Guided Walks Ardnamurchan

ARDNAMURCHAN

(Aird nam Murchan: headland of the great seas) is a 50 square mile (130 km2) penisular in Lochaber Scotland, noted for being very unspoilt and undisturbed. The main access route for most of the way is track road so care must be taken.

The Ardnamurchan Peninsula is the most westerly point of mainland UK, and offers some excellent walks some of which are easy going with others a bit more demanding but enjoyable.

This beatiful but remote corner of Scotland with its amazing sea views at every turn. The harsh landscape is releived in places by excellent. but hard to get to sandy beaches.

The village of Strontian is the main centre on the outskirts of the oakwoods, which are sometimes called the rain forests of Scotland.

Ardnamurchan covers only the peninsular beyond the village of Salen (in the South) and Acharacle (in the North), but the term used more or less to include the districts of Sunart, Ardgour, Morven and even Moidart.

WALK GRADES

We use our own grading system to give some sort of indication of the walk and the conditions that are likely to be met. But remember routes can vary depending on the time of year and the weather. You should also take into account the capabilities of every member of the party.

Point to Note: The individuals notion of difficulty may be quite different from ours, so always regard the grade we give as an indication.

• Circular: starting and finishing at the same location and roughly circular in design.
• Linear: a there and back walk, returning by the outward route.
• Through Route: starting at point A and finishing at point B
  

• Easy - mostly following well-defined level and dry footpaths and tracks and less than 4 hrs duration.
• Easy/Moderate - following well - defined footpaths and tracks but with possibly some easy gradients and less than 5 hrs duration.
• Moderate - possibly involving some easy hillwalking on low hills or perhaps the traverse of unpathed terrain or perhaps and easily traversed but long walk.
• Moderate/ Strenuous - normally involving significant gradient or some hillwalking and often on rough terrain but of no real difficulty other than physical exertion.
• Strenuous - suitable for experienced hillwalkers of fit individuals with capable companions. Normally long walks, involving steep climbs, most often traversing unpathed terrain; attaining heights and situations where navigational skills would be essential in adverse weather.
  

Equipment

Proper windproof and waterproof clothing must be worn, or packed in the back pack. (Dress and pack for the weather expected). Hat or some sort of covering for the head, also gloves. Walking trousers. Jeans are a no/no nothing worse trying to walk with wet jeans on, all you will end up with is sores.

Bergen/Back Pack;

Ideally for a days walking a 30/40 litre back pack is fine, anything bigger and you tend to overload.

What you should either have on your person, or in the back pack:

• First aid kit. You can either buy one or make one up.
• Map of the area in a waterproof cover.
• Compass, it's advisable to also carry a spare.
• Whistle attached to your jacket.
• Torch with spare batteries and bulb.
• Notebook and pencil. You may have to send a message in an emergency.
• Watch.
• Waterproof matches or lighter.
• Toilet paper + small trowel. Think of the enviroment and other walkers.
• Insect repellant. Depending on the time of year.
• Several plastic bags. Ideal for putting wet clothes in.
• Emergency bivvy or survival bag. You never know?
• Pen knife or multi tool. Must have.
• Spare boot laces, nothing worse trying to repair a broken lace and then you cannot do your boots up properly.
• Some electricians or duck tape, small role, very good for patching up tears and holes, place a bit on both sides of the tear or hole and press together.
• Something to eat and drink. (approx 3 litres of water for a days walking)
• Small stove, mess tin
•  Note: This list is a guide only and common sense is essential when planning to go out into the hills, what you carry depends on the time of year and the current weather conditions.