Romancing
the Highlands
Vacation Adventures in Scotland
With Ealasaid

Highland Pony Trekking  Scottish Sporting Estate  Highland Games  Dolphin Watching 
Guided Fishing  Scotch Whisky Tasting  Highland Ceilidh  Dinner at Ballindalloch  Golf Scotland
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Here are typical adventures and events on my vacations in Scotland.
If you have a special interest not listed here, let me know!
All fees are included.

Sightseeing is on the Sights page!

 

Shooting and Sporting Estate

You'll have an "open" day at The Stakis for some of the many activities available on this 280 acre sporting estate, but regardless 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 by the time you leave, but you'll have a barrel of fun!

Depending upon the 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, golf, or just enjoy the indoor leisure centre and swimming. Picturesque Dunkeld is nearby, and well worth a visit.

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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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Scottish Dolphins?

 

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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Guided Fishing in Scotland

 

The river Spey is world renowned for its salmon and trout fishing and Grant Mortimer has been providing tackle and personal 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 a basket full or come back empty its a wonderful experience, and Grant's knowledgeable guides will ensure that you have the best of it.

If you choose to fish, everything is included. If not, I'll have other activities or sightseeing planned. Or, if you'd rather, you can just take some time to relax by the river or explore on your own.

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Saddle up!

 

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!

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 sight seeing planned.

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Scotch Whisky Tasting

 

We'll tour Scotland's famous distilleries of course, but first a traditional Whisky "Nosing" is in order. You'll learn how the "experienced palate" differentiates Whiskies, guided by an expert, usually one of the local distillery kegmasters or managers.

Our whisky nosing is likely to include a Scotch Malt Whisky blend that is the smoothest nectar I have ever sampled. Comprised of seven (secret) different 12 year old malts, blended, and aged a further 12 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

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

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

Golfing in the land 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 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 feel free to let me know. Even if you decide not to "come wi' us", or are just curious, I'd be happy to help you discover the where's, when's and so on, of what you have in mind.

Haste Ye Back!

Ealasaid

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Vacations, tours and holidays in Scotland. Travelling in Scotland. Scottish Highland holidays, tours and vacations. 
Inclusive Scottish vacation packages. Executive Travelling and Touring in Scotland. Guided Tours of Scotland.