25 Sep 2013
Two Connoisseurs Scotland Hotels Debut a New "Great Outdoors" Itinerary that Highlights the Year of Natural Scotland

Luxury Scotland

In support of the "Year of Natural Scotland," Connoisseurs Scotland, Little's Chauffeur Drive and member properties have worked together to assemble a variety of touring itineraries that allow visitors to discover Scotland's outstanding natural beauty by day and enjoy the country's most deluxe accommodations by night. The "Great Outdoors" itinerary is a six-night program hosted by two luxurious country house hotels in the Highlands of Scotland: The Michelin-starred Inverlochy Castle Hotel near Fort William and Pool House, a family-run hotel, located on the shores of Loch Ewe.

Costs for the trip start at £3,575 ($5,602.03 US)* per couple with a rental car (a Mercedes E-Class or Jaguar XF) or £7,025 ($11,008.18 US)* for a fully chauffeur-escorted tour. The tour includes a variety of options (additional costs apply) that allow guests to customize their experiences. Additional information can be found at www.luxuryscotland.info; booking this or any of the other tours offered by Connoisseurs Scotland can be completed via e-mail to Little's using luxury@littles.co.uk. Little's will then steer guests through the booking process, whether for a self-drive or chauffeur-driven trip, and confirm all the relevant elements of the itinerary by e-mail.


The journey begins with arrival at Inverlochy Castle Hotel, a 19th-century Scottish castle that sits at the foothills of the highest mountain in the United Kingdom. It features 17 individually designed bedrooms with splendid views of the grounds. While there, guests can participate in a scenic day tour in the Highlands; they'll travel in a stylish Rolls Royce Phantom, then enjoy a champagne picnic and a visit to either Loch Ness or a local monument. Other activities include cruising on Loch Ness, hiking, biking or pony trekking. Participants on this tour can also embark on a half-day wildlife tour or a photographic safari.

On the fourth day the tour, visitors move to Pool House, which sits alongside the River Ewe and overlooks the famous sub-tropical Inverewe Garden. The 127-mile drive north can be completed in a rental car or via a chauffeur-escorted trip coordinated by Little's. Adventures here include exploring the Scottish bays or rocky shorelines of Wester Ross during a canoe paddling adventure, or participating in a "Learn to Climb" session that covers the basics of rock climbing and abseiling. Other activities include marine cruises, sailing trips, sea angling, guided mountain walking tours, or even embarking on a "Shellfish Safari" on Badachro Bay. (Participants in the shellfish experience can return to Pool House with their catch and have it cooked for supper.) On the final day of this tour, guests depart the 82 miles to Inverness Airport or 145 miles to Edinburgh. The trail back, down the side of Loch Maree, is considered one of the most beautiful roads in the world.

Connoisseurs Scotland's collection of 30 luxury accommodations also includes four golf resorts; city-center properties; country house hotels; exclusive-use properties; Scotland's only destination health spa, Stobo Castle; the ultimate luxury train, The Royal Scotsman; and the only cruise ship in the world with a Royal Warrant from HM The Queen, The Hebridean Princess. Seven of the members boast Michelin-starred restaurants, including the only two-starred restaurant in Scotland, which is found at Gleneagles. Information on Connoisseurs Scotland, its member resorts, partners and special offers can be found at www.luxuryscotland.co.uk. In addition, travelers can download the new Luxury Scotland app, which provides news and offers from members, onto their iPhones or Droids.

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*Based on September conversion rates.