Happy Glamping and Glampervanning

Glamping in the purest sense

Words I've learnt this summer that still make me smile are Glamping and Glampervanning (the latter I think was coined by fellow bloggers Big Tree Campervans). Both reveal a growing desire from the general public for outdoors holidays but with a bit of luxury thrown in. So instead of seeing camping as a muddy, uncomfortable affair, Glamping was created to add all kinds of modern touches to camping.

Own-style Glamping

In the purest sense, Glamping is apparently more to do with static yurts and tents, which are kitted out with a wealth of 21st century luxuries, including heating, toilets etc. However, there are Glampers who organise their own tent and camping kit, and simply throw into the car as many modern gadgets as possible to make their camping holiday just that bit more glamorous.

Outdoors shops now sell a wealth of 21st century camping accessories such as solar showers, toilets, toilet tents, blow up mattresses, double sleeping bags, armchairs, proper cooking stoves, glasses, cutlery, crockery etc.

Have you tried Glampervanning?
Pic thanks to Angus Clyne

Glampervanning is similar except there's the added luxury of a warm van in which to live and sleep. While many campervanners still love the nostalgia of a VW van, increasing numbers are finding there are huge benefits to hiring or buying a more modern campervan. (That is, it's much less likely to breakdown/burn your bank balance in petrol!). And so an outdoors holiday in a modern campervan has been coined Glampervanning.

Whether you like the sound of Glamping or Glampervanning both offer a great base for an outdoors holiday whether you're looking for the convenience of a campsite or the get-away-from-it-all tranquility of a wilder spot. You'll also feel a great deal more inclined to embrace some of Scotland's great outdoor pursuits, such as walking, cycling, climbing, surfing.. oh the list is endless!

So many times I've found the weather in September and October to be ideal for an outdoors weekend or break during the school holidays. Who's up for a bit of Glamping or Glampervanning these next couple of months?

Get outdoors and be active!

Canoeing and kayaking are great outdoor

activities for children and adults

Get Active is a message we're hearing more and more. With rising obesity rates, especially among UK children, and greater concerns about the affects of inactivity on health, everywhere we look the experts are telling us to get off the couch and exercise.

The problem is that many people think that exercise = boring and repetitive workouts. But it really doesn't have to be this way.

Scotland's great outdoors offers a fantastic keep-fit playground. Simply being out of doors and active is guaranteed to burn calories and improve your mental well-being. Walking and cycling provide a great way to see the countryside, take in the views and get in shape. Many more people, especially families, are switching on to the benefits of these highly-accessible and relatively cheap activities.

Gorge walking and canyoning are becoming

increasingly popular in Scotland

There are numerous family-friendly cycle and walk routes criss-crossing Scotland and thanks to a number of outdoors companies, such as us (!) Glentrek, people can discover a wealth of new places to go walk or cycle.

But there are also a host of other activities that will get you fit and have you grinning, too. Multi-activity days and holidays are becoming increasingly popular in Scotland. Afterall this country is voted as Europe's number one outdoors capital. In Angus, holidaymakers could combine a few hours of cycling or walking with a morning or afternoon of other great outdoors activities, such as canoeing, sea kayaking, canyoning, high ropes, gorge walking, climbing and coasteering.

These activities are for a range of abilities, from novice to experienced, and for all ages and fitness levels. Until you try you'll never know how much you'll enjoy being active! Just ask us at Glentrek for further info (we can help you to sign up to many of these activities) or check out Outdoor Angus.

A wealth of off-road cycling in the Angus Glens

Scotland is renowned as a superb mountain biking destination. There are numerous mountain biking centres spread across the country offering a wealth of cycling routes for all abilities. Many of Scotland's off-road trails are also suited to cyclists – and with an eye on the map it's possible to enjoy some amazing get-away-from-it all mountain biking adventures.

In the Angus Glens a network of bike-friendly trails head through atmospheric glens and because the routes are often undulating there are many possibilities for cyclists of all fitness levels. In this region, you'll find easy-going forest tracks, wilder cross-country trails and everything in between.

But if you're new to the area it's not always easy to know where to start. The Angus Glens is surprisingly "uncharted" for mountain bikers despite offering many, many miles of great riding opportunities. If you're looking for a few ideas then why not join Glentrek on one of our guided cycling weekends? Because our biking leaders know the area so well, you'll be able to relax, keep the wheels turning and enjoy the scenery as it rolls on by.

Or make the most of your time with one of our self-guided biking holidays. Our cycling trips can be created to suit your ability and we'll tell you about all the attractions that you might like to see along the way. We can also arrange accommodation en route to suit your budget – and if you want to lighten the load why not let us transport your luggage between hotels or B&Bs? With a self-guided trip you'll enjoy the advantages of enjoying a great, well-planned route but you can decide on the speed and distance that you travel each day.

Cycling is a great way to cover the miles in the Angus Glens – and offers the opportunity for remote-feeling riding but without ever being too far from civilisation. Oh, and if you're looking for something more challenging, we can arrange that, too. You just have to ask!