Winter in the Scottish Highlands - 6 Days

Day 1: Arrive in the Cairngorms, Self-Guided Day

Welcome to the magical world of the Cairngorms in winter. Travel north into the Highlands to the small town of Aviemore. Nestled at the foot of the mountains of the Cairngorms National Park, this is the perfect base for exploring this special corner of Scotland. After settling into your accommodation, head out to start exploring or stay in for the evening with a hot drink and a crackling fire.

Day 2: Visit the Local Mountain Reindeer Herd, Self-Guided Day

This morning, make your way to Glenmore Village, where you'll follow a herder up to the lower slopes of the Cairngorms to visit a local reindeer herd in their wintery habitat. Make sure to wrap up warm and prepare for the wild, as this unique experience takes you above the tree line. This afternoon, warm up after your adventures and indulge with a delightful afternoon tea in the Highlands.

Day 3: Explore the Ancient Caledonian Pine Forest, Guided Day

Your guide (and driver) for the next three days will meet you at your accommodation and together you will decide on the best option for the day. Hikes are tailored to your ability, but one option will take you past the beautiful Loch Garten and Loch Mallachie. If snow is lying on the ground, you may spot tracks of some of the rare local wildlife, such as pine martens and red deer. If you're lucky, you may even see the animals themselves in their snowy winter coloring.

Day 4: Whisky Tasting & Stargazing, Guided Day

Today takes you into the heart of whisky country, an area home to more than half the distilleries in Scotland. Enjoy one of the many scenic hikes here, maybe a section of the Speyside Way, a beautiful long-distance trail that winds its way through the heart of this renowned landscape. As you explore, your guide will regale you with tales of the "water of life" history in this area, both legal and slightly less so. Enjoy lunch in a traditional local pub before heading to one of the local distilleries for a tour and tasting. 

Have an early dinner, and if the weather is clear, your guide will take you out after dark to enjoy the dazzling night sky. Scotland has some of Europe's largest expanses of dark sky, with an astonishing amount of stars visible to the naked eye. Wrapped up with a hot drink, you can spend hours enjoying the glorious celestial show on display. If you're lucky, you may even glimpse the elusive Northern Lights.

Day 5: The Drovers Road & the Faery Lochan, Guided Day

This morning you'll be met by your guide and travel together toward Glenmore Village and the starting point of your walk, which takes you over the Ryvoan Pass. Once part of an old droving road through Glenmore Forest, it now offers spectacular views of the Cairngorm Mountains. The route passes the uniquely colored "Lochain Uaine," Gaelic for "the Green Lake." Locally this is known as the Faery Lochan, as legend says it gets its unique color from faeries washing their clothes there.

Stop along the way for hot drinks and a hearty lunch in a remote historic bothy (a rustic shepherd's hut.) If you're feeling adventurous, climb further up onto the nearby summit to enjoy expansive views across the Spey Valley.

After your hike, celebrate with a dram at a local pub before your guide drops you back at your accommodation in Aviemore and departs, leaving you to enjoy a relaxing final night in the Highlands.

Day 6: Depart from the Highlands