2021 Walking Holidays in Scotland
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Explore Scotland on foot Small groups - usually between 4 and 8. Carefully selected comfortable accommodation - we book Holidays for those who love to explore on foot the and arrange this for you, taking care to find a B&B, guest house dramatic countryside of the Highlands and islands, or hotel that is individual in character and offers good food, and learn their secrets. comfort and a friendly welcome. Road transport in our minibus - we collect you from Glasgow With expert guides who have extensive local (city or airport) on your first day and take you back at the end knowledge which, together with their professionalism, of your holiday. Throughout your holiday we also provide local transport as needed, evenings included. adds to the enjoyment of your holiday experience. Transport by ferries, (charter) boats and train - as required. Staying in accommodation which has been carefully chosen for a friendly welcome, comfort and good food. Visits to museums and other places of interest - entrance fees are included where these are an integral part of your programme. Whether you choose one of our scheduled holidays or tailor-made private guided hiking tours, you can Get-togethers in the evening - in your hotel or in a variety of carefully selected restaurants and pubs to set the scene for relax, safe in the knowledge that you are in expert, the next day’s walking. If evening meals are not included in the professional, and caring hands. price, your guide will always take you somewhere good. We usually eat in a different place each evening, giving you the opportunity to try a range of Scottish dishes and ambiences. About Argyll gives you and most especially: An attractive, well-thought-out walking programme - Personal care and attention in all that we do for you. with walks and hikes to remote, quiet places undiscovered by most tourists.You can enjoy historical, natural and geological themes and the pure pleasure of walking in Who are we? some of the UK’s most stunning scenery. About Argyll Walking Holidays is based in the south- The confidence that you are going the right way - west Highlands of Scotland. It is run by Frieda Bos our well-qualified, well-informed and enthusiastic in co-operation with a team of guides who are guides will look after you. They’ll do their best to not only keen walkers, but also know Scotland make your holiday interesting and memorable. extremely well in all its aspects. We run high- Each of our guides lives in Scotland; knows it well, quality, small-scale, essentially personal hiking and has some special interest in its environment. vacations, and we view our clients as friends And all of them really enjoy sharing this who are entitled to a professional service. knowledge with you. We spend time in the field to plan and All our guides have mountain leadership meticulously prepare each holiday so that and first aid qualifications, with experience we are confident of offering you an out- of leading groups of various ages over of-the-way experience worthy of the all sorts of ground in all weathers and tradition of John Muir’s “natural beauty seasons, so you know you are in safe hunger”. hands.
We organise our walking holidays with freshness and enthusiasm so that you can get the most out of visiting this Walking or hiking? beautiful land. The word ‘hiking’ isn’t used as much in the UK as it is in We have been operating since 1995 and many of our clients North America. In the UK we tend to use ‘walking’ to cover have returned for a second, third or even fourth and fifth time. such a wide range of activities that it can be misleading. North American readers should probably think of About Argyll’s walks as hikes, but at the gentler end of the range. Sustainable holidays Following John Muir’s inspiring example, we are dedicated to We offer two grades of holidays: preserving and promoting the value of Scotland’s wild areas by doing our best to reduce the environmental impact of our walking (Luxury) walking tours: holidays and ensuring the long-term sustainability of tourism in Our (luxury) walking/hiking tours are an excellent introduction the area. The Highlands and Islands of Scotland are one of Britain to hiking in Scotland for people with good basic fitness. The and Europe’s last wildernesses, and we share with all who live or holiday combines hiking with visits to places of interest. Daily visit here a responsibility to protect and conserve their fragile distances won’t exceed 6 miles/10km, with varying amounts of ecosystems. ascent, and we don’t expect to hike for longer than 4 hours About Argyll is a member of Green Tourism. (plus stops). This organisation encourages responsible and Most of the hiking will be on paths, tracks or quiet roads, sustainable tourism. It has recognised our efforts although the surfaces can be wet and rough. There will be with a Gold Award, the highest award possible. some steep sections along the way, but no climbing greater than 1200 feet (365m), even in total. People Walking/hiking holidays: Our groups are made up of individuals who, whatever their Our walking holidays and hiking vacations are designed background, share a common love of walking and a joy in for people who are fit and used to walking all day. We will discovering people and places, history and wildlife and all walk up to 11 miles/17.5km 6 hours (plus stops) per day the other aspects of life in Scotland. Wherever they are with an average 1150ft/350m of ascent. On one day it from, they are all curious to find out what’s around the might be as much as 3000ft/900m, but there are also next corner. easier days. In recent years, our walkers have come from the USA, Our routes sometimes cross pathless glens, climb Canada, mainland Europe, Britain, Ireland, Australia and mountains or thread remote passes, and there may New Zealand. This international mixture has made be some scrambling. On most days, as much of our for a thoroughly enjoyable atmosphere which is time is spent off path as on it. Scotland can be very shared equally by those who come on their own, wild and tough going: 10 miles here is often much and those who book with their partner or friends. harder than 10 miles elsewhere. We know that several new and lasting friendships All that said, we don’t want to break any speed have come about through walking with ‘About records, especially not when going uphill, and Argyll’. Why not come and join us this year? you’ll have all the rewards of walking in the most beautiful and fascinating parts of the Highlands and Islands.
