 Samantha MacKenzie and |
 Scot AnSgeulaiche |
| Argyll - Kilmartin Glen | Slide Show of Tour locations |
| Argyll - Oban and Kerrera | |
| Across Scotland - Folklore of Celtic Trees and herbs | |
| Argyll - Appin |
Kilmartin Glen, Argyll
The Kilmartin Glen in Argyll is one of Britain's gems of history
DùnAdd, ancient capital of Dalriada founded by the Irish in the 5th century amidst the pagan Picts.
Gleann Cille Mhàrtainn (Kilmartin Glen), is where they came and so began Scotland. But we humans have been here since the ice receded 10,000 years ago. We built our stone circles and standing stone temples; We left footprints....
Pick 4-5 hours worth from the following to give a full day's relaxed walking (which allows a break for lunch and transport time between each site, in your transport):
~ Prehistory: the first 4000 years, 4 ancient sites in the Glen 90 mins (Grade A, see * below).
~ Prehistory: a precursor addition to the above - the 6000 year old Henge 40 mins (Grade A).
~ Prehistory: Celtic rock art of Achadh nam Breac, including the newly discovered site, 1 hour (Grade A).
~ Irish Celtic invasion: 400-800 AD, Dunadd 1 hour (Grade B).
~ Medieval Kilmartin: 1400-1600 Carnasserie castle and "Knights Templar" grave slabs, 90 mins (Grade A).
~ Celtic Christianity: Holy Well and Clearance village, 1 hour (Grade A).
~ Crinan Loop walk: Views, Folklore of Celtic Trees, the seaways, the Crinan Canal 1.75 hours (Grade B).
~ Folklore of Celtic trees ramble: wildlife, British History, Herbalism, Irish and Scottish folktales 90 mins (grades A and B, multiple locations).
While it is theoretically possible that there is a guide somewhere on planet earth who knows more about the Kilmartin Glen than me, it is however unlikely! I lived there for 5 years and guided over a hundred parties. Why use anybody else?
Exchange (reduced) for families and small groups: £140 mid-week tours
Exchange for cruise ships, tour companies or weekends: £190
"Scot,We had the pleasure of having a tour with you during the 2nd week of August in 2004. You gave us a day tour of the Kilmartin valley. We never thanked you properly for your wonderful tour and your hospitality. I have been working our photo album from that vacation and looked up your website in to recall where exactly we had visited with you. We would also be more then happy to be used as references for your tours, Thank you again! And if we are ever lucky enough to come back to Scotland we will surely request one of your tours again!" Linda Curtis & Ron Kamen, March 2009 [Contacts for reference can be supplied]
Island of Kerrera, by Òban
So close, yet so remote! An Excellent 6 mile walk
with very few hills. Incoporating grand views over the Firth of Lorn, bags of History, Gylen castle, Clann MacDougal, wild goats...
and possibly tea at the island's Tea Garden
Can be combined with the Oban Walk, below.
Suitable for 10+ years. Grade B.
Exchange (reduced) for families and small groups: £140 mid-week tours
Exchange for cruise ships, tour companies or weekends: £190
The ferry is £5 return per walker, paid on board.
An t-Òban (Oban), Argyll
A Gentle walking tour (about 2 hours) with history of the town, views, folkore, ghosts, 
Clann MacDougal and Campbell, architecture and more. Wheelchair friendly.
This walk is offered as an addition to other walks or story events. E.g. the Oban walk can act as either a gentle completion to a day on Kerrera (above), or for larger parties, we offer Oban as a choice for those wishing a shorter walk with a second guide, while others in your party hike Kerrera. E.g. 2 This walk can be combined with Whisky Tales or a storytelling Cèilidh, a folklore of trees walk or a Port Appin Walk.
Grade A with slopes.
Exchange: free with other Oban events or 100 pounds if a second guide hosts it
Folklore of Celtic Trees The history of Britain laid out through the part played by trees. Folktale and herblore included. This walk can take place in any area of Scotland with native trees and usually lasts a couple of hours and can be combined with the other walks listed here or with a Storytelling Ceilidh or Whisky Tales (Tasting) of an evening, for no additional exhange.
Exchange: free with other storytelling events or walks
This walk has proved popular each year with the National Trust Scotland Glencoe Visitor Centre.
The Appin Murders
A Gentle walk and car around Appin, North Argyll, laying out the true story behind R.L.Stevenson's Kidnapped. amidst stunning lochs and hills.
A literary tour. Who murdered the Red Fox, Colin Campbell, King's Factor, in the wood of Letir Mor in 1752? Only six years after the Highland Rising of 1745-6, how would the British Government reply?
Suitable for 4 years+. Grade A (* see below)
Exchange (reduced) for families and small groups and those staying at the Airds Hotel, Port Appin: £140 mid-week tours
Exchange for cruise ships, tour companies or weekends: £190
How Walks work...
~ 15 is the maximum party size (for quality), but a second guide (Samantha) can be employed for larger parties.
~ Each tour has a meet point and can be varied according to your needs
~ Any transport required to the start points and along the tour is arranged by yourselves (we are step-on guides. If you want transport and fuller itinerary planning, that can be arranged for an addidtional exchange.)
~ Many of the tours are or can be made suitable for those with wheelchairs, with pushchairs and with dogs. Please enquire.
~ Party members need good footware, outdoor clothing, water and snacks on all tours.
* Grading the walks
I use the Ramblers Association of grading
A = Flat, path walks, not arduous, suitable for low mobility and wheels.
B = Mostly paths, some unmade and muddy, some climbs, but not for more than a couple of hundred feet, not suitable for wheels, moderate fitness or mobility required
C = Off path climbs involved. Climbs more than 500 feet, slighty higher than average fitness advisable.
email address: the-wee-folk at ansgeulaiche dot co dot uk (remove spaces, keep hyphens)
+44 (0)1764.681682
Perthshire, Scotland
All photos are from the tour locations and are the property of Scot AnSgeulaiche.
