SCOTLAND SELF-GUIDED WALKING TOUR
Explore wild romantic Scotland by rail - traveling in style.

Self-guided or guided railway adventure tour, 9 days from and to Edinburgh, with three different choices of accommodation.

Also as an option "Walking in Scotland away from roads - (self-guided tour)": you receive from us detailed descriptions of a superb choice of idyllic shorter and rewarding longer walks which you can enjoy on this tour.

Traveling by train through Scotland combines the romance of the railways with the enjoyment, in comfort, of overwhelming natural beauty. Queen Victoria and countless writers, composers, poets and painters have known the value of this mode of travel. Allow yourself to be captivated by the enchantment as slowly rising mists reveal the romantic scenery of isolated glens. Discover the landscape, from the wild flower meadows of the island valleys to the fascinating world of mountain and waterfall in the northern Highlands. Rail travel in Scotland has a romance all its own.

The special charms of a train journey through Scotland are the distant views of tremendous cliffs and ancient castles, of empty moorland and misty peaks, of lochs and glens, giving way to isolated beaches of white sand and dreamy vistas over the Hebridean islands, or to a picturesque fishing village.

Be astonished by the achievements of pioneering engineers, such as the world-famous Forth Railway Bridge and the bold viaducts of the West Highland Line. Encounter the impressive monuments of Scotland's eventful history as you follow winding rail tracks through deep glens.

The capital city, Edinburgh, with its abundant choice of cultural activities, and a flexible and varied sightseeing program which includes castles, distilleries, woolen mills, cozy little Highland towns and many other attractions complement a successful discovery tour of Scotland.

As a variation, the self-guided walking tour away from roads: would you like a superb choice of idyllic shorter and rewarding longer walks and demanding all day hikes described in detail which you can enjoy on this tour?

The trains all have open-plan carriages with large windows and comfortable seats, normally in double rows or single seats facing rearward as well as forward. There are many tables for four people. All trains have drinks and snacks available, generally served from a small trolley which is pushed through the compartments.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
All packages include the following: 8 nights in room with bath/shower and WC, 8 full Scottish breakfasts, all train, ferry and bus journeys in the itinerary, Edinburgh City Tour, welcome drink, maps, vouchers and comprehensive information package for clients, airport transfers by bus, transfers from station to hotel whenever the hotel is more than 3 minutes on foot from the station, 24 hour telephone service.
 

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Scotland de Luxe - The Whisky Trail and More!

Experience Scotland, its wealth of wildlife and landscapes, its innumerable lochs and imposing mountains. Deep green glens, jagged coastlines fretted by sea lochs, and the northern Scottish world of mountain range and waterfall promise you unforgettable memories of a famously beautiful countryside.
This unique and spellbinding scenery, shrouded in mists from which emerge ruined strongholds, castles and stately homes, has a mysterious and fascinating atmosphere.

You discover Scotland by traveling in style on an exclusive 9 day tour packed with visits and experiences. What really makes Scotland truly unique is that this is the countryside that produces whisky. More than two thousand different blended whiskies and around 120 single malts. We sample many malts right at their source in the Highland distilleries.

After incomparable Edinburgh you explore the Lowlands and then enter the most beautiful areas of the Highlands. The rugged Hebridean island of Skye with its fairy tale glens, together with the one and only Malt Whisky Trail in idyllic Speyside, are but two of the highlights of your journey of discovery. You follow this fascinating theme of whisky in its finest manifestations. In the course of this exceptional tour we look behind many normally closed doors. By way of Inverness and Loch Ness we return once more to Edinburgh.

You stay in very good small hotels in stylish surroundings with personal attention. You eat generous breakfasts and invariably excellent three course dinners. Your friendly guide is an expert on Scotch whisky, as well as on the culture, the history and the countryside of Scotland.

