On October 15, 2025
By Rebecca Field
Beyond the trail: how food & accommodation enhance a walking holiday
When you picture the perfect walking holiday, your mind probably goes straight to the landscape — sweeping moors, rugged summits, and the satisfaction of a well-earned view. But anyone who’s spent a full day on the hill knows that what happens beyond the trail — the food, the comfort, and the welcome that awaits you — can make all the difference between a good trip and a truly unforgettable one.
Nourishment that fuels the adventure
After hours of fresh air and physical effort, the body craves real food — something nourishing, hearty, and full of flavour. That’s why we believe food should be just as integral to a walking holiday as the walking itself. Locally sourced ingredients not only taste better, but they also connect you to the landscape in a different way — from the Cairngorm-reared venison and Speyside oats to the berries gathered just down the road.
Meals at Fraoch Lodge are designed to restore energy and lift the spirits. After a long day out, guests can expect the kind of food that warms you from the inside out: steaming bowls of soup packed with local vegetables, home-baked bread fresh from the oven, and a main course that balances flavour with nourishment. In summer, that might be a colourful salad bursting with herbs from the garden; in winter, perhaps a rich stew simmered slowly through the afternoon, ready for your return.
We keep an eye on the seasons, too — letting what’s growing locally shape the menu. It means you’ll rarely eat the same meal twice, but you’ll always know it’s been prepared with care and purpose.
Comfort as recovery beyond the trail
There’s a special kind of tiredness that comes from a full day’s walking — satisfying, but demanding. That’s why we’ve made comfort part of the recovery process. At Fraoch Lodge, warm beds, fresh linen, and a welcoming atmosphere await you after the hills.
Every detail is designed with walkers in mind: a drying room to rescue damp boots and waterproofs, soft seating where you can stretch out with a cup of tea or a dram, and communal spaces where stories from the trail are shared. Whether you’re swapping route highlights, planning the next day’s adventure, or simply unwinding by the fire, this time off the hill is as much a part of the experience as the day’s miles.
Behind the scenes and beyond the trail: preparing for your return
When guests head out each morning, the day doesn’t slow down at the lodge — it shifts gear. While you’re exploring the Cairngorms, the kitchen hums with quiet purpose. Bread doughs are rising, soups are simmering, and the day’s baking begins.
By the end of the day, everything is in place to help you rest and recover: boots drying, dinner scents filling the air, and a warm welcome waiting. It’s all part of the rhythm that makes a walking holiday flow — effort and ease, movement and stillness, exploration and comfort.
Amazing meals at Fraoch Lodge
A truly memorable walking holiday isn’t just about the miles covered — it’s about how well you’re cared for in between. At Fraoch Lodge, we make sure that what happens beyond the trail is just as rewarding as the journey itself.
