Located only a few miles outside of Edinburgh is one of the Scotland's most beautiful and impressive family homes, in fact this is often said to be the country's finest stately home. The glorious Hopetoun House is the home to the Marquis of Linlithgow and has been the ancestral seat of the Hope family whom still occupy the South Wing for over 200 years.  

(The magnificent and ornate state rooms within...

We can tailormake your next holiday to include everything you dream of whilst here in Scotland. Our 'Luxury Scotland' itineraries can include anything you wish, from a round of golf at the famous St. Andrews Old Course to whisky tasting at a single malt distillery on Islay. With Sandgrouse Travel, you have access to extraordinary experiences, and you could even be staying in some of Scotland's best castles. The below series of photographs gives you a sneak peak, sometimes literally through the keyhole, into some of the great monuments...

We at Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions find ourselves being called back to magical parts of the world in a reoccuring cycle. From here at home in Scotland and within the UK, to remote corners of world such as Scandinavia and Africa we go in search of our 'fix'. These callings lurk within us all and if neglected they become almost nagging desires. It is this same emotion that is essentially the driving force behind people booking a holiday (or two or three) each year.

People need...

Winter heaven – “Standing motionless staring out across the frozen seas; peaceful, meditative thoughts overcame me in this wonderful sub-arctic land – I took a moment to breathe in the pure, crisp, ultra-clean air, this must be a glimpse of winter heaven”

Our recent visit to Swedish Lapland opened my eyes to a winter getaway of tranquillity and beauty. A land of pristine wilderness, unspoilt and so different to the UK. For the adventurous amongst us, this environment can be enjoyed...

If you have been looking at your calendar lately filled with dread at the onset of our darker and mostly wetter winter months that are now ominously looming, don’t be. Instead start to get excited about them. As they say in the hit TV show Game Of Thrones, ‘winter is coming’ and with it an amazing opportunity to experience something you’ve always dreamed of, the magic of the Northern Lights. It may...

"In a remote corner of Africa stands a magnificent three storey pink bricked mansion, with a tower in the centre, a red tiled roof and a line of elegant arches supporting a first floor terrace from which a Union Jack flutters... Part Tuscan Manor, part English ancestral home, something one might find in Surrey or Berkshire belonging to a Duke or a Lord." - Christina Lamb, The Africa House. 

This is truly a refreshing story of a man whose vision to transform an area...

"We were seriously close to the action, hence the use of a shorter lens. It was an extraordinary experience I will never forget." - Alex Walters, Great Plains Conservation.

This short series of stunning black and white images captures the true majesty and beauty of the world's largest land mammal, the African elephant. Lord of all its surroundings, peacefully coexisting with a multitude of species across the savannah. An African elephant loves and is loved, shows compassion,...

The great explorer Sir Francis Drake was not wrong in the year 1580 by naming this “the fairest Cape in all the world”. On arriving here yourself, whether by sea or air, it’s almost impossible to disagree with him; quite simply this city is spectacular. More recent acknowledgement of this would be in 2014 when the city of Cape Town was named "the best place in the world to visit"  by both The New York Times and The Telegraph newspapers. 

When traveling from London, New York...

Mallorca, the largest of the Balearic Islands, for seven hundred years a strategic enclave, the jewel of the Mediterranean Sea. Known as 'The King's Island' and favorite of everyone from royalty, celebrities and millionaires right down to the common man. The island now attracts as many as 10 million tourists a year, so it is no wonder the name alone has become synonymous with 'holidays'.

There’s a relaxed and friendly atmosphere at this most emblematic of Mediterranean vacation hotspots. It’s a place totally at one with...

Hello and welcome to our brand new blog. Here you’ll find the latest and greatest news on all things related to luxury & adventure travel & expeditions – from exciting travel tales packed full of first hand insight, interesting facts and info about destinations you dream of visiting, inspiring interviews with internationally renowned adventurers, explorers and our own in-house travel specialists!

Our guest authors will be writing about their challenges and experiences, bringing you in touch with your wild side and...