Travelling as a V.I.P., you discover the secrets of the classic flavors in distilleries specially chosen for you. High points of the Whisky Tour, are, among others, the interesting Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre; tastings of soft Glenkinchie, light Glengoyne, smoky Talisker, impressive Tomatin and famous Glenfiddich; as well as visits to a traditional cooperage and Scotland's smallest distillery, Edradour. To end your tour of discovery with a special treat, the most highly regarded whisky club in the world, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, opens its doors just for you. Such good access is only exceptionally granted to non-members. By the end of your tour you are a true whisky connoisseur - as the certificates we issue confirm.

A wealth of cultural opportunities and a flexible and varied sightseeing program with many highlights round off an unforgettable visit to Scotland.
These include castles, fortresses, a ducal seat, mysterious stone circles, and a woolen mill, to say nothing of Scotland's cultural heart, Edinburgh; small friendly Highland towns like Inverness; romantic fishing villages, and many other interesting sights. We bring you into intimate contact with Scotland and the Scots. On the last evening of the tour you play a traditional game of skittles in Edinburgh's oldest pub - prepare yourself for a surprise.


The Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Edinburgh, welcome by tour guide, transfer to hotel. Free time to relax, meet one another, dinner.

Day 2: In the morning a city tour of Edinburgh's highlights. If a rewarding stay in one of in one of Europe's most beautiful cities is for you, then you have come to exactly the right place. Among the picture book scenes of the medieval old town and the fascinating attractions of the adjoining new town (250 years old!), we can comfortably discover the sightseeing highlights by tour bus or, quite easily, on foot. You will respond enthusiastically to the extremely welcoming atmosphere of this friendly city.

Next a visit to the unique Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre. On the exceptionally interesting guided tour we obtain a profound insight into what whisky means to Scotland. In the afternoon we drive to beautiful East Lothian, and on the way we go for a short stroll on one of the North Sea coast's finest beaches, followed by a visit to our first whisky distillery, where we sample Scotland's water of life. Glenkinchie Single Malt has a very pleasing, well balanced, mild flavor. Indeed, it is often sold as a "Ladies' Whisky". Glenkinchie is a leading brand and well liked by connoisseurs.

After an excellent dinner in the hotel restaurant, a pub crawl is on offer, of course, visiting some of Edinburgh's older pubs. Or we can take a historic ghost tour through the darkest alleyways of the medieval old town.
Dr Jekyll or some other long dead Edinburgh character will guide us in person. (optional)
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Day 3: Travel to Stirling and the Trossachs. We visit fascinating Stirling Castle and learn about the eventful history of the medieval fortress, including, among other things, the first documented reference to Scotland's "Aqua Vitae". It goes without saying that it's about a whisky - "water of life" - order for the king's court.

The next whisky distillery on our program is Glengoyne. With a dram (small glass) of Glengoyne's single malt we bid farewell to the "Lowland malts". Our minds are now concentrated on the Highlands.

We drive to the western Highlands and into the real movie Scotland. Here the Scottish films Braveheart, Rob Roy and Highlander were shot. You encounter the open spaces of Rannoch Moor and the incomparable "Glen of Weeping", Glencoe. In wonderful scenery such as that of Loch Lubnaig we will certainly linger awhile.

Our next hotel is in the neighborhood of Fort William. Here we have something special to stir the imagination. We stay in a hotel converted from a former royal hunting lodge. Here the whisky tastes even better!

In the evening you could play safe by trying out one of the milder tasting whiskies. But why not sample one of Islay's smoky malts? You will find both in plentiful supply in the hotel bar, where the manager will be happy to advise you personally. Slainte! Whatever you do, don't miss out on the classic Scottish dessert, Cranachan.

Day 4: You will enjoy beautiful scenery on today's journey to the little coastal town of Kyle of Lochalsh. En route we stop to photograph Eilean Donan Castle, the castle of the film "Highlander"

Over the second longest single span bridge in the world we reach the unique Hebridean Island of Skye. On our circular tour of Skye we see the Cuillin Hills, regarded as the finest mountain range in Britain. In the little island capital, Portree, we have a brief lunch break. Anyone who wants to can use the break to take an idyllic short coastal walk.

Next we visit the Talisker whisky distillery, because one cannot possibly miss out on one of the celebrated classic island malts. The smoky Talisker Single Malt is definitely one of the finest.

