Scotland Highlands & Islands Hiking

Scotland Highlands & Islands Hiking Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Arrive in Inverness, Scotland today. Meet your guide and fellow travelers at the Inverness train station at 1:30 p.m. to begin a scenic 60 mile drive to Ullapool. A thriving fishing village situated on the shores of Loch Broom, Ullapool is one of the most attractive sea lochs on Scotland's west coast. We have several options for a warm up hike including Rhu Hill, Ullapool Hill, or Corrieshalloch Gorge, an impressive 200' deep chasm containing the Falls of Measach. Your guide will choose your hikes each day based on weather and other conditions. An orientation of the coming day's hikes will be held over dinner. Overnight in Ullapool. Dinner included.
  
  Hiking: 2-3 miles; Terrain: on trail; Elevation gain and loss: 500-750'.

• Day 2

  Following a full Scottish breakfast we explore the Inverpolly National Nature Reserve located just north of Ullapool. Inverpolly is the second largest nature reserve in Britain and is rich in indigenous plant life such as lavender, miniature wild orchids and Scotland's national flower, the thistle. Inverpolly is also home to a variety of wildlife including deer, otter, wildcat and pine marten. Peaks of 800 million-year-old Torridonian sandstone add to the spectacle as they rise majestically from lochan-strewn moors. This afternoon's hiking options are plentiful – perhaps a hike following a portion of a traditional hut to hut backpacking route or a traverse along the rugged coast to look for seals and porpoise! Overnight in Ullapool. All meals included.
  
  Hiking: 7-8 miles; Terrain: on and off trail; Elevation gain and loss: up to 2,000'.

• Day 3

  We drive south on the "Destitution Road" to Little Loch Broom. When the potato crops failed in the mid-19th century, this road was built in exchange for food by the local inhabitants. Today the saltwater loch provides a natural harbor for open sea vessel. Options include trekking the hillsides for stunning views of the loch, heading overland to a fabulous mountain lake below the pinnacles of An Teallach - a true classic of Scottish walking, or hiking along the shore of the loch to the remote crofting community of Scoraig to revel in the glorious views of the Summer Isles and surrounding mountain ranges. Overnight near Gairloch at a charming Victorian hunting lodge. All meals included.
  
  Hiking: 6-8 miles; Terrain: on-and-off trail; Elevation gain and loss: 1,000'-2,000'.

• Day 4

  The day is spent hiking the coast around Rua Reidh near Gairloch, where we look for seals, divers and gannets as we ascend from sea level to the 1,000' cliffs. Unique heathland plants thrive here, including bog asphodel and several species of insectivorous plants. The coastline offers many miles of beautiful cliffs, sea stacks and abundant birdlife such as graylag geese, ring ouzel and chaffinch. Visit the quaint shops in the village of Gairloch before heading off to explore the famous gardens of Inverewe, created by Osgood Mackenzie. The gardens are noted for their Himalayan and New Zealand plant collections, as well as their classic English garden. Overnight in Gairloch. All meals included.
  
  Hiking: 6-7 miles; Terrain: mostly off-trail; Elevation gain and loss: 800'-1,100'

• Day 5

  A morning hike to the Fairy Lochs, a series of small highland lochlans that dot the moorland between the hill of Sidhean Mor and Loch Gairloch, provides a wonderful start to the day. The lochs offer an excellent display of local geology and a touching memorial to the crew of an American World War II bomber that crashed here in 1945. A second option is a hike in Beinn Eighe, Britain's oldest National Nature Reserve - now designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The lower hillsides are home to 350 year old Scots pines (affectionately called "granny " pines) and the oldest rocks here (indeed the oldest in the world) are Lewissian gneiss, dating back some 3 billion years. In the afternoon we drive through beautiful scenery to Skye, stopping en route at Eilean Donan Castle, one of the most spectacular castles in Scotland. The largest of the Hebridean Islands, Skye has an area of nearly seven hundred square miles, and as sea lochs riddle the island's landscape we are never more than five miles from the sea. Overnight on Skye. All meals included.
  
  Hiking: 3-4 miles; Terrain: mostly off-trail; Elevation gain and loss: 750'-1,800'.

