Day 1: Arrive Perthshire; Loch Tay hike
Your highlands journey begins with a rendezvous in Perth. This ancient and historic city is 32 miles from Edinburgh and located beside the River Tay.
After a welcome briefing and lunch, we head to Killin, at the west end of Loch Tay, for our first trek of the trip – a short but steep ascent of a peak which offers outstanding views across the loch. After descending back down into the glen, it’s a short transfer to our comfortable Highland hotel.
Walk details: 5km/ 3 miles, 450m/ 1480 ft of ascent, approx. 2 hours
Day 2: Hiking Glen Lyon
Today we’ll explore Glen Lyon, once described by Walter Scott as the “longest, loneliest and loveliest glen in Scotland”.
The steep-sided hills that flank the glen lend themselves to walking, with grassy trails that follow the contours of its peaks. Our guide will choose a suitable trek based on the weather conditions and the preferences of the group; this might be an easy walk along the valley floor, or perhaps a hike to one of the summits.
This evening, an option for a whisky-tasting session at the hotel before dinner.
Typical walk details: 10km/ 6 miles, 750m/ 2460 ft of ascent, approx. 6 hours
Day 3: Trek up Schiehallion Mountain
On our final day in Perthshire, we’ll aim to climb the iconic hill of Schiehallion, otherwise known as the ‘fairy hill of Caledonia’ (local legend holds that the caves beneath Schiehallion are home to fairies and other supernatural beings!), an achievable munro in a remarkably beautiful setting.
Thanks to restoration and path building work by the John Muir Trust, a good walking track leads up the mountain via the east ridge to just below the summit at 1,083m. From the summit, the views on a clear day extend across the Highlands as far as Ben Nevis to the far west.
After descending, we’ll return to the hotel for a pint of Schiehallion beer to celebrate!
Walk details: 10km/ 6 miles, 750m/ 2460 ft of ascent, approx. 6 hours
Day 4: By sea to Glen Coe
After breakfast, we depart for the port town of Oban on the west coast of Scotland, where we’ll have a short while to explore before taking a RIB (zodiac) boat trip to Glen Coe.
The RIB will call at some islands along the way, with a chance for us to go ashore to explore quiet beaches and bays. We then continue up Loch Linnhe, where we may see such wildlife as seals, porpoises or even wild dolphins, before arriving in Loch Leven and transferring the short distance to our hotel.
Walk details: 4km/ 2 miles, minimal elevation gain, approx. 2 hours
Day 5: Wilderness and a Waterfall
Our walk today starts from the village of Kinlochleven, as we follow a good trail through forest to reach the ‘Grey Mare’s Tail’, a beautiful waterfall enclosed within the Moffat Valley.
One of Scotland’s highest waterfalls, the water here cascades for 60m over a hanging valley, presenting a wonderful spectacle. From the Grey Mare’s Tail, the trail continues out of the woods and eventually reaches a remote loch surrounded by mountains and wild moorland. On the return, we’ll enjoy stunning views down the length of Loch Leven to the Pap of Glen Coe.
Walk details: 13km/ 8 miles, 350m/ 1150 ft of ascent, approx. 5 hours
Day 6: Hiking in Glen Coe
Today we journey to Glen Coe, where we summit a rarely-climbed peak on the northern side of the glen, which offers some of the best views.
We start up a faintly-marked trail, with the views opening up as we gain height. From the summit, the views are simply sensational, especially as we look across the glen to the north face of Buachaille Etive Mor, the most iconic sight in Glen Coe. We shall stop for a drink on the way back to toast the end of our penultimate trek before heading to dinner.
Walk details: 11km/ 7 miles, 650m/ 2130 ft of ascent, approx. 5 hours
Day 7: Rob Roy's Grave & Creag an Tuirc
Today we start with a driven transfer out of Glen Coe taking us south to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
En route we call in at the tiny churchyard in Balquhidder and visit the grave of Rob Roy MacGregor. From Balquhidder, we continue on foot to Creag an Tuirc, a marvellous viewpoint which offers dramatic views down the length of Loch Voil. After walking back down we transfer by road (approx. 90 minutes) back to Perth, arriving late afternoon for the end of our week of walking in Highland Scotland.
Walk details: 3km/ 2 miles, 150m/ 490 ft of ascent, approx. 1.5 hours
The Perthshire Highlands, Glen Coe and the Trossachs (Small Group)
Explore the Perthshire Highlands, Glen Coe and the Trossachs on this one-week small group walking holiday
The Perthshire Highlands, Glen Coe and the Trossachs (Small Group)
2023 DEPARTURES AVAILABLE | Enjoy a selection of famous highland hikes on this 7-day small group walking itinerary. The tour begins in the Perthshire Highlands, where we spend the first three nights, with time to visit freshwater Loch Tay, Glen Lyon and the beautiful Mount Schiehallion. We then continue to the western coast of Scotland, going by sea in a rib boat from Oban to Loch Leven, where three days are spent exploring Glen Coe and the Trossachs.
Outline Itinerary
Price guide
This is a small group scheduled tour requiring a minimum of two to run - please see available departure dates below. Price based on shared double/twin accommodation. If joining as a solo traveller, the single supplement cost is £630.
Pricing
7 days from £2295pp
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