Skip to main content
< Enquire

Ultimate Exclusive Scotland By Range Rover & Helicopter View Full Screen Itinerary

9 NIGHTS 10 DAYS, SCOTLAND'S MOST INCREDIBLE ACCOMMODATION AND LOCATIONS WITH PRIVATE UNIQUE EXPERIENCES. A TRIP THAT IS HARD TO BEAT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.  

Your incredible trip starts off with you arriving into Inverness Airport in the north of Scotland. From here you will take your Sandgrouse Range Rover Vogue south to the beautiful Royal Deeside, via world-famous whisky making Speyside and the incredible Cairngorm Mountains. Tonight you will be staying at one of the UK's most incredible hotels, perhaps one of the world's most unique hotels! The Fife Arms will be your base for the first two nights. This hotel is a nod to Sir Walter Scott and Queen Victoria in the modern age. Adorned with over 14,000 individual pieces of artwork including works by Picasso and Freud. There are few hotels as special as the newly refurbished and opened Fife Arms. We think a stay here is a must for anyone who wants to experience some of that old school Victorian Scottish romantasism whilst firmly living in the 21st century. 

After an exploration of this marvellous part of Scotland, from the world famous single-malt distilleries, to castles, battlefields and the great Scottish wilderness, you will be travelling across country to what is arguably the most beautiful part of Scotland. The West Coast offers Norwegian-like fjord landscapes, white-sandy beaches and turquiose waters (if the weather Gods allow!) and of course, in incredible remote feel. Whilst travelling, you will be taking the road to the isles, following the world famous Jacobite Steam Train route (one of the most scenic railway routes in the world) past the Glenfinnan viaduct and the 'Local Hero' movie beaches. Today you are heading for Mallaig. From here you will leave your Range Rover and head to your own private, secluded retreat via boat. Staying in a James Bond style private castle, on the shores of one of Scotland's most remote and beautiful sea lochs, the next few days are about enjoying being surrounded by pristine nature, sampling great food, some unforgettable marine safaris with local expert guides and switching off from the rest of the world. Your castle is small and cosy, accessed only by both boat and helicopter, staying here is a true privilage only a few in the world ever experience. We are sure a stay here will stay with you forever. 

Expect Puffin watching, whale watching, dolphin spotting, Sea eagles sightings, visiting the  herd of semi-wild Highland Ponies on the incredibly mountainous Isle of Rum and much more... There's so much to enjoy during your West Coast portion of this remarkable trip. During your stay here you will have a private chef who will be cooking your meals, and of course, during your marine safaris, you shall be provided with freshly caught Scottish seafood lunches from lobsters, to scallops, langoutines and salmon!

Catching the boat back to Mallaig, you will jump in your Range Rover and head north east across Scotland to another of our very special parts of Scotland. Sutherland is one of the most remote parts of the UK. Your next exclusive-use stay is on a 23,000 acre wilderness reserve, famed for its "Rewilding" efforts. Having planted over a million native tree species in a bit to help re-establish the native Caledonian Pine Forest, the owners have also successfully translocated Red Squirrel to the reserve and have an amazing captive breeding program of the Scottish Wildcat. Here you will be taking over a traditional Scottish lodge - with a chef and housekeeper on site at all times. The lodge will make the perfect base from which to explore the local mountains, tracks and tails and even further afield. One of your days here you will be taken on a 4x4 safari with the head ghillie, as well the option for guided hikes and mountain biking on varying tracks and trails. Reconnect with nature in this magical part of Scotland. We also have the option for you to enjoy a helicopter trip to the Orkney Islands should you wish whilst staying here. An hour flight north, this will give you the opportunity to visit one of Scotland's most beautiful archipelagos - famed for its Viking history, pre-historic sites and of course, wildlife. If Orkney is not your preferred choice for the day, local attractions such as Dunrobin Castle are only a short drive away from your incredible Highland wilderness reserve. 

Dates: 16th July to 25th July 2019

N.B. Based on x4 Adults Sharing. 

