Scotland Highlands Family Adventure

You’ll be met at your point of arrival, whether it is Inverness Airport or Aviemore train station, and taken to comfortable Fraoch Lodge at Boat of Garten.

Our families can take advantage of a first day rest before being treated to a home cooked breakfast served at 8:30. Today, we provide each guest with a high quality mountain bike and a detailed map so that you can enjoy a day of exploring at your own pace. Setting off from Fraoch Lodge, you will ride to the end of the street to catch the 10.50 steam train from Boat of Garten station. Few people can resist the allure and atmosphere of a steam train and the historic Strathspey Steam Railway is a real gem.

Celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2013, the train puffs along from Aviemore, via Boat of Garten, to Broomhill. Perhaps you will recognise Broomhill station as Glenbogle Station, which was featured in the popular BBC series “Monarch of the Glen”. Disembarking with your bikes at Broomhill, you will ride a quiet country road to meet the delightfully scenic Speyside Way in the pretty village of Nethybridge, a long distance Highlands walking and cycling route. The riding as you head west can be as leisurely or high speed as your family dictates but you are sure to be wowed by the stunning ancient pine woods of the Abernethy Forest.

Only a few areas of Scotland can claim to boast remains of the Caledonian pines, which would once have covered most of the country. Draped in their lichens, these ancient woods feel as if they are straight out of the Hobbit! Enjoy a picnic as and when you choose. We recommend the banks of beautiful Loch Garten for the wonderful views to the hills and its tranquil atmosphere. The forest is an RSPB reserve and is famed for its ospreys. Continue your ride taking a short detour to visit the RSPB’s Loch Garten Osprey Hide. There is a small charge for this attraction but for opportunities to see these magnificent birds of prey it is a must do activity. On the short ride back to Fraoch Lodge, take the time to stop at Dragonfly Pond where dragonflies and damselflies make for a fascinating diversion. Arriving back for our special Cake o’clock (tea and delicious home made cake) there will then be time to relax, chat and get ready for the evening meal. The home cooked dinner is shared with our other guests and gives plenty of opportunity for swapping adventure tales and making new friends.

An early breakfast allows us time to drive the fantastically scenic route to Loch Ness. Famed worldwide as the home of the Loch Ness Monster – aka Nessie – adults and children alike will delight in the opportunity to take in a little Nessie spotting. The Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition offers a multimedia presentation leading you through seven themed areas and 500 million years of history, natural mystery and legend revealing the unique environment of Loch Ness and its famous resident. A short transfer along the northern shore of the loch will take us to Castle Urquhart.

Once one of Scotland’s largest castles and the focus of considerable conflict between the 13th and 17th centuries, the property is now owned and cared for by Historic Scotland. While in ruins today, there is still a great deal to see and it is impossible not to be moved by the fabulous location and impressive architecture. The castle’s history and the noble families, including Durward, MacDonald and Grant, who variously held this stronghold are told via a family friendly exhibition and audio-visual display. The next stop on our exciting Loch Ness day is Inverfarigaig, a pretty hamlet at the mouth of the River Farigaig and this time on the southern shore of Loch Ness.

Here we enjoy a picnic lunch on a pier, which was designed by the famous Scottish engineer Thomas Telford, before picking up mountain bikes for an 10 mile ride to Dores on the South Loch Ness Trail. The trail first heads along what is known locally as the Corkscrew road to a high point at 1300ft above Loch Ness. The rewards for this muscle pumping section are spectacular views along the length of Loch Ness and directly across to Urquhart Castle. The route then heads gradually downhill to the village of Dores. You will enjoy dinner Dores Inn, famed for its traditional Scottish atmosphere, warm welcome and hearty meals. The day is rounded off with a drive home via the Upper Findhorn Valley in the richly beautiful area of Strathdearn. You will be treated to miles of stunning scenery, most often backlit by a fabulous setting sun. Keep your eyes peeled, too, for golden eagles, which have made this landscape their home, as well as mountain hares. Back at Fraoch Lodge we imagine you’ll fall into bed and a deep sleep.

Today we celebrate many things famously Scottish with a treasure trove of treats for all ages and interests. The first stop after a home cooked breakfast is the grand town of Grantown on Spey where guests can be fitted for a kilt. There is a full Highland kilt option for men, as well as Highland wear for women and children. The reason for the kilt fitting will be revealed later but first there are a few places to visit.

