Re-wild your mind and body on a mountain walking retreat
These four day mountain walking retreats are based on our Highland Wilderness Journeys but instead of moving from camp to camp we will be exploring from an indoor base in the heart of the mountains. Each day will provide the opportunity to journey through a wild landscape, connect with nature, learn new skills and challenge yourself. The evenings will be a time for rest, relaxation and enjoying the comforts of our unique accommodation.
Your Guides
You will be fully supported and guided through the experience by Anna Danby and Shona Macpherson. Anna is a Mountain Leader with a particular interest in sharing the stories of landscapes, enabling exploration off the beaten path and helping you gain mountain skills and confidence.
Shona works in private practice as a counsellor/ psychotherapist. She’s passionate about helping people disconnect from their busy lives and minds and rather to connecting with the present in the natural world. She’s been running outdoor connective experiences for the last 6 years and has recently trained as Forest Therapy Practitioner. She seeks to do this work with playfulness, laughter and kindness.
Our Approach
Over the past few years we have worked collaboratively, with each other and with the landscapes we explore, to bring a unique approach to mountain guiding founded on a desire to help others become healthier and happier. Our personal experience has shown us that time in wild places is synonymous with all the attributes of well-being. The mountains can gift us a different perspective and allow us to explore emotions in new and productive ways. ⠀
The potential for this is greatest when the physical challenge of adventure is balanced with purposeful engagement with our surroundings. Our guiding interweaves both these things. Throughout the four days moments of learning, about geology, nature, history are offered alongside mindful activities such as sit spots, nature connection invitations, self-reflection and sharing. ⠀⠀
The sheer act of being in the hills for an extended period, unplugged from every day distractions, is life changing. Gift yourself this time to slow down, listen to nature and discover how to live more with less.
Accessibility
The mountain retreats are designed to be as accessible as possible.
The retreats are female led and open to all regardless of gender, age and previous experience.
We work hard to create an inclusive atmosphere where everyone can feel at ease and participate on their own terms. All of the activities are ‘invitations’ and if you do not want take part in anything then you do not have to. We believe that the most valuable experience is one that you feel an active participant within, able to shape your own journey. You will never be made to do anything that you do not resonate with.
There is no requirement to own technical equipment or have access to a car
Locations can be reached by public transport and we provide all the technical kit and food. This removes the requirement for you to own expensive equipment and provides a supported environment in which to learn regardless of previous experience. Enabling you to come together with other like minded people to spend four days walking, living, learning and connecting in remote and beautiful Highland settings.
There is no requirement to camp
As there is no requirement to camp on these journeys, the overall physical demands are less than on the Highland Wilderness Journeys and most of the walking can be done with just a light day pack. Having a physical base also means you will always have the option to either join in with the activities or stay at base and have some quiet time to yourself.
The Retreats
These mountain retreats take place in two contrasting locations enabling you to choose the one that best suits the level of challenge and type of experience you are looking for. Ben Nevis is the more physically challenging location with rough terrain and the opportunity to summit the UK’s highest mountain. Loch Ossian is a more gentle landscape with smaller hills and low level walking.
Each experience will evolve depending on the participants, the weather and conditions underfoot. Therefore, the exact routes we take, distances and ascents will be determined together as a group. However, the following gives you an idea what to expect.
All of the activities offered on these weekends will be optional, if you do not wish to participate in anything you will be welcome to spend time to yourself enjoying the landscape around the accomodation.
If you are at all unsure about whether this is for you please get in touch and we will happily discuss more details with you.
Ben Nevis
Immerse yourself in the dramatic landscapes of the UK’s highest mountain. Sleep beneath the renowned North Face of Ben Nevis in an alpine style hut. Explore the unique stories of this place and have the opportunity to reach the summit.
Accommodation: Charles Inglis Memorial Hut. Arguably the UK’s only true mountain hut this is set to be one of the most unique locations you will ever sleep in. The dramatic backdrop of the North Face is a truly inspiring place to wake up to whatever the weather!
Approach: The hut is a 5km walk uphill from the North Face car park at Torlundy, near Fort William. This is largely on tracks and a good path.
Where will we walk? There will be an opportunity to summit Ben Nevis over the course of the 4 days. We may time the ascent in order to enjoy a sunrise or sunset at the summit. There are several routes possible for this, one being the well known CMD arête which involves steep rocky ground and exposed ridge sections. There will be options depending on the weather and conditions at the time. We will also spend time exploring beneath the North Face of the mountain and the Allt a Mhuillin Glen.
Physical Requirements: A good level of general mountain fitness and comfortable walking on rough ground. You should be able to walk uphill at a steady pace without needing regular stops.
Loch Ossian
Escape to the tranquil shores of Loch Ossian for 4 days of quiet wanderings in this big and beautiful landscape. Explore the hills, forest and beaches that surround the loch and have plenty of time to relax and enjoy this remote location.
Accommodation: Loch Ossian Youth Hostel. A small, cosy setting with stunning views. The hostel can only be reached by train and foot so it truly feels like you are in the wilds.
Approach: Train to Corrour which is a station on the West Highland Railway line. From Corrour Station it is a 1.5km walk to the hostel along a very good track. The meet times for this weekend will be tailored to suit the train timetable.
Where will we walk? There will be an opportunity for hill walks to the neighbouring mountain summits for example Beinn Na Lapp or Leum Uilleim as well as low level walking around the loch shore and Corrour Estate.
Physical Requirements: A good level of general fitness and comfortable walking on rough ground.
What is provided for you as part of this mountain retreat?
Expert Guidance:
Throughout the experience you will benefit from our professional guidance and coaching. Each retreat has a maximum of 8 people, we choose to keep the numbers low to ensure everyone gets to benefit from a small group dynamic and 1:1 time with your guides.
Anna will take time to support the development of your outdoor skills and confidence. For example, the opportunity to work on navigation, movement through technical terrain, and other hill skills. In addition, learning about the history, geology, flora and fauna of the landscape will be woven throughout.
Shona will offer opportunities to help you connect with the landscape, yourself and each other. A key part of this is creating and holding a safe group experience where you feel heard and seen and where you can contribute as little or as much as feels right. And from this safe space there will be invitations for you to experience the natural world through nature connection invitations.
Unique accommodation:
These retreats take place in unique locations that we have sole access to for the duration of the four days. As both places can comfortably sleep twice as many people as we choose to take there is ample space to enjoy quiet moments away from the group if you choose.
Top Quality Equipment:
All the technical equipment required for the journey is provided for you. This includes; sleeping bag, head torch and a rucksack to carry it all. All the equipment is high quality, light weight and allows you to test out a range of kit. Therefore, all you need to bring is your own personal walking clothing and footwear.
Delicious food:
All of the food and drink required to keep your energy and spirits up over the 3 days is provided. We use high quality ingredients and local suppliers to ensure everything we are eating is delicious and healthy. All the food is vegetarian and any other dietary requirements can be catered for on request. The catering is provided by Stronaba Kitchen, Liz has created a bespoke menu packed full of goodness and suitable for carrying in the hills.
A memorable experience:
Most importantly you get to create a valuable memory that will stay with you and give you skills, confidence and inspiration to shape your own future adventures.
Wild Mountain Retreats in Scotland 2024
| Location | 2024 Dates |
|---|---|
| Ben Nevis, CIC Hut | 8th – 11th August |
| Loch Ossian, Loch Ossian Youth Hostel | 3rd – 6th October |
Two glorious weekends – both very well planned and organised. I really enjoyed the combination of high level, sometimes challenging walks and slower activities in glens and forests, with facilitated mindfulness and connection – both with the landscape and with the others in the group(s).
Maggie Bartlett, participant on a Highland Wilderness SKY Journey & a Wild Mountain Retreat
All the kit that was provided for the camping journey worked well and the food was just right too.
Anna and Shona are a great team. They have impressive skills and expertise, and clearly care a lot about what they do. They paid careful attention to detail and took good care of everyone as individuals. I’m very much looking forward to joining another of the journeys next year.
Booking
The cost of the 4 day retreat including all accommodation, food and equipment is £520* per person
*for the Loch Ossian retreat one evening meal will be at Corrour Station House and this is not included in the cost
You can pay this upfront in full or a place can be secured with £150 deposit. The remaining balance can be paid in as many instalments as works for you, just contact us to arrange. The full balance must be paid 6 weeks prior to the start of the journey.
If you would struggle to meet the cost of the course, The Neil Mackenzie Trust may be able to help. They are a small charity who offer a limited number of grants for skills training and expeditions. You can find out more about their grants here.
Groups are kept to a maximum of 8 participants. A minimum of 6 people are required for a trip to run.
These experiences are accessible via public transport. For Ben Nevis collection can be arranged from Fort William and for Loch Ossian the meet point will be Corrour Train Station.
Once you have made a booking you will receive an email confirmation. We will then contact you closer to the time with further details including a full list of what you will need to bring and details of the meeting point.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us.
See our other journeys in the Highlands
For more information or private bookings please enquire below.
Two glorious weekends – both very well planned and organised. I really enjoyed the combination of high level, sometimes challenging walks and slower activities in glens and forests, with facilitated mindfulness and connection – both with the landscape and with the others in the group(s).
Maggie Bartlett, participant on a Highland Wilderness SKY Journey & a Wild Mountain Retreat
All the kit that was provided for the camping journey worked well and the food was just right too.
Anna and Shona are a great team. They have impressive skills and expertise, and clearly care a lot about what they do. They paid careful attention to detail and took good care of everyone as individuals. I’m very much looking forward to joining another of the journeys next year.