Scrambling
The Ice Factor
Contact details:
Leven Road, Kinlochleven, Lochaber, PH50 4SFTel: 01855 831100
Email: The Ice Factor
Web: The Ice Factor
The Ice Factor is the National Centre for Ice Climbing and the Regional Centre of Excellence for Rock Climbing Mountain Skills.
Situated in Scotland's premier mountain area - Lochaber - The Outdoor Capital of the UK, the Ice Factor is 6 miles from Glencoe and 20 miles from Ben Nevis. The centre is literally surrounded by mountains, which give all year round activities: Nature Trails, The West Highland Way, Munro Bagging, Ridge Scrambling, Mountain Biking, Crag Days, Classic Rock Climbs, Winter Mountaineering, Snow and Ice Climbing and Guided Expeditions.
We offer a full range of guided and instructed sessions - from a 1-hour session, to a full expedition, to climbing steep ice. Our instructors are some of the best qualified in the outdoor industry and are able to provide guiding, instruction and Single Pitch Award qualifications. There are even things to do, for people who have never been on a mountain!
We have an award winning café and Chillers Bar Bistro which offers excellent food and locally produced ales with vibrant traditional music and regular parties. Our two shops ? The Mountaineer's Store at the Ice Factor and our sister shop at Tigh Phuirt - Glencoe Guides & Gear - both stock a wide range of climbing and outdoor equipment.
What we do best:
Classic Mountain Scrambles. Here our guides and instructors take groups (max 4 people) onto and over some the classic ridges and scrambles in Scotland. Aonach Eagach and Curved Ridge in Glencoe, and Tower Ridge on Ben Nevis are some of the most popular and demanding scrambles in the country. Let one of our guides escort your group for maximum enjoyment. £200 for a group of 4 people. Please pre-book to avoid disappointment.Skye Cuillin Munros. Join us on a guided expedition along the most challenging mountain ridge in the British Isles. The Skye Ridge is called the British Alps with good reason. Rock Climbing is essential to take in the 12 Munros the Isle of Skye holds. £350 per person. Please pre-book to avoid disappointment.
Travel Directions
Click anywhere on the map to open a new window containing a more detailed Google Map.
Kinlochleven is about 10 minutes drive along Loch Leven, from Glencoe Village and about 30 minutes drive from Fort William. The Ice Factor is located on the right hand side within Kinlochleven as you drive in from Glen Coe (left if you drive in from Fort William!).
For public transport information in the Lochaber area visit the Lochaber Transport Forum website.
Available packages
Private Guiding & Instruction. Here an individual, pair or small group hire their own instructor for tuition or guiding at their chosen level. Days can take place locally or Torridon, The Cairngorms or the Skye Cuillin. £140 per person, £160 for 2, £180 for 3 or £200 for 4. Please pre-book to avoid disappointment.
Other activities available
Useful info
Equipment provided?
All technical equipment, ropes, harnesses, helmets, rock shoes, ice axes, crampons, boots, gloves.What do I need to wear?
Comfortable clothing (warm for the ice wall)What do I need to bring?
Your own hill/technical equipment if you have it (for outdoor courses), gloves for the ice wall ? your wallet!When can I do it?
All year round.Is there a pub nearby?
Crawling distance.
