Scottish Highlands holidays

A very enjoyable holiday particularly for the children who have not stopped talking about it yet... Taking part in the bushcraft activity and watching our grandchildren as they tried wild foods and made fire. The enthusiasm with which they approached every new challenge and the knowledge that they gained is priceless. (more)Frank White

I loved it! It helped the environment and taught you a lot about the area and animals around you. We were kept entertained and had a really fun time - I will always remember this holiday. (more)Saskia Robinson

Memorable parts? Seeing dolphins in the wild 50 meters in front of you. Even if it was raining and very windy! Tips? Pack a rain coat just in case you get the weather I had. Take a camera, but don't expect a guaranteed perfect dolphin photo, they move very fast in the water and it is hard to focus. Local benefits? Yes, our guide took great care in making sure the impact on the dolphins was minimal, and the dolphin watching boat we went on was of local origin. Overall... (more)Rosemary Henderson

Memorable parts? The hospitality shown by the hosts Rebecca and Andy, who welcome you warmly into their home. The meals were fabulous and the packed lunches the best yet. Tips? Stay longer than we did, do more walking than we did, it will be worth it. Local benefits? Yes - we walked into Aviemore, and took the local steam train back, had a drink in the local pub, bought goodies from the local store and visited a nearby village tearoom. Overall rating? Excellent,... (more)Stephen Brown

Excellent...Extremely welcoming host, all facilities excellent & so refreshing to see eco policies put into practice so thoroughly (more)Geraldine Moon

This was the best holiday I have had in a long time and I travel frequently as I am retired. Everything about the accommodation is first class, from the moment you are met on arrival, through the delicious and wonderful meals, the oh so cozy bedroom and the exquisite decor of the house. (more)T. J. Rose

B&B was excellent with very comfortable accommodation, great food, wonderful Highland stoneware crockery (a personal favourite) and fantastic facilities. (more)Joan Johnson

Memorable parts? The most memorable and exciting part of the holiday was drinking nettle beer as the sun went down on the Saturday night. We'd had a busy day digging, foraging and cooking, so seeing it all come together at the end of the day with a crackling fire and that beautiful view of the valley below was truly memorable. The company and the food were great. Tips? The holiday is mentally very relaxing and you will feel rejuvenated after, but is it physically quite busy. Apart... (more)Heather Pollington

Memorable parts? The house we stayed in was a lovely place to be based from and come back to of an evening. The most memorable day was our day off. We were asked what we would like to do and everyone asked to go cycling for the day! We went off and did two amazing downhill runs which combined some uphill climbs that I would never have thought I could have been able to do. So this was a really exhilarating, rewarding and enjoyable day. Everyone had a great time. Tips? I would recommend... (more)Sam Ball

It was really enjoyable and I would do it again. Rosie and her team are welcoming, thoughtful and talented and the excursions, activities and meals they provided were clearly planned and prepared meticulously and delivered with charm, good humour and élan. (more)M Mannas

Fantastic. I was lucky to have four other great women in the holiday too, but Rosie and Joanie made it wonderful. When ever I talk about my week with them I literally find my shoulders dropping and my speech slowing down, and the glow returning. (more)Lara Gisborne

Lovely experience, very relaxing, highly recommend it as a great way to spend a week and come back vitalised (more)Loretta Kinsella

Excellent! Exploring the local environment and seeing wild deer, seals and otters were the most memorable parts. (more)Lindy Brown

The 'Lochside Cottages' are in a beautiful spot, right on the shores of Loch Broom. Very peaceful and relaxing. Good access to hills in Assynt and Torridon for the more adventurous. (more)Elaine McAdam

The view from each window spectacular and so close to the loch that it was almost like being on a boat at times! Views changed with the stillness of the water or with the time of day and weather. Misty mountains at dawn to orange and red sunsets and each day and time different from dawn to dusk. (more)Julia Graham

The most memorable part was the excitement of watching the different colours emerging as we used natural dyes and the anticipation of what could be created using them. I have never felt so invigorated, and relaxed?!!!, at the same time. (more)Diane Peel

I loved the whole process of gathering natural materials (lichen, fungus, nettles, birch bark, etc) to dye the wool, the dyeing itself and the amazing array of colours we created with single and secondary dyes. (more)Jennifer Woodward

I felt relaxed during my holiday but I also learned a lot that I could bring back and use during my college studies for sculpture and textiles. It was an excellent combination without the fuss of dye labs and overly processed and wools. (more)Tegan Ford

The most memorable part of the holiday was Skye and Fort William and the Jacobite train journey. The other members of the group also made it a wonderful experience. (more)Tracey Turner

The cliff side walk around the Isle of Skye was the most memorable part of the holiday. (more)Esther Spigel

Great week, well organised, smashing guide and very nice co-hikers. Accommodation and food good. Basically it's as good as you want it to be. (more)Lesley Furness

Memorable parts? Well, everything was memorable and exciting. Skye is a magical place. The accommodations ranged from excellent with charm and lovely people to absolutely fine. The only problem with the food was that I ate way too much. But the best of the best was our guide, Ian, absolutely top notch. He concocted for us some great mini adventures. Each walk was spectacular (a special spot in my heart for the Quiraing, though), with just the right amount of challenge. He was a delight... (more)Dominique Bousquet

It was great, some of the best riding I have done and some awesome scenery. Euan is a very good guide (he knows the trails so well) and most of the time it feels like you are just riding with mates. I would recommend it to anyone who likes mountain biking! (more)Philip Nelson

10 out of 10. would go with the same company again. (more)Gerard Callaghan

The most memorable part was meeting so many different people and doing 'work' for the greater good of Scotland's forest. (more)Karmini Takodra

Meeting a wide range of like minded people. Spending a lovely sunny day in an ancient Scottish forest counting Scottish pine trees....wow...a renewed love for my country. (more)Liz Scott

Come the end of the week we were all a little tired from the work, but also very proud of what we had done. Driving back to the lodge we came across a stunning natural pool and waterfall which we just could not resist and so dived (almost) right in and spent time relaxing among new friends. That and constantly swimming to try and stay warm! (more)Andrew Silander

Rosie was a unique hostess the yogateacher did a great job the surroundings were lovely the accommodation was perfect and the food was delicious the tours to Loch Ness, Glen Affric and the other places were absolutely fantastic the other guests were kind and charming the craft was a challenge (more)Pia Jeanne Arildsen

Very good (more)Sara Toyn

Just being there with intelligent, congenial people who were all involved in learning something unusual and useful from a wonderful young woman...It was terrific! (more)Norma Schneider

Most memorable was staying in the monastery & the wonderful views of Loch Ness. (more)Jenny Copeland

The accommodation was fantastic and the location was stunning. Climbing Ben Nevis was very memorable. (more)Maureen Richardson

The Abbey is beautifully sited just at the south end of Loch Ness and Fort Augustus is a pretty village (more)Vimty Muir

There are so many positive things to say about this course – the supportive leader, the fantastic home made food, the beautiful highland scenery…but the happiest memories for me are of the people I met. (more)Kim Naylor-Vane

The highlight was seeing scotland for the first time, learning new skills, enjoying the company. The satisfaction of getting to the top of 2 munros. (more)Harjit Mahl

We had a great time and felt we learned loads about navigation and being out in the hills in general. Best thing for me was increased confidence. I now feel in being able to venture out into the hills and find my way. (more)Heather Martin

Memorable parts? The most memorable part of the holiday was during dolphin-watching, when a baby dolphin with it’s' mother, dived in and out of the water, around both sides of our boat. They swam very close to us. Sarah, who steered the boat, knew the sea area near Cromarty and the Black Isle extremely well. She gave us an informative and exhilarating boat journey. Tips? This is a bespoke holiday so discuss with Deborah, the marine biologist, exactly what you would like to experience.... (more)Manjinder Jagdev

Memorable parts? The walking, the food, and Rebecca and Andy's hospitality. Local benefits? Andy and Rebecca have tried really hard to create a B&B which offers a very comfortable experience but yet limits the environmental impact. 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. Overall rating? An excellent holiday,... (more)Ruth Seward

Memorable parts? Learning to self-arrest with an ice-axe - sliding head first and face down on an icy slope! Tips? Bring lots of spare gloves. Local benefits? Yes, it provides local employment and the accommodation was as sustainable as possible and the activities cause no lasting impact. Overall rating? Very good, maybe not an experience I want to repeat but fulfilling to do once. (more)Dan Smith

Getting up some of the most beautiful mountains in the region, with a great bunch of people. Learning how to do an ice axe arrest whilst sliding down a slope was the best fun! (more)Sarah Daly

The sense of achievement after pushing my boundaries when I climbed out of the Corrie with ice axe and crampons; not being keen on heights - the instructor was so encouraging and supportive that I faced my fears and got on with it! (more)Sue Waton

Learning the techniques including how to walk on ice using Crampons, learning how to navigate in whiteout conditions and recovery procedures after a fall using ice axes. Really good group atmosphere. (more)Matthieu Pinel

SUPERB, didn't want to come home...The house was memorably comfortable and well equipped especially in the kitchen, it was such a pleasure to have sharp knives, mixers, salad spinners and an aga. (more)Carrie Hawksworth

The setting of the cottage itself and views from the hot tub were most memorable. We were in Rose, the smaller cottage, and the views were beautiful...The whole family, including boys of 10 and 5, loved it. Being on a croft with the animals made it extra special. (more)Susanna Dermody

We had a brilliant time and it was everything we had hoped for. The accommodation deserves its 5 stars and is a very relaxing place. We prefer self catering as it provides the flexibility required with the baby, but appreciated the option to have homemade food prepared for us. (more)Paul Bradshaw

Memorable parts? Discovering new sites, talking with local people and having a wonderful meal for my birthday at the hotel! Tips? To be sure that they receive the right booking dates, the vouchers, etc. Local benefits? Certainly since we bought souvenirs and knitwear from locals (charity shops, souvenirs shops) and walking more than usual our bodies also benefited of the holidays! Overall rating? The hotel welcome was OK, but their administration not good... they... (more)Laurence Northcote