THE BEST OF SCOTLAND - 14 Nights
This holiday takes you through some of Scotland's finest scenery and gives the opportunity to walk /hike in a number of different locations, terrain and scenery types. The first three nights are spent around lovely Loch Lomond, with the great mass of Ben Lomond overlooking the beautiful lake. Then four nights in the Fort William & Ben Nevis area, with great loch-side walks and more strenuous hikes on to the great Ben, (Britain's highest mountain), itself. From Fort William you travel to dramatic Wester Ross, in the northwest of Scotland for four nights in the Gairloch area. Three days of serious walking /hiking in the fabulous Torridon Mountains but with easier options for the less energetic! Finally three nights in the impressive Cairngorms, Britain's biggest mountain mass and one of the country's last wilderness areas. More great walking /hiking awaits before you head back to your starting point.
The holiday can be taken as a Fully Escorted Group Holiday on the dates shown below, based on a minimum of 6 people per departure, or on a self drive independent basis using your own car or on a self drive independent basis using a rental car arranged by us or on a chauffeur driven basis. Prices shown are for a small escorted group. For prices for self drive or chauffeur driven prices please ask for our detailed Fact Sheet.
DAY 1: Depart by small, fully fitted coach or comfortable 12/15 seater mini-bus(passenger van) from London. Leicester, Manchester & Glasgow. (It might be possible to arrange other pickup points en route, dependent on the location of other participants). Continue to the Loch Lomond area for a 3 night stay. Accommodation will be in a comfortable 3 star hotel, or similar. Dinner in the hotel.
DAY 2 & 3: Breakfast at the hotel each day. Two full days of walking around the Loch Lomond/Ben Lomond area. Walking options include the ascent of Ben Lomond (3,191 ft) and sections of the West Highland Way. Dinner at the hotel each day.
DAY 4: Breakfast at hotel. Today you transfer to the Fort William/Ben Nevis area, where you will stay for 4 nights in a comfortable hotel. The route follows roughly parallel to the West Highland Way, along Loch Lomond, over lonely Rannoch Moor and the Pass of Glencoe, scene of the famous massacre of the MacDonalds. Walking possibilities en route include short sections of the West Highland Way, on Rannoch Moor and the around Glencoe area. Visits can also be made to the “Highland Mystery World” Centre and/or the Glencoe Folk Museum. Dinner at the hotel.
DAY 5-7: Breakfast at hotel each day. 3 full days of walking. Options include various walks in the Ben Nevis range itself, along Glen Spean and around Loch Eil. Dinner in the hotel each day.
DAY 8: Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the Torridons area.The route follows Loch Ness, so keep your eyes alert for the Monster! Those who wish have the opportunity of visiting the Monster Centre. By-passing Inverness you travel through the wild and beautiful scenery of Wester Ross. Stay 4 nights at a comfortable hotel. Dinner at hotel.
DAY 9-11: Breakfast at hotel each day. 3 full days of walking in the Torridons. There are challenging peaks like great Ben Eige, awesome Liathach, Ben Alligin and lovely Slioch, all between 3,100/3,300 ft. There are also many easier walks along the rivers and glens and around the coast. Dinner at hotel each day.
DAY 12: Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to the Cairngorms, for a stay of three nights. En route there are variuos possibilities for short walks and you can also visit a whisky distillery! Dinner at the hotel.
DAY 13 & 14: Breakfast at the hotel each day. 2 full days of Hiking in the Cairngorms. There are many options for walks, including ascents of great 4,000ft.+ peaks like Ben MacDhui, Braeriach, Cairntoul and of course Cairgorm itself, as well as the famous Larig Ghru pass. Easier options include walks along the River Tay, in the Glen More Forest Park and the famous Osprey Reserve at Loch Garten. Dinner at your hotel each day.
DAY 15: Breakfast at the hotel. Return transfer back to Glasgow, Manchester, Leicester and London (plus any other outward pick-up points).
ACCOMMODATION & MEALS
Accommodation will be at comfortable hotels of 3-stars or equivalent
and all bedrooms will have private bathroom & toilet. Each day you
will take dinner and breakfast at the hotel.
TRANSPORT
Will be by either a small, fully fitted coach, in the case of larger
parties or comfortable mini-bus (passenger van) driven by our Leader,
for smaller groups.
THE WALKING PROGRAMME
The programme is designed for Grades 2 & 3, as described below.
With smaller parties you will have one Footloose Leader, and the walks
will be a mix of grades 2 & 3, according to the make up of the group
and its abilities. With larger parties we have two Footloose Leaders,
in which case we offer a choice between a Grade 2 and 3 walk each day.
The distances and ascents may be modified, according to the abilities
and wishes of the party but will generally be as detailedin the sectionon
Walking Grades - click on the menu.
DATES & PRICES
14 Nights
31 May, 14 June, 28 June, 12 July, 26 July, 9 August, 23 August, 06
September, 20 September 2007
£1,395 / US$2,720 per person
THE PRICE INCLUDES
* 14 nights accommodation in twin or double rooms, all with private
bathroom & toilet, in good quality hotels of 3 stars or equivalent.
* Dinner and breakfast each day, from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on
Day 15.
* Transport by small coach or mini-bus throughout the holiday, or private
/rental car as appropriate .
* All the costs of the walking programme.
* Services of one Footloose Leader (or 2 Leaders with larger parties).
* V.A.T. and all local service charges and taxes.
THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
Lunches ; insurance ; admissions to castles, museums etc. ; items of
a personal nature, e.g. drinks, telephone calls etc.
