Tarmachan Mountaineering

14/02/2026

Saturday 14th February 2026.

Another stonkingly amazing day here in the Northern Cairngorms.

Wall to wall sun and hardly a breeze on the high plateau. Fabulous snow conditions, crampons most of the day.

I'll let the images do the talking.

Tarmachan Mountaineering

20/01/2026

Monday 19th January.

It was a stunning day again here in the Cairngorms. A day to be on the high tops. After some early cloud the skies cleared and wonderful January sunshine. Fabulous snow cover from 800m upwards. Superb walking on mainly consolidated and frozen snow.

The circut of the Northern Corries is one of the finest 'easy' and 'short' days out in the area, especially in winter.

There was a 'Cairngorm Breeze' but this gave even more spectacular views with the drifting snow across the ridges and plateau. The snowcover down the Cas Ridge was just sublime, no rocky steps and dreamy walking.

Windier tomorrow and very windy with fresh snowfalls on Wednesday & Thursday. It's shaping up to be a decent winter.

04/01/2026

Saturday 3rd January 2025

New Year snow!

30/12/2025

Thanks to everyone who joined me in the hills in 2025.

Here's a few images with happy folk in the mountains this year.

23/12/2025

Tuesday 23rd December.

2nd day out guiding the Bandeen family in the Cairngorms this week.

We had a lovely walk around the Northern Corries. The skies were atmospheric this morning, with layers of cloud and clear pockets. It looked like we may get some views. Unfortunately we were walking in clag from Coire an Lochain all the way round to 800m in Coire Cas. There is very limited snow in the corries and only some patches across parts of the plateau.

Highlight of the day was a group of wonderful Ptarmigan just casually walking across our route, high up on the plateau.

Not to worry. Next few days it's forecast clear skies, light breezes and sub zero temperatures on the tops. You can't have everything.

If anyone is up over the Xmas holidays there is no skiing, bar the artificial snow with a whopping 90m length learner slope near the carpark in Coire Cas. So if you are at a loose end of what to do as an alternative then I still have a couple of days availability for some wonderful hillwalking in the hills.

Thanks for the Bandeen family this week. Great company and they enjoyed the hills and scenery we have here.

22/12/2025

Sunday 21st December. WINTER SOLSTICE

I'm out guiding the lovely Bandeen family for a couple of days this week in the Cairngorms.

Today we had a liesurley start after picking up their winter hire kit (winter boots, crampons, axes). We had a great day on the plateau and over Cairn Gorm. The strong winds has died down by midday and there wasn't really any wind to talk about ( if you can have a conversation then it's not windy 😀).

Snow cover is light but still pretty good considering the heatwave last week. The snowline in the Northern Cairngorms is around 850m. Cold, with freezing level around 1000m.

All good fun and great company.

Ps. If you are hiring winter kit the best shop in Aviemore is Ellis Brigham Aviemore . Quality kit and helpful, friendly, knowledgeable staff.

Tarmachan Mountaineering

13/11/2025

Winter safety.

06/11/2025

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/winter-mountain-safety-online-presentation-tickets-1941553521849?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwdGRjcAN5qWpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR5mcyoRj3dliTMVouxE-uP6UM42NqbtOgH6rz8EfOqY-nBtXixCXz_kt1CA4g_aem_TtyOyC3D7yqbqo1OwdzzNQ

Join Gary for an interactive session on staying safe in the winter mountains - gear up, being prepared, and a host of other essential info!