Hillgoers

Availability: year round - on request

Group Size: 2-16 min/max - for variations please contact to discuss.

Hillgoers operates across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Royal Deeside, delivering guided walking experiences in English, French, and German. Specialising in mountain walks, wildlife, local experiences and Scottish history, their knowledgeable guides offer engaging, authentic outdoor experiences tailored for FIT and small groups.

Bespoke experiences can be created ranging from a few hours to multi-day hikes and trips. Each experience is tailored to clients’ abilities, from leisurely, educational walks to challenging mountain peak hikes.

Qualifications

• Qualified Mountain Leaders
• Holder of the Adventure Activities Licence
• Language Guides - English, French, German
• Certified Star Ranger

Duration: 2 - 5 hours (depending on preference)

Group Size: 2-16 min/max

Availability: Oct - March

Experience unforgettable stargazing adventures beneath some of the darkest night skies in the UK, led by expert guides who bring stars, constellations, and local folklore to life. Led by founder Garry Cormack, a certified “Star Ranger”, guests explore breath-taking viewpoints and learn about constellations, planets, and deep-sky wonders. Options range from gentle twilight walks to hilltop panoramas, offering a spectacular outdoor experience for active and curious guests.

Night Walks in the Cairngorms

Dark Skies Hike at Loch Muick

Stargazing Walk at Loch Muick

Inclusions

• Travel to and from location
• Dark skies presentation
• walk/hike with stops for star gazing and wildlife spotting

Add-Ons

• professional astrophotography tuition
• Hot drinks and snacks (a choice from mulled punch, hot chocolate, etc)
• Hot highland cows, who wouldn’t like to keep warm cuddling a highland cow (not a real one…)?
• Cosy blankets
• Deck chairs or roll mats - depending on location
• Night vision scopes for wildlife watching on cloudy nights
• Binoculars for stargazing

Please note this event will go ahead even if it is overcast or raining - there will still be a dark skies presentation. Night vision scopes will be available for wildlife spotting. If the weather forecast is unsafe, the event will be postponed and you will be offered a refund or alternative date.

Day Experience Examples

The below list showcases some of the few hours to full day activities perfect for those looking to taste adventure.  Cruise, Incentive and high end experiences can be customised to your clients wishes.

Duration: 2 - 5 hours (depending on preference)

Group Size: 2-16  min/max

Availability: April - October

• Transport to and from Aberdeen Harbour or Hotel
• Guided hike tailored to fitness level and weather
• Use of trekking poles (optional)
• Bottled water and Scottish snacks (shortbread, oatcakes)

Your clients enjoy priority, VIP access to Balmoral Castle, followed by an expertly guided 4–7 km walk through the Caledonian Pine Forest to discover the Royal Cairns and learn the stories behind these unique monuments.

The experience begins within the Balmoral Castle grounds, with time to visit the Castle*, café and shop, making use of the self-guided audio tour. The Royal Cairns, created by the Royal Family to mark significant events, are a lesser-known highlight of Aberdeenshire. During the walk, guests can also sample local Lochnagar cheese.

Castle closed to the public when the Royal Family is in residence.

Inclusions

• Transportation from accommodation in the Braemar or Ballater area
• 2+ hour guided cairns and nature walk with a qualified guide
• Lochnagar cheese tasting
• 1.5 hours entry to the Castle grounds, café and shop
• Scenic return journey via historic bridges and viewpoints of Lochnagar

Add-ons

• Royal Lochnagar Distillery visit
• Live guided tour of Balmoral Castle
• Lunch at Balmoral Castle Cafe

Just 45 minutes from Aberdeen Harbour, Bennachie is one of Aberdeenshire’s most distinctive landscapes and an excellent choice for a shore excursion on foot. With routes ranging from gentle woodland walks to the summit of Mither Tap, we can tailor the experience to your interests, walking ability and time ashore.

With your Hillgoers guide, you can explore forest trails, open moorland and the remains of the ancient hill fort around Mither Tap. Along the way, discover the stories of the Bennachie Colonists, the Picts, local wildlife and the cultural heritage of this much-loved Aberdeenshire landmark.

Why Bennachie works well for a shore excursion:

• Just 45 minutes from Aberdeen Harbour.
• Choose between a summit walk or gentler woodland and heritage trails.
• Enjoy panoramic views across north-east Scotland.
• Include time at the Bennachie Visitor Centre if your schedule allows.

Add-ons

• Distillery visit at Glen Garioch
• Local picnic
• Private small-group upgrade
• Bennachie map souvenir
• Visit the Maiden Stone and Easter Aquorthies stone circle

Discover the landscapes and stories of Royal Deeside on a private guided walk. Around 1 hour 20 minutes from Aberdeen Harbour, the Balmoral Estate offers beautiful Caledonian pine forest, open hills and a fascinating connection with the Royal Family.

One option is a walk through the estate to the historic Balmoral Cairns, a collection of monuments commissioned by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to mark important family events. The route can be adapted to suit your walking ability and the time you have ashore.

Highlights:

• Walk through the beautiful landscapes of the Balmoral Estate.
• Discover the story of the historic Balmoral Cairns.
• Enjoy forest trails, open views and the chance to spot local wildlife.
• If time allows, your walk can be combined with a visit to Balmoral Castle or another local highlight.

Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve is a wonderful option for a gentler shore excursion on foot. Around an hour from Aberdeen Harbour, its mix of lochs, woodland and dramatic geology offers plenty to discover without the need for a strenuous mountain day.

A walk can include the shores of Loch Kinord, ancient archaeological sites and the spectacular Burn O’Vat, a huge rock formation shaped by glacial meltwater. Along the way, your guide can share the natural and human history of the reserve, with opportunities to look for woodland and wetland wildlife.

Highlights:

• Explore one of Royal Deeside’s National Nature Reserves.
• Discover Loch Kinord, ancient history and the dramatic Burn O’Vat.
• Excellent opportunities for wildlife and nature interpretation.
• A gentler walking option that can be adapted to your time ashore.

Just a short journey from Aberdeen Harbour, Drum Castle and the Old Wood of Drum offer a gentler walking experience combining ancient woodland, local history and the Aberdeenshire countryside. Explore peaceful forest trails through historic oak woodland in the grounds of one of Scotland’s oldest tower houses.

Highlights:

• Walk through the historic Old Wood of Drum and its ancient oak woodland.
• Enjoy peaceful forest trails and the surrounding rural landscape.
• Experience changing seasonal colour, from spring woodland to autumn foliage.
• If time allows, add a visit inside Drum Castle or stop for refreshments.

This is an excellent option for guests looking for a shorter, more relaxed walk within easy reach of Aberdeen.

Walk from the historic harbour town of Stonehaven along the dramatic Aberdeenshire coastline to one of Scotland’s most spectacularly situated castles. Perched on a 160-foot sea stack above the North Sea, Dunnottar Castle makes an unforgettable destination for this coastal walk.

Starting in Stonehaven, the route climbs to the war memorial on Black Hill before following the clifftop path south towards Dunnottar. Along the way, enjoy sweeping coastal views and the chance to spot seabirds and other marine wildlife. The walk can be adapted to your time ashore, with the option to spend some time in Stonehaven or visit the castle.

Highlights:

• Follow the clifftop path from Stonehaven to Dunnottar Castle.
• Enjoy dramatic views along the Aberdeenshire coast.
• Look out for seabirds and occasional marine wildlife offshore.
• If time allows, visit Dunnottar Castle or spend some time in Stonehaven.

Travel trade pricing available on request.

Bookings accepted up to 24 hours in advance

Castle entry is non-refundable; 20% retained after purchase

Cancellation policy: 30 days - negotiable during contracting

Full refund provided if the operator cancels due to extreme weather

Medical conditions, medications and emergency contact details required (may be collected on the day)

Health and Safety disclaimer must be accepted

Full Terms and Conditions available online. Click here for more.