertainty after this date we may extend this policy well in advance and give notice here.
Please, follow the current Scottish Government COVID-19 guidance and ´hold the line´ to avoid travel and stay local for your daily exercise for now.
Despite an easing of restriction in England this week the advice for people in Scotland remains the same – stay home and only go out for essential work, food or health reasons – although people in Scotland may now go outside to exercise more than once daily.
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