Scot-Trek

Friday 24th February - Sunday 26th February 2012

Gigha

Two relaxing days in the tranquil and beautiful island of Gigha. Located off the west coast of Kintyre, Gigha is a little green island with a charm all of its own. Now owned by the islanders themselves this is a chance to visit this unique community.

The Gulf Stream washes by and has helped develop the magnificent Achamore Gardens, undoubtedly one of the best sited and finest gardens in Scotland and populated by pussy cats and peacocks! We will walk through the extensive grounds before climbing up to the ruins of Kilchattan kirk and the Ogham stone. Other walks are along some of the beautiful north and east coast beaches, up onto Creag Bhan and the wilder west coast landscape. The view from Creag Bhan is outstanding with the whole island laid out below your feet and in the distance Kintyre and the mountains of Mull. Now is your chance to find out why Gigha is known as the Paradise Isle. And probably to meet everyone on the island at the great Gigha Hotel - truly the heart of the island community. There is also an excellent craft centre at the hotel.

Price includes ferry from Tayinloan to Gigha.

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Friday 16th March - Sunday 18th March 2012

Crinan and Kilmartin

We walk along the Crinan canal, visit the amazing historical sites of Kilmartin and explore the wooded terrain of Knapdale. A holiday in a gentle, tranquil and completely unspoilt landscape with 4,000 years of history all around you. A weekend of tranquillity with the opportunity for trying some sensational seafood.

This coastal fringe of Argyll is one of the most attractive and gentle landscapes in western Scotland. This weekend we visit a combination of sandy coastline, early historic artefacts, Scotland's most interesting canal, quaint villages and a wooded peninsula as we wander easily though this unspoilt landscape.

Saturday: we walk from the Inn along the length of the canal to its western end at Crinan. This eight mile walk is level and is on an excellent towpath with magnificent sea and woodland scenery. En route the vistas are open and always changing as the canal meanders through a gap in the hills. This is the most attractive canal walk in Scotland. Once at Crinan you have the choice of visiting the Crinan Hotel, exploring the picturesque village or the energetic can make the short climb up the hill above Crinan to get glorious views over Jura and out to sea.

Sunday: we visit Dunadd, the hill where the original Scottish kings were crowned. Here we will check to see if anyone is 'Cinderella' before walking an easy four mile route through Kilmartin Glen amongst some of the most important sites in Scottish history. In the afternoon we will drive into Knapdale for a four mile trek amongst beautiful woodland and lochans. We might even be very lucky and see some of the newly re-introduced beavers.

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Friday 6th April - Monday 9th April 2012

Knoydart Adventure

Four days in the dramatic setting of Inverie and the Rough Bounds of Knoydart. Every level of walk from lochside stroll along Loch Nevis and easy treks through rugged passes to ascents of Ladhar Bheinn and the other Knoydart Munros is available. No-one ever comes to Knoydart only once ... come and find out why! Price includes ferry from Mallaig to Inverie. We stay in the luxurious Knoydart Lodge famed for its sensational breakfasts.

The low level treks include: 1 Walks through the Inverie Woods with great views down to Inverie Bay before exploring the old estate village. 2 Dramatic walk along beaches, secluded coves and rocky headlands as we head towards Sandaig Bay. 3 Following the Inverie River into the wild interior of the peninsula. We average eight miles a day.

The high level walks are dependent on the weather but we would hope to climb two of the three magnificent Munros in the Rough Bounds - Ladhar Bhein, Luinne Bheinn and Meal Buidhe. These are some of the finest and most sought after Munros in Scotland. The days are long, normally about eight hours duration, and are for experienced hillwalkers.

If you just want to relax, you can sit on the beach or in the famous Old Forge pub and enjoy the unbeatable view in front of you. On most trips there is at least one person who chooses just that option! All this and the many reminders of the fascinating history of this unique community. There will be an Easter ceilidh.

