Holiday Reviews
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same trip can have different views!
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Walking navigation & mountaineering courses in Scotland, independent reviews
 Reviewed 6 Aug 2006 by Harjit Mahl |  |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing scotland for the first time, learning new skills, enjoying the company. The satisfaction of getting to the top of 2 munros.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
I don't think any tips are needed other than a good level of fitness for walking the hills for five days. The website and the organisers clearly explained any requirements.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Our mountain guide was very good at pointing out environmentally do's and don'ts. Yes I did feel it benefitted local people in the sense you got to 'live' in the community and were exposed to the people in it.
4. Any other comments?
I thoroughly enjoyed the holiday and our hosts were very hospitable and friendly, made you feel like you were a part of the family. Everyone at work commented on how refreshed I looked on my return!
| Reviewed 14 Aug 2009 by Kim Naylor-Vane | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
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. Firstly Andy, the course leader, made the group feel at home. Not only did he spend every day of the course with us nurturing our navigation skills and answering our questions about the wildlife and landscape of the area, he also welcomed us back at the B&B with a cup of tea and slice of cake. Mmmm. Rebecca, his partner who runs the B&B, made sure we didn’t go hungry and impressed us all with her home made bread, ice cream and pasta. It was great too meeting like-minded people. We revelled in how geeky we were getting about map reading! Finally, it was an insight into the whirlwind that is a B&B. During our week we met Spanish cyclists, Irish birdwatchers, North Americans, and French and Scottish families.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Make sure you read the course notes thoroughly. They explain what kit you need and what fitness level is required.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Andy and Rebecca have a very good knowledge of green issues. All the food we ate was home made and a high proportion was grown in their garden. A recycling point is available which we were asked to use. They offer a green travel discount if you travel to and from Aviemore by public transport. There was definitely more going on behind the scenes.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A brilliant week – none of us wanted to leave!
| Reviewed 17 Sep 2006 by Heather Martin | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
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.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Tips I would offer: personally I wouldn't pay £10 for a map case again, a strong plastic bag would do! Also when buying a compass don't allow anyone to put it down on the counter and put a security tag near it, or it will no longer point north!! Also you do need to be reasonably fit as a fair bit of uphill is involved (not surprising really as the course is called mountain skills!)
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Our accommodation at Fraoch Lodge was very good, a really cosy place and impressively environmentally friendly. All food is home cooked and made from local produce as much as possible.
4. Any other comments?
Overall I would rate holiday 4+ if that's allowed!