Niel Gow’s Scotland Hike
Hiking Trip Details
- Location: Central Lowlands, Perthshire, and Highlands
- Length: 8 days
- Grade: easy to moderate
- Accommodations: B & B’s, one night in highlands hut
- Group size: 5 – 12
- Dates: September 10 – 17, 2010
- Land Cost (US$): 2,695
Hiking Trip Summary
Nothing tells a story of a country like its landscapes and its music. This year Distant Journeys, in collaboration with Scottish walking company C-N-DO Scotland and Scottish Life Magazine music columnist Edward Scott Pearlman, will be hosting a new cultural walking tour in Scotland. This will be an 8-day walking tour of Scotland’s wild and romantic countryside punctuated by special musical notes and events.
18th century fiddler and composer Niel Gow was probably one of the most sought after Scottish musicians of his day. Playing at balls, weddings and other events, he traveled widely throughout Scotland, almost always walking. Today much of traditional Scottish music and dance is infused with Niel Gow’s tunes, as well as those of his sons. During this week, we will travel Scotland the way Niel Gow traveled it, on foot. We’ll experience the music scene that reflects his influence and meet some Scotland’s finest musicians.
Our walk begins in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park with its deep lochs, rugged hills and dark forests. Home to the legendary 17th century outlaw, Rob Roy, the unspoiled beauty of this area has been inspiring imaginations for centuries. From here our journey takes us to Loch Ossian in the southern Highlands for a taste of Scottish wilderness. This dark lake surrounded by endless hills and open moorlands should provide a uniquely remote setting for walking during the day and enjoying music in the evening. Continuing on to Perthshire, we head to the village of Dunkeld. Known as “Big Tree Country”, this area of soft landscapes and stately old trees was home to Niel Gow. Finally heading toward Inverness, we will stop for one last walk in the mountains, Cairngorms National Park. Encompassing the area of Strathspey, this is Britain’s largest national park.
To this trip of scenic variety, our Scottish guide will bring a deep knowledge of Scotland’s colorful history, while Ed Pearlman will invite top Scottish musicians to join us and celebrate the link of the land with its vibrant musical traditions. Musical guests Gillebride Macmillan, Pete Clark, Bruce MacGregor and others will top off our hikes with an unforgettable experience of vistas and music. This trip is about what is timeless, enduring, and unfailingly inspiring: Our natural world and music. Come experience Niel Gow’s Scotland!
Itinerary
Day 1: Our pick up will be at Glasgow Airport. After gathering the group together, we’ll set off for a bit of sightseeing in the Stirling area. We’ll have a short walk to stretch the legs and get some fresh air into the lungs, before heading to our B&B accommodations at the edge of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Welcome dinner and area orientation.
Day 2: Established as Scotland’s first national park in 2002, Loch Lomond & Trossachs’ covers 720 square miles, of rugged hills, ancient forests, lochs and tumbling burns. The Trossachs, which means “bristly country”, is an area ringed by lakes and dominated by Ben Ledj, the highest mountain in the region. A great variety of walks are available in this area allowing some flexibility given the weather and abilities. The evening will bring time for a fiddle/music session.
Day 3: Today we head north by minibus and train to one of the most remote corners of the Highlands. Descending the train, we will hike a mile into the isolated Eco-hostel of Loch Ossian. Moorlands, the dark waters of Loch Ossian and hills leading into the distance blend together to create the wide open, wild landscapes that surround us. After settling in to our accommodations we will walk in the Loch Ossian area looking and listening for the roaring stags.
This evening at Loch Ossian we will be joined by gold medalist Gaelic singer, Gillebride Macmillan, who will share with us some songs and tales of the Highlands. This will be a rare opportunity to immerse ourselves in the natural beauty, traditional music and folklore of Scotland.
Day 4: We may have time for a morning walk before boarding the train again and heading toward the greener more colorful cods of Perthshire and the village Dunkeld. En route, we will stop to visit Blair Atholl and the Castle where Niel Gow played on many occasions and where we will have a rare opportunity to actually hear his fiddle played. A hot spot of traditional music, Dunkeld will be our base for the next two nights. The countryside surrounding this unspoiled village, with its enchanting woodlands, charming loch’s and ancient dwellings, is some of the most beautiful in Perthshire.
