Will my guide/instructor/coach be fully qualified?

All of our staff hold the relevant qualifications and substantial experience for any courses that you book with us here at Scottish Rock & Water. We can provide any relevant certifications upon request.

Can I pay a deposit to secure the course/trip?

Yes, you can secure your course/trip with a deposit. We only require a 25% deposit to reserve your position, with the full payment due 30 days prior to the start date.

Can I book as solo traveller?

Yes! Around 40% of people book as solo travellers.

I don't have everyone's details yet. Can I still secure the booking?

Yes! You can use our fast checkout option to secure your spot without adding participant details. All we need is your name and email to send the confirmation.

Do I need travel/activity insurance for Scotland?

While it's not legally required, we strongly recommend that you secure comprehensive travel/activity insurance before your trip to Scotland. Our courses involve outdoor adventures where weather conditions or unforeseen events could cause cancellations or prevent attendance. Having insurance ensures that you're financially protected if these situations arise. For example, many adventurers opt for specialized coverage such as Sports Cover Direct's offerings for canoe holidays or winter climbing, and the British Mountaineering Council also provides tailored policies for mountaineering activities. We encourage you to review these options and choose a policy that best suits your needs for peace of mind during your adventure.

northern corries to cairngorm

Name: Scottish Rock & Water
Address: 6 Station Cottage, Station Road, Newtonmore, Highlands, PH20 1AR, GB
Telephone: +44 1540 368138
Price range: ££
Rating: 5.0

1 dayGrade Moderate - 4Aviemore, CairngormsMax 1:6 Ratio

5.0 / 5.0•Over 211+ Five-Star Reviews

Fully Qualified MCI / BC Guides•Low 1:2 to 1:8 Ratios•All Technical Kit Provided

The day

What the walk involves

The Cairngorms are a truly unique landscape of The British Isles, with its high plateau and hosting five of the six highest peaks in The UK; there are some classic trips to be had with its truly unique wildlife, rare species of plants there's something for everyone. It also holds the highest loch over 3,000ft, Loch Etchachan which is situated not far from the beautiful cliffs of Shelterstone Crag. From here is one of the finest views in The Cairngorms National Park, Loch Avon.

Gear & Provisions

Inclusions, Exclusions & Kit

What's Included

✓Highly experienced & qualified instructor
✓Group shelter
✓First Aid kit
✓Maps, compass
✓Photos from your course
✓Overview of course details

Not Included

✗Course Insurance
✗Personal Expenses
✗Accommodation

What to Bring

•Waterproofs, top and bottoms
•Walking trousers (synthetic materials; jeans or similar are not suitable)
•Quality, breathable waterproof jacket and trousers. We recommend Gore-tex or similar
•Spare insulating layer
•Hat & gloves
•Spare insulating layer for camp
•Spare set of clothes x 2
•Some large zip-lock bags to keep your clothes and equipment organised
•Head torch, plus spare batteries
•Water bottle or flask
•Midge net and/or cream (smidge)
•Ear plugs (optional)
•Sunglasses and sun cream (you just never know!)
•Personal medications

Ardlogie BnB

Welcome to Ardlogie, a friendly, relaxed guest house situated in a peaceful location close to the centre of Aviemore, with views towards the...

Contact Ardlogie

Aviemore Youth Hostel

Surrounded by woodland, Aviemore Youth Hostel sits on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park and is just a short walk from Aviemore town c...

Contact Aviemore

Cairngorm Hotel

Aviemore’s premier independent hotel, situated directly opposite the railway station in the heart of Aviemore offers a warm and friendly wel...

Contact Cairngorm

Expedition Gallery

Frequently Asked Questions

Individual Departure

£65.00/ person

Private 1:1 RateFrom £380/dayConfigure Private Dates ↓

Scheduled Departures

Sat 1st May 27 - Sat 1st May 271 day expedition

6 spaces

£65

Sat 22nd May 27 - Sat 22nd May 271 day expedition

6 spaces

£65

Sat 19th Jun 27 - Sat 19th Jun 271 day expedition

6 spaces

£65

Sat 3rd Jul 27 - Sat 3rd Jul 271 day expedition

6 spaces

£65

Sat 21st Aug 27 - Sat 21st Aug 271 day expedition

6 spaces

£65

Sat 4th Sep 27 - Sat 4th Sep 271 day expedition

6 spaces

£65

Basecamp Concierge

Need To Adjust Dates or Roster?

Need to swap dates, change participant details, or ask technical kit questions? Our instructors are on hand to assist.

WhatsApp Guide Email Team

Flexible transfers and weather rescheduling guarantee

Bespoke Mountain & Water Charters

Your Expedition.
Your Exact Pace.

Want dedicated 1:1 instruction or exclusive guiding for your party on northern corries to cairngorm? Choose your target dates, customize the daily objectives, and enjoy 100% guide focus.

