Final Information - Scottish Explorations
Watson's
Sunday 15th September – Thursday 19th September 2024
Day by Day
Day 1 - Sunday 15th September - Welcome to Scotland - Hiking Perthshire
Your Guide will collect you from the Airport this morning to whisk you off to Highland Perthshire. Enjoy a special lunch before visiting Blair Castle, an iconic white castle with its own private army! Tour the castle itself and the grounds, and perhaps take a longer walk in the surrounding valleys if you want to explore more. There is a wonderful choice of hikes in the area, that your guide can discuss with you based on your interests, ability, and the weather conditions.
Afterward, you’re guide will take you to your welcoming highland retreat to relax and settle in.
Overnight: Pitlochry | Fonab Castle Hotel
Room Type: Castle Signature View room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 1 - Flight Details Read More +
Airline: Air Lingus | Flight Number: EI 3550
Departure Airport: Dublin Arrival Airport: Edinburgh (EDI) | Arrival Time: 09:05
Day 1 - Guide Details - James Orpwood Read More +
Name:
James Orpwood
Contact Number: +44 (0)7887 622 470
Meeting Place: Edinburgh Airport | Meeting Time: 09:05
Your guide will meet you at Arrivals at Edinburgh Airport.
Day 1 - Dinner Details Read More +
Restaurant: Victoria's Restaurant | Location: 45 Atholl Road Pitlcohry PH16 5BX
Reservation Time: 19:00 |
Booking Reference: B9DWN6CC
Phone: +444(0)1796 472 670
Please note this is a table reservation only. Please pay directly.
Name on the reservation is Watson.
Day 2 - Monday 16th September - Highland Adventures
The rivers around Perthshire are some of the best for fly fishing. You will meet a local ghillie this morning and head out to enjoy a day of fly fishing. Enjoy the tranquility of these rich and diverse surroundings as you cast your line and wait for the tell tale pull as you catch your prey. Your expert ghillie will help you to make the very best of this experience and will be on hand to guide you through local techniques and tips for these waters.
Your guide will arrange a meeting time with you the night before.
Overnight: Pitlochry | Fonab Castle Hotel
Room Type: Castle Signature View room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 2 - Dinner Details Read More +
Restaurant: 1892 On the Loch | Location: Foss Road Pitlochry Perthshire PH16 5ND
Reservation Time: 19:00 |
Booking Reference: 3Y3CH639VLN7
Phone: +44(0)1796 470 140
Please note this is a table reservation only. Please pay directly.
Name on the reservation is Watson.
Day 3 - Tuesday 17th September - Travel to Edinburgh - Kayaking
This morning travel with your guide to Edinburgh. On the way stop at the side of a small scenic loch you will meet a local expert and set out in kayaks onto the sparkling waters. Paddle your way across the serene Scottish waters, finding the perfect place to enjoy a hot drink, before more explorations of the shoreline. Once returned to dry land, you will travel with your guide into the city to your characterful hotel. Your guide will depart this evening leaving you to enjoy dinner before joining a tour that will taking a trip back in time. Wander the dark streets of Edinburgh to visit the eerie dwellings of the Real Mary King’s close. Experience a tour and learn how the locals used to live and work in these underground alleyways.
Your guide will arrange a meeting time with you the night before.
Overnight: Edinburgh | The Bonham
Room Type: Superior King Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 3 - Dinner Details Read More +
Restaurant: Kyloe Restaurant & Grill | Location: 1-3 Rutland Street Edinburgh EH1 2AE
Reservation Time: 19:45 |
Booking Reference: 6803721
Phone: +44(0)131 229 3402
Please note this is a table reservation only. Please pay directly.
Name on the reservation is Watson.
Day 3 - Public Walking Tour of Real Mary King's Close Read More +
Activity: Public Walking Tour of Real Mary King's Close
| Start Time: 18:00 | Approx Duration: 1 hrs
Booking Reference: 41736257
Phone: +44 (0) 131 225 0672 | Website: https://www.realmarykingsclose.com
Please arrive 10 minutes before the tour starts. The meeting point for the tour is on the Royal Mile, across from St. Giles’ Cathedral and the Mercat Cross
Day 4 - Wednesday 18th September - Exploring Edinburgh
After breakfast, meet your guide in the foyer of your hotel, be immersed in the winding cobbled streets of historic Old Town Edinburgh as you enjoy a private walking tour with an expert local guide. Discover the highlights of this unique capital city from the Palace of Holyroodhouse all the way up the ‘Royal Mile’ to the mighty ancient fortress which is Edinburgh Castle itself. Walk the ramparts atop castle rock and hear the tales of the One O’Clock gun and the stories of locals of times past. Your guide will leave you here so that you can spend as much time in the castle as you wish. You then have a free afternoon to continue your explorations at your own pace, pick up souvenirs or relax as you prefer.
