Michael Triguboff's 70th Birthday Celebrations
Sunday 20th April – Thursday 24th April 2025
Overview
V2 – created 11th February 2025
Day by Day
Day 1 - Sunday 20th 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 21st 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 22nd 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 23rd 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.
In the late afternoon, 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 before enjoying dinner in the Flying Stag – the onsite pub at the Fife Arms.
Hike Details: 12 km / 7 miles | 200 m / 656 ft of ascent
Overnight: Braemar | The Fife Arms
Room Type: 3 x Victoriana Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5 - Thursday 24th April - Bag another munro and depart
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.
You will head to Inverness or Aberdeen airport at the end of the day for your flights home – taking with you memories of a lifetime and a longing to return.
Hike Details: 20 km / 12 miles | 930 m / 3,051 ft of ascent
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Trip Details
- Inclusions
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- 4 nights accommodation, as stated in the itinerary above
- Most meals, as stated in the itinerary above
- The services of a qualified and experienced guides from Day 1 to Day 5 inclusive
- All transfers in private vehicles driven by our guide on guided days
- Helicopter transfer from Kinloch Lodge to Fife Arms on Day 4
- Back up road transfer for Day 4 incase of inclement weather
- All guided hikes mentioned in the itinerary
- Entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary, specifically:
- Private boat trip on the Moray Firth to see the dolphins
- Entry ticket to Castle Mey for the non hikers
- Private foraging session
- Private storytelling session
- Entry ticket to Braemar Castle
- Entry ticket to Balmoral 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
- Drinks at dinner
- Activities and entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions
- Gratuities for the main driver guide
- Notes
-
- All suggested accommodations and services are subject to availability at the time of booking.
- A 20% deposit is required before any accommodation and services will be confirmed. Please note due to the accommodations we may need to ask for an additional deposit to cover their booking terms.
- This quote is valid for 14 days from the date quoted, after this time pricing may be subject to revision.
- Activities are only private if so specified.
- Pricing
-
Pricing:The NET price for this itinerary, based on 6 clients on a twin-share basis, and including a £12 per person conservation contribution is:
- £16,625 GBP per person
Conservation ContributionThis voluntary donation of £12 per person goes towards conservation projects in the locations we operate. If you would like to opt out just let your trip designer know.Clickhere for more information.
- Terms & Conditions
-
Please see our booking terms here.
Accommodation
Kinloch Lodge - Tongue
Tongue |
Sutherland |
IV27 4YL |
Scotland
Phone: +44 (0) 1847 611226
Web: kinloch.scot
The Fife Arms
Mar Rd |
Braemar |
Royal Deeside |
AB35 5YL |
Scotland
Phone: +44 (0)1339 720 200
Web: thefifearms.com
Michael Triguboff’s 70th Birthday Celebrations – V2
Sunday 20th April – Thursday 24th April 2025