Cairngorms listed in top 50 greatest places on Earth

Of course, here at Glentrek, we already rate the Cairngorms very, very highly. With the national park on our doorstep, we’re intimately familiar with its beautiful and magnificent landscape. And now leading worldwide publication, the National Geographic, has ranked the Cairngorms among the last great places on Earth

The list includes other such places as unspoiled beauty, such as Madagascar, the Gobi Desert and the Galapagos Islands.

The US magazine has included the Cairngorms in its 50 of the World’s Last Great Places, describing it as a “destination of a lifetime”.

And Scottish promoters could not be more thrilled. VisitScotland chairman Mike Cantlay is reported as saying: “Our country boasts some of the most stunning landscapes in the world, so it’s no surprise the Cairngorms has been named as a must-visit destination by National Geographic.”

And Duncan Bryden, convener of the Cairngorms National Park Authority, added: “We are absolutely delighted with this accolade and to be the only UK entry is simply fantastic.”

In a press release, a spokesman for National Geographic said: “Our spirits are refreshed by such pristine locations as the Cairngorms.”

If you’re looking for a great Christmas present for someone special why not treat them to a guided walking trip to the Cairngorms (Glentrek can help!)? You can also buy them “50 of the World’s Last Great Places” published by National Geographic for £6.99.

New Scottish national walking trail

Scotland’s amazing stable of long-distance walks has been given another boost with the launch of its longest ever walk. The Gore-Tex Scottish National Trail stretches an amazing 470 miles from the south of Scotland to the far north west.

Launched earlier this week in Edinburgh – where the walking route passes through – it is hoped that the new walking route will put Scotland firmly on the radars of even more overseas visitors.

The trail is the brainchild of writer and broadcaster, Cameron McNeish. Reported in Scotland’s national newspaper The Herald, Cameron said: “I wanted to re-discover my country for myself, especially those areas I wasn't so familiar with, and in doing so walked a route I believe can stand comparison with the best routes anywhere in the world."

His website adds: The Gore-Tex Scottish National Trail will become “one of the iconic walking routes of the world” thanks to a combination of variety and quality of walking through the Scottish landscape.”

Starting in Kirk Yetholm the route heads first for Scotland’s capital Edinburgh before walkers take canal paths west towards Milngavie, near Glasgow. The route then goes north towards Aviemore.

The final section of the walk stretches almost 120 miles from Badenoch to Cape Wrath, much of it following the existing Cape Wrath Trail.

Other trails followed as part of this longer route include the Rob Roy Way from Drymen to Pitlochry in Perthshire. This is an area that Glentrek knows really well!

The route will not have its own waymarkers, except for new plaques at Kirk Yetholm, the Water of Leith Visitor Centre in Edinburgh and Cape Wrath.

10-year-old twin girls bag a full Munro round

If you are struggling to find the energy or motivation to go walking, perhaps this heart-warming tale will give you a push. For 10-year-old twin girls Cliona and Nuala McCheyne recently finished a full round of Scotland’s 282 Munros.

The girls, from Dunoon, have been walking Munros sine they were aged only four and with their parents Diane and Neil they have spent many weekends enjoying themselves on Scotland mountains.

What are the Munros?

The Munros are mountains with a summit of at least 3,000ft (914.4m) and are located across Scotland. The were first identified by Sir Hugh Munro in the early 19^th century and since then several thousand people have walked the full round of 282 Munros.

But many people take decades to walk all the Munros, and never have the Munros been completed by children so young. For mum and dad, it has taken 26 years to finish the full round, while the family dog, West Highland terrier, Aonach, is still on 224 Munros.

One of the twins, Cliona is reported as saying: “It’s been great fun doing them. We’ve never found them scary. Our mum is a bit scared of heights so we always have to encourage her.”

Of course, no one is saying that you need to go out and embark on the full Munro round challenge. You could simply try bagging a few Munros for starters. In fact, in Angus and the surrounding there are some of the easiest Munros.

As with any hike in the countryside, it is important that you know how to navigate yourself safely by map and compass before setting out, especially if the weather forecast is poor. Glentrek offer hill walking navigation courses, should you be interested.

