Scotland's Rob Roy Inn-to-Inn Trail
Day 1: Guests arrive at Glasgow Airport and are taken to their comfortable West Highland accommodation at Achintee farm at the base of the Ben Nevis footpath. From Glasgow the route gives riders their first glimpse of Rannoch Moor and Glen Coe famous for its massacre. Having settled into your rooms you are then invited to join the other guests and guides at a local "watering hole" for a meal and to be briefed on the week's activities.
Day 2: After breakfast, guests are matched to their mounts. Their good nature and incredible stamina ensure an ability to handle the most challenging terrain be it soft peaty ground, steep mountain tracks, or fast flowing rivers. The trail begins by heading along Glen Nevis with its stunning views of the summit of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain at 1344 meters. Lunch is by a small Lochan and afterwards you follow some of the famous West Highland Way. In the afternoon you have tremendous views down Loch Leven as used in the filming of Rob Roy. At the end of the day the horses finally settle at the Mamore Hill sheep shelter while guests are taken to an inn.
Day 3: Leaving Mamore Hill the trail continues along the West Highland Way through Kinlochleven and then riders descend into Glen Coe via the renowned "Devil's Staircase"-an old military road which is now part of the West Highland Way. You ride west through Glen Coe stopping for lunch at the foot of Buachaille Etive Mhor. After lunch the trail goes along the Lairig Eilde, a deep ravine separating the soaring towers of one of the renowned Three Sisters - Geinn Fhada and Buachaille Etive Beag. Riders then turn south onto a steep path leading to Glen Etive and follow the glen southwest. At the end of the day the horses stop at Inverchaman while the riders are taken to the head of Glen Coe to stay overnight at a famous hostelry.
Day 4: Horses are collected from Inverchaman again in the morning and you carry on south towards Loch Etive. This is probably the same hidden trail followed by Rob Roy himself. Where the river meets Loch Etive you head east towards Loch Tulla. The route is by way of Glen Kinglass, famous deer stalking country, with perhaps an opportunity to sight some rare wildlife including the noble Golden Eagle which finds sanctuary in such a wild, remote area. Finally you arrive at Inveroran where the horses and riders spend the night at an historic drovers' inn dating from 1708.
Day 5: Leaving Inveroran the next morning you follow forest trails through remote and sheltered parts of Glenorchy Forest. Just before you arrive at your lunch you cross the River Orchy for the first time by a bridge overlooking the spectacular falls of "Eas Urchaidh." Lunch is eaten on the banks of the river at Catnish. After lunch you ford the river and follow it downstream along the glen. Later you ford the river once again before your arrival at Brackley Farm where the horses will spend the night. Riders retire to an excellent, family run hotel in the village of Dalmally, where, in the company of their guides, they enjoy a relaxing evening.
Day 6: In the morning, after a steep ascent from Brackley Farm, the trail crosses peaty moorland and high tops which afford spectacular views of both Loch Fyne and Loch Awe. Ascending from this high ground the ride follows the northern shore of Lochan Shira for a short while before lunch. At the southern end of Lochan Shira riders stop to fortify themselves and give the horses a well earned break. After lunch, while heading south through Glen Shira forest, they pass close to where Rob Roy had his hide out. Here you will catch glimpses of the towering heather covered hills to the west. The day ends at Kilblaan, a fascinating fortified stable.
Day 7: In the morning guests will ride through the Inveraray Horse Trials course and have an opportunity to take in a few small jumps. Then they go on to enjoy a picnic lunch at Dubh Loch while resting and absorbing the breathtaking scenery. In the afternoon the riders have the chance to explore the beautiful parklands of the Inveraray Castle Estate. The afternoon culminates with a fast and exciting climb to the watchtower of Dun-Na-Quaiche, high above Inveraray Castle. The trail finishes by Inveraray Castle itself, home to the Duke of Argyll, the 26th Chief of the Clan Campbell, a fitting location to finish this exhilarating trail.
Day 8: The day for farewells. Transport will return guests to Glasgow Airport.
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