Want to brush up your technical scrambling skills in the Cuillin? Fancy tackling the greatest mountaineering outing in the UK, the Cuillin ridge traverse? Book an adventure with an instructor who knows the Cuillin in intimate detail and loves it all!
Choose your Cuillin scrambling adventure...
To adapt the old proverb about fishing… Take a human on a scramble and satisfy them for a day; show them the ropes and satisfy them for a lifetime!
Are you really enjoying scrambling and love the Cuillin? Have you realised that scrambling and mountaineering are the sports for you? Would you go out just with your pals if you knew how to do it safely? Book some instructional days with Mehmet for you and a partner to gain skills that will last a lifetime.
Rock climbing experience is not a requirement for this adventure. If you’re a climber already, though, we’ll look at how to modify your ropework to make it more fluid for scrambling.
Sounds like what you want?
Feel you could do more?
More about your coaching
This is our Scrambling: get technical course delivered specifically in the Cuillin on Skye. During this course, you’ll:
- Develop your scrambling movement and mountaineering judgement.
- Learn when to deploy the rope, to take coils, use direct and body belays, and how and when to pitch.
You’ll also get suitable route ideas, equipment selection tips and other remote support after your course.
Ideally, book as a pair and go out together afterwards. If this really isn’t feasible, speak to us: we may be able to find a trainee-instructor willing to come out for the day to be your rope buddy.
Would you rather go up a good scramble than bag a Munro? Or get off the beaten track and explore the less-travelled sections of the Cuillin? Book an adventure to explore the more technical scrambles of the Cuillin!
Ideas to inspire you…
- Get a feel for what scrambling is about on The Spur
- Explore the Cioch or climb the Dubh Slabs
- Traverse all the tops of Mheadaidh and/or Bidean
- Climb Pinnacle Ridge or the Basteir Tooth, or
- Experience the Clach Glas traverse.
There’s often no set agenda so we can take advantage of the best weather conditions. Consider booking a rest day, though, to ensure the conditions are perfect for your outing—some of these adventures need a good forecast!
Sounds like what you want?
Feel you could do more?
The greatest mountaineering outing in the UK! 10km of delightful scrambling, taking in 11 Munros and 3000m of height gain. Not to be taken lightly and a shortcut for the Cuillin Munros only for the most able!
Each traverse is unique. All the climbs or just the scrambles? Munro to Munro or end to end? There are many options!
- Takes in less-travelled, interesting sections of the ridge.
- This is a two-day traverse within a three- or four-day window, to get the best weather conditions.
- Bivvy high up on the ridge and see if you get a magical sunrise. (Bivvying equipment included if needed. See our Cuillin traverse equipment list.)
Read ‘Is this for you?’ below for more information, then get in touch and we’ll sculpt exactly what you’re looking for.
Is this for you?
You should be comfortable being off the rope on grade 1 scrambles and some grade 2 ones, even though we’ll likely use the rope during the traverse. Typically, we’ll be out for 12 to 14 hours on the first day and 9 to 11 hours on the second, aiming for slow but constant movement.
- Boost your enjoyment of the traverse by booking a day’s Movement Coaching beforehand. You’ll find travelling easier and less tiring and spend more of your time in a flow state.
- If conditions aren’t suitable, your booking will turn into three individual days out (the best three days of a four-day window.)
Were you looking for a shortcut to the Munros?
The full Cuillin ridge traverse with an overnight bivvy is a bigger undertaking than many people realise. Our standard All Cuillin Munros option is more appropriate for many.
We do offer the option of doing all 11 Munros over the best 2-of-3 days, without the need to bivvy. This alternative is charged at the same rate as a full Cuillin Ridge Traverse due to the long days. The section we miss offers great scrambling, abseils and exposure; if that’s your thing you probably want a full traverse. Our experience is that most Munroists struggle with the required motivation for this section.
P.S. If you’re looking for a taste of what it’s like to do a traverse, and you’re up to doing four or more Munros in a day, or just want a long day out, check out the Long Cuillin days adventure!
The greatest mountaineering challenge in the UK, done in a day! The feeling of flow and blur of the ground you’ve covered is great but you do have to be fit for this one.