LUXURY WALKING TOUR LUXURY WALKING TOUR LUXURY WALKING TOUR The Programme Guided luxury walking tours LUXURY • Isles of Arran, Islay & Jura • Scottish Highlands & Skye • Perthshire, Argyll & the Isles Guided walking tours • South-west Highlands & Islands WALKING TOUR • North-west Highlands • Orkney Islands • Shetland Islands • Orkney and Shetland Islands Isles of Arran, Islay & Jura Scottish Highlands & Skye Perthshire, Argyll & the Isles combined This luxury hiking tour will take you to three This tour goes to the Morar peninsula in the This trip will take us to Perthshire, in the WALKING/HIKING PRIVATE ITINERARY very distinctive islands: Arran in the Firth of Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Skye. We’ll heart of Scotland, and Argyll, on its western Guided walking/hiking holidays Clyde, and Islay and Jura, islands of the Inner travel by train along the scenic West Highland fringes. Highland Perthshire is far from the • The Best of Argyll Hebrides. Railway line from Glasgow to Glenfinnan sea, in Scottish terms. With its high mountains, • Exploring Mull Arran is often described as “Scotland in crossing the famous Glenfinnan viaduct. long, deep glens and abundance of trees, it is • Islay, Jura & Colonsay miniature”, because of the way its diverse The following day we will stretch our legs a very distinctive part of Scotland, contrasting • Hiking Shetland Islands landscape reflects that of Scotland as a whole. exploring Morar including walking on the perfectly with the seaboard of Argyll. The Shetland Islay, once home of the MacDonald ‘Lords Silver Sands. Then it’s off for a boat on the hills of Argyll are more rugged and the glens of the Isles’, is famous for its many whisky beautiful Loch Nevis and a hike along Loch steeper and shorter and it has a long, broken, Private guided itineraries distilleries, farming, bird life, beaches and Morar. After your day out you can relax over islanded coast. cliffs. Jura is wild and more rugged than Islay a good meal and a drink in your hotel while Our walks will take us into the long glens and the Red deer outnumber people many enjoying the friendly atmosphere of a Scottish of Highland Perthshire and wild Glen Coe. Orkney times over. The walks and visits to places of Country House. They will include Scotland’s rich history, the interest will reflect the diversity found on And then on to the Isle of Skye - the misty prehistoric and early historic monuments in these islands: rugged mountains, beaches, cliffs, isle. Here we will take a boat up Loch Scavaig Kilmartin Glen, crannogs in Loch Tay and the dunes, salt marshes, farmland, hills, moors and for a walk along the shores of Loch Coruisk, 16th century Castle Menzies.You will also Sutherland waterfalls.You will visit ancient monuments, surrounded by the Black Cuillin mountains, walk on remote islands, in ancient Caledonian historic sites, and abandoned townships explore the Trotternish Peninsula and visit Forest and on open hillside. as well as attractive villages and a whisky the west of Skye for a tour of the Talisker The tour finishes on the Isle of Mull from Torridon Inverness distillery. Distillery and a walk to the tidal island of where we’ll walk on the Isle of Ulva and visit Skye Highlands We will stay in small 4-star hotels, so that Oronsay. Our hotel on Skye is tucked away in the islands of Lunga, famous for the puffins Morar Aberdeen you may relax in comfort after your day out the north of the island, well away from where breeding here and Staffa with its spectacular walking. most tourists stay. basalt columns. Perthshire Mull Argyll Description: 8 days; 7 nights. 4-star hotel Description: 8 days; 7 nights. 4-star hotel Description: 10 days; 9 nights. 4-star hotel accommodation on Arran and Islay. accommodation in Morar and Skye. accommodation in Perthshire, Oban and Edinburgh Tobermory on the Isle of Mull. Islay Glasgow Dates: 17-24 July. Dates: 5-12 June, 14-21 August. Arran Price: £2370 (breakfast, picnic lunch and Price: £2610 (breakfast, picnic lunch and Dates: 6-15 May. dinner). Double room for single occupancy: dinner). Double room for single occupancy: Price: £2815 (breakfast, picnic lunch and £480 extra. £395 extra. dinner). Double room for single occupancy: £550 extra.
WALKING TOUR WALKING TOUR WALKING TOUR WALKING TOUR South-west Highlands & North-west Highlands Orkney Islands Shetland Islands Islands If you love remote places, open moorland, This walking tour will give you the chance to Shetland is an archipelago of islands 100 miles spectacular mountains and a long coastline, fully experience the Orkney Islands, a place of north of the Scottish mainland. At 60 degrees This tour explores Argyll in the south-west this walking tour has it all. Torridon and big open skies, rounded hills, beautiful beaches north, Shetland enjoys almost 24 hours Highlands; the heartland of ancient Scotland, Sutherland are among the most remote parts and well kept farms. Only on Hoy does the daylight during the summer. It is a unique and three islands of the Inner Hebrides: of mainland Scotland and by many regarded as landscape take on a wilder feel, with rolling place with beautiful landscapes, abundant Kerrera, the Garvellachs and Islay. We stay the finest areas of wild land in Scotland. hills and towering cliffs. wildlife and a rich cultural heritage, and the in Oban during the first half of the week, The tour starts in Torridon with its sandstone Orkney is dubbed the ‘Egypt of the North’ human history on the islands stretches back visit Glen Coe, walk on the isle of Kerrera mountains. The impressively gouged glacial because of its amazing historic and ancient to Neolithic times. Iron Age brochs and and take a boat trip through the Gulf of trench Glen Torridon and Loch Torridon runs monuments. That, together with its dramatic Norse archaeological sites are among the Corryvreckan to the uninhabited Garvellachs between these magnificent peaks, bordered coastlines, beautiful beaches and abundant best in the world. More than a million birds (‘Isles of the Sea’). On our way to Islay, we’ll by pinewoods and beautiful vistas, offering wildlife make it a great place for walking. breed in very large colonies; and nowhere walk in Kilmartin Glen to see the prehistoric great coastal and mountain walks. Our walks take us to Birsay, Rousay,Yesnaby, else in Britain, and hardly anywhere else in and early historic monuments.You will see Sutherland, our base during the second half Hoy and Deerness, and we will also visit Europe, can you get so close, so easily, to so chambered burial cairns, a stone circle, of the holiday, has a stark, eerie landscape. many of the numerous historic and ancient many sea birds. standing stones and Dunadd, the capital hill- Up from undulating moorland rise a series monuments including the heart of Neolithic We will explore the islands on foot and from fort of the Scots. Islay is one of the largest of of remarkable mountains. These peaks are Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Skara the water. Although there aren’t always paths, the Hebridean islands. Its varied coast of high very steep and completely separate from Brae, Maeshowe and the Ring of Brodgar. short grass underfoot makes for easy going. cliffs, sandy and rocky bays, caves and arches one another. They are eroded into fantastic, gives glorious land and seascapes. Once the individual shapes, making this one of the most Description: 8 days; 7 nights. Description: 8 days; 7 nights. home of the MacDonald ‘Lords of the Isles’, memorable landscapes in Scotland. According Accommodation in Kirkwall (6 nights) and on Accommodation in Lerwick (5 nights) and on whose power-base was at Finlaggan; nowadays to Norse legend, this was where the gods the ferry (1 night). the ferry (2 nights). Islay is famous for its malt whiskies. Our practised mountain building. They did it on walks take us along the coast and to historical Dates: 5-12 June, 3-10 July, 31 July-7 August, Dates: 21-28 May, 11-18 June, 9-16 July, 16- a grand scale. We will hike between these sites. 7-14 August. 23 July, 6-13 August, 13-20 August. mountains into glens where rivers tumble down and along the coast with sea stacks and Price: £1400. Single room: £105 extra. Single Price: £1460. Single room: £87.50 extra. Description: 8 days; 7 nights. sandy beaches. cabin on the ferry: £60 extra. Single cabin on the ferry: £120 extra. Accommodation in Oban and on Islay. Dates: 29 May-5 June, 3-10 July, 21-28 August. Description: 8 days; 7 nights Orkney and Shetland walking tours combined Accommodation in Torridon and Sutherland Price: £1350. Single room: £122.50 extra. Dates: 15-22 May, 28 August-4 September. Join our Orkney and Shetland Island walking tours back-to-back, making it a two-week holiday Price: £1560. Single room: £315 extra. with 6 walking days on the Orkney Islands and 6 on the Shetland Islands.
