GUIDED WALKING TOURS ISLANDS & HIGHLANDS

Transcription

1 GUIDED WALKING TOURS ISLANDS & HIGHLANDS Arrival times: Glasgow Airport: by 2pm. Edinburgh Airport: by 12am plus transfer on arrival. Departure times: Glasgow Airport: anytime possible. Edinburgh Airport: anytime possible upon arrangement plus transfer on departure. A guided walking and sightseeing tour in the Hebridean islands of Mull, Iona and Skye, and in the Western Highlands with a coach or minibus tour of Western Scotland. Our walking tour takes you through the most scenic areas of the Western Isles and the West Coast of Scotland. You discover the romantic wildness and peace of the islands and the open spaces of the Western Highlands on foot; and stay in small, quality hotels with personal service and good food. During the whole journey there are only two changes of hotel. Experience the fascinating monuments of Scotland's eventful past and round off your holiday with a coach or minibus trip through the mountains and past the lochs of Scotland's western mainland.

2 General Description of the Tour An experienced walking and tour guide who has lived in Scotland for many years will accompany you. The essence of the tour is to engage with the countryside, rather than in strenuous mountain sports. It includes idyllic island walks through wild glens, past picturesque lochs and empty white beaches. You discover fishing villages and walk along cliffs with magical views of the Hebridean island seascapes. Enjoy many boat trips and picnics at deserted beaches. In addition, the tour also allows you the option of more demanding mountain walks - such as the ascent of Ben More, Mull's highest mountain- or even more challenging walks. A whole day's exploration by coach or minibus (depending on the size of group) gives you an eventful day's trip through western Scotland, taking in the Western Highlands, the dramatic scenery of Glencoe and the wilderness of Rannoch Moor before taking the road south, following a route parallel to the old West Highland Way, to Loch Lomond and Glasgow. The Sightseeing Highlights of the journey include the Isle of Iona, renowned as the cradle of Christianity in Scotland; the fortress of Duart Castle, ancient seat of the Macleans, or the impressive Torosay Castle;

3 Castle Tioram; the picturesque village of Inveraray, where you can visit the stately Inveraray Castle, home of the Dukes of Argyll, or the interesting museum housed in the old Inveraray Gaol. If you wish, you can participate in a Scottish evening. If you prefer to be independent, you can choose your own activity as an alternative to the guided walk: for instance, excursions to fishing villages, to the little town of Tobermory, the 'capital' of Mull, to the impressive island of Staffa with its extraordinary rock formations, or to other islands such as Muck, Eigg or Rhum. You can visit Tobermory whisky distillery or Britain's smallest theatre, or relax on a railway journey on the historic West Highland Line, passing the impressive monument in Glenfinnan, which commemorates the raising of Bonnie Prince Charlie s standard in Or maybe you would like to take a walks around Loch Mora, the deepest inland lake in Europe. Also you can visit the seat of the Macdonalds, Armadale Castle and its gardens, or prehistoric stone circles, and you can discover the country, the people and their traditional food and drink in cosy tearooms and characterful pubs where you can learn a great deal from talking to the locals. All these outings you can arrange for yourself. You do not have to be an experienced walker, but you should have the physical stamina to walk for up to five hours. You walk and travel in small groups which ensures personal attention. The smallest viable number for a group is 6 people, though usually a group consists of 12 to 16 people. Your luggage is transferred for you from hotel to hotel. All you need to carry is a small daysack for your packed lunch, camera and other essentials. Most of the time walks leave directly from the hotel you are staying in. If we have to transport you to the start of a walk, we try to avoid using the bus, instead taking a train or boat whenever possible. By doing this, the transfer itself becomes something special and you can enjoy your holiday away from roads and cars. Extensions to your holiday can be arranged by us in hotels, B and Bs and self- catering

4 holiday cottages in the Islands, Western Highlands, or in Glasgow or Edinburgh. Daily Itinerary: Day 1: Arrive in Glasgow, journey by coach or minibus through spectacular Highland scenery through the Western Highlands, taking in Loch Lomond, Loch Awe, Kilchurn Castle and Loch Etive, to Oban. One hour ferry trip to the Isle of Mull and transfer to your hotel for the first four nights. Gettingto know each other, free drink, and dinner. Day 2: Walk Mull. The first walking day starts with a beautiful coast- to- coast walk through both forested and open country with wonderful views. Small and gentle ascents and descents ensure an easy start to the walking holiday on this five- hour exploration. With a little luck on this first day you will see seals, eagles and rare seabirds. Individual participants can extend the walk: for example to prehistoric sites or to the summit of Beinn Bhuidhe. (5 hours, 6 miles, total ascent 300 metres). Day 3: Walk Iona and Coach or Minibus Trip Mull. First by tour bus and then by small passenger ferry over clear blue water we go to Iona, the cradle of Christianity in Scotland. We walk around the island (5 hours, 6 miles, total ascent metres) and experience its spiritual tranquillity, with magical views of the Hebridean islands. Our walk takes us along empty white beaches, through dramatic rock scenery and over smooth green hillocks. We see impressively carved Celtic crosses and romantically situated ruins and visit historic Iona Abbey. From here St Columba sent out his missionaries and warriors to convert the natives. In the oldest graveyard in Scotland Scottish, Irish and Norwegian royalty are buried - amongst others, Macbeth and Duncan. Alternatively on this day you can

