Local Lens: A brothers’ guide to Scotland with Colin and Ewan McGregor

Hollywood actor, UNICEF ambassador and director, Ewan McGregor and his former pilot brother, Colin reconnect in Scotland against the backdrop of the Cairngorms’ lush mountains, shimmering lochs, and the majestic trees of the Hermitage forest.

First stop along the epic road trip is the Newtonmore Grill Truckstop. Locally known as “the best kept secret in the Highlands,” the no-fuss, no-frills café is a scenic spot to fill up on haggis lasagne, with a strong cup of tea. An excellent meal before an exciting, winding adventure.

For a gentle hike, the brothers explore The Hermitage, a forest woodland in Perthshire, with staggeringly tall trees, a medieval history, and Ossian’s Hall folly overlooking the Black Linn waterfall.

As all explorers know, you should always pack a snack. In preparation for a bigger hike in the Cairngorms mountain range, Colin and Ewan stop off at the Aran Bakery in Dunkeld, a bright and airy foodie magnet on the charming Atholl Street, opposite The Scottish Deli, a great place to eat before hiking in the Highlands. They fill their bags with a perfect adventurer’s lunch: a sausage roll and two sandwiches, one venison, one smoked trout.

Now that the packed lunch is sorted, the second hike can begin. As Ewan says, “Scotland has the most beautiful scenery. There’s something about the air, color, and remoteness of it all.” Nowhere can this be more felt than the Cairngorms. Snowy in winter, purple with heather in summer, the dramatic peaks of the U.K.’s largest National Park draw outdoorsy types and are often named in “best places to visit” lists.

The brothers then make a detour to Taymouth Marina, the lochside “wild wellness” retreat, with family friendly water sports, Loch Ness Monster pedalo boats for kids, a giant trampoline, and the resort’s biggest draw: its HotBox Spa. The brothers brave the “wellness plunge” (a slide into the freezing loch), warming up afterwards in Scotland’s largest hot tub.

As the evening draws in, it’s time to rest and toast marshmallows at The Dell of Abernathy. Set deep in the forest, this collection of six stone cottages has been decked out with impeccable taste— an ideal place to stay in the Highlands for large or small groups. Experiences include supper clubs and meditation rituals, swimming in the black peat-soaked loch, and gathering by the firepit.

To round off the day, the brothers head to a local favorite—a live music night at the The Ewe Bar within the Fortingall Hotel, a listed building with 11 rooms, traditional Scottish interiors and a 2,000-year-old yew tree, which, according to local legend, is the oldest tree in the U.K. But will they see the northern lights?

Read our interview: https://www.expedia.com/magazine/local-lens-ewan-mcgregor-guide-scotland/
Local Lens playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdgCSoJzrmKGU2FdnSzh6dpEJPijcxkl9

Shop the episode

The Cairngorms National Park tours: https://www.expedia.com/Cairngorms-National-Park-Scotland.d6088691.Vacation-Attraction
Taymouth Marina: https://www.expedia.com/Aberfeldy-Hotels-Taymouth-Marina-Ben-More.h22803408.Hotel-Information
The Dell of Abernathy: https://www.expedia.com/Nethy-Bridge-Hotels-Dell-Cottage.h92926418.Hotel-Information
Fortingall Hotel: https://www.expedia.co.uk/Aberfeldy-Hotels-Fortingall-Hotel.h888708.Hotel-Information