Itinerary

September 8: We'll pick you up mid-morning in Glasgow, either at Glasgow Central Station or Glasgow Airport, around 10am. The Western Highlands are about 4 hours away and the drive there takes us through some of the Highlands most famous and scenic landscapes: along the shores of Loch Lomond, through dramatic Glen Coe, past Britain's highest mountain Ben Nevis, and along the shores of Loch Garry and Loch Cluanie. We'll stop along the way for a hike to stretch our legs and start getting  adjusted to Scottish trails. In late afternoon we arrive in the small town of Shiel Bridge, surrounded by the peaks of the Kintail mountains.  Our home for the next 3 nights, Kintail Lodge, is located right on the shore of Loch Duich. Converted from an old shooting lodge, each of the ensuite bedrooms has a view either of the Loch or mountains. Tonight we'll eat dinner at the lodge and have our first chance to sample traditional Scottish fare.

September 9: After a hearty Scottish breakfast today we enjoy an excellent first day's walking in the wide river valley Gleann Licht, a quintessential wild Highland glen. At the end of the valley we'll climb our first pass into the wide mountain scenery and admire an impressive (and refreshing) waterfall. This is a good stopping point for those who want to relax;  the walk can be extended an additional six miles for those who want a full circuit over partly wild and boggy ground.
Hiking: 3-5 hours with breaks, alt 1500 feet
 
September 10:  We spend today on nearby Glen Elg Peninsula. Like almost everywhere here, it is wild, remote, rugged - and absolutely gorgeous. Our hike first takes us uphill to a well-preserved but unexcavated broch, the mysterious ruined towers left to us by the Pictish people who inhabited Scotland 2000 years ago. After time to poke around, our hike then continues on a trail high above the coast, looking across the sea to the Isle of Skye. We'll be met by our van at the end of the hike, just in time for a picnic lunch that we'll be ready for. We'll visit another broch, this one more completely excavated, and stop for tea and cake at the only organic farm on the island. Driving further along the wild coastline we arrive in the tiny and romantic village of Corran, literally the end of the road. Here our path takes us along a beautiful pebble beach, through heather and oak forests, always with magnificent views over to Skye and the lonely valleys of Knoydart, an even more remote peninsula, and its big mountain, Labhar Bhein. How far we walk depends on the time and tides, and we'll return to Kintail for another delicious dinner.  Walking: 3 - 4 hours, undulating on rough and wet path.
 
September 11:  Leaving Kintail this morning we drive to the picturesque coastal town of Plockton, stopping to hike a couple of hours along the way. We'll reach Plockton in time to enjoy ne of the popular activities here: seal watching. Not only will we have a chance to see seals, we can also admire the coastline from the sea.  Plockton is considered one of the Jewels on the western Highland. In addition to seals, there are paths with wonderful coast views and many interesting shops to wander through. It also has many delightful pubs and tonight those of us who choose can visit one to listen to traditional Scottish folk music. Walking: 2 hours

September 12: Our excursion today is into the spectacular rocky high mountains of Torridon with an inspiring hike into quite a different landscape: a wonderful walk up the high valley of Duibh Mhor, along the mighty walls of Torridon's giant Liathach.
In the afternoon our drive continues along the northern coastline of the stunning and remote peninsula Applecross. Its only village lies in a sheltered bay and offers perfect views, once more, across to the islands of Skye and Raasay. We'll stop for dinner at the Applecross Inn, situated right on the coast and with food to match. Our return journey takes us over a breathtakingly alpine pass back to what seems like lively civilization.  Walking: 3.5 hours 
 
September 13:  This morning we'll drive to the Isle of Skye and Sligachan, the heart of the famous Isle where all mountain paths and hill walkers meet. We take one of the few paths in the inaccessible Cuillin mountains into the high valley of Coire Lagan where we can sit by the lake, eat our lunch, and watch the climbers on their ropes on far less obvious routes up the mountains. On our way down we are spoilt for a choice of views: the spectacular silhouettes of the Small Isles, Rum, Eigg and Canna and the coastline of Skye. Those who prefer a less strenuous hike can take a coastal path to the ruins of an old village further up the coast. We'll gather again at the van for the short drive to the Old Inn at Carbost, a traditional hikers inn and cozy home for the next 2 nghts. Walking: 4 Hours with breaks
 
September 14: We'll start today with a visit to the famous Talisker Whiskey Distillery, located right up the road from the Inn. Whether you like whiskey or not, Scottish whiskey is an important part of the history and culture, and learning how its made is an opportunity not to be missed. From there we visit the north of the island, offering sandy beaches, cliffs, and rocky table mountains. These are the lands of Clan McLeod. Along the way we'll stop to watch the seals that can often be seen on the rocks below. We'll first visit that rarest of beaches on the island- a white sand beach, a result of the coral there.  From there we'll go to the Neist Lighthouse, the furthermost eastern point on the Isle of Skye. Its dramatic setting also makes it one of the most photographer lighthouses in Scotland, and we'll have time to walk out to see it.  Walking: 2.5-3 hours total

September 15: The 'Fairy Pools' in Glen Brittle are very beautiful in the morning and make a lovely finale for the trip. Surrounded by the peaks of the Cuillins, it can be an out and back or a loop hike that, depending on the weather, can include a dip in the deliciously fresh waters of the burn. We have a couple of hours here before starting our hour-long drive to the ferry that takes us back to the mainland. The ferry takes us to the lively fishing town Mallaig on the mainland and along the spectacular "Road to the Isles" with its sparkly white sandy beaches, romantic sea lochs and, of course, the now famous rail viaduct Harry Potter passes on his way to school. We arrive in Glasgow around 6pm. That evening we'll go out to a local restaurant for our final farewell dinner.

September 16: You are free to leave anytime this morning.

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