Make your own way to the highland town of Fort William, check into your comfortable hotel and get ready for your adventure. Fort William is easily accessible from Inverness, Glasgow and Edinburgh by train or bus. Travel by train across the Scottish landscape is a wonderful way to begin to experience the grandeur of the landscape. Fort William is a bustling Highland town, with a proliferation of outdoor shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. If you are arriving early, we highly recommend taking a boat cruise on Loch Linnhe to “Seal Island” to see the grey seals or the daily “Sunset Cruise” for views of Ben Nevis and the surrounding mountains, should it be peeking out of the clouds. Accommodation: Two nights in a comfortable and stylish hotel in Fort William.

Meals:  Nil

Travel by private transfer (included – 25 mins) along the Great Glen from Fort William to Gairlochy on the Caledonian Canal to join the Great Glen Way Trail. The walk follows one of the most accessible and enjoyable sections of the Great Glen Way, offering a gentle introduction to Highland walking. Leaving Gairlochy, the route joins the Caledonian Canal towpath, a largely level track that makes for relaxed walking underfoot. The path runs close to the water, with wide views across the canal and surrounding woodland, and the long, straight stretches give a real sense of journey through the Great Glen itself. To the west, glimpses open up towards Loch Linnhe, while ahead the bulk of Ben Nevis gradually comes into view. As you approach Fort William, the walk passes Neptune’s Staircase, an impressive flight of eight locks where boats are raised and lowered towards Loch Ness. The final stretch continues alongside the canal before dropping gently into Fort William, finishing close to the town centre.

Meals:  B

Leaving Fort William by train, you will travel on one of the most celebrated railway lines in Britain, heading west through classic Highland scenery. The line skirts Loch Eil before climbing into open moorland and mountain landscapes, gradually revealing wider views as it approaches Glenfinnan. Here, the train crosses the sweeping curves of the Glenfinnan Viaduct, instantly recognisable as the route of the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films, with views down to Loch Shiel and the monument to Bonnie Prince Charlie at the water’s edge. Beyond Glenfinnan, the railway descends towards the coast, finishing at Mallaig, a working fishing port and historic gateway to the Scottish islands. From the harbour, a short ferry crossing carries you “over the sea to Skye” across the Sound of Sleat. Arriving at Armadale on Skye’s Sleat Peninsula, you will enjoy your first evening on the island, surrounded by sea views, wooded hills and a strong sense of having crossed into a very different landscape. Accommodation: Overnight in a comfortable, homely and welcoming B&B near Armadale in Ardvasar.

Meals:  B

The walk from Torrin to Broadford is one of Skye’s most evocative coastal routes, combining wide-open scenery with a powerful sense of history. Setting out from Torrin, the path follows the shoreline of Loch Slapin, with the distinctive pyramid of Blà Bheinn rising dramatically across the water and the jagged outline of the Black Cuillin forming a constant backdrop. The route soon reaches the abandoned clearance villages of Suisnish and Boreraig, once thriving crofting communities cleared in the mid-19th century. Roofless stone houses, tumbled walls and old field patterns lie scattered across the hillside, creating a stark and moving landscape that speaks quietly of Skye’s past. It’s a place that invites slow walking and reflection, with seabirds overhead and the sound of the tide close at hand. “The Highland Clearances “remain a delicate subject in Scotland even now. Beyond Boreraig, the route turns inland to follow the old marble tramway, built to transport marble from the quarries above Torrin to Broadford. The wide, gently graded track provides easy walking and expansive views back towards the Cuillin, gradually leading you down towards Broadford. The walk finishes on the edge of the village, a satisfying conclusion that blends dramatic scenery, industrial heritage and some of the most poignant history on the island. Accommodation: Overnight in a guesthouse or small hotel in Broadford.

