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Scotland: Hiking in the Highlands
Lochs, Lakes, Mountains: Walk in the
Highlands and along the Western Coast
The Scottish Highlands are famous throughout the world as an area rich in stunning scenery, traditional culture and ancient history.
Lochs, rivers, glens, mountains, ridges, crags and the sea
all combine variously with unique wildlife and natural history to give to its devotees a highland landscape second to none.
This week long holiday is an exploration of the best the Highlands have to offer,
We start in the Spey Valley in the Cairngorms National Park, famous for its pine forests, salmon fishing, whisky, grouse moors, osprey and high arctic plateau.
Then we head north past the city of Inverness and across to the beautiful west coast to travel and climb through some of Scotland's finest glens - Torridon, Kintail, Nevis and Glencoe.
In each area are superb mountain walks or alternative coastal and valley treks, castles, crafts and local history to explore.
Our accommodation during the week will be in country hotels and inns chosen to reflect the area, serving traditional local Highland fare and hospitality.
To avoid Scotland's famous Highland midges, which are particular ferocious and abundant in July and August, we only offer departures in May to mid-June, and then again in September.
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Dates and Prices 2008
Hiking the Scottish Highlands (8 days, 6 days of hiking):
May 10 - 17, 2008
May 17 - 24, 2008
July 05 - 12, 2008
September 06 - 13, 2008
Price: CAD $3360 (US$ 3200), single supplement: CAD $300
Group size: Minimum 3 guests, max. 8 guests
Itinerary in Short (download full itinerary)
Day 1 Arrival
Meeting point is the Highland village of Newtonmore, which is reached easily by train or bus from Edinburgh or Glasgow airport in approx. 2 hours.
Newtonmore lies in the midst of
Cairngorms National Park. This is the UK's largest National Park and is home to 25 per cent of our threatened plants and animals - it's a special place. If there is time we can enjoy an early evening hike round the scenic Wild Cat Trail, before enjoying a special Highland meal at a local restaurant.
Day 2 Cairngorms
We venture onto the Cairngorm plateau for a fine walk round the northern coires; or bowls, of Cairngorm mountain itself with the possibility of climbing Ben MacDui, Scotland's second highest summit. We stay in Inverness.
Day 3 Torridon
We begin with a drive north, before crossing to the west coast and Torridon, approx 2 hrs. From here we can climb Ben Damph with views to the sea and the other stunning peaks of the mountain range. Or alternatively we can do an atmospheric coastal trek along the Diabeg peninsula.
Day 4 Glen Shiel
We head off on a scenic drive past the world famous Eilean Donan Castle, featured in many movies, and enter Glen Shiel. This is one of those areas where you can just feel the past, where cattle herds made their way to market, where the Clans fought battles and where Spanish soldiers made a last stand on a peak in the Glen. Today we aim to take the stalkers path, (stalkers are those who hunt the red deer on the estates) and climb onto the ridge and the summit of Maol Chinn-dearg. Alternatively we can do a coastal walk and visit the world famous Eilean Donan Castle.
Day 5 Glen Nevis
This morning we leave Glen Sheil and head for Fort William on the west coast aiming to climb in the Mamores. However, if the weather is good we could consider the highest mountain in the UK, Ben Nevis. . Alternatively we do "The Best Short Walk in Scotland" up Glen Nevis to the Steal waterfall. We plan to continue driving a short way south to cross the sea loch by ferry to the tiny community of Ardgour, beautifully situated on the banks of Loch Linnhe.
Day 6 Glencoe
You cannot visit Scotland without taking in the historic Glencoe, past scene of clan feuds, battles, and murders. This steep sided Glen was the scene of one of the blackest days in Scots history when the Campbell Clan murdered their hosts the MacDonalds. We have a wide choice of hikes here all providing stunning scenery and views. Then we stay head south, aiming to stay at a famous ancient Inn near Loch Lomond. Ascent 3000-3800 ft. Overnight Inveranan.
Day 7 Loch Lomond
We continue south with the aim of climbing one of the peaks above the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. This will probably be a rocky mountain with a dramatic skyline called The Cobbler. We then continue down the side of Loch Lomond to Glasgow to our hotel.
Day 8 Departure
Details/Accommodation
Accommodation: Upscale country hotels and inns that are famous for the Highland hospitality and authentic cuisine.
Included in the price:
Certified International Mountain leader, private minibus shuttling luggage to the different hotels, charming country hotels and inns throughout the trip
(half board), all
lunch packages throughout the trip, all local transports, starting in Newtonmore, ending in Glencoe.
Trip Leaders:
- All our guides are internationally certified, and have an in-depth knowledge of the area they are guiding in.
For more information click here.
- All of our guides are professionals, and are skilled at transmitting their tremendous
knowledge of the region/country to you.
- All our guides speak fluently English and at least another foreign language. Wherever you go with us, your guide will be able to communicate at ease, enabling him/her to take care of any problem / special wishes that might occur.
Can I do it? - Trip Difficulty, Hiking the Scottish Highlands
Level 2/3 (From 1=easy to 5=very strenuous)
Moderate to difficult walking on trails and off-trail, some steeper sections, both up and down, 1000m (3000ft) maximum elevation gain per day (except in case we do Ben Nevis, which would be 1300m elevation gain). Some narrow, rocky trails. 3-6 hours of daily walking. Day-pack only.
Example: Country Walks in Provence, Coastal Walks in Crete.
