Walking along Loch Morar
The word 'hiking' isn't used as much in the UK as it is in North America. In the UK we tend to use 'walking' to cover such a wide range of activities that it can be misleading. North American readers should probably think of About Argyll's walks as hikes, but at the gentler end of the range. You'll need tough boots, with a good tread, that provide adequate ankle support. No boots with smooth soles, no walking shoes, no trainers or similar very lightweight shoes which won't cope with the rougher or wetter ground and could be dangerous in steeper places.
Walking ToursOur walking / hiking tours are an excellent introduction to hiking in Scotland for people with good basic fitness. The holiday combines hiking with visits to places of interest. Daily distances will be 4-6 miles/6-9 km plus varying amounts of ascent, and we don’t expect to hike for longer than 4 hours (plus stops). Most of the hiking will be on paths, tracks or quiet roads, although the surfaces can be wet and rough. There will be some steep sections along the way, but no climbing greater than 1200ft/365m, even in total.
Walking / Hiking HolidaysOur walking holidays and hiking vacations are designed for people who are fit and used to walking all day. We will walk up to 11 miles/17.5 km (6 hours plus stops) per day with an average 1150ft/350m of ascent. On one day it might be as much as 3000ft/900m but there are also easier days. Our routes sometimes traverse pathless glens, climb mountains or thread remote passes and there may be some scrambling. On most days as much of our time is spent off path as on it. Scotland can be very wild and tough going: 10 miles here is often much harder than 10 miles elsewhere. All that said, we don’t want to break any speed records, especially not when going uphill and you’ll have all the rewards of walking in the most beautiful and fascinating parts of the Highlands and Islands.
In recent years, our walkers have come from the USA, Canada, mainland Europe, Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.
Think you're too old, or too young? As far as we're concerned sufficient fitness is what matters, along with willingness to walk in rough countryside, not age. Our oldest walkers are in their 80s - very fit admittedly. Our youngest visitor has been 16 (a caveat here - our programmes aren't designed with under 18s in mind). Main age groups that we see? 50s / 60s / 70s.
Your holiday can start and/or finish in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness or any other place in Scotland that is convenient for you. We will meet you at your accommodation, airport, train station or ferry terminal.
You will stay in carefully selected B&B's, guest houses or hotels. All rooms will be en-suite.
By law smoking is not allowed in public places. This means that all B&Bs, hotels, restaurants and bars in Scotland are non-smoking. We also don't allow smoking in our minibuses.
You will need to bring boots with a good tread and adequate ankle support, warm clothing, waterproofs (top and over-trousers) and a rucksack big enough for your spare clothes, a packed lunch and whatever else you normally like to have with you (binoculars, a camera, etc.). Boots are especially important. They don't have to be particularly heavy, but wearing lightweight ones may mean your feet get wet. Hiking and walking shoes or trainers definitely aren't adequate nor are they safe on some of the rougher and steeper going, however short it may be.
You will receive information about meeting time/place, your accommodation, other members of the group and details of the holiday, 3-4 weeks before the start.
Please let us know, in confidence, of any conditions from which you suffer which may affect your safety in remote areas. These include vertigo and diabetes. Please consult your doctor if in any doubt.
We carry Public Liability insurance. In addition, we very strongly recommend that you take out your own comprehensive travel insurance to cover personal accident, medical expenses and repatriation including Covid-19 related issues, cancellation etc.
There is no minimum number of participants for private guided itineraries.
After receiving your booking form we will email you a tour agreement and a link to a secured form to pay the deposit. A deposit of 15% of the holiday cost is due at the time of the booking. Final payment is due 56 days before departure, so if you book less than 8 weeks before departure, the full holiday price is due at the time of the booking.
We accept payment in Pound Sterling (£) by:
Your payments will be lodged in the 'In-Trust About Argyll Walking Holidays' account, where they are protected by the independent trustees of Sue Minns Accountability, Kilmun until after you have taken your holiday, in conformity with EC regulations. You will find more details about it in our booking conditions.
Go to our online booking form or Download booking form and booking conditions