Meals:  B

After a scenic morning transfer (40 mins) from Broadford to Sligachan, you will arrive at one of Skye’s most atmospheric crossroads, set where the road meets the River Sligachan beneath the dark, serrated peaks of the Cuillin Mountains. The old stone bridge here is steeped in legend, and the setting alone makes this feel like a true Highland departure point. From Sligachan, you set out on foot along a superb section of the Skye Trail, heading north towards Portree. The route begins on a quiet minor road through open moorland, with wide views back to the Cuillin before easing into more rural landscapes. As with many walks on Skye, sections of the route follow quiet single-track roads where there are no alternative footpaths, providing links between more remote areas of the island. As the walk progresses, the scenery gradually softens, passing scattered crofts and grazing land, while glimpses of the sea appear ahead. The final approach to Portree follows a path above the coast, offering views across the Sound of Raasay before descending into the town itself. Arriving on foot, you’re rewarded with the sight of Portree’s colourful harbour, its houses clustered around the water. It’s a satisfying end to a day that links Skye’s wild interior with its lively capital, and a fitting introduction to the island’s north. Accommodation: Three nights in a B&B or small hotel in Portree. As the island’s busiest settlement, accommodation here is in very high demand and choice can be limited, particularly in peak season. We will always request our first-choice property, but some flexibility may be required and supplements may apply.

Meals:  B

Today you have the opportunity to experience one of Skye's most iconic landscapes. Take the local bus (approximately 20 minutes) from Portree to the trailhead for the Old Man of Storr, where a well-constructed path climbs steadily onto the Trotternish Ridge. The striking rock pinnacle, created by an ancient landslip, is one of Scotland's most photographed landmarks and rewards your efforts with magnificent views across the Sound of Raasay to the Scottish mainland. From the upper viewpoint, you can either retrace your steps or continue on a longer circular route before returning to Portree by bus. Alternatively, choose to explore the Quiraing, one of Skye's most dramatic and unforgettable walks. This spectacular circuit traverses a surreal landscape of towering cliffs, pinnacles and landslip formations, with breathtaking views over Staffin Bay and the surrounding coastline. Local buses connect Portree with the Quiraing, although you should allow for a walk from the bus stop along the roadside to reach the trailhead. Private transfers can also be arranged—please ask your consultant when booking. While it is possible to visit both the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing in a single day, we recommend dedicating a full day to just one of these walks. Both are among Skye's finest hiking experiences and deserve time to be enjoyed at a relaxed pace, allowing plenty of opportunities to stop, take photographs and fully appreciate the spectacular scenery.

Meals:  B

Today is yours to explore more of Skye and its surrounding islands. If you chose to walk to the Old Man of Storr yesterday, today is also an excellent opportunity to tackle the spectacular Quiraing, one of Scotland's most dramatic hiking routes. Alternatively, escape the crowds with a visit to the peaceful Isle of Raasay. Lying between Skye and the Scottish mainland, this tranquil Inner Hebridean island offers a slower pace of life, rugged coastal scenery and excellent walking. A short local bus journey (payable locally) takes you from Portree to Sconser, where a 25-minute ferry crosses to Raasay. Once ashore, you can enjoy a choice of well-marked walking trails, quiet roads and beautiful coastal views before returning to Portree later in the day. If you would prefer private transfers, please ask your consultant when booking. If you'd like to discover more of Skye beyond the walking trails, we highly recommend joining an optional full-day guided tour of the island (additional cost). This has consistently received outstanding feedback from our clients and is an excellent way to appreciate the island's remarkable landscapes, history and culture. Travelling in a small group with an expert local driver-guide, you'll visit many of Skye's most celebrated locations, including the Fairy Pools, Neist Point Lighthouse, the Fairy Glen, Kilt Rock and Talisker Distillery (subject to the day's route). Along the way, your guide brings the island to life with fascinating stories of its geology, folklore, clan history and the Highland Clearances. There is plenty of time for short walks, photographs and refreshment stops, with the itinerary adapted to suit weather conditions and the group's interests. Pick-up and drop-off are in Portree. Please let us know when booking if you would like us to include this tour (additional cost, approximately £90 per person, price correct January 2026).

Meals:  B

Your holiday comes to an end after breakfast. Accommodation services finish this morning, allowing you time to make your onward journey at a relaxed pace. From Portree, regular local bus services run south to Kyle of Lochalsh on the mainland via the Skye road bridge, where you can connect with trains to Inverness, Fort William, Glasgow or Edinburgh or continue your journey by coach. This makes for a straightforward and scenic departure, bringing your journey through the Highlands and the Isle of Skye to a fitting close.

Meals:  B