THE HEART OF SCOTLAND A SHORT BREAK IN HIGHLAND PERTHSHIRE THE HEART OF SCOTLAND - SELF GUIDED SHORT BREAK SUMMARY Explore the heart of Scotland on foot. Discover the history, castles, lochs and rivers of Highland Perthshire on our Heart of Scotland short break. Highland Perthshire is arguably one of Scotland’s most beautiful parts and there is no better way to discover the rich fertile glens and wild hillsides than on foot. The glens are home to rich farmland, ancient forest, historic castles and tranquil lochs, while the heather covered hills are full of wildlife. Blair Atholl, nestled on the banks of the River Garry, is your base for the first two nights. Blair Castle and the walking on Atholl Estates are both first class. You then walk south via Killiecrankie and Ben Vrackie to Pitlochry where you spend the last two nights of your holiday. Highland Perthshire is a favourite destination of many of our experienced walk leaders and they have put together a selection of their favourite walks for your to enjoy at your own pace. Welcoming country hotels, baggage transfer, detailed route notes, maps and emergency support are all included in your holiday. , Tour: The Heart of Scotland should you need it. Code: WSSHS Type: Self-Guided Walking Break Price: See website HIGHLIGHTS Single Supplement: see website Dates: All Year Walking Days: 3 Nights: 4 Enjoying the huge range of suggested walks. Start: Blair Atholl Exploring Blair Castle and Atholl Estates. Finish: Pitlochry Walking through one of Scotland’ finest landscapes. Distance: 20-30 Miles Grade: Easy to Moderate Visiting Edradour, Scotland’s smallest distillery . The prolific wildlife and bird life of the area. IS IT FOR ME? WHY CHOOSE A SELF GUIDED SHORT BREAK WITH US? Welcoming traditional country hotels, At Macs Adventure we want to make sure that you have the very best walking experience in Scotland. Our highland history, romantic castles and walk leaders carefully research and plan our walking itineraries so you can experience the very best a choice of great walks! If this is your Scotland has to offer. They are backed up by an experienced office team dedicated to finding the best idea of the perfect walking break then accommodation and making sure every last detail of your walking holiday is perfect. you can’t go wrong with this walking holiday. TESTIMONIALS WHAT’S INCLUDED? “Everything from Macs' planning advice to its willingness to make an advance adjustment to our itinerary, smoothed our way, enabling a hassle-free, invigorating, and memorable family Accommodation: Hand-picked hotels. adventure”. David Myers, USA Meals: A hearty breakfast included. Lunch and dinner not included but al- “ I just wanted to let you know that it was a fantastic adventure and apart from a few blisters it ways available at accommodation or went without mishap. We even had excellent weather after the first few days, including a magic day nearby. across the Rannoch Moor. Your organisation was excellent and all of the accommodation was just Baggage Transfer: Door-to-door bag- great” Bill Lyndon, Australia gage transfer. Information Pack: Comprehensive Map and Route Notes. THE HEART OF SCOTLAND WALKING IN HIGHLAND PERTHSHIRE DETAILED ITINERARY Day 4: Pitlochry Walking Navigation Choose from a number of outstanding walks in The majority of the walks follow waymarked and around Pitlochry and the surrounding area. footpaths, although for some sections of the Day 1: Arrive Blair Atholl Mountains, rivers, lochs and local attractions will walks and the more challenging options you will Blair Atholl is the quintessential highland village inspire and delight you. Your biggest problem will need to follow route notes and read a map. The and offers real highland hospitality to visitors. It is be which route to take and which sites to visit. route follows clear trails and footpaths at all times. the perfect walking base complete with beautiful Choices include Edradour and Blair Athol scenery and a network of excellent trails. Distilleries, the Festival Theatre, the Salmon HOLIDAY INFORMATION Blair Atholl is on the main Glasgow/Edinburgh to Ladder and the Black Spout Waterfall. Inverness rail, bus and road routes. Journey time Alternatively if you are feeling more energetic is about three hours. you may wish to tackle Ben Vrackie, the highest Grade hill in the area which is sure to reward your Day 2: Atholl Estates Walk We suggest a range of walks each day which efforts with fantastic views in all directions. range from easy to challenging, which you The area surrounding Blair Atholl is an amazing choose is up to you. part of Scotland and you have an entire day to Day 5: Depart Pitlochry enjoy the delights of this truly special part of the Again, Glasgow and Edinburgh are easily Accommodation country. accessed from this central location and should One of the highlights of this tour is the high