TRAVEL | ON THE FIELD
company that puts together such exceptional itineraries to this standard,’ says Innes Ker. Above and beyond Ted’s deep knowledge of every nook and cranny, loch and island in the country, his connections set his exciting new offering apart from anything remotely similar. Having been a regular guest and knowing the owners intimately, access to the most breathtaking estates became possible. Moreover, those with a similar ‘set-up’ to Innes Ker’s family seat trust him to ‘do things properly’. Harnessing the eerily beautiful Caledonian scenery for these unforgettable experiences, from cantering along the unspoilt landscape of the West Coast to paragliding through the mountains before landing on a private island, Innes Ker uses his background to offer unique Scottish expeditions. No two trips are ever the same, so we challenged this Highland wizard to conjure up an impressive Country & Town House bespoke itinerary. The brief? Riding, West Coast, Adventure... Floors Castle, the family seat of Ted Innes Ker
THE ITINER ARY
DAY ONE
• Catch a private jet or helicopter charter to Glasgow airport. • On arrival at the airport your party will be picked up in a seaplane and flown to a stunning private estate on the Morvern Peninsula, nestled on the shore of a remote loch. • Enjoy an afternoon of sailing and kayaking. • Have welcome drinks in the lodge from 7pm, which will be followed by a quick briefing of the next day’s arrangements before dinner at 8pm.
DAY TWO
• Spend the morning getting to know your trusty steeds with your expert guide. • Enjoy an indulgent picnic lunch on the banks of the loch before you start your first trail ride of the trip. • Spend the afternoon trekking off the beaten track and cantering around the loch and along forest trails through a truly unspoilt landscape. • Finish the ride with a well deserved night’s sleep at one of the most romantic hotels in Scotland. Ride distance: eight miles.
DAY THREE
• Tack up your mount and make your way along the coastline, discovering pristine, empty beaches and open hills. • For lunch, have a hot picnic delivered to your location and served by expert local chefs. • Go lobster potting with local fishermen and barbecue your catch for dinner – there’s no finer meal to be had in the country. • Overnight in remote stargazing pods, with only the sound of your horses grazing nearby. Ride distance: seven miles.
DAY FOUR
• After a relaxed breakfast, continue trekking through the rugged and wild countryside, across beautiful meadows, farm tracks and loch side paths. • Have lunch at a castle retreat situated on the banks of a picture-postcard loch. • Spend the afternoon clay pigeon shooting in grounds of a castle. • Experience a tasting with a whisky expert from a local distillery before dinner. • Enjoy dinner, served in the castle dining room. Ride distance: nine miles.
DAY FIVE
• Finish up with an epic day’s trekking, taking you up into the open hills, providing stunning views across Scotland to the most westerly point of mainland Scotland. • Have cheese fondue in a remote, refurbished hill bothy for lunch. • Spend the final night of the holiday in bohemian yurts. • Get picked up by a private chartered boat for a tour of the West Coast, before a seafood feast as the sun sets. • Take a private helicopter in the morning back to Glasgow Airport. Ride distance: 16 miles.
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