Mountains and Malts
£521.00
Walking and whisky
OK – walking and whisky might not be 2 topics you instantly think of in the same breath, but they are 2 key themes to the Highlands of Scotland. It is very nice at the end of a day out walking to return to your home base and enjoy a wee whisky with friends. There’s more to a pairing of walking and whisky than you might initially think.
Remember that you’re in Scotland, so the first think you’ll need to know is that malt whisky does not have an “e” in the name. The next thing to remember is that you should never suggest pairing your treasured malt whisky with ice. If you do suggest ice in your whisky, you’ll be the recipient of frowns and stares plus possibly some lectures on destroying the taste of your malt.
Walking and whisky – the tour
This trip samples the crowning glories of the Cairngorms National Park. Whilst others make a beeline for the highest peaks of we venture elsewhere, we’ll head onto the overlooked back waters of the Glenlivet for grandstand views from deserted mountain tops. This is a secretive area, where Catholicism held on and away from the eyes of the Exciseman. It was once the heart of illicit distilling territory. Not to fear though, whisky is now legal and a thriving industry. We’ll discover the world of whisky and have a chance to sample its delights along with experiencing some fine mountain-scapes
HIGHLIGHTS
- 4 nights accommodation at Fraoch Lodge
- all meals included
- transport included
- 3 day’s guiding with experienced, local guide
- pick up/drop off from Aviemore station
- distillery tour at Glenlivet or Glenfarclas distillery
- tutored whisky tasting at the Whisky Castle, specialist whisky shop
- visit and tour of the Cooperage, where the whisky casks are made and refurbished
The best of the Highlands in a nutshell: hiking on a whisky theme. Explore whisky country and experience all the hidden, personally selected top spots; all linked to the whisky story which underpins a lot of our life in Scotland.
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Typical pagoda structures which seem so incongruous on a distillery
Hiking and Scotch whisky –
This trip samples the crowning glories of the Cairngorms National Park. Whilst others make a beeline for the highest peaks of we venture onto the overlooked back waters of the Glenlivet for grandstand views from deserted mountain tops. This secretive area, where Catholicism held on and away from the eyes of the Exciseman, was once the heart of illicit distilling territory. Not to fear though, whisky is now legal and a thriving industry. We’ll discover the world of whisky and have a chance to sample its delights along with experiencing some fine mountain-scapes
You will visit Glenlivet Distillery, the Cooperage, Craigellachie Hotel’s whisky bar and taste whisky.
An activity for all whisky lovers when visiting Scotland.
The best of the Highlands in a nutshell: hiking on a whisky theme. Explore whisky country in the footsteps of smugglers and experience all the hidden, personally selected top spots; all linked to the whisky story which underpins a lot of our life in Scotland.
Arrival:
We start this walking break by rendezvousing at our easy to reach base of Fraoch Lodge in the Cairngorm National Park.
Day 1:Cromdale Hills and Glenlivet Distillery
1980ft (600m) of ascent and 9.5 miles (15 km) on tracks and over open moorland with moderate and gentle gradients. Approx walking time excluding breaks and training: 5:45
Understand the whisky story and hike the scenery which infuses the product
Day 2:The Cooperage and Ben Rinnes
2240ft (680m) of ascent and 8 miles (13 km) on mainly tracks and mountain footpaths with mainly moderate and gentle gradients but with 150m of steep ascent. Approx walking time excluding breaks and training: 5:15
Day 3: Braes of Glenlivet and the Whisky Castle
1900ft (580m) of ascent and 8 miles (13 km) on tracks and over open moorland with mainly moderate and gentle gradients but with 150m of steep ascent. Approx walking time excluding breaks and training: 4:30
Gourmet whisky at the Whisky Castle in Speyside near the Cairngorms
Departure:
Most guests depart the following morning after walking finishes, after breakfast but should you have a plane or train to catch we will make sure you we get you there in good time. Feel free to stay on and enjoy more of the area if you want. Extra accommodation may be available, please enquire.
Relax by the fire (whisky optional)
Gourmet whisky in the Cairngorms
We asked our guests what sets Scot Mountain Holidays apart, why they return year after year:
“the social aspect” – “the camaraderie, food and conversation” –
“the company of the hosts” – “so warm and welcoming” –
“a profound sense of belonging” – “the welcome of Rebecca’s home cooked meal” – “Andy’s skills as a guide, naturalist and leader” – “stewardship, sustainability and a small footprint” – “in harmony with the land” – “a slice of rural Scottish life”
Scot Mountain Holidays is the ONLY adventure tour operator in Highlands of Scotland with a combined home and guest lodge. We strive to be more than just an tour. We aim to provide you with a ‘home away from home’ on your adventures. We thought of no better way of doing this than to welcome you into our own home.
We have owned and operated Fraoch Lodge as our home base and business since 1999. In that time, we have come to embrace our guests as members of our extended Highland family.
Andy and Rebecca displaying their awards at Fraoch Lodge
We source our meals from locally produced and home grown ingredients to provide you with the most delicious flavours and traditions the area has to offer (while minimising our impact on the environment, too). Our dining room and lounge are shared spaces where we gather with guests and friends to share in the holiday and offer you extensive knowledge of your tour.
No matter the season, the Cairngorms and Fraoch Lodge is a place to relax and explore all its beauty and comforts, and we hope to make you feel as at home as we are.
Relax and unwind in the heart of the Highlands of Scotland
Amazing meals at Fraoch Lodge
We have achieved Gold Star Awards from the world’s most highly respected green accreditation scheme, Green Tourism, and were awarded Highly Commended in their Green Star Awards 2013 for both Scot Mountain Holidays and Fraoch Lodge. We offer a Green Travel Discount of £15 to any guests who travel to us by public transport. Our primary aim is to minimise the carbon footprint of our holidays, and to this end we donate 1% of the price of our tours to the RSPB’s Abernethy Reforestation project.
It is a holistic approach we have to the care of the environment. Andy your adventure guide has a passion for the natural world – whether it’s the flora, fauna or fungi. He has a background in geology and a lifelong interest in natural history, as well as being a keen gardener. He knows a Golden Plover from a Dotterel, a Green Shank and a Dunlin. He also makes no apologies to being very excitable upon spying a Golden Eagle!
For further information, please don’t hesitate to check out our Environmental Responsibility page, or contact us directly at info@scotmountainholidays.com.
Gold standard for Green Tourism
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