EXPLORING SCOTLAND IN MIDSUMMER

Transcription

1 EXPLORING SCOTLAND IN MIDSUMMER HIGHLIGHTS JUNE 7-16, 2018 TRIP SUMMARY Seeing the sights that Edinburgh is famous for and having time to explore on your own Hiking the Cairngorms and in Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Listening to live Scottish music Hiking on the Isle of Skye and Knoydart Peninsula Learning about Scottish history and savoring the excellent Scottish cuisine, especially fresh seafood Phone: Outside the US: Fax:

2 TRIP AT A GLANCE Dates: Jun 7-16, 2018 Location: Edinburgh, Central Highlands, and Mull Cost: $2, Activities: Hiking Arrive: in Edinburgh at our hotel at 10AM on June 7 Depart: anytime from our Edinburgh hotel on June 16 TRIP OVERVIEW Midsummer is an amazing time in Scotland: days are very long and wildlife is abundant. On this trip we divide our time between three very different area of Scotland: Edinburgh, Scotland's most charming city; the Central Highlands, specifically the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park; and the West Coast. We spend the last three days in the charming seaside town of Plockton, visiting the Knoydart Peninsula and the Isle of Skye, spending the final day kayaking along the coast, and listening to traditional Scottish music at least one night. Wel have two vans and two guides on the trip, and we will have some flexibility in the itinerary. Taken all together our trip will give you a taste of the human and natural history, the exquisite beauty, and the diversity of Scotland. Maximum group size: 13 RATING This trip has lots of activity, interspersed with time for sightseeing, and our days can be enjoyed by any active and fit woman in good health who regularly walks briskly for exercise, loves being outdoors, and wants to see Scotland. We're rating this as both a 2 and 3 as having two vans provides some flexibility in the itinerary. A rating of 2 is suitable for any woman who regularly walks at a brisk pace, including hills, 3 to 4 days a week for minutes. A rating of 3 requires aerobic conditioning for minutes 3-4 days a week. Rating: 1 [2] [3] 4 5. WHAT'S INCLUDED Two local guides and an AGC guide Nine nights double occupancy accommodation Minivan transportation within Scotland All activities on the itinerary All meals from dinner on June 7 through breakfast on June 16 except for one lunch Tipping of local day guides Not included: transportation to Edinburgh, beverages at dinner, guide gratuities, anything not on the itinerary, items of a personal nature

3 OUR ITINERARY Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests. DAY 1 JUNE 7, THURSDAY We'll meet at our hotel in central Edinburgh at 10AM. Edinburgh is undoubtedly the most popular city in Scotland and you'll quickly understand why. The mix of old and new, the intriguing political history and compelling literary history, the scenic beauty, the current arts scene - all of these combine to make Edinburgh one of the most enjoyable cities you may ever visit. The key to quickly overcoming jet lag is to stay active the first day so that's what we'll do. We'll start with a guided tour of the city to help you get oriented: we'll stroll the Royal Mile, stopping to visit St Giles Cathedral, Gladstone's Land, the John Knox House, and Dunbar's Garden. You'll then have some free time in the afternoon to have lunch and pursue what interests you. Our guide will have lots of suggestions, such as climbing Calton Hill to admire the iconic views from it. If you're looking for a challenge, consider hiking up Arthur's Seat, the high hill in Holyrood Park at the edge of downtown. Although only 700 ft high, it has surprisingly wild feeling. We'll have an early dinner tonight so that those of you feeling jet lagged can finally get to bed. Overnight Parliament Hotel, Edinburgh D DAY 2 JUNE 8, FRIDAY What a difference a good night's sleep can make! After a hearty Scottish breakfast, you'll be all set for another day of adventure! Edinburgh is a charming city but the Scottish Highlands are calling. We'll leave Edinburgh via 18th century elegant New Town, visiting the amazing 100 year old Forth Bridge and the old harbor town, site of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel "Kidnapped". From there we continue to Stirling and Stirling Castle, Scotland's most significant historic castle and an excellent introduction to Scottish history and geography. After touring the castle we continue to Loch Katrine, the famous backstage to Walter Scott's ballad "Lady of the Lake" and the first major tourist pull in the Romantic period of the early 19th century. It's located in Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Scotland's second national park, and the area where the Highlands geologically starts. Beautiful scenery and a lovely one to two hour stroll along the banks is the perfect way to ease into the Highlands. Overnight Crieff Murray Park Hotel. Drive: 2.5 hours, hike: 1-2 hours B, L, D

