Powell - A Highland Adventure - Final Information

Elizabeth, Amanda and Beverly

Sunday 6th October – Sunday 13th October 2024

Number of Travellers: 3
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1 | Sunday 6th October | Welcome to Scotland | Overnight: Glencoe

Day 2 | Monday 7th October | Hiking in Glencoe | Overnight: Glencoe

Day 3 | Tuesday 8th October | Road to the Isles | Overnight: Isle of Skye

Day 4 | Wednesday 9th October | Wild Loch Coruisk & The Black Cuillin Mountains | Overnight: Isle of Skye

Day 5 | Thursday 10th October | Eilean Donan Castle and Rewilding at Dundreggan | Overnight: Inverness

Day 6 | Friday 11th October | Culloden Battlefield and the Cairngorms National Park | Overnight: Braemar

Day 7 | Saturday 12th October | Exploring Royal Balmoral | Overnight: Braemar

Day 8 | Sunday 13th October | Scone Palace & Depart

Highlights

  • Enjoy a boat trip to the remote shores of Loch Coruisk on the ethereal Isle of Skye.
  • Hike in the stunning regions of Glencoe and the Cairngorms National Park.
  • Stay in beautiful accommodations renowned for their stunning locations, warm hospitality and attentive staff.

Day by Day

Day 1 - Sunday 6th October - Welcome to Scotland

Meet your guide Ailsa at 9am at your hotel reception this morning and head northwest to the small city of Stirling. Enjoy a coffee at a lovely cafe before exploring Stirling Castle, an impressive medieval fortress atop a steep crag. After lunch, continue your adventure west, travelling into the beautiful Glencoe Valley. Enjoy a short hike before settling into your historic mansion accommodation for a relaxing evening.

Overnight: Glencoe | Glencoe House
Room Type: Suite 3 (set up as 1x double, 1x twin)
Meals Included: Lunch

Day 2 - Monday 7th October - Hiking in Glencoe

Enjoy breakfast before meeting Ailsa and heading out to explore Glencoe. The spectacular Glencoe, carved out centuries ago by glaciers and volcanic eruptions, offers some wild and scenic hiking. One great option is to hike along a narrow rowan-hung gorge until you reach the Lost Valley. This enclosed meadow – high, green, and hidden by precipitous tors, is said to be where the Macdonald clan used to conceal their rustled cattle. Surrounded by jagged peaks that shift in and out of mountain mist, visit the Glencoe Center to learn about the landscape’s haunting history.

Overnight: Glencoe | Glencoe House
Room Type: Suite 3 (set up as 1x double, 1x twin)
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Tuesday 8th October - Road to the Isles

Depart Glencoe House this morning and travel along the ‘Road to the Isles’ passing the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct on the way. You’ll arrive in the small fishing village of Mallaig, where you’ll board the ferry to Armadale on the famous Isle of Skye. If time allows, enjoy a short walk at the base of the Cuillins before heading to Talisker Distillery for a tour and tasting, finishing up afterwards in Portree and your next welcoming accommodation.

Overnight: Isle of Skye | Cuillin Hills Hotel
Room Type: 2x Premier Sea View Doubles
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Wednesday 9th October - Wild Loch Coruisk & The Black Cuillin Mountains

Feeling rested, head south with Ailsa, arriving in 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. As the lovely first mate provides some fascinating history about the surrounding islands, look for sleepy seals lounging on the warm rocks. Upon reaching the shore, leave the boat to explore Loch Coruisk, also known as the Cauldron of the Waters, a deep dark loch that stretches like a shadow below the impressive volcanic peaks. Choose to walk around the loch or climb the rugged mountain of Sgurr na Stri – which is considered by many to offer one of the wildest and most spectacular views in Scotland.

Overnight: Isle of Skye | Cuillin Hills Hotel
Room Type: 2x Premier Sea View Doubles
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Thursday 10th October - Eilean Donan Castle and Rewilding at Dundreggan

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. Continue your journey through the striking landscape, arriving at Dundreggan Rewilding Centre to enjoy lunch. Afterwards, join an expert guide to visit their specialist tree nursery and learn about the centre’s important biodiversity. Transfer to Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, and enjoy the sweeping views across Loch Ness before arriving at your quiet hotel, a short walk from the city centre.

Overnight: Inverness | Ness Walk
Room Type: 1x Cedar Twin, 1x Cedar Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Friday 11th October - Culloden Battlefield and the Cairngorms National Park

After breakfast begin your adventure south into the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. Along the way, visit Culloden Battlefield and its richly researched and engaging visitor centre. 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. Arrive after lunch in the picturesque village of Braemar and if time allows, enjoy a scenic short hike. Relax this evening in the Fife Arms, a 19th-century hotel which combines Scottish heritage, craftsmanship and culture, alongside world-class contemporary art.

