A Scottish Adventure

The Frank Family

Friday 9th May – Sunday 18th May 2025

Number of Travellers:  6
Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights

Overview

On a bespoke, thoughtfully crafted trip, enjoy a wonderful adventure in Scotland. From the historic winds and closes of Edinburgh to the slate blue mountains of the Cairngorms National Park, enjoy spending time together surrounded by beautiful scenery. Accompanied by an expert guide, visit the Highland Folk Museum, discover the evocative beauty of Glencoe, sea-kayak, and discover the ancient history of Kilmartin Glen. In the latter half of your trip, board a little white ferry to explore the beautiful Hebridean island of Islay, the home of your ancestors and one of the most wildlife-rich locations on the west coast of Scotland. Experience the island’s rich diversity of habitats, including dramatic sea cliffs, freshwater lochs, wide-open moors, and fertile grassland. After perfectly paced days, relax in hand-picked accommodations, each unique in character and charm. On an adventure designed just for you, immerse yourself in the history, heritage and distinctive springtime beauty of the Highlands.

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1 | Friday 9th May | Welcome to Edinburgh | Overnight: Edinburgh

Day 2 | Saturday 10th May | Edinburgh Castle & Folk Session | Overnight: Edinburgh

Day 3 | Sunday 11th May | To Islay | Overnight: Port Ellen

Day 4 | Monday 12th May | Singing Sands & Distillery Tour | Overnight: Port Ellen

Day 5 | Tuesday 13th May | Kilchoman and to Loch Melfort | Overnight: By Oban

Day 6 | Wednesday 14th May | Kilmartin Glen | Overnight: By Oban

Day 7 | Thursday 15th May | To Glencoe | Overnight: Glencoe

Day 8 | Friday 16th May | Hiking Glencoe | Overnight: Glencoe

Day 9 | Saturday 17th May | Return to Edinburgh | Overnight: Edinburgh

Day 10 | Sunday 18th May | Depart

Highlights

  • Enjoy an incredible live fiddle performance in the architecturally stunning city of Edinburgh.
  • Explore the beautiful sea-soaked shores of Islay and connect with the place that your ancestors called home.
  • Relax each evening with meals that focus on locally-sourced, seasonal produce in hand-picked accommodations.

Day by Day

Day 1 - Friday 9th May - Welcome to Edinburgh

Arrive in 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. Wander up the Royal Mile, visit St Giles’ Cathedral, and perhaps spend some time in the National Museum of Scotland, which has a roof terrace providing panoramic views over the city.

Overnight: Edinburgh | Roseate Hotel
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Saturday 10th May - Edinburgh Castle & Folk Session

Enjoy a self guided day in Edinburgh. The capital is full of history and very accessible on foot. Head up the Royal Mile to the mighty ancient fortress which is Edinburgh Castle, and explore St Margaret’s Chapel, the dungeons, soldiers barracks, and visit the Stone of Destiny and the Scottish Crown Jewels. Make sure to be on the battlements come 1 o’clock so you can enjoy the firing of the gun. Later this afternoon, meet your ghoulish guide to descend into the city’s fascinating underground streets for a guided tour. Spend this evening at the Scottish Whisky Society, the perfect celebratory dinner to start your Scottish adventure.

Overnight: Edinburgh | Roseate Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 3 - Sunday 11th May - To Islay

Today your Wilderness guide will meet you in Edinburgh and together you will travel to the west coast before getting the ferry over to Islay. On the way you’ll stop at Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and head to the Bird of Prey Center where you will join a hawk walk with an experienced handler. The hawk will follow you through the trees as you walk and learn about thee amazing birds, there will be the chance to wear the glove and have the hawk land on you to take a treat. Later this afternoon arrive at the coast, there will be time to stretch your legs before getting the evening ferry across to Islay.

Overnight: Port Ellen | The Machrie, Islay
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Monday 12th May - Singing Sands & Distillery Tour

Start the day with a walk to the Singing Sands beach – a beautiful secluded beach where the sands seem to sing when you walk across them. It’s also a great place to watch the ferries coming into Port Ellen Harbour and spot a variety of seabirds. Later, enjoy a tour of one of Islay’s renowned family-run distilleries, where you’ll learn about traditional whisky-making methods and sample a dram or two. Home to nine working distilleries, it’s unsurprising that Islay is affectionately known as the Whisky Island. Return to your hotel this evening and relax, looking out across a view full of waves, sea and sky.

Overnight: Port Ellen | The Machrie, Islay
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Tuesday 13th May - Kilchoman and to Loch Melfort

This morning head to Kilchoman for a salty stroll along the sandy expanse of Machir Bay and enjoy spotting the wonderful flora and fauna that thrive on this wild isle – from pink purslane to peregrines, marsh helleborine to merlin. Afterwards, visit the nearby parish church and graveyard, a place of ancestral importance for you and your family. You might also want to walk to the American Monument, an area of poignant history. Take the late afternoon ferry back to the mainland and settle in to your charming accommodation at Loch Melfort in time for dinner.