In association with:

ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS:

  • YOUR OWN SANDGROUSE RANGE ROVER VOGUE 
  • A STAY AT THE UNIQUE FIFE ARMS HOTEL IN HISTORIC BRAEMAR BY BALMORAL
  • PRIVATE CASTLE ON SCOTTISH FJORD/SEA LOCH ACCESSED ONLY BY BOAT / CHOPPER
  • X2 PRIVATE MARINE SAFARIS WITH LOCAL LEGEND VISITING JAW-DROPPING HEBRIDEAN ISLANDS AND AUTHOR GAVIN MAXWELL'S PARADISE
  • WILDLIFE VIEWING & WATCHING - DOLPHINS, SEALS, WHALES, PUFFINS, EAGLES, SEMI-WILD HIGHLAND PONIES, RED DEER, SEA EAGLES, GOLDEN EAGLES AND MORE
  • USE OF STATE-OF-THE-ART ZEISS OPTICS
  • PRIVATE CHEF AT X2 EXCLUSIVE USE PROPERTIES
  • GUIDED LAND ROVER SAFARI, GUIDED HIKES, USE OF BRAND NEW MOUNTAIN BIKES ON 23,000 ACES OF WILDERNESS RESERVE
  • LEARN ABOUT SCOTLAND'S AMBITIOUS REWILDLING SCHEME - REPLANTING THE NATIVE CALEDONIAN PINE FOREST AND THE TRANSLOCATION OF NATIVE WILDLIFE (RED SQUIRRELS, SCOTTISH WILDCATS AND MORE). 
  • OPTIONAL DAY VISIT TO ORKNEY ISLE WITH PRIVATE HELICOPTER - HIGHLAND PARK DISTILLERY, SKARA BRAE (PRE-HISTORIC ARCHIOLOGY)
  • 24-HOUR ON THE GROUND ASSISTANCE FROM DEDICATED SANDGROUSE TEAM
Day 1

Day 1: Inverness to Royal Deeside

Today you will arrive into Inverness Airport where your incredible Scottish adventure begins. On arrival at the airport you will be met by a Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions representative who will make sure you have all your luggage before escorting you outside to your Range Rover Vogue. After...

Today you will arrive into Inverness Airport where your incredible Scottish adventure begins. On arrival at the airport you will be met by a Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions representative who will make sure you have all your luggage before escorting you outside to your Range Rover Vogue. After a short briefing on the vehicle, you will be hitting the road following directions south towards the evening accommodation. Along the way we recommend enjoying some local must-see sites and attractions. You will have time today to visit the Culloden battlefield, the museum here is fascinating and with an audio headset each it is possible to walk out across the battlefield and stand where the clan themselves fell - for some this is a moving experience especially those who had relatives at the battle. Moving on from Culloden you will push south away from Inverness and the coast into Speyside. Speyside is famous the world over for its whisky distilleries, and here there is no shortage of options to visit. 

We recommend taking lunch close by to The Macallan distillary in the village of Craigellachie. The hotel here, The Craigellachie Hotel has a great wee pub nextdoor called The Copper Dog. Settle in for a fireside lunch before a short, increasingly scenic drive to Braemar. This afternoon you can check-in to your incredible hotel, The Fife Arms. This has is now one of Scotland's and the UK's most impressive hotels, and a visit to Scotland is in our opinon not complete without a stay here! A not to the past is carefully blended with a modern flare. This evening we recommend dining at the hotel in The Clunie Dining Room. 

Accommodation: The Fife Arms, x2 Nights in x2 Scottish Culture Rooms on a Bed & Breakfast basis. 

Read more
Day 2

Day 2: Exploration of Royal Deeside or Highland Perthshire

Today you will wake up in the beautiful, Victorian village of Braemar. Opening the curtains you will most likely be looking at some of Scotland's most dramatic and brooding mountains. After a delicious Scottish breakfast, you will be heading out for a day of exploration and discovery. Royal...

Today you will wake up in the beautiful, Victorian village of Braemar. Opening the curtains you will most likely be looking at some of Scotland's most dramatic and brooding mountains. After a delicious Scottish breakfast, you will be heading out for a day of exploration and discovery. Royal Deeside has many incredible castles to visit, along with an array of distilleries. 

