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We offer a wide selection of guided walking holidays in northern and western Scotland for all ranges of abilities from Moderate and Intermediate to Strenuous.
MODERATE
The emphasis is on a leisurely pace with time to observe and interpret the area, its history and wildlife. We usually spend 5 to 6 hours walking up to 10 miles (16 km). Gradients are generally easy and much of the walking is on paths, although these can be rough in places. Basic fitness required. INTERMEDIATE
A mixture of mountain walks with 1500 to 3000 feet (450-900 m) of ascent and long low-level walks of up to 15 miles (24 km). We will walk for 6 to 7 hours a day at a steady pace but with plenty of view stops. There are few paths and the way is often over rough ground. Requires good fitness, previous hill walking experience is an advantage.
Highlands & Hebrides Tour
Glasnacardoch & The Small Isles
Orkney
Shetland Summer
Loch Maree & Torridon
Scourie & North-West Sutherland
Isle of Harris
Kintail & South Skye
Loch Maree & Torridon
Scourie & North-West Sutherland
Isle of Harris
Kintail & South Skye
Isle of Skye
The Mountains of Assynt
Isle of Mull
Tongue - The Far North


We have 3 special moderate graded trips featured on separate pages:
Walking the 70 miles of the Great Glen with accommodation in a comfortable converted barge and
self-guided trips along the West Highland Way and the Great Glen Way.

For details about the grading of the walks, what's included in the prices quoted on this page, booking conditions and information about our guides, please click here.
If you would prefer to arrange your own accommodation, you can join our holidays for £260 including guiding and transport (boat trips and insurance extra). We can also arrange private trips if required, just email us for a quote.








Highlands & Hebrides Tour | MODERATE

A three-centre holiday designed for those who would like not only to enjoy fabulous walking in varied and stunning Highland scenery but also to learn about the people who lived there and of their history. We spend two nights on the Isle of Skye, three on Harris and, finally, two in Ullapool on the mainland’s west coast.





The drive from Inverness to the Isle of Skye follows the shore of Loch Ness and takes us through scenic Glen Shiel, with a stop at Scotland’s most photographed castle, Eilean Donan. We spend one-and-a-half days walking on Skye before taking the ferry to Harris.

This Outer Hebridean island boasts a landscape of striking contrasts; white sandy beaches, turquoise ocean, flower-strewn machair. You will see Harris Tweed woven in a crofter's cottage.
We visit the ancient standing stones at Callanish on the Isle of Lewis, before we take the ferry across the Minch to Ullapool.


Ullapool is stunningly situated on the shore of Loch Broom, one of the most attractive sea lochs on the west coast. It is a lively village and traditional music is often heard in the local pubs. A walk in the Assynt area, geologist's paradise north of Ullapool, is a memorable conclusion to this unique Highland experience.

Throughout this holiday we use hotel and guesthouse accommodation where you can be sure of a friendly welcome and wonderful meals. All twin and double rooms have private facilities but the single rooms may not have private facilities on all nights. You have nothing more to pay on this trip as the price includes all meals and ferry tickets.
The walking is at a moderate pace with a few hilly days where we ascend around 1000 feet (300m). There is no scheduled day off on this holiday but you are free to opt out of a day if you so wish.

Departure dates 2004: May 15, June 12, June 19, July 3, July 17, July 31, August 14,
September 4 & 11
Cost: £765 - approx US$1350 (single supplement £49 per person)
Price includes: 7 nights Dinner - Bed & Breakfast in Hotel/Guesthouse accommodation, 6 packed lunches, all ferry tickets, transport and expert guiding throughout the trip.
Single Supplement: £49

Start: Saturday Inverness Station 1330
Finish: Saturday Inverness 1000

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If you are interested in this wonderful trip, then please visit our special Highlands & Hebrides Tour Homepage for a day to day itinerary, travel details and more.





