DATES
Sat 16th September 2023
-
Thu 21st September 2023
5 nights
This year we introduce a few more Scotland walks to give our guests the chance to explore the fantastic Scottish landscape and experience the true celtic charm that is Scotland. Walk in the Cairngorms and in the evening relax in the bustling central town of Aviemore or head out for some stargazing .The National Park has been awarded international Dark Sky Park status. If you would like to extend with a visit to Edinburgh , Aberdeen or other parts of Scotland we can help arrange that too.
SUMMARY
Dates: Saturday 16th September to Thursday 21st Sept – 5 nights/5 days walks
Guide: Stef Lauer
Walking Grade: 3 Goats
Base: The Cairngorm Guest House is a small family run hotel with just 13 ensuite bedrooms. It is perfectly situated for our walks and quite close to the Railway station. They serve a hearty highland breakfast to set our guests up for the day. There is a residents lounge for group meetings or just to relax at the end of the day. Also a drying room which is very handy in case of wet weather.
Please arrive by 3pm for a briefing and walk. Check in is from 3pm.
There is a train station in Aviemore and the nearest airport is Inverness about 45 minutes’ drive away
We would encourage people to travel by public transport. Why not try the Caledonian Sleeper from London to Aviemore details in this link: Sleeper train. Your adventure begins from the moment you board the train. The overnight train arrives into Aviemore at 9am on Day 1.
Departure is after a morning walk on the last day.
If you need help with flights or trains do get in touch with Helen our travel concierge service – helen.wheatley@travelcounsellors.com Or call on – 01522 716180/07775 927746
Price: £898 per person for the holiday to include:
- Ensuite solo occupancy Bed & Breakfast accommodation
- Welcome dinner on the first night
- Specialist mountain guiding
- Local Transport for walks where required
Not included: return travel to Aviemore, evening meals after the first night, drinks, anything not mentioned in the itinerary.
If you bring a friend or partner and share a room there is a discount of £150 pp . Total price for holiday = £748 per person .
DETAILS
The Cairngorms are the UK’s largest national park (it is twice the size of the Lake District National Park and bigger than the whole of Luxembourg) and they are home to 4 of the 5 highest mountains in the British Isles as well as the largest Caledonian forests. With more high-level mountain ground than anywhere else in Britain and Ireland, the National Park offers a vital habitat for rare mountain plants and other scarce wildlife. Its beauty is breath-taking and has inspired many a mountaineer and poet.
The Scottish poet Nan Shepherd had a life-long fascination for The Cairngorms and many will be familiar with her poetic prose, especially showcased in her work ‘The Living Mountain’:
“Yet often the mountain gives itself most completely when I have no destination, when I reach nowhere in particular, but have gone out merely to be with the mountain as one visits a friend with no intention but to be with him.”
― Nan Shepherd, The Living Mountain: A Celebration of the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland
The gateway into the Cairngorms is Aviemore which is a year-round destination with snow sports being the popular winter activity and walking, climbing, biking, and a whole host of other activities the main summer draw. Our guest house is in the bustling heart of it all, making the surrounding areas easily accessible.
Our walks will give you a special introduction to the diverse landscapes of the Cairngorms. On our day trip to the Morayshire Coast and through whisky country, the views will change again. There will be time to sample local food and drinks.
ITINERARY
Itineraries are subject to change at the discretion of the guide and depending on the weather. More detail will be provided.
Day 1: Saturday 16th September ARRIVAL
Arrival and settle in. You will meet with your guide, Stef, for a briefing at 3pm with a local walk before dinner together at a nearby restaurant.
Day 2: Sunday 17th September AN INTRODUCTION TO THE CAIRNGORMS
This morning we will take public transport into the heart of the Glenmore Forest Park. Our walk today is a great way of introducing you to the views and wonders of the Cairngorms by climbing the corbett (Scottish mountains over 800m) Meall A’Bhuachaille. The name means in Gaelic ‘hill of the shepherd’ and Stef will happily explain why. The hill gives some fine vistas over the Cairngorms, its surrounding forest parks and Highland lochs.
9km, 550m of ascent
Day 3: Monday 18th September THE CAIRNGORM PLATEAU
After yesterday’s warm up, we are venturing further onto the Cairngorm plateau and we’ll literally wander in the footsteps of the Scottish poet, Nan Shepherd. Nan roamed the Cairngorm hills all her life and her beautiful words from her book ‘The Living Mountain’ will be accompanying us. Depending on snow conditions, we might tackle a higher summit.
11km, 800m of ascent
Day 4: Tuesday 19th September STRATHSPEY RAILWAY
Choo choo – we are off on a steam train today! The Strathspey Steam Railway was brought back to life in 1978 and runs between Aviemore and Broomhill in Strathspey. We’ll enjoy the blast from the past and alight at the quaint Highland village of Boat of Garten for a wee explore. We join the well-known long-distance path, The Speyside Way, and return to Aviemore on foot. Afterwards there is some free time to relax, enjoy the local spa, do some shopping or go for another wander.
10km, 50m ascent
Day 5: Wednesday 20th September SPEYSIDE WHISKY COUNTRY & MORAYSHIRE COAST
We take a day trip today through Speyside Whisky Country on our excursion to the coast.
Whether you like to sample a dram, or if you have not been converted yet, whisky is the life blood of Scotland and part of its history, heritage and pride. We take a scenic drive through the rolling Speyside hills, past many familiar sounding whisky distilleries, following the River Spey. We are heading for the coast where we will explore the Morayshire Coast which is dubbed ‘The Scottish Riviera’ with its mild climate and stunning sandy beaches. On our outing today, we will do at least two walks of approx. 5km each with minimal ascent.
If you are interested in the adventures of Anne Lister (English lesbian diarist, business woman and landowner from the 1800’s): she travelled Scotland extensively in 1828 with her companion, Scottish noble woman Sibella MacLean and explored Morayshire as part of their 3 month long journey. Stef is currently busy piecing together a new Highland tour of Anne & Sibella’s journey and might give you a wee taster of what’s to come.
Day 6: Thursday 21st September
Departure with time for a local morning walk (not guided).
The Caledonian Sleeper train leaves in the evening from Aviemore.
CALL 01784 664063 – EMAIL CONTACTUS@WALKINGWOMEN.COM