• Day 6

  After breakfast we begin our day's hike in the rugged Cuillin Mountains, the training ground for British climbers preparing for Himalayan ascents. Some of the great options for today include a hike from Glenbrittle to Coire Lagan - this challenging hike follows a beautiful glacier-carved cirque. Or we may hike towards Bruach Na Frithe or "slope of the deer forest". Here we are treated to amazing views of Ben Nevis to the east, and the Outer Hebrides to the west. Overnight on Skye. All meals included.
  
  Hiking: 4-10 miles; Terrain: off trail; Elevation gain and loss: 2,000'- 3000'.

• Day 7

  Trotternish Ridge, filled with the strange rock pinnacles of the Storr and the Quaraing, is a long ridge hike that is considered one of the finest in Scotland. Our goal is The Table, a grassy summit plateau that offers dramatic views of the surrounding landscape including the Cuillins, the Western Isles, the mountains of Wester Ross and out to the sea. Time permitting, we make a quick shopping stop for local crafts in charming Portree, the capital of Skye. We dine on delicious local cuisine for our farewell dinner tonight. Overnight on Skye. All meals included.
  
  Hiking: 6 miles; Terrain: on- and off-trail, grassy with some rocky sections; Elevation gain and loss: 1,800'.

• Day 8

  A last hearty breakfast is enjoyed before we bid farewell to the Isle of Skye. We head east past famous Loch Ness, generally arriving in Inverness by 12:30 p.m. Fly home from Inverness late this afternoon, or extend your stay to explore more of this beautiful country. Breakfast included.
  
  Driving time: ~ 3 hours.

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule above, the itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control, including weather and terrain conditions. Your trip leader will determine each day's hike; hikes noted on a particular day could be moved to an earlier or later day in the trip, should this provide a better group experience.

Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip has the necessary minimum number of participants required to operate. 

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted on the trip itinerary. If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee which is half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single rooms available.

Accommodation and meals as noted in the daily itinerary; entrance fees to castles, museums or visitor centers; private in-country transportation; skilled trip leader.

Air transportation to/from Scotland; private airport transfers; optional guide gratuities; alcoholic beverages; items of a personal nature and travel/evacuation insurance.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. It will be enjoyed by anyone who is physically fit and likes to hike. Prior hiking experience is highly recommended. The hikes each day range from 3 to 10 miles, with elevation gains and losses up to 3000' on terrain that is uneven and often rocky. Many of the hikes are off-trail. Hiking, jogging and/or cycling on hilly terrain, if possible, to condition (at least 3-6 months prior to departure) is highly recommended. The better your physical conditioning, the more you will enjoy this adventure. Note that the hiking terrain in Scotland is different than hiking maintained trails in North America's National Parks.

The weather in Scotland can change rapidly. Expect everything from rain showers with intermittent sunshine to warm and sunny days. Daytime temperatures typically range from the low 60s to the high-70s. The May departure has a chance of encountering a light dusting of snow at higher altitudes.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. Try to bring only what is necessary—this will help you and the field staff.

Weather

The weather in Scotland can change rapidly. Expect everything from rain showers with intermittent sunshine to warm and sunny days. Daytime temperatures typically range from the low 60s to the high-70s. The May departure has a chance of encountering a light dusting of snow at higher altitudes.

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider

• Please remember to always pack essential items such as your passport, money, eyewear, a change of clothing, hiking boots and medications in your carry-on baggage, in case your luggage is delayed.
• Cotton is wonderful in warm weather and walking about town. However, once it becomes wet, it will drain your body heat. Bring wool or synthetics such as Capilene®, MTS® and Thermax®.
• Always test your layers before a trip. Your outer layer should fit easily over the inside ones without binding and bunching up.
• Make sure boots are broken-in. Bring moleskin or blister remedies for foot treatment. Thin liner socks worn under regular hiking socks may minimize the risk of blisters. The liner sock should be synthetic, not cotton. Test your sock combination before you go on the trip.
• The trails can be wet and muddy in places. Boots should waterproof to ensure your comfort.
• Stuff sacks are great for sorting gear. Use different sizes/colors to differentiate contents.
• In northwest Scotland the weather can often include prolonged rains and a wide range of temperatures. When packing, ensure you take along enough clothes to have something dry and comfortable to change into in the evening (including shoes).
• For hiking, it is recommended to pack your own "toilet kit," a small ditty bag that includes a Ziploc bag of clean toilet tissue, a spare Ziploc to dispose of soiled tissue, and a small bottle of hand sanitizer. Note that toilet tissue must be discarded in a waste basket and not along a trail.