Glasnacardoch & The Small Isles | MODERATE


Glasnacardoch, on the beautiful coastline between Mallaig and Arisaig, with its sheltered anchorages and bays, is the centre we have chosen this trip. We walk along the banks of Loch Morar, the deepest freshwater loch in Europe, with stunning views towards the opposite shore. We follow the coast through the magical Beasdale woods to the hidden cleft of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s cave.
The Small Islands of Eigg and Rum lie between five and 10 miles off the mainland, within convenient range for day trips.


On the crossings we regularly see dolphins and porpoises. Both islands are peaceful, wild and unspoilt. Eigg is very distinctive and rocky, dominated by the lava column, An Sgurr, and since 1997 has been part-owned by its residents. Rum is where, in 1975, the sea eagle was first reintroduced to Scotland and the teeming birdlife includes the world's largest colonies of Manx Shearwater. There are 1200 red deer on Rum and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) uses the island as a research station.
Accommodation: Glasnacardoch House - This fully licensed Guesthouse offers a friendly welcome and delicious home cooking. All rooms have private facilities, mostly en suite

Departure dates 2004: June 26, July 31
Cost: £575
Price includes: 7 nights Dinner - Bed & Breakfast, ferry tickets to Eigg & Rum, 5 days guided walking.
Single Supplement: £49

Start: Saturday Fort William Station 1630
Finish: Saturday Fort William Station 1000

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Orkney | MODERATE


Orkney is famed for its archaeological sites such as the Ring of Brodgar – a magnificent stone circle – the Neolithic tomb of Maes Howe and the 5000-year-old village of Skara Brae.
But the ‘Isles of the Whale’ also seduce you with their natural beauty, their folklore and unhurried pace of life. Most of the walking is along grassy swards high above the sea with occasional descents to wide, sweeping beaches. We take a cliff-top walk on Hoy, the wildest and highest of the islands, overlooking the famous sea-stack, the Old Man of Hoy.

From the site of Thorfinn the Mighty's palace at Birsay we walk to Marwick Head, where the Kitchener Memorial overlooks the ocean. On the island of Westray we follow the coast to the lonely lighthouse of Noup Head. Seabirds such as guillemots, kittiwakes, razorbills, skuas and puffins crowd Orkney's cliffs while red-throated divers nest on the inland lochs.

Accommodation: West End Hotel is a three-star, family-run hotel. Dating from 1824, the building became Orkney's first hospital in 1845 and remained so for 81 years before being converted into a hotel. It has since undergone complete refurbishment and offers comfortable en suite rooms.

Departure dates 2004: June 5*, August 7
Cost: £565
Price includes: 5 nights Hotel Dinner - Bed & Breakfast, 1 night Hotel B&B, ferry tickets during the trip, 5 days guided walking.
Single Supplement: £42

Start: Stromness Saturday 2100
Finish: Stromness Friday 0900

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Accurate ferry timetable will be supplied on booking.

*The June 5 departure would combine very well with our exciting new holiday to Shetland. It is also possible to prolong your stay in Kirkwall should you wish to spend more time on Orkney, to go shopping and sightseeing in Stromness for example. Please contact our office for details.





Shetland Summer | MODERATE

After two successful seasons with private groups we are delighted to be able to put Shetland on our regular programme for 2004. Shetland lies at the great sea crossroads between mainland Scotland and Scandinavia. It is a fascinating weave of dramatic seascapes, unique geology, ancient historical sites such as Jarlshof and Mousa Broch and, underpinning all of this, is a strong, vibrant sense of tradition.

The bird life around Shetland’s beautiful beaches is abundant. In June, puffins colonise the sea cliffs, red-necked phalaropes inhabit the island of Fetlar, and we may be able to visit the famous gannetry at Hermaness on Unst, the most northerly of the Shetland Isles. From Hermaness we can look towards Muckle Flugga and its Stevenson-built lighthouse, the most northerly on the British Isles. We will certainly see Shetland ponies – some even join us on our walks.
We can, if we wish, join in a traditional Shetland Foy to hear the beautiful fiddle music and perhaps try a Shetland reel or two. And we hope to spend an evening in thrall with tales told by a Shetland storyteller. …. A unique walking and cultural experience.

