CHILTERN SOCIETY WALKING HOLIDAY IN SUTHERLAND

CHILTERN SOCIETY WALKING HOLIDAY IN SUTHERLAND

This is one of several holidays organised by Cloud 9 Walking for Chiltern Society members, their families and friends. Not only are we providing absolutely unique holidays for you at a discount, we also donate 7.5% of the price of each holiday to the Chiltern Society, to support their good work. Our holidays are bespoke, they offer a wide range of extras included in the price and they are not available through any other operator.

Each holiday is carefully designed and unique, offering high standards of accommodation and food combined with classic walks and opportunities to learn more about the wildlife, culture and heritage of these special places.Cloud 9 offer a sustainable approach to the holidays we offer. As much as possible, food is sourced locally and we use local people and services to help run various activities and events.

Introduction: The walking in Sutherland can truly claim to be among the best and most spectacular in Britain. The magical combination of sea and mountains provides a unique and inspiring landscape, with abundant wildlife and you'll love the friendly and generous Highland hospitality. The walks vary from the unmissable coastal trek from Cape Wrath to Sheigra, via the iconic Sandwood Bay, to the sands of Faraidh Head and the rocky wilderness of Quinag and Arkle.

Find out about life, tradition and wildlife on a traditional Highland Estate, and benefit from the fantastic spectacle of the return of the nesting sea birds and the vibrancy of springtime following the long Highland winter. Make no mistake, this special place is one of Europe's finest.

DATES:Stack Lodge: - 15-22 May; 22-29 May; 29 May - 5 June 2016; 1195ppLaxford House: - 21-28 November 2015 700pp; 12-19 March 2016 875pp (Laxford House has a different programme and arrangements - see below)

TRANSPORT: All transport is provided from Inverness, with railway station and airport pick-ups. All transport to and from walks, and to pubs etc as appropriate is included. Booking in advance will enable you to take advantage of great value train and flight options. Current advance return tickets from London Euston to Inverness are 86

WALKING GRADES: Our walking grades are as follows, but please bear in mind that these are guidelines, and that underfoot conditions, weather and other factors may make walks feel slightly harder, or easier than the grades suggest. EASY: - Walking time of 2 - 5 hours, no significant hills or difficult terrainMEDIUM: - Walking time of 3 - 6 hours with some hills and steeper gradientsTOUGH: - Walking time of 4 - 7 hours with mountain or rough terrain and steep slopes - no scrambling just walkingPeople used to walking regularly in the Chilterns should be able to cope with the majority of walks on this holiday, but if you are in any doubt about this please don't hesitate to get in touch.

ACCOMMODATION:We're delighted to be able to offer accommodation next year at Stack Lodge on the Duke of Westminster's Reay Forest Estate. Stack Lodge is a unique hunting lodge of understated luxury, situated at the head of Loch Stack beneath the wonderful pyramid of Ben Stack. The estate cooks prepare delicious meals from fresh local produce and the late afternoon cakes would all be a winner in any bake-off!The accommodation at Stack Lodge is generally in twin or double rooms with just a couple of singles being available with no single supplement to pay.The price includes breakfasts and packed lunches each day along with 5 evening meals. Two evenings are left free, when we will arrange for you to eat out at some of the 'local' pubs.Housekeeping is also included.Laxford House is another excellent and very comfortable estate property overlooking the river Laxford. Holidays based from Laxford House out of season have a different set of inclusions which you'll find at the page foot.STACK LODGE

Accommodation at Stack Lodge comprises a mix of double and twin rooms with a couple of single options. All apart from one single and a twin room have their own facilities. There is a wonderful drawing room with open fire, dining room, study, large hallway and kitchen. You can see more details about Stack Lodge at http://www.cottages-and-castles.co.uk/self-catering/stack-lodge-1253/

CHILTERN SOCIETY SUTHERLAND HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

Unique landscape of coast, mountains and lochs Walking of the highest quality with guided walks each day and self-guided options also available Iconic wildlife from red deer to eagles, puffins, otters and the beautiful ptarmigan Amazing boat trip around Handa Island bird reserve - view the Great Stack of Handa, puffins, skuas Cliff-top walk around the island itself Visit the most north westerly point in Britain - Cape Wrath - and walk the magnificent coast along the 'Parph' All transport included from Inverness and for all walks Home cooked food and housekeeping included High quality, unique hunting lodge accommodation Wildlife watching with local 'gillies' and boatmen Learn about life on a traditional highland estate

The Walks: LOOKING ACROSS TO FARAIDH HEAD, DURNESS

An exact programme can never be guaranteed in any mountain area, but here are some of the classic routes we may use:

- Faraidh Head: A delightful coastal walk along the Kyle of Durness and the most north westerly beaches in Britain - sometimes along the beach and sometimes along the cliff tops. Great views out towards Cape Wrath and lots of opportunities to see nesting seabirds and diving gannets.Grade mostly Easy with a couple of short, steeper sections. Between 4 and 8 miles depending on the route taken, options for both shortening and lengthening the route at a number of points

- Ben Stack: The fine sumit ridge of Ben Stack is reached via a steady ascent to the half way point, followed by a steeper, but eminently manageable section to the top. Taken at a gentle pace it makes a short day walk from Stack Lodge with exceptional views. Eagles are frequently seen on the summit ridge along with ptarmigan. Grade Moderate/Tough with short steep sections. 750m of ascent though the distance is short

