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      Private Departures

      Low Carbon Adventure – Scottish Highlands

      Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights

      From: £2,265.00

      Travel Planning & Advice

      Book With Confidence

      Trip created by Paul Easto
      View Paul's Profile

      Region: Cairngorms and Central Highlands
      Trip Type: Private Departures
      Accommodation: Classic
      Deposit From: £566

      Grading: Your Own Pace

      Carbon Footprint: 82kg ? What does this mean?
      Click here to find out about our carbon labelling project and what we're doing to be more sustainable.

      All you need to know about your trip, this essential document is a must for all adventures.

      Download Itinerary

      This unique adventure through the majestic landscapes of the Scottish Highlands combines a traditional walking trip with low carbon travel. With all aspects of a wilderness trip, travel amongst the peaks and forests of the Cairngorms National Park armed with the knowledge that your trip is making a minimal negative impact on the environment.

      From scrumptious sustainable culinary experiences to getting down in the dirt to try your hand at rewilding, wildlife conservation, tree-planting and conservation efforts, this trip offers a glimpse at the future of travelling sustainably.

      Relaxing in your electric luxury vehicle, you’ll discover the epic landscapes of Scotland by e-bike, train, and foot. Pedal through remote mountainous regions and along lochside paths, feeling the wind in your face as you explore Highland hidden gems. The adventure doesn’t end with sunset. You’ll get the unique chance to overnight in one of the most isolated landscapes in Scotland – a rustic mountain bunkhouse not reachable by any roads. On the final night, you’re in for a treat. Unwind after your day’s explorations at one of Scotland’s most sustainable high-end hotels where the magic of Scotland meets minimum-impact travel.

      Wilderness Scotland takes its commitment to sustainability seriously. By 2030, we aim to hold True Net zero status backed by science-based targets and become an industry leader in terms of sustainable travel. Learn more here.

      Trip Highlights

      • A low-carbon trip with transportation in luxury electric vehicles.
      • Meet the owners of Lynbreck Croft who are on a mission to produce the best food for the local community while reconnecting people with the landscape.
      • E-bike to a remote mountain bunkhouse accessible only by foot, bike or train for an exclusive-use stay.
      • Cycle sections of the Great Glen Way by e-bike & stay at one of the lowest carbon hotels in Scotland.
      • Learn about Scottish rewilding from the conservation charity and our long-time partners, Trees for Life.

      Day by Day Itinerary

      Day 1 – Welcome to Scotland & Lynbreck Croft

      Arriving in the Highland capital of Inverness, meet your Wilderness guide at the train station. From Inverness, hop into your luxurious electric vehicle to reach Lynbreck Croft near the quaint town of Grantown-on-Spey, nestled in the Cairngorms National Park. Meet the croft owners who are on a mission to produce the best food for the local community while reconnecting people with the place in which they live. After lunch, you’ll enjoy a gentle walk along the Speyside Way from Boat of Garten to Aviemore. We’ll finish at the Cairngorm Brewery with a chance to sample some local craft ales. Tonight, you’ll stay in the village of Aviemore in an adventure-friendly and locally-owned guest house. (L, D)

      Day 2 – Hiking in the Cairngorms

      Today, you will have a full day to explore the Cairngorms National Park. With your guide, you’ll choose from a range of walks. As the largest national park in the UK and home to five of the nation’s six highest peaks, the Cairngorms Mountains are an important protected wilderness and an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. You’ll learn more about what makes the national park special, including local rewilding, wildlife and conservation efforts. One excellent hiking option is to climb Meall a Buachaille (Hill of the Shepherd). Enjoy views over the beautiful ‘Fairy Lochan’ before ascending to the summit. Upon the descent, marvel at the breathtaking views of the southern hills and the glittering surface of Loch Morlich. (B, L, D)

      Day 3 – E-bike to the Remote Loch Ossian

      Following a relaxed breakfast, we will get prepared and packed for an e-bike adventure into the remote wilderness of the Central Highlands. With your guide, hop on your e-bike to follow a stunning forest track which climbs through the trees before breaking out onto open hillside. The vast landscapes are breathtaking as our route gently descends to the remote Loch Ossian to reach our overnight accommodation. The mountain bunkhouse along the shores of the far-flung Loch Ossian is in Scotland’s most dramatic of locations, and you’ll have exclusive access during your stay. In fact, so remote is your accommodation’s location that the only way in and out is on foot, by bike or by train. You might like to take a short stroll before dinner at the nearby Station House restaurant – quite possibly the most remote and spectacularly located restaurant in the Highlands. (B, L, D)