Accommodation: Quality hotel and guesthouse accommodation in Lerwick (4 nights) and on Unst
(3 nights). Most rooms are en suite.

Departure dates 2004: June 11*, June 18
Cost: £675
Price includes: 7 nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast, ferries during the trip, transport and guiding throughout the week.
Single Supplement: £49

Start: Friday Lerwick 1200
Finish: Friday Lerwick 1200

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Further flight and sailing information will be provided on booking.

* The June 11 departure would combine very well with our June 5 holiday to Orkney. Please contact our office for details.





Loch Maree & Torridon |MODERATE & INTERMEDIATE

Moderate
Loch Maree is one of the Highland landscape’s best-known treasures. Its beauty has enchanted monks, artists and, indeed, Queen Victoria. The loch’s many picturesque islands are now in the care of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). This area retains one of the few remaining fragments of the ancient Caledonian pine forests and is home to red deer, golden eagles and pine martens. The impressive Torridon peaks are well-known to climbers but for walkers the lower slopes offer equally magnificent views.
On this holiday we visit the immense corries of Beinn Eighe, part of Britain's first-established National Nature Reserve. We pass a lovely series of small waterfalls on our way to Glen Bianasdail, a typically U-shaped, glacier-carved valley. As a contrast, we offer coastal walks to Red Point and Rua Reidh with their sandy beaches, sandstone sea cliffs and abundant bird life.


Intermediate
The deep trench of Loch Maree separates the Torridon Massif from the wild hills of the Letterewe and Fisherfield deer forest. On this trip, based on the lochside, we will explore some of the unfrequented hills within this rugged area. We will climb Beinn Damph overlooking Upper Loch Torridon, but most of our days will be spent in the Flowerdale Forest; Baosbheinn and Beinn an Edin above Letterewe. Weather permitting we will cross Loch Maree to visit the remote plateau of Beinn Lair, looking north to Fisherfield or we may opt for a coastal walk away from the mountains. Finally, Slioch, above Kinlochewe, offers a long but straightforward day
| This is a harder Intermediate-grade trip walking on remote hills, with some longer days on steep and pathless ground.

On both the Moderate and the Intermediate departure there will be the opportunity, on the free day, to visit the famous Inverewe Gardens, created in the 19th century by Osgood Mackenzie and noted for their Himalayan and New Zealand plant collections. Alternatively we can arrange a boat trip from the hotel to take a closer look at the more than 60 islands in Loch Maree.
Accommodation: Loch Maree Hotel was built in 1872 and has a great sense of tradition. It boasts magnificent views across the loch and is renowned for its fine cuisine. All bedrooms have en suite facilities.
Departure dates 2004: Moderate 29 May, July 10 / Intermediate June 19, July 31
Cost: £615
Price includes: 7 nights Hotel Dinner - Bed & Breakfast, 5 days guided walking
Single Supplement: £49

Start: Saturday Inverness Airport 1115, Station 1200
Finish: Saturday Inverness 1000

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For more on this area of Wester Ross, visit the web site by the Loch Ewe Action Forum.




Scourie & North-West Sutherland | MODERATE or INTERMEDIATE

Moderate
The unique combination of extraordinary, ancient mountain landscape, vast moorlands, sea stacks and solitude in this area of Sutherland is a powerful magnet for those who love walking holidays. Cape Wrath, Scotland's most north-westerly point, offers wild, unspoilt scenery, some of Britain's highest cliffs,
sea birds galore, seals aplenty and the lighthouse, built in 1828 by Robert Stevenson.
We walk from the Cape to the top of the Clo Mor cliffs. At Kylesku, we board “The Statesman” for a boat trip to the Eas Coul Aulin Falls and walk back along the shore of Loch Glendhu. The beautiful, remote beach at Sandwood Bay is accessible
only on foot or by boat. There is a good track most of the way but we usually veer off part-way to follow the coast past the sea-stack of Am Buachaille. The geology of the north end of
the beach is fantastic with twisted pink and grey rocks.

