Friday, January 02, 2009
Happy New Year 2009
We saw out 2008 cooking Haggis, Neaps and Tatties for 44 people at a bunkhouse at Laggan in the Central Highlands - the first real walk of 2009 was 2 days later (allowing for the traditional hangover to dissipate) - Meall a Buachaille, overlooking Glenmore, Loch Morlich and the freezing Cairngorm plateau. The trees were covered in thick hoar frost and we even had an attempt at an impromptu curling match on the thoroughly frozen blue lochan on the way to Ryvoan Bothy before the first uphill of the year punished us for the previous week's overindulgence. The view, above the freezing fog hanging around Strathspey and Rothiemurcus was well worth the effort!
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Dear Jon,
It's been a while since I travelled with Walkabout Scotland and I intended to write to you sooner.
Unfortunately I did not meet you while in Scotland in July and August, and the only time I spoke to you on the telephone I was rather distraught as I was on Arran and had not met up with Ian, my leader.
To explain - I had suggested to Ian that if the first day's walk was beginning in Lochranza I'd meet him there. He was to leave a message at the Youth Hostel where I was staying. As there was no message I reverted to the arrangements in the latest correspondence from your office and went to Brodick where I missed him.
Anyhow despite the bad start the trip was fantastic!
We did some great walks and Ian was an excellent leader, managing to make a happy, unified group despite our differing ages and abilities.
Arran was a last minute inclusion to my Scottish holiday when another company cancelled a trip. I chose it because the dates suited me and I was spending the days before that with a cousin on the Kintyre Peninsula . However I'm really pleased that I didn't miss it and that I had the opportunity to climb those mountains. Arran was really beautiful and I'd love to return!
My previous trip with Walkabout Scotland was the Big Highland Tour a few weeks before.
When I saw this tour on your web site I knew it was what I wanted because it included so many different areas of Scotland and I planned the rest of my travel around it.
I was certainly not disappointed as it was an amazing experience! It is an extremely well planned, comprehensive tour.
Joe, our leader was an outstanding guide with exceptional interpersonal, as well as outdoor skills, so we were a very happy tour group despite our differences.
Joe has a vast knowledge of Scotland's geography and history which he imparted to us with his infectious excitement about hiking and all outdoor ventures. If I get a chance to return to Scotland, which I hope to, I will be looking for a trip which he is leading. He is quite a superb leader!
I walk each weekend in Australia but it will never be the same again after conquering Ben Nevis (in the fog), standing on the top of peaks of Beinn Eighe or rock scrambling in the Quiraing.
A couple of points I'd like to make.
1.Accommodation and food throughout were excellent on both tours. However for a Gluten Free diet it would help if the leader brought GF cereal and bread (rice cakes are a bit light for a day's hike!), a few nibbles and some kind of sandwich filling. Alternatively warn the client to provide their own. GF products are well labelled in the UK and easily obtained in major supermarkets but they are difficult to find in small towns – and there's no shop in Lochranza!
2. Seven pairs of hiking socks!! That's a third of the space in my small bag!
These trips were my first encounter with Walkabout Scotland and I am very pleased that I found it. I don't know when I will be back in Scotland but I would certainly choose your tour company again. In the meantime I will recommend it to other Aussies.
Thank you, again for the wonderful hiking holidays I had in Scotland, and thanks to all your team.
I hope to meet you in Scotland soon.
Best wishes for Christmas and 2009.
Ineen
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