email: [email protected] tel: 01479 420 020

Seifert- Edinburgh & the Highlands and Islands

James Seifert

Spring 2025

Number of Travellers: 2

Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights

Overview

With a professional Wilderness guide, travel from the twinkling lights of Edinburgh to the soaring summits of Glencoe to the needled rock pinnacles on the Isle of Skye and on to the slate blue mountains of the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland’s beautiful landscape is a wonderful and evocative place to explore. On a trip that showcases some of the brightest jewels in the country’s wild and rugged crown. Experience the very best of this remote and ancient land. By foot and by boat traverse the captivating and diverse landscape while immersing yourself in the history, culture and traditions of this enchanting region.

Highlights

Explore the rugged, wild beauty of Skye on foot, learning about the history, heritage and culture of the island.
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 - Welcome to Edinburgh

Arrive into Edinburgh and transfer you into the architecturally stunning city of Edinburgh, depending on your arrival time you may wish to head out and explore the winding alleys and cobblestone streets. Full of history, the capital is very accessible by foot. Wander up the Royal Mile, visiting St Giles’ Cathedral (which has been a working church for over 900 years) and Edinburgh Castle, which offers sweeping views over the city. This evening, enjoy dinner and a good night’s sleep.

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Bonham
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Exploring Edinburgh

After breakfast, meet your local guide in the foyer of your hotel and head out for a morning spent exploring the beautiful cobblestone streets of the city. Full of history, the capital is very accessible by foot. Wander up the Royal Mile, stopping to visit the architecturally stunning St Giles Cathedral, and enjoy panoramic views from Edinburgh Castle. This afternoon soak up the atmosphere of this bustling city whilst wandering around on foot. This evening enjoy dinner under the twinkling lights of the city.

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Bonham
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 - Exploring Edinburgh and Castle Tour

After a leisurely breakfast head out to explore the city at your own pace. Perhaps pick up a coffee and a pastry from one of the wee artisan shops, dipping into local galleries, cheesemongers and bookshops. If you fancy a morning with a twist, head to the Surgeons’ Hall Museums, which holds one of the largest collections of surgical pathology in the world. This afternoon, you will enjoy a guided tour of Edinburgh Castle where your tour guide will bring history to life. This evening enjoy your final dinner in this beautiful city.

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Bonham
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4 - Journey to the Valley of Glencoe

Meet your Wilderness Scotland guide at your hotel this morning and head west. Along the way, you can stop off for a leg stretch in the Loch Lomond National Park, perhaps up the iconic hill that Sir Walter Scott once claimed offered the finest views in all of Scotland. Continuing through the beautiful scenery you will arrive in the valley of Glencoe, where you can drop in at the immersive Glencoe Visitor to learn about the region’s haunting past and whet your appetite for the days that follow. Settle into your iconic accommodation, standing tall in the middle of atmospheric Rannoch Moor.

Overnight: Glencoe | Kingshouse Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Hiking in Glencoe

Enjoy breakfast before meeting your guide and heading out to explore Glencoe. The spectacular Glencoe, carved out centuries ago by glaciers and volcanic eruptions, offers some wild and scenic hiking. Chat with your guide about what you feel up to – 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.

Overnight: Glencoe | Kingshouse Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Over the Sea to Skye

After breakfast this morning, you’ll leave Glencoe behind you and head west to the mystical Isle of Skye. Arriving at the picturesque seaport of Mallaig, you’ll jump on board and enjoy a short ferry crossing to the village of Armadale – keep an eye out for marine wildlife such as dolphins along the way. From here, you’ll make your way north across the island towards the colourful town of Portree – the largest settlement on Skye. Spend some time wandering the narrow streets this afternoon soaking up the island atmosphere, popping in and out of lovely local shops and galleries. Settle into your home for the next few nights, just a stone’s throw away from Portree itself.

Overnight: Portree | The Bracken Hide
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Boat Trip & Hiking to the Wild Loch Coruisk

This morning you head out to explore the secretive Loch Coruisk with your guide. From the tiny fishing village of Elgol you take a boat trip to the heart of the Black Cuillin mountains which tower above the blue waters of the loch. Along the way you can spot seals and perhaps dolphins in the coastal waters. The boat will drop you at the remote southern end of the loch and you can drink in the atmosphere of this stupendous place as you hike around the loch. Today is sure to be a highlight of the trip with memories to cherish.

Overnight: Portree | The Bracken Hide
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Dunvegan Castle & Skye Explorations

You will set out to explore Skye today, visiting some of the most iconic sites as well as some that are less well known. Coral beach is made from crushed white coral like seaweed which will make you think that you have been transported to the Carribean! Enjoy a gentle walk along the beach here, looking out for the local wildlife such as sea eagles, otters or perhaps a friendly seal will pop their head up to say hello! There will also be the opportunity to visit the nearby Dunvegan Castle, seat of the Clan McCleod and the only Highland fortress that has been occupied by the same family for 800 years.

Overnight: Portree | The Bracken Hide
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 - Visit Culloden Battlefield and Clava Cairns

This morning after a final breakfast on Skye we will leave the misty isle passing the iconic 13th century Eilean Donan castle en route to our next destination, Culloden Battlefield. Here we will visit this richly researched site 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. Take the opportunity to visit Clava Cairns – a well-preserved Bronze Age cemetery complex of passage graves, ring cairns, kerb cairns and standing stones. We will head south to the Cairngorms where you will spend the next two nights of your adventure.

Overnight: Aviemore | Ravenscraig Guest House
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 10 - Hiking in the Cairngorms

Today, enjoy a hike in the beautiful Cairngorms National Park. At over 4500 sq km it is the largest National Park in the UK and with miles of winding rivers, make it Scotland’s most prolific whisky-making region. With your guide, choose a hike that suits you – perhaps head out onto the alpine plateau of the Cairngorms Mountain range and bag a sought-after Munro. Or choose to explore the Caledonian pine forest which is the oldest forest in Scotland and the last of the woodland that once covered the whole of the UK. Roam heather-covered glens and alongside jewel-like lochs for the perfect immersion into the ancient landscape. This evening, enjoy a drink in a Highland pub while listening to some traditional folk music.

Overnight: Aviemore | Ravenscraig Guest House
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 11 - Return to Edinburgh then depart

After a hearty breakfast we journey south to the city of Edinburgh crossing the iconic Fourth Road Bridge to a familiar cityscape where your guide will bid their farewells and drop you at the airport for your onward flight.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Seifert- Edinburgh & the Highlands and Islands

James Seifert

Overview

Highlights

Day by Day

Day 1 - Welcome to Edinburgh

Day 2 - Exploring Edinburgh

Day 3 - Exploring Edinburgh and Castle Tour

Day 4 - Journey to the Valley of Glencoe

Day 5 - Hiking in Glencoe

Day 6 - Over the Sea to Skye

Day 7 - Boat Trip & Hiking to the Wild Loch Coruisk

Day 8 - Dunvegan Castle & Skye Explorations

Day 9 - Visit Culloden Battlefield and Clava Cairns

Day 10 - Hiking in the Cairngorms

Day 11 - Return to Edinburgh then depart

Trip Details

Accommodation

The Bonham

Kingshouse Hotel

The Bracken Hide

Ravenscraig Guest House

Seifert- Edinburgh & the Highlands and Islands