Enjoy a heady mix of landscape experiences and exciting hiking
This walking holiday is ideal for those with a taste for wilderness, adventure and Scottish culture. Explore rugged mountains, remote coastal areas and Skye’s majestic volcanic cliff scapes.
Kintail’s wide Highland valleys are flanked by dramatic peaks. Our hikes meander through rugged green mountains and valleys and the occasional lower pass enjoying rewarding views, impressive waterfalls and landscapes yellow with gorse in May and purple with heather in August.
Spotting seals, otters, eagles and a multitude of seabirds is very much part of any outdoor experience in Scotland as is strolling on a white beach, exploring a romantic castle and discovering evidence of past lives where you least expect.
En route we’ll take in the remote peninsula Glenelg with its mysterious 2000 year old towers, witness the immense scale of scapes offered on the Isle of Skye and learn about Scottish history as we find traces of human existence in seemingly untouched nature.
Essential to any holiday! We have chosen our hotels for location and comfort as much as for food and those special beverages which Scotland is famous for. If luck strikes, some locals might pop by to jam a tune or two for the perfect Scottish flair. An evening spent in a lively west coast pub with Scottish music, delicious seafood and a wee dram just makes your holiday complete.
Spend your holiday in a small personal group with no more than 8 persons and enjoy meeting interesting people from all round the globe looking for that same experience.
You are accompanied throughout by an experienced and knowledgeable guide to ensure your holiday becomes a wonderful and enjoyable experience.
Unwind in the expanse of natural wilderness, enjoy the quiet moments, feel your body relaxing with the pace of your step and look forward to being taken care of.
This holiday offers 2 different locations: the scattered settlement of Shiel Bridge at the foot of the Kintail mountains and the tiny harbour town Uig in the north west of the Isle of Skye.
A wonderful bonus of your holiday is travelling from and back to Glasgow through some of Scotland’s most beautiful landscapes: Loch Lomond, the queen of Scottish lochs, dramatic Glen Coe, Britain’s giant Ben Nevis, the spectacular coastal route ‘Road to the Isles’ and the traditional ferry crossing from the Isle of Skye.
Our tour prices are based on two sharing and for solo travellers this would mean sharing a two bedded twin room with another person of the same sex. However, a limited number of single rooms are available for a supplement from £395. Please enquire.
We travel to 2 different locations – Kintail and the Isle of Skye. For all our tours we choose small, cosy Highland hotels for comfort, friendliness and excellent Scottish cuisine and local ales.
All rooms have a private en suite shower and/or bath and toilet.
Please note that prices are based on 2 sharing.
Are you a solo traveller? We always match guests with the same sex, of course. If however, you prefer single room accommodation then please let us know. A supplement is available from £265, depending on availability.
Fitness
This holiday is designed for guests with a good general level of fitness, balance and mobility. We hike mostly on good paths which may, however, be narrow, rough, uneven, rocky and slippery when wet. You should to be sure footed, have experience hiking on unpaved trails and be comfortable on hilly and briefly steep terrain and ascents of up to 350 metres.
Equipment & Clothing
Following your booking, we send you our recommended kit list which you may find helpful.
Travel Insurance
We also strongly advise that you take out a comprehensive travel insurance to provide cover in case of an accident, loss of luggage, cancellations, delays etc. It makes for an even more relaxed holiday.
If you are unsure, please do get in touch and we’ll be happy to discuss any issues.
Following our departure from Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station around 10am you travel through some of the Highlands most scenic landscapes: along the shores of Loch Lomond, through dramatic Glen Coe, past Britain’s highest mountain Ben Nevis further and north west with wonderful views of lakes such as Loch Garry and Loch Cluanie.
We stop at the northern end of Loch Lomond for a short hike along the West Highland Way and refreshments.
In Shiel Bridge, surrounded by the peaks of the Kintail mountains on the shore of Loch Duich we find our accommodation and hospitality for the next 3 days.
*Journey time 4 hours/ Overnight Kintail
(-/L/-)
An excellent first day’s walking in the remote and magnificent river valley Gleann Licht: At the end of the valley you climb your first pass into the wide mountain scenery and admire an impressive (and refreshing) waterfall.
*Walking: 6 hours with breaks, 15 km, alt 320m/ Overnight Kintail
(B/L/-)
A short but spectacular drive over the steep Ratagan Pass offering superb views of the neighbouring peninsula famous for its wild landscapes, Knoydart, as far as the craggy peaks of the Cuillin Hills on the Isle of Skye.
In the gentle hillside of Glen Elg we discover mysterious ruinous towers left to us by the Pictish people who inhabited Scotland 2000 years ago.
Driving further along the wild coastline we arrive in the tiny and romantic village of Corran where our path takes us along a beautiful pebble beach, through heather and oak forests, always with magnificent views over to Skye and the lonely valleys of Knoydart and its big mountain, Labhar Bhein.
To celebrate the day, we may pop by for delicious coffee at the Glenelg Ferry with lovely views over to Skye.
*Walking: 4 hours, 8 km, undulating/ Overnight Kintail
(B/L/-)
‘Over the sea to Skye’ where people crossed for hundereds of years – at Glenelg and today with the famous last remaining hand- operated turntable ferry in the world!
Heading to the south western corner of the island, an atmospheric and wild hike takes us to the ‘cleared’ coast of a deserted and now ruined village located in a stunningly beautiful coastal location with fabulous views of the islands Rum and Eigg. The village was forcibly cleared of the population in the 1850s to make way for sheep and the ruins left behind bear witness to a thriving community. Sitting on the rock plateau by the shore, this is a fantastic place to take in the sound of nature and watching for seabirds, dolphins and otters.
Our ‘home’ for the next 3 nights is the Uig Hotel in the harbour town Uig in the very north west of the island.
*Walking: 4 hours incl breaks, 12 km, elevation 210m.
(B/L/-)
At the island’s most westerly headland sits one of Scotland’s finest lighthouses with stunning cliff scenery and views to the Outer Hebrides. En route to the famous white Coral Beach we visit a cottage tweed weaver working entirely by pedal power producing wonderful woollen cloth with a chance to purchase an authentic and beautiful souvenir.
This is a versatile day and a little easier on your legs.
*Walking: 3 Hours with breaks, 8 km undulating; Overnight Isle of Skye
(B/L/-)
One of Scotland’s most spectacular land cliffs provides a classic hill walk with stunning views of the impressive mountains of Torridon and the Western Isles. A birds eye view of pinnacles, lochs, moor, rock tables and cost, some of the features previous earth activity has shaped into an amazing landscape.
A well deserved cup of tea to refresh before we take a turn round the top of the island with views over to the Outer Hebrides and, if time permits, a stop at the excellent Highland Life museum or exploring the dinosaur footprints on Duntulm Beach.
*Walking: 4 Hours with breaks, 7 km, alt 340m/ Overnight Isle of Skye
(B/L/-)
After breakfast we begin our return journey to Glasgow: the ferry from Armadale takes us to the lively fishing town of Mallaig on the mainland, then we continue south along the spectacular ‘Road to the Isles’ with its sparkly white sandy beaches, a historic location at Glenfinnan and the famous rail viaduct which Harry Potter passes on his way to school.
*Driving 1h20m to the ferry, 3 h to Glasgow plus breaks.
We arrive in Glasgow around at around 5pm.
(B/L/-)
