With spring around the corner, the weather is set to get a little brighter and sunnier meaning a chance to escape the city for an afternoon becomes ever more appealing.
Getting outdoors and reconnecting with nature in the stunning scenery of East Lothian has just become that little bit more spectacular with the fact that not only can you get out there for a wee wander, but you can also now bring an alpaca along with you.
John Muir Alpacas is an exciting firm based near the picturesque John Muir Country Park and the John Muir Way, which allows you to explore the rugged coastlines, sprawling farms and idyllic woodlands of East Lothian with one of these stunning (and wonderfully fluffy) South American creatures.
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Spawned from an encounter in New York in Central Park Zoo with these wonderful animals, the team behind John Muir Alpacas decided to bring a herd to live in the beautiful countryside around East Lothian for everyone to enjoy.
Operating two exciting daily treks, which are priced from £20 per person, you can take out the animals in the morning between 10 am and 11 am, and the afternoon from 1 pm until 2 pm.
Based at Hedderwick Hill Farm near Dunbar, the walks take in the stunning coastal views around this idyllic little town.
The team are happy for the treks to go out in most weather including rain, meaning if the weather looks a bit dreich it's probably worth dressing up for it, though won't need to worry about your alpaca friends as they are used to it and their long coats will keep them warm.
Each person over the age of 14 will be given their own alpaca to lead along the way (and of course stop for some cracking photos with) with younger children – aged between 8 and 14 – able to accompany an adult along with their alpacas (one adult and younger child per animal).
But don't worry if you have little ones to entertain, John Muir offers kids sessions and mini treks (11.30 am until 12.30 pm) priced at £10 per person, where you can meet and feed the alpacas, then have a short walk with them around their paddock afterwards.
And the fun doesn't stop there as you can even have a wee picnic in the firm's tipi marquees – with lunchboxes for both kids (£3.50) and adults (£5.40) available from The Food Hamper in Dunbar to order ahead of your slot.
Booking in advance is essential so make sure to check the dates on the website here.
And should romance be in the air, the site even offers a wedding package with couples able to hold a dream event where the alpacas can even be VIP guests.
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