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tel: 866 740 3890
Edinburgh and the Highlights of the Highlands
Cathy Burnweit Group
Sunday 7th September – Wednesday 17th September 2025
Sunday 7th September – Wednesday 17th September 2025
Join us on a unique, trip to explore the history and wild beauty of Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands. Visit the magical Isle of Skye, hike among Glencoe’s glacier-scoured peaks and wind your way through the aromatic pinewoods and boundless silvery moors of the Cairngorms National Park. With your experienced Wilderness guide, explore ancient battlefields, visit captivating castles and immerse yourself in stunning landscapes rich in history, culture and folklore. With hikes tailored to your group you will explore you’ll experience Scotland like a local. As evening light fades across iridescent skies, relax in hand-picked accommodation with a local dram and enjoy delicious seasonal food.
On arrival in Edinburgh, you’ll have a free day to settle in and explore the city at your own pace before the adventure begins tomorrow. Edinburgh’s compact city centre is perfect for a relaxed stroll, allowing you to soak in its unique mix of historic charm and modern vibrancy. Wander through the cobbled streets of the Old Town, perhaps visiting the iconic Royal Mile, where you’ll find Edinburgh Castle towering above. For a slower pace, consider a walk through Princes Street Gardens or indulge in a coffee at one of the many charming cafés. This evening, meet your Wilderness guide for a welcome drink before embarking on your adventure tomorrow.
Overnight: Edinburgh | The Roseate Edinburgh
Meet your guide at your hotel this morning and head northwest to the small city of Stirling. Spend some time exploring Stirling Castle, an impressive medieval fortress atop a steep crag, before journeying into the Highlands. After lunch, we continue our adventure north west, travelling to the wild and beautiful Glencoe. Stopping on the way to enjoy a short walk up and to visit the grave of Rob Roy MacGregor, Scotland’s famous outlaw. Later, check in at our hotel and take some time to settle in before dinner.
Overnight: Glencoe | Kingshouse Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Walk Details: 3 km / 2 miles | 125 m / 410 ft elevation gain | Approx: 2 hrs
After a leisurely breakfast, we head deep into the heart of the spectacular Glencoe Glen. Carved out centuries ago by glaciers and volcanic eruptions, the dark, brooding summits of the moor-clad mountains press imposingly against an ever-changing sky. Join your guide for a spectacular walk to the Lost Valley, a hanging meadow where the MacDonald Clan used to hide their rustled cattle. For those who would like a gentler option, there are plenty of hikes in the area where you can uncover the dark tragedy of the glen. This afternoon visit the thoughtful and engaging visitor centre, learning about the landscape’s captivating but haunting history. Later, have dinner in a local hikers pub where there is often live folk music.
Overnight: Glencoe | Kingshouse Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Walk Details: 6 km / 4 miles | 122 m / 400 ft elevation gain
Glencoe option – A range to choose from for all distances and abilities. It is possible to add a longer walk this afternoon instead of or as well as visiting Glencoe Center.
Today, join an experienced, well-seasoned skipper for a private boat trip. From the coast, we zoom out onto the smooth water to explore the white sand beaches and untamed islands of this wild part of Scotland. Come ashore for lunch at a local distillery and enjoy lunch and a whisky tour and tasting. Later this afternoon, we catch the ferry from Mallaig to the Isle of Skye, and we wind our way north to our hotel, which is tucked just outside the colourful town of Portree.
Overnight: Portree | The Bosville
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
This morning, zip up your backpack and head out to explore the dramatic landscape of the Quiraing. Chat with your guide about the geology and history of the area as we walk among the dark, stark spires that rise from the heathery ground like great ruined battlements. With no need to rush, we take our time and enjoy stopping to capture the incredible views of rolling waves, ragged mountains and rocky islands. Later this afternoon, you can choose to have a potter around Portree – pop into some artisanal shops and admire the pretty harbour-side houses or head out with your guide for another walk around offering great views of the bay. A free evening tonight, enjoy dinner at one of the local restaurants.