The twin girls were able to learn map reading skills as part of their family Munro bagging trips. Mum Diane is reported as saying: “The girls have learnt so much doing the Munros, like how to map-read. It’s been a huge learning curve for them.

“We’re so proud. It’s a remarkable achievement for anyone. We didn’t set out to break a record. We just did it so we could spend time together and we’ve loved every minute of it."

Easier Munros to bag

The Cairnwell and Carn Aosda

Dreish and Mayar

Schiehallion

Mount Keen

Ben Chonzie

If you would like any information about bagging Munros, or would like some guiding assistance do please get in touch.

Learn to navigate in the hills

How are your navigational skills? Would you like to brush up on your compass reading ability? Perhaps you are a new-comer to the hills and would like to feel more confident about leading the way yourself? Whatever your reasons for wanting to learn more about navigation, it is definitely a good idea to know how to read a map and compass.

Glentrek is an official provider of the National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS). This scheme is a personal performance, non-competitive, incentive programme for all ages of people, who are keen to learn navigation skills and gain the confidence to get out and enjoy the countryside.

• The National Navigation Award Scheme will:
• Enhance your enjoyment of the countryside 
•  Develop sound navigation skills and practice including planning your own walking routes? 
•   Improve your confidence at map reading, whether the weather is clear or misty. 
•  Give you a personal performance award in navigation at the NNAS Bronze, Silver or Gold Levels, validated to a national standard.

On Saturday September 29nand 30, Glentrek is running a two-day Bronze National Navigation Award course in Glen Doll/Glen Clova, Angus.

The cost is £90 per person for both days or £50 if you just want to come on the first day.

To find out more and to book email: admin@glentrek.com

Walk to a mountain peak for a breakfast sunrise!

What will you be doing this Saturday? Siting on the sofa watching a bland TV programme? Drinking too many beers or wine? Wondering why you’re bored – when everyone else seems to be out having fun? So, do something different!

We’re off to walk overnight from Ballater to take the sunrise views from the Munro, Lochnagar. The outing is sure to be great fun and we can promise you camaraderie and a Champagne and strawberries breakfast at the summit.

Of course, there is no guarantee of a view but we’ll have our fingers and toes crossed.

Lochnagar (also called Beinn Chìochan) is a mountain in the Grampians, situated about five miles south of the River Dee, near Balmoral. Technically, the English name is a misunderstanding because Lochnagar was named after Lochan na Gaire – the “little loch of the noisy sound” –  which is in fact a loch that is found in the mountain's northeast corrie. The mountain is also known Beinn Chìochan, which means mountain of breasts in Gaelic.

If you fancy the Glentrek sunrise walk, please contact us. We’ll be setting off at 11pm on Friday July 14 from Ballater. The guided mountain walking takes place in darkness and we’re hoping for a magnificent sunrise on the Sunday morning. The price per person is £30, which includes a 25% discount.

Email admin@glentrek.com to book or call us on 07934443557 for more info.

Great guided walking trips in Scotland

Midsummer's Day walk

Why not make the most of the longest day – and shortest night – of summer with a special walk and a chance to see an amazing sunrise? On Midsummer’s Day on June 23, Glentrek is leading a walk on the Munro Lochnagar in the Cairngorms.

Lochnagar is a fabulous mountain and offers amazing views, including one of Scotland’s most beautiful corries. The mountain was also featured in a poem by Lord Byron.

Our Glentrek walk meets in Ballatar at 11pm. We will be walking in darkness but at this time of year it is not dark for long. And imagine the rewards as the sun rises… It is always stunning.

The price of this unusual walk is £40 per person.

Munro bagging weekend

And if walking Lochnagar has given you a taste for Munro bagging, join us on the weekend of July 7 and 8. We’ll be bagging a few Munros in the Tyndrum/Bridge of Orchy area during our guided adventure. The price is £35 per person per day

Bike and hike on Ben Alder

On Sat August 4 a Ben Alder Bike ’n’ Hike trip offers the opportunity to climb this remote Munro in a day without the need to camp. You’ll have a guide for the day and the use of our quality mountain bikes.  This trip is £55 per person.

To find out more and to book your place, please contact us