Highlands Winter Walking
4 Days Starting in Pitlochry Train Station and ending in Pitlochry PH16 5AN, UK
Visiting: Pitlochry, Pitlochry Dam Visitor Centre, Cairngorms National Park, Loch Muick (Balmoral Estate), Lochnagar, Loch Muick
Tour operator:
Tour code:
HWW
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 8
Physical rating:
Medium
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans, Please advise requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
The ultimate winter escape in the rugged Scottish Highlands. Immerse yourself in the season on frosty walks through beautifully wild landscapes. Return from your crisp walks and warm up with a hot chocolate in your cosy lodge, experiencing that còsagach feeling. Get ready to embrace còsagach, the Scottish feeling of snug, sheltered and warm, on this cosy winter escape. As the temperature drops, Scotland’s breathtaking landscapes sparkle in the clear winter light. What better way to experience the Scottish winter than wrapping up warm, lacing up your walking boots and feeling the frost crunch underfoot as you’re guided through the wilds of west Scotland.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Pitlochry
Location: Pitlochry, Pitlochry Dam Visitor Centre
Accommodation: Lodge, LodgeLodgeLodgeLodgeLodgeLodge
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrive in Pitlochry, ready to check into your hotel between 16:00 and 17:00. Enjoy a delicious, welcome dinner as you get acquainted with your fellow travellers and your experienced winter mountain leader for the coming days.
If you require transfers from the train station, airport or ferry port, please contact us to make arrangements prior to travelling.
Day 2 : Walking In A Winter Wonderland
Location: Cairngorms National Park, Loch Muick (Balmoral Estate), Lochnagar
Accommodation: Lodge, LodgeLodgeLodgeLodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Start your day with a hearty Highland breakfast in your hotel, before packing up your overnight kit for your winter adventure into the Cairngorms National Park.
From your hotel, you will be transported to Loch Muick on the Balmoral Estate. Loch Muick is a stunning loch found at the foot of Loch Nagar, one of Scotland’s finest mountains. The Balmoral Estate has been the Scottish home of the royal family since it was purchased in 1852. It is also home to a variety of wildlife including grouse and red deer!
Your mountain leader will run through some winter skills with you to prepare you for the next two days of winter hiking in the harsh Scottish conditions.
Then it’s time to lace up your hiking boots as you and your fellow explorers begin your hike along the stony path that wraps around the banks of Loch Muick. Enjoy the breath-taking landscapes this part of the UK has to offer, as you embrace the frosty air. Stop for a picnic lunch before continuing your walk to the bothy.
On arrival at the bothy, help your guide and adventure buddies light the log fire to take the chill out of the air and to help you warm up after a wintery day in the Scottish hills. Your evening meal will be a team effort cooked camp style, complete with hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows for an after-dinner treat.
This bothy is one of the outhouses adjacent to the old royal hunting lodge where the late Queen Elizabeth II often took refuge. Your own refuge may be a little more basic but equally as exciting!
Gather around the fire, sharing stories, before settling down in your sleeping bag for the night.
Day 3 : Wild Landscape
Location: Loch Muick
Accommodation: Lodge, LodgeLodgeLodgeLodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a wholesome camp-style breakfast at the bothy with your fellow travellers before packing up, pulling on your hat and gloves and embracing the cool winter air as we venture back into the wild landscape. Today we’ll explore more of the incredible surrounding landscape, as we continue our walk around Loch Muick.
With so many breath-taking views of the landscape, you’ll be spoilt for choice on where to enjoy your picnic lunch before making your way back to the trail endpoint.
After a transfer back to Pitlochry and some time to enjoy a nice hot shower at your hotel, join your fellow travellers for a visit to the local whisky distillery for a tour & tasting session. The perfect way to warm up and celebrate the final night of your Cairngorm winter walking trip.
Day 4 : Mar Sin Leat (Farewell In Scottish Gaelic)
Location: Pitlochry
Meals Included: Breakfast
Savour your final breakfast with your fellow travellers this morning. Feeling truly immersed in the winter season, you’ll return home with a new perspective that adventure is out there, all year round.
What's Included
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2 days of guided walking in the Scottish Highlands
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3 nights accommodation in a comfortable lodge
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1 short ferry crossing
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1 native tree planted in our woodland
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Professional local guide
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All meals included
From Dinner on Day 1 to Breakfast on Day 4
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Accommodation
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Fully Guided
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Meals
What's Not Included
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International Travel
If you require transfers from the train station, airport or ferry port, please contact us to make arrangements prior to travelling.
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Tipping and Gratuities
Optional Extras
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Sleeping bag & mat hire
5-Sesson sleeping bag and mat hire
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Single Supplement
Single supplement
Mode of Transport
Return transfers can be arranged if you’re travelling by air, rail or ferry – please contact us to discuss your requirements
Accommodation
- 2 nights accommodation in a comfortable hotel in Pitlochry
- 1 night wild camping in a bothy owned by the Royal family
Check out our Q&As
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes, we use professional, local, English-speaking guides
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
Accommodation is on a twin-shared basis. A private room can be arranged, though an extra charge would apply - please enquire before booking. Private room – we can usually accommodate requests for your own room, please check with us before booking
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
No, this trip is for those aged 18 years & over
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What time should I arrive by on Day 1?
Please arrive for check in between 16.00 - 17.00pm
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What is the maximum group size?
8 people
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
This trip has a physical rating of 1, being Easy. However, it is a walking trip so you should be fit enough to manage the walking on each day of the trip.
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What you need to bring
Comfortable walking boots; Waterproof jacket & trousers; Warm layers for walking; Warm hat and gloves; Head torch; Day backpack - to carry hydration, lunch, snacks and spare clothing
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
All of our accommodation is priced on a shared basis so, as a solo traveller we’ll match you up with a like-minded, same-sex travel partner. You’ll both benefit from avoiding unnecessary single supplement charges and you might just spark up a friendship that lasts beyond the length of your trip. if you do prefer to have your own private room, that can usually be accommodated. If it’s a room for on
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What does 'fully supported mean?
When we talk about fully-supported adventures, this means we’ve made everything as simple as possible for you. We take care of your accommodation for the duration of your trip and provide all the transport you need within the UK. We also make all the arrangements necessary for your chosen activities.
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How many other people will be in my group?
Typically our groups are between 8 and 15 people. Of course when we’re dealing with specific activities such as mountain biking or hiking, we always work within the recognised guiding ratios. So for example, our mountain bike adventures will never exceed 8 guests in total.
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I'm making my own way to the start point of your tour. How do I know where to go?
If you plan to arrive by train, please contact us for information on the closest main line station to your tour start location. You’re welcome to arrange your own transfers or we will make arrangements on your behalf if preferred. If you plan to drive and need a suitable location to leave your car, please contact our team for recommendations on the best location to head for.
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Are you adventures suitable for children?
Our adventure packages are all aimed at adults aged 18 years or over. This is partly because many activities have height or age restrictions and we found that trying to factor this in when crafting our experiences, limited what we could include. Our aim is to deliver the best of the best in each region, so we weren’t comfortable with compromising the activities we could offer.
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