Absolute Escapes Traveller Reviews

Trekked from Melrose to Lindisfarne on the St Cuthbert Way and then up Berwick on Tweed. We were two married couples in our mid 70's. We did a bit of walking in our neighborhood beforehand so as to not be totally out of shape. This is a great hike to observe history, culture, farms and domestic animals. Accommodations and food options along the way were excellent. We were provided with excellent maps and the trail was way marked.

These guys were great! We might try something in Ireland with Absolute Escapes next time.

We were a group of 4 persons, two couples, who ambitiously wanted to walk the WHW. We were moderately fit 65year old...plus maybe a few extra years fro a couple of us. Absolute Escapes made this happen for us.

From my first email to the last, Fern was quick with her responses and always helpful with her advice. Absolute Escapes are a very professional and a well run organisation.

Everything worked out brilliantly. B&B’s were super (I particularly liked Helen Browning’s Organics!). The delightful lady, Rose, at Melrose in Goring, was very sweet – a wonderfully old-fashioned B&B (with the best breakfast of the trip). We did get lost once (we took our eye off the ball) on the first day (!) and did a slightly longer first day than planned. Concentrated a little harder after that on the guide book and maps! Our walk along on the Ridgeway was wonderful, thank you. You even managed to arrange one of the hottest September weeks for years for us! We got through over half a bottle of sunblock!

We booked through Absolute Escapes and they were superb to deal with ... from start to finish. Guide books, routes, maps and itinerary were wonderful. All we had to do was pop on our walking boots and walk. Everything else was sorted out and we didn't have to worry about a thing ... just enjoy our holiday. Can't recommend them highly enough. Would definitely book through them again!

The itinerary and accommodations were just perfect. I had issues with my international phone service and the driving instructions provided in our information packet were so helpful. Our plans altered slightly when a ferry trip was cancelled on Colonsay due to storms. It was so great that all I had to do was simply email you to notify our next stop of the delay. I was actually thrilled to be "stranded" on the island another day! All our hosts were so friendly and knowledgable of their area. Thank you for making our trip a stress free holiday!

It was so enjoyable working with Absolute Escapes. We had a specific location we wished to have added to the basic itinerary and Pippa made sure everything fit just right. I also was looking to purchase DuBarry boots on my trip and she was so helpful in sending me possible locations that carry the boots. It truly was like emailing a friend! Everyone I dealt with in the office was just great!!

We walked the Great Glenn Way in october from Fort William to Inverness. This trek is very easy. The landscape is beautiful.

Absolute Escape organized our trip. They did a great job. I recieved a detailed information kit about the Great Glen way., where are groceries, restaurants, about B&Bs and so on. We enjooyed our trek.

I had a walking holiday from Melrose to the Holy Island that I booked through Absolute Escapes. It was wonderful. The days were superb. I will never forget some of the beautiful landscape through which I walked. I extended my holiday an extra day on Holy Island at the end as well as a day in Edinburgh before I flew back to Boston, which were great experiences.

Absolute Escapes helped me select an week for my holiday, advising me that my original dates might be more problematic and another would be better. They were correct given the tide table to Holy Island and their advice saved me much disappointment. The luggage transfer they arranged was prompt and careful. My bags were always waiting when I arrived the next day. The literature they sent helped me make the most of my walk (and kept me for becoming sidetracked or losing my way with their maps). I found the B&Bs they selected were excellent. The staff helpful. The rooms comfortable. Their recommendations about where I might eat and what other sites along the way that I might enjoy visiting were invaluable and saved me much wasted time and kept me from overlooking some sites that I would have been disappointed to miss. I shall certainly to using them again for my next walking holiday.

After a ferry delay at Oban (Absolute escapes rearranged everything quickly) once we arrived at Lochmaddy there were no problems, though the ferry back to Aberdeen was a rough ride (thank goodness we could lie down in the cabin. Weather did brighten a little in Lewis and was really poor in the Orkney’s but we really enjoyed the whole trip nevertheless. The accommodation & hosts chosen were perfect and we would rate all of it favourably however we particularly warmed to Elaine & Keith in Kirkwall and also to Anna in Durness (Smoo) – they were wonderful hosts. Catherine in Selibost was also fantastic and interesting (most beautiful location and view). Linda at Lochmaddy was also good company – we appreciated her stories. Sarah at Aird Uig was also great and the meal there was fantastic, and it was clear afterwards that while remote this is an interesting location. Even the extra location stays at Skye and Sollas were great. In terms of attractions and locations some we really enjoyed were: Nth Uist: Crab sandwichs/Langostines at the rather hidden but beautiful Kallin Seafood Café were fantastic and beautiful location Cake & Coffee and Langrass Lodge (we didn’t have meal there as they had restricted hours) Westford Inn – Nth Uist – great meal Uig area scenery - Lewis Golden Road – Harris but glad we were there a quiet time and the seafood van at St Clements – was fantastic Skara Brae and Skaill house – though weather was appalling & freezing Merkistar Hotel near Dounby Orkney – beautiful meal (locals recommended it) Museum – Stornaway Pies at Lochinver – awesome, lunch at Kylsku hotel

Would certainly recommend your company and itinerary, all things you recommended were as you described – we meet another Australian couple at Merkistar hotel having lunch – they had self-organised and were very unhappy with their accommodation and had missed some interesting things, so it reinforced your value in our minds. Also all our hosts spoke favourably about Absolute Escapes.

I have walked several of the long distance routes in Scotland and the Speyside Way is by far my favourite - I absolutely fell in love with it! I blog whenever I travel (https://theburkablog.com/) so you can check out my trip along the Speyside Way there along with some photos. And so impressed was I with Absolute Escapes that I've asked them to book another trip for me next October - I've decided to walk the Fife Coastal Path in 2020.

Attentive, timely and arranged everything that I asked them to!

Hiking the West Highland Way was a marvellous experience for my wife and me. All the Guest Houses and Hotels our operator booked were very good, clean and comfortable. Even though at some times the weather made it through our rain gear, we knew that there was a nice, warm and dry place waiting for us somewhere.

Absolute Escapes prepared a very detailed and comprehensive information package for us. The luggage transport worked perfectly.

One of the best hoildays my wife and I have ever had. We live in Australia and at 70 yrs. old all of the stress and strain of planning and booking both routes and accommocation were done for us. All accommodations (8 different locations) were first class. The itinery was superb, and very detailed i.e. maps with highlighted suggested routs (independent driving, no tours) for the best scenery, places to visit and places to eat. One other highlight which demonstates their thoughtfulness and caring was the gift of a bottle of whiskey they sent to the accommodation in Glasgow for my actual 70th birthday. I thoroughly enjoyed the "wee dram" in the evenings before sleep.

Absolute Escapes are an excellent choice for anyone wishing to see Scotland and other places but have no prior knowledge of the country or area they wish to visit. After first contacting them and receiving a provisional touring route we made various changes during the planning stage. The staff were always very helpful, nothing too much trouble, offering good sound advice. They responded very quickly to emails and requests. We have absolutely no fears nor reservations about recommending Absolute Escapes to others. In fact, we have already recommended the company to many friends who are considering holidaying in Scotland and other places.