Family Adventure - Treasure Highlands- Schneider-Bitter Family

Carola, Tim, Max and Alix

Friday 2nd August – Saturday 10th August 2024

Number of Travellers: 4
Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights

Highlights

  • An action-packed family adventure holiday visiting both the beautiful west coast and the spectacular Cairngorms National Park.
  • Enjoy lots of family-friendly activities, all suitable for beginners, including sea kayaking, mountain biking, canoeing, wildlife watching and a treasure hunt.
  • Learn about the great outdoors and the natural environment from our expert guides.

Day by Day

Day 1 - Friday 2nd August - Travel to Fort William & Glencoe

This is a self-drive itinerary so you make your way towards Fort William in the West Highlands. If you are coming from Edinburgh or Glasgow, you can drive via the stunning Glencoe valley. Or, if you are starting from Inverness, you will drive along the banks of Loch Ness. Settle into your welcoming  hotel accommodation and surround yourself with the oasis of tranquility, ready to explore the beautiful surrounding areas over the next few days.

Overnight: Glenuig | Glenuig Inn
Room Type: Family Room
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Saturday 3rd August - Sea Kayaking to Desert Islands

This morning after breakfast perhaps explore the crystal waters that are outside of the Glenuig.  This afternoon we take to the water to try sea kayaking on this beautiful coastline. The normal location is in the Sound of Arisaig but this may vary depending on sea conditions. The Sound of Arisaig has lots of tiny desert islands, quite possibly with hidden treasure buried somewhere! This beautiful stretch of water offers excellent sea kayaking in fairly sheltered waters. It is also an excellent place for seeing marine wildlife such as seals, otters or even dolphins. Late afternoon, perhaps grab an early dinner in Arisaig before heading back to your accommodation.

Overnight: Glenuig | Glenuig Inn
Room Type: Family Room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 2 - Sea Kayaking Read More +

Activity: Sea Kayaking
Rockhopper Sea Kayaking:
Start Location: Arisaig Hotel, Main Road Arisaig PH39 4NH | Start Time: 13:30
Phone: + 44 (0) 7739 837 344 | Website: https://www.rockhopperscotland.co.uk/

Your sea kayaking guide will meet you at 1.30pm at the Arisaig Hotel, I would recommend arriving to park in the area around 1pm and make sure you have had something to eat or bring something along.

Day 3 - Sunday 4th August - Exploring the beaches of Arisaig and Morar

This morning after breakfast head out and explore the beautiful sandy powder white beaches of the areas surrounding Arisaig,  perhaps the Silver Sands of Morar or Camusdarach where you can while away the day with sand between your toes, or searching the rock pools for sealife. If the Scottish weather is kind then enjoy relaxing on the sands and taking in the sounds of the waves crashing the birds singing and the wonderful views of the islands from the shore.

Overnight: Glenuig | Glenuig Inn
Room Type: Family Room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4 - Monday 5th August - Exploring in Glencoe

Enjoy your last breakfast at the Glenuig before taking it at your own pace to travel towards the spectacular Glencoe valley, carved out centuries ago by glaciers and volcanic eruptions, offers some wild and scenic hiking. There are many wonderful hiking options in this beautiful area make sure you visit the Glencoe Centre to learn about the landscape’s haunting history before you head to your nearby accommodation.

Overnight: Glencoe | Holly Tree Hotel
Room Type: Family Room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5 - Tuesday 6th August - Canoeing in the Great Glen

A fun day which starts and finishes near Fort William. Collect your canoe equipment and start with a canal-side briefing on how to paddle canoes. Then jump in and paddle north up the canal, enjoying the easy paddling on the calm canal waters and the beautiful views of the hills, including the north face of Ben Nevis – the highest peak in Scotland. On reaching Gairlochy you’ll be collected and transferred back to the start point. Fort William.

Overnight: Glencoe | Holly Tree Hotel
Room Type: Family Room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5 - Canoeing on the Caledonian Canal Read More +

Activity: Canoeing on the Caledonian Canal
Rockopper Canoeing:
Start Location: Unit 17, Annat Industrial Estate, Corpach, Fort William PH33 7JQ | Start Time: 10:00
Phone: 07739 837 344 | Website: https://www.rockhopperscotland.co.uk/

Meet the Rockhopper team at the unit where they will get you kitted out for your unguided paddle down the canal.

Day 6 - Wednesday 7th August - Free Day in Glencoe/Fort William area

Today is a free day to spend as you wish, perhaps enjoy a leisurely start and make use of the hotels swimming pool facilities or enjoy exploring the stunning loch side location of Loch Linnhe.

