A s the great Scottish writer and traveller Robert Louis Stevenson wrote: ‘I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move…’ and to move in style is an integral part of the Skibo experience. For many, the trip begins when they step off the plane, or even helicopter, at Inverness Airport. Their subsequent journey to the castle by road is an important ingredient in the recipe of a successful luxury break. A scene-setter in the grandest sense, the one-hour trip north drinks in the vast visual spectacle of the Highlands, with guests being transported in harmony with the destination that awaits them. So it’s hardly a surprise that the vehicle of choice is one of the UK’s best-loved SUVs. The interior cossets the occupants in surefooted comfort and from the outside a convoy of Range Rovers, crossing the Dornoch Firth en route to the estate, is a stirring sight to behold. Skibo’s estate director, Gary Gruber, finds Land Rover a great fit for his varied needs. ‘The range offers everything we require, from the luxury of the Range Rover to the versatility, capacity and refinement of the Discovery, and the off-road capabilities of the Defender.’ The Discovery is the workhorse of Skibo’s fleet, and the Swiss Army knife of SUVs when it comes to what they can be used for. Gruber admires the ‘luxury, space, – 35 – David Green champions the diverse capabilities of Land Rover vehicles and uncovers what makes them the motor of choice for everything from estate work to luxury transportation pic credit FREE RANGE – 34 – M O T O R I N G