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Sophie Nicholson describes herself to us as "an ageing outdoor athlete with a dislike for the obvious", and so spends a considerable amount of time seeking out do-able adventures in wild places.
Having spent much of her 20’s and 30’s, scampering around at altitude in a variety of honey pot destinations in the Alps, Rockies, and Himalayas, Sophie returned to the NW Highlands eight years ago determined to never have to stand in a queue in the outdoors ever again.
Eight years later, she is still on track to achieve this goal and has enjoyed a fair few memorable mountain meanders under her feet/wheels/skis along the way.
Here are some of her favourites…
Home to some of Scotland’s most recognisable mountains (we’re looking at you Suilven and Stac Pollaidh), the Coigach and Assynt regions of North West Scotland have been blowing minds and socks off since their stubborn Torridonian sandstone peaks resisted the erosive powers of the last Ice Age.
At just 743m, Ben Mor Coigach escapes the relentless stompage of the tick list obsessed Munro and Corbett bagger, making it the ideal peak of choice for folks looking for a hoard-free Assynt adventure.
Steep, airy, and pathless in places, it’s a quick hit hill that delivers big time. Think panoramic mountain and sea views, the occasional scrambly section, and the opportunity for a wee loch dip from a sandy beach as you make your way back to the car.
Best left for a low-wind day when you don’t have the kids or granny in tow.
Post adventure punctuater - A cheeky cinnamon bun at Cult Café in Ullapool
If you get the right conditions (aka nae rain, nae seepage, and a steady breeze to keep the midgies at bay) then you’re in for some tip-top bolt clipping at any one of the many sport crags near Gairloch.
There’s heaps of fantastic climbing to be had in the area but the grades tend to be a tad punchy, so finding entry-level/friendly routes for newbies/families etc can be tricky. Enter the Dearg Slab, near Loch Maree. A short walk from the car, it’s an absolutely brilliant wee south facing elevated crag that looks out over the loch and to the mountains beyond.
With 8 routes ranging from 5a to 6a, it’s ideal for a morning of learning and honing skills in the sun, or warming up the fingers before progressing on to more ambitious projects at Creag nan Luch located just 2 minutes walk down the hill.
Post adventure punctuater - Refresh the weary bod with a wee dip in Loch Maree
Lochs, mountains, castles, rivers, forests and epic, epic views – this 70km, 1,000m+ circular gravel ride is an absolute belter. Enormously varied and extremely quiet, it circumnavigates Ben Wyvis – the vast and sprawling Munro that dominates much of the landscape north of the Black Isle and Inverness.
Starting and finishing in Dingwall, I’ve only ever ridden it in a clockwise direction as the climbs are all rideable and you tend to have the wind at your back at the highest point in the loop.
The overwhelming majority of the route is on gravel or hydro-tracks, with the last 6 or so miles on a quiet tarmac road. It’s not particularly technical but it does take you into some pretty remote terrain so you’ll need to be self-sufficient and able to deal with the occasional short eroded section that can feel pretty tricky on a gravel bike.
Post adventure punctuater – the eco-friendly Highland Farm Café near Dingwall is a great place to stop for a coffee/ice cream/cake if you’re running out of steam towards the end of the route.
This 933m munro has a reputation for being a touch boring but sprinkle some of winter’s angel dust upon its wide open grassy slopes, and it is immediately transformed into an epic playground to explore on ski.
Ideal for early season adventures when coverage can be thin, Fionn Bheinn is ideal for both newbie and seasoned ski tourers looking to bag a Munro in the wild Northwest. The views from the summit are absolutely awesome and on a good day you can look out over a range of Scottish icons including the majestic Slioch and An Teallach.
If you're lucky then you will find excellent snow on the easy angle north facing slopes which definitely merit a few bonus laps. The lower slopes can a bit lacking in coverage and/or crusty so be prepared for a bit of 'whacky races' on your way back to the car.
Post adventure punctuater – pop into the Midge Bite café in Achnasheen for some well-earned refuelling of the sugary variety.
Thanks so much to Sophie for taking the time to tell us some of her favourite Scottish adventures. A trip up north is pending! You can follow Sophie here to see what adventures she’s getting up to next.
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