Late in the afternoon we leave Skye with a pleasant ferry trip over the Sound of Sleat from Armadale to Mallaig. The journey continues past Europe's deepest inland lake, Loch Morar, along the Road to the Isles, famous in song, and back to our hotel.

Day 5: In Fort William we should be able to take a short morning break. A possibility is to take the cable car up on to Aonach Mor to get a wonderful view of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Those travelers who are ever thirsting for more can pay an optional visit to the Ben Nevis distillery.

Even without the aid of whisky our onward journey could bring a very spiritual experience, for now comes the beautiful Great Glen whose main attraction is legendary Loch Ness, complete, of course, with the monster, Nessie. But Nessie is certainly no phantom; she really is there. One possibility is an interesting trip on Loch Ness with a demonstration of sonar in a sonar-equipped boat.

At Inverness is the interesting Moniack winery, but in Scotland we prefer to concentrate on the "water of life" and its associated products, while we enjoy wine in southern lands. A short stroll in attractive Inverness along the banks of the River Ness is worthwhile, or a visit to the excellent "Pringles Weavers of Inverness" Woolen Mill. Here, besides the very interesting permanent display of wool production, one can also buy top quality woolens direct from the manufacturer.

Continuing the journey, you encounter one of the best preserved prehistoric sites in Scotland. Three identical stone circles and tombs radiate an atmosphere of mystery and enchantment.

Now there is time for the nearby and, until the year 2000, largest Scottish whisky distillery. During a visit to Tomatin Distillery you find out a lot about the brands produced here. Incidentally, Tomatin whisky is found in many other brands such as Johnnie Walker, J&B and Ballantines. There is also a Tomatin single malt which we shall sample.
 

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Day 4:  Short ferry journey to the island of Hoy, a paradise for hikers and for nature. Today many seals will certainly keep us company on the boat trip. Hoy is a nature reserve. We enjoy a varied walk through fairy tale glens to the rock stack of the Old Man of Hoy and along 300 meter high cliffs, where puffins breed. In landscape terms this is a highlight of any Scottish tour, further enhanced by the wildlife. Where else would you go to see such a large breeding colony of great skuas, as well as arctic skuas, red throated divers, razorbills and guillemots? But watch out for the great skuas, or "bonxies" as they are known locally, which defend their nest sites even against people.

Two nights in Kirkwall. In the glow of the evening light, perhaps we can summon up the will or the energy to visit the Ring of Brodgar and the Stones
of Stenness, two of the best preserved stone circles in the world. In addition Kirkwall can offer you plenty of historical interest on both days. We will not miss out the Churchill Barriers, Scapa Flow and the Italian
Chapel.

Day 5: Ferry trip back to the mainland. Today we encounter "the wild, wild west". We drive along Scotland's north coast through Sutherland (so named by the Vikings for whom it was indeed a southern land) and Wester Ross. These landscapes are supremely wild and little changed since the last ice age. Sutherland is part of a region which is the least populated in all Europe. Today we see rare moorland and coastal plants, and, of course, wildly
romantic landscapes, as well as deserted, kilometer-long, white, sandy beaches - not forgetting the world's most northerly palm tree. We spend the night in the small town of Ullapool.

Day 6: We begin with the geologically extremely interesting and very deep Corrieshalloch Gorge. Who will trust themselves to the shaky bridge above the waterfall? Further on, and sheltered in a bay warmed by the Gulf Stream, lie the totally unexpected and wonderful subtropical Inverewe Gardens. Sightseeing with free time. As the journey continues, we encounter ever more impressive landscapes. We enjoy an unforgettable drive beside picturesque Loch Maree. Then Torridon makes the hearts of any climbers beat faster. At Loch Duich we stop at famous Eilean Donan Castle (featured in the film, "Highlander"). Through wild Kintail, and by way of the geological fault of the Great Glen, and a little later via Fort William, we continue our journey to the ferry crossing to the Isle of Mull. This evening we can amuse ourselves with a ceilidh when you can practice some Highland dancing under the guidance of your tour leader.

Day 7: After the strenuous activities of the previous day we can choose to take things a little easier. We decide for ourselves the evening before.

