Kinlochewe Hotel, accommodation in Torridon, Western Highlands of Scotland
Mountaineering Skills
Here at Kinlochewe Hotel we are delighted to announce our exciting new mountain skills courses to be held in the spectacular setting of the Torridon Mountains. These courses are especially designed for people who want to try different activities or further develop their skills but don’t have the experience or confidence to do so. With our courses you can learn and practice these skills in safety and under the supervision of experts.
Our Introductory Weekend course offers activities such as hill walking, rock climbing and abseiling. See below for the full itinerary…
The Winter Skills Weekend course covers the essential skills you need for safely venturing into the hills in winter. See below for the full itinerary…
Our courses are run from Kinlochewe Hotel in conjunction with Nineonesix Guiding.
Kinlochewe Hotel, in the village of Kinlochewe, is a small family run business set in the heart of the Torridon mountains at the foot of Beinn Eighe, with Slioch, Liathach and Beinn Alligin all close by. Andrew and Gail Staddon, took over the Hotel in spring 2006 and have since carried out a programme of renovations to make it a cosy and welcoming place to stay, whilst retaining its’ Victorian charm and character. We have developed quite a reputation for our home cooked food using high quality local produce - succulent beef from the Ross-shire herds, fish and shell-fish from the clear waters off the West coast and cheeses from the local dairy. We are also pleased to cater for vegetarians, vegans and other food allergies. After a cold day on the hill warm yourself in front of the wood burning stove in the convivial atmosphere of our Beinn Eighe Bar and choose from a varied selection of soft drinks, draught real ales, bottled ales and around 50 malt whiskies. After dinner you can relax in our comfortable lounge and browse through the varied selection of maps and books.
Nineonesix is run by Jim Sutherland who has lived in the area for many years having returned to where his grandfather worked on one of the Glen Torridon estates during the 1920’s and 1930’s. Over the last ten years Jim has been involved in taking people on walks and into the mountains. Whilst operating as Nineonesix he has helped clients achieve many personal goals including climbing Beinn Eighe on Hogmanay as their first ever winter Munro! He has assisted a film crew working on a hill-walking series 'Tir is Teanga' for Caledonia TV and has introduced many clients to rock climbing and abseiling. As well as visiting all of the Munros in Torridon with clients, trips have also been made to An Teallach, Sgurr na Gillean and Coire Lagan of Skye.
Jim’s own mountaineering experience is a blend of:
- Being an active member of our local mountain rescue team
- Year round experience throughout Scotland
- Summer seasons in the Swiss & French Alps
- Trekking in New Zealand and the United States
- Ski mountaineering in the Picos de Europa of Spain
Qualifications:
Summer Mountain Leader Award
Single Pitch Award
Winter Mountain Leader Award
Trail Cycle Leader
Ratio 1: 8
Cost: £215.00 per person
Proposed Itinerary:
Friday: Arrive in time for a relaxed dinner and become acquainted with your leader and fellow participants. Following this there will be a briefing on the activities that will be attempted over the weekend. This can be a simple learning of new skills or revision of previously covered skills.
Saturday: A moderate hill walk such as Beinn na-h-Eaglaise, 737m in Glen Torridon will be attempted. Note that the hill attempt will not require the use of ice axes and crampons, or the use of climbing equipment. Even under snow, which is possible in late autumn or early winter, walking poles will suffice. Basic route-finding and navigation skills will be introduced throughout the day and if time, conditions and fitness of the group allow some night navigation may be possible.
Return to the hotel to relax, enjoy dinner and mull over the days events. This may be followed by a talk from one of the members of our local mountain rescue team.
Sunday: Introductory rock climbing and abseiling session. Climbing harnesses and helmets will be provided.
Summary of the weekend’s activities and final de-brief.
Please note that all technical equipment for this course is included in the price along with dinner, bed & breakfast and packed lunches.
Courses will be held on the following dates - please phone 01445 760253 to check availability:
Course 1T: 9th, 10th & 11th October 2009
Course 2T: 6th, 7th & 8th November 2009
Once you have checked that the course you want is available, please print off the booking form and return it with a cheque for a deposit of £100 per person made payable to Kinlochewe Hotel.