Overnight: Portree | The Bosville
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Walk Details: 8 km / 5 miles | 390 m / 1,280 ft elevation gain | Approx: 2 hrs
Portree extra walk option – 3 miles, 400 ft.
After breakfast overlooking the tranquil bay, head south to Elgol, a tiny hamlet scattered along the western cliffs of the Strathaird peninsula. From a small jetty, board the charming Bella Jane and sail over Loch Scavaig into the very heart of the Black Cuillin Mountains looking out for seals and dolphins as you go. Upon reaching the shore, leave the boat to explore Loch Coruisk – also known as the Cauldron of the Waters; this dark loch stretches like a shadow below impressive volcanic peaks. There is the option to circumnavigate the loch or hike the small but steep peak of Sgùrr Na Strì which offers some of the best views in Scotland. This evening, return to Portree and enjoy a delicious dinner and a glass of wine with another fabulous view.
Overnight: Portree | The Bosville
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Walk Details: 6 km / 4 miles | 122 m / 400 ft elevation gain | Approx: 2 hrs
Sgùrr Na Strì – 4.5 miles, 1600ft elevation.
Travel back to the mainland this morning and visit Eilean Donan Castle, an iconic fortress perched upon a tidal island at the intersection of three sea lochs. We’ll head on to Inverness where we’ll stop to visit and for lunch at Culloden Battlefield. Learn about one of the most harrowing battles in Scottish history and walk across the rough moor where the Jacobites and the Government fought in 1746. We’ll also visit Clava Cairns, an Iron Age burial site with standing stones that are over 4000 years old. Continue to the eastern edge of the Cairngorms National Park and your cosy Highland Lodge
Overnight: Ballater | Darroch Learg
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
This morning head into the hills. There are some great options to choose from; if you are up for a challenge, then Loch Nagar, made famous by Lord Byron, is a great hill walk. There are other options as well that offer sweeping views across the mountains of Ballater and Bremare. If you fancy something easier, there are plenty of walks that meander along the winding river. Later tonight, enjoy an informal whisky tasting before dinner.
Overnight: Ballater | Darroch Learg
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Walk Details: 16 km / 10 miles | 131 m / 430 ft elevation gain
Instead of hiking into the hills there are serval hikes that can be anywhere from 3 miles to 6.
Enjoy a morning at Scone Palace – an impressive red sandstone house which holds over 1000 years of history within its walls. Family home to the Earls of Mansfield and the ancient crowning place of Scottish Kings, it’s a brilliant place to explore. After lunch, enjoy a walk with your guide. Gradually meander up a sloping hillside to an old folly, from which long views over a patchwork of fields makes for a beautiful group photograph. Depart from Scone and travel back to Edinburgh, arriving in the capital late afternoon. Here your guide will leave you, this evening take a fun and engaging tour down into Edinburgh city vaults.
Overnight: Edinburgh | Kimpton Charlotte Square
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
This morning immerse yourselves in the winding cobbled streets of historic Old Town Edinburgh. Discover the highlights of this unique capital city from the Palace of Holyroodhouse all the way up the ‘Royal Mile’ to the mighty ancient fortress which is Edinburgh Castle itself. Head into Edinburgh Castle to walk the ramparts and stand on the battlements as they fire the One O’Clock gun. Visit St Margaret’s Chapel, the castle barracks and dungeon as well as the Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny. This evening, head to the Scottish Whisky Experience, where you will have a guided whisky tour and tasting before sitting down to a wonderful meal with whisky paired with dessert.
Overnight: Edinburgh | Kimpton Charlotte Square
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
After a hearty breakfast, transfer to the airport to continue on your onward journey
Meals Included: Breakfast
The Optional Edinburgh Extension includes:
The price of this trip depends on the number of people travelling.
The price of the trip for 10 travellers is £6595 per person
The price of the trip for 12 travellers is £6215 per person
This is based on shared rooms and is based on availability at the time of booking.
The price of the optional extension in Edinburgh is £775 per person based on shared rooms and availability at the time of booking
Please see our booking terms here.
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Sunday 7th September – Wednesday 17th September 2025
