Walking: Skye and the Small Isles

Our trip begins at 9am in Inverness, where your guide will give you a warm welcome to the group before we set off. We’ll drive west through the spectacular Scottish Highlands, visiting the renowned Glen Torridon for a hike on our way to the Isle of Skye.

Famed for its towering mountains and beautiful forests, we’ll do a circuit around two gorgeous lochs on straightforward trails – no day on this tour shall be wasted!

After our hike, we’ll continue our drive through more world-class views of the western Highlands, all the way to the Isle of Skye. Arriving late afternoon, we’ll be welcomed to our lodge accommodation by the shores of Loch Sligachan. Tonight we’ll enjoy our first dinner here, which is sure to whet the appetite for the days to come.

Included meals: Lunch and Dinner

The Clearance Coast is an area of Skye that offers a superb walk through stunning scenery and moving history. Beginning from the ruins of a local parish church, we hike up over windswept moors before heading downhill to the coast on a remote corner of the island.

Here we find the remains of Suisnish – a small village whose inhabitants were forcibly evicted in 1853 during the Highland Clearances. Amid the stone walls and sheep-cropped grasses, your guide will bring to life the stories of the people who lived here, what happened to them, and many thousands of others like them.

Continuing on, we follow the narrow and winding trail along the coast, passing beautiful bays and towering cliffs. Turning inland again, we’ll admire the views of Skye’s mountains – the Black Cuillin – as we walk the final kilometres to a lovely beach to finish. Here there may be time to relax a while before we drive back to our accommodation.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today we’ll enjoy a truly amazing adventure, speeding across the waves from Skye to explore the Small Isles that lie just south of Scotland’s most famous island. Less well known, but all the better for it, they are a true jewel of the Hebrides.

We’ll drive first to the little fishing village of Elgol in south Skye, where we’ll enjoy amazing views of the mountains before we even get on the boat. After we set off, we’ll very much be keeping our eyes peeled for wildlife, such as white tailed eagle, red deer, grey seals, and numerous kinds of seabird. Passing Soay, we’ll head to Canna where we’ll go ashore for up to 5 hours, including a hike to the tiny island of Sanday.

Returning to the water, we’ll pass the shores of the Isle of Rum, looking out for any sight of dolphins or minke whales. After we return to Skye, we’ll head back to our accommodation for dinner.

Weather note: It is possible in the event of bad weather that our boat trip to Canna may be rescheduled to a different day, or cancelled entirely. In the event this occurs, an alternative option will be presented; possibly an alternative boat trip if possible. If not possible due to weather and availability a different hike on Skye will be arranged. In this case the cost of your boat trip ticket would be refunded to you.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

True Skye classics await us today, as we visit the Trotternish Peninsula in north Skye to enjoy hiking through some of Skye’s most iconic scenery. Today the trails will be busier as we visit more famous locations, but the scenery is so impressive we simply can’t begrudge sharing them!

We’ll head first to the Old Man of Storr, where we’ll hike up to an amazing natural viewing platform that overlooks this most remarkable of rock pinnacles. Looming above the hillside, the Old Man offers one of the most breathtaking views in Scotland. Afterwards, we’ll spend the afternoon hiking among the equally astonishing landscapes of the Quiraing, where Skye’s geology has created a landscape straight out of fantasy.

Today’s hikes are some of the most challenging terrain of the tour. Routes and distances can be flexible, with the Quiraing offering several possible options, and your guide will choose whichever option is best for the group as a whole.

After today’s hike, we’ll enjoy a final dinner together, recalling the many great adventures we’ve already enjoyed in a short time.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Although today is our final day and our journey back to Inverness, we’ll still be enjoying a full day and getting every bit of adventure from our time together.

We’ll pack our bags into the bus this morning and depart Skye by the most wonderful option – the old turntable ferry at Kylerhea. This remarkable little vessel is the last of its kind, featuring a hand-operated turntable that lets us drive on and off the ferry that only takes 3-4 cars each time.

Arriving back on the mainland, we’ll head to the tiny village of Corran on the shores of Loch Hourn. Here we’ll enjoy a stunning coastal walk on a rough but ingeniously constructed path that leads us to a remote bay with views up Loch Hourn. Here is the perfect place to pause and reflect before we return by the same route.

After the walk, we start our drive back to Inverness through the stunning mountains of Kintail, and along the shores of Loch Ness. Arriving back in the early evening, we’ll say our farewells after a short but packed adventure.

Included meals: Breakfast and Lunch