Private Scotland's Islands & Highlands

Day 1 - Wednesday 24^th April - Arrive in Edinburgh

Arrive at Edinburgh Airport where a private transfer will take you to your hotel. Depending on your energy level, you may wish to explore the city, or simply relax at your hotel. Edinburgh is a delightful mix of Medieval history, vibrant trending neighbourhoods, and craggy landscape. Grab a pint at a local pub or wander the halls of the National Gallery.

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Balmoral Hotel
Room Type: Executive Old Town View

Day 2 - Thursday 25^th April - Exploring Edinburgh, Free Afternoon & Meet Your Guide

This morning you are picked up by a local guide and taken for a wonderful tour of Scotland’s hilly capital by Mini Cooper. As you zip through the city, your Edinburgh born-and-bred guide shares the history and culture of Scotland’s capital. Admire Edinburgh Castle overlooking the sea and the spires of St. Giles’ Cathedral. Revel in the ancient exploits of Sir William Wallace (known as Braveheart) and the hometown of actor Sean Connery.
After lunch in a charming local pub, you are dropped off back at your hotel to enjoy a free afternoon. Late afternoon meet your main Guide for a short chat over coffee to get acquainted and answer any queries you may have about the details of the adventures ahead. You then have an evening at leisure to discover the local culinary offerings.

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Balmoral Hotel
Room Type: Executive Old Town View
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Friday 26^th April - Transfer To The Cairngorms via Stirling Castle & Bushcraft Experience

Your guide will collect you from your hotel this morning and you will head out of the city toward the mountains of Cairngorms National Park. Taking a short detour to soak in the views and history of majestic Stirling Castle.
On arrival in the Cairngorms set off on a wonderful warm-up hike through the Scots pines to a viewpoint that stretches across the Spey Valley to the mountains beyond. Established as a National Park in 2003, Cairngorms’ mountain peaks give way to lush forests, enchanting walking trails, sparkling rivers, and local wildlife. Small villages and traditional farms dot the dramatic landscape.
Discover a new way of looking at this landscape this afternoon as you learn some intriguing bushcraft skills and sip a cosy cup of pine needle tea. Arrive at your unique farmhouse accommodation in the late afternoon in time to settle in before dinner.

Hike details: 2.5 miles, 530 feet elevation gain, ~2 hours

Overnight: Near Kinguissie | Killiehuntly Farmhouse
Room Type: Double Room
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4 - Saturday 27^th April - The High Peaks Of The Cairngorms

Cairngorms National Park is home to 5 of the 6 highest peaks in Scotland, and people come to Scotland every year to “bag a Munro,” or scale a mountain over 3,000 feet. Today this could be you—and if you are up to the challenge you could even bag two!
Alternatively, hike to a green lochan (small lake) where, legend has it, fairies come down every night to wash their clothes. From here you can continue up the Hill of the Shepherd with great views over the adventure town of Aviemore. Whatever you decide, this will be a day to remember.

Hike details: up to 11 miles, 3,057 feet elevation gain, ~8 hours

Overnight: Near Kinguissie | Killiehuntly Farmhouse
Room Type: Double Room
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5 - Sunday 28^th April - Hiking Morning & Visit Cawdor Castle

Make full use of your last morning in the Cairngorms to explore another beautiful hike with your guide. The choices are endless and your guide will discuss the options with you to suit the day. This afternoon you will transfer north and visit the medieval castle of Cawdor, which was made infamous by Shakespeare’s play Macbeth. Legend says that the Thane of Cawdor chose this spot as a safe place for his family to live after an oracle spoke to him in a dream. It must have been a true oracle because the Cawdor family still live there today. Your guide will take you to your luxurious hotel in Inverness with plenty of time to settle in before dinner.

Overnight: Inverness | Ness Walk Hotel
Room Type: Cedar King
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Monday 29^th April - Hiking in The Unique Scenery of Torridon

The mountains of Torridon sweep up out of the ground almost from sea level in dramatic bare slopes which culminate in rocky ridgelines. This wonderful hiking location is little visited but only an hour’s drive away from Inverness. Together with your guide you will decide on the best route for the day, depending on the weather and what level of challenge you wish. Enjoy a full day out to explore as much of this incredible landscape as possible before returning to Inverness.

Hike details: Variable depending on choice

Overnight: Inverness | Ness Walk Hotel
Room Type: Cedar King
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Tuesday 30^th April - North To Orkney

The journey to the Orkney Islands follows the north-east coast of the Highlands and onwards over the Pentland Firth. Reaching Orkney in the afternoon, visit the Italian Chapel, two Nissan huts converted into a unique place of worship by prisoners of war. Then continue on to your hotel which is situated nearby to the major archeological sites which add to the intrigue to these islands.

Overnight: Kirkwall, Orkney | Lynnfield Hotel
Room Type: Deluxe Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Wednesday 1^st May - Coastal Hike and Skara Brae

Skara Brae is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world, and probably the best known site in Orkney. An early start this morning will ensure that you get a chance to immerse yourself in this fascinating site while it is still quiet. Then maybe take a stroll north along the coastline along cliffs which are home to a multitude of seabirds and thousands of years of history in the form of archaeological sites. You can continue all the way to the rocky Point of Buckquoy where you may be able to cross the tidal causeway to explore the Norse settlement on the tiny isle of the Brough of Birsay.
If you’re feeling thirsty, maybe end the day with a trip to the local micro-brewery; or perhaps stock up on some local snacks such as tablet and fatty cutties, bought from the ‘Little Yellow Hut’ honesty box nearby.

Overnight: Kirkwall, Orkney | Lynnfield Hotel
Room Type: Deluxe Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 - Thursday 2^nd May - Orkney’s Neolithic Heart

This morning you head to one of the crowning jewels of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, the massive stone circle that is the Ring Of Brodgar. Theories still abound about the purpose of this site, hear all the evidence and decide for yourself if it was a ritual site, a giant astronomical observatory or something completely different. Nearby you will also find Maeshowe and the Stones Of Stenness, where 4 huge standing stones are all that remain of what is possibly the oldest stone circle in the British Isles.
Before you return to your hotel you may also want to take some time today to explore the characterful town of Stromness, full of narrow alleys and always with the character of the sea permeating the air. Or hike with your guide along a coastal path to a headland known as ‘The Ness’, and onwards to the Sand of Warebeth.

Overnight: Kirkwall, Orkney | Lynnfield Hotel
Room Type: Deluxe Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 10 - Friday 3^rd May - Fly To Glasgow. Free Afternoon

This morning your guide will take you to the airport to catch your flight to Glasgow and bid you farewell. On arrival in Glasgow you will be met by a private driver and transferred to your luxurious city centre hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to use as you wish.

Overnight: Glasgow | Kimpton Blythswood Square
Room Type: King Premium
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 11 - Saturday 4^th May - Depart

A private transfer will collect you from your accommodation and take you to Glasgow Airport to make your onward connections. Waving farewell for now but taking with you special memories and wonderful stories of your explorations.