what to bring...
- outdoor footwear
- lots of thin layers (even in summer)
- a light waterproof jacket (April-October)
- deet or mosquito repellent (June-September)
classic tour of the highlands
your own guided tour of the Scottish highlands
Day One: Leave Edinburgh at 8.30am and head over the Forth Road Bridge with views of the Forth Railway Bridge, a Victorian marvel, before entering the Kingdom of Fife, view Benarty, the sleeping giant, and Loch Leven Castle on the route north, and heading around Perth, to Dunkeld and Birnam, two great examples of early 18th and 19th century architecture. Visit Dunkeld Cathedral, a place of great spiritual significance, then a short walk and tales by the majestic River Tay before heading north by Pitlochry and the Pass of Killiecrankie to Dalwhinnie. Lunch stop at the fine Pottery Bunkhouse. Visit Loch Ness and explore the myths and legends of the loch (option of a small boat trip with a local fisherman to the middle of the loch, and/or visit to Castle Urquhart, family seat of Clan Grant). Head via the Five Sisters of Kintail and Eilean Donan Castle to Plockton (or Portree) for overnight accommodation; stay at the renowned Plockton Hotel, or the Plockton Inn, with superb seafood and with traditional live music sessions.
Day Two: Journey to the magical Isle of Skye over the Mam Ratagan Pass and then by ferry using the old cattle crossing point at Glenelg, experience the 'Lord of the Rings' landscapes of the Red and Black Cuillin Mountains, walk to an Iron Age Broch (fort), tread lightly at the wonderful and enigmatic Fairy Glen, take in the Quirang (part of the Trotternish landslip), Kilt Rock and the Old Man of Storr; this is a day of breathtaking scenery, reading the land, and hearing a local story or two; second night in Plockton (or Portree).
Day Three: From Plockton, down the Great Glen (Albyn) to Spean Bridge, short drive to Loch Arkaig via the Cia-Aig waterfalls and the Mile Dorcha (Dark Mile). By the Commando Memorial commanding great views towards Glen Nevis, and down by Loch Linnhe to Ballachullish. Hear stories en route including that of the Red Fox, the Massacre of Glen Coe, Dierdre of the Sorrows, and others. Travel across Rannoch Moor to Glen Dochart. Visit the Falls of Dochart at Killin if time. Through the Trossachs to Stirling for late afternoon/ early evening, take in the views from Stirling Castle, Stirling Bridge, Wallace Monument and Stirling Old Town. Back to Edinburgh.
For a Four Day Classic Tour, the first night's lodging can be at Dunkeld and Birnam or Pitlochry with superb opportunities for woodland walking and gardens. This would allow, for instance, for a day at St. Andrews, home of the world's first 18 hole golf course, Scotland's oldest university and generally a fine old town with some 17th century buildings, good beaches, restaurants and cafes as well as a day two stop at Blair Castle (a great fund of family lore and treasure in an ancient family home).
This tour can also be built around a traditional music session depending on the night. The tour can be taken with accommodation and stops, a whisky distillery visit, and with eateries serving vegetarian food.
The tour can be experienced travelling clockwise with Stirling as first stop also. Back
accommodation
Accommodation for this small group and private tour can be tailor-made: hotels, inns, guest houses, homely bed and breakfasts. My most popular accommodation stop-offs in Plockton, are the Plockton Hotel, the Plockton Inn, the Waterside and Driseach ( Joan and Iain Maclelland's Bed and Breakfast). In Portree I favour Ben Tianavaig, with private bathroom, and Marie Macleod's Bed and Breakfast, (0044) 1478 613636, without bathroom. In Highland Perthshire I recommend Wellwood House, Craigatin House and Kinloch House Hotel.
