Shirley Lee and Family Highland Adventures

Day 1 - Friday 10^th April - Travel to the Cairngorms National Park

Today you will arrive at your leisure to the breathtaking Cairngorms National Park, where rolling hills, ancient forests, and wide Highland skies offer an immediate sense of calm and wonder. Nestled within this stunning landscape is your home for the next seven nights: the luxurious Muckrach Country House. This elegant Victorian shooting lodge, beautifully restored and thoughtfully appointed, promises comfort and charm in equal measure. Whether arriving in the soft light of afternoon or as dusk begins to fall, you will be ready to unwind and settle into the rhythms of Highland life.

Overnight: Grantown on Spey | Muckrach Country House
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2 - Saturday 11^th April - Hiking in the Cairngorms

This morning after a leisurely breakfast your guide will come and meet you at Muckrach and from here we will make our way to Glenmore and follow a herder up to the lower slopes of the Cairngorms to visit the local Cairngorm reindeer herd this a great trip for all of the family.

We will spend the remainder of the day with your guide perhaps exploring some of the amazing hikes or a visit to Loch Morlich the highest beach in Britain where the younger generation may want to hire a paddle board or canoe and potter around the loch beneath the shadow of the mountains.

You will return to Muckrach after a day well spent and enjoy a delicious dinner together.

Overnight: Grantown on Spey | Muckrach Country House
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3 - Sunday 12^th April - Free Day in the Cairngorms

After a leisurely breakfast, for those eager to explore, the surrounding Cairngorms National Park offers endless adventures—from gentle forest walks and wildlife spotting at the nearby Loch Garten Osprey Centre to more energetic hikes up local peaks or cycling along scenic trails. Alternatively, you can opt to stay closer to home and savour a slower pace, unwinding in the comfort of the house itself. With its stylish interiors, cosy lounges, and inviting garden, it’s an ideal spot to relax with a book or enjoy a leisurely lunch. For the ultimate treat, you can soak in the outdoor hot tub, taking in the tranquil Highland views and fresh mountain air without ever leaving the property

Overnight: Grantown on Spey | Muckrach Country House
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4 - Monday 13^th April - Into the Highlands

After breakfast, your guide will meet you and give you some options for today. One option is to head out for a short but spectacular walk. The Uath Lochans, known locally as the Paw Print Lochans, are a hive of biodiversity. Raised boardwalks wind through reedy marshlands. Look out for a glimpse of the occasional frog and the glittering wings of dragonflies as they dart over the wetlands. Climbing a short way to Farleitter Crag, this small hill offers incredible elevated views of the water, forest and surrounding Cairngorm Mountains. Relax into your accommodation this evening and spend some time together as a family.

Overnight: Grantown on Spey | Muckrach Country House
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5 - Tuesday 14^th April - Unique Foodie & Whisky Workshop

This morning we will head out together with the guide on a unique adventure.We will drive into the whisky hills to a private remote kitchen this morning and spend a fascinating few hours in the home and kitchen of the charismatic writer, broadcaster and ‘food anthropologist’ Ghillie Basan. Set in an idyllic location you will discover a colourful and well stocked kitchen with inspiring views over the local hills. Ghillie will guide you in cooking a delicious feast (including local ingredients foraged from the surrounding hills) while you share stories and learn about the dishes you are creating.

Overnight: Grantown on Spey | Muckrach Country House
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6 - Wednesday 15^th April - Free day exploring the Cairngorms

Depending on how everyone feels you may want to head out as a family today or go your separate ways with a scenic ride on the Strathspey Railway, where everyone can relax and enjoy panoramic views of the Highlands. For those up for a bit more adventure, a gentle walk around Loch an Eilein on Rothiemurchus Estate offers flat paths suitable for both young children and older family members, with a beautiful ruined castle on an island to spark imaginations.  In the afternoon, the whole family can meet up for lunch in Aviemore, then visit the Cairn Distillery, a modern home for the ancient craft of whisky-making. Here we will take a tour and taste amongst the  awe-inspiring backdrop. Wrapping up the day with storytelling or stargazing back at Muckrach would bring a perfect mix of connection, nature, and family fun.

Overnight: Grantown on Spey | Muckrach Country House
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7 - Thursday 16^th April - Final Free Day Exploring the Cairngorms

Your final day, perhaps the grandchildren may tempt you to adventure out to G2 Outdoor near Aviemore for an exciting zipline adventure through the Caledonian forest—ideal for older kids and teens. Afterwards,  stop for a relaxed packed lunch before continuing to the Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore. This open-air museum brings Highland history to life with costumed guides, traditional buildings, and plenty of space to explore. It’s an engaging, hands-on way to end your week in the Cairngorms before heading back for your final night at Muckrach for a celebratory family dinner.

Overnight: Grantown on Spey | Muckrach Country House
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8 - Friday 17^th April - Depart

After a last leisurely breakfast, bid farewell to the Highlands and your luxurious surroundings and head on your journey South

Meals Included: Breakfast