4 DAY 3 JUNE 9, SATURDAY This morning we'll travel from Crieff to Kenmore Hills where another fabulous hike awaits. Once arriving at the trailhead, we'll follow a hill path across the moorland through Scot pines and other native trees to a massive cairn near the summit of the hill. The view is pretty spectacular! Loch Tay can be seen, backed by towering summits of the Ben Lawer range as well as the Carn Mairg mountains above Kenmore and the cone of Schiehallion, well worth the walk! And, speaking of the Ben Lawers - that'll be the afternoon hike for the day. After recharging with a picnic lunch, we'll hike the short nature trail that gives easy access to the slopes of the great Ben Lawers (Ben is the Scottish term for mountain, not the first name of someone named Lawers). This is the home of a National Nature Reserve because of its remarkable arctic-alpine flora, the result of a mix of altitude, lime-rich underlying rocks, and climate. We'll climb 350 feet on a rough path, high enough for more sweeping views of Loch Tay. It's an out-and-back path so we'll go as far as we choose before returning to Crieff to our cozy hotel and a well earned shower. Overnight Crieff Murray Park Hotel. Drive time: 2 hours round trip via pretty Killin and Dochart Waterfalls.Hiking time: 2-4 hours. B, L, D DAY 4 JUNE 10, SUNDAY Today's hike near the village of Kingussie is a classic hillwalk that leads us through many of the Victorian stone villas that make up the bulk of Kingussie, across the moors, and up and over the summit of Creag Beag. At the summit and as we descend, we'll have excellent views of Loch Gynack backed by the bare, rolling mounds of the Modadh Liath hills. This is a loop hike and we will begin and end in Kingussie. After our hike, we'll drive to Fort Augustus with a stop at the Dalwhinnie Whisky distillery if time allows (really, even if you don't like Scotch, this is Scotland!). We will be staying at the hotel in Fort Augustus for the next 2 nights. Overnight: Lovat Hotel Drive time: 2.5 hours. Hiking time: 2-4 hours. DAY 5 JUNE 11, MONDAY Waking up this morning may be quite pastoral with cows peacefully grazing outside our hotel windows. Enjoying another Scottish breakfast we'll then travel by van for a short 30 minute ride to our hike for the day. We'll be hiking a portion of the Meall Fuar-mhonaidh trail - a name that by now will just roll off the tongue! Meall Fuar-mhonaidh may not be well known by name, but it is the most prominent summit around Loch Ness and provides a straightforward hillwalk with good views all along the trail. The number of hours we hike will depend on several factors including weather and interest but the views will be unending regardless of our mileage. Returning to our vans we'll make a stop at a lovely cafe for a spot of tea before returning to our hotel in Fort Augustus. Overnight: Lovat Hotel Drive time: 1 hour. Hiking time: 3-5 hours. B, L, D

5 DAY 6 JUNE 12, TUESDAY We start the day with a spectacular drive over the steep Ratagan Pass, which offers superb views of Knoydart, the neighboring peninsula famous for its wild landscapes. In the gentle hillside of Glen Elg we stop to visit a broch, mysterious ruinous towers left to us by the Pictish people who inhabited Scotland 2000 years ago. Driving further along the wild coastline we arrive in the tiny and romantic village of Corran. Corran must be one of the remotest spots in Britain accessible by car; it is a very beautiful and peaceful spot on the shores of the incongruously named Loch Hourn (the Loch of Hell). Here our path takes us along a beautiful pebble beach, through heather and oak forests, always with magnificent views over to Skye and the lonely valleys of Knoydart and its big mountain, Labhar Bhein. Otters are a common sight on this hike and we'll hope to see them as they play just offshore. This is an out and back hike and we will do as much as both time and energy allow, enjoying scenery, otters and the occasional challenge! Following our hike, we will drive for 30 minutes to the picturesque fishing village Plockton where we'll spend the next 3 nights. There's live Scottish folk music tonight next door at the Plockton Inn (where we'll have dinner) for anyone who's interested. Overnight: The Haven Guest House in Plockton. Driving time: 2.5 hours. Hiking: 2-4 hours DAY 7 JUNE 13, WEDNESDAY Today we' ll head to the Isle of Skye! The beautiful isle of Skye affords us great scenery as well as an opportunity to learn more of Scotland's history. Our coastal hike gives witness to one of the saddest periods in Scottish history: the Highland Clearances, a period of time when landowners forcibly evicted entire villages of tenant farmers and their families who had lived on the land for generations to make way for raising sheep. Today's atmospheric and wild hike takes us to 2 of these deserted and now ruined villages, located in a stunningly beautiful coastal location with fabulous views of the islands Rum and Eig. The ruins left behind bear witness to a thriving community with some fine examples of dry stone walling. Sitting on the rock plateau at Boreraig, this is a fantastic place to take in the sound of nature and watch for seabirds, dolphins and otters, while contemplating the trauma of the people who were forced to move. Overnight: The Haven Guest House in Plockton. Driving time: 1.5 hours. Hiking: 5 Hours with breaks, 7.5 miles, undulating on rough paths.

