Michael Triguboff's 70th Birthday Celebrations

Day 1 - Sunday 20^th April - Welcome to Scotland

On arrival into Inverness airport, you will be met by your private guides who will also be your drivers and you will set off for the north coast.  The views along the road that travels through the moorlands, are spectacular so sit back and relax and enjoy the scenery.

There are lots of options to stop for a warm up hike on your way and your guides will discuss all the options with you.  Depending on your time of arrival, there may even be time to enjoy a private boat trip in the Cromarty Firth to see the playful dolphins that live here before heading north.

Your accommodation this evening is nestled deep in the wilderness and a warm welcome awaits as you choose your rooms before enjoying dinner all together to celebrate your first night on Scottish soil.

Walks today will be discussed in advance and will be tailored depending on how long you have to hike.

Overnight: Tongue | Kinloch Lodge - Tongue
Room Type: Exclusive use
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2 - Monday 21^st April - Hiking and Exploring

For the keen hikers in the group you will set off to conquer Ben Hope, the most northerly of the Munros and a great way to start your time in the Northern Highlands.  The ascent is fairly short but steep and the views from the summit are spectacular.  The start is rocky but soon the path weaves steeply uphill to avoid any crags and offering incredible views up Strathmore.  This is a challenging day but the sense of reward after the steep climb will be worth it.

For the non hikers in the group, you will head east to explore the northern coastline.  It is a slightly longer drive but there will be plenty of places to stop off to take photographs or stretch your legs before arriving at your destination.  Your first stop will be the beloved Scottish home of the late Queen Mother, who purchased the house in 1952 and set about restoring it to its former glory.  Wander through the beautiful rooms and the impressive gardens with your guide, taking your time to stop and examine anything of interest.  Should time allow later, you can head on to John o’Groats to visit the famous signpost and perhaps take as stroll out towards the sea stacks at the most north easterly point of the Scottish Mainland.

You’ll return to the lodge in the early evening ready for dinner together to discuss your days.

Hiking notes: 8km/ 5 miles | 950m/ 3120 of ascent

Overnight: Tongue | Kinloch Lodge - Tongue
Room Type: Exclusive Use
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3 - Tuesday 22^nd April - Epic Highlands

For your last day on the north coast the hikers will head out to explore the estate that your lodge is located on.  Enjoy a riverside hike and a tramp across the hills before reaching a remote bothy with incredible views over Loch an Dithreibh.  Here the non hikers will meet you and you’ll feast on a spectacular lunch deep in the wilderness.

Everyone can hike back together should they wish but if not, the hikers can return to the lodge by a different path while the non hikers return by land Rover.

Tonight, your guides will depart with your luggage towards your next location while you enjoy an evening together as a family before heading south tomorrow.

Hike details: 14km/ 8 miles | 150m/ 490 ft of ascent

Overnight: Tongue | Kinloch Lodge - Tongue
Room Type: Exclusive Use
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4 - Wednesday 23^rd April - To the Cairngorms National Park

A private helicopter will take you from the northern coast to the heart of the largest National Park in the UK where your guides will be waiting for you.  Once you have freshened up, you can head out for an afternoon hike around the beautiful Loch Muick, breathing in the crisp mountain air and keeping your eyes peeled for some of the wildlife that calls this place home.

For the non hikers you will meet with a local guide who will take you on an amazing foraging experience through the village, collecting local flora and fauna and explaining how the Highlanders used to live off the land many years ago.  You will then create some fantastic cocktails to enjoy the fruits of your labour.

Tonight, you will all meet up again and enjoy an evening with a local storyteller who will regale you with tales of days gone by and the myths and legends that are woven into the very fabric of life here in the heart of Scotland.

Hike Details: 12 km / 7 miles | 200 m / 656 ft of ascent

Overnight: Braemar | The Fife Arms
Room Type: 3 x Royal Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Thursday 24^th April - Spirit and Spice and All Things Nice

You’ll all head out together today for a wonderful day deep in the Glenlivet Whisky Hills.  For the hikers, you may set off a bit earlier so you can work up an appetite as you hike across the ladder hills to the remote farmhouse retreat of a food anthropologist where you will spend the day indulging in a spirit and spice workshop.  Break down the flavours and aromas in whisky and then build them back up again with food, experiencing the different flavours that make your taste buds tingle as you devour the tasty morsels.

Sitting on her deck with just the sound of birdsong for company, you are truly going to be in the middle of the wilderness and can sit back, relax and let the stories of this amazing woman’s life wash over you as you sip on the delicious Uisge Beatha.

You will all return to the hotel in the late afternoon where you can enjoy some spa treatments or just a relaxing dinner as a family.

Hike Details: 14.5km / 9 miles | 519m / 1702ft of ascent

Overnight: Braemar | The Fife Arms
Room Type: 3 x Royal Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Friday 25^th April - Bag another munro

The hikers of the group will head out to tackle Lochnagar this morning. This is considered by some to be the finest peak in the whole Cairngorms and it’s easy to see why. Its northern flank boasts spectacular cliffs that perfectly frame the small loch that gives the mountain its name.  Hike to the summit on your last full day in Scotland and enjoy a wee dram at the top to toast your success.

For the non hikers, you can enjoy a day out exploring the wonderful scenery of this part of the Highlands.  Perhaps take a visit to Braemar Castle with it’s beautiful gardens and tragic history, or head to the Balmoral Estate, beloved home of the late Queen for a walk under the towering pines and to explore the state rooms at the castle as well as the grounds.

For your last night in Scotland you are in for a treat.  A private dinner in the Fog House awaits as you take your seats for a delicious final meal to the sound of some local trad music.  When you are ready, a private tutor will join you to teach you the steps of some famous ceilidh dances – learn the Dashing White Sargent, Strip the Willow and Gay Gordons as you take your partner by the hand and swing them round the floor.  A wonderful end to your time in Scotland.

Hike Details: 20 km / 12 miles | 930 m / 3,051 ft of ascent

Overnight: Braemar | The Fife Arms
Room Type: 3 x Royal Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7 - Saturday 26^th April - Depart

Your guides will take you to Inverness airport this morning to make your connection to London, waving goodbye for now but leaving you with memories that will last a lifetime and a longing to return.

Meals Included: Breakfast