Scottish Adventure

May/June 2024

Number of Travellers:  4
Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights

Overview

This private and fully-guided multi-activity holiday in the Scottish Highlands is for the adventurous at heart. Exploring wild places, mountain ranges and a striking coastline, this itinerary includes Scotland’s most romantically beautiful regions. You’ll go hiking on the famous Isle of Skye, enjoy sea kayaking amongst seals in the Sound of Arisaig, and roll along the ribbons of tarmac in the Cairngorms National Park. Your expert guide will be there throughout to lead and inspire you, as well as share their wealth of local knowledge with you. In the evenings you can relax in carefully-selected accommodation, enjoying Scottish culinary delights and warm Highland hospitality.

Highlights

  • Explore the rugged, wild beauty of Skye on foot, learning about the history, heritage and culture of the island.
  • Enjoy sea kayaking and seal-spotting in the azure waters and white-fringed beaches of Arisaig.
  • Experience some of Scotland's best roads cycling in the Cairngorms.

Day by Day

Day 1 - Over the Sea to Skye

Meet your Wilderness guide this morning in the Highland capital of Inverness and head west to the mystical Isle of Skye. Along the way, we’ll stop at the fabled Loch Ness and enjoy an exhilarating RIB trip along its deep blue waters. Continuing west through magnificent mountain scenery on to the famous Isle of Skye over the Skye Bridge. Here we will go for an afternoon hike amongst the other-worldly landscapes of Skye. Your guide will select the best hike for your level of adventure and will help you discover the rich history and beauty of the island. Check in to your hotel later this afternoon, your home for the next two nights.

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

Day 2 - Guided Hiking on Skye

This morning, head out to explore the dramatic landscape of the Quiraing. As you walk admire the stark rock formations that rise from the rugged ground like great ruined battlements. Chat with your guide about the geology and history of the area, enjoying the incredible sweeping views of islands, mountains and the sun-clipped shores that stretch in every direction. With plenty of time to stop and take photos, enjoy what’s sure to be a fantastic penultimate day of your island adventure.

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

Day 3 - All Aboard the Jacobite Steam Train

Leaving the Isle of Skye behind, you’ll enjoy a short ferry crossing to the fishing port of Mallaig, keeping an eye out for inquisitive marine wildlife.  Stepping back on dry land, you’ll trade ferry for train and hop on board the iconic Jacobite Steam Train. Traverse the Highlands in classic style, a meticulously restored steam locomotive that harks back to the golden age of rail travel. Arriving at Fort William, the outdoor capital of Scotland, you’ll transfer a short distance to your special castle accommodation, nestled in the foothills of Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the UK.

Overnight: Fort William | Inverlochy Castle
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Guided Sea Kayaking near Arisaig

Today we will explore the Sound of Arisaig from the same perspective as the wildlife – by sea! This day is suitable for first-time kayakers as well as experienced paddlers. After meeting your kayak guide you’ll then set out to explore the beautiful waters nearby, which are home to a resident seal colony. Sea kayaking is an amazing experience, with the cool breeze, small waves and glint of sunlight on water captivating our senses. Your guide is also an excellent coach who can instruct you in the skills needed to paddle effectively, so you will be able to make the most of this wonderful opportunity to kayak in one of Scotland’s top locations.

Overnight: Fort William | Inverlochy Castle
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Travel to the Cairngorms National Park

We say goodbye to the west coast now and head east again to the Cairngorms National Park. As we drive, we enjoy a spectacular change in the scenery from prominent peaks and deep glens to the high plateau and wide river valleys. After a spot of lunch, we’ll head out for an afternoon hike to get our bearings. There are so many great walks in the Cairngorms that we like to keep the itinerary flexible and decide which hike to take in on the day. At the northern reach of the Cairngorms are several peaks overlooking the wild Abernethy Forest. We choose one of these hills today – Meall a Buachaille (Hill of the Shepherd). We start our walk by passing through a steep-sided pass and the beautiful ‘Fairy Lochan’. Beyond the pass, we turn left at an old bothy and start a steady ascent up a good trail that leads us directly to the summit. On the way down we enjoy the fabulous views of bigger hills to the south and Loch Morlich.

Overnight: Cairngorms National Park | Killiehuntly Farmhouse
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Cycling in the Cairngorms

There are many reasons why we love being based in the Cairngorms, but this great loop is definitely one of them. A firm favourite with our team, your route takes you along quiet roads that undulate just enough to keep things interesting as you pass wooded hillsides and sparkling lochs to reach the village of Kincraig. Heading back to Aviemore, you complete the loop along a road that weaves past lochs and great mountain vistas before a final wee climb back into town. Of course, our route notes highlight a couple of cosy cafes along the way at which you may wish to pause! For a longer ride, it’s worth extending the loop to the small town of Kingussie. On these extra miles, you’ll pass the atmospheric ruins of Ruthven Barracks and the Insh Marshes Nature Reserve. It’s also a short detour to the Highland Folk Museum, which is well worth a visit.

Overnight: Cairngorms National Park | Killiehuntly Farmhouse
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Return to Inverness

After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll head out for a final hike in the Cairngorms National Park. This is the largest national park in Scotland so there is plenty of variety in each hike! Afterwards, we depart the Cairngorms and return to Inverness, arriving mid-afternoon. Your guide will drop you at the airport or train station for your onward journey, wishing you a fond farewell.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Trip Details

Inclusions Read More
  • All accommodation from Day 1 to Day 7
  • Most meals as indicated above
  • Services of an experienced and knowledgeable qualified guide from Day 1 to Day 7
  • Ground transportation from Day 1 to Day 7
  • All guided hikes and activities mentioned in the itinerary
  • Personalised trip design and delivery
  • Snacks throughout the trip
  • 24-hour in-country support from the Wilderness Team
Exclusions Read More
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Activities and entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions

Scottish Adventure

May/June 2024