WINTER SCOTLAND

Your first mission: make your way to the Kingshouse Hotel in Glencoe – either by optional private transfer from Glasgow, driving directly there yourself or taking the Caledonian Sleeper train to Fort William and continuing by optional transfer. Once there, you’ll be greeted by our Local Insider at 6pm who will accompany the group throughout the trip. Later, choose from a menu of locally-sourced meat, seafood and vegan dishes as you join your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner – an ideal opportunity to get to know each other. Afterwards, feel free to grab a drink at the bar and settle down by the roaring fire.

Head to the Glencoe Mountain Resort (the oldest ski centre in Scotland) for a morning of snowshoeing – a form of hiking that uses specialist footwear for better weight distribution and grip on snow-covered trails. After, stop for a well-earned lunch and welcome respite from the cold at a mountain lodge. Up for another challenge? You’ll have an opportunity to go ice climbing at Ice Factor in nearby Kinlochleven – the largest indoor ice climbing centre in the world. Spend the evening at leisure back at the hotel; you can join an optional Scotch whisky-tasting session if you fancy. 

Fuel up at breakfast this morning – you’ll need it, as this morning we’ll be hiking up into the rugged Nevis Range. This wild and uncompromising landscape is home to the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, a 1,350m snow-capped giant. After catching some unforgettable views from the steep mountain trails, we’ll head to nearby Ardgour Ales to warm up with some locally-brewed libations. As well as producing award-winning ales, Ardgour also operates a wood-fired pizza oven, so you’ll be able to feast on fresh-hot pizza while owner Fergus talks you through a tasting of their favourite ales. Back in Glencoe, we’ll all regroup for a final farewell dinner at the hotel – an opportunity to revisit favourite moments, and celebrate a memory-packed experience. 

After a leisurely final breakfast, it’s time to bid farewell to your new friends as your highland retreat comes to an end. Check out of the hotel by midday and begin your journey home – or choose to extend your stay and discover what else Scotland has to offer.