Greetings! Scotland welcomes you with open arms to a natural beauty and adventure world. When you arrive at Edinburgh Airport, our friendly representative will meet you and take you to your hotel. However, your day is far from over! Take the time to explore the city on your own and immerse yourself in Edinburgh's vibrant culture and energy. As the evening approaches, retire to your comfortable and cosy hotel room for a peaceful night's rest, dreaming of all the fantastic experiences that await you on your Scottish journey.

Overnight Edinburgh

Experience the beauty and history of Scotland like never before on the John Muir Way. This 134-mile trail showcases some of the most breathtaking landscapes and heritage sites that Scotland has to offer. Today you will walk part of the trail, starting in Helensburgh and ending in Dunbar, the birthplace of John Muir, father of America's national parks. This journey is not to be missed.

Embark on the Dunbar to East Linton section of the trail for a small but stunning taste of what the John Muir Way has in store. The clifftop walk offers incredible views and sea stacks, and a visit to Belhaven Bay will take you to the famous 'bridge to nowhere.' As you enter John Muir Country Park, you'll be greeted by a new landscape of forests and mudflats, providing a new perspective on Scotland's natural beauty.

The John Muir Way also includes stops at landmarks like Preston Mill and Phantassie Doocot, along with the John Muir Birthplace in Dunbar. The section takes an average of three hours to complete, with a medium difficulty level and a total elevation of 72 meters—this unforgettable journey through Scotland's rich heritage and natural wonders.

After a full day of adventure, retreat to your hotel in Edinburgh for a relaxing overnight stay.

Today includes an English-speaking guide, transport to and from the walk, bedroom, and breakfast.

OVERNIGHT EDINBURGH

The journey from the Scottish Capital, Edinburgh, to the rugged Western Highlands is a must-see. You will be awestruck by the breathtaking views of shimmering lochs and historic castles. Take notice of the incredible photo opportunities at the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, Scotland's largest loch, and the famous viewpoint 'Rest & Be Thankful'. As you travel through Scotland's most famous valley, Glencoe, prepare to be mesmerized by the beautiful cliff faces and steep slopes. Fort William will be our final stop for the day, where you will enjoy a comfortable overnight stay.

The West Highland Way is Scotland's first long-distance route, and you will take a 6.5-mile walk from Drymen to Balmaha, basking in the scenic countryside of Scotland. The view from Conic Hill is world-class, where you can see a chain of islands that mark the highland boundary fault, the literal threshold between the lowlands and the highlands of Scotland.

The terrain is suitable, with paths or tracks most of the way and some minor roadside walking. The only significant ascent is the section of the route over Conic Hill near Balmaha - so get ready for a challenge!

OVERNIGHT FORT WILLIAM

The picturesque Glen Nevis serves as the backdrop for this scenic route, which takes you on a journey through the stunning middle stretches of the Glen. From the visitor centre, you'll follow the river as it winds towards the Lower Falls at Polldubh. The walk back is just as beautiful, with stunning views down the Glen.

As you make your way along the path, enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. The rough, eroded, and boggy terrain in some areas only adds to the charm of the walk, and the occasional stream crossing provides an exciting challenge.

Overall, the walk covers a distance of 12.8km and can take anywhere from 3-5 hours to complete. With an ascent of 288m, this moderately challenging walk is well worth the effort.

OVERNIGHT FORT WILLIAM

The journey from Fort William to Mallaig is an experience like no other. You'll be mesmerized by the stunning Scottish countryside as you travel along the banks of Loch Eil via the renowned "road to the Isles." Along the way, the iconic Glenfinnan viaduct, famously featured in the Harry Potter films, will be right before your eyes. And if you're lucky, you'll witness the Jacobite steam train crossing the viaduct, which is a truly unique and unforgettable sight. Arisaig and the beautiful sands of Morar will also capture your heart before you reach Mallaig, a bustling port that will take you on a 45-minute ferry ride over the sea to the enchanting Mystical Isle of Skye.

