What is the Star of Perthshire?

It's more of an 'autumnal retreat' than a 'tour', as such. The emphasis is on the unwinding, hence placing it at the end of the tourist season, when all the hosts, the venues and even the landscape take a big unwinding sigh and settle into a more introspective season for body, landscape and soul. This is why it is one of my Slow Scotland™ tours, inspired by the Italian Slow Food movement, the opposite of fast food: Scotland enjoyed slowly, richly, in good company.

And the "Star" bit? You will stay in just one accommodation for the duration and explore one region, Highland Perthshire, "Big Tree Country", by 'starring out' no more than 45 mins from our base each day to places of gentle interest, to walk, breathe, explore, photograph. It is the antidote to the tourist season in Scotland!

We'll spend as little time as possible in a vehicle, preferring to experience Scotland on foot, bicycle, horse, kayak... The light-touch daily activities are optional: if you prefer to spend the day around your lodge journaling or doing watercolours with a coffee and greet the others of the small group on our return, that's completely fine. If you want to be dropped off a mile or two a way with a map and meet us for lunch, great!

Itinerary

This tour publishes an even less detailed itinerary than our other tours! Each year, the Slow Scotland™ tour goes to a different region, sampling what that region has to offer in that season. Thus it is quite variable and Samantha and I only finalise the Itinerary in the last week before the tour. Trust us - it'll be great.

There are some guided activities, both indoor and out: perhaps a day with a professional landscape photographer, perhaps we'll do some handcrafts led by skilled locals, or be led by a professional in whisky tasting, maybe we'll do some food foraging and cooking with a chef, there might be a Scottish-themed play at a local theatre. Part of the booking process gives you the opportunity to suggest inclusions in the programme. What would make your ideal Slow Scotland?

Who is the tour for?

• It is mostly, but not exclusively, aimed at prior tour guests who like our house style and want to see Scotland as the locals see it.
• It is for those who value that feeling and space of the off-season.
• It is for travelers who relish staying in one place long enough to get to know some locals or find their own hidden special places.
• It is for the kinds of guests who are fine with wrapping up warm and kicking leaves along the path as their ideal day out in company or alone.
• It is for those who appreciate good company, good food and time to just be.
• It is NOT for those who want to "do Scotland" in a week.
• Of all our tours, this one has the least amount of hiking / activity / walking. It's a retreat. (See Activity note.)

Why I created Slow Scotland

Images from the tour area, sites, visits...

Tour Price £2200 per person, sharing double or twin room, £2550 solo traveller, single room (XE.com currency converter)    (Tell me about deposits and balances) Book Your Tour Here FYI: Tour booking opens around November in the year before the tour. Places are filled by about January and the tour closes for new bookings around March for that year's touring.
What's included in the tour price: Pick up and drop off in an easy-access Edinburgh location Guiding every day A well-planned itinerary All transportation from Edinburgh return, including any ferries and boats Accommodation for 7 nights* Breakfast Evenings of Tales with harp - folklore and history Any workshops / specialist guides brought in / optional activities A picnic lunch (weather permitting) Entrance fees to ticketed sites All applicable taxes	Not included in the above price: Your flight Lunches and evening meals (although some are arranged for you as group meals. Food cost for the week per person is about £180-260, depending on your tastes.) Travel insurance
*Everything you need to know about accommodation, deposits and payments is on the TnC pagewhich you should read before booking, while questions about almost everything else tour-related are answered in the FAQ sectionof the TnC page.

Book Your Tour Here

Activity note

Given that this tour is more of a retreat, most of the outdoor activities are 'light touch' on the physical exersion front. Also, as we are in one accommodation for the week, all activities are optional. You can easily opt to make some into a hike if you want to blow the cobwebs out. There is also more free time in the Itinerary which you can use for more active pursuits, if you wish.