Created to take you on adventures that improve your mental health and allow space for meaningful chat
Created to take you on unforgettable adventures that improve your mental health, allow space for meaningful conversations and give you empowering skills for life.
09/03/2026
Spring in the Highlands 🌤️❄️
Longer days, clearer skies, and the hills starting to wake up again. But up high, winter is often still very much in charge.
Firm snow on the tops can mean crampons and an axe are still the right tools for the job, even when it feels like spring down in the glens.
Beautiful conditions, just with a reminder to keep checking the forecasts and stay switched on.
Whiteout navigation in action ❄️
No features. No horizon. No depth perception. Just map, compass, and teamwork.
On the Cairngorm Plateau, it's pretty featureless terrain and in a full whiteout you really can't tell what is up, down, left, and rocht. We had to turn to a simple but effective technique:
Send two people ahead → adjust them left or right onto the bearing → walk to them → repeat.
Precise. Reliable. Efficient.
When the landscape disappears, accuracy matters more than speed — good communication, team work, and the ability to stay calm becomes vital.
⚠️ Watch out for that cornice!
Okay — so yeah, we’re having a bit of fun here in a reasonably controlled and non-remote location, but I really want this post to share something serious and real about winter hazards in the Scottish hills.
This was just a small snow drift we came across on a recent winter hike, and we were testing the point of collapse. Hopefully it’s eye-opening to see the size of blocks that came away — even from something so seemingly insignificant.
Now imagine that on the big scale, like the northern corries in the Cairngorms National Park, where cornices build massive overhangs of snow...the forces involved are huge! These are a very real and present hazard out there in winter. Conditions in Scotland’s winter mountains change quickly, and, especially from above, cornices can be seriously hard spot.
Only last week, two climbers were unfortunately injured after a cornice collapse in Coire an t’Sneachda. It's something that really does happen. Huge respect and a massive shout-out to and — both completely volunteer teams who got the climbers back to safety. Please consider supporting them if you’re able.
🙏 Wishing a speedy recovery to the two climbers — and a reminder to all of us: the mountains are stunning, but they demand respect, preparation, and good judgement.
A bit of a family adventure day in the Cairngorms ❄️
High winds and amber weather warnings for snow made planning… interesting. But it turned into a fantastic, pretty full-on winter hiking experience for these guys.
Poor visibility, sideways snow to the face, and lots and lots of laughter. Exactly how memories are made.
14/12/2025
Patchy snow? Nae bother. 🌨🏔
There’s still so much challenge, joy, and adventure to be found in the Scottish Highlands this winter.
Every hill has its own personality, every trail offers something different, and even in the quietest moments you can feel the mountains working their magic.
Winter hiking isn’t just about the snow under your boots, it’s about testing yourself, learning new skills, sharing stories, and coming home feeling accomplished, a little stronger, and a whole lot clearer in your head.
Crisp air, open skies, and the kind of peace you only find in the hills it’s all waiting, even on patchy days.
11/12/2025
The issue with Scotland is there are almost too many incredible places to hike.
If you’re new to winter hiking but have always wanted to discover some of them, let’s start planning your route, your pace, your kind of adventure.
We can explore new terrain, pick up winter skills, share local stories, and just enjoy being out in the mountains together. Good chat, fresh air, snowy paths… and that feeling of coming home with a clearer head.
A bespoke winter hike isn’t just about going for a walk in the hills — it’s about ending the day feeling a little more accomplished, a little more tired, and a whole lot better than when you started.
**Get 15% off Bespoke Winter Hiking Days when you make a booking before 1st Jan. Hikes are available throughout the winter season.
Send me a message or use discount code woollygoodtimes on my website (link in bio)
09/12/2025
Winter is a beautiful time to explore the Scottish mountains.
The terrain changes, the conditions challenge you,
and with each step you build a little more resilience.
That’s where the new skills come from —
through perseverance, not pressure.
There’s something grounding about moving through cold, quiet landscapes.
Good for the body, even better for the mind.
It’s been a little quiet over here… for the best reason 🫶 Our third little adventurer arrived last month, and life has been full on, joyful, and fairly wild.
Now that we’re settling in (kind of) my mind is shifting to crisp air, snowy trails, and those beautiful wintery hills. ❄️🥾
To celebrate the season (and being back!), I’m offering 15% off any winter hike booked before the New Year. No pressure at all — just an invitation if you’ve been craving a cold-weather adventure.
***Just get in touch or use the discount code: woollygoodtimes at checkout. Link in the comments ⬇️
Can’t wait to share the hills with you.
Also, I have no idea why it looks as though I'm standing in front of a green screen. It's not AI, I was actually there..I promise 😅
02/10/2025
☕⛰️ Not a bad spot for breakfast in the Cairngorms!
I'm not sure there are many things better then sipping good coffee while watching the sun rise over these beautiful peaks.
Here's a few from the first morning of our Cairngorm 3 Day adventure. It's safe to say we lucked out on the weather ☀️+🧊=🙂
There are moments in the Highlands that can almost feel unreal. This is the 4th adventure Sheila has joined me for. We've had our fair share of good views but this trip definitely gave us more.
It was a wee bit of a bog fest to start with but we were rewarded with the 🌈 early on. That view kept us motivated as we powered through some cold winds and heavy rain to reach a beautiful loch side camp and one of the most iconic summits in Scotland. ⛺⛰️
This is why we hike. It's not just about reaching those summits, it's about the unexpected magic along the way. The kind of beauty you can't plan for, and the memories that stick around long after the boots are off. 🥾
Sheila Fortescue
Music: Mornings
Artist: Jeff Kaale
21/09/2025
Best seats in the house! Front row tickets in one of my favorite places in the world. 🏞️🎟️
This has to be one of the most iconic hills in the UK.