Scotland Western Isles Hiking Tour

Your Guides

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The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.

Craig McDonald

Craig's love of Scottish history, mountains and glens has brought him further north into the Highlands from his birthplace in the Central belt. He embarked on a career working in this stunning environment and loves hillwalking, mountaineering, and biking all over Scotland-all year round. His passion for exploring the history of these areas is infectious and he loves sharing these experiences with other people. His idea of heaven is a cracking long day on foot or on bike exploring Scotland's stunning scenery and history, followed by a good hearty dinner and some mirth and laughter by a roaring fire with a wee dram in the evening!

Eilid Ormiston

Eilid, born and raised on Scotland's west coast, describes herself as a wilderness stravaiger. Reveling in micro-adventures on her Argyll doorstep or month-long expeditions across the globe, her joy is being out there and sharing her experiences with like-minded folks. Working both in the outdoor education and adventure tourism industry, her mantras are deeper values and place-based connections, and enjoying and respecting the landscape of which we are part. Introducing people to her country, sharing her love and knowledge of its unique natural and cultural heritage gives her a chance to share those connections by having a "richt gud blether."

Dave Picken

Dave has traveled throughout the world on foot, on skis, and by boat! He now regularly leads adventure expeditions in Scotland. Dave previously worked for Scotland's leading wild lands charity and he inspires travelers with his wealth of knowledge and experience of Scotland's wild places. Meet Dave on MT Sobek's Scotland adventures.

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                    [Headline] => Visit the Tomatin Whisky Distillery & Journey to the Cairngorms
                    [ActivityOverview] => 1.5 hours/2.5 miles hiking
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Arrive in Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands and take a mid-morning transfer to the Tomatin Whisky Distillery, for a tour and a whisky tasting. Have lunch in a café in the village of Carrbridge before a leg-stretching hike at the Loch Garten Nature Reserve, looking out for ospreys and smaller birds found in the ancient Caledonian Pine Forest. A short transfer then leads to the lively village of Aviemore, home for the next three nights. Get to know your fellow travelers over a welcome dinner tonight.
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                    [Headline] => Explore Cairngorms National Park
                    [ActivityOverview] => 4-5 hours/7.5 miles hiking with 1,310\' elevation gain
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Today hike to an often-overlooked summit in Cairngorms National Park which offers incredible views for less effort than you might imagine. From the trailhead, cross a bridge over a bubbling burn and then climb up onto the lower plateau, where you may encounter Scotland\'s only herd of reindeer. Follow a good trail which cuts across the heather-clad slopes before a short climb leads to a summit with superb views of some of the highest peaks in Scotland.
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                    [Headline] => Hike to the Cairngorm High Plateau
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After a hearty breakfast, venture out to tackle the Cairngorm high plateau. Home to five of the six highest mountains in Scotland, the rolling plateau is split by several deep valleys where the results of the last Ice Age are very visible. Starting from a high elevation trailhead, there is still a further 1,950 feet of elevation gain before reaching the high plateau. Once gained, hike through a sea of mountain tops with outstanding views in all directions. Return to the hotel, with time to relax before dinner. Dinner tonight is on your own in town.
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                    [Headline] => Journey to the Isle of Skye 
                    [ActivityOverview] => 2-3 hours/5 miles hiking with 490\' elevation gain
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Head west today to the Isle of Skye, the largest and mostly northerly island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. En route take a brief stop to enjoy the views over Loch Ness and another to visit the spectacular Eilean Donan Castle, dating from the 13th century. Arriving on Skye in the early afternoon, take a short hike in the iconic Glen Sligachan, a deep glacial valley which separates the Red Cuillins from the craggier Black Cuillins. After the hike, have a pint of ale in a mountaineers\' inn before arriving at the hotel.
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                    [Headline] => Hike the Isle of Skye
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Explore the magnificent Isle of Skye on one of many hikes available on the island. Depending on the weather and the group\'s mood, the guide selects the best route to take today. A great option is an ascent of the Storr - a craggy peak which gives impressive views of the famous \'Old Man of Storr\' rock spire, as well as wide-ranging panoramas across the island and across the sea to the mainland.
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                    [Headline] => Discover the Quiraing & Ride to the Outer Hebrides
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Today head north onto the resplendent Trotternish Peninsula, to enjoy a short hike amidst the otherworldly pinnacles, spires and cliffs of the Quiraing. Then jump on a ferry across the Minch to the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides. Check into the hotel, located in the sleepy village of Tarbert, before enjoying dinner this evening.
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                    [Headline] => Enjoy Views from Toe Head & Explore the Golden Road 
                    [ActivityOverview] => 4-5 hours/7.5 miles hiking with 1,300\' elevation gain
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Begin today with a lovely walk along beautiful Luskintyre beach. Continue south to Toe Head, a wonderful wee peak with unbeatable coastal views from its summit (1,300\'). Then complete a circuit of Harris by traveling back north via the \'Golden Road\' on the east coast, a picturesque road with dazzling views at every turn.
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                    [Travel_Type] => 1.5-hour private bus transfer
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                    [Headline] => Venture to the Isle of Lewis & Visit the Callanish Standing Stones 
                    [ActivityOverview] => 1 hour/1 mile hiking with 200\' elevation gain 
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Head north to the Isle of Lewis, to take in the Callanish Standing Stones which date back to 2,900 B.C. Then continue to explore the west coast of Lewis, visiting historic sites and enjoying a short but astounding coastal hike from a blackhouse village. Afterwards, continue to the town of Stornoway, and from there catch the late afternoon ferry back to the mainland. A short transfer takes you to the hotel, located in a sleepy Highland village.
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                    [Headline] => Tackle a Final Summit & Return to Inverness
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After breakfast, set out for one last hike. It\'s a short but rewarding walk up a superb little hill called Knockfarrel. At the summit, see a vitrified fort which dates back to the Iron Age (around 100 B.C.) and take in the expansive views which stretch across the Highlands in every direction - a fine place to reflect upon the journey. Then descend back to the trailhead and make the short transfer to Inverness, where the trip ends at 1pm.
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Accommodations

