UKC

After a successful Alps trip this summer, I'm keen to try some Scottish climbing this winter (a decision I will probably regret when I'm freezing my butt off!)

I'm still very much a novice, so will be looking for a guide - does anyone have any personal reccommendations? Lots of results on Google of course, but a thumbs-up from a real person counts for a lot and the threads I've found on here are quite old now.

My partner & I have different levels of experience, so the objective is to get ourselves on the same level technically first before tackling some classic routes. Hence looking for something bespoke rather than signing up for a course type thing.

After the long Covid layoff, I did a few days via Abacus Guides in Fort William to get my skills and confidence back up, I'd only been seriously climbing for a year or so before the pandemic. Ended up with a few different guides but they were all good. Andy Moles in particular was extremely confidence inspiring on one of the foulest weather days I've ever spent in the hills.

Tim Neill is great. 

Also, you could try booking with companies and not guides directly (Plas y Brenin, Glenmore lodge, Beyond the Edge), they have both courses and bespoke guided days

I run winter climbing courses every winter based from Fort William. Quite happy to have a chat if you’re interested - send me a UKC DM or have a look at http://www.straightupadventures.co.uk/mixed and use the contact details there.

Congrats on your successful alpine trips.

I'm a Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor and run Roam Mountains based in Glen Coe in the winter. I mostly just do bespoke stuff now and regularly instruct couples. Feel free to get in touch https://www.roammountains.co.uk/

Thanks for the reccommendations, folks! Going to send out some emails today

Consider also John Allen.  I have never used him but can certainly recommend him as a thoroughly reasonable and nice bloke.  His website is here -https://mt.tahdah.me/profile/index/16154.  He is Sheffield based but I know he guides in Scotland during the winter.

Been out multiple times with Ken Applegate of West Coast Mountain Guides, always a great experience! https://westcoast-mountainguides.co.uk/ Not sure whether he's personally guiding still, but I've been out a couple of times with guides he's brought in for the season also and they've all been first-class.

He's actually an electrian now (or something along those lines anyway), ace guide though 

Another +1 for Tim. Led one of the groups on the JCMT course, absolute legend

Another +++ for Abacus.  My partner and I learned to winter climb with Mike Pescod.  Amazing days out on Ben Nevis and in Glencoe, good routes found in the most challenging of conditions; lots of winter skills stuff learned along the way.