Adventures in Scotland

Have you ever booked a walking holiday?

One of our clients told us this was the reaction of her daughter when she announced her plans after booking a walking holiday:

“Mum – enjoy your cold, wet holiday with strangers!” implied “rather you than me”

Seriously – this isn’t what it’s like. There’s so much more to a walking holiday.

1. Make new friends

You know when you join a themed holiday or vacation like this, doing an activity you enjoy, that your fellow guests will be like-minded people. Everyone who books a hiking holiday enjoys hiking – why else would you agree to do it. Therefore you have a common interest to start with. I’ve often overheard people exchanging hiking experiences; finding more and more in common as time goes on.

2. Share common hobby/interests

More often than not it’s more than hiking which you’ll find you have in common with the others. Maybe you share an interest in gardening; or in nature/bird watching; or photography; similar tastes in reading material and the list goes on.

3. Enjoy a sense of community

It’s amazing how quickly a few individuals can become a group and thence be friends. Some of our guests have returned year after year to meet up with each other on a trip with us; so much so that we now build some of our trips around them.

4. Fitness

Obviously the advantage of hiking every day, is that your fitness levels will improve by the end of the week. Guests quite often feel pretty tired mid-way through the week but by the end of the week, not so much.

5. Wellbeing from being outdoors

You might not notice directly the lack of trees and living green spaces when you’re living in the city; but you might notice that you can get stressed quite easily. It’s really quite phenomenal how much easier it is to relax, to sleep and to be calm it is in the countryside. Certainly we receive quite a few comments about the lichens on the trees (indicating the purity of the air here); people notice because it’s not the same where they live.

Playing with lichen

6. Engaging – physical and mental stimulation

Walking is not only a fantastic form of exercise but also a natural mood enhancer. A guided walking holiday encourages participants to embrace the great outdoors, providing a perfect balance of physical activity and mental relaxation. The rhythmic pace of walking is known to reduce stress and promote overall well-being.

7. Complete break from mundane reality of life

When you’re outside, engaging in a physical activity, whether it’s hiking or kayaking or climbing, this totally engages your body and mind. There is no space left for worrying about work or home life concerns. We’ve taken hiking breaks before which have been little more than 24 hours, only one night away from home, but they’ve felt like a week away. It’s felt totally refreshing and ready to get back to work.

8. Back to basics – eat/sleep/hike/repeat

It’s a simple formula but it works. Somehow taking life back to these simple but essential tasks (especially when someone else is doing the cooking and cleaning) makes for a very relaxing holiday.

9. Happy tired

There are 2 kinds of tired: stressed tired and happy tired. When you’ve been out hiking all day, your body is physically tired but your mind is relaxed. Hence when you go to bed, you tend to sleep like a log.

10. Immersive cultural experience

Travelling at walking speed means that you have plenty more opportunities to spend time with local people. If your trip is also guided then your guide/travel experts will have curated the best places and people for you to meet.

11. Expert Guidance:

One of the primary advantages of a guided walking holiday is the expertise of the tour guides. These knowledgeable professionals not only ensure your safety but also enhance your experience by sharing insights into the local history, flora, and fauna. Their presence adds depth to your journey, turning a simple walk into an educational and engaging adventure.

12. Environmental Consciousness:

Walking is an eco-friendly mode of travel that minimizes your carbon footprint. Guided walking tours often emphasize sustainable practices, promoting responsible tourism and a deeper appreciation for the environment.

In conclusion, booking a guided walking holiday is an invitation to slow down, engage with the world on a more intimate level, and savor the beauty of each step. These journeys not only nourish your body and soul but also leave you with a newfound appreciation for the diverse landscapes and cultures that make our world so extraordinary. So, lace up your walking shoes and embark on a guided walking holiday – a transformative adventure that promises to be as enriching as the destinations themselves.

Further reading

From the Inverness Courier

Iain said: “If you’re anything like me, and you go to the gym, I would do 20 minutes and say that’ll do, I’m away up the road – but when you go and climb a Munro, for instance, you can’t stop until you reach the top. Then you’ve got to head back down, so the physical benefit is immediate. (Read on…)

Benefits of a guided walking holiday

Exploring the mental health benefits of being in the outdoors