YOUR 6 DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1 We depart from our designated pick-up points and head north, for the Cairngorms National Park and the ancient pine forest of the Rothiemurchus estate. A gentle walk takes us to Loch an Eilein, where a picturesque ruined castle is perched on an island in the small loch. We continue through some spectacular mountain scenery to our comfortable hotel in Gairloch, which enjoys splendid views towards the north end of Skye with the hills of Harris and Lewis low on the horizon. Meals include: Dinner
DAY 2 After breakfast this morning we travel north on a full day scenic tour that takes us by Loch Broom to Ullapool and on into Assynt, an extraordinary landscape of vast, undulating moorland and beautiful, deserted beaches such as the one we visit at Achmelvich Bay. Meals include: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 3 Following breakfast this morning we head off in the opposite direction for a full day excursion to the Isle of Skye, crossing the elegant Skye Bridge. Look out for the distinctively shaped island of Raasay to the right and to the left the dramatic peaks of the Cuillin Mountains, more often than not wreathed in ethereal mist, hence Skye’s nickname of ‘The Misty Isle’. We arrive in the principal town of Portree, the epitome of a Hebridean port with colourful houses lining the harbour side. We have free time here to browse the craft shops and have lunch (not included) – the fish ‘n’ chip shop down by the harbour is particularly recommended. We return to our hotel in the afternoon with a brief stop in Lochcarron. Meals include: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 4 This morning following breakfast we check out of our hotel and head for Fort William, following a leisurely and highly scenic route that takes us via Beauly, Strathglass and Glen Urquhart to Drumnadrochit on the shores of Loch Ness. Of course, the loch is forever associated with its rather kitsch mythical monster but it is an undeniably beautiful stretch of water in its own right. After a break here we continue through the Great Glen that cleaves through the Highlands to Fort Augustus, a bustling town bisected by Thomas Telford’s engineering marvel, the Caledonian Canal. We continue by Loch Oich and Loch Lochy to our hotel in the Fort William area, close to the fjord-like Loch Linnhe and the massive bulk of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest peak. Meals include: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 5 This morning after breakfast we will travel west to Mallaig, mostly running parallel with the railway line, with the opportunity to drink in the stunning views of this wild and historic part of Scotland. The road takes us past the massive Glenfinnan Viaduct overlooking Loch Shiel, and our journey will be timed to allow us to view the ‘Jacobite’ steam train as it puffs slowly across the viaduct, providing a unique photo opportunity. There is time to enjoy lunch (not included) in Mallaig. We enjoy some free time in Fort William in the afternoon. Meals include: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6 After breakfast we check out of the hotel and begin our homeward journey travelling through the hauntingly beautiful Glen Coe, a glacial valley that was carved out by the last ice age, flanked by towering mountains, and by tranquil Loch Earn to Crieff, where we will stop for lunch (not included). We then return to our original departure points. Meals include: Breakfast