Highlands and Islands of Scotland

DAY 1: MEET IN GLASGOW, TRAVEL ON THE WEST HIGHLAND RAILWAY

We will meet in Glasgow. We then travel to Glasgow Station to board the West Highland Railway for our journey through the Highlands.

Voted one of the greatest railway journeys in the world, this trip takes 4 hours and we will cross the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous in the Harry Potter movies. We will then arrive at Glenfinnan to take a short stroll to our guest house.

Overnight: Glenfinnan, Highland Region. Meals Included: Dinner.

DAY 2: WALK GLENFINNAN AND LOCH SHIEL

8 miles / 12.5 km and 800 ft / 272m ascent

We walk directly from our hotel at Glenfinnan, beginning with a view of the Glenfinnan Viaduct, perhaps seeing the steam train (aka “Hogwarts Express”).  Our journey continues up along the side of the River Finnan, turning at the Corryhully Bothy where we return along a forest path looking out across Loch Shiel.  The last part of our journey takes us down to the loch side for a view of the Glenfinnan Monument and a visit to the museum, where you can discover the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the 1745 Jacobite Rising. 

Overnight: Glenfinnan, Highland Region.  Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 3: WALK ON THE ISLE OF EIGG, INNER HEBRIDES

7 miles / 11km and 800 ft / 272m ascent

We take a ferry this morning to the Eigg (Scottish Gaelic for “notched island”) on of the Small Isles in the Inner Hebrides. The island has a population of around 80 people and is 5.5 miles long and 5 miles wide. Our walk takes us from the pier to a rocky headland and sand bay where we may see seals. We can then head to the lower slopes of the iconic high point of Eigg, An Sgurr.  Underneath this massif lies the remains of the village of Grulin which was abandoned in the 1880’s. 

Overnight: Glenfinnan, Highland Region. . Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 4: FERRY TO THE ISLE OF SKYE, WALK AT LOCH SCAVAIG AND LOCH CORUISK

3 miles / 5 km and 300ft / 90m ascent.

We take the ferry to the Isle of Skye and then travel on to the village of Elgol. The island is made up of a series of peninsulas and bays radiating out from a centre dominated by the Cuillin hills. Then it’s out on a boat to Loch Scavaig and Loch Coruisk in the heart of the Cuillin Mountains. We will see seals and possibly dolphins. We will then make our way to our hotel in Portree on the East coast of Skye, this will be our home for the next three nights.

Overnight: Portree, Isle of Skye. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 5: ISLE OF SKYE, TALISKER WHISKY DISTILLERY, WALK AT ORONSAY

4 miles / 6.5 km and 330ft / 100m ascent.

We begin today with a visit to the famous Talisker Whisky Distillery. We then walk from Portnalong out along the tiny Ardtreck Peninsula to visit an ancient broch (fort) on a headland with fabulous sea views. In the afternoon we will walk across a causeway at low tide to the Island of Oronsay. This island is uninhabited, but there are traces of ancient settlements from thousands of years ago.

Overnight: Portree, Isle of Skye. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 6: ISLE OF SKYE, WALK TROTTERNISH RIDGE AND THE QUIRAING

4 miles / 5 km and 650ft / 200m ascent

Today we visit one of the most magnificent landscapes in Britain. The Trotternish ridge contains two famous Scottish landmarks: the Old Man of Storr (cliff pinnacles created by ancient landslides) and Quiraing. The name Quiraing comes from Old Norse ‘Kví Rand’, which means “Round Fold”. Within the fold is an elevated plateau hidden amongst the pillars, according to folklore, this was used to hide cattle from Viking raiders.  The views are breathtaking, and even if there is mist or low cloud, the pinnacles have a mystical aura.

Overnight: Portree, Isle of Skye. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 7: VISIT TO RAASAY

6 miles / 9.5km and 1443ft / 440m ascent

We take the ferry out to Raasay (means “Isle of the Roe Deer”).  Our hike will take us up to the summit of Dun Caan, a long extinct volcano.  We begin with a fine ramble across heath and moor to Loch na Meilich.  Crossing a low point at the loch we make for the summit with the most wonderful views back to Skye, the Cuillin mountains and the Trotternish coastline.

Overnight: Portree, Isle of Skye. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 8: TRAVEL TO BRIDGE OF ORCHY

6 miles / 10 km and 245ft / 75m ascent

We take a spectacular drive through the Highlands to arrive at a lovely hotel in a beautiful location on the West Highland Way long distance hiking route. We can walk part of the route this afternoon directly from the hotel.

Overnight: Bridge of Orchy, Argyll and Bute. Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner.

DAY 9: WALK THE WEST HIGHLAND WAY

12 miles / 19 km and 720ft / 220m ascent

We begin the hike in the shadow of Buachaille Etive Mor (the “great herdsman of Etive”), possibly Scotland’s most iconic mountain.  Our route takes us through several miles of wilderness across Rannoch Moor.  There will be time for refreshment at Inveroran Lodge Hotel before the final 3 mile push back to our hotel at Bridge of Orchy.  This is truly a lovely hike.

Overnight: Bridge of Orchy, Argyll and Bute. Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner.

DAY 10: RETURN TO GLASGOW AIRPORT

After breakfast we will travel back to Glasgow Airport where the tour ends.

Meals Included: Breakfast.