Walking, Wildlife & History on the Isle of Skye
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Maximum adventurers: 12
Departure point: Inverness
Drop off point: ATWS, Aviemore
Eilean a ’Cheo, the Misty Isle, is a beguiling mix of jagged rocky peaks, probing sea lochs, windswept moorland, sheer rocky cliffs, rich history and abundant wildlife. The largest and best known of the Hebrides, Skye is a walking and adventure paradise. It offers a wealth of exciting possibilities and exerts an enduring pull on all who visit.
On this short visit we will explore the extraordinary landscape, meet the people, discover the long history and experience the natural bounty of this dramatic island on foot and water. Highlights of the tour include the rich marine life such as otters, whales, seals and basking sharks, walking from Loch Coruisk to Sligachan through the heart of the Black Cuillin, experiencing the awesome landscape of the Trotternish Ridge, walking in the footsteps of Bonnie Prince Charlie, visiting the iconic Eilean Donan Castle and enjoying the remoteness of the Isle of Rona.
Day 1 – Friday, 1st October: Loch Ness, Glenelg Brochs, Otters and Armadale Castle
From Inverness (09:00 pickup) our journey takes us west past Loch Ness, through the impossibly scenic landscape of the Scottish Highlands to Glenshiel and then over the pass to Glenelg. Here we will explore the Glenelg Brochs. Over 2000 years old, these defensive towers were occupied by families of Picts and are an incredible feat of engineering bearing testament to the brutal history of the Highlands. The community-owned Glenelg Ferry whisks us across the swirling waters to the Isle of Skye. Landing at Kyle Rhea we will visit the Kylerhea Otter Haven (1 hour walk), which offers an excellent chance of seeing these delightful little creatures.
Travelling south on the Sleat peninsula, which offers breathtaking views of the wilds of Knoydart, we soon reach Armadale where we visit Armadale Castle, home to Clan Donald, the Lords of the Isles, which sits at the heart of the history of Gaeldom. To end the day we explore the network of nature trails around the ruined castle and gardens.
Overnight at the Ardvasar Hotel. Built in 1800, the Ardvasar Hotel is one of the oldest in Skye and is renowned for its Scottish cuisine like locally-caught seafood, game and Aberdeen Angus beef.
Day 2 – Saturday, 2nd October: Whale Watching Boat Journey to Loch Coruisk, Glen Sligachan Walk & Talisker Distillery
For the next stage of our journey from Armadale to Loch Coruisk near Elgol, we join Richard Fowler from Sea.Fari. Richard specialises in whale and dolphin watching experiences from his base in Armadale. His fast boats (RIB’s) will take us south around the point of Sleat and across Loch Eishort and Loch Scavaig to Loch Coruisk. Bottlenose dolphins, Minke whales, basking sharks, common seals and golden eagles are all regular sightings on this exciting two hour journey to Loch Coruisk.
Loch Coruisk is a jewel nestled in the heart of the jagged peaks of the Black Cuillin and is one of the most dramatic, beautiful and spectacular places in the mountains. Escaping from Loch Coruisk we walk past the sleeping giants of Marsco and Bla Bheinn in the footsteps of Bonnie Prince Charlie. (4 hour walk) We emerge from the magnificent Glen Sligachan at the Sligachan Hotel, home of mountaineering on Skye.
A leisurely tour of Talisker Distillery and whisky tasting are the perfect way to end the day before checking into Flodigarry Country House Hotel on the Trotternish Peninsula.
Day 3 – Sunday, 3rd October: The Quiraing, Isle of Rona & Eilean Donan Castle
The mystical and magical world of the Quiraing on the Trotternish Ridge welcomes us for our morning walk (2 – 3 hours). The huge cliffs, towering pinnacles and out-of-this-world landscape are a truly unique experience.
The picturesque harbour town of Portree is our next stop, where we catch the boat to the remote Isle of Rona. The short one hour boat journey takes you back in time to a different world. Rona, once home to a thriving crofting community of 160, is now a haven for wildlife, with only one permanent residence, a lodge and a couple of holiday cottages. The remarkable church cave, complete with stone benches, a natural font and a wonderful view of Torridon, is a special destination for the final walk of our short trip (2 hour return walk). The cave retains a special spiritual atmosphere and is just one reason why these remote isles on the West Coast of Scotland are so special.
Travelling south and over the Skye Bridge Eilean Donan Castle is the next highlight. Dramatically situated at the head of Loch Duich, Eilean Donan Castle is one of Scotland’s most iconic images and all that remains is the scenic drive to Aviemore.
Trip Design, Logistics & Guiding: Macs Adventure Holidays specialize in walking and adventure holidays in Scotland. Our knowledgeable team of specialists understand what makes for an unforgettable holiday – great trails, breathtaking scenery, hand-picked accommodation and a warm welcome all backed up by outstanding customer service.
“We supply a wide range of walking and adventure holidays to operators from around the world and our inbound travel trade team look forward to welcoming you and your clients to Scotland.”
This Pre-Summit Adventure is supported by Highland Council.
