Three days in Scotland I have just spent three days being guided by Ken Applegate in the Southern Highlands and Ben Nevis area.
I was very impressed with the professional way in which the trip was both organised and carried out.
Communication from the start was excellent.
The choice of routes factoring in the changeable weather was impressive and most enjoyable.
The guiding on the routes was excellent and I always felt safe.
I would happily recommend West Coast... read moreI have just spent three days being guided by Ken Applegate in the Southern Highlands and Ben Nevis area.
I was very impressed with the professional way in which the trip was both organised and carried out.
Communication from the start was excellent.
The choice of routes factoring in the changeable weather was impressive and most enjoyable.
The guiding on the routes was excellent and I always felt safe.
I would happily recommend West Coast Guides and I will certainly return. read less

Extremely Competent Company and Staff I had initial contact with Ken who was brilliant in dealing with my multiple emails and questions. I had inquired about the winter skills course. Ken sent on some good documentation outlining what is covered in the course and our requirements regarding equipment, clothing, level of experience etc. The information was very good and made me want to book. Ken also gave advice on accommodation and the rental of... read moreI had initial contact with Ken who was brilliant in dealing with my multiple emails and questions. I had inquired about the winter skills course. Ken sent on some good documentation outlining what is covered in the course and our requirements regarding equipment, clothing, level of experience etc. The information was very good and made me want to book. Ken also gave advice on accommodation and the rental of the higher grade of boots we needed to take crampons, which was very very helpful and extremely reasonably priced. So, to the weekend itself: We discussed plans with Hannah first by phone and then a wee meeting on the first morning. We were going to climb Ben Nevis on the Saturday and then run through more skills based stuff on the Sunday. The weekend was fantastic. Hannah is one seriously capable person. Very engaging and imparting a lot of information during our 2 days. Took us to where we wouldn't have gone ourselves and surpassed expectations during the 2 days. We did have a weak link in the group, and she worked it so that he was able to complete both days and successfully complete Ben Nevis. I would definitely recommend your company and Hannah in future. I'm sure her ears are still sore listening to all our messing, nonsense and jovial bad language! I would be 99% sure you will see us again in the coming years for a weekend... I had initial contact with Ken who was brilliant in dealing with my multiple emails and questions. I had inquired about the winter skills course. Ken sent on some good documentation outlining what is covered in the course and our requirements regarding equipment, clothing, level of experience etc. The information was very good and made me want to book.
Ken also gave advice on accommodation and the rental of the higher grade of boots we needed to take crampons, which was very very helpful and extremely reasonably priced.
So, to the weekend itself:
We discussed plans with Hannah first by phone and then a wee meeting on the first morning.
We were going to climb Ben Nevis on the Saturday and then run through more skills based stuff on the Sunday.
The weekend was fantastic. Hannah is one seriously capable person. Very engaging and imparting a lot of information during our 2 days.
Took us to where we wouldn't have gone ourselves and surpassed expectations during the 2 days.
We did have a weak link in the group, and she worked it so that he was able to complete both days and successfully complete Ben Nevis.
I would definitely recommend your company and Hannah in future.
I'm sure her ears are still sore listening to all our messing, nonsense and jovial bad language!
I would be 99% sure you will see us again in the coming years for a weekend of mountain scrambling.
Thanks again and tell Hannah to enjoy a glass of wine for us! More read less

Fantastic Introduction to Winter Climbing Course Me and my friend recently just completed the introduction to winter climbing course with Ken and Ollie. I would thoroughly recommend this course to anyone looking to develop skills and learn a vast amount of new knowledge ranging from everything from climbing, rope work, equipment choice, avalanche awareness, types of snow, route choice and much more. The course is physically demanding and incredibly rewarding. I'll certainly book with Ken and... read moreMe and my friend recently just completed the introduction to winter climbing course with Ken and Ollie. I would thoroughly recommend this course to anyone looking to develop skills and learn a vast amount of new knowledge ranging from everything from climbing, rope work, equipment choice, avalanche awareness, types of snow, route choice and much more. The course is physically demanding and incredibly rewarding. I'll certainly book with Ken and the team again if i'm in the area. read less

Curved Ridge winter climbing day out Fantastic day out, great location and great guiding. Felt safe and also well challenged throughout.
All communication inngetting organized was clear and prompt with Ken.
Will definitely use again and recommend.