Intermediate
During the Intermediate week we will focus on the hills within this area. Mountain walks include the quartzite ridges of Foinaven, Arkle and less well-known but equally tempting heights such as Ben Stack, Cranstackie and Beinn Leoid. On one day we choose a low-level option, either in one of the isolated glens or along the spectacular, rugged north west coastline.
| Some of the walking is on rough (rocky) ground with significant steep and pathless sections.

On both the Moderate and the Intermediate departure there will be the chance, on the free day, to visit Handa Island, just north of Scourie. Nesting on Handa’s cliffs are tens of thousands of seabirds, including Britain’s largest colony of razorbills and guillemots. Puffins nest atop the Great Stack and we always see Great and Arctic skuas on our walk across the island. Well worth the visit.
Accommodation: Scourie Hotel – we have been using this traditional, three-star fishing hotel as our base for many years and we love it. The hotel overlooks the sheltered waters and white sands of Scourie Bay. Meals are prepared from fresh local produce, with venison from the hill and fresh fish landed at nearby Lochinver and Kinlochbervie. The comfortable bedrooms are en suite.
Departure dates 2004: Moderate & Intermediate: August 14 / Intermediate: May 1
Cost: £575
Price includes: 7 nights Dinner - Bed & Breakfast, 5 days guided walking
Single Supplement: £49

Start: Saturday Inverness Airport 1115, Station 1200
Finish: Saturday Inverness 1000

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The Isle of Harris | MODERATE or INTERMEDIATE

Moderate
The stunning, starkly contrasting coastlines of Harris are among Scotland’s best-kept secrets; the east a fantastic formation of rock and lochan, the west a richly-textured mix of white shell-sand beaches, blue-green ocean and machair scattered with wild flowers. We frequently see golden eagles, otters, seals and porpoises. We will visit the deserted village at Molinginish and follow the switchback path along the coast to Rhenigidale. Another visually breathtaking walk skirts the cliffs of Husival Beag, giving excellent views to Scarp. The wild flowers at Northton are impressive and during our walk we look out upon the many islands and skerries in the Sound of Harris.

Intermediate
We will climb Clisham (799m), the highest mountain in the Outer Hebrides, and the ridge extending from Ullaval to Cleiseval. We traverse Harris from east to west over Beinn Dhubh and Beinn Luskentyre and walk to Toe Head, the south western tip of the island, where we climb Chaipaval to enjoy magnificent views across the many sandy beaches to the surrounding islands and distant St Kilda.
| This is the easiest of our Intermediate grade holidays; nevertheless, the terrain can be rough at times.

On both the Moderate and Intermediate departure, on the Friday before travelling back to Stornoway, we visit the standing stones at Callanish, one of Britain’s most complete prehistoric stone circles.
Accommodation: The Harris Hotel is one of our favourites, we have been using it for many years and you can be sure of wonderful meals and a friendly welcome from the local staff.
Departure dates 2004: Moderate: July 24 / Intermediate: June 5, August 21
Cost: £575 [Supplement for en suite: £35 per person]
Price includes: 5 nights Hotel Dinner - Bed & Breakfast, 1 night Hotel B&B, ferry ticket Ullapool - Stornoway, 5 days guided walking.
Single Supplement: £42

Start: Saturday Inverness 1400
Finish: Friday Inverness 1700

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Kintail & South Skye | MODERATE or INTERMEDIATE


