Sunday 21st April – Sunday 28th April 2024
Adventure through the Highlands and off the beaten track to discover the true Scotland. Enjoy luxury accommodations where you can relax and unwind after the travel days and get under the skin of this ancient land as your knowledgable and expert guide brings the landscape to life as you venture away from the crowds.
On arrival into Edinburgh, you will be met by your main driver guide and will head north to your luxury hotel in the heart of the Cairngorm National Park to start your Highland adventure.
Due to the arrival time into EDI, stopping for dinner on route will be the best option (as Fife Arms will no longer be serving food on your arrival). Your guide will discuss the options with you and you can agree what will suit you best.
Overnight: Braemar | The Fife Arms
Room Type: Scottish Culture
Meals Included: None
Airline: British Airways | Flight Number: BA 1452
Departure Airport: LHR | Departure Time: 15:20
Arrival Airport: EDI | Arrival Time: 16:45
Name:
Dan Parker
Contact Number: 07837 957 584
Meeting Place: Edinburgh Airport Arrivals | Meeting Time: 04:45
Enjoy a full day hiking and exploring the mountains and rivers of beautiful Deeside with your expert guide, who will tailor the day to your preference. You may choose to explore the beautiful Balmoral Estate, a highland residence of the Royal Family since it was bought for Queen Victoria in 1852. With ancient Caledonian pine forests and hidden lochs, there are plenty of spots to explore.
Perhaps you will feel more energetic and choose to hike up into the atmospheric crags and corries of Lochnagar mountain which Lord Byron immortalised in verse, including the line “I sigh for the valley of dark Lochnagar”. The choice is yours and your guide will be on hand to make sure you have the best experience.
Overnight: Braemar | The Fife Arms
Room Type: Scottish Culture
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
This transfer day takes you through incredible scenery, so you have some choices to make. Discuss the options for a great half day hike with your guide. Or maybe take some time to explore some more historical locations. Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns and Cawdor Castle are all within easy reach here. Or visit a coastal village with artistic leanings and enjoy the charming sandy beaches. The choice is yours before your guide take you to your welcoming Inverness hotel.
Overnight: Inverness | Ness Walk
Room Type: Oak King
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Transferring West today you can choose to head into a beautiful glen to hike with your guide, or immerse yourselves in the legends & history of Loch Ness. Explore the ruins of Castle Urquhart on the shores of the loch. This large castle has a rich and bloody past that dates back centuries. It was eventually destroyed by government troops so it could no longer be used as a stronghold by local clans.
At the southern end of the loch you will find the canalside village of Fort Augustus. Step aboard a fast paced Zodiac boat trip out onto the dark waters of infamous Loch Ness. Enjoy the views and keep an eye out for the elusive monster before continuing to your opulent hotel at the foot of the highest mountain in the UK.
Overnight: Near Fort William | Inverlochy Castle Hotel
Room Type: Walled Garden Attic Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Today you will enjoy superb views as you drive west along the stunning Road to the Isles, this is frequently listed as one of the most beautiful drives in the world and it is easy to see why. Your guide will share the tales of the local area as you go, making the landscape come alive with characters and history. You may wish to stop at the historic Glenfinnan Monument, and see if you can spot the famous ‘Harry Potter Train’ puffing its way over the graceful arches of the viaduct. The white sand beaches of Arisaig are the perfect place to take a stroll and soak in the views of Skye and the Small Isles.
Overnight: Near Fort William | Inverlochy Castle Hotel
Room Type: Walled Garden Attic Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
The dramatic mountains and ridges of Glencoe have featured as the backdrop in many films and once you are looking up at these summits it is easy to see why! Today you will explore this famous valley with your guide, there are plenty of options to suit every level of energy and challenge. Then your guide will take you onwards to your unique hotel. There may be time for more explorations on route depending on time and your hiking route choices.
Overnight: Blair Atholl | The Old Manse of Blair
Room Type: The Paddock
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
This morning you head out on a fun Landrover ‘safari’ with a kilted Ranger. Exploring private estate tracks to see what traditional gillies and estate managers drive every day. Keep your eyes open for the local wildlife, Red Deer, Mountain Hares and Eagles that are all to be found here. This afternoon continue your local explorations with your guide, discovering the local gems and finishing the day with some delectable chocolates at a local award-winning specialist. Your guide will depart after taking you back to your hotel, leaving you to enjoy one last relaxing evening in the Highlands.
Overnight: Blair Atholl | The Old Manse of Blair
Room Type: The Paddock
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
A private transfer will collect you from your accommodation and take you to Edinburgh to meet your business group. Taking with you special memories and wonderful stories of your explorations.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Supplier: East of Scotland Chauffeur Drive
Booking Reference: 117554
Pick Up Location: Old Manse Of Blair | Pick Up Time: 09:30 | Approx Duration: 1.75 hrs
Phone: 0131 370 1555
End Destination = Gleneagles Townhouse in Edinburgh City Centre
Notes On Weather & Flexibility
Weather – April 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.
Mar Rd |
Braemar |
Royal Deeside |
AB35 5YL |
Scotland
Phone: +44 (0)1339 720 200
Web: thefifearms.com
Torlundy |
Near Fort William |
PH33 6SN |
Scotland
Phone: +44 (0) 1397 702 177
Web: inverlochycastlehotel.com
Blair Atholl |
Perthshire |
PH18 5TN |
Scotland
Phone: 01796 48 33 44
Web: theoldmanseofblair.com
Contact Number: 07837 957584
Originally from mid-Wales, I spent most of my teenage years exploring the local crags, trails and rivers in search of new adventures. I have lived in the highlands for 6 years now and I love exploring new remote regions of this beautiful country.
I am lucky enough to call Aviemore home with my young family where I enjoy spending long days on the bike looking for singletrack gold.
Sunday 21st April – Sunday 28th April 2024