6 DAY 8 JUNE 14, THURSDAY A change of pace is in store for us today as we give our legs a rest and spend the day kayaking. We'll learn or review the basics of sea kayaking and then develop our skills as we go on a guided coastal journey, discovering spectacular scenery and landscapes - no experience is necessary. At the end of the day, Plockton is also a great place to see seals and we'll go on a one hour seal tour. If you prefer not to kayak, this is also a charming place to spend time and you might choose just to have a relaxed day. The Plockton Inn offers live music again tonight. Overnight: The Haven Guest House in Plockton. Driving time: 0 Hiking time: 0 - just kayaking! DAY 9 JUNE 15, FRIDAY Unfortunately we'll be returning to Edinburgh today, heading back by way of Glen Coe where we can stop for a stroll. We'll journey south along the shores of Loch Lomond, trying hard not to sing the famous Scottish ballad "The Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lomond". We then continue past Glasgow and on to Edinburgh, where we'll go out to a final farewell dinner and share our memories of everything we've packed into such a short time. DAY 10 JUNE 16, SATURDAY Home? Or on to other adventures...you are free to leave anytime this morning. Public transportation to the airport is easily available, as is taxi service.

7 ADDITIONAL TRIP INFORMATION GETTING THERE You will be flying into Edinburgh (EDI). Once there, there are several ways to get from the airport to the Parliament Hotel (trip hotel), including trams and taxis. Edinburgh Airport has an excellent website ( with downloadable/printable maps to help locate your transportation options and other services available at the airport. Click on the Transportation Tab. More detailed options will be provided in the PreDeparture document. If you would like help with any travel plans we recommend our travel agent Barbara Nelson, Scan East West Travel, at or call ACCOMMODATIONS We spend our nights in non-chain locally owned hotels, inns, and B&Bs. We'll spend the first and last night at the Parliament House Hotel in Edinburgh, two nights at Crieff Murray Park Hotel Hotel, two nights at The Inch Hotel and three nights at the Haven Guesthousein Plockton. All of the rooms have ensuite bathrooms. Vegetarian options for this trip are available and limited. Other types of dietary needs cannot be accommodated unless supplemental food is brought. WEATHER The weather in Scotland can change rapidly. While the actual air temperatures are not that cold (60s to 70s) Scotland is a damp environment and it can often feel chillier than it is. The month of June is characterized by gradually rising daily high temperatures, with daily highs increasing from F over the course of the month. Historically, the month of June in Scotland sees precipitation at some point in the day about 50% of the time. This precipitation can be anything from a light misting rain to a moderate rain -but then, you are in Scotland! TRAVEL INSURANCE WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND TRIP CANCELLATION/TRIP INTERRUPTION INSURANCE, WHICH COVERS YOUR COST IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL OR INTERRUPT YOUR TRIP for medical reasons, trip delay, lost baggage, and other unforeseen emergencies. Adventures in Good Company will send you information about travel insurance with your registration information, or you may purchase coverage through your own insurance company. In order to avoid disappointment and expense in the event that you must cancel your trip we strongly urge you to purchase some type of insurance coverage. You can also sign up for it online at Travelex Insurance. To get the best rates, use as your location number on the Get A Quote page.

8 PACKING LIST FOOTWEAR 1 pair lightweight waterproof hiking boots. 1 pair comfortable shoes to wear when we re not hiking: athletic shoes or other 2-3 pair Hiking socks: wool or synthetic equivalent (Thorlo, Smartwool, Ultrex, or Teko) CLOTHING 1-2 pair of comfortable synthetic long (3/4) pants for hiking - zip-offs work well 2-3 synthetic or lightweight merino wool T-shirts or short-sleeved shirts 1 lightweight long-sleeved shirt for sun/bug protection - button up front is the best 1 pair lightweight long underwear top and bottoms 1 medium-weight top layer: wool shirt/pullover or synthetic equivalent. A lightweight fleece pullover or a fleece vest works well for this layer as well 1 warm, lightweight down/fleece jacket 1 rain jacket and rain pants waterproof/breathable fabric like Gore-tex 1 pair wool, Capilene, or Polartec gloves 1 warm/lightweight wool or fleece hat 1 buff 1 wide brimmed or baseball style hat for protection from the sun/rain Underwear and nightwear 1-2 outfits of casual clothing for around hotel/village and going out to dinner EQUIPMENT/ESSENTIALS Passport and a photocopy of your passport Pair of trekking poles (strongly recommended) 1 daypack (see notes on packing list for size recommendations) 1 pack cover or large plastic bag to line backpack for waterproofing Capacity to carry 2 liters of water (Please see Notes on Packing List) Sunglasses (100% UV blocking) and retention strap Sunscreen and lip block with SPF of at least 15 Headlamp/small flashlight Lightweight/travel umbrella 1-2 bandanas (multi-use) Wristwatch/travel alarm clock Ear plugs (for a good night s sleep!) Insect repellant TOILETRIES (small everything) Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, hand sanitizer, shampoo, contact lens paraphernalia, sanitary supplies Sunscreen and lip protection with sunblock of at least SPF 15 Personal first aid/patch kit - Band-Aids, 1 safety pin, moleskin, Compeed (or blister bandages), ibuprofen, any personal medications Please note: Individuals who have had or have the potential for a severe allergic reaction to insect stings, specific foods or medications must bring an epi-pen. Please consult your physician and tell your guide. OPTIONAL (not required, personal preference) Wash cloth (typically European linens do not include a wash cloth) Small journal and pen Electrical adaptor/converter Camera/charger Compact binoculars Favorite snack(s) Short gaiters Book or small game Splash guard (kayaking day) Swimsuit

