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Highland Walking |
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Western Highlands of Scotland
Previous Tour in which
we advised on accommodation,walks and supplied the clients with superior transport
facilities.
Western Highlands of Scotland
DAY 1 ;
Met at Central Hotel in Glasgow for coffee and an introduction to our
Walking Tour of Scotland.
We departed Glasgow travelling northwest to Loch Lomond,Where we
began our first walk on Connic Hill overlooking "The Bonnie Banks"
of
Loch LomondWe took lunch during the walk and in the afternoon we headed
north travelling the length of the Loch. Up through Crianlarich and Tyndrum
(the centre of scotland s gold mining industry), over desolate Rannochmoor
(scene of the famous chase of Robert Louis Stevenson s Kidnapped ) and
on through Glen Coe (scene in 1692 of the infamous massacre of Glen Coe).
Later in the afternoon we arrive at our hotel Ballachulish, situated at the
junction of Loch Leven and Loch Linnhe. Once settled into our 18th century
Coaching Inn, and time permitting, we took a walk in Glen Coe before
dinner.Over coffee we will reflect on the events of the day, and enjoy an
introduction to the history of the area, and indeed a start to understanding
the
long and bloody history of Scotland!
DAY 2 ;
After a hearty Scottish breakfast we head north to Glen Nevis, which runs
beneath majestic Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain. Glen Nevis is
where some of the scenes from both the films Braveheart and Rob Roy were
filmed. We walk by raging torrents and spectacular waterfalls up Glen Nevis
onto the peaceful Plateaux above, where we will take our picnic lunch beneath
the towering highs of The Ben . Later in the afternoon, we visit the Ben
Nevis Distillery, where you will see first hand the process of producing our
national drink Uisgebeatha (Gaelic for Whisky) The Water of Life and
perhaps leaving some time to shop in the town of Fort William named after
William of Orange. We return to the Ballachuish Hotel early evening, just
in
time to steep in a good hot tub, perhaps a small dram of the Water of Life
.
Just the trick to ease you into the mood for a pleasant evening of dinner
and a
discussion of the day s adventures!
DAY 3;
After breakfast we are on the move north again by Fort Augustus and the
famous Loch Ness. Cameras at the ready for who knows what you might see
in this, the largest and one of the deepest Loch s in the whole of the country!
We stop to visit Urquhart Castle, dating from the 14th Century and at one
time
the largest strong hold in the country, also from where most of the sightings
of the Loch Ness Monster have been made.
We walk in the lovely Glen Affric before continuing to the legendary Loch
Maree Hotel nestled on the shores of the Loch itself. With its many islands,
each with its own legends of Viking princesses and ghosts of warriors from
the distant past, this hotel writes its own history! At one time the base
for
Queen Victoria s Scottish foray into the Scottish Highlands (accompanied
by
the ever faithful John Brown!) Who knows, you may be assigned the very
room used by Queen Victoria herself!
DAY 4;
Suitably fortified after our hearty breakfast, we set off into the Torridon
mountains for a day of spectacular walking, where we may take a mountain
pass once used by drovers as they herded their cattle on the way to market.
Or
we may wend our way around some of the many beautiful lochs, nestled
between sheer ramparts of Torridonian sandstone.
Returning to the hotel, both tired and satisfied after our days hiking in
breathtaking scenery, its time to enjoy a leisurely dinner. Sit back, dram
in
hand and contemplate a majestic sunset over the bonnie Loch Maree.
DAY 5 ;
Today we travel through Torridon towards the romantic and misty Isle of Skye,
stopping at Eilean Donan Castle, one of the most picturesque castles in
Scotland and where the film Highlander was made. We check into the
Eilean Iarnain Hotel on Skye, beautifully situated down by its own harbour
with tremendous views over to the mainland.
Once settled in we drive to the southern tip of Skye to the Point of Sleat
for a
walk, which goes by the most southern lighthouse on Skye, onto a beautifully
secluded, white sandy beach. Swimsuits could be the order of the day! The
crystal clear water can be surprisingly warm, depending on the time of year!
Back to the hotel for a relaxing drink in the bar, where you will mingle with
the locals and listen to the lilting tones of the old language, Gaelic, which
is
still widely spoken on Skye. Dinner in the Eilean Iarnain Hotel is an
experience not to be missed! The hotel specialises in sumptuous seafood,
using the best of the local produce, such as freshly caught fish with oysters
and muscles from the hotels own oyster beds! After dinner, perhaps some of
the islands history and folklore, or some local musicians to entertain!
DAY 6;
After breakfast we head to the western side of the Island for a spectacular
shore walk. This takes us to the beautiful village and harbour of Elgol, where
we join Donald McKinnon and his boat The Bella Jane for a trip into the heart
of the Coulin hills and Loch Cruisk. We disembark and walk deeper into this
majestic hill range around the shores of this hidden gem!
You will be ready for a soak in a hot bath, before a sumptuous dinner in the
hotel restaurant. After dinner the bar could be alive with the sound of various
instruments, such as the fiddle, the accordion and the traditional bagpipes
played by talented local characters that are never short of a story or two
to tell!
DAY 7;
Regretfully! We leave the beautiful island of Skye, taking the ferry from
Armadale to Malaig, where we drive along the road to The Isles Passing
by
Loch Nanuamh you will hear how Bonnie Prince Charlie landed here in 1745
at the beginning of his attempt to regain the throne of the country for his
father,
James the VIII. Then also stopping at Glenfinnan where the standard was
raised at the start of the uprising. We head south, possibly stopping at Glen
Coe where you will hear the story of the infamous massacre of the
MacDonald s in 1692. Stopping en route for lunch, we arrive in Glasgow mid
to late afternoon where alas, the tour ends unless you wish to take the optional
two nights in Edinburgh.
"2-NIGHT EDINBURGH OPTIONAL EXTENSION"
We head for Edinburgh, and after a brief panoramic tour of our Capital City,
we arrive at our central hotel for a relaxing evening over dinner.
DAY 8;
After breakfast a walk up Arthur s Seat, with spectacular views over the
City.
With visits to Edinburgh Castle or Holyrood Palace and possibly our new
Scottish Parliament, you will see history in the making, as well as history
in
the past! Who knows, perhaps the next time you pay us a visit, it will be
to an
independent Scotland.
Once back at the hotel,
sit down to dinner with those friends who hopefully
will share with you a few fond memories!
Haste ye back!