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Saturday 21st April - Saturday 28th April 2012

Netherlands: Limburg

Limburg is the most southerly province in the Netherlands positioned between Belgium and Germany and is a mecca for walkers from all three countries. It is an area of lovely undulating green countryside, meandering rivers and quaint villages. Criss-crossed by a wonderful network of excellent paths and dotted throughout by charming country inns it is the perfect area to trek. We shall also spend a day in the local capital of Maastricht which epitomises the European cafe culture.

We are based in the quaint, historic and very comfortable Hotel Hoeve de Plei in the village of Mechelen which is less than five miles from both the German and Belgian borders. Mechelen may not be large but it boasts five inns, one of which dates back to the 15th century.

From our hotel we have immediate access to a series of paths which follow gentle rivers through attractive valleys, pass through historic villages and climb easily up gentle ridges for views across into Germany and Belgium. One of our walks visits all three countries in about four hours including an easy ascent of the Drielandenpunt where the borders of the countries meet at the highest point in the Netherlands. But don't worry it's not a Munro! We shall also visit fascinating castles and can try the many local alcoholic specialities. The day in Maastricht will include a guided tour and a chance to enjoy the culture, exceptional shops and café lifestyle.

We shall average 6 - 10 miles a day but there is always the option of shortening the trek if you want. The hotel and village is so picturesque that, like Gail, you might feel a few days of complete relaxation is what you really want!

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Friday 11th May - Monday 14th May 2012

Ardnamurchan and Moidart

First Spring visit to this isolated West Highland peninsula. Several new walks are in the extended programme for the weekend. This is a vast land, alive with memories and remnants of Jacobite and early Scottish history. Come along and enjoy an area very few people ever visit and find out just what a mistake they have made.

We will visit many landmarks such as the remarkable Castle Tioram, Ardnamurchan point - the most westerly point on mainland Britain -with its amazing singing foghorn, pass through a volcanic crater on our way to Sanna Bay, and the Kentra sands which engulfed a whole community. One day will be spent around Ardnamurchan point and the other along the beautiful coast of Moidart. The walking includes strolls along sandy beaches, tracks to lost villages, a causeway to a fairy tale castle and cliff top treks. Coming in May means we can more appreciate the glorious sandy beaches. No ice on the beach this time! We average 8 - 10 miles each day.

If you get cold don't worry as the Ben View Hotel has a sauna and whirlpool so don't forget your swimsuit and towel! This area is noted for good food and the Ben View excels at this.

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Friday 25th May - Monday 28th May 2012

Skye and Raasay

Low level weekend with treks throughout the beautiful Misty Isle and on its forgotten neighbour Raasay. Skye is a big and varied island with a bit of everything. We will try and give you a feel for the character of Skye by walking in various terrain and onto picturesque promontories.

Skye is undoubtedly the most interesting and romantic of all Scottish islands. We spend this long weekend - after crossing the bridge over to Skye - exploring the many fascinating and beautiful corners of this special place. Raasay is quiet, remote and absolutely perfect for walking with its own spectacular scenery. Portree is the perfect base with excellent pubs and restaurants. Gail insists that there is also an abundance of nearby craft shops and that time will be allowed for such retail therapy! I appreciate the wonderful local baker. The programme of walks will vary according to the weather. This gives you a flavour:

Old Man of Storr and the Quirang: trip to Trotternish peninsula north of Portree to visit the Old Man of Storr and its unique landscape and then drop down to a beach where many fossils have been found. We continue up the peninsula to visit the equally memorable rock formation of the Quirang.

Raasay: we take the short ferry trip to Raasay, off the west coast of Skye, to explore an island criss-crossed with paths and full of history, tragedy and beautiful pastoral terrain. Option for those wanting a longer day to carry on to the magical top of Dun Caan. This is a remarkable spot like nowhere else in Scotland.

Glen Sligachan: a trek walking down Glen Sligachan in the shadow of the Cuillins. Good path provides an easy trek through the most magnificent mountain scenery in Britain to Loch Coruisk.

