Naturally Scotland
Exploring the flora, fauna and culture of the Wild North
A journey through the magnificent landscapes of Scotland, experiencing some of Britain’s most beautiful natural sights in a cultural context. This exclusive tour is designed by Miles Robertson Forde, an experienced guide and educationalist with a profound knowledge of and love for Scotland’s wild places. The tour is suited for all ages. It involves some outdoor walking and boat excursions, but is not physically arduous. There are a maximum number of seven guests, transported in a comfortable people carrier.
NOTE: If you are interested in this tour but cannot come on the dates below, please contact us and we can discuss arranging a bespoke tour at another time.
Tour Details
The general outline of the tour is as follows...
Arrival Date
Experience teaches us that people prefer to give themselves time to recover from the journey and explore a little on their own. We are therefore including a night at a chic Bed and Breakfast close to Edinburgh city centre before the full tour begins. Our guide is available to provide a walking tour of the city - please let us know if you would like to take up this option.
A taxi from Edinburgh airport will cost about £25, and there are good bus and tram links. The station is a short walk or taxi ride.
Day 2
We meet our guide at 9.30 in the lobby for the start of the tour – an excursion to the lovely coast of East Lothian at picturesque North Berwick. A boat trip to view the extraordinary seabird colonies of Bass Rock, followed by lunch near the harbour. An afternoon stroll in the John Muir Country Park, named after the famous naturalist and pioneer of national parks, who was born in nearby Dunbar. Back to Edinburgh for a second night.
Bass Rock
Day 3
Over the impressive Forth Crossing and into the Highlands. Stop at pretty Dunkeld with its ruined cathedral on the Tay. Then some self-indulgence and lunch at the House of Bruar before a visit to Blair Castle, home of Europe’s last private army. Explore the lovely gardens and red deer enclosure. Then a visit to the dramatic pass of Killiekrankie before finding our accommodation at Pitlochry.
Loch Tay
Day 4
A morning stroll along Loch Faskally and a short visit to a nearby distillery for a pre lunch taste of Scotland’s national drink. After an early lunch we travel further into the mountains to catch a sight of the wonderful Ospreys at Loch Garten. Then, up the Cairngorm mountain for the spectacular views and bird watching opportunities.
Day 5
Another day in the heart of the Highlands. We walk to the Uath Lochans and Fairletter Crag. Then a taste of Highland history at the outdoor folk museum and nearby ruined Ruthven barracks. Finally, to the RSPB hides at Loch Inch before travelling further north for a relaxed evening in Inverness.
Ruthven Barracks
Day 6
We depart Inverness - by boat – for a dolphin safari in the Moray Firth, home to the country’s most in-shore population of dolphins and porpoises, framed by the mountains and coastlands around. Then a trip to Tollie to watch the feeding of the red kites there. After this a visit to the shores of Loch Ness to visit romantic Urquart Castle (and, who knows, spot Britain’s most elusive and mysterious creature nearby).
Day 7
Travelling back South through the Highlands, we stop to admire Britain’s oldest tree, the Fortingall Yew in its lovely landscape. Then a visit to the Crannog centre to experience lochside dwelling, prehistoric style. We wind through the hills for a magnificent finale – Drummond Castle with its magnificent gardens - before returing to Edinburgh for a relaxed final evening.
Drummond Castle & Gardens
Day 8
Fly home or onward travel.
Price, Transport, Guide, Accommodation and Shopping
As an indication, the cost of the tour in 2021 was GBP £2,150 (USD $2,850). Please contact us for up-to-date prices.
The tour is priced for people travelling on their own. If you are happy to share a room, there is a reduction of GBP £150 per person.
The tour will be for a maximum of seven people travelling in a nine seater minibus.
Please let us know by email if you are interested in the additional walking tour of Edinburgh on the arrival day.
Breakfast is included throughout; lunch and dinner is not included. At the other overnight stops there is a range of bar meals and more formal options, as well as excellent eating and drinking options nearby.
Luggage- we suggest a medium sized case plus hand luggage for easy access at your seat. If you are continuing your trip please ask us about left luggage facilities in Edinburgh.
There will be plenty opportunity to buy souvenirs but this is not really a tour for serious shopping!
What's Included?
- Bed and Breakfast for seven nights
- Services of lead tour guide and driver/guide for six days
- Entry to key nature and cultural sites, inlcuding boat trips
Not included:
- Air Fares
- Lunches, drinks and snacks
- Dinners except for those specified
- Trip insurance.
We ask for a non refundable deposit of GBP £450 per person which represents the costs of arranging the tour.
The balance is payable thirteen weeks prior to the start of the tour.
Cancellation
We strongly recommend that you take out trip insurance in case of unforeseen circumstances.Special arrangements for Covid related cancellations on request. Clans and Castles is registered under the official 'Good to Go' scheme. For more details on our terms and conditions please click here.
Now What?
If you would like to know, more about the trip then send an email to me, Diana Gray.
OR
If you would like to go ahead and book a place, you can make your non refunable deposit of GBP £450 below.
Note - please use Ref: 'NAT'
