Winter Highland Explorations

Arrive In The Cairngorms

Make your way to your accommodation within the Cairngorms National Park, your home for the next five nights. This afternoon, settle in and either cosy in for the night or head out and explore the area.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Walk With The Local Reindeer Herd

This morning make your own way to Glenmore and follow a herder up to the lower slopes of the Cairngorms to visit the local Cairngorm reindeer herd in their wintery habitat. This is a special experience, but wrap up warm and prepare for the wild as the walk takes you just above the tree line!

Warm up and indulge in a delightful afternoon tea in the Highlands this afternoon.

Walk details: This varies depending on the herd location. It can be 45 minutes over rough terrain each way.
Note: The Reindeer visit may not be possible on some days as the herd is free roaming and tours are weather-dependent. In this circumstance, visit the Highland Wildlife Park for a self drive safari.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Explore the Ancient Caledonian Forest

Your guide for the next three days will meet you at your accommodation this morning. You will then head out to explore part of the ancient Caledonian Pine forest of Abernethy. The hikes will be tailored to you and your ability, but one option will take us past the beautiful Loch Garten and Loch Mallachie. If snow is lying on the ground, we may spot animal tracks or the animals themselves, such as pine martins, which inhabit these forests.

Walk details: Depends on the Route Chosen

*Optional Upgrade: Afternoon Woodcarving Session

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Marvels of Whisky & Endless Stars

Today, you head out to explore the heart of whisky country, home to more than half the distilleries in Scotland. Enjoy one of the many beautiful hikes here, maybe a section of the Speyside Way, a beautiful Long Distance Trail that winds through the heart of this renowned Whisky country. As you explore, your guide will tell you tales of the history of the ‘water of life’ in this area, both legal and slightly less so! Enjoy lunch in a great traditional local pub before heading to one of the local distilleries for a tour and tasting.

Tonight, you will have an early dinner, and if the sky is clear, we will head out after dark to enjoy the crisp, clear night sky, where the stars never seem to end.

Walk details: Depends on the Route Chosen
Note: The stargazing experience is weather dependent and may be rescheduled for the best conditions.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

The Drovers Road & The Faeries Lochan

This morning you will be met by your guide and travel together towards Glenmore and the starting point of our walk, which takes us over the Ryvoan pass. This was part of an old droving road through to Glenmore forest which has spectacular views of the Cairngorm mountains. Our route passes the unique green coloured ‘Lochain Uaine’ where the faeries wash their clothes.

Enjoy a cosy stop for a special treat of hot drinks and a hearty lunch in a remote historic bothy. Afterwards, if the weather is clear and you feel adventurous, you could head further up onto the nearby summit to enjoy the expansive views across the Spey Valley.

*Optional Upgrade: Private Afternoon Tour Of A ‘Closed Door’ Distillery

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Depart

Indulge in a hearty breakfast to fuel up before embarking on your onward journey.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Afternoon Woodcarving Session

Spend this afternoon with a local expert who will teach you the fascinating art of green wood carving using an axe and a knife. Learn how to safely choose and carve a piece of wood into useful and beautiful items. The session takes place in his woodland workshop area, but don’t worry; there is a wee wood-burning stove and hot drinks on the go, too.

Private Afternoon Tour Of A ‘Closed Door’ Distillery

Take an exclusive private tour of the Speyside whisky distillery. This artisan distillery uses time-honoured traditions to produce quality whisky and can only be visited by special arrangement.

Note: This tour is only available on certain days of the week.