9 NOTES ON PACKING Adventures in Good Company's packing list covers everything you need to assure your safety and comfort. You may not use everything you bring; however, you need to come prepared for all possible weather conditions. At the same time, you must be able to carry your own luggage, sometimes up and down stairs. Daypacks: Your daypack should be large enough to hold the following items: 1 liter of water, rain gear, lunch/snacks (for the day), sun screen, warm layer (fleece pullover or vest), personal first aid kit, lightweight gloves, warm hat and personal items such as camera,etc. We recommend a daypack with a capacity of between 1800 and 2400 cubic inches with a hip belt, padded shoulder straps, and lifters. Line your daypack with a durable plastic bag to keep your belongings dry and/or have an elasticized pack cover that fits snuggly over it. Before you leave home check to be sure that it is comfortable to wear all day and has sufficient space for all of your items. Note: Fanny-packs and hydration packs are not large enough to hold all of the items you will need for the day. Footwear: Well-fitting, sturdy boots or trail shoes are very important to your safety and enjoyment. If you plan to buy new boots, break them in by wearing them around town and taking some short hikes before your trip. For general hiking, lightweight or midweight cordura or leather boots with a Vibram sole work well. If you have weak ankles or are recovering from an ankle injury, get boots that come above the ankle you ll find that this will give you more support in uneven or slippery terrain. Remember to waterproof your boots before the trip. Even boots billed as waterproof need to be treated with a waterproofing product. Clothing: The clothing listed on the packing list has been chosen for your specific trip conditions and for its versatility for layering. NO COTTON for your active wear! All active wear should be made from synthetic/synthetic blends, down/down blends or wool/wool blends. Layering is the most practical and efficient method of insulating the body. Several layers of varied weight materials provide better insulation than one thick Layer of clothing. Also, adding or subtracting layers allows you to adjust to the temperature at your particular level of activity. Rain Gear: You will need a parka or jacket made of a coated nylon or a waterproof/breathable fabric like Gore-tex, HellyTech, Membrane, H2No, or Ultrex. Be sure it keeps water out. Before making this important purchase, be sure that it fits you properly. It should be large enough to fit over all your layers. In particular, the hood needs to be effective. It should shield your face from the rain and turn with your head. Movement of your arms must not interfere with the hood. Put on your daypack; can you still raise your arms? Your wind/rain pants should be comfortable, allow enough room for your layers, and permit free movement of your legs (for example, can you crouch comfortably?). Partial or full-length leg zippers are useful for easily putting your pants on over your boots. An inexpensive plastic poncho will both leak and tear easily and is not recommended. Hydration: Being able to easily access your water without assistance, so that you can drink frequently, is important to your safety and enjoyment. One method is to have a water bottle attached to your waist strap. Another option is to use a HYDRATION SYSTEM such as CamelBak, Platypus, and MSR bladder bags, which are collapsible water bags with a hose attachment that you drink from. The bags fit inside or outside your pack with the hose positioned over your shoulder so that you can access your water as you hike. Bladder bags can hold 1-3 liters of water. Trekking Poles: Trekking poles are strongly recommended for this trip. Trekking poles contribute to your safety by improving your balance and stability, and to your health by saving stress on your hips and knees. If you are not familiar with trekking poles, read this blog post that addresses the most commonly asked questions: Personal First Aid Kit: Bring a small first aid kit with familiar medicine and first aid supplies you might need. Recommendations include the following: blister or foot remedies like moleskin, Compeed, blister bandages, or similar, a small role of duct tape (always useful!), remedies for respiratory ailments, stomach ailments, sore muscles or joints. The guides will have a first aid kit but having what you know works well for you is a good idea.