WALKING/HIKING HOLIDAY WALKING/HIKING HOLIDAY WALKING/HIKING HOLIDAY PRIVATE ITINERARY The Best of Argyll Islay, Jura & Colonsay This holiday is designed to give a taste of the This is your chance to explore three very best walking on both mainland and island different islands. Islay, once home to the Exploring Mull Private guided itineraries Argyll. We start with a walk on the Isle of MacDonald Lords of the Isles, is famous Kerrera, which is situated in the mouth for its malt whiskies and rich bird life. Hills, Mull is one of the largest of the Hebridean Tailor-made private guided itineraries can of Oban Bay. Although it is close to the moors and machair are edged around by an islands, but it is bitten into by so many sea be arranged for up to 18 people. These can bustling tourist centre of Oban, with only 40 infinitely varied coast, with rocks, beaches lochs that the sight and sound of the waves is be for a weekend or for any longer period residents it is a world apart. A historically and and dunes, salt marshes and cliffs. Jura is much never far away. Tall cliffs, sandy bays, caves and of up to two weeks. They may be drawn up geologically interesting island, each successive more rugged and the Red Deer outnumber arches deliver wonder after wonder along the for anywhere in Scotland. We will take you turn of the Kerrera’s coast offers up people many times over. Colonsay is the most coasts, while high mountains inland supply a to places you would not have found on your intriguing new views. A highlight is the sudden peaceful and remote of all the Inner Hebrides, dramatic background. own, and our guide will make Scotland come appearance of Gylen Castle. with a quiet and welcoming atmosphere. We have a very good chance of seeing otters, alive for you. We next turn to wild Glen Coe, where eagles and puffins here, as Mull is one of the Itineraries can be themed to meet your we will walk into the Coire Gabhail - also Description: 8 days; 7 nights. best places in Scotland for wildlife watching. special interest; for example: whisky and known as the ‘Lost Valley’ - concealed on a Accommodation on Islay. We’ll spend three nights in Tobermory, in the walking on Islay, or perhaps walking in the high meadow behind massive rockfall. The Dates: 19-26 June, 18-25 September. north, walking on the Treshnish peninsula footsteps of your Scottish ancestors. MacDonalds used to hide stolen cattle in this Price: £1270. Single room: £122.50 extra. with abandoned townships, high cliffs and glen. waterfalls and on the community owned isle We provide: Later in the week we will walk on the island of Ulva, before moving to the Ross of Mull. • Your guide, who is not only a keen walker of Lismore, explore Glen Stockdale and delve but also has a wide knowledge of Scotland: its into Argyll’s earliest history in Kilmartin Glen, Hiking Shetland Islands During our stay in the Ross we explore the dramatic coastline west of Carsaig, where landscape, history, geology, literature and wildlife. with a unique concentration of prehistoric We place a lot of store on being considerate Walking on Shetland, the most northerly cliffs reach 1000ft (300m), visit the Isle of and helpful as well as knowledgeable - if we can remains, such as cairns, a stone circle and Staffa, with its basalt columns and rich bird archipelago of Britain, which boasts abundant possibly do it, we will. References from past rock carvings. life, and St. Columba’s isle of Iona. Weather clients are available if desired. The week ends with a rough but spectacular wildlife, a spectacular coastline and dozens of archaeological sites. Shetland’s landscapes permitting, we will climb Ben More on the • A complete itinerary drawn up in close walk around Jura’s wild north shore beside last day for the widest of West Highland consultation with yourself. This can include non- the swirling Corrievreckan. Red deer are and seascapes make you feel as if you have walking visits to places of interest. The itinerary found one of the most remote coastlines in views. guaranteed and we should keep an eye open will be flexible in order to take account of for golden eagles, sea eagles, otters, porpoises the world. weather variations and your fitness and interests. Description: 8 days; 7 nights. • Transport by minibus/car, ferry and (charter) and seals. Description: 8 days; 7 nights. Accommodation in Tobermory and the Ross boat. Accommodation in Lerwick (5 nights) and on of Mull. • Accommodation. We book this for you, taking Description: 8 days, 7 nights. the ferry (2 nights). care to find hotels, B&Bs and guest houses that Dates: 1-8 May, 12-19 June, Accommodation in Oban. Dates: 28 May,-4 June are individual in character and offer good food, 28 August-4 September. comfort and a friendly welcome. We will also Dates: 24-31 July, 11-18 September. Price: £1340. Single room: £87.50 extra. Price: £1300. Single room: £122.50 extra. book restaurants, arrange packed lunches, etc. as Price: £1250. Single room: £122.50 extra. Single cabin on the ferry: £120 extra. required.
