WALKING THE WILD
A walking journey of rewilding discovery in the Cairngorms National Park
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Travel through the wild landscapes of the Cairngorms on foot.
- Visit transformational rewilding initiatives that are fighting back for nature.
- Meet inspiring specialists who are making rewilding happen.
- Unwind in a stunning mountain lodge with rewilding on your doorstep.
- Enjoy delicious, locally sourced, home-made food.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Our small group Rewilding Journeys are a carefully crafted blend of discovery and inspiration, in the company of expert guides and like-minded fellow travellers.
The Cairngorms is a land of majestic forests, cascading rivers and vast peatlands, home to wildlife found nowhere else in the UK. Yet like many places, habitats have become fragmented and degraded, with wildlife populations diminished. But today, the Cairngorms boasts some of the most inspiring examples of ecological restoration, or rewilding.
Travelling through regenerating landscapes on foot, allows us to immerse ourselves in their wild beauty and learn first-hand about their stories from the dedicated people involved.
PRICE
£1895
DEPOSIT
£300
PRICE INCLUDES
- 5-nights accommodation in a room with private facilities
- All meals (breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner)
- All guiding, excursions and presentations
PRICE EXCLUDES
- Travel to/from the Cairngorms
- Travel insurance (it is a condition of booking that a suitable policy is in place)
- Alcoholic drinks (a selection of beers, wines and spirits can be purchased)
- Personal expenses
ITINERARY
Our exact itinerary varies according to local factors, including the weather. Here, we present a sample of the walks we enjoy.
Day 1: Arrival
After arrival and introductions, we savour welcoming ‘Scottish’ cocktails and a pre-dinner presentation sets the scene for our adventure. We then gather around our farmhouse dining table to enjoy our first evening meal together.
Day 2: Glenfeshie
Walking stats: Distance: c.11km.
We begin our journey with a pre-breakfast walk and talk along the River Feshie within our rewilding reserve. As part of the Northwoods Rewilding Network, the emphasis here is on letting nature shape and govern the landscape, assisted by a free-roaming herd of Highland cattle that replicate the grazing patterns of lost wild herbivores.
After a hearty breakfast, we venture into Glenfeshie, part of the inspiring Cairngorms Connect initiative. The glen is regenerating after decades of intense management for sport shooting. Young forests are marching up the hillsides, while black grouse, hen harriers and golden eagles are making a comeback. As we travel alongside the river, this landscape of hope provides a glimpse into what rewilding could look like across much more of Scotland.
After dinner, we gather around the fire pit near the river to reflect on the day and savour the long midsummer evening.
Day 3: Abernethy Forest
Walking stats: Distance: c.11km.
Abernethy is one of the largest remaining tracts of the ancient pinewood which once stretched across much of the central Highlands. Here, centuries-old gnarled pines stand sentinel, providing homes for crested tits, pine martens and more recently, white-tailed eagles.
Our walk in Abernethy is off the beaten track and takes in not only the majesty of the forest itself but offers expansive views towards the mountains, where it is easy to imagine the prowling of wolf packs hunting deer.
At the end of our walk, we’ll learn about the Cairngorms Connect Venison Project, which blends conservation-oriented deer management with the supply of a healthy, ethical, local food resource.
Our evenings are flexible providing the option of a post-dinner film screening, or a short walk to a local viewpoint overlooking a series of woodland pools.
Day 4: Biodiversity-boosting Beavers!
Walking stats: Distance: c.12km.
Today, we explore two sites where thanks to recent reintroductions, beavers are now engineering the landscape for the first time in 400 years. Our first walk to a nearby wetland, is a rich mosaic of ponds, channels, reedbeds and scrubby woodland, where ospreys circle overhead. In this hidden corner, we’ll look out for signs of beaver activity and learn about their ability to shape landscapes and in doing so, boost biodiversity.