Once you arrive on Skye, visit the Fairy pools and Coire na Creiche for an incredible walk. The Fairy Pools are a natural wonder in Glen Brittle on the Isle of Skye. Despite their chilly waters, wild swimmers often flock to these vivid aqua-blue pools. The walk to the first Fairy Pools is a magical experience as you follow a crystal clear burn with many beautiful pools and waterfalls. The undulating hill paths make this walk suitable for most fitness levels, with no significant difficulties. Just be aware of the deep bogs off the trail, particularly between the track and the pools. The walk covers 8km, takes 2.5-3.5 hours, and includes an ascent of 360m, making it an unforgettable and enjoyable experience for all.

OVERNIGHT ISLE OF SKYE

Today will be an unforgettable experience walking the Quiraing Circuit. This hill circuit offers breathtaking views and stops at iconic landmarks such as the Prison and Needle. Although the initial path is easy to navigate, the course becomes more challenging with rough and rocky sections and a minor scramble. The return over the hill is quite exposed, and the final descent can be boggy and eroded. The circuit covers a total distance of 6.5km (4 miles) and an ascent of 374m, typically taking 3-4 hours to complete.

OVERNIGHT ISLE OF SKYE

Embark on a picturesque and almost level circuit of Loch Coulin and Loch Clair that offers stunning views of Beinn Eighe and Liathach from across the water. The terrain is straightforward and nearly flat, with a private minor road along Loch Clair and a path and track with some short boggy sections. This walk will cover a distance of 9km or 5.5 miles; the walk takes approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours to complete.

Before starting the walk, take a scenic journey from Achnasheen to Inverness, which offers breathtaking views of the Scottish Highlands. The winding roads take you through rolling hills, pristine lakes, and lush forests before eventually leading you to Inverness, the Highlands capital. The journey is unforgettable, with beautiful scenery at every turn, making it a must-see for anyone exploring the Scottish countryside.

Make a short stop in Inverness, the Highlands Capital, for a coffee and toilet break before continuing to Aviemore in the Cairngorm National Park for the night. The Cairngorm National Park is twice the size of the Lake District. It offers more mountains, forest paths, rivers, lochs, wildlife hotspots, friendly villages, and distilleries than you can imagine. Take advantage of exploring this incredible destination!

OVERNIGHT AVIEMORE

Today we will walk in Glenmore Forest Park, located near Aviemore. It is a stunning remnant of the Caledonian Forest. As one of the six forest parks in the country, this area is owned and managed by Forestry and Land Scotland and lies within the beautiful Cairngorms National Park. Due to its unique turquoise hue, we will stop at the picturesque Green Loch, also known as An Lochan Uaine. To reach this unusual lake, we will start our journey from the visitor centre at Glenmore Forest Park. We are following the woodland trails northeast for approximately 1.5 miles, where we will reach the loch. This tranquil location offers footpaths that lead to a splendid wooden viewing platform, which provides breathtaking views of the surrounding area. According to folklore, the Green Loch, also known as the Faerie Loch, is this green colour, as it was believed to be caused by the faeries washing their clothes in the waters. For those looking for a bit more adventure, we can take a detour with a gentle climb which leads up the Ryvoan pass. With a distance of 10km and an ascent of 144m, this walk should take 2-3 hours.

After we visit the Cairngorms National Park, we will continue our journey towards Pitlochry, where we will explore the quaint village, carrying on to Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland.

OVERNIGHT EDINBURGH

Edinburgh is a remarkable city filled with much history, culture, and captivating scenery, making it an ideal city to spend the day exploring. There are various ways to enjoy the city, whether you prefer to explore the numerous museums and galleries, stroll through the picturesque parks and gardens, or relax and enjoy the ambience at one of the many local cafes or restaurants. Edinburgh boasts some of Scotland's most iconic landmarks, including Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and Arthur's Seat, all offering awe-inspiring views and a glimpse into the city's fascinating past. Regardless of your interests, today is free to spend in Edinburgh as you wish.

We hope you enjoyed your journey and wish you a brilliant time on your ongoing travels

Be sure to return you will always receive a warm welcome.

Turas math dhuibh! (Have a Good Journey)