Scotland sea to Skye

Luxury

1. 1. Day one

   

   Arrive in Nairn

   We will meet you in Inverness and transfer you to your hotel for the next 2 nights in nearby Nairn. This ancient fishing port and market town has a harbour and expansive beach on the Highland’s east coast. Once you've settled in, your Host will brief you on the routes and answer any questions you have. The rest of the day presents an opportunity to explore locally and unwind in your hotel.

2. 2. Day two

   Nairn to Cawdor castle

   Here’s a wondrous start to your adventure. After breakfast we transfer you to the coast at Nairn for an inspiring walk through the dunes and beside the beach to the tiny harbour. Then on to the characterful town to pick up the river path which gently leads you inland through lovely countryside across fields and through woods to reach the village of Cawdor and romantic Cawdor Castle with its three gardens, lived in for 600 years by the same family. Bolstered by lunch in their Courtyard café, discover the charms of this delightful home and why Shakespeare chose the traditional Scottish castle for the setting of Macbeth. We meet you here late afternoon and transfer you back to your hotel.

   7 miles (11 km)

3. 3. Day three

   

   Nairn to Loch Ness and Inverness

   Today begins with a transfer mid morning to the mouth of Loch Ness. With its fair share of mystery and myth for you to unravel, enjoy a midday boat trip on the loch, cruising from Inverness to Urquhart Castle. Disembark here and explore the iconic ruined fortress with its commanding position on the loch side before returning by boat. Arriving back early afternoon we will transfer you into the centre of Inverness so you can explore the town and if you fancy a short walk too we have just the ticket leading beyond your hotel which is in the heart of the town, onto the banks of the River Ness.

   Optional 2.5 miles (4 km)

4. 4. Day four

   

   Inverness to Fort Augustus

   Now is your chance to walk in the Great Glen after a short transfer out of Inverness. Head along the north side of Loch Ness on the Great Glen Way with the choice of a higher or lower level route of similar length. A bit more climbing (1200’ rather than 700’ ) gives you better views and a true wilderness experience often above the woods, whilst the lower level route is gentle Highland walking, invariably wooded and giving some great views of Loch Ness and a wonderful experience of the glen’s atmosphere. The walk ends in Fort Augustus where you stay 2 nights, a waterside village at the western end of vast Loch Ness where a flight of locks enable boats to reach the Caledonian Canal.

   7.5 miles (12 km)

5. 5. Day five

   North Laggan to Fort Augustus

   Today’s adventure includes one of the best sections of the Great Glen Way and again there is a choice of a lower and upper level walk, the latter being a bit longer. North Laggan, where we transfer you at the start of the day sits on Loch Oich and the shorter walk takes the wild side of Loch Oich, on the waters edge with magnificent woodlands. The more energetic option takes you 850’ uphill into wonderful wilderness and forest above the loch. Both walks then follow the towpath along the Caledonian Canal with its moorings and colourful boats bobbing and chugging. Windlasses and gates will be wound and opened as you reach the locks in Fort Augustus – ask the boaters if they want assistance and stay a further night here.

   Optional 9 or 11.5 miles (14 or 18 km)

6. 6. Day six

   

   Fort Augustus to Portree, Skye

   For something completely different, your Driver Guide for the day will meet you after breakfast and share the delights of Lochalsh and the island of Skye with you. Stop at Eilean Donan Castle on the mainland if that’s of interest and then once on Skye, enjoy a potpourri of special places we love to share from Castles to Crofters’ townships, mountain roads to fishing tracks, art galleries, potteries, acclaimed restaurants and wildlife. Your day ends in Portree, the island’s capital, where you stay 2 nights.

7. 7. Day seven

   Storr to Portree

   A truly wonderful last walk awaits you along the top of dramatic coastal cliffs. north of Portree with stunning views to distant islands and the mainland. There are a few short steep sections, and soggy moorland in places but these fade in what is otherwise a fabulous parade. We transfer you after breakfast to the start of the walk which ends back at your hotel with time to explore Portree if you haven’t already done so. Head for the harbour for the focal point of the town and weave your way back to the hotel through this characterful town.

   Optional 7.4 miles (12 km)

8. 8. Day eight

   

   Portree to Fort William

   It’s a fairly leisurely start today before you are transferred to Armadale for the short ferry crossing over to the mainland at Mallaig, once the major route onto Skye. Here you connect with the hissing Jacobite steam train that takes you across the famous Glenfinnan viaduct on what is billed as one of the great railway journeys of the world through glorious Highland country. You reach Fort William at tea time where we meet you and transfer you to your final hotel on the shores of Loch Shiel. A 10 minute walk through the hotel estate gives you a view from under the viaduct. Wow! what an incredible journey through Highland Scotland from the East coast to the West courtesy of the Great Glen and the island of Skye.

9. 9. Day nine

   Depart Fort William

   Depart from Fort William at your leisure today. You can also add our Highland lochs and isles walking tour here if you fancy seeing more of the Highlands.