Moderate
Our base this week is close to Eilean Donan – Scotland’s most photographed castle – and just a few miles from Kyle of Lochalsh and the Skye Bridge. North of Loch Duich, the round trip to the famous Falls of Glomach – at 113 meters one of the highest waterfalls in Britain – provides us with a superb walk. For a more energetic day out we can follow the river Glennan from Bundalloch to Coire Dhuinnid; an excellent walk which promises a good chance to spot eagles.
On the south side of Loch Duich there are many coastal and woodland trails to explore around Ardintoul, Totaig and Letterfearn or we can walk to the well-preserved Iron Age brochs of Dun Telve and Dun Trodden at Gleann Beag.
On this trip we also spend two days on the Isle of Skye where we visit the neo-Gothic Armadale Castle, walk the fertile, wooded Sleat peninsula, and cross the moors to the Point of Sleat. Finally, we will enjoy impressive views of the Cuillin Mountains from the cliff-top walk between Elgol and Camasunary Bay.

Accommodation: Conchra (meaning ‘the sheltered place’) House provides a welcome haven. The house was built in 1760 and overlooks the ever-changing waters of Loch Long. All bedrooms are cosy and have private facilities, mostly en suite.

Departure dates: June 5, July 17
Cost: £595
Price includes: 7 nights Lodge Dinner Bed & Breakfast, 5 days guided walking
Single Supplement: £49

Start: Saturday Inverness Airport 1115, Station 1200
Finish: Saturday Inverness 1000



Intermediate
This trip aims to explore the famous hills of Kintail and Skye by taking in some of the areas’ finest summits. Based in Dornie, we will climb sections of the renowned Five Sisters and the South Glen Shiel Ridge, without attempting the long ridge traverses. We also aim to climb Glas Bheinn in conjunction with a walk to the Falls of Glomach. Other options on this trip could be to visit the mountains of Glenelg, or to take a boat over to Beinn na Caillach, a rarely-visited hill on the remote Knoydart Peninsula.

We will spend two days on the Isle of Skye where we will climb some of the Red Cuillins; granite cones giving spectacular views to the main Cuillin Ridge.On another day we will sail to Raasay either to walk its spectacular coastline or to climb Dun Caan, the island’s extinct volcano visited by Samuel Johnson and his biographer Boswell on their famous Highland literary tour.

| This is a harder Intermediate grade trip. Fairly short approaches, but the ascents are long on a mixture of paths and untracked steep ground.

Accommodation: The Dornie Hotel in the centre of the old fishing village is family-run and has a long-established reputation for a friendly Highland welcome. Some rooms have en suite facilities.

Departure dates: June 26, September 11
Cost: £495
Price includes: 7 nights Hotel Bed & Breakfast, 5 days guided walking

Start: Saturday Inverness Airport 1115, Station 1200
Finish: Saturday Inverness 1000

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Isle of Skye | INTERMEDIATE

The Black Cuillin, the most rugged and difficult mountain range in Britain, offers tremendous opportunities for walking. We will spend most days during this week high on the peaks of these saw-toothed Munros. For a change of scenery we will spend one day doing a glen or coastal walk; we have numerous wonderful choices including nearby Glen Sligachan, the spectacular coastal path from Elgol or the Trotternish Ridge in the north east.

| This is our toughest Intermediate-grade trip. Distances are rather short, but the walking is on steep, jagged, hard rock, exposed in places. Some scrambling is involved and you need a good head for heights.
Accommodatie: Ullinish Lodge Hotel is where Doctor Samuel Johnson and James Boswell stayed during their famous literary tour of Scotland. Overlooking Loch Braccadale, and with views to the Cuillin Hills, this 18th-century house of considerable character offers quality accommodation and fine Scottish cuisine. All rooms have private facilities, mostly en suite.
Departure dates: May 8, July 17
Cost: £595
Price includes: 7 nights Hotel Dinner Bed & Breakfast, 5 days guided walking
Single Supplement: £70

Start: Saturday Inverness Airport 1115, Station 1200
Finish: Saturday Inverness 1000

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We also operate a strenuous graded Skye holiday - click here for details.