2021 Holiday Schedule General information about your Luxury Walking and Hiking Tours Code Date Holiday Price holiday PA211 6-15 May Perthshire, Argyll & the Isles £2815 MS211 5-12 June Scottish Highlands & Skye £2610 AI211 17-24 July Isles of Arran, Islay & Jura £2370 Details of our holidays MS212 14-21 August Scottish Highlands & Skye £2610 You can find the day-by-day programmes of our holidays and further information about us on our website: Walking and Hiking Tours https://aboutargyll.uk. Code Date Holiday Price NH211 15-22 May North-west Highlands £1560 Single rooms ST211 21-28 May Shetland Islands £1460 A limited number of single rooms is available on all our holidays SW211 29 May-5 June South-west Highlands & Islands £1350 at a supplement. There will be no supplement if you are willing to OT211 5-12 June Orkney Islands £1400 share a twin room (2 single beds) with another member of the ST212 11-18 June Shetland Islands £1460 group of the same gender. For our Orkney and Shetland walking OS211 5-18 June Orkney & Shetland Islands combined £2700 tours it is also possible to get a twin cabin on the ferry for single SW212 3-10 July South-west Highlands & Islands £1350 occupancy at a supplement. OT212 3-10 July Orkney Islands £1400 ST213 9-16 July Shetland Islands £1460 OS212 3-16 July Orkney & Shetland Islands combined £2700 Non-smoking ST216 16-23 July Shetland Islands £1460 Smoking is not allowed in public places in Scotland, so B&Bs, OT213 31 July-7 August Orkney Islands £1400 hotels, restaurants, bars and our minibuses are all non-smoking. ST214 6-13 August Shetland Islands £1460 OS213 31 July-13 August Orkney & Shetland Islands combined £2700 What you need OT214 7-14 August Orkney Islands £1400 You will need boots with a good tread and adequate ankle ST215 13-20 August Shetland Islands £1460 support, warm clothing, waterproofs (top and over-trousers) OS214 7-20 August Orkney & Shetland Islands combined £2700 and a day rucksack big enough for a set of spare clothes, a SW213 21-28 August South-west Highlands & Islands £1350 packed lunch and whatever else you like to have with you NH212 28 August-4 Sep North-west Highlands £1560 during the day. Walking Holidays and Hiking Vacations Code Date Holiday Price Information before departure EM211 1-8 May Exploring Mull £1300 You will receive information about meeting place, your HS211 28 May-4 June Hiking Shetland Islands £1340 accommodation, other members of the group and EM212 12-19 June Exploring Mull £1300 further details about the trip, 4 weeks before the start IS211 19-26 June Islay, Jura & Colonsay £1270 of your holiday. BA211 24-31 July The Best of Argyll £1250 EM213 28 August-4 Sep Exploring Mull £1300 Insurance BA212 11-18 September The Best of Argyll £1250 We carry Public Liability insurance. In addition, IS212 18-25 September Islay, Jura & Colonsay £1270 we strongly advise that you take out your own The price includes: travel insurance to cover personal accident, • The services of our well-qualified, informed and welcoming guide. cancellation, etc. • Small group - usually between 4 and 8. • An attractive, well-thought-out walking programme (6 walking days). Protecting your payments • Carefully selected accommodation - double/twin room with en suite or private bathroom - About Argyll provides protection for all plus picnic lunches on walking days. your payments, in conformity with EC • Transport by minibus, as needed throughout your holiday, and from/to Glasgow/Glasgow regulations, through a Trust Fund in Airport at its beginning and end. which your payments are held until • Ferries, (taxi)boats, trains and entrance fees as required. your holiday is completed. • Evening get-togethers to set the scene for the next day. and, most especially • Personal care and attention in all that we do for you.
Booking Conditions About Argyll Walking Holidays Booking Form About Argyll Walking Holidays Booking and payment Safety After receiving the booking form, we will send you a Being on foot in remote and rugged country is potentially tour agreement and a link to a secure payment form. hazardous by its nature and participants must accept a The deposit of £150 per person (luxury walking tour and certain element of risk. In the interest of safety, you must 1. Title Name Age Orkney & Shetland Islands combined £300 per person, agree to abide by the decisions of your guide. As we have private guided itinerary 15% of the holiday cost), is due at no control over weather conditions, we reserve the right 2. Title Name Age the time of the booking. to alter routes accordingly. People whose fitness or ability Final payment is due 56 days prior to departure. is clearly at variance with that required for the grade of 3.Title Name Age Payment (in Sterling) may be made by: the holiday may be asked to make alternative arrangements - Debit or Credit Card (UK Debit, MasterCard or VISA) (at their own expense) in order to allow the programme 4. Title Name Age - Cheque to proceed as planned. - Bank draft or inter-bank transfer If sending payment from abroad, please ensure that all bank Medical Conditions Contact address and other charges on the transaction are paid at your end Please let us know, in confidence, of any conditions from so that the correct amount (in Sterling) is received by us. which you suffer which may affect your safety in remote Post code areas. These include vertigo and diabetes. Please consult Place Changing your holiday your doctor if in any doubt. Should you wish to change your booking to another County/State Country holiday before the final payment period, a charge of £40 Under 18s per person will apply to cover administration costs. We do not have a licence to take under 18s on our Telephone Mobile/Cell Changes made after the final payment period will be walking holidays without a parent or guardian. Under 18s can join if they are accompanied by a parent or treated as cancellation and re-booking. Email guardian who will be responsible for them throughout the Cancellation holiday. The under 18(s) should be supervised by an adult Should you wish to cancel your holiday after your booking member of your party at all times. I/We book for: has been confirmed you should write to us. The date of cancellation is the date on which we receive your letter Liability Code Holiday Start date or e-mail. A sliding scale of cancellation charges applies as The liability of About Argyll Walking Holidays, as tour follows: operator, is strictly limited. About Argyll Walking Holidays Accommodation: Twin room (2 single beds) 1. ◻ 2. ◻ 3. ◻ 4. ◻ - >56 days prior departure: deposit only purchases transport, accommodation and other services from independent suppliers not under our control. We Double room 1. ◻ 2. ◻ 3. ◻ 4. ◻ - 28-56 days prior departure: -
Guided Walking Tours Guided Walking/ Hiking holidays Tailor-made Private Guided Itineraries Walking Holidays in Scotland Letters Lodge South Strathlachlan Argyll PA27 8BZ Scotland (UK) Tel: +44 (0)1369 860272 info@aboutargyll.uk https://aboutargyll.uk Photos: Lesley Bryce, Berry Dongelmans, Karen Mitchell, Stewart Richardson, About Argyll Walking Holidays
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