Coral Sands, Neist Point and Loch Dunvegan: visit to the wonderful coastline near Dunvegan, walk along the shining white Coral Sands and enjoy the stunning trek to Neist Point.

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Thursday 31st May - Tuesday 5th June 2012

Tiree

The combination of world-class beaches, turquoise sea and its famed sunny weather make Tiree an unforgettable island. It has a surprising variety of walks and history for such a relatively small place so there is great deal to do on Tiree. This really is an island to savour. If you feel adventuresome you could even try your hand at windsurfing which attracts thousands of surfers to Tiree each year.

Over the weekend we plan to climb two small hills to get the best views of the island and across to the Outer Hebrides. However, most of the time on Tiree will be spent wandering along the miles of machair which will be in full bloom and across the beautiful crescent sandy beaches and bays. The colours under your feet will be absolutely stunning. Tiree boasts the best selection of beaches in Scotland and it is quite possible to walk for hours without the need for boots or even shoes! We shall also have a chance to explore some early historical sights which now form a fascinating route across the island. There is an excellent local history centre minutes from the hotel. We are staying at Scarinish which is the main village on Tiree and next to the ferry terminal.

You can either 1. fly up to Tiree from Glasgow, - a one hour trip at 11 am or 2. sail from Oban. For this you would leave on the Friday and drive/bus/train up to Oban, spend the night in a B+B before getting the 5.45 am sailing to Tiree. It is a lovely sail as you pass Mull, Ardnamurchan and Coll en route during the four hour voyage. But it is early!

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Friday 15th June - Tuesday 19th June 2012

Lewis and Harris

Based in the comfortable and welcoming Hal o' the Wynd Guest House at the harbour of Stornoway in Lewis we spend five days exploring the coastline and interior of these Hebridean islands. The terrain varies from long sandy beaches to sea lochs and inland lochans with south Harris providing a rougher landscape. One thing you will never be here is bored as the scenery changes every few miles.

On Lewis our walks will include the famous white sands of Uig beach at Timsgearraidh in West Lewis near where the famous Lewis chessmen were found and a visit to the nearby Callanish Stones, probably the most dramatic early history site in the Hebrides. A half day will be spent in the vicinity of bustling Stornoway and the attractive grounds of Lews Castle. Stornoway is home to some good shops and cafes and is well worth exploring. We also shall head up to the Butt of Lewis, the most northerly point in the Hebrides and follow some of the wild paths in this remote corner. On Harris we shall walk along a stupendous path to Rhenigdale the last village in Britain to be provided with road access before visiting some spectacular beaches on the west coast.

There are two options in getting to Stornoway ... a one hour direct flight from Glasgow or the five hour bus up to Ullapool and then the three hour crossing. Full details of the options will be found in the Fact Sheet for the holiday.

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Friday 6th July - Wednesday 11th July 2012

Orkney

Six days on this wonderful archipelago. We have an extra day this trip to allow us to see even more. We are staying at the Stromness Hotel in Stromness on the west Mainland of Orkney. Most of our walks will be on the Mainland although one day will be spent on one of the smaller islands which encircle it. A holiday of relaxation, wide open spaces and gentle exploration. We will be in an area unbelievably rich in bird life and archaeological sites. Excellent food and very distinctive retail opportunities.

After the long journey north we will relax with easy coastal walks along the coast of the western Mainland visiting Marwick Head, Earl's Palace and the Viking settlement of Brough of Birsay. We will be walking through the most archaeologically important area in Scotland and en route we will visit some of those remarkable sights including the Ring of Brodgar, Skara Brae and Maes Howe. Another day will be exploring the eastern Mainland with a tour of historic Kirkwall, including St Magnus Cathedral, before heading to the coastal walks beyond the Gloup, Deerness and Mull Head. Time permitting we shall also cross to the famous Italian Chapel. Most of the treks are on short springy turf which make walking a joy.

