Absolute Escapes Traveller Reviews

Myself, my daughter and granddaughter did a self-drive holiday starting in Edinburgh onto Inverness and into the Highlands, all the way to Portree on Isle of Skye and back via Fort William and Callender and everything in between. We experienced scenery that leaves you somewhat emotional with the beauty of it and were transported back in time to Highland history in various castles and battle sites that we explored. It was an absolutely amazing experience for us, almost surreal....as Scotland had been a bucket list item for years.

Fern Urquhart from Absolute Escapes was amazing from day one when we started planning our trip. She was super helpful, always answered questions immediately and made really good suggestions with regard to guesthouses, sightseeing and other helpful information. Our holiday went exactly as planned because of our tour operator and our sincere thanks go out to Fern and everyone else at Absolute Escapes that was involved!

When you get to a certain age, you want the best value, and more importantly, comfort on a vacation. My friend and I decided to walk the West Highland Way in Scotland, but did not wish to wild camp or lug our belongings. Yet, we have a limited income. Absolute Escapes was the first website we came across, and the one we chose after some research and comparing. Booking with them was easy-breezy, and that basically explains the entire trip...worry free...organized...and perfect accommodations/breakfasts for our price point. We flew from Toronto Canada, and communication was via email (again, easy, hassle free). I would, and have recommended Absolute Escapes already! Well done!

We did not have one specifically, as all our bookings were done via email. However, excellent service, and all questions were answered in a timely manner.

Our journey began in Edinburgh where we picked up our hire car and set out for Arran. We loved the ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick and enjoyed the canteen's snacks along the way. The views from the ferry were spectacular. Once on the island, we were stayed in a charming B &B for two nights. During our stay on Arran, we visited Brodick Castle and its stunning gardens. On the second day, we set out for a ferry ride from Lamach to Islay. Unfortunately, we hit a large rock and that foiled our plans as we needed roadside assistance. We then spent a day making our way to Glasgow to switch vehicles. Fortunately, we had wonderful on the ground support from the Absolute Escapes team who informed our hosts on Islay that we would be missing a night with them. As it turned out, we ended up driving from Glasgow up to Inverary and down to the ferry launch at Kinnecraig. Which meant that we experienced the lovely rolling hills and sweeping views of the hills. Once on Islay, we stayed overnight in Bomore. The chalky white houses and the wide streets ending at the water's edge were very charming. We also enjoyed the open sweeping views on Islay. While on Islay, we toured Lagavullin's distillery and enjoyed a lovely of seafood at the Bomore Hotel. From Islay, we took the ferry back to the mainland and headed north to Glen Coe and Fort William. The glens, lochs and mountains were spectacular. In Fort William we spent the night in a Victorian B&B facing the water. We spent one night in Fort William. Then next morning, we went to Mallaig to take the ferry to Skye. On Skye, our B & B was located about 2 km outside of Portree. Our host was very knowledgeable and gave us a list of places to explore on the Northern tip of the island. We started our day hiking up the Old Man of Stor, then we went on to visit Kilt Rock, The Island life museum, Fairy Glen and numerous galleries. We enjoyed seeing the rolling hills and dramatic rock formations on Skye. Reluctantly, we left Skye and drove over the bridge, stopping in wonderful P and through the Highlands to, Aviemore, in Craingorm National Park, where we stayed in a charming Scottish traditional hotel in a room with a turret! The drive was incredible with the soaring mountains shrouded in mist. Aviemore reminded us of Banff in the Rockies. From Aviemore, we drove back through the Spey valley to Edinburgh. On the way we visited Blair Castle. Then we capped off our trip with four days in Edinburgh. During our time in lovely Edinburgh, we visited Hollyrood Palace, the castle, hiked up Arthur's seat, toured St. Giles cathedral, the Royal Yacht Britannia, Mary King's Close and the botanical gardens. Throughout our wonderful time in Scotland we enjoyed Thistly Cross in charming pubs and fantastic seafood. I am still missing scrambled eggs and salmon while my husband misses haggis and blood sausage at breakfast. In closing, we found the Scots we met to be helpful and welcoming.

