From 25 April 2023, ferry travel is no longer included within the Scottish Grand Tour pass. Any ferry travel should be purchased separately and directly from www.calmac.co.uk
Unlock adventure all over Scotland
Scotland’s got lots to offer outdoor types and you don’t necessarily need to scale every Munro to experience it – there’s just as much to do at sea level.
We’ve chosen a variety of activities for you to enjoy — some you’ll do in a day, others will take a little longer but you can do them all with the Spirit of Scotland Rover.
If you’re up for a challenge, these are the trips for you. We hope you find them hugely enjoyable.
Rothiemurchus
Towering pine trees, hidden lochs, ancient mountains – Rothiemurchus Woodland Estate has it all.
Thrill-seekers? Get off-road with quad bike treks across woodland and heather moors. Or tackle the rapids with white water rafting and swimming.
Wildlife lover? Join regular guided tours where you can glimpse pine martens, badgers, deer and more. Daily photography trips let you see Ospreys at close quarters.
Don’t forget to work your way through the maze of woodland paths to find Loch an Eilein and its own thirteenth century island castle. Nestled between the River Spey and the top of the Cairngorms mountains, the estate is just over one mile from Aviemore train station.
Arisaig Sea Kayak Centre
Imagine your kayak gliding over an expanse of clear water towards a picturesque white sand beach on a hidden island. True escapism is what you’ll find at Arisaig Sea Kayak Centre.
Choose from a one-day or half-day trip. Or if you want to really get away from it all, opt for a multi-day wilderness coast expedition and explore the small isles, the lochs and the bays of the Arisaig coastline. You might even spot a few seals basking just a few metres from your paddle.
The journey to Arisaig is every bit an adventure too. Travel by train from Glasgow and you’ll pass over the viaduct at Glenfinnan – every Harry Potter fan’s favourite.
Kitesurfing at Troon
Experience the thrill of kitesurfing with instruction from a European champion open-water swimmer. Based at Barassie Beach in Troon, this is ideal for first-timers or those who want to improve their technique.
Opt for a half-day taster course to learn the basics or a two-day course for the serious kitesurfer. The intensive five-hour course is a great refresher for those who’ve tried the sport before but want to brush up their skills.
Don’t worry about packing your wetsuit – all the equipment you need is provided. There’s a regular train service from Glasgow Central station to Barassie; journey time around 40 minutes. The beach is less than 10 minutes’ walk from the train station.
Calum's Seal Trips
Hop aboard the Sula Mhor with Calum Mackenzie, who has skippered seal tours off the coast of Plockton for over 30 years.
Along the way there’ll be stories about the local area and maybe a bad joke or two. The best part: if there are no seals, your trip is free.
There’s plenty of other wildlife to spot though, including otters, dolphins, eagles and even llamas. If all else fails, there are the stunning views over Plockton and Skye.
Trips run daily from April to October and there’s a bar on board serving hot drinks, plus a few stronger options. The journey from Inverness to Plockton takes just over two hours and promises plenty of spectacular scenery.
Spirit of Scotland Rover gives you unlimited travel throughout Scotland. Hop on, hop off for the ultimate adventure.
From only £149 for four days unlimited travel on trains, buses and coaches.