We shall sail to one of the outlying island, perhaps Hoy, to see the magnificent Old Man as it soars out the sea just cross from our cliff top viewpoint. Or we might go to Westray or Birsay and their magnificent cliff top scenery and bird life. Both offer equally pleasant walks. All of the islands of Orkney have completely different characters and we shall have the time to get a feel for these fascinating communities.

There are two options for getting to Orkney. A seven hour bus up to Scrabster on the North coast followed by a two hour ferry crossing to Stromness; or a 1 hour 15 minute flight from Glasgow Airport to Kirkwall Airport followed by a 30 minute ride bus to Stromness.

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Friday 3rd August - Tuesday 7th August 2012

Isle of Man

A return visit to this somewhat surreal isle lying in the Irish sea between Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales. Most people have thought about visiting it but few have made the relatively short journey. It is well worth the effort, as everyone on the 2011 holiday will vouch for. It's only a short 40 minute flight from Glasgow Airport, and it offers every kind of walking imaginable in a small, compact island. We are based in the capital of Douglas.

For history buffs Man is a wonderfully evocative spot with the influences of so many cultures and countries making it a unique island. In its time it was a Viking kingdom controlling much of the Hebrides. We shall spend a couple of days on the south and south west coasts of the Isle of Man enjoying some stunning coastal and cliff top scenery as we walk between Castletown, Port St Mary, Port Erin and Peel. Another day will be to the north of Douglas including a walk through some beautiful, peaceful hamlets as we wander through the delightful countryside. For those who want more of a challenge there will be an ascent of Snaefell the highest hill on the Isle. This is very straightforward and the reward of reaching the top makes the effort worthwhile. From Snaefell there is every chance of seeing the four countries of the United Kingdom to the north, south, east and west. Or you can take a mountain railway to the summit!

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Saturday 18th August - Tuesday 21st August 2012

Melrose and the Borders

Long weekend based in Melrose exploring the fine open countryside and gentle hills of this very green and pleasant land. We follow the best sections of the Borders Abbey Way visiting Melrose, Dryburgh, Kelso and Jedburgh Abbeys and explore the beautiful walks around Melrose.

This is a taster to an area which most people are not aware of and undoubtedly it deserves more visitors. The walks are generally easy, the paths are good and the towns are charming. Above all it has a magical history and we shall take care to visit the ruins of the magnificent Border Abbeys which for hundreds of years were the greatest and most beautiful buildings in Scotland. We also shall follow a section of St Cuthbert's Way as it cuts across the Borders Abbey Way. It is also an area full of craft shops, and the home of many local delicacies which I for one am looking forward to revisiting. Gail is more interested in the craft shops! We average 7 - 9 miles a day.

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Friday 7th September - Monday 10th September 2012

Rhinns of Galloway and the Solway Firth

New weekend which complements the Solway Firth Weekend we have enjoyed so much over the last few years. It is a based in the charming village of Portpatrick in the Rhinns of Galloway nestled on the coast of the Solway Firth. If you liked Kipford you will love Portpatrick which is even more picturesque.

Portpatrick is only just over 20 miles from the Irish coast so we should see the hills of Antrim away to the south-west on our walks. We spend one day exploring the magnificent coastal walk to the north of the village as we follow the most westerly section of the Southern Upland Way. This is undoubtedly the finest section of the whole 220 mile Way but do not worry you only are following a six mile section of it! Other walks will include a trek around the Mull of Kintyre - the most southerly point of Scotland, a visit to beautiful Dunskey Glen, a walk down to Killantringan Lighthouse and a wander along the miles of sandy beaches at the well-named Sandhead. We average 8 - 9 miles each day and are rarely far away from the Solway coastline which offers a fine combination of sandy beaches and easy cliff top walking.

