Monday 6th May – Wednesday 22nd May 2024
This trip to Scotland promises to deliver the perfect mix of challenge, discovery and wonder. Bike, hike and golf your way from island to valley to mountain, discovering some of the most remote and beautiful places in the Highlands.
On arrival at the airport you will meet you expert Guide, Ben, who will also be your driver throughout this trip. Load up the van and set off for the Isle of Arran, just a short ferry ride of the west coast of Scotland, stopping for a quick bite to eat before making the crossing.
Often described as ‘Scotland in miniature’, it boasts rugged mountains, deep glens, winding roads and small coastal villages, all on an island that is only 20 miles long and 10 miles wide. Settle in to your luxurious hotel on the shoreline and head for dinner before enjoying a restful evening after your day of travel.
Overnight: Isle of Arran | Auchrannie Resort
Room Type: Suite & Exec Double
Meals Included: Lunch
Travel Date: May 6, 2024 | Airline: British Airways | Flight Number: BA 1484
Departure Airport: London Heathrow | Departure Time: 13:10
Arrival Airport: Glasgow | Arrival Time: 14:35
Name:
Ben Anderson
Contact Number: +44(0)7585 948 228
Meeting Place: Glasgow Airport Arrivals | Meeting Time: 14:50
Operator: Caledonian MacBrayne
Departure Port: Ardrossan | Departure Time: 17:30
Arrival Port: Brodick | Arrival Time: 18:55
Check in closes at 17:30
Hotel: Brambles Seafood Grill | Location: Auchrannie Resort
Reservation Time: 19:30 |
Booking Reference: 485771
Phone: +44 (0) 1770 302 234
Today your guide will take you on an adventure to discover some of the Corbett’s that lie on the Isle of Arran, known as the little sisters of Munros but every bit as enjoyable. If weather conditions allow and you feel up to a big day in the hills, you could attempt a round of Beinn Tarsuinn, Caisteal Abhail, Cìr Mhòr, Goat Fell, a cluster of beautiful hills easily accessed. With views across the island in every direction, you won’t be disappointed.
Overnight: Isle of Arran | Auchrannie Resort
Room Type: Suite & Exec Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Pub: The Drift Inn | Location: Isle of Arran
Reservation Time: 18:30
Website: https://www.driftinnarran.com/
Today Matt and Ben will get on the bikes and set off on Arran’s most famous cycling route, the Arran circular! It’s got all the ingredients necessary for a perfect cycling loop, with a great balance of flat and hills, lots of cafés and cake stops and immense scenery. By no means an easy loop but a way to see every side of this beautiful island.
For Andy, you can spend the morning exploring the island with the second guide, perhaps enjoy a low level walk along one of the beaches or visit Brodick Castle with it’s incredible gardens, spectacular views and the Victorian Arcade where you pit yourselves against each other on some of the fun Victorian Games.
After getting the miles in on the bike and in the hills, enjoy a round of golf at Shiskine course before retiring for some well earned rest and relaxation at your hotel and sample some of the best local produce including amazing seafood and foraged delights.
Overnight: Isle of Arran | Auchrannie Resort
Room Type: Suite & Exec Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Activity: Round of Golf - Shishkine Golf and Tennis Club
| Start Time: 14:30 | Approx Duration: 2.5 hrs
Website: https://www.shiskinegolf.com/
Restaurant: Douglas Hotel | Location: Isle of Arran
Reservation Time: 18:30
Phone: +44 (0) 1770 302968 | Website: https://www.thedouglashotel.co.uk/bistro/
After a hearty breakfast, Matt, Andy and Ben will board a helicopter from Arran to Campletown on the mainland where you will enjoy a game of golf at Machrihanish Golf Course, it is sure to be a game with a view!
Enjoy a pint and a bite to eat at the golf club before jumping back on board your helicopter which will take you to Monachyle Mhor, a boutique hotel deep in the heart of Perthshire at the foot of stunning Scottish mountains. Enjoy dining in their award winning restaurant and take a walk along the shores of the loch which is surrounded by mountains and wildlife.
Overnight: Lochearnhead | Monachyle Mhor Hotel
Room Type: 2 Feature Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Supplier: Helicopter Transfer
Pick Up Location: Brodick | Pick Up Time: 09:40 | Approx Duration: 1 hrs
09:40: Take off from Brodick (arrival 40 mins before departure)
10:00: Land at Machrihanish Golf Club
Activity: Round of Golf - Macrahanish Golf Club
| Start Time: 10:26 | Approx Duration: 3.5 hrs
Website: https://www.machgolf.com/
*A caddie is booked to join Matt for this round of golf.
