Winter Skills Course in the Scottish Highlands (Exclusive to HF Leaders)

Alltshellach, Glencoe

7 nights at an HF Country House

One itinerary available

Grades 6 details

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For group booking of 10 or more please click here
We’ve teamed up with the prestigious Plas Y Brenin National Outdoor Centre to help you learn essential winter hillwalking skills in the Scottish Highlands. Led by official Plas Y Bren instructors – the UK’s premier authority on outdoor activities and training – this course takes you above the snowline to gain valuable mileage and experience on some of Scotland's finest mountains. Under the guidance of these fully-qualified experts, you’ll cover the use of crampons and an ice axe, route planning, winter navigation, and avalanche avoidance. Step-by-step, you’ll master the skills you need to stay safe in Scottish winter hillwalking conditions. You’ll need to have summer hillwalking experience to join the course due to its physical demands.

Accommodation

HF Country House
For a combination of mountain views, olde-worlde charm, and somewhere comfortable to sleep, this stately Scottish house in North Ballachulish has an enviable setting right on the shores of Loch Leven. The walking opportunities here are as every bit rugged and romantic as you’d expect, especially around Glen Coe, the Mamores, Kinlochleven, Bidean nam Bian, and Ben Nevis – the 1,345-metre-high peak towering above glistening lochans and glacial valleys in the north-west Highlands. You can also spend time in Fort William and ride the Hogwarts-esque Jacobite steam train as it makes its way through beauty spots such as Loch Eil, Glenfinnan, and Arisaig to the fishing port of Mallaig.
10682_0006 - Alltshellach - Exterior

Walking grades and options

Experience Required:

You should be a keen summer hillwalker with a desire to head out in winter.

How should you prepare?

You should have summer hillwalking experience, but no previous winter walking experience is needed.


What You’ll Love

  • Learning how to keep yourself safe in winter walking conditions
  • Learning how to use an ice axe and crampons
  • Developing your knowledge of avalanche risk assessments
  • Guidance and instruction by Plas Y Brenin instructors
  • Expert selection of routes according to weather and conditions
  • Small group size (6 guests to 1 instructor)
  • Staying at Alltshellach, our country house in North Ballachulish

What's Included

  • Comfortable en-suite accommodation in our country house
  • Cream tea on arrival day
  • Cooked or continental breakfast every morning
  • Daily packed lunches
  • Three-course evening meals, plus tea & coffee
  • Expert guidance and instruction with a Plas Y Brenin instructor
  • Hire of ice axe, crampons and specialist boots if required
  • All transport to and from walks where necessary
  • Easy-to-follow routes, maps, and information in our Discovery Point if you want to explore independently

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Itinerary

All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.

Itinerary

Check-in at the hotel is available from 16:00. If you are a member you can arrive at the house from 14:00. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea at 16:30 and meet other guests.

Your Plas y Brenin instructors will take you through the essential skills of winter hillwalking, step by step. Venues and day to day activities are weather and snow-dependent and decisions regarding the exact day's programme will be decided by the course director each morning. The whole group will meet for a briefing, allowing you to share in the decision making process with experienced instructors. We'll aim to cover the following topics, incorporating them into mountain journeys, hopefully taking in classic peaks by some of the easier routes.

  • Use of Ice axe and crampons
  • Ice axe arrest
  • Winter navigation
  • Avalanche risk assessment and avoidance
  • Emergency snow shelters
  • Terrain, route choice, and decision making
  • We make full use of the evenings by offering a number of technical lectures which re-enforce and expand upon the daytime activities.

Discover more about Alltshellach and the local area for ideas on how to make the most of your free day.

Your Plas y Brenin instructors will take you through the essential skills of winter hillwalking, step by step. Venues and day to day activities are weather and snow-dependent and decisions regarding the exact day's programme will be decided by the course director each morning. The whole group will meet for a briefing, allowing you to share in the decision making process with experienced instructors. We'll aim to cover the following topics, incorporating them into mountain journeys, hopefully taking in classic peaks by some of the easier routes.

  • Use of Ice axe and crampons
  • Ice axe arrest
  • Winter navigation
  • Avalanche risk assessment and avoidance
  • Emergency snow shelters
  • Terrain, route choice, and decision making
  • We make full use of the evenings by offering a number of technical lectures which re-enforce and expand upon the daytime activities.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.

Daily Walk Options

Grade 6

Harder Walks

Our most challenging walks where high levels of fitness and stamina are required. Walks will be long and strenuous in difficult mountain terrain.

