Hiking holidays in Scotland
| country: | Scotland |
| location: | Cairngorms, Scottish Highlands, Perthshire |
| trip type: | Strenuous / very challenging hiking holidays |
| departures: | 2008: 25 Oct |
| price: | From £321 - £538 (5-7 days) excluding flights. Price depends on trip and duration. Please state which trip you are interested in when submitting your enquiry |
| late availability: | Late availability on all departures in September 2008 - applies to the following itineraries - Complete Cairngorms; Glens, Forests & Lochs; Purple Mountain Magis; Ben Nevis Challenge; & Classic Mountain Horseshoes. |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
Many of these choice routes visit overlooked or less well-known reaches of mountain sanctuaries for unique and dramatic views. Each holiday has a grade which reflects the distance, underfoot conditions and gradients encountered during the day. Opportunity is made for photography and regular breaks.
The grades are a general guide but if you have any queries whatsoever on the suitability of a particular holiday please don't hesitate to contact us to discuss the options. You should be in good general health.
We limit our walking groups to a maximum of 8 people (plus guide) to optimise the superb experience. On courses the maximum number of clients per instructor varies between 2 and 8. Singles, couples and friends of all ages & walks of life come on our holidays enjoying the friendly and very informal atmosphere. Many guests return yearly, some within the same season. All holidays and courses include all accommodation and full board - a cooked/continental breakfast, packed lunch to take on walks, and on your immediate return, tea and home-baked cake/biscuits followed by a 2 course evening meal. (Optional desserts are available at an additional charge of £2 per dessert).
Transport between Fraoch Lodge and the start/finish of the day's route, along with guiding of course, is also included.
Cairngorm 4000ers - Strenuous Walking
From £321 (5 days) ex flights, departs May
There are nine 4000ft peaks in Britain. 5 of these mighty mountains are in the ‘Gorms: Cairngorm (day1), Ben MacDui (day 2), Carn Toul, Braeriach & Sgor and Lochain Uaine (day3). This colossal mountainscape holds one of the finest collections of landforms on the planet. They are carved & divided by an array of huge amphitheatres, troughs & breaches. Our routes follow the brink of these impressive features to give you the best high ‘plateau’ walking anywhere.
Classic Torridon – Strenuous Walking
From £538 (7 days) ex flights, departs Jul
Torridon’s reputation is wholly justified. A landscape of towering buttresses & a primeval feel. For many this magnificent area provides the finest mountain days anywhere. I need say little more other than this holiday requires a good head for heights.
Highland Munros - Strenuous Walking
From £491 (7 days) ex flights, departs Aug
This is a great introduction to the challenges of Scotland’s high mountains. We head north, south, east & west! Coires & ridges abound giving you unending interest amongst some of the Highlands’ finest mountain scenery. Plus you climb Britain’s highest 2 peaks.
High Cairngorm Backpacking - Challenging Trekking
From £462 (7 days) ex flights, departs Jul
If you’re looking to totally immerse yourself in the mountains, then there’s no finer way than backpacking. If you want the perfect place to do it, then look no further than the Cairngorms. We avoid the repeated ups & downs & once the gentle ‘plateau’ is gained, we’re left to relax & enjoy. 2 journeys deep into remote Cairngorm splendour & an ideal introduction to the skill of wilderness backpacking.
Expedition 1: We begin with a 2 day trip & a steady climb from beautiful Glen Feshie to the summit of Sgor Gaoith & the very edge of the huge cliffs sweeping down to Loch Einich. After a night on the high plateau we walk the brink to ascend to Braeriach’s lofty summit. On one side the expanse of high plateau, on the other continuous cliffs & precipitous slopes - the finest of high level routes.
Expedition 2: This 3 day expedition is a ‘Grand Traverse’ over one of the remotest & least frequented parts of the National Park. This linear route takes us to the high tops of Beinn a’ Bhuird & Ben Avon, one of Scotland’s most unusual mountains. We stay in a bothy, camp at a high Lochan, look down into the wildest of corries, visit mysterious rock formations - a route of surprises & never-ending interest.
Autumn Munros - Strenuous Walking
From £498 (7 days) ex flights, departing 25 Oct 2008
The golden birch mixed with the deep green pines, rusty bracken & rich brown moors to the array of colours amongst the flora of the high tops make it a most colourful time of the year to visit.Empty Quarter - Moderate
Winter Munros - Strenuous Walking
From £505 (7 days) ex flights, departs Feb
Provides you with some classic high level winter hill walking on distinctive mountains in the east and central Highlands.
The grades are a general guide but if you have any queries whatsoever on the suitability of a particular holiday please don't hesitate to contact us to discuss the options. You should be in good general health.
