HOSTGA
Highlands of Scotland Tour Guide Association
member
HOSTGA Highlands of Scotland Tour Guide Association member |
 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 | |
| Argyll - Lismore and Port Appin | |
| Argyll - Isle of Mull & Iona | |
| Inverness to Gairloch, Wester Ross | |
| Glasgow or Edinburgh to Loch Ness | |
| I'm looking for Longer, Bespoke / tailored tours pages |
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 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! Why use anybody else?
Exchange: 185 pounds, whole day. Family groups of 8 or less: 140 mid-week tours
"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 atthe island's Tea Garden
Can be combined with the Oban Walk, below.
Suitable for 10+ years. Grade B.
Exchange: 185 pounds. Family groups of 8 or less: 140 mid-week tours.
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 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: 185 pounds (Argyll), 170 plus travel in other locations. Family groups of 8 or less: 140 mid-week tours.
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.
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: 185 pounds. Family groups of 8 or less: 140 mid-week tours.
Lios Mòr/ Isle of Lismore
Lios Mòr, formerly the centre of the Argyll universe (about 700AD!). Views, ruined castles, folk tales, Gàdhilig speakers, cafe and folk museum and one fo the smallest ferries to get you there.
The point of departure, Port Appin, makes a fine walk in itself (90 mins) - the Clach Thoull walk - and as a location for a Folklore of Tress of trees.
Grade A or B
Exchange: 185 pounds. Family groups of 8 or less: 140 mid-week tours.
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.
Vehicle tours - step on guide
Mull and Iona
An t-Eilean Muille, the isle of Mull, resplendent in Clan Maclean History, sea eagles and Atlantic vistas,
sits at the mouth of the Firth of Lorn.
The sacred isle of Iona is everything the reputation tells of it: Beautiful, sacred, tranquil...
A trip from Oban to Iona in your vehicle, across Mull and back can be made in a single, long day. You'll be FULL from the experience.
Exchange: 185 pounds. Family groups of 8 or less: 140 mid-week tours.
Inverness to Gairloch, Wester Ross and back
From the newest city in Scotland, complete with its seedy 18th Century history, through some of Scotland's most remote wildernesses to the stunning, bleak, wide vistas from the cliffs of the Atlantic West Coast, punctured by some of the most distinctive mountains in the country. The journey, a big loop, takes 6-8 hours.
Exchange: 195 pounds. Family groups of 8 or less: 150 mid-week tours.
Glasgow/ Edinburgh to Lochness and back through the Highlands,
NB this is a 2 day tour
For those who only have a short time in Scotland and want to see Loch Ness. As a step on guide, I take you on a route of varied nature, from your city start point through Perthshire's Big Tree country, over the Cairngorms and down to Loch Ness. The frequent stops include: Distillery visit, neolithic and Iron Age sites, Lochs, forests and rivers, barren moorland, Urquhart Castle and of course, Loch Ness. The second day involves a different route and sites in the return to Glasgow / Edinburgh
Exchange: 370 pounds. Family groups of 8 or less: 250 pounds.
How step-on-guide vehicle tours work
I/ we fit a set tour into your own itinerary, joining you on your coach/car at a start point.
If you are looking for a package service which involves transport, advice, accommodation booking etc, then we DO offer that service as a Bespoke / Custom Tour. The planning usually costs between 50 and 400 pounds, depending, of course on tour length etc. A quote can be created upon request. To see the kind of thing we offer, visit www.scottish-genealogy-story-tours.co.uk
or the Long Tours from the menu above.
Contact: 01764 681682(Mobile only when on tour: 07789 398833)
the- wee-folk (at)ansgeulaiche (dot) co (dot) u k
All photos are from the tour locations and are the property of Scot AnSgeulaiche.
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