A family-run guiding company in Newtonmore. Small groups, on the hill and on the water, led by the people who live here.
Scottish Rock & Water was founded by Stephen McCall in 2015. He had been a commercial mechanic. In 2008 he trained as a full-time instructor, and the work stayed with him: the ridges, the winter mountains, and the canoe journeys that do not show up in the usual guidebook list.
The company is still small and family-run. Groups stay small so the day can match the people on it, whether that is a first scramble or a route they have wanted for years. The office is at 6 Station Cottage, Station Road, Newtonmore, PH20 1AR.
Most departures are in the Highlands: Skye, Glen Coe, Ben Nevis, the Cairngorms, Torridon, and Assynt, and the rivers and lochs between them. Further afield there is a canoe expedition in Sweden and winter rock in Spain.
A small local team, days shaped around the people who turn up, and ground we know because we work it.
We’re a very small, family-run business built on a love for Scotland’s wild places. Unlike big providers, we focus on personal connections, tailored experiences, and a deep commitment to the landscapes we work in. When you book with us, you're supporting a passionate local team who truly care about your experience.
We’re committed to protecting the landscapes we love. Unlike providers who put profit first, we focus on responsible guiding, conservation, and a leave-no-trace ethos. When you book with us, you’re supporting sustainable tourism and helping preserve Scotland’s wild places for future generations.
We keep our group sizes small to provide a personal and tailored experience. Whether it’s your first time in the mountains or you’re a seasoned adventurer, we take the time to understand your goals and adapt each course to suit your needs.
Sure, you can find the well-trodden routes in a book—but we take you beyond the usual paths. With our deep local knowledge, we’ll guide you to hidden ridges, quiet valleys, and secret spots that make every adventure feel truly unique.
Mountaineering, scrambling, climbing, and paddling carry risk. The instructors hold the relevant mountain and canoe qualifications, including winter mountain climbing instructor and Scottish Canoe Association awards, and the day is run to those standards.
The point of a small group is that the pace, the route, and the coaching can change with the people and the weather. If a day needs to be turned around, it is turned around.
Based in
Newtonmore
Founded
2015
Instructing since
2008
Written reviews
270
The instructors on the public roster. Each trip is led by someone qualified for that ground.
Instructor - Mountain, Backcountry Ski
Instructor - Mountain
Instructor - Mountain
Instructor - Mountaineering, Paddle sports & Skiing
270 written reviews from days on the hill and on the water.
Course choice, a private date, kit, or a journey you have in mind. The Newtonmore team replies.
