Highland Fling

Itinerary

Day 1: Edinburgh to Loch Ness Departs 8.30am. From Edinburgh, we pass the famous Forth Bridge and explore the forests and salmon packed rivers of Perthshire. We visit the heart of Macbeth country with the mighty Dunkeld cathedral and then take a hike into the beautiful woodlands and waterfalls of the Hermitage. From the Lowlands we enter the Highlands into the Great Glen with views of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. Morag’s Lodge on the shores of Loch Ness is our home for the night.
Day 2: The Highlands We start the day with monster spotting as our journey north takes us to Loch Ness and past the ruins of Urquhart Castle. Then the eerie moor of lonely Culloden Battlefield (scene of the last major battle on British soil) awaits as we hear tales of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the tragedy of his defeat. This afternoon we get the chance to taste a drop of the ‘water of life’ at a whisky distillery.
Day 3: Isle of Skye Stay Wild and visit HAGGiS Grove (weather permitting) to plant a tree and help restore our native Caledonian forest before passing beautiful Eilean Donan Castle. Then on to explore the Isle of Skye, also known as the ‘winged isle’ or ‘Isle of Mist’,  famous for its ruined castles, awesome scenery and legendary MacLeod and MacDonald Clans. You will be immersed in Celtic myths and Viking legends, hear tales abound with faeries and fights, and explore the windswept mountain terrain and rugged coastline.
Day 4: Skye to Oban We return to the mainland to either travel on the famous Jacobite Steam train or take the ‘Road to the Isles’ and view and Glenfinnan Monument where Bonnie Prince Charlie began his claim for the throne of Scotland back in 1745 .  From Fort William we pass under the  shadow of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain and on to Oban. Known as the ‘Gateway to the Isles’ because of its spectacular views over to  Mull, Oban is home for the night and this is your chance for a proper Highland Fling with some traditional dancing at a ceilidh! (summer route)
Day 5: Oban to Edinburgh We head for eerie Glencoe, home to some of Scotland’s most iconic scenery and the setting of the infamous 1692 massacre, but more recently used as a backdrop in the movie ‘Skyfall’. Further south we enter Rob Roy country where the landscape changes from the Highlands to the Lowlands. Our journey back to Edinburgh takes in views of magnificent Stirling Castle and the mighty Wallace Monument. Returns approximately 5.00pm.
(Summer routing)