Introductory Hill Walking

Example walks include:

Shorter Walks (4-5 hours)
Glen Finglas
Contour around the slopes of Stuc Odhar on good tracks. After a small amount of ascent enjoy lovely views over Loch Venachar and into Glen Finglas. Explore this pretty glen and then return to Brig o’ Turk (where there is a lovely pub – the Byre Inn).

Medium Walks (5-6 hours)
Stuc Odhar from Brig o’ Turk
Start from the Woodland Trust Visitor Centre at Lendrick and climb up and through the woods above and over Stuc Odhar into Glen Finglas. Return to Brig o’ Turk/the Byre Inn.

Loch Achray to Kinlochard via Ben Venue
Starting from Loch Achray we follow forestry tracks to reach the hill path which follows Glen Riabhach up onto the shoulder of Ben Venue. If time and weather permits we can go up to the summit before dropping down Ledard Glen to reach Kinlochard (6 miles & 2000ft of ascent).

Longer walks (6-7 hours)
Aberfoyle to Brig o’ Turk over the Menteith Hills
A longer walk up and over the Highland boundary fault, starting at Braeval (in the lowlands) and finishing at Brig o’ Turk (in the Highlands).

Ben Lomond
The most southerly of the Munros in Scotland, iconic Ben Lomond is a popular hike and has well-trodden paths. the views on a clear day are magnificent on this circular walk. Depending on the group’s preferences, a slightly more challenging route via the Ptarmigan Ridge may be possible.

Sunday
Check in is from 4pm where you will receive a warm welcome from our team.
Once you are unpacked and settled, we invite you to enjoy some tea or coffee and home baking in the lounge where you can relax after your journey.
If you have never been on a holiday like this before, we understand how anxious you may be. That’s why, come 6pm, everyone will gather in the lounge for the Welcome Talk and Meet & Greet, giving you the chance to meet both your fellow guests and your tutor before the start of the course on Monday. Your tutor will talk you through what to expect from the week, discuss what you would like to achieve during your stay, and answer any questions you may have. 
From there, dinner is served at 6:30pm in the downstairs dining room.

Monday to Thursday
Throughout the week, tuition runs from 10am to 4pm with regular breaks for tea and coffee so you can relax and have a natter with your fellow guests about everything you’ve been up to so far.
All your meals are served in the dining room.
Evening tea and coffee is available in the lounge at 9pm.

Friday
Check out by 10am

What’s Included

• 4 days of specialist tuition from Gavin Clarke
• Full board catering
• 5-nights accommodation
• Complimentary transfers from Stirling train station are available on the arrival and departure days (pick-up from the station at 15:30, departs Gartmore House at 10:00). Transfers from Glasgow or Edinburgh Airports are available at an additional cost.

What you need to bring:

• Layered outdoor gear (minimum base layer and fleece plus preferably a mid-layer as a spare in your rucksack). 
• Non-cotton (quick-drying) trousers
• Walking boots (waterproof if possible)
• Waterproof jacket and over-trousers
• Day pack for food and spare kit
• Gaiters (advised, but not essential) – these will really keep your feet dry
• Walking poles (if used). Great for descending if you have knee or ankle issues. Your guide will have a few spare that you can borrow if you don’t already have them or want to try them rather than buying pole/s.

Tutor Gavin Clarke

Gavin Clarke is a retired Chartered Quantity Surveyor who was introduced to the Scottish Hills by his Mum as a 14-year old in 1966 and has, since then, spent pretty much all his spare time exploring the hills and glens of Scotland.

Since 2009, Gavin has been guiding parties as a freelance Mountain Leader, largely around Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. This is his natural stomping ground, and where he started his freelance work in 2012 with Arthur Jones, a now-retired Aberfoyle Summer Mountain Leader. Gavin also spends a bit of time playing in local Stirling Ceilidh bands. 

Reviews from previous hill walking guests:

• ”With regard to the accommodation, this was more than comfortable, the food delicious and plentiful and all the staff warm, friendly and helpful.” – Guest, Introductory Hillwalking Holiday

• ”A lovely old house brought back to life, well done.” – Guest, Introductory Hillwalking Holiday