These links to websites are provided for information only. Gryffe Hillwalking Club is not responsible for the content of any third-party websites, and these links must not be taken as any indication of endorsement either of the organisations represented by the websites or of the contents of the websites. You should note that addresses and the content of websites can change without notice.
General hillwalking and mountaineering
Mountaineering Scotland (or MS, used to be called the Mountaineering Council of Scotland) is the voice of Scottish hillwalkers and mountaineers. Benefits include a regular and informative magazine, discounts at various shops and other businesses, public liability insurance and access to BMC travel insurance. The website contains a lot of useful information on hillwalking and mountaineering. All Gryffe Club members are registered as club members of MS.
The British Mountaineering Council represents hillwalkers and climbers throughout Britain. One major benefit for members is access to a travel insurance scheme that is tailored for these types of activities both at home and abroad. MS members can also access the scheme.
Weather forecasts
The Met Office site is especially useful as you can put in the name of most hills or Munros to get a detailed and more specific forecast for up to 7 days
The Mountain Weather Information Service provides specialist weather forecasts for mountain regions through the UK.
Forecasts for specific mountains in Scotland, the UK and all over the world!
The Scottish Avalanche Infomation Service offers reports and forecasts on avalanche conditions in Scotland throughout the winter months.
Webcams
Webcams can be useful to see up-to-date conditions on mountains. Some are maintained by public bodies other large organisations, whilst others are others are operated by small businesses or even from someone’s front room, and so can go off-line ‘for maintenance’ or die completely without notice. Therefore you should always make sure that the image that you’re looking at is up-to-date.
Images from the Nevis Range ski area on Aonach Mor.
Views from in and around Fort William up to Ben Nevis and Aonach Mor.
Links to low-level webcams in and around Aviemore and high-level webcams on Cairngorm.
Webcams looking up to Cairngorm and the Laraig Ghru. Also links to other webcams in and around Aviemore and Cairngorm.
The snow gate at Braemar.
Webcams of the Glencoe ski area on Meall a’Bhuiridh and Buachaille Etive Mor.
Views of Ben More, Crianlarich. Also a link to a live weather station at Crianlarich.
- Sligachan, Isle of Skye Webcam
Images from webcams located on Skye.
Streaming webcam of the Torridon Hills.
Looking out from Brodick on Arran, including Goat Fell.
Links to webcams in ski areas: Cairngorm and Aviemore, Glencoe, Nevis range and the Lowther hills.
Map with links to live traffic webcams all over Scotland. Useful to gauge road conditions for travel.
The following have links to webcams in Scotland, some of which might be of interest to gauge conditions in mountain areas. However, beware that many of the links on these sites are redundant and do not work!
Routes, blogs, etc.
There are many websites offering routes, blogs, reports, etc. about Scottish hills. The following is just a small selection.
- walkhighlands.co.uk– this is the most useful site for low or high level walks with detailed route guides and a map that can be printed out for your planned walk
- munromagic.com
- stevenfallon.co.uk
- ukclimbing.com (UKC) and ukhillwalking.com (UKH)
- ramblingclubs.com
Training courses, guides, etc.
Glenmore Lodge is partly funded by Sport Scotland, and offers a wide range of training courses in hillwalking, climbing and mountaineering.
For guides, specifically on Skye.
Climbing walls
The Glasgow Climbing Centre is based in an old church in Ibrox.
Located in the entrance area of Intu (aka Xscape) next to the Braehead shopping centre.
Snow Factor is based at Intu (used to be Xscape) next to the Braehaed shopping centre. It features an ice wall, as well as a snow slope for aspiring skiers.
The Edinburgh International Climbing Arena is based in an old quarry at Ratho, to the west of Edinburgh.
Shopping!
Tiso‘s operate shops throughout Scotland. The two shops in Glasgow are in Buchanan Street and on Kyle Street.
Cotswold is a nationwide chain of outdoor shops. Their shops in Glasgow are in the Silverburn shopping centre and at the West End Retail Park on Crow Road. Club members are eligible for a 15% discount.
Summits is our local outdoor shop on Moss Street, Paisley.
Nevisport is a Scottish-based outdoor chain. There is a Nevisport shop on Sauchiehall Street.
Ellis Brigham is a nationwide outdoor shop, with specialist shops according to location. The Glasgow store is at Intu (used to be Xscape) next to the Braehead shopping centre, though focusing on snow sports.
Go Outdoors is a discount outdoor store, often selling good-quality clothing and other equipment at low prices. Glasgow stores are at Clydebank and Coatbridge.
Decathlon is another outdoor store selling a wide range of clothing and other equipment at low prices. The Glasgow store is next to the Braehead shopping centre.
Hostels and other accommodation
The Scottish Youth Hostel Association
Independent Hostels provides information about independently-owned hostels throughout the UK, including Scotland.
Scottish Independent Hostels provides information about hostels in Scotland.
Glenmore Lodge offers accommodation as well as training courses.
- Saddle Mountain Hostel (used to be Invergarry Hostel)
A large modern hostel in Invergarry, with easy access to Ben Nevis, Glen Shiel, Glen Garry, Geln Affric and others.
Just south of Fort William, with good access to Glencoe, Ben Nevis and surrounding areas.
Good for Suilven, Assynt and the Fannaichs and surrounding hills.
Purpose-built modern hostel, the obvious choice for the Torridon hills.
Good for the hills near Braemar and Lochnagar.
At the north end of the Cuillin Ridge, the ‘Slig’ is the accommodation of choice for many people heading for the Skye hills.
Situated in Kilochleven, giving good access to the Mamores, Glencoe, the Nevis range and others.
A hotel in Glencoe at the foot of the Aonach Eagach, catering for walkers and climbers.
Accessible only by boat from Mallaig, ideal for the hills of Knoydart.