On Saturday 5th October we wrapped up our 2024 season in style! Our globetrotting group finished the West Highland Way and an Eagle put on a display at ‘The Lookout’, at the end of the Skye Trail.
We have covered some wonderful miles, from our first ever Highlights of the Hebridean Way trek in the Spring, through the final tough miles of our Scottish National Trail, to a September filled with dramatic Welsh coastlines, Glen Affric mushrooms, and crossing the tidal flats to Holy Island, Lindisfarne.
Spring
We began the year back in early April, with our customary West Highland Way . We also had no less than 3 groups join us on the Great Glen Way in April, making the most of the early Spring conditions.
It wasn’t long before our first Loch Lomond & The Trossachs hillwalking holiday was off and running; Mark exploring the hills, woodlands and lochs of the Trossachs with his group.
Into May and we were bound for the Outer Hebrides! On our first ever Highlights of the Hebridean Way trek we were blessed with excellent weather, and the additional logistical challenges of organising this trek proved more than worth it. Unforgettable moments included a glorious day on the West Beach of Berneray and topping Beinn Tangabhal on Barra. You can read all about it in a previous blog entry here.
Before Spring turned to summer we also completed a full Cape Wrath Trail trek, another trip to the mountains of the far North-West, and the East Highland Way.
Summer
Narrowing down the summer into just a few highlights is tricky, but it is hard to look past the completion of our Scottish National Trail journey. The challenging ground of the Cape Wrath Trail was all that lay between our group and the finish. Some wild camping in amazing locations, including on Cape Wrath itself, made for a memorable two weeks. A special mention should be made for Nicole, Rashda and Sue, who completed all 6 sections of this end-to-end trail. What an achievement!
We were back for the Eastern half of the Coast to Coast with walkers looking to complete there across England journey. Descending into Robin Hood’s Bay to dip your boots in the North Sea is always a satisfying feeling at the end of this trek, and pint of Wainwright in the nearest pub almost obligatory.
More Deeside Munro bagging was the order of August, with Lochnagar and Eastern Cairngorms providing fine walking. A bespoke trip to the mountains of Kintail, with Thistle regulars Sarah and Annette, threw some challenging weather and type two mountain days at us. They took it in their stride. We also returned to the Hebrides for the second of our treks there. Harry delighted in guiding this time, and the isles again put on a show for our walkers.
Autumn is on its way…
In September we had a great variety of treks on offer. One group walked the stunning Pembrokeshire coastline, another circumnavigated Arran, and others were walking the Affric Kintail Way into some late summer sunshine.
We had loads of fun on our last St Cuthbert’s Way trek of the year. The walk over the Pilgrim’s Way to Lindisfarne really does take some beating as a trek conclusion.
And then our final treks were upon us, just like that. Our September/October Skye Trail was an absolute treat. Those Cuillin views, the dramatic Trotternish Ridge, and some Thistle extras made for a really special end to the season.
Thank you to all who walked, trekked and scrambled with us this year; it was a privilege to share the mountains and trails with you. I will also take the chance to thank our always enthused and ever reliable team of guides and trek managers. With many of our walkers from this season already signed up for treks in 2025, it is fair to say we very much look forward to walking with you again soon!
We wish you all an action packed winter or a restful hibernation,
David
