Am Buachaille Guided Climb

Overview of a guided climb up Am Buachaille

We will meet in the car park at 10:00 (be aware this might need to be earlier or later depending on the tide times and if it changes we will get in touch with you). From here we will have a kit check and a safety briefing before heading out along the track towards Sandwood bay – if you have a bike in the area we can cycle this instead of walk just get in touch to let us know if this is something you want to do. 

We will scramble our way down the side of the coast and along towards the point where we can walk no further! From here we must don the swim shorts and set off for a minimum 10m swim across to the sea stack. The Scottish water is normally cold up this far north so please bring a towel or changing robe (we can supply if you need) to dry off and get changed again on the other side! We will supply dry bags so we can put all the kit in them and it will stay dry and secure for getting changed back into normal clothes on the other side of the channel and starting our climb. 

The climb we will tackle is the classic landward face which is three pitches long before abseiling off once we are done and swimming back to the shore and working our way back to the car park.

Climbing the landward face of Am Buachaille is a challenging and rewarding experience that is much safer with an experienced guide. Here is an itinerary for the climb:

• Meet your guide at the car park at 10:00 and receive a briefing on safety and equipment and the plan for the day.
• After walking in to the climb and swimming across the channel. Begin the ascent, following your guide’s instructions as you ascend the three pitches of the climb.
• As you climb, take in the stunning views of the Scottish coastline and the natural beauty of the area.
• After reaching the summit, take some time to rest, enjoy the view and take pictures (if you haven’t already) to remember this iconic location.
• Abseil under the guidance of your instructor (member of AMI), making sure to follow their instructions for a safe descent.
• Return to the starting point via a swim back across the channel, feeling a sense of accomplishment and pride in yourself for completing this challenging climb before starting the walk back out – we will likely walk back via the bay itself to get a last stunning view of the climb with the waves rolling in in front of it.

We are proud to recommend local accommodation options within the area for people when you are up for your Am Buachaille Course:

Aviemore:

Youth Hostel A budget friendly option for people.

Coylumbridge Hotel Aviemroe – good for groups and families alike.

Premier Inn – always a good shout.

Rothiemurchus Campsite – situated in the stunning forest, this is a beautiful budget friendly option.

Glenmore Campsite – situated at Scotland’s highest beach, Loch Morlich has phenomenal views across to Cairngorm Mountain.

Newtonmore & Surrounding Areas:

https://www.wherestagsroar.co.uk/ award winning accommodation in the Highlands – perfect to stay at while up on an outdoor adventure.

Invernahavon Caravan Park – a bit quieter than the others as it is a little further away from the hustle and bustle of Aviemore.

Dalraddy Holiday Park – a family and dog friendly campsite.

Booking a guided climb up Am Buachaille, one of Scotland’s classic sea stack climbs, can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience and is steeped in history. It is often called Herdsman as it translates to from the Gaelic. It towers an impressive 65m high above the sea and was first climbed by the famous Tom Patey in 1966 when he climbed the other two main stacks as well. This stack is regarded as the most serious of the three due to its location meaning the seas can be rough and you have to swim to it whereas the others you do not have to swim to. It is formed of Torridonian Sandstone and sits almost on the very Northwestern part of the country making for an impressive view out to the sea. 

If you want stunning views, a climb steeped in history and a swim across in the sea then this guided climb of Am Buachaille might be just the thing for you. It is often the last one that people tick off of the three and need a guide on due to it’s serious nature.

We pride ourselves on providing as much kit as possible for you.  However, the list below is what we recommend you should bring to your guided climb up Am Buachaille:

• Travel insurance. (We are insured for all our trips, but we recommend everyone has their own travel insurance as well.)
• Lunch, water.
• Personal medication
• Sun cream, midge net
• Waterproofs (it is Scotland after all)
• Sturdy footwear.
• climbing shoes.
• Swim shorts and a towel.

Here at Highland Outdoor Adventures, we pride ourselves on providing as much as we can but you are welcome to bring your own equipment if you do prefer. The list below is what we provide you with on the day.

• All instruction.
• Helmets
• Ropes
• Harness
• All Technical Climbing Gear
• All first aid and safety equipment.
• Dry Bags to get the kit across securely.
• Transportation for 2 people. Pickup can be arranged from elsewhere if needed.
• Photographs of the day provided for you at no extra cost!