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The Northern Reaches of the Highlands
Stephen & Martha
June 2024
June 2024
Meet your Wilderness Scotland guide at Inverness airport today and begin your journey north into the Highlands. Depending on your time of arrival, you may wish to stop at Cawdor Castle, the 14th-century home of the Thanes of Cawdor, to wander its ancient corridors and colourful gardens before continuing north and settling into your comfortable home for the next few nights, perched on a headland surrounded by the cobalt waters of Loch Gleann Dubh.
Overnight: Kylesku | Kylesku Hotel
Meals Included: None
After a relaxing start to the day, we’ll head out to get a lay of the land so chat through some options with your guide before lacing up your boots. One great option is the Quinag, an 808 m high cluster of mountains with an undulating series of peaks along its Y-shaped crest. The name Quinag is an anglicisation of the Gaelic name Cuinneag, a milk pail, reflecting its distinctive shape. Traverse unique geological features and reach the summit for a breathtaking panorama over Loch Assynt. Returning to the car park, you may wish to head down to the shores of Loch Assynt to explore the stony remains of Ardvreck Castle, dating back to around the 1490s.
Overnight: Kylesku | Kylesku Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we’ll take a small ferry to Handa Island. The island is home to over 200,000 seabirds each year such as guillemot, and razorbills, and upwards of 250 pairs of puffins breed here. May, June and July are the perfect time of year to see the puffins, along with other marine life such as minke whales, dolphins and if you’re lucky, even orca. This afternoon, we’ll stick to the coastline and carry on a little further north to the secluded sands of Oldshoremore beach where we can enjoy a warm cup of coffee among the dunes, listening to the crashing melody of waves lapping the shore.
Overnight: Kylesku | Kylesku Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a relaxing breakfast overlooking the loch, we’ll travel from Kylesku to our next stop on the north coast of Scotland. Along the way, we’ll stop to explore Smoo Cave. Explore the sea cave’s natural features, learn about its geological and human history. The cave name is believed to originate from the Norse ‘smjugg’ or ‘smuga’, meaning a hole or hiding-place. The day concludes in the quiet village of Tongue, offering a peaceful end to a day of exploration.
Overnight: Tongue | Tongue Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Embark on a fully guided day exploring Ben Hope, the most northerly Munro in Scotland. Journey includes a picturesque hike through heather-covered slopes with panoramic views of surrounding lochs. The summit offers a leisurely lunch and breathtaking 360-degree vistas. Descend at your pace, capturing the natural beauty. Return to your accommodation this afternoon feeling refreshed and windswept and conclude the day with a warm cup of coffee or crisp local beer.
Overnight: Tongue | Tongue Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a scenic drive through the mountains and glens on your way to Inverness, tracing the rich history and landscapes of the Scottish Highlands. Explore the historic Culloden Battlefield, a poignant site from the 18th century Jacobite uprising. Visit the mystical Clava Cairns, ancient burial chambers nestled in heather-clad hills, showcasing Scotland’s prehistoric past. Conclude your day at Inverness Airport, where your guide will say their farewells and you’ll begin your onward journey.
Meals Included: Breakfast
