Koronkowski - Exploring Glencoe, Skye and the Cairngorms

Jennifer Koronkowski & Co

Friday 7th February – Friday 14th February 2025

Number of Travellers: 2
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights

Day by Day

Day 1 - Friday 7th February - Stirling Castle and Glencoe

Meet your friendly Wilderness Scotland guide in Edinburgh this morning and head northwest to the small city of Stirling. Enjoy a coffee at a lovely cafe before exploring Stirling Castle, an impressive medieval fortress atop a steep crag. After lunch, we continue our adventure west, travelling through the lush, green folds of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park on our way to Glencoe and your cosy accommodation for the night.

Overnight: Glencoe | Kingshouse Hotel
Room Type: Feature King
Meals Included: Lunch

Day 2 - Saturday 8th February - Hiking in Glencoe

Enjoy breakfast before meeting your guide and heading out to explore Glencoe. The spectacular Glencoe, carved out centuries ago by glaciers and volcanic eruptions, offers some wild and scenic hiking. One great option is to hike along a narrow rowan-hung gorge until you reach the Lost Valley. This enclosed meadow – high, green, and hidden by precipitous tors, is said to be where the Macdonald clan used to conceal their rustled cattle. Surrounded by jagged peaks that shift in and out of mountain mist, visit the Glencoe Center to learn about the landscape’s haunting history.

Overnight: Glencoe | Kingshouse Hotel
Room Type: Feature King
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Sunday 9th February - Kayaking in Arisaig & Over to Skye

Depart Glencoe this morning and travel along the stunning Road to the Isles to the beautiful white sandy beaches of Arisaig Sound. Meet your expert sea-kayaking guide and head out into the turquoise water to explore. Sea kayak around hundreds of tiny islands, spotting seals, otters, and a host of coastal birds. The seal colony here is friendly and curious, often slipping beneath your boat only to pop up on the other side to peer at you with their big dark eyes. Once back on shore, a short ferry will take you from Mallaig to the iconic Isle of Skye where you can settle in to your accommodation for the evening.

Overnight: Portree | The Bosville
Room Type: Standard Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Monday 10th February - Exploring the Misty Isle

This morning head out with your guide to explore the dramatic landscape of the Quiraing on the northern peninsula of Skye. As you walk, admire the stark rock formations that rise from the rugged ground like the great ruined battlements of a long-forgotten war. Chat with your guide about the geology and history of the area, enjoying the incredible sweeping views of the islands, mountains and sun-clipped shores that stretch in every direction. This afternoon, visit Dunvegan Castle, a Hebridean fortress which has been home to the same family for over 800 years. Learn about the family ancestry and stroll around the formal gardens, perhaps pausing for a home bake and cup of tea, all the while admiring the stunning views.

Overnight: Portree | The Bosville
Room Type: Standard Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Tuesday 11th February - Boat Trip & Hiking to the Wild Loch Coruisk

This morning you head out to explore the secretive Loch Coruisk with your guide. From the tiny fishing village of Elgol you take a boat trip to the heart of the Black Cuillin mountains which tower above the blue waters of the loch. Along the way you can spot seals and perhaps dolphins in the coastal waters. The boat will drop you at the remote southern end of the loch and you can drink in the atmosphere of this stupendous place as you hike around the loch. Today is sure to be a highlight of the trip with memories to cherish.

Overnight: Portree | The Bosville
Room Type: Standard Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Wednesday 12th February - Cairngorms National Park

Travel back to the mainland this morning, passing Eilean Donan Castle along the way, an iconic fortress perched upon a tidal island at the intersection of three sea lochs. We continue our journey through the striking landscape, arriving at Dundreggan Rewilding Centre to enjoy lunch. Afterwards, continue your journey, heading south into the Cairngorms National Park, the largest in the UK. Settle into your welcoming highland accommodation for a relaxing evening.

Overnight: Aviemore | Ravenscraig Guest House
Room Type: Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Thursday 13th February - Photography Workshop

Begin your day immersed in the stunning wilderness of the Cairngorms National Park when you join a local photographer for a landscape photography workshop. Under his expert guidance you’ll explore the art of capturing the park’s dramatic scenery, from rolling heather-clad hills to ancient Caledonian forests. Later today, if time allows, rejoin your Wilderness Scotland guide for a short but stunning walk around a nearby loch, complete with it’s own castle ruins in the centre. Settle back into your accommodation and enjoy your final night in the Highlands.

Overnight: Aviemore | Ravenscraig Guest House
Room Type: Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Friday 14th February - Uath Lochans and Depart

After a tasty breakfast, join your guide and head out for a short but spectacular walk to complete your time in the Cairngorms. The Uath Lochans, known locally as the Paw Print Lochans, are a hive of biodiversity. Raised boardwalks wind through reedy marshlands. Look out for a glimpse of the occasional frog and the glittering wings of dragonflies as they dart over the wetlands. A short transfer back to Aviemore will have you finish at the train station, where you can begin your homeward journey.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Trip Details

Inclusions Read More
  • All accommodation from Day 1 to Day 8
  • Most meals as indicated above
  • Services of an experienced and knowledgeable qualified guide from Day 1 to Day 8
  • Ground transportation from Day 1 to Day 8 including ferries
  • All guided hikes and activities mentioned in the itinerary
  • Entry to Stirling Castle
  • Entry to Glencoe Visitor Centre
  • Private sea kayaking in Arisaig
  • Bella Jane boat trip on Skye
  • Entry to Dunvegan Castle
  • Private photography workshop
  • 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
  • Gratuities
Notes Read More
  • All suggested accommodations and services are subject to availability at the time of booking
  • A 25% deposit is required before any accommodation and services will be confirmed
  • This quote is valid for 14 days from the date quoted, after this time pricing may be subject to revision
Pricing Read More

The price of this trip is £6,489 per person and is based on availability at the time of booking.

Terms & Conditions Read More

Please see our booking terms here.

Get in Touch


Accommodation

Kingshouse Hotel

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

The Bosville

Portree | Isle of Skye |
IV51 9DG | Scotland
Phone: +44 (0)1478 612846
Web: perlehotels.com/the-bosville

Ravenscraig Guest House

141 Grampian Road | Aviemore |
PH22 1RP | Scotland
Phone: +44 (0)1479 810278
Web: ravenscraighouse.co.uk