Adventure West Scotland

Dates

• 9 June 2023
• 7 July 2023
• 1 September 2023

Accommodation

• 6 nights' hotel accommodation
• 1 night rustic bothy-style cottage

Single room supplement

If you would prefer your own room this can usually be accommodated, though an extra charge would apply and is not possible at the bothy.

Twin rooms

Solo explorers will be matched up with a likeminded traveller to share with as the rooms are on a twin basis.

Locally-sourced food

Accommodation and catering partners have been carefully selected based on their commitment to sourcing local produce, organically produced wherever possible.

Kit list

• Backpack to carry your luggage
• Trainers and comfortable loose clothing for climbing and abseiling
• Mountain walking boots and walking socks
• Waterproof clothing – even if the forecast looks good, the weather can be very changeable in the mountains
• Warm layers – even in summer the mountains and the coast can be chilly
• Comfortable daypack – to carry snacks, hydration and spare clothes when hiking
• Swimwear – to wear under the wetsuits available
• Old trainers or neoprene shoes – to wear in the water
• Towel – to dry off after the water activities

Season

• Jan
• Feb
• Mar
• Apr
• May
• Jun
• Jul
• Aug
• Sep
• Oct
• Nov
• Dec

Meeting point

Inverness
Inverness
Highland
UK

Getting there

• By air

  The closest international airport is Inverness. It is approximately a 20 minute taxi transfer from the airport to the tour start point in Inverness or alternatively travel by rail to Inverness. It is approximately a 15 minute taxi transfer to Glasgow airport from the tour end point in Glasgow or alternatively travel by rail from Glasgow.

• By rail

  The closest train station to the tour start point in Inverness is Inverness Station, approximately a 6 minute taxi ride or a 12 minute walk. From the tour end point in Glasgow, the closest train station is Glasgow Central Station approximately a 16 minute taxi ride.

• By road

  The tour start point in Inverness is served by the A9 from the south or for a more scenic route, take the A82. The tour end point in Glasgow is served by the M8, A8, M74 and A74 located less than 30 minutes from the A5.

Itinerary

• Day 1 | Arrival and welcome

  Arrive in Inverness ready to check in to your hotel.

  Relax for the afternoon and explore Inverness, best known around the world for being the hub of the Highlands as well as the closest city to Loch Ness, famously the home of the Loch Ness monster.

  Your welcome meeting will take place this evening followed by dinner for you and your group. How better to get to know each other and your tour leader than while enjoying locally-produced food and a few beers produced in the brewery onsite, one of the lowest carbon breweries in the country.

• Day 2 | Reach new heights

  This morning leave the city behind to venture along the shores of Loch Ness, heading into the wild and rugged Scottish Highlands. It’s time to reach new heights, testing yourself both mentally and physically as you kick start your adventure with a rock climbing and abseiling experience.

  Under the guidance of your climbing instructor, you will get kitted up with your harness and helmet, ready to learn the basics of climbing out on a real rock face. Develop your confidence as you learn to read the rock, identifying where to place your hands and feet as you climb upwards.

  What goes up must come down! Lean back into it and leave your fears behind as you abseil back to the ground below. Land with a new feeling of achievement, knowing you conquered the rock face and you’re ready to take on the rest of this incredible adventure holiday.

  Continue your journey to arrive at your destination for tonight, the beautiful coastal town of Arisaig.

• Day 3 | Enjoy the Scottish 'Caribbean'

  Get ready to explore Arisaig in the best way possible – aboard a kayak! Don’t mistake these white sand beaches and crystal clear waters for a Caribbean island. Arisaig Bay is protected by hundreds of small tidal islands called skerries, and an ideal place to head out onto the water to enjoy a totally different perspective of west Scotland’s islands as you glide across the water.

  Arisaig is THE destination for kayaking, with this iconic beach teaming with native wildlife such as harbour seals, common dolphins, porpoises, otters, and white-tailed eagles – as well as various sea birds and amazing underwater ecosystems with kelp, starfish, and jellyfish galore.

  Wind down from your day of exploring the Scottish Caribbean back at your hotel for another night with a famous west coast sunset.

• Day 4 | Lace up those boots

  You’ll be collected from your hotel early this morning for a transfer to the base of Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the UK at 1,345 metres! Once a massive active volcano which exploded and collapsed inwards on itself millions of years ago, you’ll find evidence of an explosion at the summit in the form of light-coloured granite, unless the summit is still covered in snow!

  Be sure to appreciate the views on the way up, with the iconic Scottish highlands in the surrounding landscape. After a tough ascent, find a sheltered spot on the descent for lunch – what better backdrop for a bite to eat!

  After your tough but rewarding hike, you’ll be collected for your onward journey to Oban. Check into your hotel and enjoy a well-earned rest this evening.

• Day 5 | Wildlife spotting and ocean paddle boarding

  Your morning starts with a stroll along the picturesque coast as you make your way from the hotel to your paddle-boarding session on The Sound of Kerrera. Take a deep breath as you glide across the water and absorb your tranquil surroundings on this stunning coastline. An abundance of wildlife can be found in the area and, in the summer months, you may even come across a basking shark or two. 

