SCOTLAND – WEST HIGHLAND WAY
18 - 27 June, 2018 I 12 places only!
Welcome to Walk & Write Scottish Highlands!
A writing holiday for your body, mind & spirit.
18 – 27 June, 2018
10 DAYS 12 PLACES ONLY! DAILY WRITING SUPPORT
JOURNEY OVERVIEW – WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
Walk & Write Scottish Highlands is an adventure writing experience that will take you to and through some of Scotland’s most iconic natural, cultural and historical landmarks.
We will be walking the West Highland Way, from Glasgow to Fort William (of Outlander fame), which is one of Britain’s great walking experiences.
The pace is steady, walking on average 20 km a day (some long days, some short), and you will stay in handpicked hotels and guesthouses.
Walk & Write Scotland is organized in partnership with UTracks.
On this specially crafted trip, you will experience writing workshops in historic villages and wilderness, whilst being encouraged to pause, rest and write at certain junctures along the way.
You will wander the shores of Loch Lomond (the high road or the low road?); experience writing about people and local cultures; you’ll gain a wonderful appreciation of the historic significance of landmarks along the hike; and you will have opportunities to revel in that beautiful, reflective space that walking offers a human being.
Naturally, there will be whiskey tasting.
And let’s not forget Scotland’s majesty – … the pipes, the pipes are calling …
Each night you will stay in comfortable 3‑4 star hotels and guesthouses, and enjoy the hospitality of your local hosts.
It’s important to note that this is a walking trip so a reasonable level of fitness is required.
Optional stop for a wee dram of Scottish malt at the Glencoyne Distillery.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Wander along the shores of Loch Lomond, Britain’s largest lake
- Walk to the foot of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain
- Visit the Great Moor of Rannoch and Scotland’s oldest licensed inn
- Wander through iconic Glencoe and Glen Nevis
- Exclusive writing workshops
- Real time record of your Scottish Highlands walk
- Enjoying the camaraderie of fellow writers and hikers
- Stay overnight in comfortable guesthouses and hotels
- Trip escorted by journalist, author & travelling writer, Stephanie Dale.
The Great Moor of Rannoch, one of Europe’s last remaining wilderness areas. Photo courtesy Bryzoc, TripAdvisor
THE WRITING
On this Walk & Write holiday writing adventure, you will:
- clarify your writing purpose
- learn to use writing as a tool for everyday wellbeing
- rest in productive time out each day
- tune into the rhythms of the world around you as you explore your writing voice
- engage in gentle productive purpose as you wander the beautiful trails of Scotland’s famous Highlands
- receive writing support, guidance and encouragement throughout the journey.
Your writing facilitator, Stephanie Dale, specializes in helping new writers get started on their writing.
Whether you want to blog your journey, share fabulous social media updates, take notes for a novel, unlock your inner writer or break through writers’ block ‑ this journey will meet your writing needs as you take a break from everyday life.
Walk & Write will encourage you to sit quietly, patiently, like the hunters of old, tuning your senses to the rhythms of life around you. You will learn to take time to rest, renew, replenish. You will find your creative rhythm. You will discover new ways to incorporate writing into your everyday life. You will be offered support, guidance and encouragement to write your story, your way.
Write and reflect your way along West Highland Way, keeping great company with your walking and writing buddies.
TAKEAWAYS include:
- a real time record of your Scottish Highlands adventure
- concrete writing direction
- increased writing confidence
- solid notes for future writing projects
- a group of interested, dedicated writing buddies
- enthusiasm to do it again!
Scotland’s famous purple heaths.
ITINERARY – DAY BY DAY
AT A GLANCE:
-
- Day 1 Arrive Milngavie (about 20kms from Glasgow)
- Day 2 Walk from Milngavie to Drymen (19.5kms)
- Day 3 Drymen to Rowardennan (22kms)
- Day 4 Rowardennan to Ardlui (22kms)
- Day 5 Transfer to Crianlarich and walk to Tyndrum (12kms)
- Day 6 Tyndran to Inveroran (15kms)
- Day 7 Inveroran to Glencoe (20kms)
- Day 8 Glencoe to Kinlochleven (14kms)
- Day 9 Kinlochleven to Fort William (24kms)
- Day 10 End of tour.
