It's Out There
Offering guiding and instruction in hillwalking, scrambling, climbing & multi-day adventures
From the majestic beauty of the Cairngorms in winter, to the stunning peaks of the Cuillin, to the sublime beauty of Scotland’s coast and lochs; we can not only guide you in this fantastic terrain, but also instruct you in the skills necessary to master these environments.
Guiding: creating memories that last forever…
Instruction: giving you the skills to make your own memories…
So if this is your year to work towards or complete a great personal challenge, get in touch and let us see if we can help…
Be Greater
Neil has totally changed my perception of what’s possible on the mountains and my own potential…
It’s left me wanting more and wondering how far I can go!
Alan: Skye Scrambles Course
Dubh Mor Outdoor specialises in helping you to “Do More” than you thought possible. Come with us and open your eyes to a whole world of adventure! Learn new skills, hone existing ones, develop confidence and put it all into practice in an authentic and challenging environment, under the supervision of a passionate and experienced instructor.
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It’s time to plan your next adventure
Adventures
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Events
Events are our most popular days, advertised on set dates throughout the year.
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Our most popular activities
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Bespoke bookings: fully tailored to your requirements, giving you exactly what you need.
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Wendy Rattie Pate
2019-09-09T20:02:29+0000
First ever scrambling experience - Neil was fantastic. I was very nervous and had booked the course to try and gain confidence. Neil was quietly encouraging and positively reinforced my strengths. I completed every scramble and also learned some other wee techniques on the way down - I can highly recommend 😊read more
Steve Barron
2019-08-23T16:14:31+0000
Had an awesome experience with Neil who led us up the Cobbler last weekend. We went through the eye of the needle to the main summit, then the north summit and then Beinn Narnain adapting the route to suit the conditions. Neil made a scary scramble feel safe and do-able. Great craic with Neil and made 2 new friends.
A 5 star service - leadership, enthusiasm, safety, bacon rolls and coffee. Oh and sore feet!read more
Karen Webster
2019-08-18T18:33:32+0000
Recently had a day out with Neil on a 1:2 basis with my friend, doing Ledge Route onto Ben Nevis, then descent via CMD Arête.
I think it tells a story when I’m still grinning more than a week later!!
Ledge Route is something I didn’t EVER think I’d attempt, but I loved it! Neil is fantastic at encouraging and making you realise that actually you can do something!
An absolutely amazing day, with great company and chat, and many new skills learnt and confidence found.
I’ll definitely be back to do something else now that Iv been bitten by the scrambling bug!read more
Kerry Ross
2019-07-12T21:29:44+0000
Today I was guided, supported, entertained and bantered with all the way along the Aonach Eagach ridge by the amazing Neil Kerr. Being in the hands of a qualified mountain instructor made me feel so safe and at ease and it definitely spurred me to take on more challenging scrambles and climbs knowing he would talk me through every aspect of it along the way. Munroing has always been a solo act for me (mostly) but reaching my half way point, as I did today, I definitely had the right person with me when it counted. Neil is brilliant, the ridge is brilliant, the support and banter is brilliant. I genuinely could not talk highly enough about my day - I am literally beaming from ear to ear! I am already planning my next escapade! P.S. there were only 2 of us (a lovely chap called Paul) with Neil and I personally really liked the time and attention he could show each of us to develop our skills in such a small group. He also has the strongest coffee in the world! 😂👍read more
June Mackenzie-Stark
2019-07-12T14:26:19+0000
Completed a 5 day winter mountain skills course with Neil and can highly recommend Dubh Mhor. I have learned invaluable skills to build onread more
Claire Stewart
2019-07-12T09:22:02+0000
My family and I had such a great day with Neil yesterday. He guided us up the CMD and along the ridge then up to Ben Nevis. None of us had done much scrambling or ridge walking before and we loved it! Neil was friendly, knowledgeable and encouraging and helped make the whole day a fantastic experience. We would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone!read more
Rachie Wojx
2019-06-21T22:51:26+0000
Aonach Eagach with Neil today was absolutely phenomenal. The entire day was exceptional and I felt very safe. He is a very trusted guide with knowledge and experience that goes well beyond his qualifications. I had so much fun on this route and I cannot wait to go back out again. It had been my best experience on the hills to date. I was given knowledge and skills that will stay with me for life.read more
Linda Baker Allan
2019-05-09T11:28:04+0000
What an amazing day with Neil. First time on the Cuillin Ridge & what a climb to start with The Inaccessible Pinnacle "Inn Pinn. From the minute I meet Neil I started to believe I could do this! He took away the fear as if he put it in his pocket & for someone that has never climb made it incredibly easy for me. Can't recommend this man highly enough & will walk/climb with him again & again. Thank you Neil you are one in a million ❤️read more
Shirley Reid
2019-05-09T09:41:09+0000
Had an awsome time with Neil climbing the Inaccessible Pinnacle. Couldn't recommend Neil highly enough. Can't wait to get out again on more adventures. Thank you so much Neil. 😁😁😁😁read more
Rachel King
2019-04-22T18:28:11+0000
We have just returned from climbing Ben Nevis with Neil.Everything about it was fab fab and fab
Neil was brilliant so experienced and knowledgeable and kept us all going up and down
Weather was brilliant an amazing experience
Can’t recommend Neil enough
Thanks Neilread more
Roy Wilson
2019-03-19T21:12:36+0000
Had a great time winter climbing with Neil in Glencoe and Ben Nevis recently. He is a very experienced mountain guide and euthusiastic not only about helping his clients achieve their objectives but also their potential. He has a wealth of knowledge and will share tips to help you climb better. Would highly recommend. Oh I forgot. He’s nice guy as well !read more
Nick Hladnik
2019-03-03T20:25:37+0000
Amazing week with a great group of people. Our instructor Danny was great and taught us skills that I would be confident to use on my own. Looking forward to my next trip with Dubh Mor!read more
Colin Larmour
2019-03-03T16:16:48+0000
Absolutely amazing time away with like minded people who I made such good memories with, I can’t recommend Dubh Mor outdoor enough Danny was so professional but yet relaxed that he allowed us to have fun while learning.
