Wilderness Scotland Announces New Small Group Trips for 2023

Wilderness Scotland Announces New Small Group Trips for 2023

Wilderness Scotland has introduced group trips for 2023. New for next year are a trip to the Small Isle of Rum, combining walking and community initiatives, a women-only wellness break to Skye, and trips to Perthshire and Mull, in autumn and winter respectively, seeing the Highlands in all of its seasonal coats.

Wilderness Scotland has set itself the goal of becoming TrueNetZero by 2030. As part of this commitment they have undergone a complete carbon audit, partnering with ecollective. This involved auditing not just their own practices but also over 300 of their suppliers, so that guests now have an exact carbon score for each and every Wilderness holiday. Wilderness Scotland are upgrading their vehicle fleet to electric vehicles and redesigning itineraries to help minimize the carbon cost of each holiday – the remaining carbon cost is being sequestered with Trees for Life at their Dundreggan Estate.

NEW FOR 2023

Wilderness Walking – The Isle of Rum

The largest of the Small Isles, Rum has been a National Nature Reserve since 1957 and is as beautiful as it is wild, and the focus of this new trip is as much on discovering the island on foot as it is on protecting it. Staying in an exclusive-use bunkhouse, the group will climb Hallival and Barkeval, Rum’s most northerly summits, hike to the white sands of Kilmory Bay, join rangers for beach cleans and wildlife surveys, and take a boat ride to Eigg, one of the smallest Hebridean islands for a climb up the conical peak of Sgurr of Eigg, a volcanic remnant. Price: from £1,695pp sharing, including 5n accommodation, all meals, guiding and transfers. Depart 21 May, 11 June, 23 July or 3 September 2023. Carbon cost: 112kg per person.

Autumn in Perthshire

Autumn in the Highlands is spectacular – perhaps nowhere more so than in Perthshire, affectionately known as Big Tree Country. On this new small group walking break, guests arrive in Pitlochry and enjoy the first hike into the red and yellow-tinted forests, past the folly of Ossian’s Hall and with views out to the thundering River Braan. The second day explores the Dun Coillich Estate in the shadow of Schiehallion. Visitors will help a local ranger with their conservation efforts, learning how species such as ptarmigan, mountain hare and rare mountain willow are being protected. The next two days include further guided walks through vibrant, autumnal forests, up past Tummel Falls and Burn’s Seat, where the poet penned ‘Birks of Aberfeldy.’ There are visits to the Highland Chocolatier for a tour and tasting, Iron Age hill forts, and the engaging Crannog Centre, a museum which tells the story of those who lived on the Highland lochs some 2,500 years ago. Price: from £1,195pp sharing, including 4n accommodation, daily lunches, 2 dinners, guiding and transfers. Depart 2 October, 9 October, 16 October or 23 October 2023. Carbon cost: 103kg per person.

Winter Wellness – Skye

Winter is often synonymous with slowing down – flora buries itself beneath the frozen soil, animals curl up to hibernate, and birds spread their wings to fly south. With the turn of the season, this new women only small group wilderness retreat allows guests to recharge, relax and reconnect by spending five days in the quiet wilderness on the Isle of Skye. When all the summer visitors have returned home and the island is unfurling its wintery beauty, the group enjoys spending time in an incredibly supportive environment, characterised by inclusivity with like-minded female travellers. Partake in enriching, immersive activities, such as wild swimming in the chilly waters, hiking along the top of soaring sea cliffs, a private yoga session and foraging seaweed and shellfish for a fire-cooked lunch al fresco.  Price: from £1,395pp sharing, including 4n accommodation, all meals, guiding and transfers. Depart 12 Feb, 26 Feb, 12 March or 26 March 2023. Carbon cost: 75kg per person.

Winter Walking – Mull & Iona

There’s a stark, wild beauty to the islands of Mull and Iona when seen under their winter cloak. The days might be shorter, but this new small group tour still packs in a huge variety of hiking and experiences. Whilst walking on the islands’ craggy trails, guests will hope to spot wildlife including red deer, otters and eagles, visit Iona Abbey, one of the best preserved medieval nunneries in Britain, and spend time with island weavers, learning about their craft and other Hebridean traditions. The group stays in a private lodge with a wood-fired hot tub perfect for relaxation each evening as they look out over the shimmering waters of Loch Pottie. Price: from £1,135pp sharing, including 4n accommodation, all meals, guiding and transfers. Depart 18 February or 11 March 2023. Carbon cost: 64kg per person.