Possibility 1: In Tobermory there is a successful nature conservation project which concerns itself with whales and dolphins. There is the possibility of organizing a whole day's boat trip to look for sea mammals. The price is dependent on the size of the group.

Possibility 2:  First we visit the picture book Torosay Castle with its superb gardens. This laird's house is very welcoming, with hardly any barriers, and above much of the furniture is a notice inviting you to take a seat. Then we continue, according to the wishes of the group, either to beautiful Loch Buie and nature observation, an ancient castle, a cliff walk and stone circle. Or we drive to the pretty little island capital, Tobermory. Its colorfully painted fishermen's houses overlooking the harbor bay and its friendly inhabitants give Tobermory an exceptionally homely and welcoming feel. Here the locals and the visitors have plenty of time and peace to allow each day to take its course. Relax on a guided tour of Tobermory whisky distillery, with a sampling of Scotland's "water of life". Enjoy lunch in a traditional pub or a real British afternoon tea in one of the pleasant tea rooms with a panoramic view of the harbor and the sea. Many small shops sell interesting and tasteful souvenirs, jewelry and the products of local craftsmen. There are also interesting visits to be made to the Tobermory chocolate factory or to Sgriob Ruadh cheese farm. Both the chocolates and the traditional cheese are splendid. A coastal walk to the picturesque lighthouse, from which one can often see dolphins, or a stroll along the attractive seafront and into Aros Park concludes a rewarding day. (all entry fees in Tobermory optional).

After dinner in a fish restaurant (optional) we take a look at the renowned Mishnish pub in Tobermory which has been chosen as the friendliest pub in Scotland. Second night on Mull.

Day 8: We visit the sacred island of Iona, "the cradle of Christianity'. The geology of Iona is surprisingly different from that of Mull, although the
islands lie so close together. On Iona we find the rare ecosystem of "Machair", typical only of the Outer Hebrides, where particular grasses and flowers grow on the sandy soil. In addition to seals and many types of sea bird, with any luck we should perhaps see a sea eagle, a golden eagle, and, hopefully, an otter, or even dolphins or whales. We might even glimpse a rare corncrake on Iona, where they are making a comeback.

First by tour bus to Fionnphort and then by small passenger ferry over clear blue water we go to Iona. We see impressively carved Celtic crosses and romanticaly situated ruins and have the choice of a visit to the historicaly significant site of Iona Abbey. From here St Columba sent out his missionaries and warriors to convert the natives and to many parts of
Continental Europe. In the oldest graveyard in Scotland Scottish, Irish and Norwegian royalty are buried - amongst others, Macbeth and Duncan. We explore the island on foot and experience the spiritual tranquility of the island. Our walk takes us along empty white beaches, through dramatic rock scenery and over smooth green hillocks. We get magical views of the Hebridean islands. Alternatively on this day participants can take a boat  trip from Fionnphort to the island of Staffa, famous for its spectacular rock formations, unique basalt columns and Fingal's Cave. Staffa inspired Mendelssohn to compose his Hebridean Overture. After you have landed on Staffa, the boat brings you to Iona. You then have plenty of time to visit Iona Abbey.

The eventful day's program is made complete with a wonderful bus tour of south-eastern Mull. We follow the rest of the route of David Balfour's escape from his kidnappers after his stranding on Iona in Robert Louis Stevenson's novel "Kidnapped". Depending on the time left, we visit Duart Castle (optional), seat of the chiefs of Clan MacLean, where the present chief may be in residence.

Day 9: Ferry from Mull to Oban. Wonderfully scenic journey to Edinburgh Airport and return flight, or to the start of the next program.

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GUIDED WALKING TOURS
IN THE HEART OF SCOTLAND

A leisurely walking holiday with an experienced guide and many opportunities to make friends. A charmingly situated hotel with plenty of chances for cultural and sporting leisure activities. Discovering an outstandingly beautiful region of Scotland. An activity holiday for couples, families and singles, offering excellent value for money.

A secret the Scots keep to themselves: Pitlochry in the county of Perthshire.