If your thinking about doing anything at all out door Neil Kerr and his team is the man for the job I will definitely be back, fact in the process of it just now 🏔🧗♂️⛰read more
Heath Bradbury
2019-02-24T17:15:23+0000
Had a great week of training on winter skills with Neil and he always gives more than 100%, so would recommend this course or a summer one to anyone .read more
Anthony Sadler
2019-02-03T12:10:56+0000
I have just completed a week of winter skills with Neil and his team and I can safely say it’s the best week in the mountains I’ve ever had.
Neil’s knowledge of the mountains is 2nd to none. Not only did we learn skills needed to navigate the mountains safely in winter but we given a good insight into the local history,language and nature.
Neil and Ben are two top blokes who are not only experts in there field but go the extra mile to make the whole week enjoyable from start to finish.
I’m sure I’ll be seeing them again.read more
Gary Robson
2019-02-02T11:40:58+0000
An awesome week in a stunning location with professional & friendly instructors! I had no previous winter mountain experience and came away fully confident with the knowledge and skills passed on by Danny & Neil. Great lads, great set up! Fully recommend these guys!read more
Christopher Judge
2019-02-01T18:55:13+0000
Can’t explain in words what a fantastic, informative enjoyable week I have just had. We have learnt how to navigate, use an ice axe, use crampons,Interpret weather reports and avalanche reports, learnt about the local language and culture, plus the local wildlife.
Accommodation, food and instruction has been top drawer! This has really wet my appetite to do more, lads, you have got me!!
Thank you and see you again!! Xread more
Matthew Smith
2019-01-27T21:03:11+0000
I had an awesome weekend, Neil really knows his stuff and really makes sure you understand any instructions or tuition. Very professional with explanation and I have came away with a lot more confidence than when I arrived on Friday. I will be seeing you again!read more
Nicola Falconer
2019-01-21T15:29:08+0000
Had a great weekend at the W-into course! Learned so much and I feel it has given me so much more confidence to continue hiking through the winter months. Neil was very knowledgeable, supportive and encouraging. This is the second course I have done with Dubh Mor, the first being intro to navigation, and it won't be my last! Thanks again Neil for a great weekend and all the winter skills!read more
Marion Mclaughlan
2018-11-19T13:30:09+0000
Neil is very knowledgeable on everything outdoors and very charismatic into the bargain.
Steff Annie
2018-11-05T14:26:32+0000
Great day on a navigation course this time last week.
Neil was so knowledgeable, and not only in navigation.
Really interesting day and learned a lot.read more
Kezza McP
2018-10-27T18:34:41+0000
Excellent intro to nav course today. Learnt loads. Neil is great at explaining without being patronising, great chat too! Will definitely be booking with him again.read more
Ben Krawford
2018-10-22T06:25:32+0000
The epitome of benchmark saftey, Niel is incredibly sound and erudite.
Not an easy combo to get.
Mark Nicols
2018-09-07T12:39:10+0000
Just back from an amazing few days with Neil!
I can’t recommend him highly enough. I wanted to get out and up my skills and experiences climbing the highlands. Neil made a plan, was flexible and delivered exactly what I wanted.
From a multi pitch route, scrambling, basic and more complicated rope skills Neil taught me so much with an easy and professional delivery with a good chunk of humour chucked in!