As an alternative, we recommend driving south from Braemar through the dramatic Glenshee along the A93. This road follows the glen north to south and takes you past of one Scotland's only ski stations (during winter Glenshee is one of Scotland's busiest and most popular ski resorts). Here you can stop, parking up the Range Rover and head off for a good walk in the hills. The Fife Arms will happily make a picnic lunch for you if you ask and have this in mind today.

If the weather is not so great today, we recommend pushing on and across to Highland Perthshire. Here you can visit the charming town of Pitlochry, the incredible and historic Blair Castle (one of Scotland's best castles to visit) and take a pit-stop at The House of Bruar (The Home of Country Clothing). The House of Bruar is a luxury shopping house selling fine tweeds and tartans as well as high-end home furnishings, sporting equipment and superb artwork. We recommend a pit-stop here perhaps after Blair Castle and before heading home for the night back through Glenshee to The Fife Arms. 

Accommodation: The Fife Arms as per previous night. 

Read more
Day 3

Day 3: Braemar to The West Coast

Today sees you check-out of the incredible Fife Arms. We are quite sure you will leave with a heavy heart, this most romantic of Highland hotels. Today is a day of travel in the Range Rover, however it is a day in which you will visit some of...

Today sees you check-out of the incredible Fife Arms. We are quite sure you will leave with a heavy heart, this most romantic of Highland hotels. Today is a day of travel in the Range Rover, however it is a day in which you will visit some of the most stunning part of Europe imaginable. You will be heading west to one of Scotland's most beautiful parts. Driving south via the A9, follow the road west north of Loch Laggan, you will be aiming for Fort William. Once at Fort William, with Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain looming behind at 4406ft, the road you will be taking is called the 'Road To the Isles' and is. in fact, a route that mirrors exactly the Jacobite steam trains routing. This railway routing is often called the most beautiful railway journey in the world, and the driving is pretty much on a par! You will pass by the Jacobite Memorial monument and see the world-famous Glenfinnan Viaduct made famous by the Harry Potter films. Soon after the bridge the road sweeps down towards the coast where you will run along side white sandy beaches and have views out towards the incredible Small Isles and Hebrides. We recommend taking your time on this journey, stopping when you like and having a walk on some of the brilliant sandy beaches, barefoot of course! 

Once in Mallaig, the end of the road, you will in fact be parking up your Range Rover and boarding the an estate boat! The boatman, Norman, will take you out from the quaint wee harbour and head east, inland down one of Scotland's most remote and pictureque sea-lochs. This is as close to the Norwegian fjords as it gets and on the boat ride to your accommodation - keep your eyes peeled for incredible wildlife, from seals, to dolphins, otters and eagles (sea and golden). This is a nature lovers paradise! 

Your destination is in fact, quite possibly one of Europe's if not the world's coolest of private properties. Built by a billionaire, this private use retreat sits on its own in a commanding position overlooking the sea-loch. Accessible by boat and helicotper only with the closest road some 20 miles away this is as James Bond as it gets! You will be using the house as a base from which to explore the local wilderness on foot and by boat. Enjoy hikes, beach bbqs, the hot-tub with views across the loch, games of Scrabble by the fire with a dram, x2 private marine safaris with our local expert guide and ex-fisherman who knows the waters like the back of his hand and much much more. We expect you to fall in love with this top secret house over the next x4 nights. 

We have arranged for you to have a private chef whilst here at the lodge so your meals will be prepared in a similar style to an alpine chalet (menus can be discussed prior to your arrival in Scotland). 

Accommodation: Billionaire's Castle on the West Coast x4 nights inclusive of 30 minutes boat trip from Mallaig arrival and departure. Exclusive-use property, private chef on-site, boatman services if needed. Inclusive of x2 full-day marine safaris to the Small Isles (The Isle of Rum with its herd of semi-wild ponies, Kinloch Castle and more, Canna with its Puffin colony, and Gavin Maxwell's beach/house - excursions include luxury Scottish seafood lunches caught from the local lochs). 

Read more
Day 4

Day 4: Small Isle's Marine Safari with Local Legend

Today you will wake up in a paradise. After a breakfast prepared by your chef you will be collected down at the jetty in front of the castle and head out on an incredible full-day marine safari with a stop-off at one of the most beautiful islands on...

Today you will wake up in a paradise. After a breakfast prepared by your chef you will be collected down at the jetty in front of the castle and head out on an incredible full-day marine safari with a stop-off at one of the most beautiful islands on the west coast of Scotland. 

Cruising up the loch and out to sea you will glide across sapphire-blue waters aboard your vessel, as Rum looms before you. This passage will cross the sound of Sleat and Loch Slapin giving stunning views of the Cullin mountain range on Skye, depending on weather conditions and time of year there is the chance to spot porpoises, common dolphins, Minke whales and many different types of sea birds particularly the Manx Shear water which raft up in large numbers from July onwards.

Once disembarked on its shores, you will be treated to a guided wildlife ranger tour of around one hour, this gives the visitor an introduction to Rum and is followed by a unique journey by 4×4 up through Glen Kinloch across the island to its western side as part of a guided tour that lets you marvel at the landscape, with its mist-strewn Rum Cullin mountain range, local wildlife, including members of Rum’s famous red deer population and Wild ponies which are thought to have inhabited the Island for over a thousand years.

The tour will visit the unusual Greek styled mausoleum the folly of John Bullough at Harris bay on the west side of Rum and also Kilmory Bay on the northeast side of the island with its unmatched outlook across the water to the Cullin of Skye, here you will stop for a luxury picnic (included).

On request visitors should certainly grasp the opportunity to take part in some of the some of the best brown trout fishing in the Highlands. Loch Dornabac which is a short walk from the vehicle is popular with the visitors but for those who don’t mind a small hike of 250 meters, Loch Fiachanaish above Harris bay is our go to places with brown trout averaging 1.5lbs and larger specimens of up to 3lb also possible. For the skilled fly fisherman dry fly methods are a great option offering a lot of sport, while spinning is the preferred method with our guests, fishing tackle and advise is included. 

At the end of each trip we like to finish the day down at Kinloch Harbour, here you can enjoy some Scottish ales while overlooking the purling sea and while we enjoy our refreshments, we take the opportunity to mingle with the locals and get a real feel for life on the island.

This is just hinting at all you can hope to experience as to a degree each trip we do is unique: a once in a lifetime experience on what is perhaps Scotland’s most captivating island, where the mist-covered mountain slopes still, after so many years, hum with mystery. 

You will be returning to your castle for around 6:30pm and dinner will be served at around 7:30pm. 

Read more
Day 5

Day 5: Day to Unwind & Relax at your remote hideaway

Today will be about enjoying being far away from the rest of the world. Enjoy a late breakfast, before perhaps heading out with your boots on for a walk in the near-by hills and mountains or along the shoreline foraging for mussels, limpets and seeing what you can...

Today will be about enjoying being far away from the rest of the world. Enjoy a late breakfast, before perhaps heading out with your boots on for a walk in the near-by hills and mountains or along the shoreline foraging for mussels, limpets and seeing what you can find in rock-pools as you once did as a child!

Reconnect with nature today, unwind, read a book or sit in the hot tub with a cold drink marvelling at the view and mountains all around. Today will be one of those days that's good for the soul! 

Breakfast with a view! 

Keep scanning the skies for the 4th largest birds of prey in the world! Sea Eagles are frequent visitors to the castle.

If you plan to sit in the hot-tub all day, that's OK!

Life on the West Coast of Scotland is slow, it's about unwinding and reconnecting to nature and enjoying simple things together. We encourage you to relax and enjoy watching the sunset in the distance with a cold drink this evening.

West Coast beaches are stunning, hidden beaches on the peninsula are within a day's hike!

Read more
Day 6

Day 6: Helicopter to Lewis

Today your private helicopter will pick you up from the castle helipad in front of the loch. You will be flying out after breakfast to the Outer Hebrides. Here you will explore Lewis and Harris with a local driver/guide, visiting old blackhouses, Viking sites, windswept sandy beaches, standing stones such...

