Adventure Blog
Follow our blog where we regularly post news of our adventures. Whether out for a climb on a day off or guiding a group down our favourite canyon then we will share the fun.
Couch to Cuillin
We started Skye Adventure with the ambition of creating a guiding business that provided for and harnessed the local community rather than relying solely on the visitor market but in truth it's taken us while to get there. It feels like we’ve finally arrived! Helping folk explore their landscape, the landscape we love, and in turn getting to see it in a new light, could not be more rewarding. Over the years we’ve explored this idea through a number of projects, all the time teaching, learning, getting the crack, and thinking on our feet. We try to be meticulous with the detail, and relaxed with the execution.
We set up Couch to Cuillin, specifically for local people new to the mountains and now have over 40 graduates, mostly women, getting out in the hills on their own steam! During the course we teach navigation, hill skills, mountaineering ropework and a bit of rock climbing, it's all geared to leave folk with the confidence to take on their own mountain adventures and meet like minded people to do that with. Over the last 3 years teaching these courses we've met some pretty inspiring people, been told some brilliant local stories and polished up on our Gaelic hill names.
Our next Couch to Cuillin course will run this Autumn, drop us an e-mail - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you're keen!
Below is a couple of testetmonials from course ulumni.
Tara - I signed up to Couch 2 Cuillin on a whim; with very little hill experience (unless you count being unwillingly dragged up by impatient ex-boyfriends). I can honestly say doing the course changed my life. The most empowering thing for me was being part of a supportive, nurturing group who all had a similar outlook and goals. I never thought I would have the confidence or ability to head up into the hills without someone guiding me; but two years on I've summited many Cuillins and happily venture solo into the hills, knowing that I have the skills to safely plan and navigate my trips.
Sarah - Had the best time doing the couch to cuilin course and as a complete beginner I was made to feel at ease the whole time. John, Matt & Sarah are amazing guides who are so knowledgeable and passionate about the work they do and about the environment. They are so positive and encouraging and I would recommend anyone to do the course especially if you haven't done any climbing before as you will not regret it. Over the 4 days we learnt so much and they took us to some amazing places before ending the course with a cuilin summit. The course is generally brilliant and has helped to improve my confidence in the hills massively. I wish I could do it all over again!
Ros - Learnt so much on couch2cuillin, achieved things that I would’ve felt before were out of my capabilities but because the team started us with the basics and taught us so much, before you know it you’re able to navigate a map and using a compass. It was great getting to learn about ropes and scrambling too, started with absolutely no experience on this but again because we started with the basics and the team made it enjoyable to learn without any pressure. Also enjoyed meeting other likeminded people and the Skye Adventure team were so knowledgeable, helpful and encouraging. Left Couch2Cuillin feeling more confident about spending some more time in the hills in the future.
Adventures with accommodation in 2020!
This year we are delighted to be running some adventure weeks that include accommodation at the Lodge on the Loch. A unique Scottish holiday retreat situated on the shores of Loch Sligachan. This beautifully designed bunkhouse sleeps 8 in 2 rooms with cosy bunks and boasts uninterrupted views of the Loch looking out over to Braes and Rassay.
John’s top ten tips for bagging Skye's Munros
Here’s John from Team Skye Adventure’s top 10 tips for bagging the Cuillin Munros. John spends as much time as he can in the Cuillin, guiding it's pointy peaks or running around in short shorts on days off, it's his favourite place to be. Hopefully you’ll find these handy tips useful if you’re planning on taking on the Skye Munros this year. We're always delighted to talk strategy, so drop us a line!
