Sarah Way - Exploring the Highlands and Islands

Day 1 - Welcome to Edinburgh

Arrive into the architecturally stunning city of Edinburgh today and settle into your lovely accommodation. 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 Raeburn
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Exploring Edinburgh

This morning enjoy a leisurely breakfast then 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. Your guide will bring the city of Edinburgh to life with expert knowledge, captivating stories, and a deep passion for its rich history and vibrant culture. This afternoon enjoy an audio tour of Edinburgh Castle and get to see the history form behind the castle walls. This evening enjoy dinner under the twinkling lights of the city.

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Raeburn
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 - 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 luxury mansion style accommodation amongst the spectacular scenery of Glencoe.

Overnight: Glencoe | Glencoe House
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - E- Biking in Fort William

Enjoy breakfast in your luxury surroundings  before heading out with your guide to jump on your e-bikes in Fort William and enjoy an easy but spectacular ride in the shadows of Ben Nevis alongside the Caledonian canal. This afternoon you may want to visit the old ruins of Inverlochy Castle or perhaps enjoy one of the many short hikes in the stunning area. Your guide will take you back to your sumptuous accommodation where you can relax before dinner enjoying your private terrace and wonderful view.

Overnight: Glencoe | Glencoe House
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Over the Sea to Skye

Today you’ll travel along the stunning Road to the Isles. This is frequently listed as one of the most beautiful drives in the world and it is easy to see why. Admire the silver sand beaches of Arisaig and the views into the distance of Skye and the small isles. Your guide will share the tales of the local area as you go, making the landscape come alive with characters and events from the past. 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 and your home for the next three evenings.

Overnight: Isle of Skye | Cuillin Hills Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Guided Explorations on the Isle of Skye

Today you have a full day to explore some of the special corners of this magical island with your guide. You will be spoilt for choice with fascinating history and dramatic landscape on offer, with unique hiking routes through stark and unusual rock formations and sweeping coast and mountain views to enjoy in almost every direction. This ‘misty isle’ is also home to so many curious stories and legends of fairies and islander culture, your guide will share some of the best hidden gems and personalise the day to your interests.

Overnight: Isle of Skye | Cuillin Hills Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Exploring Raasay

As the morning mist recedes across the water, we catch a small ferry to the quiet and geologically diverse Isle of Raasay. Often overlooked, this peaceful island offers much to explore. From the distinctive, rugged peak of Dùn Caan to coastal circuits on swathes of golden sand – there’s a myriad of engaging walks to choose from or perhaps we will opt for the bikes and enjoy the peaceful roads on this beautiful place. The Raasay distillery offers both a gin and whisky experience so perhaps visit this unique destination as a fitting end to a wonderful day.

Overnight: Isle of Skye | Cuillin Hills Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Eilean Donan and on to Fort Augustus

After breakfast,  we will head across the Skye Bridge, we will stop to visit Eilean Donan Castle. With its striking position and turbulent history, it’s one of the most recognised images of the Scottish Highlands. We will then head towards the pretty town of Fort Augustus and stroll a short way along the famous Caledonian Canal, looking out over the waters of Loch Ness. Later, settle into your comfortable hotel for this evening.

Overnight: Fort Augustus | The Lovat Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 - Dundreggan and Culloden Battlefield

This morning  before we leave this area we will visit the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre to connect with nature in a wild landscape brimming with wildlife, mythology and local culture.

This afternoon we will 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. From here we head further South and to the Cairngorms National Park and your accommodation for your final two nights in the village of Newtonmore.

Overnight: Newtonmore | Coig na Shee
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: Newtonmore | Coig na Shee
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 11 - Return to Edinburgh va Perthshire

After a hearty breakfast we journey south towards Pitlochry and visit some familiar areas where you may want to spend sometime connecting to the past. After lunch your guide will take you to the city of Edinburgh crossing the iconic Fourth Road Bridge where your guide will bid their farewells and drop you at your preferred location for your onward journey.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch