breathing space outdoors: guided walking and navigation courses

Comrie provides an ideal place to explore the outdoors and get some breathing space. On offer are walking, nordic walking , orienteering and micro navigation opportunities. Map reading for women is also on offer.

Special arrangements can be made for small groups (6-10 people) to try out a range of opportunities.

Guided Walking

Comrie offers an ideal walking centre with opportunities for outings of all levels of difficulty, from pleasant riverside strolls to strenuous mountain expeditions. This year's walking

Comrie is a picturesque village set in the heart of the scenic West Strathearn area of Perthshire. Situated at the meeting of the river valleys (Glens) of the Lednock and Artney with the Scottish Highlands rising to the north it is possible to walk from the village into stunning landscapes.

Woodland paths above the River Lednock lead from the village centre to the dramatic Deil's Cauldron waterfall. Close by, paths lead to the hilltop Melville Monument which overlooks the village and offers one of the best panoramic views of Upper Strathearn. Within a short distance of Comrie there are a number of Munros (mountains over 3000 feet high) and Corbetts (mountains between 2500 and 3000 feet). Wildlife abounds locally, and at all times of the year there is a rich diversity of flora and fauna thanks to ancient woodlands.

In addition, Comrie enjoys a rich historical heritage, counting among its visitors over the centuries Romans, cattle drovers and nowadays tourists and day trippers. Lying on the Highland Boundary Fault, Comrie has been the scene of many minor earthquakes in the past, and has earned the nickname the Shaky Town. Within walking distance of the village centre, Earthquake House is one of the oldest permanent seismic observatories. So whether you want gentle walks that leave time to explore the local hertitage or full days on the mountain tops it is all possible within a short distance from Comrie.

On offer are a number of walks from gentle low level walks to high level walks and everything in between*. You will be guided by Fran Loots, an experienced and qualified Mountain Leader, or another locally based guide.

* find out how to choose the right grade for your walk

Accommodation

This years walking holidays use locally available accommodation and ranges from ensuite rooms through to bunk rooms according to your needs and pocket. Food is locally sourced as far as possible and by using and supporting local providers you are helping to sustain the local economy.

Galvelmore B&B

Close to the centre of Crieff, Galvelmore is a large Victorian house with comfortable spacious rooms and bathroom facilities.

Bedrooms have tea and coffee making facilities and colour televisions. There is also a charming lounge to relax in with library and log fire.

Galvelmore House is fully centrally heated, has a large garden to the rear with views to the hills.

The food is superb - local Scottish ingredients are used. David, who also works as a chef at Gleneagles Hotel, cooks meals to gourmet standard.

What does it look like?

Mossgiel House B&B

Set in pretty countryside in the conservation village of Comrie Mossgiel offers comfortable accommodation and many walks start from the doorstep.

Bedrooms have televisions, tea and coffee making facilities and hair dryers. There is a comfortable lounge with open fire to relax in.

Mossgiel is fully centrally heated and all rooms are either ensuite or have private facilities.

Delicious breakfasts include smoked salmon and porridge as well as lighter style for those who prefer this a smaller breakfast.

What does it look like?

Comrie Croft

Situated in a 200-year-old Scottish Farmstead with lots of character, just outside Comrie, Comrie Croft offers a simple, attractive, great value escape amongst the Scottish hills.

It is an independent hostel with private ensuite rooms from twin rooms through to six bedded bunk rooms. We will be staying in the smaller rooms.

You set right out of the door of Comrie Croft into walking country. Some of the walks will start from here.

Self catering facilities are available.

What does it look like?

Women-only walking

Try women walk away for a day or walking women (www.walkingwomen.com) for women-only walking. Fran Loots does guided walking for them. This year there are several options with Fran – the Isle of Rum for a week in June or Mull in September or cross country skiing in Norway in February.

What previous clients have said:

I have just come back from Scotland and wanted to tell you how much I have enjoyed it again. We were a very mixed group this year in terms of ability and experience but Fran managed perfectly to both challenge people and enable them to realise that they could do more than they thought they could, whilst never putting pressure on anyone to do more than they felt comfortable with. She is a wonderful guide whose passion for Scotland is tangible and her interest in and knowledge of the area enhances tenfold the whole experience of walking in the wonderful hills. She has certainly made my experience of Scotland very special and I thank her hugely for that. Thank-you so much.

Dawn

Just a few lines to say how very much I enjoyed the Trossachs trip in September. Fran is an excellent guide and knew just how to keep everyone happy. I've decided to make a WW holiday an annual event in my life from now on.

Sonya

Nordic Walking

Comrie offers an ideal place for Nordic walking - one of the world's fastest growing fitness sports.

Holiday breaks and one day workshops are available as well as regular classes.

So what is Nordic walking?

It is fitness walking using specially designed walking poles.

Nordic walking exercises the whole body using 90% of the muscles in the body.

The upper body gets a workout with the big muscles around the shoulders and neck being

worked properly as well as the arms. Tension in these muscles is released and the spine is strengthened - this can help to ease back pain.

Originating in Finland – as a way for cross-country skiers to train in summer, Nordic walking

has taken off all over Europe.

Part of the sport's popularity is due to the health benefits involved. These are considerably

greater than those of normal walking.

As well as improving your endurance, strengthening and toning the muscles in the upper

body, arms and legs, and releasing muscle tension in the neck and shoulders, Nordic

walking also provides an excellent cardiovascular workout. You get your heart beating

an average 5-17 times more per minute than normal walking.

Many of the benefits can be put down to the use of poles. These improve your posture

and help you to walk faster, by propelling your body forward thus increasing the length

of your stride.

Simply using poles means you consume about 20% more calories than

normal walking, and if you combine this with the effects of walking faster, you can

actually burn up to 46% more energy than when you walk normally, according to

some research.

For more information about Nordic walking, contact us

Orienteering and micro navigation

Learning to read a map competently is a key skill to independent travel in the outdoors. Orienteering provides a fun way to learn basic and micro navigation skills. Short residential and non-residential experiences can be arranged for groups of up to 15. Provision can also be made for people with disabilities to learn and improve upon navigation skills.

Training leading to a teacher leader certificate in orienteering or to Coach Level 1 can be arranged, as well as training and assessment to Coach Level 2.

Coaching for children in schools can be arranged for all ages including nursery
through to S6. Staff are SCRO checked and can drive minibuses.

For more information about orienteering, contact us

Women CAN read maps

Many women lack confidence to read maps – unhelpful comments from nearest and dearest can destroy confidence easily. Learn how to read a map and set out on a journey of exploration you never thought possible.

See how they got on in previous years

For more information about map reading for women, contact us

		Outdoor Experiences

Outdoor Experiences

Guided Walking

Accommodation

Women-only walking

Nordic Walking

So what is Nordic walking?

Orienteering and micro navigation

Women CAN read maps