There's a reason Queen Elizabeth II called this corner of Scotland her happy place, and a reason Scotland chose the unicorn, of all creatures, as its national animal. This is a land built for myth and magic, the same storybook landscapes that inspired Outlander and The Crown, and once you're here, you'll understand exactly why. Join us on this WHOA plus Adventure, deep in the heart of the Highlands, built for every body that wants to be out here. We'll wander through Royal Deeside's storybook hills, and into Speyside, whisky country full of wildlife and birdsong. Local guides will join us the whole way, pointing out the ruins, legends, and hidden histories that most people walk right past. Every day brings something new: hikes through ancient pine forests, storied castles, a chance to reach the top of one of Scotland's famous Munros (a peak over 3,000 feet), and a plunge into an icy loch that will, quite literally, take your breath away. Along the way, we'll connect with inspiring women and hear stories that make this land feel as alive as its legends. Wild places, wide skies, a group of like-bodied women to share it all with. What more is there?!

This WHOA plus exclusive itinerary is designed for curvy and courageous adventurers who want to explore the remote wilderness of the Scottish Highlands on foot. These are the same storied glens and lochs that clan chiefs and rebels once called home, and centuries later, they're still just as wild. But more than anything, this adventure is about connecting with nature and each other. Prepare to immerse yourself in the region's stunning beauty, whose landscape is perfect for more than just trekking. We'll go hiking, exploring glens and lochs, and discover endless opportunities for photography and connecting with nature (if we're lucky we'll spot red deer, golden eagles, and possibly even Highland cattle)! Evening gatherings by the fire will provide a chance to share stories and further enjoy the peaceful surroundings. This adventure is the perfect opportunity to unplug from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and fully embrace the tranquility of the Highlands with like-bodied company.

We rated our WHOA plus Scotland Highlands Adventure a 2 out of 5 on the WHOA Adventure difficulty scale because it’s a great mixture of being on your feet and exploring every day and creature comforts (like cosy guesthouses)!

On this adventure we’ll be in the great outdoors every day (rain, fog, mist, wind or shine) so be ready for anything, because Scotland is famous for having all 4 seasons in one day. The highest elevation we’ll reach on this adventure is 4,085 feet above sea level, so while it’s unlikely that you’ll feel the effects of altitude, expect terrain that is seriously rugged (or punchy as our local friends call it). In the fall, Scotland is full of beautiful colors and mild temps, but the conditions as we hike up the munro can get unpredictable, so have layers and be ready to embrace whatever Mother Nature throws our way!

As with all WHOA Adventures, the better trained you are, the more enjoyable your experience will be. While training, make sure you're breaking in your boots and wearing a full daypack to get used to the extra weight, and break in and get comfortable using and layering the gear you'll be bringing to find what works best for you in various weather conditions.

Hiking the trails of the Scottish Highlands still calls for some leg strength and stamina, especially for the steady ups and downs of the terrain. Bottom line, stay active, break in your gear, and start conditioning your legs now for the hiking ahead. Most importantly, be prepared to be part of a team and support your fellow adventurers on this unforgettable experience in one of Scotland's most breathtaking natural landscapes! The goal isn't perfection, it's feeling strong, steady, and ready to explore with confidence and respect. If you're looking for more tips check out our expert 6 step training guide. The more prepared you are, mentally and physically, the more enjoyable the experience will be!

Andrea (she/they) is a fat hiker, backpacker, traveler, cyclist, camper, yoga teacher, and speaker. She grew up camping, with her family and the Girl Scouts, and as she got older added hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, downhill skiing and international travel to her list of interests. Andrea leads inclusive hikes and other outdoor adventures in western New York with Ample Movement, a group she began in 2017.

In 2019 Andrea climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with the Curvy Kili Crew, participating in a long-held dream and deepening that desire to go on outdoor adventures with like-bodied folks. That trip led to the creation of WHOA plus and Andrea being hired to be a GAL. She jokes that the 18-year-old version of herself would think she’s “so cool.”

Andrea also has her 500-hour yoga teacher certification and offers accessible yoga classes in western NY and online. Andrea’s passion is sharing joyful movement through yoga and outdoor activities for all, with an emphasis on making space for people who aren’t used to seeing themselves represented in those spaces, making the outdoors more accessible, and working to eliminate barriers to the outdoors for plus-size people and other marginalized groups. Andrea believes in truly living in the bodies we have right now, and in finding freedom knowing we all have intrinsic worth no matter our body type or identity.

We'll meet in Perth, fondly nicknamed the "Fair City" for the elegant Georgian architecture and green spaces that line the River Tay, where your local guide team will welcome you with open arms. From there, we travel north into Cairngorms National Park, the largest national park in the UK and a landscape so cinematic you might recognize it from The Crown and Outlander. We'll stop for lunch at a quirky local café along the way, a little taste of Highland charm before the real adventure begins. In the afternoon, we'll stretch our legs on a waymarked loop around Loch Kinord in the Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve, keeping an eye out for wildlife and birdlife along the shore. (Time permitting, we'll detour to the hidden Burn o' Vat, a dramatic bowl-shaped rock formation carved out by glacial meltwater and tucked away like the Highlands' best-kept secret.) Then it's on to Ballater, our home for the next three nights, where we'll settle in over our signature WHOA Welcome Dinner, get briefed on the adventure ahead, and get to know the women who'll become adventure friends for life.