Overnight: Braemar | The Fife Arms
Room Type: 1x Scottish Culture Twin, 1x Scottish Culture Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Saturday 12th October - Exploring Royal Balmoral

Spend the morning exploring the beautiful countryside that surrounds Balmoral Castle. Wind your way through the tangy pine forest and out onto the open hillside to a number of historical cairns erected by the Royal Family. With breathtaking views and the opportunity to see Balmoral from up high, it’s a true cracker of a walk. This afternoon, head to Royal Lochnagar Distillery for a guided tour and tasting, learning how they produce their smooth, grassy character using traditional ways of working.

Overnight: Braemar | The Fife Arms
Room Type: 1x Scottish Culture Twin, 1x Scottish Culture Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Sunday 13th October - Scone Palace & Depart

On your last day, 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 Ailsa. 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 at 5:00pm where your trip will conclude. Ailsa will drop you off at your airport accommodation before departing.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Trip Details

Inclusions Read More
  • All accommodation from Day 1 to Day 8
  • Most meals as indicated above
  • Services of an experienced and knowledgeable qualified guide from Day 1 to Day 8
  • Ground transportation from Day 1 to Day 8 including ferries
  • All guided hikes and activities mentioned in the itinerary
  • Entry to Stirling Castle
  • Entry to Glencoe Visitor Centre
  • Guided tour and tasting at Talisker Distillery
  • Bella Jane boat trip
  • Entry to Eilean Donan Castle
  • Rewilding session at Dundreggan with Trees for Life
  • Entry to Culloden Battlefield
  • Guided tour and tasting at Royal Lochnagar Distillery
  • Entry to Scone Palace
  • Personalised trip design and delivery
  • Snacks throughout the trip
  • 24 hour in-country support from the Wilderness Team
Exclusions Read More
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Activities and entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Gratuities for the main driver guide
Important Contact Numbers Read More
Wilderness Scotland Office | 9:00am – 5:30pm

UK: +44 (0)1479 420 020
US: 866 740 3890

Out of Office Hours | 5:30pm – 9:00am

+44 (0)7766 794 640

Emergency Services

999

Arrival & Departure Read More

Your guide will meet you at W Hotel Edinburgh Reception at 9:00 am on the first day of your trip.

You will be returned to DoubleTree Hilton Edinburgh Airport at 5:00 pm on the final day of your trip.

Important Additional Information Read More
Terms & Conditions Read More

Please see our booking terms here.

Get in Touch

Tel: +44 (0) 1479 420 020

Email Bridget

Accommodation

Glencoe House

Glencoe | West Highlands |
PH49 4HT | Scotland
Phone: +44 (0)1855 811 179
Web: glencoe-house.com

Cuillin Hills Hotel

Portree | Isle of Skye |
IV51 9QU | Scotland
Phone: +44 (0)147 861 2003
Web: cuillinhills-hotel-skye.co.uk

Ness Walk

12 Ness Walk | Inverness |
IV3 5SQ | Scotland
Phone: +44 (0)1463 215 215
Web: nesswalk.com

The Fife Arms

Mar Rd | Braemar | Royal Deeside |
AB35 5YL | Scotland
Phone: +44 (0)1339 720 200
Web: thefifearms.com

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Balmoral Castle

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Meet Your Guide

Ailsa Armstrong

Contact Number: +44 (0) 7729 003 905

Having been brought up on one of Scotland’s beautiful west coast islands, I have always treasured the opportunity to explore Scotland’s wild places and this continues to bring me much pleasure today.

I particularly enjoy walking in the mountains and completed all of Scotland’s Munros some years ago. I also get a great deal of pleasure from the long distance, lower level, walks Scotland has to offer and continually seek out new adventures.

Travel has not just been limited to Scotland as I have been fortunate to have walked, climbed and ski toured in many parts of the world, although there is always something special about coming home to the Cairngorms.

Favourite Place to Play

I love heading off to explore and experience the wild places of the Highlands mountains, but also the beautiful low level walking routes and coastal paths. My perfect day is always complete when I come across a coffee shop and/or gallery with local Scottish artisan products in unusual places.

Not a lot of people know this

I am a keen mosaic artist and was delighted to have had a piece of work displayed in the National Gallery of Scotland.

Full Web Bio

Virtuoso

Powell – A Highland Adventure – Final Information

Sunday 6th October – Sunday 13th October 2024