Isle of Skye, 24th May to 1st June 2008

Darren Speck. Tel (home): 01926 614973. Email: djsceroc@yahoo.co.uk

Glenbrittle Camp Site, Glenbrittle Farm, Isle of Skye, IV47 8TA, Scotland. Tel: 01478 640404.

Glen Brittle campsite is beautifully situated in the middle of nowhere. We're not kidding, the nearest shop and pub, The New Inn, are in Carbost, a 15 mile and 40 minutes drive away. Bring everything you need with you!

It's a long, long way north! Get on the M6 and head north for a few hours. Keep heading north as the M6 changes to the A74, A74M and M74. In Glasgow, find the A82 over the Erskine bridge. Stay on the A82 for another couple of hours. Wake up when heading across Rannock Moor. Keep on the A82 through Fort William and then take the A87 at Invergarry. Stay on the A87 until the Kyle of Lochalsh. Cross the bridge to Skye. Take the A850 towards Portree but turn left onto the A863 at the Sligachan Hotel. After a few miles, turn left onto the B8009 and then left again onto the single track road that takes you into Glen Brittle. See Map. The distance from Warwick is 565 miles and it will take all day and a bit more to drive there.

The Black Cuillin. Twenty-two peaks lie in a continuous chain stretching over twelve kilometres. The traverse of the ridge is the finest and longest Alpine-style rock-climbing routes in the UK and one of the best in Europe with over 4000 metres (13,000 feet) of ascent and descent. It's not a walk! There are a couple of abseils and three short climbing pitches. You need to be fit, very fit, to have any chance of success. There is a good report complied by The Big Walks Club.

You don't have to attempt the traverse in one go of course. There are 11 munros on the ridge, which can all be done individually as day trips.

In additon to the ridge itself, Skye and the Black Cuillin offer a lot of rock climbing. Try climbing on the Cioch for some great views.

MWIS North West Highlands - detailed 3 day forecast (recommended)
Weather.co.uk - 10 day outlook for Skye
Met Office - Mountain forecast for the West Highlands

The Cuillin Ridge - Skye Guides tips for sucess
Skye Ridge - Andy Hyslop (Rockfax 2002)
Skye Ridge - Needlesports

I suppose these days there has to be a disclaimer, so: Warwick Climbing Club recognises that climbing, mountaineering, mountain biking and the like are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.