Payment of the balance is due four weeks before the start date. If booking within four weeks of the start date, please include payment in full with the booking form.
We would recommend you arrange your own travel insurance
Please send your booking form and cheque to:
Kinlochewe Hotel
Kinlochewe
by Achnasheen
Wester Ross
IV22 2PA
Ratio 1:5
Cost: £295.00 per person
Proposed Itinerary:
Friday: Arrive in time for a relaxed dinner and become acquainted with your leader and fellow participants. Following this there will be a briefing on the activities over the weekend along with equipment check and fitting of crampons
Saturday: Revision of or taught how to use an ice axe and crampons, self-arrest and look at the snow pack. Depending on the condition and progress there may be the opportunity to climb to the summit of one of our many beautiful mountains.
Return to the hotel to relax, enjoy dinner and mull over the days events. This may be followed by a talk from one of the members of our local mountain rescue team.
Sunday: We will attempt to climb one of the classic mountains in the area, such as Beinn Alligin or Beinn Damph.
De-brief at end of the weekend.
Please note that all technical equipment for this course is included in the price along with dinner, bed, breakfast and packed lunches. In the event of unsuitable conditions in the Torridon range it may be necessary to travel to another location.
Courses will be held on the following dates – please phone 01445 760253 to check availability:
Course 1W: 11th, 12th & 13th December 2009
Course 2W: 22nd, 23rd & 24th January 2010
Course 3W: 5th, 6th & 7th February 2010
Course 4W: 5th, 6th & 7th March 2010
Once you have checked that the course you want is available, please print off the booking form and return it with a cheque for a deposit of £100 per person made payable to Kinlochewe Hotel.
Payment of the balance is due four weeks before the start date. If booking within four weeks of the start date please include payment in full with the booking form.
We would recommend you arrange your own travel insurance
Please send your booking form and cheque to:
Kinlochewe Hotel
Kinlochewe
By Achnasheen
Wester Ross
IV22 2PA
Terms & Conditions of booking
1. A non-refundable deposit of £100 per person is required at the time of booking and should be sent with the completed booking form. A confirmation will be sent to you and the balance is due four weeks before the start date of the course. If the balance does not reach us by the date specified in our confirmation, we reserve the right to treat the booking as cancelled.
2. If you are booking within four weeks of the start date of the course, please make payment in full with your completed booking form.
3. Courses will only operate with a minimum of three people (maximum 5) for the Winter Skills and six people (maximum 8) for the Introductory Weekend. In the event of your course being cancelled by Kinlochewe Hotel or Nineonesix Guiding, for whatever reason, your payment will be refunded in full including your deposit. Our liability is limited to the amount of any money you have paid to us.
4. If you cancel more than four weeks before the start date, then any money you have paid to us is fully refundable, minus your deposit.
5. If you cancel 4 weeks or less before the start date there will be no refund, although every attempt will be made to re-let your place. If your place is re-let then any money you have paid to us is fully refundable, minus your deposit.
6. If you wish to cancel your place on a course please do so in writing. The date the letter is received will be used to determine whether a refund will be made.
7. It is a condition of booking, that you accept the hazards involved in walking & climbing in remote areas. Customers should have adequate insurance in place for the duration of the course and the activities to be undertaken. The insurance should cover for cancellation and curtailment, medical and emergency expenses, personal accident, injury and death. In addition you should be insured against loss of or damage to baggage and personal possessions.
8: Kinlochewe Hotel and Nineonesix Guiding do not accept liability for death, bodily injury or illness unless this arises from the negligent act and/or omission of Kinlochewe Hotel or Nineonesix Guiding employees whilst acting in the course of their employment. Nor does Kinlochewe Hotel or Nineonesix Guiding accept responsibility for any loss of valuables during a course.
9: Bookings will only be accepted from persons over the age of eighteen.
10: We are pleased to accept payment by a cheque drawn on a United Kingdom bank, a credit/debit card or cash Sterling. We regret that we do not accept American Express or Diners Club cards.
11: By signing the booking form, you are agreeing to accept these Terms and Conditions.