Accommodation

Alltshellach, Glencoe

For a combination of mountain views, olde-worlde charm, and somewhere comfortable to sleep, this stately Scottish house in North Ballachulish has an enviable setting right on the shores of Loch Leven. The walking opportunities here are as every bit rugged and romantic as you’d expect, especially around Glen Coe, the Mamores, Kinlochleven, Bidean nam Bian, and Ben Nevis – the 1,345-metre-high peak towering above glistening lochans and glacial valleys in the north-west Highlands. You can also spend time in Fort William and ride the Hogwarts-esque Jacobite steam train as it makes its way through beauty spots such as Loch Eil, Glenfinnan, and Arisaig to the fishing port of Mallaig.

A warm welcome
We want you to feel comfortable from the moment you arrive. You’ll find a welcome pack in your room with guest registration forms, menus, order forms for dinners and picnic lunches, the Wi-Fi password, and the front door code. Our houses are locked at night, so we recommend noting the Duty Manager’s number on arrival in case of an emergency (or getting locked out). 

Evening entertainment

While evening entertainment varies from house to house, HF Holidays Inter-House Quiz night held after dinner on Wednesdays is a weekly staple. Your HF Holidays leader may be around for tips on guided and self-guided waking routes as well as visit-worthy local attractions.

Walks talks 
Our HF Holidays walk leaders host guided walking information briefings before dinner on guided walking holiday arrival days. This is followed by a group Walks Talk for information on the following day’s guided walks (held before dinner every evening). Self-guided walking guests are, of course, welcome.  

The walking day
Prior to setting off on guided walks, your HF Holidays Leader will run you through a short safety briefing. There’s also an up-to-date weather forecast on display at the house to ensure you have appropriate clothing and footwear. If you choose to do your own walks or are on a self-guided walking holiday, we ask that you please complete an Independent Walker Card each day. These can be found near the Discovery Point in the house. 

You are welcome to check in from 4pm at the earliest. HF Members can check in earlier, from 2pm. On arrival, you’ll enjoy a complimentary cream tea and get to meet your fellow guests, our HF Holidays Leaders, and the rest of the friendly team. Check out 10am.

  •  38 well-appointed guest rooms  •  Exclusive occupancy: 53 guests minimum  •  Check in from 4:00pm • For members check in from 2:00pm •  Full-board (including cream tea on arrival)  •  Free Wi-Fi  •  Free on-site parking  •  Boot room and drying room  •  2 travel cots & 2 high chairs  •  Discovery Point offering a wide range of local area maps, route guides, and information for self-guided walks  •  Indoor pool •  Books and games to borrow  •  Licensed bar  •  Three lounges  •  Lawns and wooded grounds leading down to Loch Leven  •  Electric vehicle charging point - Please note, you will need to bring your own cables to use this EV charging point Scottish Tourist Board - Guest Accommodation

Seasonal dining, tailored for you

Our team of skilled chefs design our dinner menus to showcase the best of each season, from warming winter comfort food to vibrant summer dishes, including vegetarian, vegan  and high-protein options. We also source fruit and vegetables within a  40-mile radius of each house, open every break with a Chef’s Special menu inspired by dishes and flavours of the local area, and are able to adapt dishes to suit special dietary requirements.

Welcome Cream Tea

What better way to start your stay than with a cream tea, served fresh on arrival to make you feel instantly at home.  A quintessentially English tradition, our scones are baked in-house and served with preserves and clotted cream, providing the perfect opportunity to meet fellow walkers.

A hearty breakfast to start the day

Start the day with a freshly-prepared cooked breakfast  and a wide choice from our continental buffet, including  hot drinks, juices and fresh fruit. Our team offer a quick  and friendly service, leaving you fuelled and ready for your day’s adventures.

Our famous picnic lunch

Our personalised picnic lunches are perfect for a day out walking, ready to enjoy when hunger strikes. Choose from a large selection of fresh sandwiches and salads, freshly baked cakes and snacks, including the ever-popular Freddos chocolate bar! Everything is designed to fit neatly into your rucksack, and all of the packaging we provide is recyclable or compostable.

3-course evening meals

Our à la carte evening menus feature a wide choice of starters, mains, and desserts, made with seasonal ingredients and, wherever possible, herbs and vegetables from our own gardens. Shared around sociable tables, dinners are relaxed occasions, with drinks available to order at the table or from the bar, and a traditional Sunday roast to round off the week.

Designed with your comfort in mind, Alltshellach has 38 well-appointed guest rooms available in three categories: Classic, Premium, and Superior. 

Classic Rooms are comfortable en-suite guest rooms, ideal for a peaceful night's sleep. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, and shower gel), and a TV. 

Premium Rooms are more spacious en-suite guest rooms*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers.

Superior Rooms are even more spacious en-suite guest rooms offering upgraded views of the surroundings*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers.

We love: Room 21 for its extra space, corner position, and gorgeous views across Loch Leven. Equally fabulous is Room 23 (known as the Bishop’s Room) on the second floor. 

