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Adventures & Events in Scotland
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| Shooting and Sporting Estate
While staying at the Stakis we'll try our hand at Clay Pigeon Shooting. You'll be potting those elusive little clay creatures in no time. You may not be a top
marksman when we leave, but it's a barrel of fun!
I'll leave an "open" day here too, for the many other activities available on this 280 acre Sporting Estate. Depending upon season and advance arrangements you can also try archery,
fishing, 4x4 off-roading, real game shooting and stalking, hot air ballooning, white water rafting, falconry, golfing, horseback riding or just enjoy the indoor leisure centre and swimming.
Picturesque, historic Dunkeld is also close by, and well worth a visit.
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It's OK - they're only Clay!
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Scottish Dolphins?
Yes, there are Dolphins in Scotland! The Moray Firth coastline is broken by steep cliffs and long sheltered inner firths. A wealth of marine life thrives in the open sea, and thousands
of birds and other creatures throng in the spectacular cliffs and tidal mud flats.
There are Seals, Otters, Ospreys, Porpoise, and Minke Whale about, but the star attraction is Europe's most northerly group of Bottlenose Dolphins. Herds of 20 or more can sometimes be seen
during summer months, but whether they choose to visit with us or not (they do, about 8 out of 10 times), its a great boat ride!
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Highland Salmon Fishing
 The River Spey is world renowned for trout and salmon fishing and Grant
Mortimer has been providing fishing tackle and personal fishing guides for more years than one might care to recall.
The river is beautiful at sunrise and sunset when fishing is best so whether you catch your limit or come back empty it's a wonderful experience, and Grant's knowledgeable guides will ensure that
you have the best of it. Everything you need is included.
If you choose not to go fishing, I'll have other activities or sightseeing planned, or you can just relax by the river and explore on your own.
 Highland Games
We'll attend the internationally renowned Braemar Gathering. This is Scotland's premiere Highland Games gathering, with all of the pipe bands and competitions and the added attraction that it
is normally attended by some or all of the Royal Family.
Not to be missed!
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Horseback Riding in Scotland's Highlands!
 You can spend a wonderful day Pony Trekking in the Grampian
Mountains. Good horses, superb scenery, the Highland air, helpful, professional guides and good company. Could it get any better?
The guides are accommodating whether you are a novice or expert rider and don't at all mind helping you sort out the English saddle if "Western" is your normal style.
As usual, everything is included and, if you would rather not ride, I'll have other activities or sightseeing planned.
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Scotch Whisky Tasting
We'll tour Scotland's famous distilleries of course, but first a traditional Highland Scotch Whisky "Nosing". You'll learn how the
"experienced palate" differentiates Whiskies, guided by an expert, usually Mr. Robert Fleming, manager of the Tomintoul Distillery.
Our Scotch whisky nosing is likely to include a Scotch Malt Whisky blend that is the smoothest nectar I have personally ever sampled. Comprised of seven (secret) different 12 year old malts,
blended, and aged a further 15 years, it is available in only one shop in the world. I regret that I will not tell you its name (here) lest its limited supply be completely drained
before I have a chance to replenish!
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- Highland Ceilidh
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Roughly translated, a Ceilidh (kay-lee) is "a gathering of people". For those of you from North America, I'd translate it as "the most fun you can have with your boots on"!
If you don't know at least one "local" after this night, there may be no hope! This is a wonderfully fun evening, and chances are the local folk will not stay away. Mr. Peter Campbell,
who has piped in and Addressed The Haggis as far abroad as Hong Kong will do those honours, we'll have dinner (no, you don't have to eat the "master of the puddin race", but do just try a
wee bite!), and then its fiddles out and "game on"!
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- Ballindalloch Castle
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Ballindalloch Castle is mentioned again on my "Historic Sights" page but it is also listed here because our visit truly is an
event.
Ballindalloch is one of the few privately owned Scottish Castles to have been continuously occupied by its original family, the Macpherson-Grants.
You'll be treated to a private tour of the castle, be "piped in" to the Castle's wonderful dining room, where by special arrangement the Macpherson-Grants will join us for dinner.
The Macpherson-Grants are charming and gracious hosts, the dinner is excellent, the setting warm, the event an honour, and the evening, one to remember for a very long time.
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- Golfing in Scotland
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Golfing in Scotland, where the game was born, is a popular activity. There is a lovely course in Grantown-on-Spey in the Highlands and I usually set time aside from our other adventures, if you
would like to enjoy a round. All fees included.
I can also arrange for you to golf at St. Andrews while we are staying in Edinburgh, but I should mention that golfing "The Old Course" requires proof of handicap from your local club and
there is a minimum. Still, if you take your game to heart, there's nothing like it, anywhere! Let me know if you would like more information on golfing St. Andrews or
golfing in Scotland in general.
Of course, I'll have other activities or sight seeing planned for those who do not wish to golf.
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If this page is missing something of interest please, let me know.
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Haste Ye Back!
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