Absolute Escapes was in communication with us months ahead of our trip. Our package was amazing. All of our bookings were made in advance as well as all of our ferry transfers. Each destination in our extremely detailed itinerary included all of the directions needed for each day as well as contact information for our hosts, restaurant suggestions and highlights to visit.

Spent 13 days touring the Inner Hebrides and had a magical time. All we had to do was turn up and enjoy our time as everything we needed in the way of car hire, accommodation, ferry crossings and detailed information re recommended sights , walks and eating houses had been arranged/provided by Absolute Escapes - this trip was arranged in full for us to the same exacting standard as that previously experienced when touring the Outer Hebrides.

Excellent to deal with prompt responses to all enquiries and queries. They have a good knowledge of the areas we wished to visit, book comfortable, well located accommodation with friendly hosts. In addition to this we have been attracted by the reasonableness of the trip costs quoted.

We were two days in each of these locations; Edinburgh, Fort William, Portree, Inverness. We had exceptional weather, accommodations, and transportation. We loved our self-guided tour of each location. It was so much better than being on a crowded tour, herded around!

Actually, I would have to choose Megan Bruce with Absolute Escapes, as she coordinated this amazing tour for us!! From the beginning, the communication and professionalism of all employees from Absolute Escapes is to be commended.

This was a holiday of a life time. Everything we asked for and more. Absolute Escapes are a gem. The accommodations, ferries, and extra add ons were A1. The convience of dealing with this company from such a distance was incomparable.

Nothing too much trouble. Answered all enquirers promptly even though we are in Canada.

We walked the Arran coastal way with luggage transferred reliably by car and with comfortable, friendly overnight stops at BnBs and one country inn. All arrangements well planned and meticulous. Lovely hosts, beautiful countryside and reliable information pack.

Responsive to our needs; friendly; well informed about the route, accommodation and holiday location.

I signed up for The Way at the suggestion of a former neighbor and good friend. She wondered what I was planning for my 75th birthday and suggested The John Muir Way. I thought, “What better way to make the statement that age does not define one?” The first day of The Way was the most difficult. My elevation app showed that we climbed almost 800 feet, and the road, once out of town, was rockier than I’d anticipated. The views were varied and beautiful. We enjoyed time in Helensburgh having coffee and talking to locals before beginning. A pint at the Tullies provided an opportunity to journal about the day’s events. I appreciated the fact that our first day allowed us to return to the familiar surroundings of Woodvale and our gracious hosts. Day-two, we agreed to stop at the Wayfarer for lunch. Another Milagro occurred when two women stopped us, as we hunted for the Wayfarer, to tell us that it was closed for remodeling. They sent us to Drymen, another two miles up the road for lunch. Once there, we realized that our hotel was across the street from the small café where we were seated. Thank you for your quick response and making the needed adjustments to keep us on track. Your taxi driver was right there in the morning to get us back on our walk. We loved our stay in Strathblane at the Kirkhouse Inn appreciating dinner and the ambiance of the inn. The staff decorated the breakfast table with banners in the morning to celebrate my birthday. From the Kirkhouse, we hiked to the ruins of Antonine Wall and the Roman Garrison getting a little lost at the top. Locals guided us to the Boathouse, another great stay. Our accommodations were lovely and gave us an opportunity for some solitude and a great soak in the bath. Dinner, too, was perfect as we celebrated our accomplishments. Scott, our host, was kind and helpful, allowing us to stay till noon and ordered a taxi to take us directly to the Grange Manor the following afternoon. The desk clerk at the Manor allowed us to check in early after which we enjoyed tea in the lunch room. Later, we took a taxi and had dinner at a small restaurant the driver recommended in Falkirk. The following morning, we took the train and spent the day in Edinburgh lunching at the Devil’s Advocate and a taxi ride to Go Outdoors, Scotland’s fabulous outdoor store. Our taxi driver, Murray, waited for us at the store while we shopped and took us on a brief tour of other neighborhoods in Edinburgh. By evening, we boarded the train at Waverly Station and headed to The Star and Garter in Linlithgow. We walked to the palace and toured the grounds and appreciated a tasty and relaxing dinner at a nearby Italian restaurant. From Linlithgow we headed to the Firth of Forth. We stopped in Bo’Ness for a sausage role and continued on. The views were breathtaking and the clouds ever changing on this overcast day. In Queensferry we stayed at the Orocco Pier. At breakfast I had the best French Toast with bacon that I’d ever had! From Queensferry to the end of our trip, we cut our walking time taking a taxi for a few miles to avoid motorways. On July 18, we returned to Edinburgh. The staff, our rooms and the location were perfect at the Bruntsfield Hotel. We walked all over Edinburgh and returned to the Devil’s Advocate for a late lunch and the hotel for a good night’s sleep. In the morning, we took a taxi to Musselburgh breathing in the salt air on our walk along the firth to Port Seton. Gina, at the Anchorage, was welcoming. We found the Thai take-away and sipped a pint at the local pub. In North Berwick the Nether Abbey was a delightful stop with sunset views from our rooms. We took the boat trip, sampled the cafés and a delicious dinner at the hotel. We didn’t want to leave. In Dunbar we took in all the details of the John Muir Center and were delighted by Frances, docent and devoted advocate for Muir’s work. On the 22nd decided to skip breakfast to catch the only direct train at 7 a.m. to Glasgow to avoid transfers and make our connection at the Glasgow airport. This was a trip of a lifetime. Your planning, attention to detail, responsiveness and professionalism are to be applauded. I’m still processing the internal journey that this trip afforded. There is a Nelson Mandela quote that I was reminded of: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” I’m an educator, an artist, writer and lover of nature. I’ve traveled the world, and it has afforded me the opportunity to practice all of my passions. The Way is the most intimate odyssey I’ve taken. Thank you.

Jason and his team are to be applauded for their planning, attention to detail, responsiveness and professionalism. I travel frequently and this ranks as one of the best trips I've ever taken.

We walked round Arran. We had prepared for everything except blazing sunshine, so that took us rather by surprise. I particularly enjoyed the north east quarter between Broddick and Loughranza, but the views were spectacular all the way round. I was surprised how few others we met on our perambulation, and that can only partly be because most were embarked on the anti-clockwise route. Arran deserves to be better known – but perhaps the poor mobile coverage and indifferent wifi militates against family holidays (particularly with teenagers).

The arrangements all went perfectly. The luggage transfer worked very well, and we enjoyed all of our hosts. The B&B accommodation exceeded my expectations, but that may be because I haven’t used many B&Bs recently. We were favoured with sea/ harbour views by most of our hosts, and it was rather a pleasure than otherwise to have two nights in three places – it all made for less moving about and living out of a suitcase. We actually found the one hotel on our route the least appealing of our venues. Having a goal and a certain number of miles to cover was a good discipline. This was the right daily quota for us. We will certainly go back to Absolute Escapes again - we are already talking about next year. The guidance literature was really good and unfailingly accurate.

Once again, Absolute Escapes did a perfect job planning our hike on the Rob Roy Way. Lodging was exactly what I requested, transfers and baggage were always efficiently organized, and the hotel choice in Edinburgh was excellent.

Absolute Escapes does an excellent job always for us. This was our fifth hike using them as our travel planners. They are organized and efficient. Their pricing is very reasonable. They are very very helpful and responsive to email inquiries and questions specific to the trip. We hike all over the world and use a lot of companies, Absolute Escapes shines above them all. Absolute Escapes is also very flexible to tweaks I want to our itinerary, or matching my specific over night accommodations. I highly recommend Absolute Escapes for any travel in the UK, not just hiking. They are excellent.