2nd Glen Affric Walking Festival over, looking forward to 2006's "Conservation in Action" Festival

Strathglass Marketing Group would like to extend a very big and sincere thank you to all 2005 Glen Affric's 2nd Walking Festival participants for their appreciation of the precious, but fragile environment in which we, as Strathglass residents, live. We have personally witnessed, over the three days, how responsible participants have all been in accessing our local outdoors. No litter was dropped and walkers did not mind sharing cars to avoid clogging up single track roads and the very limited parking spaces available around here. In doing so, impact on our environment was kept to a minimum while more of the public were allowed to access the land.

Of the 37 pioneers who turned up for 1st ever Glen Affric Walking Festival in 2004, no less than 10 returned on 3rd-5th June 2005 for more of the same exhilaration. This time around, 79 walkers put their trust in our repeat event and the feedback comments have all been very positive and constructive with a fair number of participants indicating they would very much like to come to a 3rd Festival. The enthusiasm is so great that there is every likelihood the 3rd GLEN AFFRIC WALKING FESTIVAL will be held on the first weekend in June 2006, to meet the expressed wish of the majority.

"Conservation in action" is likely to form the backbone theme of next year's Festival. Again, with the participation of Scottish Natural Heritage, all walks will be led by expert guides from Forestry Commission Scotland, Highland Council Ranger Service, Trees for Life, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and a couple of local volunteers who all have intimate knowledge of the area, its fauna, flora and human history.

Walks will be tailored to suit a variety of tastes and fitness: short walks of around 3 hours (some suitable for families and the not-so-fit participants), longer low level walks of 4-5 hours and the now confirmed favourite challenging strenuous hill walks of 8-10 hours duration for the fittest walkers led by fully qualified mountain guides. One "hill walking for beginners" walk planned. It is hoped that every participant will also get an information pack with additional background details for each of the walks. Evening entertainment with illustrated talks and possibly some live music is also planned for eveyone to socialize after the day's exertions... More regularly updated info on the 3rd GLEN AFFRIC WALKING FESTIVAL will be available from this www.glenaffric.info website. So please keep checking it!...

WHAT PEOPLE SAID ABOUT THE 2005 FESTIVAL

"Mountain guides very well informed and very professional. Organization and options excellent. I hope you hold a similar festival next year". (I. Smith, Yorkshire)

"This visit whet my appetite to revisit either independently or to a future walking festival". (B. Kille, Lancashire)

"I enjoyed the weekend very much and I hope to return again next year and maybe persuade more of my family to join me". (J. Thomson, Orkney)

"I just wanted to thank you for such a great weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and met quite a few new people too. I loved the ridge walk in Glen Strathfarrar – it really was wonderful and that long 12 mile drive in was quite magnificent too. John is a great leader and sets the right level for the day – he really enjoys the walks too as he’s quite laid back... I loved the Corriemony walk on Sunday – that was really interesting – what amazing Falls they are with all those aspen trees at the top... I’m looking forward to next year’s Festival already". (S. Cameron, Argyll)

"Helen Apps and I had a great day out. It was our first walking festival and I will definately attend more now. The ranger was excellent and taught us a lot about plants, birds and wildlife". (E. Hay, Easter Ross)

"Can I take his opportunity to comment on the very professional way the Festival was organised especially the e-mail confirmation of registration and bookings. The friendly welcome and help we received during our visit was second to none and we both hope the Festival will be repeated again next year and that we will be able to take part". (J. Woodhouse & J. Goss, Inverness-shire)

"Many thanks to Strathglass Marketing Group for organizing the 2nd Glen Afric Walking Festival ( I thoroughly enjoyed my two days (it would have been three but for a hole in my walking boots!) and sincerely hope that you will organize another Festival... It was a great feeling doing my first Munro". (A. Maclean, Nairn-shire)

"We thoroughly enjoyed our stay with our B&B host and just thank you for your organization and efforts in making our weeend very enjoyable. Please send us information for 2006" (A. Robertson, Aberdeen-shire)

"Fine walks with a fine guide. What could be better"? (K. Watson, Inverness-shire)

"The weather was the only disappointment". (A. Alston, Glasgow)

Footnote

The webmaster, on behalf of Strathglass Marketing, would like to extend a warm thanks to Pierre Lebrun for the tremendous effort he put into organising another succesfull walking festival....keep up the good work and all the best for 2006!