UKC

Ben Hope rarely comes into condition because it is so close to the sea but about 9 yrs ago it was "in" and we did a cracking route up one of the north face gullies, topped out to the sun set and got down in the dark where we were given a lift ack up the road to our car by a shepherd who had come out to see why there were lights on the mountain.

The following year I did a route a little further round to the west which had, in the middle, a pitch of the best ice I have ever climbed in Scotland.

Unfortunately, I'm sitting in Canada at the moment so I can't take advantage of conditions but if you are up that way then I recommend a look.

Foinaven would also be somewhere to check out.

In reply to Removed User:

I had a wee scout around there earlier this summer, and i must say, the north face looks great!

Would love to spend some more time up there!

In reply to Removed User:
Agreed! My parents have a place in Tounge so was up there early november having a nosey.

They were up there at NYE and there was snow on the beaches...bah should've gone with them!

In reply to lewk_c:

There are probably some good routes on the West "side" of Ben Loyal also you just might have some difficulty reaching them if the snow is too deep.