The Choose Your Room service is available at our UK country houses, allowing you the option of choosing and confirming a specific room for an extra charge of £30 per room. This is subject to availability. Upgrade supplements apply.   

Room supplements

Superior Premium single Premium double/twin Choose your room
£25 pppn £20 pppn £20 pppn £30 per room

 

*Views and layout reflect each properties unique character and location 

*Please note, pool opening hours are: 07:00am – 09:00am 16:00pm – 18:30pm

For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865 or view the accessibility information online for Alltshellach

Getting here

Address

Alltshellach
Onich
Fort William
Invernesshire PH33 6SA

Tel: +44 (0)1855 821357

NEW: Return Flights from London Heathrow to Glasgow, plus airport transfers to Alltshellach only £350pp. Call us to book

By shared transfer

If you are travelling to or from Alltshellach on Saturdays or over the festive period you can join our group coach transfer from Glasgow's Buchanan Street Bus Station or Glasgow Airport. 

2026 prices are £85 per person for a return transfer or £55 per person for a single transfer.

Outward journey: Depart Glasgow Buchanan Street Bus Station at 15:15 or Glasgow Airport at 15:45; arrive at Alltshellach at 18:30.

Return journey: Depart Alltshellach at 08:30; arrive at Glasgow Airport at 11:30 or Glasgow Buchanan Street Bus Station at 12:00.

Places are limited so booking is essential. We recommend booking at least 14 days in advance by contacting:

HF Holidays Sales and Support Team
Tel: +44 (0)203 974 8865
Email: reservations@hfholidays.co.uk

By train

The nearest station is Fort William. 

Or you can take the train to Glasgow then the Scottish Citylink bus or our group coach transfer to Alltshellach.  

Check National Rail for train times and routes. 

By taxi

The journey from Glasgow city centre is 97 miles, which takes around 2.5 hours.

By bus

Scottish Citylink bus numbers 914 or 915 run from Glasgow Buchanan Street and Glasgow International Airport.  

Ask the driver to stop at the north side of Ballachulish Bridge. From here you’ll need to walk 400m to Alltshellach. 

By car

From Glasgow take the A82 towards Crianlarich then Fort William. Once you reach Ballachulish go straight on at the roundabout over the steel bridge and take the second right on to the B863 towards Kinlochleven. Alltshellach is 400 yards on your right. 

By air

The nearest airport is Glasgow International Airport.

You can take the Citylink bus 915 (2.5 hours) or join our group coach transfer (2.75 hours).

If you fly into Manchester Airport, there are direct and indirect trains to Glasgow. Approximate journey time is four hours plus your transfer to Alltshellach. 

More Information

PYB week - packing list

Kit List

  • Gaiters
  • Rucksack
  • Rucksack liner/ Dry bags
  • Insulated Jacket
  • Waterproof Jacket
  • Waterproof Trousers
  • Base Layers
  • Mid Layers
  • Fleece Trousers or Tights
  • Hat
  • Waterproof Gloves
  • Thin Gloves

For a more detailed kit list please see the link below

https://pyb.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/New-Kit-Lists-6.pdf

Carbon Footprint

We see it as our responsibility to minimise our emissions, not just for this year but every year to come. Our work with sustainability experts, ecollective, has enabled us to measure our carbon footprint and create a strategy to reduce the carbon intensity of our product by 5% each year. Our ambition is to be net zero by 2040 – earlier if we can.

Learn more

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Dates & availability

Winter Skills Course in the Scottish Highlands (Exclusive to HF Leaders)

Members save an additional £30 on this booking and get a range of other exclusive benefits. You can join during booking process. Read more about membership
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Trusted British co-operative

We are proud to be Britain’s only walking holiday co-operative. Led by almost 40,000 members, offering hundreds of holidays across the UK and overseas, with all surplus being reinvested back into our Society.

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Flexible choice of guided walks

Experienced volunteer HF Leaders guide every walk at our UK country houses, offering up to three daily options. Making it easy to find a holiday to suit your ability, and with the flexibility to switch grades each walking day.

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Become an HF Member to benefit from our Price Pledge. Secure your first choice of holiday early, and if the cost drops after you book, we will automatically refund the difference (exc. travel agent & group bookings).

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Book with confidence

If the flights we have organised are cancelled or changed, we’ll do everything we can to find alternative transport, with minimal disruption to your holiday

If we cancel your holiday, we honour all refund requests 

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Travel with confidence

We know that peace of mind is priceless, so we’ll always go above and beyond to meet – and exceed – expectations

If the flights we have organised are cancelled or changed, we’ll do everything we can to find alternative transport, with minimal disruption to your holiday

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HF Holidays

A British heritage brand with 111 years of experience

Offering a choice of over 260 itineraries in nearly 40 countries

Run as a co-operative with 40,000-plus members

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