Matt Barger and friends - The boys take over Scotland

Day 1 - Wednesday 8^th May - Welcome to Scotland

On arrival at Edinburgh airport you will be met by your guides for the week and will head west on the first part of your adventure.  Depending on your time of arrival there may be time to head out for a short hike, feeling the sun against your skin and the wind in your hair in preparation for the week ahead!  Your accommodation is an amazing hideaway in the heart of the national park with incredible food and epic rooms.

Overnight: Balquhidder | Monachyle Mhor
Room Type: Feature or Courtyard rooms
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Thursday 9^th May - The Mountains of Loch Lomond

There are over 280 munros in Scotland and today you will bag your first one.  There are many to choose from but one of the classics is Ben Vorlich which offers incredible views across Loch Earn and also is a great one to start with.  If you are feeling up to it and the guide agrees, you could add on Stuc a’Chroin to chalk off two mountains today but this has steep, rocky ground so is not for the faint hearted!  Of course there are other options in the area and your guide will discuss the best options for the group.  After a big day, you will feast tonight on the delicious local produce from the award winning restaurant and raise a toast to your achievements.

Overnight: Balquhidder | Monachyle Mhor
Room Type: Feature or Courtyard
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Walk Details: 14 km / 9 miles | 1,145 m / 3,757 ft elevation gain | Approx: 8 hrs

Day 3 - Friday 10^th May - Transfer to Perthshire

It is time to head to your next destination but first there is an option for those that want to play to sneak in a quick round of golf at a local golf club.  For those that don’t want to play then there is the option for some foraging around the grounds of the hotel with the executive chef before you all meet up again for lunch – enjoying the tasty treats you have picked this morning.  After lunch, head west to Perthshire and the beautiful Fonab Castle with an option for a short leg stretch on the way, or perhaps a wee whisky tasting on arrival.

Overnight: Perthshire | Fonab Castle
Room Type: mixture of standards
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Saturday 11^th May - Canoeing on Loch Tay and Local Tales

In the soft, whispery light, quietly launch your canoes into the tranquil waters of Loch Tay for a morning spent exploring the glassy beauty of this deep, dark loch. With your expert guide, paddle along the peaceful shores, eventually beaching your boats in the perfect spot for a picnic with breathtaking views of the surrounding hills. After lunch, there is the option of playing at the iconic Kings Course at Gleneagles or for others, lace up your hiking boots and head into the hills – with only the sound of the wildlife and the stories from you guide as company.

Tonight, you can sit back and relax as a local storyteller weaves their magic with tales of days gone by and myths that have been handed down from generations.  A wonderful end to your time in Perthshire.

Overnight: Perthshire | Fonab Castle
Room Type: mixture of standards
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Sunday 12^th May - To the Cairngorms

It is time to head north to the largest national park in the UK.  There are many munros for you to choose from today to summit so take your pick and revel in ticking another one of these impressive mountains off your list.

Your accommodation tonight is a plethora of art and design where original paintings from world famous artists gaze down at you from the walls.

Overnight: Braemar | Fife Arms
Room Type: Scottish Culture Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Monday 13^th May - Hiking in the Cairngorms

Today, enjoy a hike in the beautiful Cairngorms National Park. At over 4500 sq km it is the largest National Park in the UK and with miles of winding rivers, make it Scotland’s most prolific whisky-making region. With your guide, choose a hike that suits you – perhaps head out onto the alpine plateau of the Cairngorms Mountain range and bag a sought-after Munro. Or choose to explore the Caledonian pine forest which is the oldest forest in Scotland and the last of the woodland that once covered the whole of the UK. Roam heather-covered glens and alongside jewel-like lochs for the perfect immersion into the ancient landscape.

Overnight: Braemar | Fife Arms
Room Type: Scottish Culture
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Tuesday 14^th May - Wild Swimming and Mini Highland Games

In the early morning light you will start the day with a refreshing dip.  Where the mist of the morning still lingers on the sparkling river, take the plunge and feel your body tingle as you swim downstream.  Warming up next to the riverbed, hear the birdsong and the breeze rippling through the trees before heading back to the hotel.

Later on, you will head to the local games ground where the Royal Highland Games happen each year.  Pit yourselves against each other in the heavy events and end the day with a tug-o-war – may the best team win!

Tonight you will enjoy a final dinner together in a private dining room with some traditional music for you to raise a glass to your Scottish adventure.

Overnight: Braemar | Fife Arms
Room Type: Scottish Culture Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Wednesday 15^th May - Depart

Your guide will take you to Inverness airport for your onward travel plans, taking with you a part of Scotland and a longing to return