5 take a boat trip to Staffa, famous for its spectacular rock formations and Fingal's Cave. The eventful day's programme is made complete with a wonderful bus tour of south- eastern Mull. We stop at Duart Castle, ancient seat of the Macleans. Depending on the time left, you can visit Duart Castle or the nearby Torosay castle. Day 4: Walk Ben More. Ascent of the highest mountain in Mull, Ben More. During the ascent and especially on the summit you will be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views. In good conditions you can see the Western Highlands and virtually all the Hebrides. (5-6 hours, 4-5 miles, 966 metres). Less demanding alternatives for this day are walks along the coast, or through the beautiful Salen forest, or a visit to the little island capital, Tobermory. The colourfully painted fishermen's houses lining the harbour and the friendly inhabitants give Tobermory a welcoming character. Here islanders and visitors alike have time and peace to enjoy the relaxed pace of Hebridean life. You might take a guided tour of the Tobermory Distillery with a tasting of Scotland's 'water of life', eat lunch in a traditional pub, or you might prefer to enjoy a traditional British afternoon tea. Small shops sell Celtic jewellery and the work of local artists and craftsmen. Also available are interesting tours of the Tobermory chocolate factory or of the cheese farm at Sgriob- Ruadh. Both chocolate and cheese are excellent. A walk round the harbour or in the beautiful Aros park ends a rewarding day. Day 5: Walk Loch Moidart. We leave Mull on a small ferry, and embark on a coach or minibus which takes us north through marvellous scenery to Morvern where we go for a short walk through one of the last great wildernesses in Europe. Our round trip starts from the picturesque ruin of Castle Tioram and leads us among graceful pines along the craggy hillside of tranquil Loch Moidart and then continues through open country to Beinn Brach from where there are wonderful views. (3-31/2 hours, 4 miles, total ascent metres) Continuing our journey along what is said to be Britain's most beautiful road, we approach our hotel for the next two nights in the Mallaig/Arisaig area and, for those who wish, there is the chance of another walk. On the way, we enjoy views over

6 the famous white beaches of Arisaig to the Inner Hebridean islands of Muck, Eigg and Rhum. We pass Loch Morar, Europe's deepest freshwater lake, home of the monster, Morag. Finally we see the jagged outline of the Cuillin Mountains of Skye. Day 6: Walk Skye. In the morning we sail 'over the sea to Skye'. The final walk of the holiday will be tailored to the interests and abilities of the group. Usually we visit the Quiraing in North Skye, with its fantastic rock pinnacles and cliffs and views over the Outer Hebrides. ( 3 hours, 4 miles, total ascent 150 metres). Lonely lochs in fairytale glens, and the breathtaking Cuillin range - which is reckoned to be the most beautiful in Britain - make this day the climax of our Scottish journey. The headquarters of the Macdonald clan, Armadale Castle, with its beautiful gardens is another attraction which well repays a visit. Day 7: Coach Trip to Glasgow. We drive south along the Road to the Isles past historic Glenfinnan to reach Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis, and then along the banks of Loch Linnhe to the superb mountain scenery of the 'Glen of Weeping', Glencoe. The journey continues across the western end of Rannoch Moor below the Black Mount and reveals unforgettable views. Numerous photo- stops and strolls take in Kilchurn Castle and, briefly, the eighteenth century town of Inveraray where you may visit the castle or the museum in the old jail. After a stop at a fish smokery we go on to experience the beauty of Loch Lomond, celebrated in the famous song. The last night is spent in the city of Glasgow which offers many choices of entertainment for the last evening - from ghost tours to pub crawls. Day 8: Glasgow and Departure or Transfer to the Second Week's Tour.

7 7 DEPARTURE DATES 2013: (always Saturday to Saturday) Introductory Tour: Spring walks: Rhododendron time: Summer walks: * Heather seasons: , * Indian Summer: Guaranteed departures*. All other departures, minimum of just 8 people maximum group size 16 people!! Further departures by arrangement GREEN DATES INDICATE A GUARANTEED DEPARTURE AND PLACES AVAILABLE. YOU CAN MAKE A BOOKING WITHOUT HAVING TO ASK FIRST. BLACK dates mean please contact us. Either the minimum number of bookings has not yet been reached or one type of room (double, single or family) is available only on request. Planned departure for 2014 (always from Saturday to Saturday) , , , *, , *, *Guaranteed departures DO YOU WANT TO EXTEND YOUR TOUR? This holiday combines perfectly with the following tours: "In the Heart of Scotland" (walking, culture and sport based on one centre, great value) "Northern Highlights" (Orkney and Shetland Islands and Sutherland) "Western Highlands - in the Footsteps of Rob Roy" - our classic! "Scotland in Style - Railway Adventure" (guided or self- guided) "We organise your own individual holiday extension - Examples INCLUDED IN THE PRICE The walking tour price includes all sightseeing visits, entry fees, guides, ferry crossings, railway journeys and transfers described in the programme; experienced walking and tour guide; seven nights in good small hotels with en suite rooms and full Scottish breakfast, four dinners, airport transfers, luggage transfer, maps as needed and a

8 welcoming drink. PRICES 2013: Per person sharing a twin/double room (single room supplement ) Introductory tour: April 06, just (flight not included) Discount for children up to 12 years sharing with parents: 50% Telephone: 0044 (0) Fax: 0044 (0) Address: 20 Old Abbey Road EH39 4BP North Berwick Scotland, UK robroytour@aol.com Website: Your specialist for guided and self- guided walking and cultural tours, study, activity and creative holidays and for specialist groups in the whole of Scotland - on the islands and in the Highlands, in England, Wales and Ireland.