The heart of Scotland is a country of mountains, lochs and rushing waters. Here you can enjoy walking in idyllic surroundings while making new friends. Your tour guide knows the area intimately and will be delighted to introduce you to Scotland's culture, country and people.

Pitlochry is a friendly, picturesque little highland town on the banks of the River Tummel and Loch Faskally, with numerous shops and banks, restaurants and cozy, traditional pubs. Pleasurable outings may be made to the famous fish ladder, to the smallest whisky distillery in Scotland or to the internationally-renowned Festival Theatre.

Our hotel, from which you can take many a stroll or longer walk, is a fine Victorian building situated peacefully above the attractive little town. It is a very good three-star hotel with cozy public rooms, a homely bar, a tastefully-furnished dining room and a swimming pool and modern sports and leisure centre available to residents free of charge. The bedrooms, with en suite shower/bath/WC, are modern, comfortably furnished and have TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee-making facilities.

The meals included in the price consist of a plentiful breakfast each day and five excellent evening dinners. The chef is delighted to cook vegetarian dishes and attend to your dietary needs. One can buy a good, low-cost packed lunch for walks and other outings.

The neighborhood offers many creative and leisure opportunities, such as cycling, mountain biking, swimming, sailing, rowing, canoeing, kayaking, golf, tennis, riding, fishing, or mountaineering.

Extensive cultural choices include the ducal seat of Blair Castle, medieval castles, whisky distilleries, museums of Scottish life and history, medieval churches and cathedrals, as well as the galleries of local artists. Drama at Pitlochry's Festival Theatre, the Highland Games, and other events where you can meet the locals, enhance the wealth of holiday experiences. You can organize your own bus or rail trips from Pitlochry to discover, for example, Loch Ness, Inverness, Edinburgh and much more of Scotland.

Pitlochry meets all the requirements of the landscape painter or photographer. Materials can be obtained locally. Interesting little shops in Pitlochry and Perth tempt the souvenir-hunting shopper.

Walks
Perthshire is one of Scotland's most beautiful walking areas. Three guided all-day walks and one half-day walk are already included in the price and range from peaceful strolls along branching footpaths among woods and lochs, with lunch breaks in picturesque villages and cozy pubs, to a hill walking expedition. Individual walks will be tailored to suit the interests and stamina of the group. Often you can cut a walk shorter or extend it to suit yourself. We generally follow established footpaths, enabling us to enjoy the romantic world of mountains, waterfalls and lochs whose ever-changing greens, blues and greys give the landscape endless variety. You need to be reasonably fit and able to walk for at least three to four hours.
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WALKING IN SCOTLAND - IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ROB ROY

A Guided Walking and Sightseeing Tour through the Western Highlands with an Introductory Coach or Minibus Tour of Scotland

Our walking tour explores the most scenic regions of the Scottish Highlands. You will discover, on foot, the wide-open spaces of the Highlands and relax in the evenings in small, quality hotels which pride themselves on their personal service and excellent food. The walking part of the trip is based on just two hotels. Our walks take us through the locations of famous films such as "Braveheart", "Rob Roy" and "The Highlander". To finish off your tour you will be taken south through Scotland to Edinburgh.

General Description of the Itinerary
An experienced walking and tour guide who has lived in Scotland for many years will accompany you.

The essence of the walking tour is the experience of the countryside rather than arduous physical exertion. It includes parts of the West Highland Way with optional ascents to the high tops, walks through some of the most beautiful of the Scottish glens, and across wild moorland; there is also a chance to climb Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, and to explore some mountain ridges. An eventful day's journey at the end of the walking tour takes you through Scotland, the length of the Great Glen, from Fort Augustus, alongside Loch Ness to the Highland capital, Inverness, south through the Grampian Mountains, and over the Forth Bridge to Edinburgh where we show you round the Scottish capital.

The sightseeing highlights of the trip include a city tour of Edinburgh; visits to a whisky distillery and to one of the best preserved prehistoric stone circles in Scotland; a journey on the West Highland Railway Line across wild, romantic Rannoch Moor and an excursion to Loch Ness, where there is the chance of a boat trip. If you wish, a Scottish evening can be arranged.