The Mountains of Assynt | INTERMEDIATE

Inchnadamph is an ideal base for exploring this beautiful and geologically fascinating part of Sutherland. The oldest rock in Europe, Lewisian gneiss, has moulded a unique landscape in which splendid, isolated mountains rise from sweeping, lochan-scattered moorland. Here, we have a wealth of extraordinary mountains to choose from, including Suilven, its sugarloaf shape possibly Assynt’s most spectacular hulk. Canisp, too, presents views to take your breath away and the variety of interesting routes up Quinag spoil you for choice. The area’s highest peaks, Conival and Ben More Assynt, are approached directly from Inchnadamph.

| The walking on these spectacularly rugged peaks is often steep, on rough (rocky) ground with significant pathless sections.
Accommodation: Inchnadamph Lodge is a listed building and used as a field centre. Here you will find a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. We stay in a twin rooms with great mountain views. All rooms have wash hand basins. A few single rooms and en suite rooms are available.

Departure dates: May 29, September 11
Cost: £485 [Supplement for en suite £30]
Price includes: 7 nights dinner - bed and self-catering basic breakfast, a bed in a twin or triple room, 5 days guided walking - A few single rooms and en suite rooms are available.
Single Supplement: £70
Start: Saturday Inverness Airport 1115, Station 1200
Finish: Saturday Inverness 1000

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Isle of Mull | INTERMEDIATE


Untamed Hebridean scenery at its finest. Mull is the third largest of the Hebridean islands and its volcanic landscape is both beautiful and diverse. An ornithologist’s paradise, the island also supports a range of wildlife from otters and seals to red deer. We will climb Ben More (966 meters) and explore less well-known mountains such as Beinn Talaidh, Dun da Ghaoithe and Corra-bheinn. Mull’s coastline comprises miles of basalt sea-cliffs, natural arches and sea stacks. The circuit of the Ardmeanach headland and the walk to the Carsaig Arches show this to its best advantage.

Boat trips to Iona, Staffa or the Treshnish Isles can be arranged on the free day.

| A mix of rough hills and wild coast – much of the latter untracked
Accommodation: The Salen Hotel. This comfortable hotel offering panoramic views is centrally situated and a natural base for exploring Mull. Most rooms have en suite facilities. The hotel serves bar meals.

Departure date: August 14
Cost: £480
Price includes: 7 nights Hotel Bed & Breakfast, 5 days guided walking
Single Supplement: £49

Start: Saturday Oban Pierhead 1515
Finish: Saturday Oban Pierhead 1015

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Tongue - The Far North | INTERMEDIATE

Sutherland's far northern landscape is wild, rough and seriously remote. In other words, it provides great potential for walking. Ben Hope and Ben Klibreck, Scotland’s most northerly Munros, rise out of the barren peat moors; the land steeped in sad memories of the Highland Clearances. Ben Loyal, with its distinctive granite torso, stands stark above the village of Tongue. On other days we can either explore one of the lesser hills, or walk along the scenic coastline of Whiten Head – the only mainland breeding ground of the Atlantic grey seal.
| This is one of our easier Intermediate grade holidays, where we walk mainly on paths.


Accommodation: Tongue Hotel was build by the Duke of Sutherland as a hunting lodge in the late 19th century. Now a warm, comfortable, four-star hotel, the original furniture remains giving the spacious bedrooms special character. All rooms have en suite facilities. The hotel serves a table d’hôte menu and excellent bar meals. A real treat to stay here!

Departure dates 2004: April 24, June 12
Cost: £495
Price includes: 7 nights Bed & Breakfast, 5 days guided walking
Single Supplement: £70

Start: Saturday Inverness Airport 1115, Inverness Station 1200
Finish: Saturday Inverness 1100

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Don't forget to check out our Strenuous holidays or Special Interest Trips

.... and our other special holidays:
Walking the 70 miles of the Great Glen with accommodation in a comfortable converted barge and
self-guided trips along the West Highland Way and the Great Glen Way.