Overnight: Edinburgh | The Bonham
Room Type: Superior King Room
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 4 - Guide Details - Hannah Tait Read More +
Name:
Hannah Tait
Contact Number: +44 (0)7920 408 507
Meeting Place: The Bonham, Reception | Meeting Time: 09:00
Your expert local guide, Hannah will meet you at the reception of your hotel and will have all the tickets and information required for your morning.
Day 4 - Dinner Details Read More +
Restaurant: Forage and Chatter
Reservation Time: 19:00 |
Booking Reference: 45329
Phone: +44(0)131 225 4599
Please note this is a table reservation only. Please pay directly.
Name on the reservation is Watson.
Day 5 - Thursday 19th September - Depart
A private transfer will collect you from your hotel this morning and whisk you to the airport in time for your onward flight, taking with you a small part of Scotland in your heart and a longing to return.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 5 - Transfer Details Read More +
Supplier: Littles Chauffeur Hire
Booking Reference: 2708832
Pick Up Location: The Bonham, Edinburgh | Pick Up Time: 08:30
Phone: +44 (0) 141 883 2111
Your private transfer driver will meet you at the reception of your hotel.
Transfer Company system will send contact details for the chauffeur as an SMS 30 minutes prior to the reservation taking place, to the mobile number for the travelling passenger. If the client is unable to locate our chauffeur, they must call the mobile number provided, or call the Little’s Office on +44 (0)141 883 2111, which operates 24/7.
Day 5 - Flight Details Read More +
Airline: British Airways | Flight Number: BA 1443
Departure Airport: Edinburgh (EDI) | Departure Time: 11:15
Arrival Airport: London Heathrow (LHR) | Arrival Time: 12:50
Trip Details
- Inclusions
-
- 4 nights accommodation, as stated in the itinerary above
- Most meals, as stated in the itinerary above
- The services of a qualified and experienced guide from Day 1 to Day 3
- All transfers in a private vehicle driven by our guide on guided days
- All guided hikes mentioned in the itinerary
- Entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary, specifically:
- Private Full Day Fly Fishing Experience
- Admission to Blair Castle
- Private Half Day Kayaking Experience
- Mary Kings Close Tour
- Private Half Day Edinburgh City Guide
- Admission to Edinburgh Castle
- Personalised trip design and delivery
- 24/7 In-Country Support from the Wilderness Team
- Exclusions
-
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Meals not mentioned in the inclusions
- Activities and entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions
- Gratuities for the main driver guide
- Notes
-
- Activities are only private if specifically stated
Notes On Weather & Flexibility
Weather – September 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
- Waterproof jacket with hood
- Waterproof over-pants
- Sturdy hiking boots/shoes (sneakers or tennis shoes are not suitable for any hiking in Scotland)
- Day pack 20-30 litre for carrying water and extra layers
- Reusable water bottle
- Warm layers
- Warm hat, gloves and a neck gaiter
- Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Smart casual attire for dinners
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.
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.
Luggage Notes
Please note that we expect travellers to bring an average of One Large Holdall or Suitcase and up to Two smaller day-bags or hand-luggage sized pieces. If you expect to bring more than this then please let us know well in advance of arrival so that we can ensure there is capacity for this (additional charges will apply if separate luggage transfers are required).
- Important Contact Numbers
-
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
Emergency Services
- Important Additional Information
-
- The Real Mary King's Close - Ticket - PDF: View Now
- Terms & Conditions
-
Please see our booking terms here.
Accommodation
Fonab Castle Hotel
Foss Road |
Pitlochry |
Perthshire |
PH16 5ND |
Scotland
Phone: +44 (0)1796 470140
Web: fonabcastlehotel.com
The Bonham
35 Drumsheugh Gardens |
Edinburgh |
Midlothian |
EH3 7RN |
Scotland
Phone: +44(0)131 226 6050
Web: thebonham.com
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.
Final Information – Scottish Explorations
Sunday 15th September – Thursday 19th September 2024