We limit our walking groups to a maximum of 8 people (plus guide) to optimise the superb experience. On courses the maximum number of clients per instructor varies between 2 and 8. Singles, couples and friends of all ages & walks of life come on our holidays enjoying the friendly and very informal atmosphere. Many guests return yearly, some within the same season. All holidays and courses include all accommodation and full board - a cooked/continental breakfast, packed lunch to take on walks, and on your immediate return, tea and home-baked cake/biscuits followed by a 2 course evening meal. (Optional desserts are available at an additional charge of £2 per dessert).Transport between Fraoch Lodge and the start/finish of the day's route, along with guiding of course, is also included.
our hiking holidays in Scotland
The following trips are suitable for fit hill walkers or anyone who takes regular (weekly) aerobic exercise. Full mountain days (up to 6 to 8 hours) which may include steep ascents/descents over rough terrain.Cairngorm 4000ers - Strenuous Walking
From £321 (5 days) ex flights, departs May
There are nine 4000ft peaks in Britain. 5 of these mighty mountains are in the ‘Gorms: Cairngorm (day1), Ben MacDui (day 2), Carn Toul, Braeriach & Sgor and Lochain Uaine (day3). This colossal mountainscape holds one of the finest collections of landforms on the planet. They are carved & divided by an array of huge amphitheatres, troughs & breaches. Our routes follow the brink of these impressive features to give you the best high ‘plateau’ walking anywhere.
Classic Torridon – Strenuous Walking
From £538 (7 days) ex flights, departs Jul
Torridon’s reputation is wholly justified. A landscape of towering buttresses & a primeval feel. For many this magnificent area provides the finest mountain days anywhere. I need say little more other than this holiday requires a good head for heights.
Highland Munros - Strenuous Walking
From £491 (7 days) ex flights, departs Aug
This is a great introduction to the challenges of Scotland’s high mountains. We head north, south, east & west! Coires & ridges abound giving you unending interest amongst some of the Highlands’ finest mountain scenery. Plus you climb Britain’s highest 2 peaks.
High Cairngorm Backpacking - Challenging Trekking
From £462 (7 days) ex flights, departs Jul
If you’re looking to totally immerse yourself in the mountains, then there’s no finer way than backpacking. If you want the perfect place to do it, then look no further than the Cairngorms. We avoid the repeated ups & downs & once the gentle ‘plateau’ is gained, we’re left to relax & enjoy. 2 journeys deep into remote Cairngorm splendour & an ideal introduction to the skill of wilderness backpacking.
Expedition 1: We begin with a 2 day trip & a steady climb from beautiful Glen Feshie to the summit of Sgor Gaoith & the very edge of the huge cliffs sweeping down to Loch Einich. After a night on the high plateau we walk the brink to ascend to Braeriach’s lofty summit. On one side the expanse of high plateau, on the other continuous cliffs & precipitous slopes - the finest of high level routes.
Expedition 2: This 3 day expedition is a ‘Grand Traverse’ over one of the remotest & least frequented parts of the National Park. This linear route takes us to the high tops of Beinn a’ Bhuird & Ben Avon, one of Scotland’s most unusual mountains. We stay in a bothy, camp at a high Lochan, look down into the wildest of corries, visit mysterious rock formations - a route of surprises & never-ending interest.
Autumn Munros - Strenuous Walking
From £498 (7 days) ex flights, departing 25 Oct 2008
The golden birch mixed with the deep green pines, rusty bracken & rich brown moors to the array of colours amongst the flora of the high tops make it a most colourful time of the year to visit.Empty Quarter - Moderate
Winter Munros - Strenuous Walking
From £505 (7 days) ex flights, departs Feb
Provides you with some classic high level winter hill walking on distinctive mountains in the east and central Highlands.
travellers' tales
Everything that can be recycled or reused is, but yet at the same time this doesn’t effect the quality of the service offered and I feel this certainly adds to the whole experience and ambience of the lodge.
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green travel discount
In direct response to growing Climate Change concerns and reports of Methane (a severe greenhouse gas) being released from Siberia's melting permafrost during the summer, we are offering those who travel up to us by train or bus to Aviemore a £15 discount on the price of their holiday or course. Travel plans must be notified to us by the time balance of payment is due (min 28 days before departure).departure guarantee
We are proud to continue to offer our unique departure guarantee*. If your booking is confirmed by us you can be assured that your holiday will run. We can offer this guarantee as we are unique amongst walking holiday operators in Scotland by providing all the parts of your holiday (guiding, accommodation and catering) in-house. * We reserve the right to alter the venue and itinerary of holidays advertised as based away from our lodge.how this holiday makes a difference
 On all our holidays we have a 'leave nothing, take only photographs' policy. Our guides are asked to explain and encourage this policy. For example, leaving an apple core or feeding a seagull on a mountain summit may seem innocuous but it detracts from the 'untouched wilderness' aspect and can have a detrimental knock-on effect e.g. on the indigenous wildlife. Our guides are not only there for our clients safety & enjoyment but also to informally share their knowledge of the mountain environment - from its geological beginnings and natural history through to contemporary land management and its associated politics. We also like to convey an appreciation of the close interrelationship and intricacies between the geology, natural environment and the socio-economic aspects, past and present.As part of our continuing commitment to environmentally responsible holidays we are currently in the process of installing a wood pellet boiler here at the lodge (our main base for our walking holidays) here in Scotland. Along with the history we also like to convey the contemporary opportunities and pressures facing the area both environmental & socio-economic e.g. the detrimental effect of second home ownership. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |