By Rama Gaind.
Imagine the picturesque lochs and windswept highlands of Scotland’s West Highland Way and you’ll realise why they have been a mecca for filmmakers for decades.
Join the ‘Walk & Write with Stephanie Dale’ tour from 18-27 June 2018.
The striking sceneries have provided the setting for many iconic films such as Braveheart, Trainspotting, Rob Roy and the Harry Potter series.
Stretching through the south-western Scottish Highlands, the West Highland Way is also one of the most popular long distance trails in the British Isles.
Home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, the trail is set to inspire a whole new generation of creative minds in June 2018.
UTracks, Australia’s active Europe specialist has partnered with journalist, author and travel writer, Stephanie Dale, to create a 10-day Walk & Write itinerary along the West Highland Way.
The exclusive ‘Walk & Write with Stephanie Dale’ itinerary will start at the village of Milngavie, just outside Glasgow and finish at Fort William, the foot of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest peak.
Walkers will pass through the scenically-blessed landscapes of Glen Coe, backdrop to the Harry Potter and Braveheart movies, television’s Outlander series, and along the shore of Lock Lomond, past the hideout of outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor.
Journalist and author Stephanie Dale.
The 10-day self-guided itinerary also includes a series of structured writing workshops with Stephanie Dale.
Stephanie Dale specialises in helping new writers get started on their writing, whether it is blogging their journey, sharing fabulous social media updates, or taking notes for that novel or memoir. Walkers will receive writing support, guidance and encouragement throughout the 10-day journey.
Stephanie believes that walking and writing are excellent tools for both physical and emotional strength and wellbeing.
Beneficial activities
“The research is in,” she said. “Writing is good for us. Walking is good for us. Together they’re sublime.”
“Walking is also a proven aid for overcoming writers’ block and managing modern-day stresses,” she said.
“Some of the most productive people in recent centuries credit walking with their success.
“Anyone who’s living a great life spends a good deal of it on ‘down time’ – walking in wild places, keeping good company, enjoying a long lunch. It’s essential we take time out to restore our body, mind and spirit – our lives depend on it.”
This package will be “an adventure-writing experience through some of Scotland’s most iconic natural, cultural and historical landmarks”.
Stephanie describes the 10-day itinerary as “an adventure-writing experience through some of Scotland’s most iconic natural, cultural and historical landmarks.”
“It includes writing workshops in historic villages and wilderness, as well as, plenty of opportunities to pause, rest and write at certain junctures,” she said.
“We will be wandering the shores of Loch Lomond, writing about people and local cultures, appreciating the historic significance of landmarks along the hike and revelling in the beautiful, reflective space that walking offers to the traveller.
In addition, “there will be whiskey tasting, of course.”
You can walk and write about Scotland with Stephanie Dale, from 18-27 June 2018. It’s priced from $2,590 per person (twin share), departing from Milngavie.
Teaching others
“Walking is also a proven aid for overcoming writers’ block and managing modern-day stresses,” according to Stephanie Dale.
“I teach nothing I have not learned myself: that it’s okay to be out on a limb, that a deep breath is the key to courage, that looking the world in the eye instills confidence. That raising our voice is critical to the change we seek. That visibility might be scary but it’s incredibly liberating. That knowing our story makes us strong.”
Walking and writing are her twin passions.
“I swear I could walk forever. My definition of a great day is sitting on sunny headland looking out to sea (or high on mountainside or beside a gentle creek), bread, cheese, chocolate and mandarins in my pack, a notebook and pen on my lap, writing.”
“All day writing. All day walking. All day walking and writing.
“Walking and writing must be about the most productive pursuit available to a human being. We satisfy our physical body with gentle continuous movement, we engage our mind with productive pleasure, and we set our soul free to soar on the wings of our own choosing, day after glorious day.”
Stephanie is captivated by the wholeness of walking and writing holidays.
DETAILS BOX
Walk & Write Scotland with Stephanie Dale
18-27 June, 2018
From $2,590 per person (twin share), departing from Milngavie.
http://www.utracks.com