Perhaps head to Fort William to explore the old ruins of Inverlochy Castle or pay a visit to the Highland Soap Company visitor centre and larder cafe. If you prefer a hike then there are many wonderful options in and around the Fort William in the shadows of Ben Nevis.

Enjoy your final evening overlooking the twinkling shores of Loch Linnhe.

Overnight: Glencoe | Holly Tree Hotel
Room Type: Family Room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7 - Thursday 8th August - Mountain Biking in the Cairngorms

This morning leaving the shores of Loch Linnhe behind you will embark on a captivating self-guided journey from Fort William to Aviemore, winding through the stunning Scottish Highlands. Depending on timings you may wish to make a notable stop at the Highland Folk Museum near Newtonmore, an open-air museum showcasing Highland life through the ages with reconstructed buildings and immersive exhibits. After lunch, meet your guide for a mountain bike trip through the ancient Caledonian Pine Forests of Rothiemurchus Estate. These forests are well-known for wildlife, which includes red deer, reindeer, ospreys, golden eagles and cute red squirrels – though it’s not always easy to spot! We’ll take our mountain bikes on an off-road journey through the ancient forests, seeking out the wildlife as we ride.

Arriving in Kingussie a little later this afternoon, settle into your comfortable apartment style accommodation and relax as a family.

 

Overnight: Kingussie | The Seelies
Room Type: Family Room The Baron's Dwelling
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7 - Guide Details - James Orpwood Read More +

Name: James Orpwood
Contact Number: +44 (0)7887 622 470
Meeting Place: In Your Element- Ski Road Inverdruie Aviemore PH22 1QH | Meeting Time: 13:00

Day 8 - Friday 9th August - Hiking and Treasure Hunting

Your guide will meet you today and  lead you on a hike around a beautiful local loch, doing some exciting treasure hunting along the way. You’ll learn basic navigation skills and then use them to find the clues that lead to the treasure. Towards the end of the day, we’ll hopefully locate the hidden treasure, and you can share the booty among yourselves. Enjoy a final night in the Cairngorms.

Overnight: Kingussie | The Seelies
Room Type: Family Room- The Baron's Dwelling
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 - Saturday 10th August - Depart

After breakfast, you can then begin your journey home.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Trip Details

Inclusions Read More

 

  • 8 nights accommodation in B&B’s or small hotels
  • Breakfast each day.
  • Lunch on Day 8.
  • Day 2: A half day of guided sea kayaking, inc all hire equipment.
  • Day 5: Canoeing trip, plus all equipment hire.
  • Day 7: Half day of mountain biking, including bike hire.
  • Day 8: Full day of privately guided hiking and a treasure hunt.
  • Personalised trip design and delivery
  • 24 hour in-country support from the Wilderness Team
Exclusions Read More
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Activities and entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Gratuities for the main driver guide
Important Contact Numbers Read More
Wilderness Scotland Office | 9:00am – 5:30pm

UK: +44 (0)1479 420 020
US: 866 740 3890


Out of Office Hours | 5:30pm – 9:00am

+44 (0)7766 794 640


Emergency Services

999

Pricing Read More

The price of this trip is £1,935.00 per person and is based on availability at the time of booking. No accommodations or activities have been held so these are subject to change.

Pay a 25% deposit

Important Additional Information Read More
Terms & Conditions Read More

Please see our booking terms here.

Get in Touch


Accommodation

Glenuig Inn

Glenuig | Sound of Arisaig | Inverness Shire |
PH38 4NG | Scotland
Phone: + 44 (0) 1687 470 219
Web: glenuig.com

Holly Tree Hotel

Kentallen Pier | Glencoe | Argyll |
PA38 4BY | Scotland
Phone: +44 (0) 1631 740292
Web: hollytreehotel.co.uk

The Seelies

15-17 High Street | Kingussie | Highland |
PH21 1HS | Scotland
Phone: +44 (0) 7745 921431
Web: theseelies.co.uk


Meet Your Guide

James Orpwood

Contact Number: +44 (0)7887 622 470

Based in Aviemore, I love hillwalking, climbing, mountaineering and mountain biking and it thrills me to share my passion for the outdoors with others, whatever their age, ability or personal aspirations.

I moved on from a career as a fisheries scientist to work in the great outdoors, and I feel privileged to be able to share something that brings me so much pleasure and joy with others, wherever the adventure leads.

Away from home, my personal adventures have taken me around the world to trek and climb in Morocco, Nepal, Bolivia and Iceland where I have summited several peaks to 6000m+. However, it’s always fantastic to return home to Scotland and enjoy anything from a low-level stroll through a beautiful native forest, a wander along a tranquil lochside, or an ascent of one of our wonderful mountains. I’m sure to be smiling whatever the weather.

Full Web Bio