WMCI / MIC Certified Lead GuidesTailored Weather Safety Routings

Private Guiding Ledger

Configure Private Departure

From £380/day

Trip Duration *

Guiding Ratio *

Select Date *

Calculated Private Rate1 Day • 1:1 Ratio

£380(£380/day)

Stay in the loop with upcoming courses, dates & field notes?

Direct online checkout with instant date lock

More hills

Other hill days

The Highland Standard

Why walk with a guide

The route, the weather call, and the pace are handled by someone who knows the hill.

Small, Independent Business

We’re a very small, family-run business built on a love for Scotland’s wild places. Unlike big providers, we focus on personal connections, tailored experiences, and a deep commitment to the landscapes we work in. When you book with us, you're supporting a passionate local team who truly care about your experience.

Sustainable Approach

We’re committed to protecting the landscapes we love. Unlike providers who put profit first, we focus on responsible guiding, conservation, and a leave-no-trace ethos. When you book with us, you’re supporting sustainable tourism and helping preserve Scotland’s wild places for future generations.

Tailored Experiences

We keep our group sizes small to provide a personal and tailored experience. Whether it’s your first time in the mountains or you’re a seasoned adventurer, we take the time to understand your goals and adapt each course to suit your needs.

Beyond the Guidebooks

Sure, you can find the well-trodden routes in a book—but we take you beyond the usual paths. With our deep local knowledge, we’ll guide you to hidden ridges, quiet valleys, and secret spots that make every adventure feel truly unique.

5.0 / 5.0••TripAdvisor Verified

Hill days, in their words

What other walkers say about the pace, the route, and the day with a guide.

Visit Review Centre

"Cairngorms Private Guiding"

I would highly recommend Stephen and Scottish Rock and Water to anyone. I had a wonderful day out with him and a friend walking in the Cairngorms. He has a great sense of humour (which helped with the uphills!) and I felt completely at ease and had total trust in him taking us on the walks we did. It was a day I shall remember with great enjoyment and look forward to the next time. Thanks Stephen

Juliet WilsonVerified

"Excellent 5 days on Skye"

I just completed the 5 day Skye Cuillin Munros Guiding course with Stephen which was excellent. Stephen's many years of experience guiding on Skye allowed us to make the most of our time on the ridge, and we completed all 11 Munros without problems. Having only a little scrambling experience before the course, Stephen made sure we were not only safe at all times but he also showed us the best routes up to each peak. Throughout the week, he furthermore provided very useful tips on our movement skills which will be useful for future adventures! The ridge has sections which aren't for the faint hearted - However, Stephen always explained how to tackle these before we encountered them, and provided reassurance if we had any hesitation. Knowing the ridge like the back of his hand also helped our group to manage time efficiently, e.g. to avoid common bottlenecks. Having an extra rest day during the week was helpful as it allowed time for recovery: 3/4 days on the hill were 10h long and involved strenuous activity throughout. It also meant that we could avoid the day with the worst weather - useful considering Skye is renowned for its windy and wet climate! I'd thoroughly recommend Stephen to anyone planning to tackle the Skye Cuillin - whether over multiple days, or as a walker's/climber's traverse. You won't be disappointed 😁 Read less

Jess SVerified

"4 days on the Skye Cullins"

The Skye Cullins are incredible and very demanding but with Stephen guiding we had a great adventure and always felt safe. Would thoroughly recommend Scottish Rock and Water to others.

David ClarkVerified

"Mountain Guiding At Its Best"

Great day out in the Skye Cuillin with Scottish Rock and Water. Stephen, Matt, and Louis were obviously knowledgeable and confidence-inspiring guides, but also very likeable making for a safe, enjoyable, and memorable experience.

Iain SVerified

"5 day Skye Cuillin Munros Guiding"

Stephen agreed to guide both me and my dog Betty for two days on the Cuillin Ridge on Skye with the objective of scaling 4 Munro tops including the Basteir Tooth. Stephen embraced the challenge and talked through what would be required at each stage of each ascent. Safety came first and I always felt that he was choosing the best routes for us to achieve our goals, as well as giving lots of positive feedback and encouragement. He was also very knowledgeable about the many plants we came across which added to the days in the mountain environment. I would have no hesitation in recommending Stephen as a guide. Shona Marshall and Betty.

Shona MVerified

"Navigation Introduction "

A full day up on the hills for a 1:1 Navigation course with Scottish Rock and Water, it's the best navigation course I've been on so far. A perfectly tailored experience, I've asked to practise relocation techniques and Stephen also helped me with extra tips and more practice in taking bearing, pacing and timing, which he summarised and emailed me :) I would highly recommend Scottish Rock and Water. Stephen is very patient, reliable and experienced. Also, excellent customer service :)

Elenora Di CuffaVerified

Field Notes