- Handa Island: An outstanding day out combining a boat trip around this important nature reserve, followed by a walk around the island. You should see great and arctic skua, puffins, razorbills, guillemots, auks, shearwater, gannets and much more. The boat trip circumnavigates the island and gives amazing views of the sea cliffs, including the impressive Great Stack of Handa. Following the boat trip we're dropped on the island to enjoy a pleasant, easy circular walk from which many of the nesting colonies are visible. Grade Easy - approx 3 miles with gentle slopes

THE FINAL STRETCH OF THE WALK ON HANDA ISLAND

- Cape Wrath to Sheigra: The most committing walk in the programme, but adaptable if required to a shorter format. An adventure! Cross the Kyle of Durness in the small ferry boat, then take the minibus for 10km to Cape Wrath lighthouse. The walk starts here and follows the coast southwards, passing the famous Sandwood Bay (reckoned by many to the the finest beach in Britain) to finish at Sheigra. Grade Moderate, but remote and a quite a long day. Generally easy terrain to walk on but the nature of coastal walking means that there is a fair bit of up and down. We offer an easier version of this walk to Sandwood Bay - 8 miles in total but on a very easy track

- Achfary to Kylesku: Weather conditions permitting this rates as a memorable and very special day. Starting with a jouney into the Reay Forest wilderness with the estate 'gillies' aboard the AWD Argos, you'll learn something about the estate and about the stalking and wildlife before being dropped off at the start of a walk that takes us through the wilderness beneath Bein Leoid and through the drama of Glencoul to reach the loch of the same name. From here, the Estate speedboat will take us back to Kylesku, a stunning journey from which you can see the highest waterfall in Britain. You'll be dropped off at the jetty outside the Kylesku hotel for a well-earned drink! A terrific journey! Grade Moderate but with some steeper sections and remote. Taken at a gentle pace this magnificent route is achievable by most people

- Smoo Caves and the North Coast: This largest limestone coastal cave in Scotland is spectacular and fascinating. A steep sided inlet leads out from the cave to the sea, where the brackish waters from the river flowing from the cave turn the sea waters red. The coastline around here is characterised by rough limestone pavements, gullies, arches and platforms, while the views out to the east show spectacular cliffs and in the sunshine a deep, mediterranean-blue sea. Grade; Easy 4 miles

- Oldshoremore, Pollin and Droman: Two of the best beaches in Britain, a fine headland and an ancient fishing port are the highlights of this wonderful, short and easy coastal walk. Grade Easy 5 Miles

- Glas Beinn: A very fine summit with wide-ranging views and a relatively gentle approach via Loch Bealach a Bhuirich. A steady path gives access to the Loch, from where an off the beaten track ascent leads to a the final gentle scree slope to the top. Our descent takes an interesting but easy ridge that gives access to the path down to Inchnadamph, making a classic through route rather than a circular walk. Grade Moderate 750m of ascent - a mountain day

There are lots of other walk possibilities and using two guides mean we can offer alternative routes on the harder walks

WHAT'S INCLUDED:Transfers from Inverness at start and end of holiday - one pick up and drop off timeAll transport to walks, pubs etc during the holidayAccommodation in twin, double or single rooms at the Duke of Westminster's Stack LodgeServices of estate housekeepingServices of estate cooking and serving staffBed, breakfast and packed lunch each day along with 5 evening meals - all prepared using local produce by the estate cookAfternoon cakes/teaWalking and wildlife guides with guided walks available each day and self-guided options always availableTalk from the estate 'head of sporting'Trip into wilderness with estate keepers using AWD ArgosTrip down loch Glencoul by boatBoat ride / wildlife watching boat trip around Handa IslandFerry to Handa IslandWelcome packFishing on the estate lochs can be arrangedYOU NEED TO PROVIDE:2 evening meals at 'local' pubs - the estate cook provides 5 evening meals and takes 2 evenings offYour own transport to Inverness (Advance train booking return to Inverness currently from 84)If we do the Cape Wrath walk, ferry plus minibus is approximately 22

HOLIDAYS AT LAXFORD HOUSEThe old 'Factor's House' at Laxford Bridge has been renovated to provide very comfortable accommodation for up to 10 people. Our 'out of season' holidays from here include transfers from Inverness and local walks transport, accommodation in double, twin or single rooms, breakfast and packed lunch each day with evening meal for 4 days, walking and wildlife guides with a guided walk each day and a self-guided option, welcome pack. Not included are three evening meals, which are usually taken at the Smoo Cave, Kylesku and Rhiconich hotels.

TO BOOK AND FOR FURTHER DETAILS: Email cloud9walking@btinternet.com or call 01931 713115 / 07970 138591 and ask for a booking form. A deposit of 50% is required with your booking, the balance being payable 12 weeks prior to the holiday start date. Please see booking form for full terms and conditions.

FINALLY a word about the style of holiday we are offering here. We dont offer tough mountain walking holidays with long, hard days on the mountains with few opportunities to rest and look. We do offer creative and interesting walking holidays taken at leisurely pace, with time to enjoy and learn about the wildlife, culture and history. We dont offer fast food, walks you have to share with hundreds of other people and well-trodden routes. We do offer high quality local cooking using fresh local produce and walks in very special areas that most walkers have yet to discover!

Were always ready to answer your questions call us on 01931 713115 / 07970 138591

GLEN DIONART AND FOINAVON