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With 3 Nights
on the Isle of Skye
July 2 to 9 , 2011 · July 30 to August 6, 2011
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.
The first base is the coastal
town of Gairloch, which offers the outdoor
visitor a unique blend of wilderness walking,
remote communities steeped in Celtic and Norse
history, with comfortable lodging and fine
food. Our second base on the Isle of Skye gives
more of the same, and includes a boat trip
and walk to experience what is perhaps Britain's
most dramatic and rugged landscape. Walks cover
3 to 9 miles daily, with ascents up to 1000’.
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 our Welcome Dinner.(B)
Day 2 Depart in
our minibus for Scotland ’s remote and
rugged northwest coast. We stop enroute for
a visit to Urquhart Castle, whose ruins stand
majestically by the shore of Scotland ’s
most famous loch -- Loch Ness. We then drive
to Glen Affric, and walk one of the trails
through a beautiful woodland area of native
Caledonian Pine forest. We continue to the
small coastal town of Gairloch and check into
our hotel. (B,L,D) 3 Miles
Day 3 Drive to
Slatterdale by the shore of Loch Maree. Our
walk is point-to-point and leads to the village
of Poolewe, home of the world-famous Inverewe
tropical gardens. We visit the gardens, the
far-sighted creation of Osgood Mackenzie in
the 1870s. Overnight in Gairloch.(B,L,D) Variable - 6-8 Miles
Day 4 The day
begins with a visit to Gairloch’s small
though fascinating Heritage Museum, where
the way of life, past and present, of this
part of the Western Highlands is brought so
evocatively to life. Then on to Gruinard Bay,
and a walk into the edge of the area of mountains
and moors known as the “Great Wilderness”.
We visit the desolate ruined village in the
Glen of the Forked Shieling, and time permitting
climb to the top of one of the surrounding
hills to enjoy the views into this magnificent
and remote part of the Scottish mainland. Overnight
in Gairloch.(B,L,D) 8 Miles
 Day 5 It
is now time to move to our second base at a
hotel on the Isle of Skye. We drive via the
Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve, and in
the morning walk the Woodland Trail within
the reserve. After lunch in a welcoming inn,
we continue to Skye via the Ratagan Pass,
Glenelg and the romantic Glenelg-Kylerhea ferry.
Overnight on Skye.(B,L,D) 1 Mile
Day 6 A day touring
on the Isle of Skye. We visit Dunvegan Castle,
the ancestral home of the Chiefs of Macleod,
said to be the oldest inhabited castle in the
Scottish Highlands and Islands. Then we drive
to the Staffin peninsula and walk up to admire
the spectacular outcrops and pinnacles of the
Storr Rocks. Return via Portree to our hotel.
Overnight on Skye.(B,L,D) No Walk
Day 7 This final
day gives an opportunity to see what is regarded
by many as the most dramatic and magnificent
mountain panorama in the whole of Britain,
the view of the Cuillin Mountains from Loch
Coruisk. The loch can only be approached by
boat or on foot, and it is planned to go in
by boat and walk out to Sligachan through the
Druim Hain pass. (If sea or weather conditions
make it impossible to carry out this plan,
an alternative walk will be arranged). Our
Farewell Dinner at the hotel on Skye will have
been well earned. (B,L,D) 6 Miles
Day 8 After breakfast
participants have the choice of a ride via
the Skye road bridge to Inverness, with drop-offs
in the town center or at the airport, or a
return to Fort William by the Armadale-Mallaig
ferry. Drop-offs can be arranged at the train
station at Mallaig or Fort William, or participants
can be taken south to Glasgow Airport, or
beyond.(B)
Land Cost $3275
Includes:
- 5 scenic guided hikes
- 7 nights' lodging in
congenial Scottish hotels
- Double-occupancy room
with private bath
- All meals, dinner on Day 1 and breakfast on Day 8
- 7 lunches
including one at a craft centre
- All sightseeing visits
and admission fees
- Luggage transported between
inns
“The walks and
hikes were wonderful! From the lovely,
craggy hills to the villages! When you
work indoors at a desk job all day, it’s
breathtaking (sometimes literally!).”
V Richard Tulsa, OK
“This was our
second tour with English Lakeland Ramblers.
It met, and exceeded, our expectations.”
R & M Rutter IL
“I’m so
glad I heard about English Lakeland Ramblers
and thoroughly enjoyed the week. For a ‘non-walker’ I
was thrilled to have accomplished as much
as I did.”
T Ward VA
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