[andy moles]

Not quite as busy as some years either.

I think they're all on Skye. I've just left and my god - as busy as I've ever seen it.

[SA Chris]

Clear hot on IG right now.

[sherlock]

Clear hot on IG right now.

......and pishing down this morning!

[Stewart]

Just along the coast from previously mentioned Achmelvich is Clachtoll. I found a good bouldering spot there last year but only had time to do this one prob. The beach there is very family friendly and there's plenty more to climb at the cave area. Some tidal some not. Good quality torridon sandstone.
https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crags/clachtoll-9340/for_whom_the_clach_tolls-667626#photos

After Bonjoy's inspiration I added a quality arete line to the left of his problem if you/anyone is in the area. Like Bonjoy's problem, it actually stays pretty dry in the rain but very heavy rain can leave the crucial foothold seeping for a few days after. Bit of kitchen roll in the cracks can save the day though. The rock gets a bit loose after the jug so didn't fancy topping out. Grade might be bullshit as i'd been paddleboarding with kids earlier in the day and fatigue levels were unknown..

https://www.instagram.com/p/CvS772btV8x/?img_index=1

Some other Clachtoll hillside problems

https://www.instagram.com/p/CgXQR8Gj5dk/?img_index=1

Deep water bouldering at Clachtoll

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7ioF2KhDtv/

[AJM]

Is there any part of the Ardmair crag base that would be a suitable base camp for two moderately tolerant children? They will at times let us climb whilst they play, but it obviously has to be somewhere that’s safe enough for them to do so and not so constricted that they can’t actually do anything.

Edit: also interested in similar knowledge on Gruinard crag (red John of the battles, that wall)

[sherlock]

Is there any part of the Ardmair crag base that would be a suitable base camp for two moderately tolerant children? They will at times let us climb whilst they play, but it obviously has to be somewhere that’s safe enough for them to do so and not so constricted that they can’t actually do anything.

Edit: also interested in similar knowledge on Gruinard crag (red John of the battles, that wall)

NB. I don't have kids so no idea what they can/can't do....
Ardmair crag is above a slope, not lethal but it might hurt if you rolled in parts.
Certainly some wider flat bits the further up you go.
Gruinarard crag ok. Midgy and brackeny and ticks though.

[SA Chris]

If you want to have a quick session with kids, Ardmair Beach would be great for them. Best skimming stones spot, flat and sunny, hopefully shouldn't be too midgy.

[AJM]

I was thinking roped, but didn't specify ( !). Ardmair Beach on the list for bouldering, thanks

[GazM]

The Arapiles Wall area of Ardmair Crag is pretty kiddy friendly (never actually taken my kids there, but could imagine doing it). That's where the main bouldering is, but there are routes too. Seem to recall Biological Warfare on the right was an OK E1. Most of the routes in that section are E3 or up if I recall.

[SA Chris]

also interested in similar knowledge on Gruinard crag (red John of the battles, that wall)

Ah OK, from a routes crags perspective I've only climbed on Jetty Buttress in that area and that would be fine, short walk and all. There are a few sport crags in that area that might be a good bet too.

[AJM]

We’ve just got back from Jetty as it happens, worked out pretty well, did a bunch of the VSs.

[SA Chris]

How was rest of trip?

[AJM]

How was rest of trip?

I completely intended to do a writeup and thank you for all the suggestions, but I got back from holiday and life just kept happening.....

It was a really good mixed activity trip.
- We did a day at jetty (couple of VSs), at goat (the crag warmups, basically) and reiff (some easy topropes, it was very blowy). Not much done per day but partly that was kids/wife also toproping things, partly moderate kids attention span, and to be honest any trad as a unit of 4 is an achievement in my book.
- boat trip to the summer isles was great, the kids loved dolphins
- we stopped briefly at the gorge and we took the kids up both Ullapool hill and Stac Pollaidh. They decided hillwalking was great which is 100% one of the big wins of the trip.

We also had a few days in Inverness but my wife wasn't feeling great so I took the kids up the cairngorm mountain railway and we visited fort George rather than any more climbing. The day trains up went surprisingly well and the sleeper train back ditto.

Thanks to everyone who provided ideas and suggestions and so on.

[SA Chris]

Excellent, sounds like an all round win.

I go trad routing with wife and kids, i am usually the only one who doesn't actually get any climbing in.