you need to return to Blair Atholl it is a short Start by visiting Blair Castle, its imposing white standard of the accommodation. We specifically journey by local transport. facade dominates the area. It is home to the choose the accommodation to ensure that you Atholl Highlanders, one of Europe’s last private enjoy every minute of your stay. They all offer a armies and exploring the castle and gardens is SUMMARY: WSSHPSB warm welcome to walkers, traditional hospitality enthralling. and delicious local food. The afternoon is best spent exploring one of the Tour: The Heart of Scotland Single Rooms many way marked tracks available on Atholl Description: Three days of excellent walking Estates, although you can choose from several based at two of our favourite highland hotels. Single rooms are available, although they do walks which we provide including challenging hill Walking Days: 3 attract a single supplement. walks or gentle river strolls. Nights: 4 Solo Walkers Walking Distance: 5 -10 Miles Daily Day 3: Blair Atholl to Moulin Grade: Easy to Moderate This tour is available to solo walkers although Start your journey with a relaxed walk on there is a solo walker supplement payable to riverside paths to Killiecrankie, site of the first Day Route Miles cover the additional baggage transfer costs. battle of the Jacobite victory and home of the Meals unbelievable “Soldiers Leap”. From Killiecrankie 1 Arrive Blair Atholl you have the choice of three equally appealing 2 Atholl Estates Walk 5-10 A choice of full Scottish or continental breakfast routes to Moulin, by mountain, moor or river. 3 Walk to Pitlochry 10 is is included each morning. Lunch and dinner 4 5-10 Pitlochry Walking are not included so you are free to choose from Moulin is a tiny village to the north of Pitlochry 5 Onward Travel the available options. Most of your nestled on the slopes of Ben Vrackie. You will be accommodations will be more than happy to staying at the Moulin Hotel, a delightful haven of provide a packed lunch on request and this can Highland Hospitality well known for its beer and be booked on arrival. food. THE HEART OF SCOTLAND A SHORT BREAK IN HIGHLAND PERTHSHIRE Alternatively your info pack includes details of AVAILABILITY & PRICE TRAVEL INFORMATION local shops and convenient lunch stops on the way. Dinner is available either at your Availability Getting to Blair Atholl accommodation or nearby pubs and restaurants and your info pack will of course have details. This short break is available all year and you can Blair Atholl is 80 miles north of Edinburgh on the start on any day of your choosing subject to main transport route through the highlands. By Baggage Transfer availability. car the journey from Edinburgh takes 1.5 hours and Blair Atholl is well signed from the A9. The Your bags will be transferred from your Spring and autumn are our favourite times of village also has excellent public transport accommodation as per your itinerary and moved year in Perthshire. We would recommend you connections and is served by First Scotrail trains onto your next overnight accommodation. We book as far in advance as possible. and Citylink Bus services from Glasgow/ ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to Edinburgh to Inverness. 15kg per person. Price Current prices are available on our website Getting from Pitlochry Equipment here... Pitlochry is located close to the A9 motorway. Your information pack has a detailed equipment There are several trains per day to Glasgow and list which includes standard walking gear such as Included Edinburgh with Scotrail and similarly there are good walking boots or shoes, warm and Hand picked bed and breakfast and hotel several bus services with Citylink. waterproof clothes and a day pack. accommodation in ensuite rooms. Should you wish to travel back to Blair Atholl, Door to door baggage transfer. Dogs simply take the train which takes around 10 A detailed info pack, route notes and map for Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate minutes or the local number 87 bus, which takes the group leader. walkers with dogs. around 20 minutes. Emergency telephone support from our office in the event of a problem. Recommended Reading M.A.C.S RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL The Guide to Mysterious Perthshire Excluded by Geoff Holder Minimise Impact & Maximise Benefit Atholl and Gowrie: A Historical Guide Travel to the start or from the finish of the walk. Our operating policies, office policies, holidays by Lindsay J. MacGregor and tours are all designed to minimise impact Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks. Rob Roy and maximise benefit to the environment and by Sir Walter Scott Travel Insurance. local communities. Personal Equipment. A History of Scotland Action & Advocacy by Neil Oliver Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage.