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    Luxury & Deluxe

    Cairngorms National Park & Royal Deeside

    Next Trip: 30th - 6th Jul 2024 Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights

    From: £2,885 View Prices & Dates

    Travel Planning & Advice

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    Trip created by Stevie Christie
    View Stevie's Profile

    Region: Cairngorms and Central Highlands
    Trip Type: Luxury & Deluxe
    Accommodation: Deluxe
    Max Group Size: 8
    Confirmed: When 2 Travellers Book
    Deposit From: £743

    Grading:

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    All you need to know about your trip, this essential document is a must for all adventures.

    Download Itinerary

    Join us on a carefully crafted, fully-guided walking tour in the beautiful Cairngorms National Park. Home to some of Scotland’s highest peaks and ancient Caledonian pine forests, it’s a stunning wilderness full of natural beauty.

    Accompanied by an expert Wilderness guide, enjoy exploring Strathspey, Royal Deeside and Highland Perthshire, staying in hand-picked, deluxe accommodation nestled in quiet Highland villages. From the slate blue Cairngorm mountains to the glittering waters of Loch Muick below the rocky peak of Lochnagar, this is a landscape steeped in history, tradition and folklore. Spend time on trails that ribbon along rushing rivers, meander through remote glens, and traverse ancient pinewood forests. From the majesty of Royal Deeside (home to Balmoral Castle, which has been the Scottish home of the Royal Family since 1852) to Glenfeshie – a wild glen considered by many to be one of the most captivating in the Cairngorms, this adventure will reveal the enchanting nature of Scotland.

    Trip Highlights

    • Hike beautiful, well-built trails that ribbon through breathtaking, quiet landscapes.
    • Uncover the beauty of lonely glens, clear rivers, and wild lochs with an expert local guide.
    • Learn more about the flora and fauna of the Cairngorms, looking out for red deer, roe deer, songbirds, raptors and red squirrels.

    Day by Day Itinerary

    Day 1 – Arrive in the Cairngorms

    Arrive in Aviemore this morning, a town nestled in the northern reaches of the Cairngorms National Park and meet your Wilderness Guide. A short drive, with views into the Northern Corries and out across Insh Marshes, will take you towards your lovely local guesthouse. Along the way, enjoy a pretty walk around a local loch. It’s common to see highland cows grazing in the fields here, so keep an eye out for their caramel coloured manes and soft, friendly faces. Take some time to settle into your accommodation this evening before enjoying a delicious dinner. (L, D) 

    Walk details: 8 km/5 miles | 200 m/650 ft of ascent | approx. 5 hours

    Day 2 – Hiking in Abernethy Forest and Wildlife Reserve

    After a relaxed breakfast, lace up your boots and head out with your guide for a hike in the nearby Abernethy Forest and Wildlife Reserve. An important, fragile mosaic of ancient Caledonian pinewood, moorland, bog and mountain plateau, it’s also home to some of our most charming wildlife, including red squirrels and roe deer. Enjoy a circular walk with your guide here, taking in a section of the Speyside Way long distance trail and enjoying the views access the springy purple heather to the mountains beyond. (B, L, D) 

    Walk details: 8 km/5 miles | 100 m/320 ft of ascent | approx. 4-5 hours

    Day 3 – Exploring Glen Feshie

    As the soft morning sun creeps slowly across the fields, head out for a walk in Glenfeshie. Considered by many to be one of the most beautiful glens in Scotland, the estate (which encompasses 47,000 acres) is carefully managed and protected, supporting wildlife such as pine martens, ospreys, black grouse and ptarmigan. Chat with your guide about the rewilding of this enchanting glen as you wind your way up the banks of the River Feshie, reaching a small collection of lochans hidden below the towering trees. This evening, relax back at your guesthouse, taking some time to yourself before dinner. (B, L, D) 

    Walk details: 12 km/7.5 miles | 240 m/787 ft of ascent | approx. 4-5 hours

    Day 4 – Highland Perthshire and Strathspey

    After breakfast, leave the northern folds of the Cairngorms behind as you make your way south into Highland Perthshire. Spend the morning visiting a 13th-century castle and enjoy an engaging hike through its beautiful estate. With marginal elevation, enjoy strolling through the leafy forest in a steep-sided glen before finishing at the castle with time for a fascinating tour of its interior. Continue to the Victorian village of Ballater and settle into your cosy accommodation, which boasts pretty views and an excellent whisky collection. (B, L, D) 

    Walk details: 9 km/6 miles | 100 m/320 ft of ascent | approx. 4-5 hours

    Day 5 – The Devil's Punchbowl and Cuckoo Glen

    Waking to birdsong and the smell of fresh coffee, enjoy breakfast before your first day of exploring Royal Deeside. Set off for a charming circular hike, following a good trail which takes you past the thundering waters of the Linn O Dee, a place where the river cuts deeply into the rock, forming strong swirling currents and turquoise pools, crystal clear and deliciously cold. Return to Ballater this evening, perhaps taking a wee wander into the village before dinner, enjoying a pint at a local pub before a good night’s sleep. (B, L, D) 