After a scenic lunch overlooking the confluence of the Rivers Spey and Feshie, we head to a wonderful lochan where against the backdrop of the mountains, beavers are resuming the work that their ancestors carried out for millennia.
In the evening, we enjoy a presentation about the potential for the return of lynx to Scotland.
Day 5: Glen Tromie and Insh Marshes
Walking stats: Distance: c.11km
Today, we embark on a wonderfully varied walk, beginning near the 18th-century ruins of Ruthven Barracks, which overlook the River Spey and its floodplain.
Our route takes us across heather moorland before descending through regenerating birch woodland into Glen Tromie, another landscape where nature is now being allowed more space and freedom to govern itself. We cross the cascading River Tromie before meandering through a mosaic of scattered woodland bordering the Insh Marshes, one of Europe’s most important wetlands. Here we learn about an initiative to fully reconnect the river with its floodplain, while looking out for the Konik ponies which graze the marshes, serving as proxies for extinct wild horses.
After our final evening meal, we’ll unwind with a 'wee dram' and enjoy a film that ties together many of the places and rewilding principles we have seen and learned about during our journey.
Day 6: Farewell
We say our farewells after a hearty breakfast.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Where do we stay?
Our Rewilding Learning Hub is a beautifully converted farm steading known as ‘Ballintean Mountain Lodge’, located in Glenfeshie, near the village of Kincraig, in the Cairngorms National Park.
The lodge has a rustic, contemporary feel with furnishings inspired by nature. All rooms have private facilities and there is Wi-Fi throughout. Mobile phone reception is generally good.
We strive to ensure that the lodge is as accessible as possible to everyone. If you have a disability or a health condition, please let us know at the time of booking and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
What meals are served?
Breakfast and evening meals are taken within our accommodation and prepared by our own catering team. We offer home-cooked, wholesome food prepared with fresh, local ingredients. In the field, we take a picnic lunch and home-bakes. We might also squeeze in coffee and cake stops along the way!
Reasonable dietary requirements can be catered for, taking into consideration allergies and health conditions, as well as ethics, faiths and cultures. Please indicate your requirements on the booking form and we will try our best to accommodate your needs.
How do I get there?
Public transport is generally reliable and we offer free transfers from Kingussie, our nearest village (8 miles).
Train: Services to Kingussie are regular and can be booked here.
Bus: Services to Kingussie are regular and can be booked here.
Car: Safe parking is available and there is an EV charging point. Directions will be sent as Satnav is not always reliable. Our postcode is PH21 1NX.
Air: Our nearest airport is Inverness (45 miles)
Can you collect me from the airport?
Yes. Inverness Airport is one hour from our base and we charge a flat fee of £50 per single airport collection or drop off. This can be shared if there are other members of the group travelling by air. We collect at 4pm on arrival day and drop off at 10.30am on departure day.
How do we get around?
We use a modern, comfortable 9-seater minibus.
Who are your guides?
We work with knowledgeable and friendly guides and trainers from within the Cairngorms area and relevant specialists in the field. All guides are familiar with Scotland’s rewilding narrative.
What size are your groups?
We generally work with small groups of up to 8 participants.
Do I need to be fit?
Each day we will walk at a leisurely pace on established tracks and trails. In some places the ground underfoot can be wet, uneven and sometimes slippery. Occasionally, we may need to cross minor burns and/ or shallow rivers, which will require sure-footedness and reasonable agility.
What do I bring?
A full list of necessary clothing and equipment will be provided on booking.
What will the weather be like?
Weather in the Highlands is very changeable and at any time of year, you should expect anything from warm, calm conditions to wintry squalls. Temperatures are likely to range from 10c to 22c in the spring/summer to 0c to 10c in autumn.
READ OUR FAQS FOR MORE INFO
OUR REWILDING LEARNING HUB
Set in a private, elevated position, Ballintean Mountain Lodge is a beautifully converted farm steading, perfectly located for exploring the wild landscapes of the Cairngorms National Park.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR REWILDING LEARNING HUB