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Saturday 15th September - Saturday 22nd September 2012

Italy: Barga and Tuscany

Barga was the home of many Italian Scots and is both a magnificent and a very appropriate base for Scot-Trek's third visit to Italy. Situated in the Garfagnana, high above the Serchio valley, and about 1.5 hours drive north from Pisa, its position on a ridge offers a fantastic view of the surrounding countryside. Its location also allows for a multitude of walks leaving directly from the village.

The countryside is a combination of fine chestnut woods which will be absolutely stunning in September, gentle ridges, tiny fields and attractive mountain hamlets. Good paths criss-cross this countryside and make for excellent walking. Being 1000 feet above sea level means that the temperature should be perfect for walking. We average eight miles walking a day. One day will be spent just exploring Barga itself as it is a beautiful historic village with a warm charm. Think a somewhat warmer version of Stromness 1,000 feet up! It is the only place in Italy that has a permanent exhibition on its connections to Scotland, a Scottish shop and a fair smattering of Scots accents amongst the locals! It's even 'twinned' with four separate Scottish towns. Our hosts at the beautiful Casa Fontana are both from Scotland.

We shall arrange a day off to Lucca for those who wish to explore this delightful walled Tuscan town. A walk along the walls here are highly recommended as is climbing its many bell-towers. For those who want a more restful day its shops are magnificent.

For those who want a few days more challenging walking there will be a guide available to take people up into the Apuane and Appenine mountains which soar to 6,000 feet across the valley from Barga. This would be the equivalent of an easy day on a Munro.

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Friday 19th October - Monday 22nd October 2012

Royal Deeside II

After the wonderful Royal Deeside Walk in 2011 based in Ballater this year we move 15 miles to the west to explore the equally varied and pleasant walks around Braemar. If we are as lucky with the weather as in 2011 it will be another memorable weekend.

Braemar is a large village situated on the Dee near the end of the public road where the river heads towards its source in the high Cairngorms. It is a perfect base for all levels of walks. We shall spend a day exploring the area to the east near Crathie and Invercauld which boasts the perfect combination of a well maintained estate and picturesque woodland and hillocks located just alongside the Dee. You an even get a glimpse of Balmoral through the trees and visit the famous Crathie Kirk. Another day will be spent around Braemar, on one of the circular walks which encompass the village. These are mainly flat but there is the option of climbing the good path up the local hill and the magnificent viewpoint it offers. Another day will be spent to the west near the Linn of Quoich with spectacular river scenery and various easy walking loops all in the shadow of the mighty Cairngorms.

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Friday 2nd November - Sunday 4th November 2012

Arran

Always popular weekend in Arran with extra bonus of glorious Autumn colours. Based in Brodick we have a selection of walks around Glen Rosa, Brodick Castle, Whiting Bay and various sections 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 and no crowds. We shall walk sections of the Arran Coastal Route either at Blackwaterfoot and the Kings Cave 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 8 - 10 miles each day. There is also the opportunity, always taken advantage of, of fantastic retail therapy and the chance 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.

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Friday 23rd November - Sunday 25th November 2012

Holy Island and Northumberland Coast

Our annual visit to the enchanting Holy Island with its fairytale castle, beautiful village, medieval abbey, sandy beaches and rocky coves. There is also the dramatic causeway linking it with the long sandy Northumberland beaches which fringe this coastline. Always a special treat for everyone who visits.

We spend one day on the Holy Island exploring the nooks and crannies of its charming village, including its medieval abbey, before following the shore path around the island. We soon pass the wonderfully sited castle and then stroll along the wild coastline - which always seems to be pounded by the North Sea - past sandy coves, rocky beaches, sand dunes and through a Nature Reserve. Our other day starts with a 45 minute walk across the causeway to the mainland, or if you are brave you can try the shorter but much colder Pilgrims Way through the shallows of the bay. Not necessarily recommended for November! We then have a walk around the magnificent sandy beaches which stretch below the dominating Bamburgh Castle, the Edinburgh Castle of the North of England - and for a while its owners did indeed rule much of southern Scotland. We average eight miles a day.

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