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Charming hotels with lovely countryside and loch views, excellent dining, and heaps of character.

Cairngorm Hotel- Aviemore, Scotland

Comfortable Hotel

Situated in the heart of Aviemore, a year-round resort town in Cairngorms National Park, Cairngorm Hotel is a delightful base for exploring the Scottish Highlands. The 32 en-suite rooms come complete with a full spectrum of amenities and feature lovely views over the Cairngorm Mountains or Craigellachie. The vibrant bar and restaurant is a great spot to swap travel tales.

Cuillin Hills Hotel, Portree-Skye, Scotland

Comfortable Hotel

Spectacularly located within 15 acres of private grounds a 10-minute walk from the charming town of Portree, this upscale hotel showcases some of Scotland's best vistas - over Portree Bay towards the majestic Cuillin mountain range. The 34 bespoke guest rooms are individually styled but all equipped with plush perks of four-star variety. The View restaurant serves classic dishes with a modern twist.

Hotel Hebrides-Isle of Harris, Scotland

Comfortable Hotel

A boutique hideaway on the charming Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, this delightful hotel showcases stylish, contemporary guest rooms equipped with Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and complimentary tea and coffee-making facilities. Many of the rooms offer loch and harbor views. Food served at the Pierhouse Restaurant is a definite highlight - locally sourced and deliciously prepared.

Coul House Hotel-Contin by Strathpeffer, Scotland

Comfortable Hotel

Housed inside a lovingly restored 1820's mansion, this delightful hotel showcases magnificent fireplaces, ornate ceilings, and great views from the public areas. The guest rooms ooze character, the cuisine served at the restaurant is creative, and the location stellar - just 25 minutes north of Inverness on the door step of the North Coast 500 route leading to the Highland wilderness.

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