You’ll probably be a fell runner, an orienteer doing long courses, or generally used to long, fast and fluid days in the mountains.
If this appeals to you but you don’t have the scrambling experience yet, we can help with that. Get in touch to discuss your ambitions with an expert.
- Only suitable for a handful of people.
- Lightweight bags make for easier scrambling.
- Same price as our regular two-day traverse, except we’ll only go out on the best weather day of a three- or four-day block to maximise our chance of success.
- We vet participants very carefully before accepting bookings for this adventure; you’ll probably have been out with Mehmet before so you can get to know each other. We can discuss this as part of your booking.
Sounds like what you want?
Explore the nooks and crannies of the ‘British Alps’
The Cuillin are one of the only places in the UK which require Alpine techniques. Most visitors aim for the Munros, leaving many engaging scrambles mostly or entirely empty. Why not get off the beaten path and discover what makes the Cuillin so special?
As part of your day, your instructor Mehmet will pass on his extensive knowledge about the geology, flora, mountain history and weather. Most days will include elements of his trademarked* Movement Coaching to help you get the most out of your time in the mountains now and in the future.
* Not really trademarked at all, just very Mehmet!
“As the year ends, I have been looking back and the highlight without a doubt is my Cuillin Ridge Traverse. Thank you so much for making my dream a reality. Your professionalism throughout the two days, together with your insightful knowledge on a wide range of subjects, combined with your calm and decisive manner, made the whole experience something I can look back on for many years to come.” Gill
“I was guided by Mehmet across the Clach Glas traverse. He was a superb guide—professional, encouraging, knowledgeable—giving me the confidence to tackle a tricky route for a non-climber.” Tripadvisor reviewer
“I use guiding for developing mountaineering skills to take away and practise myself and can confidently say I've learnt more from Mehmet than any other guide I've used. Meticulous and patient, Mehmet's teaching methods worked perfectly for me and I came away with more knowledge than I was honestly expecting.” Nick James, Learn the Ropes course
Individual coaching at a pace to suit you.
You’ll learn in small groups (typically two, sometimes up to four people), so individual coaching at your pace is assured. Learning in pairs as a team is super-effective. You don’t need to be at the same level of experience—you’ll get tailored training to suit you both.
“...a very enjoyable day up Curved Ridge on the iconic Buachaille Etive Mòr. Mehmet’s confident rope work ensured we were safe at all times and allowed us to fully appreciate the magnificent views up Glen Coe and across Rannoch Moor without any drama.” Karl Erik, Get Started Scrambling course participant
Coaching from a qualified expert.
My first trip to the Cuillin was in 2002 and since then I’ve spent over 20 years getting to know this complex ridge intimately. When I first came to the Cullin I had no idea that I would spend most of my career on or thinking about this amazing range.
I’m a qualified Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor (MCI and a full member of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors and the Mountain Training Association. I’ve a lively enthusiasm for coaching and have been scrambling since 2002. As well as running my own coaching business, I’m a freelance instructor at Glenmore Lodge, Scotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre.
Not sure where to start your Cuillin scrambling?
Speak to us about your level of scrambling experience and we’ll offer you personalised advice based on Mehmet’s years of knowledge of the Cuillin.
For a new scrambler, this would typically be a day on The Spur or the southern-most Munros. The southern-most Munros are Mehmet’s favourite for introducing someone to Cuillin scrambling because the day has tons of progression with the option to cut it short at most points.
Typically, Mehmet will do movement coaching on the approach, then a grade 1 scramble followed by a grade 2, easy grade 3 and harder grade 3. If all this goes well, there’s the opportunity to get some coaching on how to best deal with the long, steep scree descents that are a speciality of the Cuillin.
If you simply want to see what the Cuillin are like, then Sgùrr na Banachdich and Bruach na Frìthe have no scrambling on their easiest routes.
Costs
£330, but we usually offer a free rest/bad-weather day for multi-day bookings.
Additional optional rest day(s): add £120 per day.
Rates are per group (the maximum number of people per group depends on your requirements but is usually 2 for the Cuillin). Student/club discounts available on request. Get in touch using the button below!
