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Whisky & Wilderness - A Scottish Adventure

Jim, Jon, Joe and Bill

Number of Travellers: 4

Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights

Overview

On a bespoke, thoughtfully crafted trip, enjoy a wonderful adventure in Scotland. From the historic streets and closes of Edinburgh to the glittering waters and misty mountains of the Isle of Skye, enjoy spending time together surrounded by beautiful scenery. Accompanied by an expert guide while in the Highlands, enjoy beautiful and diverse walking trails through some of Scotland’s most spectacular scenery. Add in a whisky tasting, cookery workshop, a boat trip to the most remote loch in the British Isles and a luxury picnic deep in the heathery hills as well as free time to explore Edinburgh it is sure to be a memorable adventure. After perfectly paced days, enjoying a flexible and creative itinerary, relax in hand-picked accommodations, each unique in character and charm. On a trip designed just for you, enjoy discovering the bewitching beauty of Scotland.

Highlights

Take a boat trip out to the wild Loch Coruisk, one of the most remote lochs in the British Isles.
Discover the elemental, wild beauty of the Isle of Skye with an expert guide.
Spend time exploring the ancient city of Edinburgh.
Stay in a mixture of lovely accommodations, and enjoy seasonal produce.

Day by Day

Day 1 - Into the Highlands

Land in Edinburgh today and meet your Wilderness guide. From the airport, head north in to the Cairngorms national park, the heart of the Highlands. On your way you’ll stop at a Highland estate where you can wander the estate and meet some of the animals. You can then choose to walk or take a landrover in the heather covered hills to a remote bothy where a luxury picnic lunch will be waiting for you. After, journey through the Cairngorm mountain range and head to the village of Aberlour where you will settle into your whisky hotel.

Overnight: Craigellachie | The Craigellachie Hotel
Meals Included: Lunch

Day 2 - Morning Walk & Spirit and Spirit Cookery Workshop

After breakfast, head out with your guide for a beautiful walk over the wild Glenlivet hills. A place of dramatic, sweeping moorland and expansive skies; your hike will take you down into a remote glen where you will arrive at a beautifully located stone cottage, home to the esteemed chef and food writer Ghillie Basan. In the warmth of her kitchen, enjoy a spice and spirit cookery workshop. Using local and wild foraged produce you’ll cook delicious dishes inspired by Ghillie’s eclectic upbringing and the diverse whiskies of the region. Later, as the sun casts golden light across the heath, enjoy a mellow drive back to Craigellachie where you can enjoy a light supper and enjoy the 120 year old Quaich Whisky Bar, home to over 1000 different whiskies.

Overnight: Craigellachie | The Craigellachie Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Clava Cairns & Travel to Skye

This morning, travel to the mystical Isle of Skye. Along the way, stop to visit Clava Cairns – a well-preserved Bronze Age cemetery complex of passage graves, ring cairns, kerb cairns and standing stones. Afterwards, continue the scenic drive through landscapes shimmering with dark water and studded with hardy sheep grazing amongst bracken, heather and golden grasses. Stop on the way for a walk to stretch out your legs and immerse your self in Scotland’s scenery before crossing the arching Skye bridge and weaving your way through the coastal hills to arrive in the colourful and bustling town of Portree.

Overnight: Portree | The Bosville
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - The Fairy Pools & Talisker Tasting

Head out early to visit the Fairy Pools this morning ahead of the crowds. Accompanied by your guide, follow a crystal clear burn – Allt Coir a’ Mhadaidh into the wilderness of the moor, stopping to admire the many deep, turquoise pools and small rushing waterfalls. Careful near the pools, they serve as the portal between our world from the fairy realm, part of the magic that makes this place so enchanting! Afterwards, take a walk on the black sands of Talisker Beach before lunch at the pop-up Three Chimneys restaurant at the Talisker Distillery, followed by a guided tasting. This afternoon, explore some of the local galleries and workshops on the island; an interesting and informative option is to visit Skyeskyns, where you can tour the tannery and learn about the ancient methods of leather making.

Overnight: Portree | The Bosville
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Wild Loch Coruisk & The Black Cuillin Mountains

Feeling rested, head south with your guide, 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. 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 – a short but steep climb, the effort is worth it as it is considered by many to offer one of the wildest and most spectacular views in Scotland. Enjoy a late lunch at a local harbour-side seafood shack, before heading back to Portree for a nosy around the local shops.

Overnight: Portree | The Bosville
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Travel to Glencoe

Leave Skye behind this morning and travel back to the mainland towards Glencoe. As well as being an incredibly scenic route, your journey will take you past Glenfinnan Viaduct found at the northern shore of Loch Shiel. Built in the 1890s, the viaduct has been made more famous in the recent years because of its use in the Harry Potter films. Continue to the spectacular Glencoe Glen and enjoy a short walk with your guide through beautiful landscapes that you might recognise as the locations of Hagrid’s hut and Dumbledore’s grave. Visit the Glencoe centre and turf house where you will learn the brutal and tragic history of the Massacre of Glencoe, a dark stain in Scotland’s past.

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

Day 7 - Return to Edinburgh

Leave the Highlands this morning, as you ribbon your way east through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park to arrive back in the architecturally stunning city of Edinburgh, where your guide will make sure you’re settled into your hotel before leaving you to explore at your own pace. Wander up Carlton Hill or climb the Sir Walter Scott Monument to enjoy sweeping views across the city and spend time exploring the Old Town. This evening, head out for the ghost tour to discover Edinburgh’s fascinating catacombs and underground streets.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8 - Exploring Edinburgh

Enjoy a self guided day exploring Edinburgh. Full of history, the capital is very accessible by foot. Head up the Royal Mile to the mighty ancient fortress which is Edinburgh Castle. Discover the castle including St Margaret’s Chapel, the dungeons and soldiers barracks, and visit the Stone of Destiny and the Scottish Crown Jewels. Make sure you are on the battlements for the firing of the One O’clock Gun! Spend the rest of this afternoon exploring the Royal Mile, perhaps visiting St Giles Cathedral or the Palace of Holyrood House, home of Mary Queen of Scots. Cap of your adventure with a dinner and tasting at the Royal Scottish Whisky Society – the perfect ending to your Scottish adventure.

Meals Included: None

Day 9 - Depart for Home

After breakfast, head to the airport and arrive relaxed, refreshed and with many lovely memories to cherish for years to come.

Meals Included: None

Whisky & Wilderness - A Scottish Adventure

Jim, Jon, Joe and Bill

Overview

Highlights

Day by Day

Day 1 - Into the Highlands

Day 2 - Morning Walk & Spirit and Spirit Cookery Workshop

Day 3 - Clava Cairns & Travel to Skye

Day 4 - The Fairy Pools & Talisker Tasting

Day 5 - Wild Loch Coruisk & The Black Cuillin Mountains

Day 6 - Travel to Glencoe

Day 7 - Return to Edinburgh

Day 8 - Exploring Edinburgh

Day 9 - Depart for Home

Trip Details

Accommodation

The Craigellachie Hotel

The Bosville

Kingshouse Hotel

Whisky & Wilderness – A Scottish Adventure