Ailsa Sheldon finds trekking through the mountains of the Cairngorms in the footsteps of Nan Shepherd and under the expert guidance of Wild Roots to be an unforgettable and truly immersive experience There are many skilled guides who will take you up mountains, help you safely bag Munros or learn compass skills. There’s huge value in this, of course, but what if you want to go in to the mountains, to stop, to experience, to listen, while also being safe and learning plenty about your surroundings? Perhaps, like I was, you’re looking for Wild Roots guiding. Growing up in Lochaber I used to find the hard granite of the Cairngorms far less beautiful than the wet and wild west coast.
The Cairngorms mountain range to me is like an old molar tooth, cracked and creviced, and best approached as one lofty landmass. I hoped my trip with Wild Roots guiding would help me know it better. The trip begins over coffee in Aviemore, giving our group of six and two guides a chance to meet before we start walking, and allowing time for any last-minute snack purchases.
Wild Roots guiding provides all the mountaineering kit required for the trip, as part of a commitment to reducing the barriers to participation. We’re lent rucksacks, tents and sleeping bags, as well as a headtorch, travel towel, bowl and cup. Comfort is carefully considered, too, with a blow-up mattress to keep warm at night, and a midge-net in case of tiny invaders.
The gear is all top of the range and, crucially, very ligh.