What we’re about
Hi there! Welcome to the group :-) This group is part of Scottish Hillwalking & Activities Group - but for walking/hillwalking events only. The other part of the group is for climbing events and if you're interested in that, please join https://www.meetup.com/scottish-hillwalkers/
We're a friendly group that was founded in 2008 to be run by the members for the members. We encourage members to "own the group" and help keep the page active by hosting events, but there is definitely no requirement to do so.
We organise a wide range of walks year round including single Munros, multiple Munros, scrambling over ridges, weekends away and a selection of low level longer walks, pub walks and summer evening walks. We also organise child-friendly Munros.
These shouldn't be considered "led walks" with a professional guide. Think of it more as going walking with a group of friends (and while you may not be friends with everyone at the start of the walk, you will be by the end of it!). However, everyone has to take responsibility for themselves as well as for each other, and everyone has a role to play (be it offering lifts to the start, helping with the navigation on the walk or bringing the jaffa cakes!)
The organiser of a walk or event is the point of contact for the walk. Organisers do not lead walks and are not responsible for others or instructing them. Organisers are volunteers who are sharing their own experience with others, so those of lesser experience should be aware of this.
The group is completely free to join, but we may occasionally ask for a voluntary £3 donation to help cover the cost of hosting the group on Meetup.com.
If you have some ideas for walks and activities or perhaps once you have been on a few events, would like to get involved in organising one, please send us a message via Mountain Goat's Meetup profile.
Look forward to seeing you on a meetup soon,
Mountain Goat
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Beginners Munro Bagging: Ben Challum, near TyndrumKirkton Farm layby on A82, Crianlarich
This is a Beginners Munro Bagging hillwalk. If you're a regular with us, please don't sign up for this but leave a comment below as I'd like one or two other regular walkers to co-host with me.
This walk is intended for people new to the group who would like to walk with us more regularly and for people who would like to get into Munrobagging. This hill is a good hill for beginners as it is a single Munro (requested hill).
Although this is a beginner's Munro bagging walk, I'm not a guide or a mountain leader. As per Mountaineering Scotland guidance, I'm making it clear that this is not a led walk, however I am imparting my experience to people with less experience than me. Ultimately, everyone is responsible for themselves.
THE HILL(S) & TERRAIN
Ben Challum is not a distinguished peak when seen from the A82, as to this side it shows only sprawling grassy slopes. From the Glen Lochay side its fine peak is more prominent. The ascent is usually made from Kirkton Farm, with boggy lower slopes but a fine final ridge connecting the two summits.
Highlighting the boggy part of this walk - it is extremely boggy even in summer. Faint path up fairly easy angled hillside; very boggy for much of the way.
ROUTE
Walk Highlands routeWALK STATS
Distance: 11.5km / 7.25 miles
Time: 5 - 7 hours
Explorer 377 - Loch EtiveSUITABILITY/PARTICIPATION STATEMENT
You are responsible for deciding if this event is suitable for you, coming adequately prepared and looking after yourself on the walk. If there's any questions about suitability, please contact the organiser.The Scottish Hillwalkers and Activities Group recognises that hill walking, scrambling and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.
PACE
- We will walk as a group at an easy to moderate pace - for me this means easy going up and moderate pace on the flat and going down.
CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT
You must ensure that you come adequately prepared for this walk, with supportive boots, waterproofs in case of rain, warm clothes, gloves and hat and food and water.I've put the map number above as I always carry a paper map as a backup. I do use downloaded routes on Outdoor Active app on my phone, which I pay for. WalkHighlands does have an app which is free so that's usually a good starting point.
WEATHER FORECAST
Please make sure you check the weather forecast before you come, I'll add it in here a few days before the walk. If the weather forecast is very bad we may change or cancel the walk, or move it to a different day.LIFTS/MEETUP TIME
We will be at the start of the walk: for 10am. The starting point is a layby on A82 just north of Kirkton Farm turning. Google Maps link.If you need a lift please use the comments box below to ask for one. As I'm organising, I'm not offering a lift, however other people might sign up who can offer one.
If receiving a lift, please agree beforehand with your driver how you're splitting costs, remember to share contact details, bring a bag for dirty boots afterwards and commit to not leaving a mess.
Please arrive ready to walk and we will only wait for 10 minutes before starting. If you're running late or get lost, please text me on 07894 330648.
RSVPs
• Yes: You intend to come and will turn up.If you can't make it, change your RSVP to NO to allow someone else to take your place.
