Hike and Wild Camp on the Isle of Rùm

Each guide holds the Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor Certificate—having been assessed and approved by Mountain Training UK. This is the highest professional certification for Summer Mountaineering in Great Britain. They all hold First Aid certifications as well.

Yes. As the mountain weather on Rùm can be unpredictable, your guide will be making regular decisions regarding which routes to take, particularly on Day 4 for the traverse of the Rùm Cuillin. If the conditions are not good, the traverse can be shortened so that you hike half of the range, including the two highest points, which is still a tough but brilliant day! There is also a coastal hike to Kinloch if conditions are so bad as to not allow any part of the Cuillin to be attempted. Your guide will make the ultimate decision on routes based on safety considerations. There will be two guides on the trip, allowing for the group to break off if some people wish to tackle the Cuillin ridge, while others wish to take the easier coastal route back to Kinloch.

Midges are very tiny winged flies, often found in Northern Scotland between May and October when conditions are damp, humid, and warmish. While they don’t have a great reputation, they generally aren’t as bad as they are made out to be: they can be an annoyance, but they don’t carry any diseases. So they're pretty harmless, apart from a small itchy red bite.

You don’t really get midges on Rùm, as it’s often too windy – they can’t fly in anything more than a light wind, so on breezy days you're unlikely to be bothered by them.

There are preventative measures you can take if you do find there are some midges around. Wear white or light-colored clothing – midges are drawn to dark colors. Use a repellent, such as Smidge (a DEET-free insect repellent developed in Scotland) – Avon's Skin So Soft is also often recommended as an effective deterrent. Antihistamine creams or tablets will help with any itchy bites. While midges are so small that they can pass through a mosquito net, you can buy 'midge-proof' head nets made with a fine mesh that will keep them away.

You'll be filling up your water bottle throughout the trip from streams and rivers that flow down from the Rùm Cuillin. These are safe to drink directly from, with no water treatment necessary. Make sure to bring along a reusable water bottle. In Kinloch you'll be able to fill up from the island's tap water supply, which again is safe to drink from.

This trip visits locations that can be considered remote, where the travel time to the nearest medical facility is likely to be over 12 hours, even with outside assistance. Outside communications in some locations may be limited. An evacuation may require a change of route from the originally planned one and the use of a support vehicle, either privately owned or public transportation by land, air, or water, to reach a point of medical care. Additional consideration should be given by and to those with pre-existing medical conditions with specific care needs and should be raised with your host before the trip. Those with pre-existing medical conditions should also seek guidance from a health professional prior to traveling. Should you experience health issues during your trip, you should inform your guide immediately so the proper care can be provided. All travelers should have suitable and adequate travel insurance in place to provide coverage for potential additional costs.

You will set up tents provided by your host in remote locations with amazing opportunities for stargazing. You will be assisted by your guide to set up camp if you don’t have previous experience. Because the campsites are in pristine, wild areas, there are no bathroom or shower facilities. Expect to go to the toilet outdoors and wash in the (very cold!) sea. Your group will be following the leave-no-trace principles of camping as best as possible in the situation, so no waste will be left behind - everything needs to be packed and taken with you. This is real wild camping, and while outdoor toileting is all part of a wilderness adventure, it can have a negative impact on the surrounding environment, if not practiced carefully. For those who have periods, we have also written a handy guide, to help you manage these while adventuring.

At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive, and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location, and lodging, and in some places, options may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you’re fully informed about what will be possible on your trip depending on your individual requirements. This information should be read carefully before your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation ‘on the ground’.

Once you have booked your trip, please fill out your passenger information form as soon as possible with any dietary requirements. Once you complete your passenger information, your dietary needs and any allergies are automatically shared with your host and, in turn, your guide. Please submit this as early as possible so they can plan accordingly and deliver the best experience. Please also remind your guide about your dietary requirements upon arrival, as mentioning these in person allows your guide to comprehend individual preferences and limitations as soon as you arrive.

BACKGROUND

British cuisine reflects a long history of regional, home-grown cooking shaped by a cool climate, mixed farming, and a strong tradition of hearty, comforting meals. In recent decades, however, it has been transformed by global influences and a growing awareness of health and sustainability, leading to far greater variety and flexibility. As a result, the UK is generally very well suited to travelers with dietary requirements, with vegetarian, vegan, lactose and gluten-free, and allergen-aware options widely available. Clear labeling, high food-safety standards, and generally good familiarity with special diets make it one of the easier destinations for those with specific dietary needs. As the food on this trip is simple and expedition-style (with dehydrated dinner packs), meals can be easily designed around individual needs. The meal on the final night is a hearty and relaxed affair which is generally home-cooked - as such any dietary requirements are straightforward to accommodate.

SPECIAL DIETS

Vegetarian -Vegetarian diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. However, make sure to bring along a good supply of your own energy and protein bars.

Vegan -Vegan diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. However, make sure to bring along a good supply of your own energy and protein bars.

Kosher -Fully certified Kosher kitchens and supervision are non-existent in this area and usually cannot be guaranteed unless expressly confirmed in advance by your host. Vegetarian or vegan options are the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

Halal -Certified Halal supply varies by location and is not possible in this location. Vegetarian or vegan options are the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

INTOLERANCES

Gluten Free (for Celiac, please see Allergies section below) -Gluten-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. However, make sure to bring along a good supply of your own energy and protein bars.

Lactose Free -Lactose-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. However, make sure to bring along a good supply of your own energy and protein bars.

ALLERGIES

Our host has confirmed that they are able to accommodate mild allergies to the 14 allergens identified by the UK Food Standards Agency, where these are disclosed in advance. However, if you have a severe or life-threatening food allergy, please get in touch with our CX team prior to booking to discuss whether your requirements can be accommodated safely on this trip. This will allow us to carefully consider the sensitivity and severity of your allergy, the available provision on the trip, and the accessibility of medical care should a reaction occur. Your safety is always our top priority. Please note that when traveling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods, and labeling standards may vary, particularly in remote areas. It is also worth noting that any allergies may result in more limited options and repetitive provision in some areas. While your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers review the practical information available on the UK Government’s FCDO website, where you can find up-to-date advice by searching for your destination(s).

If you are based in the United States, you can also check the latest travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State.

For customers joining from other international locations, we recommend checking the official travel advice issued by your country of residence, as guidance may vary.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

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All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips typically consist of a mix of solo travelers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves, and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

The weather in the Western Isles can easily offer all four seasons in one day, so you should be prepared accordingly. Your guides will be assessing the weather constantly and will adjust the route based on wind and wet weather predictions. Weather is important for the Cuillin traverse, with wet rock taking twice as long to cross as dry rock, so this will be factored into the plan for the day. It's important to bring good waterproof clothing, dry bags, and ideally Goretex hiking boots—see the kit list for more detail.