You do not have to be an experienced walker, but you should have the physical ability to walk for up to six hours. Strenuous or challenging elements of the walks can be avoided by easy alternative routes which your guide can arrange. On the other hand, you can take a day off from walking if you prefer to relax, or you might like to hire a mountain bike for a day, or visit an interesting museum.

Walking and touring groups are small so that we can give you personal attention. The smallest viable group is of six people, though usually a group consists of twelve to sixteen people. On the walks you need carry only a small day-sack to hold your packed lunch and camera. In most instances the walk starts directly from the hotel you are staying in. Where transport is needed to the start of a walk we try to use the West Highland Railway wherever it is convenient. Thus the journey to the walk is itself an enjoyable experience, away from cars and roads.

DO YOU WANT TO EXTEND YOUR TOUR?
This holiday combines perfectly with the following tours: "In the Heart of Scotland" (walking, culture and sport based on one centre, great value) "Islands and Highlands" (Mull, Iona, Skye, and Western Highlands) "Northern Highlights" (Orkney and Shetland Islands and Sutherland) "Scotland in Style - Railway Adventure" (guided or self-guided) "We organize your own individual holiday extension

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
The walking tour price includes all visits, guides, entry fees, railway journeys and transfers as detailed in the program; experienced walking and tour guide; seven nights in very good small hotels with en-suite rooms and full Scottish breakfast, five three course dinners and five packed lunches; airport transfers, luggage transfer, maps as required and welcoming drink.




 

Daily Itineraries

Day 1. Arrival in Glasgow by 3:00pm. Transfer to your hotel in the Crianlarich area. Getting to know one another and dinner.

Day 2. Walk the West Highland Way amid beautiful and varied mountain scenery, through woods and open country with superb views, following historic routes used by Scottish clansmen. Very brief ascents and descents, ideal for the first day's walking. Duration about 6 hours. 21km (13 ½ miles)

Day 3. Walk Today you have a choice of 2 routes: most often walkers choose the seductively beautiful level or slightly undulating and less demanding route along a former military road. Duration 4 to 5 hours. 16 km (10 miles). The alternative route for all or for part of the group consists of steep ascents and descents and leads you over 3 summits with breathtaking panoramic views. Duration 10 hours. 28 kilometers (17 ½ miles).

Day 4. Walk Rannoch Moor. Walk across the wilderness of Rannoch Moor. It is one of the last vast areas of unspoiled nature in Europe, with its own flora and fauna. The walk takes you past picturesque lochs with wide, sandy beaches, far from roads and civilization. If the mythical creatures of Scottish folklore still exist anywhere, then it must be here! Duration 6 or 7 hours. 22 kilometers (13 ½ miles). This fascinating day is rounded off by a railway journey to Fort William. Enjoy going to a pub or attending a Scottish evening.

Day 5. Walk Ben Nevis. Ascend to the summit of the highest mountain in Great Britain, Ben Nevis, 1343 meters. Duration 8 hours. 16 kilometers (10 miles).
During the ascent, especially from the summit, you will be rewarded by very impressive panoramic views. In ideal weather conditions you can see most of the Scottish Highlands and many of the Hebridean islands. An alternative walk is offered through Glen Nevis with its spectacular waterfalls. Duration from 3 to 6 hours.

Day 6. Walk Glencoe. Journey into Glencoe, famed in history. Visit the Hidden Valley or choose alternative routes according to the walking abilities of the group. Or walk the final stretch of the West Highland Way. Duration 6 hours. 21 kilometers (13 ½ miles).

Day 7. Coach or minibus (depending on size of group) to Edinburgh. After a week's walking we relax on an extensive tour of the Great Glen and the Caledonian Canal to Loch Ness, followed by a short tour of Inverness, the Highland capital. You can visit a woolen mill and enjoy a guided tour of a whisky distillery with a chance to taste the Scottish elixir of life. After visiting the Culloden battlefield and a beautifully preserved prehistoric stone circle, you travel to Edinburgh where you enjoy a short city tour. As an optional extra you can take a ghost tour, a traditional Scottish evening, or a pub-crawl.