Drive Time: ~2 hours*
Included Meals: Lunch and Welcome Dinner
Stay: No 45 or similar
Hike Time: 2.5+ hours
Hike Distance: 4 miles
Elevation Gain: ~100 ft
Arrival Logistics: Plan to meet at the Perth train station no later than 10:30 am on the start day. This is where you’ll meet the local guide team and drive together into the National Park. We will send more details about the meet up closer to the departure date.

*NOTE: All distances, time and elevations are approximate and subject to change based on conditions and the abilities of the group for everyone’s safety and enjoyment!

This morning, we'll get our bearings in Ballater by doing exactly what locals have done for generations: taking to the water. Wild swimming in an icy loch is a beloved rite of passage here, and we'll ease into it together, guided by an inspiring local business owner who's built her life and her work around a deep love of this landscape. By the time we warm back up in a lochside sauna, you'll understand exactly why this tradition has stuck around. The afternoon is yours to enjoy Ballater at your own pace. Wander through the village and its local galleries, including Wool & Wood, born out of the ashes of a devastating fire and a testament to this community's resilience. Stop by the historic Ballater railway station, lovingly rebuilt and steeped in royal history: from 1866 to 1966, it welcomed the Royal Family on their way to Balmoral Castle (which we’ll see tomorrow), it’s all a quiet reminder of just how much history this small village holds.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: No 45 or similar

In the morning, we'll head to neighboring Braemar and the Balmoral Estate, which Queen Elizabeth II once called her favorite place in the world. We'll walk through ancient Caledonian pinewoods to discover historic royal cairns, with sweeping views across Deeside and towards Balmoral Castle. In the afternoon, we'll visit Braemar Castle itself, built in 1628 by the 2nd Earl of Mar. Its rooms tell the story of the many characters who've called it home over the centuries, but the interiors you'll walk through today owe their most striking touches to a 20th century lady of the house with a background in fashion and a soft spot for pink, inspired by her close friendship with legendary designer Elsa Schiaparelli. Dinner is on your own this evening, an opportunity to sample one of Ballater's many pubs and restaurants or simply relax back at the inn after a full day.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Stay: No 45 or similar
Hike Time: 3+ hours
Hike Distance: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: ~1,200 ft

Leaving Royal Deeside behind, we travel east to a lovingly restored croft, brought back to life by two women who saw something worth saving and rebuilt it with their own hands. Here, generations of tradition sit right alongside bold new ideas about rewilding (don't miss their wonderfully inventive "hen mobile")! Lunch is with local artisan bakers who've earned every bit of their reputation, then we stretch our legs in the quiet of Abernethy Forest. We'll follow winding paths cushioned with pine needles all the way to the RSPB Osprey Centre. In summer, you might catch ospreys nesting overhead, and even if you don't, there's plenty to discover about these incredible birds and the wildlife that calls this forest home, red squirrels, pine martens, and the elusive capercaillie among them.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Stay: Cairngorm Guesthouse or similar
Hike Time: 1+ hours
Hike Distance: 2 miles
Elevation Gain: ~100 ft

We'll ease into the morning with a trip to a nearby village to meet a local artist, try our hand at a class, and hear what inspires her work in a setting this beautiful. After lunch, it's a short drive to Glenmore, a peaceful stretch of ancient Caledonian pine forest and home to the Cairngorms reindeer herd, the only free-ranging herd in the UK. We'll visit the paddock to learn how they came to call this place home and the conservation work that keeps them here. Afterward, there's time for a gentle wander along the shoreline of the UK's highest beach, Lock Morlich, before we head back. The evening is yours, whether that means a cozy pub with new friends or an early night to recharge for tomorrow.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Stay: Cairngorm Guesthouse or similar
Hike Time: 1+ hours
Hike Distance: 1 mile
Elevation Gain: ~500 ft

Today is our longest day on our feet, and honestly, there's no better way to spend it. This is the day you'll feel Scotland in your legs, your lungs, and your heart all at once. Affectionately known by locals as "the mountain," Cairngorm has sat at the heart of this landscape for over sixty years, giving its name to the Cairngorms National Park itself. Standing at 4,085 feet, it's the sixth highest munro in Scotland. What many don't realize is the sheer scale of this national park only reveals itself from the summit, and that's exactly where we're heading. There's more than one way up this well-known peak. The more demanding route winds through the Northern Corries, where striking rock formations and far-reaching views add a welcome edge of challenge to the climb. For descending only, there's always the option of riding the UK's highest mountain railway back down, a scenic rest for tired legs after a day like this. Tonight, we'll close out our week in Scotland with a relaxed and special farewell dinner, the kind where you look around the table and realize just how much we’ve done together!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: Cairngorm Guesthouse or similar
Hike Time: 6+ hours
Hike Distance: 7 mile
Elevation Gain: ~2,550 ft

After breakfast, we'll say our goodbyes, not just to the National Park, but to the friends who made this week unforgettable. We'll journey north to Inverness together one last time, arriving at the train station by 11am, where you're free to carry this adventure forward on your own.

Included Meal: Breakfast
Drive Time: 45 mins