Self-drive: Skye and Highlands

From £1250

9 days Moderate walking holiday and sightseeing

A crossing of the most beautiful landscapes and major sites in the north-west of the country.

Looking for an assortment of breathtaking landscapes? This Scottish trip from Isle of Skye to Trotternish via the Trossachs, Glencoe and Edinburgh will allow you to discover all the wonders of the Highlands. This tour will take you to the heart of a kingdom of moors and peatlands, lochs, glens and sometimes vertiginous rocky massifs. Trossachs Wilderness Park, Loch Lomond and its enchanting shores, the mysterious Isle of Skye with its proud Gaelic identity, Glencoe Caldera and giant mountains, Edinburgh and its haunted closes and a festive Scottish atmosphere... You’ll experience it all. And not to mention Ben Nevis, the country’s highest peak or one of the Mamores munros where you can enjoy unforgettable hikes.

A real scottish adventure

Traveling freely by car and sleeping in cosy B&Bs with excellent table d'hôte menus.

Travel like a local

Talking about ghosts and spirits at Eilean Donan Castle without sounding like an eccentric.

Trek the best landscapes

Going hiking on the most beautiful peaks: Buachaille Etive Mor, Mamores and Ben Nevis.

Enjoy nature and fauna

Sailing to the Isle of Skye and see seals, dolphins and sea eagles.

Day 1 - Flight to Scotland - Trossachs

Flight to Edinburgh. Rental car pick-up at the airport and arrival at your first hotel, conveniently located right at the entrance to the famous Highlands. In the heart of the Trossachs National Park, near Loch Lomond, the first immersion in Scotland’s iconic wilderness. Depending on the time of arrival, you may be able to visit the Glengoyne distillery, a whiskey house founded in 1833, and taste the national spirit (in moderation of course).

Day 2 - Trossachs : hike on the Ben Lomond

Get ready to be amazed! Off we go on a hike on the Ben Lomond, the highest peak of the Trossachs National Park at 970 m altitude. This climbing mound is a compendium of Scotland’s most beautiful landscapes: wooded valleys, vast lochs, green hills, peacefully grazing sheep.

Day 3 - Trossachs and Isle of Skye : between lochs and castles

We’ll head north to the mythical Isle of Skye, which is 80 km wide. It offers landscapes of incredible beauty: moors, mountains with sparkling contours, imposing cliffs… All the essence of Scotland! On the way, we’ll stop at the must-see Loch Ness, the largest lake in the country and Nessie’s legendary home. Stop at Eilean Donan Castle, an impressive castle nestled on an island which is connected to land by a charming little stone bridge. At aperitif time, before sipping a good local whiskey, we’ll take a stroll towards the Isle of Skye’s emblem, Old Man of Storr.

Day 4 - Isle of Skye : hike in the Cuillins

Discovery of the Black Cuillin, an emblematic massif of Scottish mountaineering. Bearing their name well, these black mountains owe their charcoal colour to gabbro, a very abrasive rock, even when wet, that is often found under the oceans, but is rather rare on the surface of the earth. We’ll go hiking in this unique setting to the island’s highest peak, Sgùrr Alasdair, which is in the heart of the Cuillins. Once up there, the view is breathtaking on the heights of the Isle of Skye.

Day 5 - Isle of Skye : Hike on the Trotternish Peninsula

After the Black Cuillin’s dark look, the deep green in the north of the Isle of Skye is eye-catching. Behold these huge green plains. North of Portree, the Trotternish Peninsula is a land of foggy cliffs and volcanic formations. The atmosphere here is magical. Loop hike at the Quiraing with the island’s most emblematic landscapes as background scenery: large green plains, needles and landslides, winding roads and paths… The contrast with the black basalt rock is exceptional.

Day 6 - Isle of Skye - Glencoe: Hiking the Glencoe Mountains

We’ll board a ferry to Mallaig. Return to the mainland and discovery of the Glencoe Mountains. These reliefs of ice and fire were sculpted by glaciers and volcanic explosions centuries ago which formed magnificent landscapes that are worthy of the most beautiful postcards. It is here that the Buachaille Etive Mor dominates, the country’s most photographed conical-looking mountain. Loop hike through these enchanting settings in the heart of the Glencoe Caldera to the top of one or two peaks.

Day 7 - Glencoe - Ben Nevis or Mamores: conquering the munros

Another new ascent for the adventurer that you are. You can take two hiking trails. The first, Ben Nevis, is the highest peak in the British Isles, no less. Many amateur hikers tackle it every year. Now, it’s your turn! If you don’t feel brave enough to undertake such a walk, feel free to hike to one of the summits of the Mamores. This other spectacular mountain range also offers beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.

Day 8 - Mamores - Edinburgh: visit of the capital

Return to civilization by visiting the unique city of Edinburgh. Its mysterious atmosphere envelops the entire city centre where you can pleasantly stroll around. Numerous points of interest can be discovered in the closes and neighbourhoods, such as the famous castle. You can also follow in the footsteps of famous writers, many of whom came to be inspired by the special atmosphere of the Scottish capital. In the evening, the atmosphere is most festive in the pubs, which are very numerous in the city.

Day 9 - End of your scottish adventure

Depending on flight schedules, free time in the back streets of Edinburgh. Off to the airport and return of your rental car. Beannachd leat (“Goodbye” in Scottish Gaelic) !

N.B. : The program is given for information only. The stages can be modified on site for meteorological, security, organizational, flight schedule or any unexpected event reasons. In these difficult times, the local guide will do their utmost to mitigate the effects of these events beyond our control.

Comfort

From

£ 1250/person

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Gold

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£ 1650/person

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Platinium

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£ 2100/person

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Trip organisation (customisation and bookings)
Accomodation
All Breakfasts
Personalised guidebook
All ferry crossings
24/7 emergency telephone support
Navigation App with preloaded walking routes and maps
Rental car

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“Amazing trip : Great guide, locations, food, and awesome atmosphere. We had an excellent time. Very small group (5), easily accommodated. The food was amazing, the weather was perfect, and it was really fun”

Pit Dawin

Customer

“We had such a great time. Everything went over smoothly and our guide was very knowledgeable. I would recommend them to anyone. They really exceeded my expectations. I know I'll be back for sure! Thanks Tom”