Introduction to mountaineering Myself and a friend have just completed a 5 day training course with Ken from West Coast Mountain Guides. We were both fairly new to winter climbing, and were looking for some teaching of the basics along with practical experience. Ken delivered exactly this, we had a great week, learnt a lot, climbed some great routes, and gained some mountain fitness. I would 100% recommend this course for anyone looking... read moreMyself and a friend have just completed a 5 day training course with Ken from West Coast Mountain Guides. We were both fairly new to winter climbing, and were looking for some teaching of the basics along with practical experience. Ken delivered exactly this, we had a great week, learnt a lot, climbed some great routes, and gained some mountain fitness. I would 100% recommend this course for anyone looking to get into winter climbing or looking to progress their skills. read less

Professional and friendly mountain guiding Having decided to take a guided ascent up Ben Nevis this January, West Coast Mountain Guides seemed like the best option and our experience proved why. Ken who heads the company, was great with his communication and the process of booking, whilst Sally, our guide up the CMD Arete was experienced and knowledgeable, providing information on snow, general weather and terrain as well as about climbing. She was also very... read moreHaving decided to take a guided ascent up Ben Nevis this January, West Coast Mountain Guides seemed like the best option and our experience proved why. Ken who heads the company, was great with his communication and the process of booking, whilst Sally, our guide up the CMD Arete was experienced and knowledgeable, providing information on snow, general weather and terrain as well as about climbing. She was also very friendly and relaxed, allowing myself and my fellow climber to find our own feet, whilst being ready to step in to provide professional assistance when needed. For some of the hairier mountains in Scotland during winter, West Coast are the company to go for. They also offer competitively priced multi-day winter skills and mountaineering courses which I'll probably undertake when I get the chance. read less

Brilliant 3 days of winter climbing Many Thanks to West Coast Mountain Guides for the fab 3 days I had winter climbing. First day was on Dorsal Arete and I got the opportunity to develop my skills in setting up belays and various anchor points and learning from Konrad, the instructor the layered system of doing belays. Invaluable knowledge and these skills will certainly help me in my future climbing. 2nd and 3rd day was on... read moreMany Thanks to West Coast Mountain Guides for the fab 3 days I had winter climbing. First day was on Dorsal Arete and I got the opportunity to develop my skills in setting up belays and various anchor points and learning from Konrad, the instructor the layered system of doing belays. Invaluable knowledge and these skills will certainly help me in my future climbing. 2nd and 3rd day was on harder climbs which involved refining skills when climbing mixed routes as well as doing multiple abseil pitches at the end of the day. I would highly recommend Ken and his team. They ensure you get as much as you can out of the time you are with them and also discuss and debrief at the end of each day which is really important too! Thanks again! More read less

Winter Mountaineering Course We had a fantastic 5 days in the mountains on the Winter Mountaineering course. Henry was an expert guide and taught us loads over the week. Everything was well planned and despite the harsh conditions we felt safe throughout. I would highly recommend to anyone looking to expand their skill set. Our aim was to be ready for our Mont Blanc trip in June and we definitely achieved that.

Mont Blanc training day This was my second time that I have had private 1:1 guiding from Ken of West Coast Mountain Guides. The first time was a truly fantastic day and here I was again. Yet again, Ken excelled with his expertise and I had yet another amazing day. His vast wealth of experience is just so evident with the way he guided me knowing exactly what I was going through and adapted... read moreThis was my second time that I have had private 1:1 guiding from Ken of West Coast Mountain Guides. The first time was a truly fantastic day and here I was again. Yet again, Ken excelled with his expertise and I had yet another amazing day. His vast wealth of experience is just so evident with the way he guided me knowing exactly what I was going through and adapted with precision to my requirements. The day has certainly built my confidence up with a typical Alpine style route which brought in winter equipment use and rope work.
Thank you ever so much for being such a brilliant guide for the day and I am looking forward to the next time. More read less

Ben Nevis trek Just completed a trek up Ben Nevis last weekend all with the expert help and guidance of Ken & Sally our guide for the day, what an experience to trek Ben Nevis is challenging conditions and this would not have been possible without Ken’s input and guidance !
Thank you so much Ken & Sally can’t wait for our next adventure which hopefully will be the west coast highland trek
Steve... read moreJust completed a trek up Ben Nevis last weekend all with the expert help and guidance of Ken & Sally our guide for the day, what an experience to trek Ben Nevis is challenging conditions and this would not have been possible without Ken’s input and guidance !
Thank you so much Ken & Sally can’t wait for our next adventure which hopefully will be the west coast highland trek
Steve & Paul read less

Ben Nevis Fully recommend West Coast Mountain Guides. Ken was very helpful throughout the booking process and responded to questions super quickly and gave great advice. On the day, Hannah got us up and down Ben Nevis in tough conditions. She was knowledgeable, safety conscious and great company. We will certainly be contacting WCMG for our next trip.

Tailored winter climbing I've climbed with West Coast on four separate occasions now - One thing that stands out more than most is the quality of their guiding and coaching. These guys and girls aren't just top guides they're top people who care about you enjoying your experience and growing as a mountain person. I've come on leaps and bounds as a climber thanks to them. The best complement I can give..... I'm... read moreI've climbed with West Coast on four separate occasions now - One thing that stands out more than most is the quality of their guiding and coaching. These guys and girls aren't just top guides they're top people who care about you enjoying your experience and growing as a mountain person. I've come on leaps and bounds as a climber thanks to them. The best complement I can give..... I'm going to be first at the door when next years course dates open read less