| Cost From: | $4295 |
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| Length: | 9 days |
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| Activity: | Hiking / Trekking, Cultural Adventures |
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| Difficulty: |
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A great hiking trip—and the non hiking-days were excellent. Great guides, too.P. McCain—Decatur Al
From the silvery waters of Loch Lomond to the bewitching mountains of the Isle of Skye, the Scottish Highlands offer a wild and romantic landscape perfect for hiking. We trace a path from Rob Roy country in the West Highlands, land of the MacGregors and the Campbells, to “the far Cuillins” of Skye. Our rambles bring us to wooded glens, mystical moorlands ringed by craggy peaks, and valleys brimming with the legends of kings and clans. Along the way, we meet the Scots in their delightful village pubs, dine on smoked salmon and local oysters, sample a “wee dram” of a famous whiskey or two, and enjoy Scotland’s rich Gaelic culture, still a vibrant part of the everyday lives of highlanders.
$4295 (10-12 guests)
$4595 (8-9 guests)
$4895 (6-7 guests)
Single supplement: $250
Prices are for 2009 dates
Aug 16-24, 2009 Richard Munro
Skye McDonald
The US Dollar has strengthened against the British Pound, and Wilderness Travel would like to pass the savings along to you! Here's how it works: we will purchase the Pounds for your trip when you sign up, which lets us lock in the current exchange rate, and guarantee your savings. To receive the discount, the first deposit on the trip ($500 per person) is non-refundable. If you prefer to have your deposit be fully refundable up to 90 days before departure, you can sign up at the regular published rate for the trip.
To find out the current discount available at today’s rate, please call us at 1-800-368-2794 or send us an email.
Reading list, click here.
We meet in Glasgow and head out to hike on the West Highland Way, the renowned long-distance trail that weaves along the “bonny” east bank of Loch Lomond, Scotland’s largest freshwater lake, following ancient drovers’ roads through forests and moorlands. The famous peak of Ben Lomond, Scotland’s southernmost munro (mountain over 3,000 feet) towers above Loch Lomond. The next day we hike in the footsteps of Rob Roy, the notorious 18th century outlaw—or highland hero, depending on your point of view—who led Clan MacGregor into battle. Our trail takes us up and around Beinn an Dothaidh (pronounced Doh!), a peak that rises above Loch Tula.
In a spectacular day of hiking, we explore the haunting scenery of Glencoe, the glacier-carved valley featured as the backdrop for the Braveheart and Rob Roy films. Glencoe is full of the lore of tragic battles between the MacDonalds and the Campbells. We also hike to historic Glenfinnan, passing through blue-green moors to the glen where Bonnie Prince Charles raised his standard in 1745 to begin the Jacobite rebellion. Overnights are in the Victorian town of Fort William at the end of the West Highland Way.
Traveling “over the sea to Skye,” as Boulton’s famous poem says, we hike on a storied isle dominated by the jagged peaks of the towering red and black Cuillin Mountains. Skye radiates mystery, with its fjord-like inlets and the enchanting play of light and shadow on its heather-covered hills. We hike through the fascinating Quirang, with its pinnacles and rare fauna, head up into the wild Cuillins for awe-inspiring views from a dramatic lookout at Bruch na Frithe (3,143'), and stop into local pubs to celebrate our hike’s end with a pint of ale.
We head for Inverness, the charming highland capital, with a visit en route to the mystical ruin of Eileen Donan Castle, Clan MacKenzie’s stronghold from the 13th to 17th centuries. Depart from Inverness on Day 9.
