Activities for autumn and winter
Winter is perhaps the most exciting and dramatic season of the year at The Pierhouse Hotel. Brilliant colours highlight the beauty of the lochs and glens, and the clarity of light luminating the skies and waters are truly breathtaking. Early snows often magically transform the peaks of Ben Nevis and Glencoe and the surrounding landscape, and the spectacular range of wildlife on view is second to none.
At the Pierhouse Hotel, enjoyment of the great outdoors continues all year round. There's a great range of adventure activities available throughout the autumn and winter which we will be pleased to arrange for you upon request. Take a look at the selection below - if your favourite outdoor pursuit isn't featured, just let us know! And if you're planning a visit to us at another time of year, then take a look at our spring and summer adventure activities page too.
If less adrenaline is more your thing, then take a look at the introduction to our other local attractions and places to visit from Port Appin. However you choose to spend your break at The Pierhouse, relax and enjoy!
Activities
Hill walking
Autumn and winter hill walking in Scotland can be a magical experience. The Pierhouse Hotel is just a short drive from some of the best walking in Scotland, with Glen Coe, the Mamores, Ben Nevis and Aonoch More all within easy reach. Plus there is a host of lower level walks which demand less committment, but which can still offer the keen walker a memorable day out.
And of course the perfect end to a day on the hills is the return to your room at The Pierhouse, where a Finnish sauna might be in order to relax before enjoying a dinner of fresh local produce simply cooked to perfection in our award winning restaurant.
Stalking
Deer stalking is a fascinating way to discover Scotland's landscape. Working with our local estates, The Pierhouse can offer stalking experiences at all levels, whether you have never picked up a rifle before or are an expert looking for a challenging day on the hill.
The stag season commences in late August and runs through to the 20th October, whilst the hind season runs from the 21st October to the 15th February. The cull of stags and hinds is selective and the numbers taken depend on the views of the Stalker, the Annual Spring Count and the annual habitat assessments. All guests are taken to the purpose built target on the beautiful Kingairloch Estate to ensure the rifle is accurate and the guests are fully briefed on the day. Transport from The Pierhouse to Kingairloch is all part of the experience: a high speed motor boat ride across beautiful Loch Linnhe (20 mins).
River and hill lochan fishing
The Pierhouse Hotel is a great base for visiting fishermen and women. Just half an hour away is the superb Inverawe fly-fishing centre with four stocked lochs and two miles of salmon river offering a quite unique fishing experience. The lochs are stocked daily with prime hard fighting fish to give a good day's sport for everyone and the mile and a half of water on the River Awe provides some excellent salmon and sea trout fishing. Pike fishing is also available all year at nearby Loch Awe.
In addition Inverawe also boasts a comprehensive Angling School for beginners and intermediate fishers. You can learn the wonderful art of fly-fishing from scratch or brush up on your technique if you are feeling a little rusty. Rod and net hire is available on site.
Visit Inverawe Fisheries website>
The Pierhouse Hotel also offers a full day's guided expedition on the stunning private Kingairloch Estate, fishing for wild brown trout in the hill lochans, or sea trout and brown trout on the rivers and lower lochs. Available until the end of October. Transport to Kingairloch is via high speed motor boat (20 mins) across beautiful Loch Linnhe.
Clay Pigeon Shooting
This activity provides excellent sport using a Bowman Trap in a range of beautiful locations on the private Kingairloch Estate. The Estate offers a variety of targets and disciplines, from clays suitable for beginners to challenging shots for experts. Transport from The Pierhouse to Kingairloch is all part of the experience: a high speed motor boat ride across beautiful Loch Linnhe (20 mins).
Sea kayaking
The west coast of Scotland is a world class sea kayaking destination. With improvements in modern equipment, more and more visitors are now extending their sea kayaking season into the autumn, when Scotland's weather can be at its most atmospheric and memorable.
The Pierhouse Hotel is perfectly placed as a sea kayaking centre, with its own beach on the shores of Loch Linnhe. With a great mix of gentle and more testing waters all around, we can arrange sea kayaking adventures through a selection of local operators, whatever your experience level. Ideal for solo and/or family outings.
Rock and ice climbing
The Pierhouse Hotel is located just half an hour's drive from some of the best indoor and outdoor climbing to be had in the UK. The Ice Factor is the perfect venue to practice, train and learn every conceivable mountaineering skill. It offers the biggest indoor ice climbing facility in the world (850m sq), features the UK's largest articulated rock climbing wall (1200m sq), and a dedicated instruction facility and competition bouldering area. Daily beginners sessions for adults, childrens and groups. Full instruction and equipment available. Half hour taster sessions through to a multi day mountain adventure where you are guided through some of Scotland's classic mountains by fully qualified instructors. Courses include Introduction to Rock Climbing, Classic Rock Improvers, Classic Scrambles, Hit the Ice, Mountaincraft, Advanced Mountaincraft and an Introduction to Snow and Ice Climbing.
Just around the corner from the Ice Factor, with a unique combination of history, tradition and stunning scenery, Glen Coe is synonymous with Scottish rock and ice climbing. Catering for every level, Glen Coe offers the chance for experts to try hard traditional routes or attempt new ones; for those wishing an easier experience, multi-pitch classics abound. Just 30 minutes away, The Pierhouse provides a great way to combine your climbing adventures with luxury and comfort in our unique setting.
Snow sports
The Pierhouse is in easy reach of two of Scotland's top snow sports centres: The Nevis Range at Fort William, and Glencoe Mountain.
The Nevis Range Mountain Gondola, Scotland's highest winter ski and snowboard area, offers a fantastic range of snowsports suitable for all abilitites. During the season, usually from December to May, the centre operates 12 lifts to give access to 24 runs at all ability levels. Skiers and boarders are both catered for, and the Snowgoose Restaurant and Bar at 650m ensures that you won't go hungry during your visit.
Glencoe provides 7 lifts and 19 runs including the longest and steepest runs in Scotland. Snow sports such as tobogganing and sledging are also available, and the Glencoe Mountain cafe provides home cooked food to keep you going.
The Pierhouse Hotel Massage & Aromatherapy
Whatever activity takes your fancy, afterwards take advantage of one of our excellent relaxation, therapeutic, aromatherapy or sports massage treatments in the comfort of your own room or relax in our Finnish sauna. Just ask our Reservations team for booking details.
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