Scot-Trek

Wednesday 23rd May - Wednesday 30th May 2018

Tuscany

Return to our Italian oasis of the walled town of Barga in the hills of northern Tuscany and the most Scottish-friendly town in Italy. Most of the walks start from outside our base, the fabulous Casa Fontana listed as one of Trip Advisor’s top accommodations in Italy. Come along and see why! We use mule trails and good paths to visit mountain villages, market towns, an ancient monastery and gain a feel of the culture and life of the local people. Varied and fascinating walks through beautiful scenery full of colourful summer flowers. Very highly recommended.

Book this Holiday

close this box

Friday 8th June - Tuesday 12th June 2018

Isle of Lewis

Welcome return to the most northern of the Outer Hebrides. Based in the 3* Royal Hotel in Stornoway we have everything from a Black Pudding tour to a visit to Black Houses. En route we shall visit the grounds of Lews Castle, the magnificent beach at Uig, world famous stones of Callanish and the Butt of Lewis.

Book this Holiday

close this box

Thursday 5th July - Tuesday 10th July 2018

Orkney

From our base at 3* hotels in Kirkwall we explore many early history sites such as Skara Brae, Maes Howe and the Ness of Brodgar. We also visit charming Stromness, the Italian Chapel and sail out to one of the outer islands.

Book this Holiday

close this box

Saturday 4th August - Tuesday 7th August 2018

Muck + Eigg

Based at the very popular Gallanach Lodge on Muck we have the chance to explore this green island with a charming atmosphere. We also take a boat across to Eigg with its dramatic history and landscape. Dinner, Bed + Breakfast.

Book this Holiday

close this box

Saturday 1st September - Tuesday 4th September 2018

Raasay

Staying on Raasay means we have time to explore every corner of this beautiful island rather than being restricted to the area around the ferry terminal. We shall be able to discover both parts of Raasay. The wooded picturesque southern corner is where the ferry comes in and where virtually everyone lives. To the north which is now almost deserted is the highlands and coastline. This includes the famous hand-made ‘Calum’s Road.’

We stay at the ex-landowners home, the wonderful Raasay House. After decades as an outdoor centre it has recently been reborn after a major fire to include hotel rooms in the upper floors with dorms on the ground floor for children pursuing outdoor courses. This does mean that we can organise canoeing, boating, rock climbing etc for you if you are feeling particularly active!

Otherwise our walks are split between the two parts of the island. There are some good paths around the House and village letting us visit the Telford church, wander along the nearby bay and coastline and discover hidden lochans and graveyards. To the north there is a spectacular trek up Dun Can one of the most iconic hills and best viewpoints in Scotland. We shall walk the length of Calum’s Road and explore the sites of the many abandoned townships cleared in the 19 th century.

Book this Holiday

close this box

Saturday 22nd September - Saturday 29th September 2018

Slovakia

Popular return to the Tatras mountains in north Slovakia. This area is dotted with various ski resorts and the access paths to the national parks are excellent and all embracing. We are based in upgraded accommodation, with indoor swimming pool and spa, at the charming mountain village of Tatranska Lomnica. This area of Slovakia is very similar to the Swiss Alps with green valleys, spectacular mountains and beautiful chalets and villages.

Our walks are in the Tatras Mountains and Paradise National Parks. We follow an exhilarating path through the Sucha Bela Canyon, climb easily up to mountain lochans at almost 5000 feet, walk between the highest mountains in Slovakia, visit waterfalls and the largest Ice Caves in Europe. We will also make time to explore the attractive regional capital of Poprad with its charming ‘old town’. Those who want more challenging treks to the summits of the highest mountains can be accommodated although in some cases there might be a supplement involved. Various wildlife is to be found in the mountains and the valleys. Bears are common. They raided our hotel grounds in 2017! We use a private bus and electric trains to move quickly to the beginning of all the walks. In some cases we can take advantage of the cable cars and funicular railways to move easily up the mountains. Temperature will be 15 - 20°C.

Book this Holiday

close this box

Friday 5th October - Monday 8th October 2018

Royal Deeside

Relaxing weekend in beautiful Deeside. Surrounded by glorious scenery our walks are on excellent paths as we follow the River Dee through well maintained estates and attractive woodland. We have easy ascents up to local viewpoints and visit some historic communities. We are based in the attractive small town of Ballater where about every shop seems to have some royal connection!

Ballater is right in the heart of some wonderful walking country. We plan to walk through Invercauld Estate, complete the Seven Bridges walk around Ballater itself, climb easily up to the viewpoint over the Dee on Craigendarroch Hill, explore the dramatic landscape of Cambus o’ May and visit a spectacular castle. The walking is mainly very easy and generally on excellent paths and tracks with the old Deeside railway track put to good use. This is gentle countryside as the Dee meanders through some very pleasant woodland which should be stunning with the Autumn colours at this time of year. It’s a place to come to relax and enjoy the best of country life. We average 8 miles a day. This is a glorious area for gentle but very varied walking.

Book this Holiday

close this box

Friday 19th October - Monday 22nd October 2018

Lake District

Pleasant weekend in a beautiful quiet part of the Lake District. We are based in the northwest corner of the Lake District, close by Keswick, in the attractive village of Braithwaite. This is in the very heart of the area that Alfred Wainwright thought was the best in the Lakes for walking and exploring. We will offer a mixed selection of walks with the option of climbing onto one of the easier fells or staying on the more low-level routes through the valleys.

The paths are excellent and the landscape is pretty and ideal for walking. We walk an average of 7- 9 miles each day through the fields and valleys and then up gentle slopes into the grassy fells. By coming at this time of year we shall escape the crowds that sometimes spoil this beautiful area. Our relaxing weekend will be made even better by staying at the warm, cosy and friendly Braithwaite Country Inn with its lively bar, good food and perfect location.

One day will be spent walking down the wooded shore of Derwent water with the option of enjoying a launch across the lake. One trek will be up following becks along the pastoral Newlands valley with the option of an easy hillwalk up the Barrow before descending down an open valley. Another walk will be to the east of Derwentwater as we follow paths towards Borrowdale and a series of spectacular viewpoints.

Book this Holiday

close this box

Friday 2nd November - Sunday 4th November 2018

Arran

Always popular weekend in Arran with extra bonus of spectacular bonfire celebrations and glorious Autumn colours. Based in Brodick we have a selection of walks around Glen Rosa, Brodick Castle, Whiting Bay and a section of the Arran Coastal Way. Also the option to climb Goat Fell.

Arran does offer so much variety and in November it is at its very best. Marvellous scenery, Autumn colours and no crowds. We shall walk sections of the Arran Coastal Route either at Blackwaterfoot or between Whiting Bay and Lamlash, visit Glenashdale Falls, explore the splendour of Glen Rosa and the beauty of the grounds around Brodick Castle. Arran always offers magnificent views across to the mainland and the morning sun on Goatfell is a special sight. We plan to walk 7 - 8 miles each day. There is also the extra bonus, always much appreciated, of fantastic retail opportunities and an opportunity to make real progress on your Christmas shopping whether it be toiletries at Arran Aromatics or local produce such as cheese, beer, chocolates, oatcakes and preserves. As you might have guessed Gail has a say in these last sentences!

Book this Holiday

close this box