Outdoor fitness retreats designed to get you back into nature

We invite you to stay with us at the unique Royal Cottage on the banks of Loch Katrine where we host small sociable groups over long weekends filled with hiking, biking and working out. Set in a quiet corner of the stunning Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park we hope to inspire a more active lifestyle through adventures in the outdoors. At Royal Cottage we aim to make your stay as relaxing as possible so everything is included. We provide healthy home cooked meals, all gym and cycling equipment and environmentally friendly toiletries.

ACTIVITIES

ROYAL COTTAGE

FOOD

MEET THE TEAM

GETTING HERE

DATES & PRICES

Activities

Our activities are sociable and done in groups of no more than eight. Before arrival we make an effort to understand everyone’s ability and we will adapt accordingly. There are so many options in our local area we are sure we can find something to suit everyone.

WORKOUT

Workouts are carried out in the grounds of Royal Cottage with stunning views across Loch Katrine. They will last around an hour including a warm up and cool down. Using ladders, steps, cones and hurdles as well as some lighter weights our workouts aim to get your heart rate up and test your agility, coordination and balance.

HIKING

Local hikes take in the surrounding lochs and forests as well as some higher moorland areas. Further afield we can take advantage of higher peaks such as Ben Venue and Ben Lomond. Our hikes will usually take between 3-5 hours so come prepared with good footwear and outdoor clothing. Don’t worry about snacks! We provide a range of home-made treats to keep you going.

CYCLING

There are numerous road and mountain bike routes that we can do straight from the door of Royal Cottage that take you through the stunning National Park. Our bike trips will usually last between 2-4 hours. We provide all cycling equipment including bikes and helmets but if you would like to bring your own just let us know.

Sample Two-Day Itinerary

FRIDAY

Afternoon: Guests start to arrive and settle in
6pm: Welcome meeting to discuss plans for upcoming weekend
7pm: Evening meal

SATURDAY

7.30am: Morning fitness session in the grounds of Royal Cottage
9am: Breakfast
10am: Leave for the day’s activity (hike or cycle)
3pm: Return to cottage for stretching session
4-7pm: Free time to enjoy a stroll along the Lock or a book by the fire. Allocated massage slots during this time as well.
7pm: Evening meal

SUNDAY

7.30am: Morning fitness session in the grounds of Royal Cottage
9am: Breakfast
10am: Leave for the day’s activity (hike or cycle)
3pm: Return to the cottage for snacks and departure

If you have any questions about our activities or itinerary please get in touch.

Royal Cottage

Royal Cottage was built as a place to stay for Queen Victoria during her 1859 visit to the nearby Victorian water works which were to supply the growing city of Glasgow with clean water. These historic engineering works can still be seen working to this day.

Today, Kim and Alex welcome you to their comfortable highland escape complete with wood burning stoves, cosy bedrooms and unbeatable views of the wild surroundings. Our location is secluded and quiet and you cant help but relax into the environment.

With no more than eight guests at any one time the experience is kept personal, peaceful and sociable. Accommodation comprises of single, double or twin rooms sharing two shower rooms and one bath room. We also have one en-suite double room. Meals are shared around our large dining table with views of the Loch and we have a further snug, cinema room and study for you to relax in at the end of the day.

We provide towels, a hairdryer and refillable hand soap, shower gel and shampoo to all our guests.

Travel times from Glasgow and Edinburgh International airports are around an hour and a half, so whilst you will experience a sense of wilderness on our retreats, we are still easily accessible. Private transfers can be organised for our guests.

How to get here

Food

All of our food is prepared and cooked on site and can be catered to any specific dietary requirements, including vegan and vegetarian options at each meal. Where possible we source our ingredients locally and even grow some of them ourselves. Our food is designed to be shared and whilst we try to keep everything healthy it is also wholesome.

We provide breakfast, packed lunches, evening meals and snacks in between if you need that little extra to keep you going. Coffee, tea, home-made smoothies and juices are available and we even have a little beer or wine with dinner.

The Team

Kim

Kim was involved in sports from a young age and started skiing on holidays at the age of 5. After finishing her first season training as a ski instructor, she decided to make a career of it and is now based in Verbier, Switzerland during the winters.

During rehabilitation of a serious knee injury in 2016, Kim developed an interest in injury prevention and fitness, which led to her qualifying as a sports massage therapist and personal trainer.

Alongside skiing, Kim enjoys surfing and climbing, and you will find her running the fitness sessions at our escapes.

Alex

Alex grew up in Scotland where as a child he would regularly spend his weekends hill walking with his family. This sparked an interest in climbing which led to him spending some time in the Alps as a late teenager, before successfully summiting Mont Blanc aged 18.

This passion for the mountains has led Alex to live and work in the Swiss Alps as a fully qualified ski instructor in the Winters.

Alex is a qualified Mountain Leader, with ample knowledge and experience of the Scottish highlands and will be heading up the outdoor excursions at our escapes in the summers.