Where are some good rock or ice climbing sites in Scotland? Just the name of general areas will be sufficient. Not to specific unless you want to get specific.

-- Michael Stewart (ascend23@hotmail.com), March 11, 2000

Answers

in response to your request for info on Scottish climbing areas see below:

March-April 2000 - Good time for ice climbing on Ben Nevis ('The Ben') but i'm not sure how good the conditions are at the moment having not been up there for 6 weeks. Also maybe some winter conditions in the Cairngorms (Lochnager in the South, or around Cairngorm in the north) but I doubt it. Glencoe is a fantastic place to climb but you've missed winter there for this year.

April onwards - I would head to the Cuillin Hills on the Isle of Skye (Basalt and Gabbro). Camp at Glen Brittle and do some great rock climbs on the 1500ft wall of Sron na Ciche, or anywhere in the Cuillins for that matter. Maybe attempt a traverse of the full ridge. Brilliant!

In summer, climb in Glencoe (Aonoch Dubh, Coire nan Lochan); on the north face of Ben Nevis (up to 2000ft high on granite, andesite and rhyolite); any of the big granite cliffs in the Cairngorms; or for absolutely stunning scenery go to Torridon and climb on the Sandstone. That should give you some variety.

Need anymore info, let me know. have fun!

Jamie

-- Jamie Pembroke (jamie@oxfree.com), March 13, 2000.