You
will discover, on foot, the wide-open spaces of the Highlands and relax in the
evenings in small, quality hotels which pride themselves on their personal service
and excellent food. Our walks take us through the locations of famous films such
as Braveheart, Rob Roy and Highlander. It includes parts of the West Highland
Way with optional ascents to the high tops, walks through some of the most beautiful
of the Scottish glens, and across wild moorland; there is also a chance to climb
Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, and to explore some mountain ridges. An
eventful day's journey at the end of the walking tour takes you through Scotland,
the length of the Great Glen, from Fort Augustus, alongside Loch Ness to the Highland
capital, Inverness, south through the Grampian Mountains, and over the Forth Bridge
to Edinburgh where we show you round the Scottish capital.
Day
1: Arrival in Glasgow Arrival in Glasgow by 3:00pm. Transfer to
your hotel in the Crianlarich area. Getting to know one another and dinner.
Day
2: West Highland Way Walk the West Highland Way amid beautiful and
varied mountain scenery, through woods and open country with superb views, following
historic routes used by Scottish clansmen. Very brief ascents and descents, ideal
for the first day's walking. Duration about 6 hours. 21km (131/2 miles) Day
3: Choice of Walk Today you have a choice of 2 routes: most often
walkers choose the seductively beautiful level or slightly undulating and less
demanding route along a former military road, finishing in Glencoe. Duration 4
to 5 hours. 19 km (12 miles). The alternative route for all or for part of the
group consists of steep ascents and descents and leads you to a summit, 1090
meters, with breathtaking panoramic views. Duration up to 7 hours. 22 kilometers
(14 miles). Day
4: Walk Rannoch Moor Walk across the wilderness of Rannoch Moor.
It is one of the last vast areas of unspoiled nature in Europe, with its own flora
and fauna. The walk takes you past picturesque lochs with wide, sandy beaches,
far from roads and civilization. If the mythical creatures of Scottish folklore
still exist anywhere, then it must be here! Duration 6 or 7 hours. 22 kilometers
(131/2 miles). This fascinating day is rounded off by a railway journey to Fort
William. Enjoy going to a pub or attending a Scottish evening. Day
5: Walk Ben Nevis Ascend to the summit of the highest mountain in
Great Britain, Ben Nevis, 1343 meters. Duration 6-8 hours. 16 kilometers (10 miles).
During the ascent, especially from the summit, you will be rewarded by very impressive
panoramic views. In ideal weather conditions you can see most of the Scottish
Highlands and many of the Hebridean islands. An alternative walk is offered through
Glen Nevis with its spectacular waterfalls. Duration from 3 to 6 hours. Day
6: Walk Glencoe or the West Highland Way Journey
into Glencoe, famed in history. Visit the Hidden Valley or, alternatively, depending
on the weather and according to the walking abilities of the group, walk the final
stretch of the West Highland Way. Duration 6 hours. 21 kilometers (131/2 miles).
Day 7:
Coach or minibus to Edinburgh After a week's walking we relax on an extensive
tour of the Great Glen and the Caledonian Canal to Loch Ness, followed by a short
tour of Inverness, the Highland capital, or a visit to a woolen mill. You can
enjoy a guided tour of a whisky distillery with a chance to taste the Scottish
elixir of life. After passing the Culloden battlefield, and visiting beautifully
preserved prehistoric stone circles, you travel to Edinburgh where you enjoy a
short city tour. As an optional extra you can take a ghost tour, enjoy a traditional
Scottish evening, or participate in a pub-crawl. Day
8: Edinburgh and Departure or Transfer to the Second Week's Tour Depending
on travel arrangements, free time in Edinburgh, transfer to the airport and departure,
or transfer to the next tour.
Departures:
"Spring walks" May 17-24; June 7-14 "Summer walks"
June 28- July 5; July 26- Aug 2; Aug 9-16 "Autumn walks" Aug 30-
Sept 6; Oct 4-11
Tour
includes: All visits, guides, entry fees, railway
journeys and transfers as detailed in the program; experienced walking and tour
guide; seven nights in very good small hotels with en-suite rooms and full Scottish
breakfast, five three course dinners and five packed lunches; airport transfers,
luggage transfer, maps as required and welcoming drink.
Prices
per person: $1323 in double room, $1323 in triple room, $1544 in
single room |