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Climbing to the high lands of Scotland

June 3, 2019 | Michael Turtle | 16 Comments

ADVENTURE TRAVEL

Last Updated on June 3, 2019

Rock climbing in Scotland

It’s blustery up on the mountainside. I pull my jacket tighter across my chest as protection.

The rocks around me seem to be pulling the long grass closer to them too… or perhaps it’s the other way around. Perhaps the grass is looking for shelter against the boulders which have survived millennia up here.

These boulders have dealt with more than a few gusts of cool wind. And today they’re going to survive me too. Whether I survive them is another matter.

Rock climbing in Scotland

I’m not technically in the Highlands of Scotland here around Glen Croe. As I walked up the mountain, though, I felt higher than any time so far in the country.

Now with my own bare hands, I’m going to head a little further up.

Rock climbing in Scotland

Ed Hides is taking me climbing and, with his help, I’m going to tackle some of natural walls that nature has carved for us.

Ed has recently started his own outdoor adventure company called Experiential, so I’m confident I’m in good hands. Now I just hope that my hands are any good.

Rock climbing in Scotland

Two climbs and two successes. With a harness and a safety rope, my fears were lifted from me. Sadly lifting my feet was not so easy. From a distance you always think you can see a simple path to the top.

It’s much more difficult when your fingers start to go so numb the only way you know they’re still holding on is because you haven’t fallen. But I managed to scramble to the top of my first climb and, emboldened, launched into the second one with enthusiasm as unbridled as the land around me.

Rock climbing in Scotland

Rock climbing in Scotland

From the top, I look around. Ed has chosen well for today’s climb because, not only have I succeeded, but there’s a view you simply don’t appreciate as you drive by in a car.

Mountains and valleys intersect, a lake glimmers in the distance, and it all feels so untamed.

Rock climbing in Scotland

A few lines of a poem by Scottish poet Norman MacCaig were recently hard carved into the stone walls of the country’s Parliament. They seem appropriate as I look out from the rocks.

Who possesses this landscape? –
The man who bought it or
I who am possessed by it?
False questions, for this landscape is masterless and intractable in any terms that are human.

Rock climbing in Scotland

Rock climbing in Scotland

And that’s exactly it. We may feel like we occasionally conquer this landscape – with a successful climb, for instance – but we never really possess it… or are possessed by it.

I tilt my head into the wind and look further up. More boulders. More challenges. Intractable.

>> More info here about rock climbing with Experiential

Time Travel Turtle was a guest of Embrace Scotland, Momondo and Skyscanner but the opinions, over-written descriptions and bad jokes are his own.

Scotland Travel Guide

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT SCOTLAND?

To help you plan your Scotland travel:

  • Climbing in the highlands of Scotland
  • Meet a guy who owns an old Scottish castle
  • Foraging for food like the old days

Let someone else do the work for you:

You may also want to consider taking a tour of the UK, rather than organising everything on your own. It’s also a nice way to have company if you are travelling solo.

I am a ‘Wanderer’ with G Adventures and they have great tours of the UK.

You could consider:

  • Highlights of Scotland (7 days)
  • Highlights of Ireland (9 days)
  • Ireland Explorer (13 days)

When I travel internationally, I always get insurance. It’s not worth the risk, in case there’s a medical emergency or another serious incident. I recommend you should use World Nomads for your trip.

Reader Interactions

    Comments Cancel reply

  1. Megan |

    October 24, 2013 at 8:25 pm

    Reply

    What an awesome view at the top. Ah I love Scotland. Did you find Skyfall?

    • Michael Turtle |

      October 29, 2013 at 1:01 am

      Reply

      He he… I kept asking about Skyfall but we didn’t get there. Next time!!

  2. Devlin @ Marginal Boundaries |

    October 26, 2013 at 5:53 am

    Reply

    Kudos on rock climbing! This is one thing I don’t think I’d ever try, I’d need to get over my stupid vertigo before even contemplating it.

    • Michael Turtle |

      October 29, 2013 at 1:05 am

      Reply

      It’s funny, even though you know you’re strapped in and you can’t fall to your death, it’s still quite scary up on the rocks. Perhaps wanting to feel safe again helped me get up quite quickly 🙂

  3. Laura @Travelocafe |

    October 26, 2013 at 10:24 pm

    Reply

    Up in the mountains with such a cute dog. I love the photo. Really great shot.

    • Michael Turtle |

      October 29, 2013 at 1:05 am

      Reply

      The dog was so cute!

  4. Deia @NomadWallet |

    October 27, 2013 at 8:01 am

    Reply

    Nice views! I’ve been thinking of trying rock climbing myself because everybody here in Calgary seems to be into outdoorsy stuff. Maybe in the summer. Looks like you had a great time!

    • Michael Turtle |

      October 29, 2013 at 1:06 am

      Reply

      I’m sure it would be much better in summer when you can feel your fingers a bit better. Rock climbing when it’s cold has got to be harder because your hands just don’t work quite the way they should!

  5. Mary @ Green Global Travel |

    October 27, 2013 at 1:33 pm

    Reply

    Beautiful location to get into climbing! It’s incredible to reach the top and pause for a moment while exploring the view and allowing it to take your breath away!

    • Michael Turtle |

      October 29, 2013 at 1:07 am

      Reply

      I don’t see the point of rock climbing if there isn’t a beautiful view at the top. You have to com back down anyway, so there might as well be some reason for going up in the first place!! 🙂

  6. Jennifer |

    October 28, 2013 at 7:54 am

    Reply

    Way to go! Rock climbing is no easy feat. I’ve taken a few lessons at indoor rock walls and my body hurt in places I didn’t even know that it could afterward!

    • Michael Turtle |

      October 29, 2013 at 1:08 am

      Reply

      I know! What are those muscles that you use for rock climbing that never seem to get used for anything else? Why do we even have them?!

  7. Nicole | The Wondernuts |

    October 29, 2013 at 9:04 am

    Reply

    Wow, I would love to try that out! Scotland is just so pretty. =)

    • Michael Turtle |

      November 10, 2013 at 10:03 pm

      Reply

      The views from the top definitely made it worthwhile. It’s such a pretty country!

  8. Stephanie - The Travel Chica |

    November 5, 2013 at 2:32 am

    Reply

    Love your “triumph face” 🙂

    • Michael Turtle |

      November 10, 2013 at 9:33 pm

      Reply

      It doesn’t get used too often 🙂

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This is the website of travel writer, Michael Turtle. After working in broadcast journalism for a decade in Australia, Michael left Sydney to travel the world indefinitely and write about the places, people and experiences he discovers. This isn't a diary - these are real stories from the world.

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