Supplier: Helicopter Transfer
Pick Up Location: Machrihanish Golf Club | Pick Up Time: 15:00 | Approx Duration: 1 hrs
15:00: Depart Machrihanish Golf Club
16:00: Land at Monachyle Mhor
Hotel: Monachyle Mhor Resturant | Location: Balquhidder
Reservation Time: 18:30
Website: https://monachylemhor.net/dine/
Today, Matt and Ben will set off for a full day on the bikes as you take on a route from Killin, past Ben Lawers & Loch Tay. Power up the hills and down the long stretches of quiet roads, enjoying the incredible scenery, stopping for a luxury picnic along the way. This route is sure to leave you with a big smile on your face!
Andy will be joined by a guide today to explore the Loch Tay area, with hills to climb, quaint villages and historical landmarks to explore, you will be spoilt for choice.
This afternoon, you will both continue your journey by car to Braemar with your guides. Enjoy a celebratory drink on arrival in one of the Fife Arm’s many bar options and indulge in their culinary delights.
Overnight: Braemar | The Fife Arms
Room Type: 1 x Royal Suite & 1 x Scottish Culture
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Hotel: The Flying Stag | Location: Braemar
Reservation Time: 18:30
Website: https://thefifearms.com/eat-drink/flying-stag/
This morning, Andy will depart the Cairngorms at 7.30am by private transfer to catch his onward connections, bidding farewell to Scotland for now.
After breakfast, Matt and Ben will head for the hills. There are 282 munros in Scotland and with so many to choose from in the Cairngorms, you are spoilt for choice. Classics like Ben Macdui which is the second highest mountain in Britain will give you spectacular views across the national park. Of course there are may more options for bagging munros in the area and your guide will discuss the best options for you and the weather conditions on the day.
After a big day, you will feast tonight on the delicious local produce and raise a toast to your achievement.
Overnight: Braemar | The Fife Arms
Room Type: Royal Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Hotel: The Clunie Dining Room | Location: Braemar
Reservation Time: 18:45
Website: https://thefifearms.com/eat-drink/the-clunie-dining-room/
Supplier: Private Transfer
Pick Up Location: Fife Arms | Pick Up Time: 07:30 | Approx Duration: 1.5 hrs
This morning you will head north to the awe inspiring mountains of Torridon. You can choose to stop off for a game of golf on your journey at Cabot course (formally known as Castle Stewart) before your onward journey to the heart of the Scottish Highlands.
Overnight: by Achnasheen | The Torridon
Room Type: Grand Master
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Activity: Round of Golf - Cabot Golf Course
| Start Time: 11:30 | Approx Duration: 3.5 hrs
Website: https://cabothighlands.com/
*A caddie is booked to join Matt for this round of golf.
Hotel: 1887 Restaurant | Location: Torridon
Reservation Time: 19:45
Phone: +44(0)1445 791 242 | Website: https://www.thetorridon.com/eat-drink/bo-muc-brasserie/
Today your guide will take you on an adventure into some of the UK’s most rugged and beautiful landscapes. Glen Torridon is surrounded by some of the most spectacular peaks in the UK, 6 of which are Munros. If weather conditions allow, you could attempt the traverse of Beinn Eighe ridge, a huge cluster of of rugged peaks, ridges and scree-covered slopes between Loch Maree and Glen Torridon. The spectacular path climbs very steeply through a magnificent ancient pinewood up onto a bare, ice-scraped plateau of rock. Depending on your chosen route you could bag 2 Munros on this challenging day out.
Overnight: by Achnasheen | The Torridon
Room Type: Grand Master
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Hotel: Bo and Muc | Location: Torridon
Reservation Time: 19:00
Phone: +44(0)144 579 1242 | Website: https://www.thetorridon.com/eat-drink/bo-muc-brasserie/
Today can be an adventure of your choice. You could head out for another day in the hills, weather dependent or perhaps you feel ready to take on one of the greatest bike climbs in Britain. The Bealach-Na-Ba really takes the breath away and offers a big cycling challenge with a gruelling uphill, starting from near sea-level it rises 626m in 9.1km of uphill, reaching 20% gradient. But your reward is an thrilling downhill, finishing your adventure on a high.
Overnight: by Achnasheen | The Torridon
Room Type: Grand Master
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Hotel: Bo and Muc | Location: Torridon
Reservation Time: 18:45
Phone: +44(0)144 579 1242 | Website: https://www.thetorridon.com/eat-drink/1887-restaurant/
After breakfast, you will collect your Range Rover Sport keys from the hotel reception, bidding farewell to your guide, begin the stunning drive to Dornoch, enjoying the spectacular views and winding roads through the Scottish Highlands, reflecting on your adventurous 8 days climbing and cycling through the diverse and awe-inspiring corners of this beautiful country.
