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Scotland - Highlands & Islands
Inn-to-Inn Walking Tours
June 2 - 9, 2007 • July 7 - 14, 2007
June 14-21, 2008 • July 19-26, 2008
In the north and west of Scotland lie the Highlands -- moody mountains, Celtic
mists and legends, heather-clad hills and sparkling lochs, and a unique mixture
of scenic splendor and profound tranquility.Walk and hike across this landscape
and on the the Isle of Skye , with its magnificent sea and mountain views. Congenial
hotels provide hospitality, lodging and meals along the way. Our minibus brings
your luggage to the next hotel before you arrive. Walks cover from 3 to 9 miles,
with ascents of 300 to 1300 feet.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive at our hotel in Fort William, which nestles at the foot of Ben Nevis,
Britain's highest mountain. An orientation meeting in the early evening is followed
by a Welcome Dinner.(B)
Day 2 Depart in our minibus for the Glenelg peninsula on Scotland’s west coast.
This delightful and secluded area of the Highlands was immortalized in Gavin Maxwell’s
book, “Ring of Bright Water”. A gentle introductory hike takes us to one of the
mysterious 2000-year-old ‘brochs’ which occur throughout this area. We rejoin
our minibus to continue to the Isle of Skye via the Ratagan Pass, Glenelg and
the romantic Glenelg-Kylerhea ferry. Overnight on the Isle of Skye. (B,L,D)
Day 3 A day touring on Skye. We visit Dunvegan Castle, the ancestral home of
the Chiefs of Macleod, said to be the oldest inhabited castle in the Highlands
and Islands. An opportunity for a boat ride to visit the nearby seal colony in
Loch Dunvegan. Then we drive to the Staffin peninsula and walk up to admire the
spectacular pinnacles of the Storr Rocks. Overnight on the Isle of Skye. (B,L,D)
Day 4 We return to the mainland via the Skye bridge and, after a stop at Kyle
of Lochalsh for routine shopping, drive to Killilan, the starting point for the
first of three linear hikes. At midday we begin our hike, which takes us on an
enchanting route up a heather-covered valley, by rushing streams and through forest,
arriving in the Attadale gardens by the shore of Loch Carron. The day finishes
with a drive to our next hotel at Achnasheen.(B,L,D)
Day 5 Walk through the rugged Ben Damph range by an ancient route used by cattle
drovers in medieval times. Our path leads up a wild Highland Glen, through a rocky
pass, and by small mountain lakes (lochans). We return to Achnasheen for a second
night. (B,L,D)
Day 6 We drive through the Torridon region, with its majestic sandstone mountains,
to reach Diabaig, where Loch Torridon merges with the open sea. Hike by a delightful
coastal path with, on a fine day, superb views across to Skye and The Outer Isles.
Overnight in the beautiful Wester Ross hamlet of Gairloch, overlooking the sea
loch of that name.(B,L,D)
Day 7 A well-earned morning of relaxation in Gairloch, starting with a visit
to the town’s small but fascinating Heritage Museum, and then time free for shopping
or simply browsing. Lunch is taken at the cafeteria at Inverewe Gardens. In the
afternoon we visit the world-renowned tropical gardens, the far-sighted creation
of Osgood Mackenzie in the 1870’s. Our Farewell Dinner rounds off a memorable
week.(B,L,D)
Day 8 Departure after breakfast by minibus to the train station and airport at
Inverness, or beyond.(B)
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