Do ensure you give adequate warning if you decide not to come on the walk, at least 2 or 3 days is sufficient for a day walk and allows others waiting to make travel arrangements in your stead. Less than 1 day should be accompanied by a call/txt or email to the organiser.
GUESTS
Please let me know in the comments box if you want to bring a guest.GROUP ETHOS
Please remember the organiser is not the leader of the walk - we lead ourselves and make decisions and walk AS A GROUP. The organiser does set the pace however and it is good walking etiquette to stay with the rest of the group. It's not acceptable to leave the organiser and walk apart from the group.In a Munro Bagging for Beginners walk, we'll talk a bit more about navigation at the start of the walk, and have more stops for discussion.
Be considerate:
Be aware of farm animals, wildlife and nesting birds, keep all your litter and #TakithameIf you are unwell or have a cold/flu, please don't come on the walk. The hills will always be there and we will see you the next time.
- Sunny's Second Full House Completion - Tinto HillTinto Hill Car Park , Thankerton
Within easy reach of the cities of the central belt and with an isolated position away from the other Border's hills, Tinto is an extremely popular and straightforward hill. The summit has a huge bronze age cairn and commands superb views.
A Full House completion means reaching the summit of all hills in six categories recorded by the Scottish Mountaineering Club (SMC): Munros, Munro Tops, Corbetts, Grahams, Donalds, and Furths. This is Sunny's second one!
TERRAIN
Straightforward and very wide, clear path, anyone can do it.! 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼ROUTE
See all the details on Walk Highlands: https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/glasgow/tinto.shtmlWALK STATS
Distance - 7km / 4.25 miles
Time 2 - 3 hours
Ascent - 486mSUITABILITY/PARTICIPATION STATEMENT
You are responsible for deciding if this event is suitable for you, coming adequately prepared and looking after yourself on the walk. If there's any questions about suitability, please contact the organiser.The Scottish Hillwalking and Activities Group recognises that hill walking, scrambling and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.
LIFTS/MEETUP TIME
Those attending will be meeting at Tinto hill car park at 9:30 and the walk will start at 10am with a small celebration at the summit around noon.
If you need a lift please use the comments box below to ask for one.RSVPs
• Yes: You intend to come and will turn up.
If you can't make it, change your RSVP to NO to allow someone else to take your place.
Do ensure you give adequate warning if you decide not to come on the walk.GROUP ETHOS
All welcome to join the walk!!!REFRESHMENTS/CELEBRATION
Afterwards there will be a dinner and Ceillidh at Elphinstone hotel. 3 course Dinner (18:15) and Ceillidh (20:30) £45 per person. please contact Sunny (07809146713) to reserve dinner. - Ullapool weekend 2026Needs location
The organisers have agreed a date for the Ullapool weekend in 2026, taking on board some of the feedback we received about avoiding the bank holiday weekends. As we like going in May, we've decided on this weekend.
We're giving notification now so that people can book accommodation in advance.
For those of you who don't know the town, it's about 50 miles north west of Inverness and sits about two thirds of the way down Loch Broom. There are loads of different options for walks and hillwalks within an hours drive (if that), from big long multi-Munro challenges to easy scrambles to long coastal walks.
RSVP for this event to book your space so we know you're coming along.
Would you like to organise a walk you know?
If you'd like to come along and organise a walk yourself, please leave a comment at the bottom.Suitability
The Scottish Hillwalking and Activities Group recognises that hill walking, scrambling and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.You are responsible for deciding if this event is suitable for you, coming adequately prepared and looking after yourself on the walk. If there's any questions about suitability, please contact the organiser.
Anybody that is worried about pace and whether they can keep up with the group - there's all sorts of paces, everyone is different. Whether they are slow going up or fast, there's usually enough variety of walks to cater for everyone.
Accommodation
There are plenty of places to stay in Ullapool, however you should book early to avoid disappointment.
Please book your own accommodation - potential places could be:- Ullapool campsite is huge however doesn't take advance bookings, Ardmair campsite is a bit further north which does, however is a bit out of the way.
- Various hotels and B&Bs - I would suggest not using booking.com as it's a bit rubbish, instead use Google Maps and find B&Bs and book directly.
- The Caledonian Hotel was good although I see they've put their prices up quite a bit for next year. The Royal Hotel is also fairly decent.
- Bunkhouses - as the SYHA at Ullapool books up well in advance, although closer to the time I'd suggest phoning them to see.
- Air B& B - a couple of people booked whole cottages - and remember you can share too!
Hillwalks planned:
Ben Mor Coigach moderate pace - Jim H (doing again due to lack of view in 2025)
Travelling
TBCKeep an eye on the comments box below for specific details.