Day 5: Today we take time to explore the area in and around Dunkeld, home of Neil Gow. Renowned fiddler Pete Clark will lead us on a walking tour of the area, including Gow’s grave and cottage, as well as places that inspired some of his tunes. After a visit to the workshop of bagpipe makers Finn and Hamish Moore, including a demonstration of a variety of small pipes, we will finish the day with an evening talk and recital by Pete Clark at a local music hostelry, followed by the session.
Day 6: Today we head north to the Inverness area. En route we will walk in the Loch Morlich area of Strathspey, now part of the Cairngorms National Park. This is Britain largest national park, encompassing the most extensive mountainous area in the UK, along with nearly one-quarter of the native woodlands in Scotland, and 25% of all the threatened wildlife in the UK. Our evening will be spent in Inverness, capped of by a ceilidh at Hootenannys, one Scotland’s foremost music venues.
Day 7: For our last day, we will walk in the area around Inverness. Situated on the banks of the inner Moray Firth, Inverness lies at the northeast end of the huge rift valley Great Glen. Of the four lakes spanning the length of the Great Glen, most famous is Loch Ness, not far from Inverness. We will end our week long exploration of Niel Gow’s Scotland with a Farewell Dinner followed by a rousing ceilidh at Bogbain Farm, hosted by fiddler Bruce MacGregor of Blazin’ Fiddles, who is also a radio host on BBC Scotland.
Day 8: After a leisurely breakfast there will be a transfer back to Stirling. Trains depart Stirling frequently for Glasgow and beyond.
- Please Note: All our itineraries are subject to change. Walks will be weather dependent and fiddle sessions and events may be altered or added.
Additional Information
Included
Scottish walking guide/driver, Scottish fiddler, teacher and music columnist, Ed Pearlman, Musical guests, Minibus transport from arrival at Glasgow Airport and to departure in Stirling, train journeys to and from Corrour, all accommodations, all breakfasts, six packed lunches, five evening meals, Any group safety equipment required.
Not Included
Air fare, three dinners, optional/individual or individual excursions, items not on set dinner menus, beverages, insurance, tips to guides, items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry, excess baggage charge, passport fees, etc.).
Luggage
During this hike, trip members’ luggage will be transported between accommodations. During our hikes, it will be necessary to carry a small daypack with only the clothing and accessories needed for the day.
Musical Instruments
Our Niel Gow’s Scotland trip is primarily a cultural walking tour, however there will be a number of opportunities for trip members to participate in musical sessions, either by playing or listening. Trip members are welcome to bring small easily transportable musical instruments, including fiddles.
Accommodations and Facilities
Highland Hut: We will spend 1 night at a remote Highland Hut on beautiful Loch Ossian. There is a common dining room as well as meeting room and shared bunk rooms. Alas, as in the White Mountain Huts, there are no hot showers. Some of Scotland’s hiker’s hostels have separate bunk rooms for men and women.
Bed and Breakfast: We will spend six nights at comfortable B&B’s, double occupancy with private bathroom facilities.
Travel
It is easiest to fly to Glasgow, Scotland. However, there are frequent trains from Edinburgh and Manchester, England as well; just be sure to allow for extra travel time.
Who would like this trip?
Niel Gow’s Scotland is conducted in collaboration with C-N-DO Scotland, a leader in walking and hiking tours. Edward Scott Pearlman, well known fiddler and columnist for Scottish Life Magazine, with his knowledge of and insight into the Scottish Fiddle tradition, as well as his personal connections to some of Scotland’s finest musicians, will add a unique dimension to the trip.
This is also a trip for lovers of Scottish music and culture who like to hike and who would like to experience some of the landscapes that have influenced the Scottish music tradition. And this is a trip for hikers who are interested in learning about Scottish culture throw its music. Walks on any given day will be determined by the weather and the ability and interests of the group. Trip members should anticipate fall-like weather and –as always in Scotland– rain.
What makes this trip different
This is a unique cultural walking trip that combines time spent walking some of Scotland’s wonderful countryside with experiencing it’s wonderful rich music tradition. With the exception of musical sessions at local pubs, all musical events are specially arranged expressly for our group.
Meeting point
The group will be met at Glasgow International Airport at 11:00 am on Day 1 for a transfer to our first night’s accommodation.
Ending Point
Glasgow airport at 11:00 am on Day 1 for a group transfer to our first night’s accommodation.
For a more detailed itinerary that includes elevation gain, loss and distance, or to register please call.