Historic Glencoe along the West Highland Way.
FOR FURTHER DETAILS SEE TRIP NOTES – DOWNLOAD PDF
- The logistics for this journey have been organized by UTracks, a subsidiary of World Expeditions.
- To speak to a UTracks representative about Walk & Write Scottish Highlands, phone Jaclyn on +61 2 8270 8488.
BOOK YOUR PLACE ON THIS PERFECT WRITING HOLIDAY
To discuss your Walk & Write Scotland holiday phone Jaclyn on +61 2 8270 8488.
TO BOOK YOUR PLACE CALL UTRACKS +61 2 8270 8488
“Thank you so much for your time and valuable insight. It was great to discover I actually do have something to write about! I also loved hearing the stories from the other members of the group.”
Jenna
INCLUSIONS & COSTS
The cost of Walk & Write Scottish Highlands is $2590, based on twin share accommodation. A single supplement is payable if a single room is required.
INCLUSIONS:
- 7 breakfasts (it is not possible to pre‑book breakfast on Day 7. There is a cafe on site where breakfast can be bought)
- 8 nights B&B and 1 night room-only accommodation on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities
- where available.
- Important note ‑ depending on the make up of the group and final group
numbers, there are some accommodations where you may have to triple or quad share. - All accommodation is based on these twin/triple or quad share arrangements. If you are in a
position where we cannot match you, a single supplement will have to be paid. - One piece of luggage per person transferred from Inn to Inn, not exceeding 20kg
- Information pack including route notes & maps
- Emergency hotline
- Taxi Ardlui to Crainlarich
- Trip escorted by journalist, author, travelling writer, Stephanie Dale.
THERE ARE ONLY 12 PLACES ON THIS JOURNEY.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PHONE JACLYN +61 2 8270 8488
Celtic warrior queens have shifted from history to mythology. Their spirit lives on the West Highland Way.
FAQs
DO I HAVE TO BE AN EXPERIENCED WRITER?
Absolutely not! Everyone is welcome at Walk & Write holiday writing adventures – new writers, experienced writers, writers who are not yet confident enough to call themselves a writer. Our program is about your individual writing journey.
DOES IT MATTER WHAT KIND OF WRITING I’D LIKE TO DO?
Not at all! Some people will come along with a very clear idea of what they plan to achieve on their writing holiday – they may want to take notes for their novel, plan out a family history, write as the spirit moves them or blog their Camino journey for friends and family at home.
Others may have no idea what they want to write – they know only that the longing to write won’t go away and the thought of starting their project on a writing holiday is an opportunity too good to pass up!
Your writing facilitator Stephanie Dale is skilled and experienced at handling the needs of all writers in the group, regardless of their level of experience or productivity.
DO I NEED A CERTAIN LEVEL OF FITNESS?
Walk & Write Camino is not a difficult walk, although there will be some days that are steeper than others. A good level of basic fitness is required, as you will be walking up to 18 kms a day.
WILL I GET INDIVIDUAL WRITING COACHING?
Yes! That’s the beauty of Walk & Write holiday writing adventures. Your writing facilitator is with you all the way, to answer questions and offer guidance, support and encouragement.
“Today was unbelievable. I sat down by the river to write and couldn’t believe it – it was as if I was in the river and it took me places. My writing just flowed. I no longer even cared if it was ‘good’ or ‘bad’.”
Ailsa
WHAT KINDS OF WRITING DO YOU COVER?
Walk & Write holiday writing adventures are designed to open your senses to experiencing whatever it is you’d like to write. Previous writing projects have included:
- travel writing
- blogging
- social media messaging
- food writing
- fiction
- short stories
- memoir
- letters
- speeches
- family and community histories
- landscape writing
- writing wild places
- architecture writing
- journaling.
MORE QUESTIONS?
CALL US!
CONTACT WALK & WRITE ON +61 422 138 103 OR UTRACKS ON +61 2 8270 8488
There is an abundance of Celtic art and culture along the West Highland Way.