*Car hire details in the notes section.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Pick Up Location: Torridon Hotel Reception | Pick Up Time: 09:30
Range Rover Sport HSE Dynamic GPS – 8 Day Hire
Pick Up: 15th May, Torridon Hotel, pick up keys at reception.
Drop Off: 22nd May, Dornoch Airport, park in carpark, drop keys at reception (more details will be confirmed shortly).
***Please note – This hire car has a £4000 excess/liability, should an accident or damage occur, you will be invoiced for the excess amount.
Today you will drop your rental car at Inverness Airport, and board your flight to Dublin. Bidding farewell to Scotland and onward to Dublin.
Drop Off Location: Dornoch Airport | Drop Off Time: 09:30
Drop Off: Inverness Airport, follow signs for Avis Returns, please enter code 0115 to get into Avis Car Returns car park and park vehicle in designated area. Drop keys at Avis key drop box.
Travel Date: May 22, 2024 | Airline: Net Jets | Flight Number: Private
Departure Airport: INV | Departure Time: 09:45
Arrival Airport: DUB | Arrival Time: 10:57
Car Hire
Range Rover Sport HSE Dynamic GPS – 8 Day Hire
Pick Up: 15th May, Torridon Hotel, pick up keys at reception.
Drop Off: 22nd May, Inverness Airport, follow signs for Avis Returns, please enter code 0115 to get into Avis Car Returns car park and park vehicle in designated area. Drop keys at Avis key drop box.
***Please note – This hire car has a £4000 excess/liability, should an accident or damage occur, you will be invoiced for the excess amount.
Notes On Weather & Flexibility
Weather – May in Scotland can be a very wide range of weather, and very changeable. Suitable clothing and footwear is essential, as well as a flexible attitude. Plans may have to be changed to accommodate Mother Nature, and your guide will have back-up plans that they will discuss with you if required.
Essential Packing List
Note: If you would like us to provide trekking poles for your use then please just let us know and we will ensure these are available for you.
Useful Contacts
24 hour in-country support (Wilderness Scotland): +44 (0)1479 420 020, or out with regular office hours +44 (0)7766 794 640 (urgent calls only)
Emergency services: 999 or 112
NHS 24 (24 hour free medical advice): 111
Tipping Guidelines
For tipping our guides – We don’t generally recommend a set amount as tipping is not expected in the same way that it is in North America. However, similar North American travel companies generally suggest something along the lines of £10-30 per person per day for your guide, which is a wide range to choose from. Generally, we would encourage you to ask yourself what you were expecting from your guide, and then think about how they have exceeded those expectations and choose an amount you are comfortable with.
For local services such as restaurants again tipping is not expected but if you receive great service then 10-15% of the bill is normal.
Please see our booking terms here.
Auchrannie Road |
Isle of Arran |
KA27 8BZ |
Scotland
Phone: +44 (0) 1770 302 234
Web: auchrannie.co.uk
Balquhidder |
Lochearnhead |
Perthshire |
FK19 8PQ |
Scotland
Phone: +44 (0)1877 384 622
Web: monachylemhor.net
Mar Rd |
Braemar |
Royal Deeside |
AB35 5YL |
Scotland
Phone: +44 (0)1339 720 200
Web: thefifearms.com
by Achnasheen |
Wester Ross |
IV22 2EY |
Scotland
Phone: +44 (0)1445 791 242
Web: thetorridon.com
Contact Number: 07585948228
I’m an enthusiastic and passionate cyclist and hill walker making sure my life and roles keep nature, fitness, family, and the outdoors at the forefront of what drives me. To guide and share the Scottish landscape is a privilege. The landscape provides challenge, excitement and creates memories. Cycling with steep crags hugging you from each side, walking through a remote Glen with big skies like an umbrella over us, listening to cuckoo’s and stags, these are moments we are so fortunate to experience on Scottish trips. It’s marvellous.
Exploring the entire highlands in long multi-day trips with all the weather, fun and adventure that these excursions bring. Shorter days and trips spent in the Cairngorms mountain biking or hiking through the forests and glens on trails you couldn’t find anywhere else.
Whilst working in Canada I’m fairly certain I saw Sasquatch!
Contact Number: 07970178066
Most people call me Wally. I have worked as an outdoor leader since I was 18. A UK mountain leader and single pitch climbing award holder. I climb in summer/winter all over Europe and the UK.
My Kayaking began on Welsh rivers and surfing waves on the Gower and Pembroke coast and has now become a bit more sedate since buying a sea boat.
West coast of Scotland. I live on the Isle of Arran, simply no place like it in Scotland. Mountains and Sea and road that goes all the way round.
My grandfather designed those meat carving forks with the hinged cut guard on the back preventing a sliced hand when cutting towards yourself!
Monday 6th May – Wednesday 22nd May 2024