Today your private helicopter will pick you up from the castle helipad in front of the loch. You will be flying out after breakfast to the Outer Hebrides. Here you will explore Lewis and Harris with a local driver/guide, visiting old blackhouses, Viking sites, windswept sandy beaches, standing stones such as the Callanish Stones and much more. 

Read more
Day 7

Day 7: West Coast to Sutherland

Today you will be leaving your West Coast paradise, after an early breakfast, the boatman will come and collect you from the jetty to take you back to Mallaig. Collecting your Range Rover from the quay, you will be taking the car ferry across to the southern tip of...

Today you will be leaving your West Coast paradise, after an early breakfast, the boatman will come and collect you from the jetty to take you back to Mallaig. Collecting your Range Rover from the quay, you will be taking the car ferry across to the southern tip of the Isle of Skye. From here it is about a 4-hour drive to Alladale Wilderness reserve, however as in typical fashion for this part of Scotland, you will be travelling through some astonishing landcapes and scenery. On your route you will have the chance for a short detour to visit the world famous Eilean Donan castle, just across the bridge and on the mainland from the Isle of Skye. At a cost of £8 per adult ticket, a self guided tour of the castle for an hour is worthwhile in our opinion, it is a fascinating and certainly very beautiful place. 

Today your route follows some of the southern stretches of the NC500 route, before detouring north towards your final destination of course. You are heading for Alladale Wilderness Reserve, a truly unique destination with a ground breaking vision for the future of 'rewilding' and conservation by the reintroduction of native species to the Scottish landscape. 

On arrival at Alladale you will be warmly greeted by the team who will show you around the main house (a grand old Victorian hunting lodge that has since been refurbished to a luxury, high standard!). Dinner will be served in the main dining room and an evening of stories from your amazing host will unfold before retiring to some of the most comfy beds in Scotland! 

Accommodation: Alladale Lodge on an exclusive-use, catered basis, Alladale Wilderness Reserve. 

Read more
Day 8

Day 8: Exciting Day on Alladale Wilderness Reserve

Today will see you wake up on your very own 23,000 acre wilderness reserve. In the style of a South African game reserve, after a sumptuous breakfast in the main dining room (or even outside on the front lawns if the weather is great), you will be heading...

Today will see you wake up on your very own 23,000 acre wilderness reserve. In the style of a South African game reserve, after a sumptuous breakfast in the main dining room (or even outside on the front lawns if the weather is great), you will be heading out with the head ghillie/ranger in one of the reserves Land Rover 110s, armed with a picnic lunch, boots and a map. The guide will show you some of the most beautiful parts of the reserve and tell you all about the incredible rewilding efforts the owner and his team have started in this very special and remote part of Scotland.

With over a million native trees being planted here in a bid to help regenerate the last remnant of the Great Wood of Caledon (Caledonian Pine Forest), the vision is to bare fruit not in our lifetime, but in perhaps 100 years these glens will see a serious increase in species such as Red Squirrels, Capercaillie, Pine Martin, Otters, Scottish Wildcats and more. The reserve has trial run introductions of elk (that once roamed Scotland many thousands of years ago), wild boar in partnership with the Universty of Oxford, even bison. The ultimate vision of course is to release wolves to these incredible hills and mountains but you will find out a lot more on your day today with the ranger.

A suggested guided hike is on offer if you wish to enjoy this, alternatively after your tour you can head back to the main house, and head out on the brand new mountain bikes that have been bought this summer. Following the estate tracks through the glens makes for a long, and easy-going cycle through pristine nature and we highly recommend this if you think you might enjoy it!

Read more
Day 9

Day 9: Helicopter to Orkeny, Relax at Alladale or Local Attractions

Today is a day which we have left open to yourselves to decide upon. We can arrange for you to leave Alladale this morning at 9:30am and fly 1-hour north to Kirkwall on the Orkney Islands. Here you will be met by a driver/guide who will take you...