Coffee and chat was pretty good too. Top bloke. 👍read more
Paul Edward Dudgeon
2018-08-26T10:31:56+0000
What a day I had the weather was great the company was amazing and learned so much . So many first by me thanks to the guidance of Neil Kerr . Do my first absail in 30 years setup my first top rope learned how to belay and put it in to pactracie . Then I even climbed my first ever climb and it was a VS I managed to climb 3 diffrent VS climbs I was so amazed I managed this with the help of all that was there. So looking forward to my next climb looks like you might of turned a hill junkie in to a rock junkie Neil lolread more
Deirdre Evans
2018-07-30T06:19:20+0000
Great day out climbing Aonach Eagach with Neil from "Dubh Mor". Neil's competent and thoroughly professional approach enabled me to achieve climbs and descents I wouldn't have thought possible! Amazing feeling of achievement!
And as well as great humour, excellent coffee, and climbing skills, Neil kept us entertained all day by sharing his knowledge of Gaelic (he grew up as a Gaelic speaker) - letting us into the meaning of the names of the mountains. He also has an extensive knowledge of the natural world- the rocks, plants and animals - and shared wonderful snippets that brightened up a wet and misty descent.
I highly recommend Dubh Mor if you want a fun and safe day climbing crazy pinnacles...or just a great day in the wilds of Scotland.read more
Agnieszka Parzniewska
2018-07-27T17:51:19+0000
Just spend 2 amazing days trad climbing with Neil. It was my first experience climbing outdoors something I wanted to do for a long time ... Adventure lasted 2 amazing days in two different locations around Dunkeld and Strahtay. I loved the experience the learning the professional approach and safety first rule but most of all I enjoyed the always smiling, happy and excited attitude of my instructor. Nothing was to much to ask and I do always ask lots of questions. I feel like I can go further with my climbing adventure now ....I got the basics. Still long way to go but the first steps and the foundation being laid to make me want climb even more. Thanks again and hopefully will pick up when we left. Still owe me that one climb !!! Thanks again!read more
Nikki Ann
2018-07-24T19:26:40+0000
Neil spent the day trad climbing with my husband at Limekilns, quite literally 'showing him the ropes'! Neil was knowledgeable, enthusiastic and happy to tailor the day to suit. He was friendly and helpful with responses to my initial enquiry and when booking. Highly recommended. Thanks again Neil!!read more
Nikki Maclean
2018-07-04T01:52:09+0000
Last week I treated myself to an early birthday present and invested in a guided day on the Aonach Eagach ridge with Neil Kerr from Dubh Mor Oudoor. What a fantastic day and an amazing experience- Neil didn't just lead but shared tips, skills and expertise to take on this type of terrain and instilled the confidence to enable me to do it. Add to that an encyclopedic knowledge of the area and it's history (and some funny stories and cracking weather) and it made for an unforgettable day. Can thoroughly recommend this to anyone wishing to 'do more' than they though they could. �read more
Ann Logan
2018-06-28T19:11:37+0000
UPDATED REVIEW
9th May 2019
“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be”
“ To succeed first you have to turn up to the event”
“Physiologically fear and excitement are the same reaction- the difference is in how our brain interprets the reaction”
If you ever doubt your ability to achieve ask this man for help. Who would have thought I’d ever have abseiled, loved it and be heading back for more. Much love to Neil and Steph for making the impossible so easily possible.
Original review
Walked with several guides in the past including Mountain Guides, Mountain Leaders and Mountain Instructors. Each giving me different learning curves. Today with Neil was altogether a great technical learning day taking home lots of lessons and things to practice. Easy to follow up and down-if that’s what you want. Better for me was how he broke down the components to give me a better understanding of how to make better choices and keep myself safe and secure. Effortlessly finding routes to practice the skills he was teaching me. Impressed myself with what I achieved today. If you want technical understanding, improvement in movement and confidence Neil is the Mountain Instructor for you.read more
Pamela McGuinn
2018-05-21T20:13:33+0000
I am just back from a weekend hillwalking in Torridon with Neil as one of the guides.
Neil has a superb knowledge of the outdoors, the surrounding area, gaelic and tells some great stories.
In terms of his skills on the mountains he offered options for easy or harder routes involving some scrambling and was full of tips, techniques and encouragement.
Safety is a clearly a priority and manages to assess this quickly in terms of weather conditions and level of the people and group.
He also has the most adorable, well behaved dog Reeva you will ever meet!
I look forward to doing the Aonach Eagach with Neil in July and wouldn't hesitate to hire him for future adventures or recommend him and Dubh Mor outdoors to others.read more
Robin Adamson
2018-05-21T19:29:09+0000
Just back from a superb day on Liathach with Neil. Having complete confidence in his ability allowed me to push out of my personal comfort zone. I can not recommend him highly enough.read more
Bryan Barry
2018-05-09T21:54:19+0000
Absolutely fantastic two days on the hills with Neil in our two attempts and one success to summit the ln Pinn. Despite being continually thwarted by the weather he kept us on our toes, scrambling up & down different surfaces, progressively challenging us and made the day thoroughly enjoyable. We now look at rocks through Neils eyes....'Playtime'..... potential play gyms in the great outdoors!! His sense of fun helped us discover a new fun aspect to bagging hills. Scrambling rocks :-)!
He had contingency plans in place for when the weather wouldn't play ball so even if we didn't reach the targeted summit we still felt we achieved.
Neil was highly tuned into the ever changing conditions & surroundings and us, making us feel very safe.
Lots of interesting chat, great company. We'll be back!read more
Alison Cunningham
2018-05-08T20:02:30+0000
Neil was a fantastic guide for my ascent of Sgurr Dearg and the In Pinn over the May holiday weekend. We had a superb day in challenging weather but somehow Neil gave me the confidence and knowledge to commit to the climb and complete what I had thought was an impossible dream. Professional, fun, amazingly experienced and just a great guy with lots of great stories!read more
Clarissa Ng
2018-04-07T17:33:16+0000
Spent a day with Neil and others around Loch an Eilein on the last day of my winter course in February. It was the best day that I had that week, as I had a different instructors for different things. Neil took us (myself and 4 others) around Loch an Eilein and we attempted to go up a summit - sorry, Scottish names do escape from my head - but we weren't able to due to heavy snow fall and wind. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed Neil's company, his great knowledge and insight into the Gaelic language and culture, of all the different parts of the world and all the exciting things that he got up to, and of course, he knows his stuff in the great outdoors. He's got all that you could ask for in an instructor/ guide: knowledge, sense of humour, confidence with himself and he's quite generous in giving those confidence out, too! Highly recommended and I look forward to doing some other courses with him in the near future.read more
Catherine Reid
2018-04-02T18:03:58+0000
Spent two fantastic days learning new skills with Neil in Glencoe - which I now know means Glen of the Hounds. Neil quickly assessed the individual abilities within the group and with his perfect blend of teaching style, encouragement, instruction and humour (not forgetting his endless patience as I was the “least able” - my words - member of the group) he managed to get me to do more than I ever thought I could. Thank you Neil for an unforgettable two days. I would have no hesitation in recommending you to anyone who wants to do more in the great outdoors.read more
Dominic Little
2018-04-02T11:25:56+0000
Done the last 2 days of a 5 day course with Neil not only do u get his expert knowledge but u also get his charismatic personality thrown in for free. Will definitely be booking up for Glen Coe and the ledge route up Nevis later this yearread more
Patrick Jonathan Evans
2018-04-02T10:21:06+0000
We spent two days with Neil in Glencoe on winter skills. We loved it!
From our first meeting at the co-op in Ballachulish where we were all buying essentials (sandwiches and Fanta mainly) we were very impressed with Neil’s approach to learning. He took great care to understand what the group wanted from the weekend and tailored the activities to suit. His relentless enthusiasm and positivity were really infectious. (why he needs coffee at all - though he chugs it like water �- is a continued mystery to us!)
We covered everything that we needed to across the 2 days but the thing that made it so good was the variety of information that was shared. As well as the winter skills, we discussed at length many topics, enabled mainly by Neil’s globetrotting experience and immense store of stories. He was unfailingly cheerful throughout and dealt with the different needs of the group really well. It was also really good to see someone who loves the hills and his job share his passion. Even when basically telling two ill equipped ramblers outside of our group that they were risking their own and others lives and how they might best survive their choices, he did it in such a way that the message was clearly received but with great kindness and humility.
I’d definitely use Neil again. Not sure that we can agree on Pierce Brosnan being the best Bond though....read more
CJ Mair
2018-04-01T21:20:33+0000
If you’re wanting to experience the best of the Great outdoors, learn more about it and well ,learn more about so many others things (Gaelic pronunciation, a quote for every occasion with many attributed to Neil’s dad, have fun whilst doing it and end everyday realising you can do much more than you ever believed then book time with Neil. Just finished 2 days in Glencoe with him. Best 2 days this year.read more
Sara Jzr
2018-02-17T00:23:36+0000
Booking a couple of rock climbing lessons with Neil was an excellent choice! He quickly assessed my skills and focused on what I can improve to get better results – in that way I could finish every lesson with a nice sense of achievement! 🙂 I find Neil a really good climber, as well as, a motivating and knowledgeable instructor. He is sharing his professional tips in an interesting and clear way and is always happy to give you a comprehensive feedback after a climb, love that! I do certainly recommend Neil to everybody who wants to improve their skills, at every level of advancement! I personally can’t wait for a better weather to set up some new climbing challenges outdoors! 🙂 Thanks a lot!read more
Kim Hamilton
2017-08-28T20:22:11+0000
Fantastic day on Sunday scrambling curved ridge in Glencoe. Thanks Neil for another fab adventure �
