If you’re coming on The Mull Classic then you’ve probably got questions. We’ll try to answer as many of them as possible here. If you’ve still got questions after having a look at this page then please feel free to e mail us or to give us a call on 0784 330 3981.
What gear will I need?
Having the right gear makes all the difference. At the same time, you don’t have to spend a fortune. If you are at all worried about your gear then please do get in touch.
These are the things that you must have:
- A backpack. Something with descent adjustable straps and a hip belt. And at least 65 litres in capacity.
- A sleeping bag. At least a 2 season bag. If you are a cold sleeper then go for a 3 season. Mountain Warehouse have a good guide here.
- Either a Therma Rest or a carry mat.
- A properly waterproof jacket. This can range from good old fashioned oil skins to the latest and greatest Gore Tex. It does have to be wind and waterproof though.
- Properly waterproof trousers. As above.
- Walking boots with a degree of ankle protection. Make sure they are well worn in before your journey.
- Enough clothes to stay warm. Avoid cotton! It stays wet, gets heavy and gets cold. Jeans are not good at all. Synthetics or wool are much better for walking. And lots of thinner layers are better than one big wooly jumper. Ideally you should have some thermals with you and a couple of fleece tops. Lots of socks!
- Bring a wooly hat and some gloves! You’ll be glad you did.
- Lightweight knife, fork, spoon. Lightweight bowl. Lightweight cup. These needn’t be fancy or expensive. Just plastic and sturdy.
- A water bottle. Big enough to carry at least a litre of water and sturdy enough not to burst in your bag. Good idea to mark in a way that clearly identifies it as yours.
- A heavy duty plastic bag to line your pack with. Something like this is ideal. Minimum is a heavy duty black bin liner. If you use these bring a few as they tend to rip.
And here’s some things that we’d strongly recommend.
- Torch. Light and simple. A head torch is ideal.
- A midge head net is a very good investment. Cheap on e bay.
- A light pair of shoes for when you are at camp.
- Midge repellant. Smidge is a favourite.
- Sea sick tablets.
- A camera.
- Sunscreen.
- A sunhat.
- Sunglasses.
- Ear plugs!
How fit do I need to be?
We walk at a pace that should be achievable for all but the very un-fittest. Our courses are definitely designed to have elements of ‘hard’ in them but they are not boot camps. If you are worried then give us a call.
What sort of weight of pack will I have to carry?
Our back up vehicle can take a lot of the basics such as your tents, cooking equipment and the majority of the food. You’ll need to carry your personal gear so a lot depends on what you bring. We think that it makes sense that people carry their own gear but, if you have medical reason that means carrying a rucksack may not be a good idea, then let us know.
What sort of tent do you supply?
We supply very simple one person tents. There is room for you and your bag.
Can I bring my own tent?
If you’d rather you can bring your own. If this is something that you are considering, please get in touch. It’s important that we know how big your tent is (for transportation purposes) and also what sort of quality it is.
Will I be able to contact people whilst I’m on the course?
We want people to be as present as possible whilst they are on a Wild Journey. For that reason we ask that participants either don’t bring mobile phones with them or, if you do, have them switched off or on airplane mode. The reality is that you will have little or no reception anyway. And an expensive phone is just one more thing to worry about. If you do bring a phone you can choose to leave it in our back up vehicle but that is at your own risk. So, in reality, you will be well and truly out of contact with the rest of the world for the time that you are on your Wild Journey. If you have a specific reason that this might be a problem then again, feel free to contact us.
Will I need money whilst I’m on the course?
Not whilst you’re on the course. We recommend that you only bring a very little money with you and minimal valuables / credit cards etc.
What about travel?
You’ll need to get yourself to Craignure on the Isle of Mull. From there we will use public transport for any road travel we do on the island. (This will cost around £10.) If you are coming as an individual then see our separate travel page. If you’re part of an organised group then check your travel arrangements with the organiser.
Do I need to be able to swim?
No, but you should definitely let us know if you are a non swimmer or a weak swimmer. We’ll ask you this on your registration form.
What if I have a medical condition?
Again, we ask about any relevant medical conditions when you fill in the registration form.
What about special diets?
We’ll ask you about this on your application form. We try to accommodate as much as possible and certainly if it’s for medical, religious or ethical reasons. People with very particular preferential diets may be asked to do a degree of sorting themselves out!
What if I’m a smoker?
We ask that smokers simply respect others and the environment. And if you’re interested in stopping then a Wild Journey can be a great place to start.
What about alcohol?
We keep Wild Journeys alcohol free. There’s enough stimulation out there:)
More questions?
Contact us or check out or FAQ page.