Wild west scotland
April 22nd – 28th 2024
Scotland in the spring. The new year of nature starts to burst forth. UK summer expedition season has begun! In this time of renewal, the dreaded midges have not yet reached plague level, and the weather can be kind and cruel.
Join us on an expedition through some of Scotland's most remote and breathtaking valleys. Our journey will begin in the most inaccessible mainland town in Britain, leading us through stunning landscapes and around breathtaking lochs. Along the way, we will make a stop at the iconic Glenfinnan viaduct, known for its appearance in the Harry Potter films. We will then continue on to the tranquil and picturesque area of Ardgour, where we will catch a quick ferry to Fort William.
To make the journey even more spectacular, we highly recommend taking the Caledonian Sleeper, though please note that transfers are not included in the expedition. From Fort William, we will travel by train to Mallaig, which is often considered one of the most stunning train journeys in the world. The journey includes crossing over the magnificent Glenfinnan viaduct. We then catch a ferry to lnverie.
This expedition is not a beginner's event. You must have experience of wild camping with Turn Wild. Please feel free to commit to this if you want a challenging goal and have the appropriate drive and time to devote. To take your next step, please arrange a chat with your professional and friendly guide.
“It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.”
Itinerary
DAY ONE: THURSDAY 18TH APRIL: ARRIVE
Arrive by 18:30 in lnverie. Britain's only mainland village that has no road access.
Meet and greet at a famous hiking Pub, The Old Forge, in lnverie.
Turn Wild plans to get the overnight sleeper train from London to Fort William on the 19th of April. On Thursday, the 20th, we will get a train to Mallaig from Fort William. From Mallaig, a ferry to lnverie.
DAY TWO: FRIDAY 19TH APRIL: INTO THE WILDERNESS
We leave lnverie and visit some of Britain's most remote and stunning hiking areas.
Distance: 15km hiking time (with outbreaks) / 7 hours Ascent-650m.
DAY THREE: SATURDAY 20TH APRIL: BIG DAY
A significant but stunning day. We hike through spectacular but rugged terrain-a former Royal Marine training area to the remote Corryhully Bothy.
Distance: 25km / 9 hours hiking / 850m ascent.
DAY FOUR: SUNDAY 21ST APRIL: THROUGH GLENFINNAN INTO ARDGOUR
We hike under the stunning bridge featured in the Harry Potter films at the former battleground of Glenfinnan. We then go into the remote and less visited Ardgour mountain range. Challenging but stunning landscapes await.
Distance: 16km I 7 hours hiking I 450m Ascent.
DAY FIVE: MONDAY 22TND APRIL: THROUGH ARDGOUR INTO FORT WILLIAM
We hike through quiet, beautiful Ardgour before catching a ferry and a 20-minute taxi to Fort William. Due to having no Munros, this is one of Scotland's most peaceful and least visited hiking areas.
Distance: 21km / 7 hours hiking / 11m ascent.
What Is included
Thursday night camp fees.
Tents.
Five Firepot dehydrated expedition meals.
Emergency equipment.
Group shopping experience.
Group first aid kit.
Cookers/ fuel.
Emergency Saturday comms.
Pre-expedition team Zoom meeting.
Pre-expedition Zoom seminars covering equipment/ nutrition.
Expedition food preparation lesson.
What Is not included
Your transport to Fort William.
Train Fort William to Mallaig (approx £8).
Ferry Mallaig to lnverie (approx £15).
Shared taxi Corran to Fort William (approximately £35).
Alcoholic drinks.
Snacks.
Meals at pub lunches.
Friday dinner.
Insurance.
Any costs additional costs due to bad weather/ emergency.
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I am a total beginner. I am trying to figure out what to bring or how to pack my rucksack. Is this expedition still suitable for me?
Yes, but only if you do our pre-expedition training. Sadly, it is not safe if you do not. Gain the necessary skills and knowledge by attending either our Summer Arctic Training weekend or our Wild Camping Training in Dartmoor in March, May or June. To qualify for this trip, you must have done wild camping with Turn Wild. This very tough expedition becomes even more challenging with bad weather. Please don't worry, our training weekend with our Zoom seminars on expedition equipment, our personal shopping experience, and seminar on expedition teamwork and expedition nutrition will have you proficient and bursting with confidence.
How fit do I need to be?
The fitter you are, the more resilient you will be and the more you will enjoy it. You need to be able to carry a rucksack with all your equipment and food in it for up to 12 hours total per day, ascending 800m on steep terrain. A fitness goal is to run 15km, cycle 100km, or regularly hike 6 hours in mountainous terrain carrying 15kg. Please don't worry. We will give you a whole Zoom seminar on expedition preparation!
What will the weather be like?
This expedition is not for the faint-hearted. The weather could be anything! Last year it was very sunny! Hopefully, it will be nice. However, this is Scotland, the land of the brave, and you must be prepared for anything. Good news: the dreaded Scottish midge is not too bad at this time of year. You will have to pack for conditions to drop below freezing at night. This means heavier equipment than a warmer weather expedition.
Do I have to travel there and back by sleeper train?
No, you can fly into an airport, but you will have a long taxi ride. 2 hours to either Glasgow or Inverness. We will form a WhatsApp group with other team members who may wish to travel this way. However, the train to Fort William is a stunning and exhilarating experience and we highly recommend it.
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The total cost is £650 per person. All bookings start with a one on one call with one of our qualified guides. This call is to make sure all your questions are answered so that all team members know about the expedition challenges and the commitment that must be made in preparation. You may also ask any further questions you may have around the expedition. After this call, a deposit of 30% will be sent to you to secure your place. The balance is due 50 days before the start of the expedition. For cancellations made within 30-40 days of the trip commencement date, Turn Wild reserves the right to retain 50% of the balance payment. For cancellations within 30 days of the departure date, Turn Wild will retain 100% of the total fee. For any further questions or to secure a place, please contact us via the details below. Thank you, and let your adventure begin!
Contact Ian on 07901 916 169 or Ian@turnwild.com. Find more about Turn Wild’s terms and conditions here.