Day 8. Edinburgh and Departure or Transfer to the Second Week's Tour. Depending on travel arrangements, free time in Edinburgh, transfer to the airport and departure, or transfer to the next tour.

A guided walking and sightseeing tour in the Hebridean islands of Mull, Iona and Skye, and in the Western Highlands with a coach or minibus tour of Western Scotland.

Our walking tour takes you through the most scenic areas of the Western Isles and the West Coast of Scotland. You discover the romantic wildness and peace of the islands and the open spaces of the Western Highlands on foot; and stay in small, quality hotels with personal service and good food.
During the whole journey there are only two changes of hotel. Experience the fascinating monuments of Scotland's eventful past and round off your holiday with a coach or minibus trip through the mountains and past the lochs of Scotland's western mainland.

General Description of the Tour

An experienced walking and tour guide who has lived in Scotland for many years will accompany you.

The essence of the tour is to engage with the countryside, rather than in strenuous mountain sports. It includes idyllic island walks through wild glens, past picturesque lochs and empty white beaches. You discover fishing villages and walk along cliffs with magical views of the Hebridean island seascapes. Enjoy many boat trips and picnics at deserted beaches. In addition, the tour also allows you the option of more demanding mountain walks - such as the ascent of Ben More, Mull's highest mountain- or even more challenging walks. A whole day's exploration by coach or minibus (depending on the size of group) gives you an eventful day's trip through western Scotland, taking in the Western Highlands, the dramatic scenery of Glencoe and the wilderness of Rannoch Moor before taking the road south, following a route parallel to the old West Highland Way, to Loch Lomond and Glasgow.

The Sightseeing Highlights of the journey include the Isle of Iona, renowned as the cradle of Christianity in Scotland; the fortress of Duart Castle, ancient seat of the Macleans, or the impressive Torosay Castle; Castle Tioram; the picturesque village of Inveraray, where you can visit the stately Inveraray Castle, home of the Dukes of Argyll, or the interesting museum housed in the old Inveraray Gaol. If you wish, you can participate in a Scottish evening.
If you prefer to be independent, you can choose your own activity as an alternative to the guided walk: for instance, excursions to fishing villages, to the little town of Tobermory, the 'capital' of Mull, to the impressive island of Staffa with its extraordinary rock formations, or to other islands such as Muck, Eigg or Rhum. You can visit Tobermory whisky distillery or Britain's smallest theatre, or relax on a railway journey on the historic West Highland Line, passing the impressive monument in Glenfinnan, which commemorates the raising of Bonnie Prince Charlie's standard in 1745, and lovely Loch Morar, the deepest fresh water in Europe.

Also you can visit the seat of the Macdonalds, Armadale Castle and its gardens, or prehistoric stone circles, and you can discover the country, the people and their traditional food and drink in cozy tearooms and characterful pubs where you can learn a great deal from talking to the locals. All these outings you can arrange for yourself.

You do not have to be an experienced walker, but you should have the physical stamina to walk for up to five hours.

You walk and travel in small groups which ensures personal attention. The smallest viable number for a group is 6 people, though usually a group consists of 12 to 16 people. Your luggage is transferred for you from hotel to hotel. All you need to carry is a small day sack for your packed lunch, camera and other essentials. Most of the time, walks leave directly from the hotel you are staying in. If we have to transport you to the start of a walk, we try to avoid using the bus, instead taking a train or boat whenever possible. By doing this, the transfer itself becomes something special and you can enjoy your holiday away from roads and cars. Extensions to your holiday can be arranged by us in hotels, B and Bs and self-catering holiday cottages in the Islands, Western Highlands, or in Glasgow or Edinburgh.


This tour can ideally be booked in combination with our walking and sightseeing tour in the Western Highlands - In the Footsteps of Rob Roy.

Tariff The walking tour price includes all sightseeing visits, entry fees, guides, ferry crossings, railway journeys and transfers described in the program; experienced walking and tour guide; seven nights in good small hotels with en suite rooms and full Scottish breakfast, four dinners, airport