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The first Torridon Winter Walking Festival

10th December 2011 Print
Torridon Winter Skills Course, Liathach

Spending the night in a snow hole or a day climbing a sheer ice face are just two of the adventurous activities which feature in the Torridon Winter Walking Festival next March.

For the first time, walkers will be able to join some of the most highly qualified mountaineering guides in the UK in some of the most stunning snowy winter wilderness in the country to take part in one of Scotland’s ultimate winter adventures.

The three day Torridon Winter Walking Festival is organised by Torridon Activities, one of Scotland’s top multi-activity providers, and runs from Saturday, 3rd – Monday, 5th March, 2012, when ice axe arrest, walking in crampons and avalanche awareness are a given – although there is a Winter Skills Day for those not already confident and in the know.

This exceptional region of Scotland, whose challenging and mighty mountains and corries have gained the respect of many a mountaineer over the years, comes into its own during the winter months with the addition of ice and snow, presenting walkers and climbers with a unique and remote frozen amphitheatre for a playground.

The mountains featuring in the Torridon Winter Walking Festival’s programme contribute to some of the finest mountain scenery in Europe – Beinn Eighe, Liathach, Coire Mhic Fhearchair, Beinn Alligin and Beinn na h-Eaglaise – and require not only stamina and fitness to conquer in both summer and winter conditions, but an introductory lesson in Gaelic pronunciation at the very least (included).

As the high level walks are aimed at people who are used to the mountain environment, they require a reasonable level of fitness. The walks take in wild places, don’t necessarily follow footpaths, and conditions underfoot coupled with the terrain dictate that the walks are of a medium to strenuous nature. The rewards, on the other hand, are of spectacular uninterrupted views over a stunning Highland landscape bathed in a winter freeze.

Low level walks also feature on the Festival programme, and follow estate roads and footpaths passing through frozen glens and past frozen lochans without the commitment of a hill climb.

There are plenty of accommodation options in the area – many listed on the Festival’s website – ranging from youth hostels, B&Bs and guest houses to self-catering, inns and hotels.

Accommodation Offer: The award-winning 12 bedroom Torridon Inn offers cosy and comfortable accommodation, excellent traditional pub food and a great atmosphere to enjoy after a day in the hills. B&B room rates start from £89 for a double and £190 for a room for six. There are also rooms available for 3/4/5 people.

For more information, visit thetorridon.com/inn.

For further information on the Torridon Winter Walking Festival, to book a place on one of the walks, to find out more about the guides, the routes and the accommodation, check out thetorridon.com/activities/walking-festival.

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Torridon Winter Skills Course, Liathach