Overnight: By Oban | Loch Melfort Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Wednesday 14th May - Kilmartin Glen

This morning head to the historically significant area of Kilmartin. Here you will visit the fascinating exhibits at Kilmartin Museum then head out for a guided walk through the ancient standing stones and burial cairns. After lunch, climb the hill fort of Dunadd, this Iron Age fort dates back over 2000 years and was the centre of power for Gaelic kings who were crowned here. You can still find remarkable carvings in the rocks. Later this afternoon choose to wander the Loch Melfort gardens or relax with a book.

Overnight: By Oban | Loch Melfort Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Thursday 15th May - To Glencoe

This morning you’ll take the small passenger ferry to the Isle of Kerrera, once on the island visit the ruins if Gylen Castle, you may want to stop here to paint or to continue on to walk round the island. Enjoy lunch in the islands tea shop before heading back to the mainland. Travel on to Glencoe stopping on the way to glimpse Castle Stalker—an iconic tower house set on a tidal islet that’s sure to inspire any painter. Arrive in Glencoe, one of Scotland’s best loved glens, whose tragic history is online outmatched by it’s wild beauty, you’ll settle in to your hotel before enjoying a relaxed drink with mountain views and make friends with the stags that roam the area.

Overnight: Glencoe | Kingshouse Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Friday 16th May - Hiking Glencoe

Spend the day hiking with your guide. Choose from one of the many walks in the area, perhaps venturing to the lost valley, a hanging meadow buried high in the hills where the Clans would hide their rustled cattle. Other options include hiking the Paps of Glencoe or, if anyone wants a challenge, heading into the higher hills. Alternatively spend time this afternoon with a book or painting Buachaille Etive Mòr – the great herdsman of Etive, the iconic mountain visible from your hotel. Later this evening, head to a traditional climbers pub for a drink and the chance of some live music.

Overnight: Glencoe | Kingshouse Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 - Saturday 17th May - Return to Edinburgh

After breakfast, head to the Glencoe Centre to learn a little more about the history of the Glen and take a short walk to the reconstructed Tuff house. Then transfer to Edinburgh, stopping along the way for a walk in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Arriving back in the central belt you’ll head to a hotel near the airport where you can settle in and grab dinner before your flights home tomorrow.

 

Overnight: Edinburgh | DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh Airport
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 10 - Sunday 18th May - Depart

After breakfast, head to the airport and arrive relaxed, refreshed and with many lovely memories to cherish for years to come.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Trip Details

Inclusions Read More
  • All accommodation from Day 1 to Day 10
  • Most meals as indicated above
  • Services of an experienced and knowledgeable qualified guide from Day 3 to Day 9
  • Ground transportation from Day 3 to Day 9
  • All guided hikes and activities mentioned in the itinerary including:
    • Edinburgh Castle tickets
    • Walking ghost tour
    • Entry to Glencoe Center
    • Entry to Kilmartin Glen
    • Return ferry to Islay
    • Return ferry to Kerrera
    • Distillery tour
    • Whisky experience and dinner
  • Personalised trip design and delivery
  • Snacks throughout the trip
  • 24-hour in-country support from the Wilderness Team
Exclusions Read More
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Train travel
  • Airport pick up or drop off
  • Meals not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Activities and entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Gratuities
Important Contact Numbers Read More
Wilderness Scotland Office | 9:00am – 5:30pm

UK: +44 (0)1479 420 020
US: 866 740 3890

Out of Office Hours | 5:30pm – 9:00am

+44 (0)7766 794 640

Emergency Services

999

Pricing Read More

The price of this trip is £4150 per person and is based on availability at the time of booking.

Terms & Conditions Read More

Please see our booking terms here.

Accommodation

Roseate Hotel

4 West Coates | Edinburgh |
EH12 5JQ | Scotland
Phone: 07927132696
Web: roseatehotels.com/edinburgh/theroseate/stay

The Machrie, Islay

Port Ellen | Islay |
PA42 7AN | Scotland
Phone: +44 (0)1496 302 310
Web: themachrie.com

Loch Melfort Hotel

Arduaine | By Oban | Argyll |
PA34 4XG | Scotland
Phone: +44 (0) 1852 200 233
Web: lochmelfort.co.uk

Kingshouse Hotel

Glencoe | Ballachulish |
PH49 4HY | Scotland
Phone: +44 (0)1855 851 260
Web: kingshousehotel.co.uk

DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh Airport

Edinburgh International Airport | Edinburgh |
EH28 8LL | Scotland
Phone: +44 (0) 131 519 4400
Web: hilton.com/en/hotels/ediapdi-doubletree-edinburgh-airport

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Cairngorms - Meall a' Bhuachaille - Hiking

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Stag

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A close up photo of bright violet bluebells. The background is blurred, but the colours suggest a lush field of these flowers.

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Glencoe

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Seal

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Trad Music

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A Scottish Adventure

Friday 9th May – Sunday 18th May 2025