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
We start with an exploration of the Moidart region of the Scottish Highlands. This beautiful area to the south west of Fort William has especially close connections with Bonnie Prince Charlie and the 1745 Jacobite uprising, and we retrace his route from his first landing point on the Scottish coast to Glenfinnan, where he raised his banner and declared himself king. The day includes an isolated coastal walk to Smirisary, the setting for Margaret Leigh’s evocative book, Spade Among the Rushes. We return to Fort William for a second night. (B, L, D) 4 Miles
Day 3
The time has come to depart for our Hebridean adventure, but before leaving the mainland, we stop by the shore of Loch Duich to enjoy a short walk amidst the verdant scenery of Glen Croe. This is followed by a visit to Eilean Donan Castle, the ancestral seat of the MacKenzies of Kintail. Then it’s over the bridge to the Isle of Skye and on to our next hotel on Skye where the following two nights are spent. (B, L, D) 5 Miles
Day 4
The day is spent on Skye, and starts with a short visit to Portree, the largest town on the island, for routine shopping. We then drive to the northern end of the island, where our circular walk leads us past two scenic upland lochans amidst the spectacular rock scenery of the Quiraing, where the contorted basalt outcrops and pinnacles seem to be frozen in time. In poor weather conditions it may be necessary to offer an alternative walk. Return to the hotel for a second night. (B, L, D) Variable - 4 to 6 Miles
Day 5
In the morning we visit Dunvegan castle, the ancestral home of the Clan Macleod, who also held extensive lands in the Outer Hebridean Islands of Lewis and Harris. We then drive to Uig, the embarkation point for the Western Isles, and take the ferry to Tarbert on the Isle of Harris. Lunch will be onboard. After arrival at Tarbert we drive to our hotel in Carloway, on the north west coast of the Isle of Lewis, our home for the next three nights. Before dinner, or on Day 6, your tour leader will give a talk on the early history and prehistory of Scotland. (B, L, D) No Walk
Day 6
Our exploration of the Isles of Harris and Lewis begins with a visit to the famous Standing Stones of Callanish, one of the most important prehistoric sites in the whole of Britain. We then drive to Great Bernera and enjoy a picturesque walk taking in stunning coastal scenery, an iron age village and one of Lewis’s finest beaches, with time to browse and admire the view across the northern ocean. Return to our hotel for overnight. (B, L, D) 5 Miles
Day 7
Our walk for the final day is along the dramatic north west coast of Lewis, finishing with a visit to the recently restored blackhouse of Gearrannan. The day will include a visit to the amazing Carloway Broch, one of the best preserved of the mysterious 2000 year old brochs which occur widely in the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Return to the hotel at Carloway for a well-earned Farewell Dinner, and overnight (B, L, D) 9 Miles with a 5 Mile option
Day 8
Please plan for your departure from the airport in Stornoway. There are direct flights to Inverness and Edinburgh. Other flights are available with connections. (B)
(Ramblers reserves the right to make changes to the itinerary when deemed necessary or appropriate.)