  After your paddle boarding session, you and your fellow adventurers can choose to take part in a voluntary beach clean, an opportunity to give back to this beautiful area. Afterwards take a stroll back along the coast to spend some free time discovering Oban, the seafood capital of Scotland.

• Day 6 | Into the wild, explore historical sites

  Your free-spirited adventure in the wilds of West Scotland’s rugged landscape begins as you arrive in Inveraray and meet with your local guide for the next 24 hours.Day 7 | City comforts
  Enjoy a hearty breakfast with Monica before saying your goodbyes and leaving this rural wilderness behind. Set off toward the city of Glasgow, and pause to marvel at the Falls of Falloch in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. 
  On arrival in Glasgow, check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the afternoon to explore at your leisure. Perhaps walk along the city centre mural trail to see the impressive street art or sample some Scottish whisky at one of the city’s distilleries, before enjoying a free evening in the big city lights.

  With a huge collection of neolithic sites nearby, you’ll enjoy a fascinating guided hike through the rich heritage of this region. As you venture through the incredible scenery, Monica will share her passion for foraging seasonal wild plants, learning about their nutritious and healing properties. Set in the heart of the Argyll Estate, this is also the perfect place to meet and talk with the local characters responsible for the vital land management that helps to keep the area so special. 

  Tonight you will experience true Scottish hospitality as Monica welcomes you into her traditional cottage for the night. Cement the new friendships you’ve formed this week, as together you cook a locally-sourced evening meal over an open fire. Share stories and reflect on your week of adventure, hanging out under the stars with your fellow travellers before settling down for the night.

• Day 8 | Depart

  It’s the last morning of your epic adventure holiday in Scotland, so it’s time to pack your case and swap details with your new travel buddies.

Included

• Half day climbing and abseiling near Loch Ness
• Hike to the summit of Ben Nevis
• Kayak in the crystal waters around Arisaig
• Half day paddle boarding on the Firth of Lorn
• 6 nights' hotel accommodation
• 1 night rustic bothy-style cottage
• Breakfast every day and 2 evening meals
• Voluntary beach clean
• Voluntary trail clean in association with Trash Free Trails
• Professional, local, English-speaking guide
• All transport during the trip
• 1 native tree planted in our woodland

Caring for the world as you do

This adventure supports local, independent businesses. Local guides are always used – people who will give you a more authentic experience and share the hidden secrets only local adventurers can bring. And because this is their home, they have a truly active interest in caring for their environment.

The carbon footprint of all trips is measured and reduced to be as low as possible. Any carbon that is yet to be mitigated is off-set through a local tree planting project. One tree exceeds what is needed to offset the emissions of your low carbon adventure holiday.

Here is a summary of the Sustainability Policy:

Economic responsibility

• Keeping it local

  Working exclusively with local, independently-owned businesses to ensure your money goes straight into the communities that you're visiting.

• Fair pay for quality service

  Treating partners fairly for the high standards of service they deliver to you, whilst still ensuring value for money.

• Supporting local producers

  Local, independent shops, accommodation, bars and eateries are used and encouraged.

Environmental responsibility

• Low carbon travel

  Ensuring the carbon footprint of this adventure is offset by planting native broadleaf trees, including oak, ash and birch.

  Responsibility is taken for ensuring the carbon footprint of your travel is offset. By working with the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB, the unavoidable carbon emissions created by travel are offset, but also new, biodiverse woodland areas within the UK are created that will benefit both the planet and the community. Planting native broadleaf trees, including oak, ash and birch, is helping to increase the available natural habitat for the UK’s native wildlife. Species such as bullfinches, beavers, the brimstone butterfly and many more are all benefitting from this.

• Avoiding single-use plastics

  Reusable aluminium bottles are provided on arrival at your accommodation and packed lunches use more sustainable wrapping such as paper bags or wax paper wrap.

• Locally sourced food

  Accommodation and catering partners have been carefully selected based on their commitment to sourcing local produce, organically produced wherever possible.

• Blue Flag Award

  Partnering with one of the first boat tour operators in the UK to be awarded the prestigious Blue Flag Sustainable Boat Tour Operator status.

Social responsibility

• Small group tours

  The primary concern with tourism in the UK’s wild spaces is to ensure it only has a positive impact on the local communities and culture so for this reason small group trips never exceed 15 guests.

• Live like a local

  Learning the history and culture of a region plays a big role in your travelling experience – it’s what brings a place to life.

• Read the landscape

  The historical significance of the area is brought to life by the local guides who help you understand the features of the landscape.

• Learn the language

  Keeping local languages alive is sacred, so you’re encouraged to learn simple words and phrases during your time on the adventure.

• Understanding farming culture

  Respecting the countryside code and understanding farming practices are important for visitors to the area.

Adventure promise

Making travel better for everyone

The Adventure Promise is simple and honest. It’s the commitment that this challenge will always do right by you, local communities and the world we live in:

• Payment Instalments
• Flexible Booking
• Low Carbon
• Low Impact
• Support Local
• All Abilities
• Covid Secure

Costs