      Day 4 – Cycle the Great Glen Way by E-bike

      After biking into Loch Ossian, you’ll get to experience the train journey for the return. Saying goodbye to your beautifully located accommodation, you’ll take the train to the village of Spean Bridge, though there are also options to e-bike back if preferable. From here, you’ll ride to Fort Augustus along a section of the Great Glen Way, a 78-mile (125km) long distance walking trail that runs alongside the jaw-dropping Great Glen just southwest of Inverness. Upon finishing your day’s cycle, arrive at your evening accommodation along the picturesque Loch Ness shores. As one of the lowest carbon accommodations in Scotland, this hotel has been making strides in its sustainability efforts while still maintaining decadent comfort and service. In addition to making a low environmental impact, you’ll enjoy the stunning lochside views and get the chance to relax in front of the fire. (B, L, D)

      Day 5 – Rewilding at Trees for Life

      On your final day, your group will visit the conservation charity and Wilderness Scotland’s long-time partner, Trees for Life. Stretch your legs on a walk through the lush Caledonian forestry, experiencing the magic of Scotland’s ancient woodland firsthand. Scotland’s woodlands once covered vast swathes of the nation but have been significantly impacted and reduced by human efforts – with just 1% of the original forest remaining by the 1950s. At the Rewilding Centre, learn about Trees for Life’s important work of natural forest regeneration, re-introducing native flora and fauna and rewilding Scotland’s wild spaces in a talk led by a passionate expert. (B, L)

      Download Itinerary

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      Private Departures
      Low Carbon Adventure – Scottish Highlands

      To download a PDF copy of our Trip Itinerary, containing full details about this holiday, please complete the form below:

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      The phone number field is not required but if you would like us to give you a call to help find the trip for you, then enter your telephone number including the country code.

      Book Now

      Price from: £2,265
      Duration: 5 Days 4 Nights

      Trip Details

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      Accommodation Read More

      All accommodations on this trip have been selected due to their sustainability efforts and low carbon footprint. As such, the standard ranges from a local B&B to a private-use mountain bunkhouse to a 4-star hotel.

      Meals Read More

      All meals are included as shown in the itinerary.

      When it comes to minimising our impact on the environment, our food choices are surprisingly quite important. With that in mind, the restaurants and cafes on this trip will be chosen for their sustainable elements when possible. We aim to keep the meals on this trip as low meat as possible.

      Included dinners are two courses as standard. Special dietary requirements can be catered for.

      Inclusions Read More

      This trip includes:

      • 4 nights accommodation in a variety of accommodation types.
      • All meals as indicated in the itinerary. Meals will be sustainably sourced when possible.
      • The services of an experienced and knowledgeable Wilderness guide throughout your trip.
      • All transport throughout the trip via electric vehicle, beginning and ending in Inverness.
      • Activities as stated in the itinerary, including the train from Loch Ossian, e-bike hire, a visit to Lynbreck Croft, a visit to Trees for Life, and a tasting at Cairngorms Brewery.
      Trip Grading Read More

      On this adventure, you will be accompanied by a Wilderness Scotland hiking guide for several days, who will be able to suggest and lead you on a range of hikes and e-bike rides, from gentle, low-level rambles to more challenging days across remote terrain. Just let them know what type of activity you would like to do, and they will be ready.

      Travel – Arrival and Departure Read More

      This trip has been designed to be of as low-carbon impact as possible. Ideally, guests will travel to and from Scotland on the Caledonian Sleeper, thus minimising carbon output, though this is not included.

      Throughout the trip, all transport will be in electric vehicles, with one local train journey. Our current EV type is the Tesla Model Y.

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      Speak to an Expert

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      Chris Page

      Our friendly office team hail from across the world but share a passion for the outdoor and wild spaces of Scotland. We are committed to providing you with the best customer service and are more than happy to chat through options and provide help and advice. Get in touch to find your perfect adventure.

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      Difficulty Grades Explained

      At Your Own Pace – Self Guided Holidays

      Our ‘At Your Own Pace’ trips are all suitable for anyone to enjoy, regardless of fitness level. Journey at your own pace, stopping as often as you like to soak up the magnificent scenery of the Scottish Highlands.

      You have the flexibility to choose how you spend each day and can choose from the many walking routes described in the information pack. There are also many non-walking activities featured in the pack that are suitable for all fitness levels.

      Further information for specific trips can be found in the relevant Trip Dossier. If you are in any doubt at all regarding your suitability for a trip, please contact us and we will be glad to talk about the trip in detail and provide you with a recommendation.

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