April 30th 2024.
It's not often that I need to be convinced twice to venture into the great outdoors. If there's an opportunity to go off the beaten path, I am most at ease on my own two feet or on the back of a trusty horse. However, life is all about pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones, so when the chance arose to trade in my usual mode of transportation for a powerful 4x4 vehicle, I couldn't resist the challenge.
For those unfamiliar, the INEOS Grenadier is a remarkable 4x4 that combines the best of British design with renowned German engineering. According to their marketing material, it has been put through its paces over 1.1 million miles, conquering everything from the rugged mountains of Austria to the unforgiving deserts of the Sahara. But how will it fare on a wet and muddy hillside in Royal Deeside, especially with someone like me behind the wheel?
We are about to find out as we are given free reign over the stunning 25,000-acre Glen Tanar Estate. This is the perfect setting to test the Grenadier's off-road capabilities and its impressive Pathfinder navigation system. Designed specifically for off-road adventures, Pathfinder is a waypoint-based navigation tool that allows drivers to download GPX files and follow a set route. It even includes a compass function to guide the driver to the next waypoint, making getting lost nearly impossible.
After a luxurious evening at The Fife Arms in Braemar, with its impressive art collection and unique whisky bar, it's finally time for me to get behind the wheel of the Grenadier. As I ease onto the road, I am pleasantly surprised to discover that I no longer have to worry about dodging potholes. But the real challenge lies ahead as we gather in the grand Ballroom at Glen Tanar to learn about the day's activities. We will be split into pairs and tasked with collecting points through various challenges, starting with an off-road driving session under the guidance of an expert trainer.
As we make our way through a slippery and muddy track, I can't help but feel a bit nervous. But with some reassuring words from our trainer, I trust in the capabilities of the Grenadier and soon find myself enjoying the experience. We then move on to our next challenge, finding a memory stick hidden in the branches of a nearby lochan. After a quick kayak trip and some map reading, we are back in the Grenadier and navigating our way around the estate, taking in the beautiful scenery and spotting some wildlife along the way.
The afternoon is filled with clay pigeon shooting and more off-road navigating before we head to the historic Raemoir House for the evening. Our final challenge is a quiz about the Grenadier and Scotland, and it's safe to say that my Scottish partner and I had a bit of an advantage. In the end, we proudly took home the trophy for Scotland.
To learn more about the impressive capabilities of the INEOS Grenadier, visit their website at https://ineosgrenadier.com/en/gb/. And for more news stories like this, be sure to subscribe to Scottish Field.
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