A scenic drive takes us to Glenlivet at the heart of Malt Whisky country. A fascinating Wild Farm Safari offers the chance to get up close to friendly reindeer, iron-age pigs, fallow deer, Soay sheep, wild boar and Highland breeds of cattle. From the farm we climb Cairn Diamh, a hill that reveals fantastic Highland views for relatively little hiking. The vistas on a clear day, including the easily recognisable peak of the mountain of Ben Rinnes, will take your breath away. From the 570m (1,968ft) summit, we will walk downhill along another section of the iconic Speyside Way to reach the Glenlivet Distillery. For whisky lovers, a tour of Glenlivet will be relished as you find out more about the single malt and taste a few Glenlivet drams. For children and those who would prefer a non-whisky activity, we will head to nearby Drumin Castle. Although in ruins, the fortified tower house makes for a fascinating tour with the option to take in a short circular walk.

Today, our Scottish extravaganza heads next to the Tomintoul, a village on the eastern edge of the Cairngorm National Park, where we will find a gem of a shop known as the Whisky Castle. The outlet specializes in single cask whiskey bottlings and is home to hundreds of whiskies. Owner Mike Drury’s knowledge and love of whiskey is unparalled. The Whisky Castle also boasts an array of other Scottish produce in the Highland Food Market, which is run by wife Cathy. Our day would not be complete without a traditional Burns supper. Returning to Fraoch Lodge, via Grantown to pick up your Highland wear and kilts, you’ll sit down to a meal of haggis, neeps and tatties replete with a few odes written by famous Scottish poet Rabbie Burns.

After breakfast, Rothiemurchus estate, near Aviemore, is the focus of today’s activities. This wonderful landscape is perfect for a range of adventures with a wealth of signposted trails, picturesque lochs and woodland, as well as a chance to spot Scottish wildlife. You will be dropped off at nearby Coylumbridge with mountain bikes and a suggested riding route, at your own speed, to beautiful Loch an Eilean. A walking and cycling trail circuits the loch. Look out for the eye catching island castle. Loch an Eilean has been voted Britain’s top picnic spot so we recommend you try it and see.

After a re-energizing picnic, the next suggested highlight is a pottery, Pens Pots. Owner Penny Weir will show you how to throw your own pot and create an individual piece of pottery to take home with you. Back on your bikes you could choose to ride to Rothiemurchus Fish Farm where you can have a go at fishing for rainbow trout. Alternatively, why not feed the fish? A bag of pellets can be bought from the Fishery Tackle Shop. After a fun day, you will be picked up at Coylumbridge for the return trip to Fraoch Lodge and another rewarding evening meal.

With such an amazing array of fabulous places to visit in the Higlands, it can be difficult to choose a destination. We think that the northwest area known as Torridon is well worth the drive and the early rise. The mountains here are truly splendid but still offer a range of walks to suit all ages and fitness levels. We can choose as a group to walk into magnificent Coire Mhic Fhearchair, acclaimed as one of the finest corries in Scotland. The straightforward hill walk reveals a classic view of the towering Triple Buttress, which on a sunny day is reflected in the waters of a stunning lochan (small loch/lake).

An alternative is to explore the Beinn Eighe Nature Trail, billed as Britain’s only waymarked mountain walk. The trail heads through a Natural Nature Reserve (NNR), which is home to a wide range of habitats including ancient Caledonian pine woods. Renowned for its wildlife, you may be lucky enough to spot the elusive pine marten. The flexible itinerary offers the opportunity for fishing on Loch Bad an Sgalaig or an adrenaline-charged afternoon of white water rafting. Every family is different so we offer a wide choice to keep everyone happy. Your evening meal is served on return to Fraoch Lodge.

The Highland Games is a unique event that celebrates the best of Scottish sports and displays, including heavyweights contests, caber tossing, bagpipe playing and Highland dancing. The Games include a chance for visitors to take part in competitions, too, such as hill races. Our own Andy will be speeding off in his shorts and off-road trainers so you might like to join him and try to beat him! If you would prefer, we can organize today to suit your own desires, perhaps heading off for another self-guided mountain bike ride or to try a number of other activities, such as rafting, river bugging, gorge walking or canyoning. All these can be arranged suit different ages and adrenaline desires. After a full last day, there is a chance in the evening to relax and enjoy a slideshow of photographs of your week, as well as a delicious final feast at Fraoch Lodge.

Departure and transfer to other points in Scotland.