    Walk details: 17 km/10 miles | 200 m/650 ft of ascent | approx. 6 hours

    Day 6 – Loch Muick Under Lochnagar

    Not too far from your hotel, the deep, dark waters of Loch Muick (pronounced ‘mick’) stretch out like a shimmering, glittering shadow below the rocky peak of Lochnagar. Your walk today winds through the tang of a pine forest, past one of Queen Victoria’s hunting lodges and out around the stunning loch. A great place to spot red deer grazing or hear the chatter of grouse as they suddenly burst from the heather –  enjoy learning about the wildlife from your guide. A nip of whisky or a hot cup of tea awaits you back at your hotel this evening. (B, L, D) 

    Walk details: 12 km/7 miles | 200 m/650 ft of ascent | approx. 5 hours

    Day 7 – Return to Aviemore and Depart

    Head out this morning for a walk exploring the beautiful countryside surrounding Balmoral Castle. Wind your way out onto the open hillside to a number of historical cairns erected by the Royal Family. With breathtaking views and the opportunity to see the castle from up high, it’s a fantastic and interesting walk. After lunch, travel back through the hills to Aviemore. Bid farewell to your guide and catch the train towards your next destination. As the rugged beauty of the Highlands unfurls beyond the window, reflect on a week well spent in the great outdoors. (B, L) 

    Walk details: various options up to approx. 9.5 km/6 miles | 371 m/1217 ft of ascent | approx. 3-4 hours

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    Luxury & Deluxe
    Cairngorms National Park & Royal Deeside

    To download a PDF copy of our Trip Itinerary, containing full details about this holiday, please complete the form below:

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    Trip Dates & Prices

    All payments taken in local currency GBP

    Trip Dates for 2024AvailabilityStatusPriceBook
    30th Jun - 6th Jul 20244 places leftGuaranteed £2,885Book Now
    28th Jul - 3rd Aug 20244 places leftGuaranteed £2,885Book Now

    Trip Details

    Accommodation Read More

    We’ll spend our first three nights in Strathspey in a gorgeous guest house with the most welcoming hosts, for the next three nights we’ll move to a deluxe hotel in Royal Deeside which boasts lovely views views across the valley of the River Dee to the hills around Glen Muick.

    Single Rooms

    There is no supplement charged to solo travellers, however, you will be required to share a room with another person of the same sex. If you request a double room for single occupancy, a supplement of £620 is charged.

    Due to the nature of the accommodations we use, single supplements are limited and are allocated on a first come first served basis.

    Meals Read More

    This tour is all-inclusive.

    Food is of paramount importance and our meals are prepared from the best local produce. We’ll enjoy wonderful home-cooked meals each evening, with good, healthy portions. Naturally, vegetarians and other dietary requirements are willingly catered for – simply let us know at the time of booking.

    On this trip, we generally eat dinner as a group however if you would like to make alternative arrangements you are free to do so. Your guide will have an evening off during this trip where they do not eat with the group. They will recommend options for dinner that evening and will help you make any necessary reservations. Included dinners are two courses as standard.

    Inclusions Read More
    • 6 nights accommodation in carefully selected guest houses or hotels
    • All meals during the trip (Meals included indicated as B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
    • The services of an experienced and knowledgeable guide/driver throughout
    • All transport throughout the trip starting and finishing in Aviemore
    • Entrance fees to a Highland castle and wildlife reserve
    Trip Grading Read More

    Green Graded 1-3

    Green graded walking holidays are suitable for active travellers who are reasonably fit and enjoy moderate hikes. We walk at a comfortable pace and you can expect to be out for 5-6 hours a day. The terrain will be mostly good paths and hill trails but these can still be muddy and rough in places. Some hikes may involve an ascent up to a max of approx 1,500 feet / 450m. Distances will be typically 8-10km but there may be the odd slightly longer day. Daily hike details are available in the itinerary.

    Travel – Arrival and Departure Read More

    You will be met by your Wilderness Scotland Guide at Aviemore Railway Station at 10.00am on Day 1 of your trip. You will be returned to Aviemore station for 4.00pm on the final day.

    If you would like to use your own vehicle on the trip please get in touch with our team to discuss.

    Photo Gallery

    Make This Trip Private

    Fancy this trip just for your group? Get together with family and friends spend quality time exploring wild places. A private trip allows you to benefit from all the features of the group departure, including hand-picked accommodation and expert local guides but with the advantage of the flexibility to tailor the days to your group. Make the trip more or less challenging depending on your experience or choose to add in some optional extras like castle or distillery visits depending on your interests. The price of a private trip will depend on the number of travellers in your group. Let us know your prefered departure date and we'll take care of the rest.

    Meet Your Guide

    Difficulty Grades Explained

    Green Graded Walking Holidays

    Green graded walking holidays are suitable for active travellers who are reasonably fit and enjoy moderate hikes. We walk at a comfortable pace and you can expect to be out for 5-6 hours a day. The terrain will be mostly good paths and hill trails but these can still be muddy and rough in places. Some hikes may involve an ascent up to a max of approx 1,500 feet / 450m. Distances will be typically 8-10km but there may be the odd slightly longer day. Daily hike details are available in the itinerary.

    Compare walking grades

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