WALKING IN SCOTLAND IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ROB ROY

Transcription

1 WALKING IN SCOTLAND IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ROB ROY Arrival times: Glasgow Airport: by 4pm. Edinburgh Airport: by 2pm plus transfer charges on arrival. Departure times: Edinburgh Airport: anytime possible. Glasgow Airport: after 9.30am or earlier upon arrangement plus transfer charges on day of departure. A Guided Walking and Sightseeing Tour through the Western Highlands with an Introductory Coach or Minibus Tour of Scotland. Our walking tour explores the most scenic regions of the Scottish Highlands. You will discover, on foot, the wide- open spaces of the Highlands and relax in the evenings in small, quality hotels which pride themselves on their personal service and excellent food. The walking part of the trip is based on just two hotels. Our walks take us through the locations of famous films such as Braveheart, Rob Roy and Highlander. To finish off your tour you will be taken south through Scotland to Edinburgh.

2 General Description of the Itinerary An experienced walking and tour guide who has lived in Scotland for many years will accompany you. The essence of the walking tour is the experience of the countryside rather than arduous physical exertion. It includes parts of the West Highland Way with optional ascents to the high tops, walks through some of the most beautiful of the Scottish glens, and across wild moorland; there is also a chance to climb Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, and to explore some mountain ridges. An eventful day's journey at the end of the walking tour takes you through Scotland, the length of the Great Glen, from Fort Augustus, alongside Loch Ness to the Highland capital, Inverness, south through the Grampian Mountains, and over the Forth Bridge to Edinburgh where we show you round the Scottish capital. The sightseeing highlights of the trip include a city tour of Edinburgh; visits to a whisky distillery and to one of the best preserved prehistoric stone circles in Scotland; a journey on the West Highland Railway Line across wild, romantic Rannoch Moor and an excursion to Loch Ness, where there is the chance of a boat trip. If you wish, a Scottish evening can be arranged. You do not have to be an experienced walker, but you should have the physical ability to walk for up to six hours. Strenuous or challenging elements of the walks can be avoided by easy alternative routes which your guide can arrange. On the other hand, you can take a day off from

3 walking if you prefer to relax, or you might like to hire a mountain bike for a day, or visit an interesting museum. Walking and touring groups are small so that we can give you personal attention. The smallest viable group is of six people, though usually a group consists of twelve to sixteen people. On the walks you need carry only a small day sack to hold your packed lunch and camera. In most instances the walk starts directly from the hotel you are staying in. Where transport is needed to the start of a walk we try to use the West Highland Railway wherever it is convenient. Thus the journey to the walk is itself an enjoyable experience, away from cars and roads. Daily Itinerary: Day 1. Arrival in Glasgow by 3:00 pm. Transfer to your hotel in the Crianlarich area. Getting to know one another and dinner. Day 2. Walk the West Highland Way amid beautiful and varied mountain scenery, through woods and open country with superb views, following historic routes used by Scottish clansmen. Very brief ascents and descents, ideal for the first day's walking. Duration about 6 hours. 21km (131/2 miles) Day 3. Walk Today you have a choice of 2 routes: most often walkers choose the seductively beautiful level or slightly undulating and less demanding route along a former military road. Duration 4 to 5 hours. 16 km (10 miles). The alternative route for all or for part of the group consists of steep ascents and descents and leads you over 3 summits with breathtaking panoramic views. Duration 10 hours. 28 kilometers (171/2 miles). Day 4. Walk Rannoch Moor. Walk across the wilderness of Rannoch Moor. It is one of the last vast areas of unspoiled nature in Europe,

4 with its own flora and fauna. The walk takes you past picturesque lochs with wide, sandy beaches, far from roads and civilisation. If the mythical creatures of Scottish folklore still exist anywhere, then it must be here! Duration 6 or 7 hours. 22 kilometers (131/2 miles). This fascinating day is rounded off by a railway journey to Fort William. Enjoy going to a pub or attending a Scottish evening. Day 5. Walk Ben Nevis. Ascend to the summit of the highest mountain in Great Britain, Ben Nevis, 1343 meters. Duration 8 hours. 16 kilometers (10 miles). During the ascent, especially from the summit, you will be rewarded by very impressive panoramic views. In ideal weather conditions you can see most of the Scottish Highlands and many of the Hebridean islands. An alternative walk is offered through Glen Nevis with its spectacular waterfalls. Duration from 3 to 6 hours. Day 6. Walk Glencoe. Journey into Glencoe, famed in history. Visit the Hidden Valley or choose alternative routes according to the walking abilities of the group. Or walk the final stretch of the West Highland Way. Duration 6 hours. 21 kilometers (131/2 miles). Day 7. Coach or minibus (depending on size of group) to Edinburgh. After a week's walking we relax on an extensive tour of the Great Glen and the Caledonian Canal to Loch Ness, followed by a short tour of Inverness, the Highland capital. You can visit a woollen mill and enjoy a guided tour of a whisky distillery with a chance to taste the Scottish elixir of life. After visiting the Culloden battlefield and a beautifully preserved prehistoric stone circle, you travel to Edinburgh where you enjoy a short city tour. As an optional extra you can take a ghost tour, a traditional. Scottish evening, or a pub- crawl. Day 8. Edinburgh and Departure or Transfer to the Second Week's Tour. Depending on travel arrangements, free time in Edinburgh, transfer to the airport and departure, or transfer to the next tour.

5 8 DEPARTURE DATES 2013: (always Saturday to Saturday) Introductory Tour: Spring walks: *, * Summer walks: *, * Heather seasons: *, * Indian Summer: * Guaranteed departures. All other departures, minimum of just 6 people. Further departures by arrangement. GREEN DATES INDICATE A GUARANTEED DEPARTURE AND PLACES AVAILABLE. YOU CAN MAKE A BOOKING WITHOUT HAVING TO ASK FIRST. BLACK dates mean please contact us. Either the minimum number of bookings has not yet been reached - WHICH IS QUITE NORMAL FOR JUNE - or one type of room (double, single or family) is available only on request. This tour can ideally be booked in combination with our other walking and sightseeing tours. Please ask us for details. WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRAVEL MORE THAN 8 DAYS? You can easily combine this tour with our other tours: "In the Heart of Scotland" (walking, culture and sport based on one centre, great value) "Islands and Highlands" (Mull, Iona, Skye, and Western Highlands) "Northern Highlights" (Orkney and Shetland Islands and Sutherland) "Scotland in Style - Railway Adventure" (guided or self- guided) "We organise your own individual holiday extension INCLUDED IN THE PRICE The walking tour price includes all visits, guides, entry fees, railway journeys and transfers as detailed in the

6 programme; experienced walking and tour guide; seven nights in very good small hotels with en- suite rooms and full Scottish breakfast, five three course dinners and five packed lunches; airport transfers, luggage transfer, maps as required and welcoming drink. PRICES 2013: Per person sharing a twin/double room (single room supplement ) Introductory tour: April 06, just (flight not included) Price on enquiry special rates for small groups - Discount for children up to 12 years sharing with parents: 50% Planned departures 2014: (always Saturday to Saturday) , *, *, *, *, *, *, * Guaranteed departures Further departures by arrangement Telephone: 0044 (0) Fax: 0044 (0) Address: 20 Old Abbey Road EH39 4BP North Berwick Scotland, UK robroytour@aol.com Website: Your specialist for guided and self- guided walking and cultural tours, study, activity and creative holidays and for specialist groups in the whole of Scotland - on the islands and in the Highlands, in England, Wales and Ireland.