Exploring the Torridon Hills

We headed up into the Torridon Hills in July 2021. The UK had only fairly recently emerged from that long, strict, lockdown, and the chance to escape into the mountains – and get away from it all – felt too good to pass up. There were six of us in total, or seven if you count my dog, Ropi.

On the main leg of the hike, we walked up and along the ridgeline, and the view was just beautiful – from the top, you’re looking across this vast, exposed landscape littered with massive boulders. The descent was just as breathtaking – you can see for miles but there’s nothing but endless hills and mountains, and the loch far below. It’s so vast – you feel tiny, and it’s a different sensation to the one you get to when you climb summits in Wales, or places like Scafell Pike. It’s just so big and open.

It’s tough terrain - especially when you’re carrying a tent and cooking kit. There’s a lot of loose ground, and you have to watch your step, especially on the descents, where there’s a lot of rubble and scree. It’s challenging, and you need good boots – ones with great ankle support and fantastic grip.

Oh, and water - the most important thing. The problem is that if you get caught out by the weather – as we were – you drink way more than you expect to, and you sweat more. I underestimated how exposed we’d be, and how much we’d drink. And I had Ropi to think of – I had to carry his water too.

In hindsight, I should probably have brought a cooling vest for him. My top tip? If you think you’re going to drink one litre of water, take double that. And never underestimate Scotland’s capacity to surprise you with the weather!

To be fair, even when the UK was in lockdown, Aviemore was a pretty great place to be. Still one of my favourite places is Loch Vaa, just a few miles from town. It’s a small fishing loch, really peaceful and secluded, and a lot calmer than some of the bigger lochs. When it’s sunny and the water’s still, it’s so peaceful - all you can hear is the birds singing; you can see right down to the bottom and the water takes on this bright blue-green hue.

But as the world has opened up, post-pandemic, I’ve found myself exploring further and further afield – this Torridon trip being a great example. And to be honest, I can’t wait to explore more.