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Exploring the Scottish Highlands and Isle of Skye
Karen Callaway
August 2025
August 2025
Meet your private Wilderness Scotland guide this morning at Glasgow Queen Street Station before taking a short train journey to Milngavie, where we’ll drop off our bags, and then we start our West Highland Way tour! Although starting close to Glasgow, you are quickly walking through open countryside. This part of the journey follows what was an important route in pre-industrial times and your guide will help you spot some standing stones from the late Stone Age. We’ll arrive at the accommodation tonight in time to settle in before enjoying a welcome dinner – and possibly a dram of the local Glengoyne whisky too.
Overnight: Drymen | Buchanan Arms Hotel
Meals Included: Lunch
The trail leaves Drymen and passes through Garadhban Forest. Leaving the forest, we’ll take a detour to climb Conic Hill. Though just 361m high, it offers fantastic views over Loch Lomond. Reaching the eastern banks of Loch Lomond at Balmaha, we follow the shore through forest until you reach the tranquil setting of Rowardennan, which is nestled at the foot of Ben Lomond.
Overnight: Loch Lomond | The Rowardennan Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Starting out with views of Ben Lomond – which translates as Beacon Hill – is a challenging stage, but the combination of varied terrain, scenery and views makes it very rewarding. Rougher terrain means that the going is slower, but it’s wonderful to be in such wild country. The trail improves towards the end of the day as we near our next destination, the tiny settlement of Invernarnan.
Overnight: Inverarnan | The Drovers Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
We’re in the Highlands now, and our day begins with a walk through Glen Falloch before we turn northwards into Strath Fillan. The landscape gets wilder and your guide will point out some of the hardier plants that grow in this area and talk about how they were used by the clansmen and women in the past. As we approach Tyndrum, we are rewarded with wonderful views of Ben Lui rising up in the west as we reach our accommodation.
Overnight: Tyndrum | Tyndrum Lodges
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
This fantastic day begins with a climb out of Tyndrum, with the trail running next to the West Highland Railway line. At the top of the pass, the views are fantastic as we’ll traverse the sweeping flanks of Beinn Odhar, Beinn a’ Chaisteil and Beinn Dorain. Approaching the Bridge of Orchy along the old military road you’ll in the village, which dates back to 1751.
Overnight: Bridge of Orchy | Bridge of Orchy Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Departing Bridge of Orchy this morning, the shapely peaks of the Black Mount now lie to the west while the wilds of Rannoch Moor stretches into the distance in front of us. Following the trail across this wild moor, we eventually reach the Kingshouse Hotel, our finishing point for the day. A short transfer will take you to the luxury comforts of Glencoe House and you can settle into your private suite for a night of relaxation.
Overnight: Glencoe | Glencoe House
Room Type: 1 Bedroom Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
This is a shorter day but with the biggest ascent of the route. A transfer will collect you from Glencoe House this morning to return you to Kingshouse to resume your walk from yesterday. We walk into Glencoe then climb the trail known as the ‘Devil’s Staircase’. It is steep with some switchbacks but very steady going with a constant gradient all the way. At the top of the pass at 547m, we are rewarded with wonderful views of Glencoe and Loch Leven. Your guide will able to point out the individual peaks in this sea of mountains you are looking at and perhaps tell the tale of The Massacre of Glencoe. Descending into the next valley, we follow a good trail to our next stop, the small village of Kinlochleven. You will be transported back to Glencoe House for a second night.
Overnight: Glencoe | Glencoe House
Room Type: 1 Bedroom Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Returning to Kinlochleven from Glencoe House this morning, the day starts with a steep climb to wake us up after breakfast! We cross a pass at 274m, taking in views across to Ben Nevis – the highest mountain in Scotland. After crossing the pass, the hard work of the day is done and we walk past old sheilings (summer dwellings for shepherds) with views over Lochan Lunn Da-Bhr. Your guide may share the story of the mythical bull that makes this area home and terrorises the crofter’s cattle! The trail then descends into beautiful Glen Nevis and then into Fort William itself where we finally reach the finish of the West Highland Way hiking tour – we’ve done it! Your accommodation tonight is the luxurious Inverlochy Castle Hotel, where you may wish to indulge in their Seasgair dining experience.
Overnight: Fort William | Inverlochy Castle Hotel
Room Type: Large Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Depart Inverlochy Castle this morning and with your guide, head to the beautiful white sandy beaches of Arisaig Sound. Meet your expert sea-kayaking guide and head out into the turquoise water to explore. Sea kayak around hundreds of tiny islands, spotting seals, otters, and a host of coastal birds. The seal colony here is friendly and curious, often slipping beneath your boat only to pop up on the other side to peer at you with their big dark eyes. Once back on shore, a short transfer will have you arrive in Mallaig, where you can catch the ferry to the Isle of Skye. Arrive at your accommodation and settle in.
Overnight: Sleat | Kinloch Lodge
Room Type: Luxury Double
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
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. 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: Sleat | Kinloch Lodge
Room Type: Luxury Double
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
This morning head out with your guide to explore the dramatic landscape of the Quiraing on the northern peninsula of Skye. As you walk, admire the stark rock formations that rise from the rugged ground like the great ruined battlements of a long-forgotten war. Chat with your guide about the geology and history of the area, enjoying the incredible sweeping views of the islands, mountains and sun-clipped shores that stretch in every direction. This afternoon, visit Dunvegan Castle, a Hebridean fortress which has been home to the same family for over 800 years. Learn about the family ancestry and stroll around the formal gardens, perhaps pausing for a home bake and cup of tea, all the while admiring the stunning views.
Overnight: Sleat | Kinloch Lodge
Room Type: Luxury Double
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, join your guide for a cracker of a coastal walk. Suited and booted, hike out to a remote headland crowned by a lighthouse that overlooks the Minch and the Outer Hebrides. This salt-stung bluff is a beautiful, quiet place to spot whales and dolphins on a calm day, as well as enjoying stunning views of the dramatic sea cliffs of the distant Dunvegan Head. During the walk, pass the ancient ruins of one of the best-preserved brochs on Skye, learning about the island’s history and hearing enchanting tales of faeries, selkies and kelpies.
Overnight: Sleat | Kinloch Lodge
Room Type: Luxury Double
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After a leisurely breakfast, begin your journey back to the mainland. Depending on your travel plans, you may wish to stop to explore Eilean Donan Castle, one of the most iconic and striking sights in all of Scotland, taking your time to appreciate the unique beauty of this remote and historical place. Finishing up in Inverness this afternoon your guide will bid you farewell after a spectacular trip, and you can carry on your homeward journey.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
The price of this trip is £12,195 per person and is based on availability at the time of booking.
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August 2025