Today is a day which we have left open to yourselves to decide upon. We can arrange for you to leave Alladale this morning at 9:30am and fly 1-hour north to Kirkwall on the Orkney Islands. Here you will be met by a driver/guide who will take you to some of the must see sights on Orkeny including Skara Brae and a visit to Highland Park distillery. Please speak to your Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions travel planner for a clarification on the price of this addition to your day. 

Alternatively you may wish to lay-low and enjoy the use of your own 23,000 acre private wilderness reserve as well as of course, the house complete with its own gym, sauna, full sized snooker table, home cinema not to mention, clay-pigoen shoot (to be arranged at an additional cost), mountain bikes and much more. 

Finally, the third option is to head out with the Range Rover to some of the great local attractions in Sutherland. Why not visit Balblair distillery and the incredible Dunrobin Castle (one of Scotland's most dramatic and impressive castles)?

 

Read more
Day 10

Day 10: Leaving Alladale for Inverness Airport

Today sees you checking-out of your incredible Alladale. What a great base it has been from which to both explore and to relax. You will leave Alladale we are sure with a better appreciation for the work being done in many parts of the world now on a re-wilding...

Today sees you checking-out of your incredible Alladale. What a great base it has been from which to both explore and to relax. You will leave Alladale we are sure with a better appreciation for the work being done in many parts of the world now on a re-wilding front. It is exciting to see this happening here in the UK and to have stayed at Alladale is something of a privilege in itself. 

Roughtly 1-hour drive south of Alladale you will reach Inverness Airport where today you will be handing back the keys to your trusty and amazingly comfortable Range Rover. Here a Sandgrouse Travel respresentative will be waiting. Checking into your flight onwards to home and the end of our services. We thank you whole-heartedly for choosing to visit Scotland and for travelling with Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions and we hope you have an unforgettable experience overall! 

Read more

The Fife Arms

A ROMANTIC VISION OF THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS This hotel is a true salute to the traditional Scotland all too quickly cast...

More info

Ardgay Wilderness Reserve

ULTIMATE LUXURY IN THE UK'S MOST REMOTE CORNER Ardgay Wilderness Reserve is a 23,000-acre gem in the Scottish Highlands, about 1.5...

More info

The Billionaire's Castle - Scottish Fjord

BILLIONAIRE CASTLE Top Secret: This billionaire's hideaway offers a true escape from the rest of the world (the closest road is 20 miles away)....

More info

Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions Range Rover Vogue, x2 nights at The Fife Arms in x2 Scottish Culture Rooms on a Bed & Breakfast Basis, Pre-booked dinner reservations at Clunie Dining Room at The Fife Arms on night of arrival, x4 nights at Billionaire's Castlem on exclusive-use basis with private chef on-site, private chef will arrive with all food for the duration of your stay (menu to be discussed and finalized weeks prior to your arrival, meals to be served as per ski-chalets at agreed times that suit your needs), local boatman on call, x1 full-day private marine safaris with local expert guide including visits to the Small Isles (Rum, Eigg or Canna) as well as/or remote sea-lochs and Gavin Maxwell's beach Cammafearna - luxury seafood lunches (caught locally in the nearby waters) included. x3 nights at Alladale Lodge on an exclusive-use basis with private chef and house keeper on-site, including all meals, 4x4 Land Rover safari, guided hike, mountain bikes, gym, sauna, snooker room and much more! 24-hour on the ground assistance from dedicated Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions member of staff, available at all times on mobile and whatsapp. Directions and suggested routing, including tips to recommended attractions, sites of interest and more. Option to pre-book tours and visits, should you require via your Sandgrouse Travel Scotland travel planner (distillery visits for example). Ise of Lewis and Harris Helicopter Trip with driver/guide at desination including visits to sites of specific interest. Orkeny Helicopter day-trip inclusive of Highland Park whisky distillery visit, driver guide and trip to the amazing pre-historic Skara Brae site - please speak to your Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions travel planner for more information on the use of the helicopter. 

The local Highland Cows on the beautiful Alladale Wilderness Reserve. 

Twin-Engined chopper options are available for transport, transfers and day trips. 

Watch the Salmon leaping at Alladale Wilderness Reserve!

Your Marine Safaris are an amazing way to experience this part of Scotland's West Coast.

Close close