The Great Wilderness, Scotland
26 - 30 September 2024
You’re invited on a 5 day backpacking & photography adventure in one of the world’s most dramatic landscapes
Great Wilderness & Fisherfield Forest Landscape Photography Adventure 2024
Total 4 nights/5 days 26 - 30 September 2024 | £1495pp
Join me and a small group in the beautiful Scottish Mountains, for a 4 night/5 day guided backpacking and photography adventure like no other. Below you will see a rough itinerary of the trip which should give you an indication as to the kinds of places we will be visiting (needless to say, awe-inspiring and dramatic!).
The Great Wilderness is a vast area of Scotland, home to some of the most remote and stunning Munros (a mountain over 3000ft) which makes it the perfect location for a wilderness experience with world-class photographic opportunities. We will cover large distances and substantial elevation gain with heavy packs, so a good level of fitness is required. The trip will be limited to 5 places (plus me & our mountain leader, total of 7).
Below you will find some of my photography from the area to give you a sense of the grandeur and remoteness of the mountains we will be visiting.
Key Information
Dates: 26 - 30 September 2024
Duration: 4 Nights / 5 Days
Accommodation: Tents
Physicality: Difficult (long distances with elevation gain)
Group Size: 5 Clients
Price: £1495 (£250 Deposit)
Summit Camp on A’ Mhaighdean
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5 Nights backpacking in the Great Wilderness, Scotland
Qualified mountain leader and wilderness first aider
1-1 and group tuition for the entire trip
Lunches, dinners, breakfasts and various hot drinks on the mountain
If needed, some equipment such as tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, and backpacks can be provided. (Bring Your Own Gear suggested)
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This allows us plenty of space on location for photography and at camp, as well as a more intimate setting to get to know each other!
Experience-First Adventure
This trip is intended as an experience-first adventure. What does this mean? It means we will be spending time in one of the most beautiful places on planet Earth! While we are all keen photographers, an equal weighting should also be placed on the opportunity to appreciate nature, get to know each other better “around the campfire” (no actual fires will take place), and take a breather from modern life. I have found that these kinds of experiences out in nature are amongst the most life-fulfilling, and so I want to share that with others too.
“We stood around the fire, a leopard called followed by the bark of a baboon. No sounds of humanity. We have not seen another soul for a while just the soul of this place, the soul of Mother Nature. We told each other our highlights from that day. Mine was feeling wholesome- wholesome with my friend’s company and how they all appreciate the natural world. We all had gratitude in the small things, stopping to watch fish swim, falcons hunt swallows and watch the dance of two Black eagles soaring above us. It was as exciting as seeing a leopard for the first time. Conversations were all relevant and meaningful. That to me is living a good life. “
- Jessica Shillaw, Londolozi Game Ranger
Itinerary
We will be walking to the UK’s most remote mountain, A’ Mhaighdean, with the hopes to camp on its summit. Along the way, we will traverse into the Great Wilderness and explore the area’s many vistas, lochs, and mountain views. This hike covers somewhere between 60-70km and well over 1000m of elevation gain. Below is a rough potential itinerary, but we will add extra small hikes at sunrise/sunset to access particular features for photography, and adjust for weather. Please note: the locations listed below are not guaranteed as safety and conditions will dictate our final route. Most hikers will do this route in much less time, so the added days allow us to take a reasonable pace and make the most of photography opportunities.
Day 1: Meet at Poolewe car park in the morning, prepare and check gear, and have a trip briefing before starting our approach hike. Camp below Carnmore Crags. Approx. 16km, 250m alt. Accommodation prior to the hike is not included, but is a good idea to ease travel to Poolewe.
Day 2: Start the hike up to A’Mhaighdean via the northeast path. Camp at summit with spectacular views to Fionn Loch and the Fisherfield 6. Approx. 8km, 750m alt.
Day 3: Early morning summit photography before descending northeast towards Ruadh Stac Beag. Camp with views of the Beinn Deargs. Approx. 8km, 150m alt.
Day 4: Return along the path towards Carnmore, before detouring towards the option of Beinn Lair or Beinn Airigh Charr for another summit camp with excellent views over Loch Maree, the Great Wilderness and towards Torridon. Approx. 15km, 700m alt.
Day 5: Final morning of photography before descending and returning to the Poolewe car park. Approx 14km, minimal ascent.
A rough map of our route, along with notable features. Image: Google Earth
*Backpacking in Torridon, Scotland
Further Details
It goes without saying that walking long distances and gaining elevation through mountainous terrain can be arduous at times, especially with the added weight of camera gear! Participants should be able to carry 16-20kg packs for 20km and 1000m of ascent in a single day. Thankfully we will have the help a qualified mountain leader to aid with navigation, safety, and overall enjoyment in the outdoors. Inclement weather can happen at any time of year, but September is considered one of the “best” months with more frequent weather windows and less chance of midges. Your safety will always be a priority in the mountains and we will adjust the camping locations according to conditions. In addition to your camera gear, I can provide a list of suggested hiking items to bring. Tents, backpacks, sleeping bags, mattresses, and cooking equipment can be borrowed if necessary, but it is strongly recommended to Bring Your Own Gear. You will be much more comfortable in gear that you know, fits you right, and have tested!
The following are not included in the price:
Transport to and from the start point in Poolewe (please contact me if this is an issue, some special arrangements can be organised)
Any necessary visas or other travel requirements (please check via your government website)
Insurance
Additional food & drink (extra snacks & alcoholic beverages for instance)
Flights to Glasgow and Inverness are frequent, with good bus/train transport links from either airport. A £300 non-refundable deposit is necessary to book your place, with full payment due 8 weeks prior to the start date. Please refer to my standard booking terms and conditions.
I’m really excited to adventure into one of Scotland’s most wild places and looking forward to this outdoors experience with all of you! Any questions just send me a message.