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Balmoral Estate on Loch Muick in the Cairngorms Winter

Small Group Tours

Physical Rating

Highlands Winter Walking

Experience a Scottish winter adventure

As the temperature drops, Scotland becomes a playground for winter adventures. Lace up your hiking boots and embark on a Winter hiking tour through the wild landscapes of the Cairngorms National Park, and spend a night in a traditional Scottish bothy. 

Scotland 4 days January - March COMING SOON
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From £795
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The ultimate winter escape in the rugged Cairngorms National Park awaits on your Scotland winter walking holiday. Immerse yourself in the season by hiking along the wild banks of Loch Muick and spending a night in a remote bothy on the royal family’s Balmoral estate.

4 days of winter escape with zero-hassle and all this included:

  • 2 days of guided winter hiking in the Cairngorms National Park
  • 2 nights accommodation in a comfortable hotel in Pitlochry
  • 1 night wild camping in a bothy owned by the Royal family
  • All meals included
  • Whisky distillery tour & tasting 
  • Voluntary trail clean in association with Trash Free Trails
  • Experienced, local, winter mountain leader as your guide
  • 1 native tree planted in our woodland

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For adventurers who:

Want to experience the wild Scottish winter by exploring the Cairngorms National Park with a local professional guide.

Perfect for solo travellers or bring along a friend to share this small group experience. Maximum group size 8. Age 18+ only.

Day 1 - Pitlochry

Arrive in Pitlochry, ready to check into your hotel between 16:00 and 17:00. Enjoy a delicious, welcome dinner as you get acquainted with your fellow travellers and your experienced winter mountain leader for the coming days.

If you require transfers from the train station, airport or ferry port, please contact us to make arrangements prior to travelling.

Day 2 - Loch Muick

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Start your day with a hearty Highland breakfast in your hotel, before packing up your overnight kit for your winter adventure into the Cairngorms National Park. 

From your hotel, you will be transported to Loch Muick on the Balmoral Estate. Loch Muick is a stunning loch found at the foot of Lochnagar, one of Scotland’s finest mountains. The Balmoral Estate has been the Scottish home of the royal family since it was purchased in 1852. It is also home to a variety of wildlife including grouse and red deer!

Brush up on your winter skills

Your mountain leader will run through some winter skills with you to prepare you for the next two days of winter hiking in the harsh Scottish conditions. 

Then it’s time to lace up your hiking boots as you and your fellow explorers begin your hike along the stony path that wraps around the banks of Loch Muick. Enjoy the breathtaking landscapes this part of the UK has to offer, as you embrace the frosty air. Stop for a picnic lunch before continuing your walk to the bothy. 

Loch Muick Bothy

On arrival at the bothy, help your guide and adventure buddies light the log fire to take the chill out of the air and to help you warm up after a wintery day in the Scottish hills. Your evening meal will be a team effort cooked camp style, complete with hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows for an after-dinner treat. 

This bothy is one of the outhouses adjacent to the old royal hunting lodge where the late Queen Elizabeth II often took refuge. Your own refuge may be a little more basic but equally as exciting! 

Gather around the fire, sharing stories, before settling down in your sleeping bag for the night.

Day 3 - Loch Muick

Enjoy a wholesome camp-style breakfast at the bothy with your fellow travellers before packing up, pulling on your hat and gloves and embracing the cool winter air as we venture back into the wild landscape. Today we’ll explore more of the incredible surrounding landscape, as we continue our walk around Loch Muick. 

Winter Warmer

With so many breathtaking views of the landscape, you’ll be spoilt for choice on where to enjoy your picnic lunch before making your way back to the trail endpoint.

Hotel comforts

After a transfer back to Pitlochry and some time to enjoy a nice hot shower at your hotel, join your fellow travellers for a visit to the local whisky distillery for a tour & tasting session. The perfect way to warm up and celebrate the final night of your Cairngorm winter walking trip.

Day 4 - Pitlochry

Mar sin leat (farewell in Scottish Gaelic)

Savour your final breakfast with your fellow travellers this morning. Feeling truly immersed in the winter season, you’ll return home with a new perspective that adventure is out there, all year round.

What's included

  • 2 days of guided walking in the Cairngorms National Park
  • 2 nights accommodation in a comfortable hotel in Pitlochry
  • 1 night wild camping in a bothy owned by the Royal family
  • All meals included 
  • Whisky distillery tour & tasting 
  • Voluntary trail clean in association with Trash Free Trails
  • Experienced winter mountain guide
  • 1 native tree planted in our woodland

What you need to bring

  • Comfortable waterproof walking boots
  • Waterproof jacket & trousers
  • Warm layers for walking & overnight
  • Insulated jacket for keeping warm – especially at the bothy
  • Warm hat and gloves
  • Head torch
  • Backpack – to carry hydration, food for the 2-day hike, spare clothing, sleeping bag & roll mat
  • Portable battery pack for charging devices at the bothy

Supercharge your adventure

Even more ways to take your adventure to the next level!

  • If you would prefer your own room we can usually accommodate that at the hotel, though an extra charge would apply and is not possible in the bothy – please select the Private Room option when you book online
  • Sleeping bag & mat hire, if you don’t have your own – select this option when you book online
  • Return transfers can be arranged if you’re travelling by air, rail or ferry – please contact us to discuss your requirements

What you need to know

  • Enjoy the reassurance of flexible booking terms, part of our Adventure Promise
  • Bookings close 4 to 6 weeks prior to departure, or as soon as places fill
  • Maximum group size: 8
  • You must be 18 years or over to join this adventure
  • Check in is available in Pitlochry from 15:00 on your arrival day
  • Accommodation details and directions will be provided following confirmation of your booking
  • We don’t believe in charging people more for exploring our world solo, so we’ll always match you up with a like-minded traveller to share a twin room
  • If you would prefer your own room we can usually accommodate that at the hotel, an extra charge would apply and this is not possible in the bothy – please select the Private Room option when booking online

Getting here

By Air

  • The closest international airports to Pitlochry are Edinburgh and Glasgow
  • It is approximately a 2 hour train transfer from either airport to Pitlochry train station 
  • It is approximately a 2 hour taxi transfer from either airport to the tour start point in Pitlochry

By Rail

  • The closest train station to the tour start point in Pitlochry is Pitlochry Train Station
  • From Pitlochry Train Station, it is a 10 minute walk to your hotel 

By Road

  • The tour start point in Pitlochry is located less than a 10 minute drive to the A9

If you require assistance with arranging taxi transfers, please get in touch with a member of our team

At Adventure Tours UK, we set out to create the kind of breaks people like us go wild for. People who get their thrills in the outdoors and want to care for it too. Who want to disconnect from the daily grind and reconnect with nature. If you’re in search of adventure, you’ll find it with us.

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