ScottishHighlands
5
Day Itinerary •
UK
Five days in the Scottish Highlands gives you the full extraordinary range of the finest landscape in Britain, from the volcanic drama of Glencoe and the extraordinary Isle of Skye through the ancient pinewoods of the Cairngorms to the most dramatic coastal scenery in Europe on the North Coast 500 and the extreme remoteness of Cape Wrath at the very tip of mainland Britain. This route covers the complete Scottish Highland experience from the famous great glens and sea lochs of the west to the extraordinary Torridonian mountains, the Bealach na Ba pass, the Cape Wrath peninsula and the sea stacks of Duncansby Head. Five days that take you to the edge of Europe through the finest wild landscape in Britain.
Best Time To Visit
May to September
Getting There
Train to Fort William from Glasgow, fly to Inverness
Getting Around
Car essential. Single track roads throughout
Budget Per Day
Approx 110 to 395 GBP per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate, Highland walking and long drives
DAY 1
GLENCOE AND FORT WILLIAM
MORNING
GLENCOE, THE MOST DRAMATIC GLEN IN SCOTLAND
Glencoe is the most extraordinary mountain landscape in Britain, its three enormous buttresses of the Aonach Eagach ridge and the Three Sisters of Glencoe rising 3,000 feet above the valley floor in walls of dark volcanic rock. The valley was the site of the Massacre of Glencoe in 1692 when 38 MacDonalds were killed by government troops. The Lost Valley hidden behind the Three Sisters is the finest short walk in the Highlands. The NTS Visitor Centre is excellent. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
BEN NEVIS AND FORT WILLIAM, THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN IN BRITAIN
Ben Nevis at 4,413 feet is the highest mountain in the British Isles, its enormous northern cliffs of ancient granite visible from across the Great Glen. The summit path from the Ben Nevis Inn at Achintee takes 4 to 5 hours return for fit walkers with appropriate kit. The view from the summit over 100 miles in all directions is extraordinary in clear conditions. Fort William is the outdoor capital of Scotland. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE COMMANDO MEMORIAL AND THE GREAT GLEN
The Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge is the finest war memorial in Scotland, its bronze figures of three commandos gazing over the Great Glen towards Ben Nevis with an extraordinary dignity. The training ground of the Special Forces in World War II lies in the surrounding hills. The Great Glen itself, the extraordinary fault line running from Fort William to Inverness, is visible from the memorial in its entire 60-mile length. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Lost Valley of Glencoe, a hidden corrie behind the Three Sisters accessible by a 2-hour return walk through extraordinary narrow gorges and over ancient boulders, is the most dramatic hidden walk in the Scottish Highlands. The valley floor, invisible from the main road below, was used by the MacDonalds to hide their cattle from raiders. In winter the approach gully fills with ice and the valley is accessible only to winter mountaineers. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Clachag Inn, Glencoe Outstanding Highland breakfast at the finest walkers inn in Glencoe. The porridge is extraordinary. | Lunch: Crannog Seafood Restaurant, Fort William The finest seafood in the western Highlands. Outstanding fresh langoustines and West Coast crab. | Dinner: Lime Tree, Fort William The finest restaurant in Fort William. Outstanding seasonal Highland menu and local venison.
DAY 2
THE ISLE OF SKYE
MORNING
EILEAN DONAN CASTLE, THE MOST PHOTOGRAPHED CASTLE IN SCOTLAND
Eilean Donan Castle on its island at the meeting of three sea lochs is the most extraordinary castle setting in Scotland and one of the most photographed buildings in Britain. The original castle dates from the 13th century and was rebuilt in the early 20th century after destruction by a Royal Navy frigate in 1719. The interior contains extraordinary Jacobite relics. Entry approx 12 pounds. Drive/Travel: 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
THE KYLE OF LOCHALSH AND THE ISLE OF SKYE, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY ISLAND IN BRITAIN
The Isle of Skye, accessible across the bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh, is the most extraordinary island in Britain, its extraordinary Black Cuillin mountains, the Old Man of Storr pinnacle, the Fairy Pools and the extraordinary Quiraing landslip making it the finest landscape island in the British Isles. The 30-mile drive from the bridge to Portree reveals a new extraordinary view at every bend. Entry free throughout Skye. Drive/Travel: 1.5 hours drive
AFTERNOON
THE STORR AND THE OLD MAN OF STORR, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY PINNACLE IN BRITAIN
The Old Man of Storr, a 160-foot basalt pinnacle rising from the extraordinary basalt scarp of the Trotternish Ridge, is the most photographed natural feature in Scotland. The walk from the car park takes 45 minutes through extraordinary moorland. The view from the base of the Old Man over the Sound of Raasay and the mainland mountains is extraordinary. Arrive before 9am to avoid the crowds. Entry free, parking approx 3 pounds.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Fairy Glen near Uig on the Trotternish Peninsula is one of the most extraordinary hidden landscapes in Britain, a miniature landscape of extraordinary conical hills, spiral stone formations and hidden lochs created by ancient landslips in the basalt plateau. The extraordinary landscape, covering barely half a mile, feels like a different country from the large-scale grandeur of the rest of Skye. Accessible by a 10-minute walk from the Fairy Glen car park. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Eilean Donan Cafe Simple outstanding breakfast at the castle cafe before the doors open to other visitors. | Lunch: The Harbour Inn, Portree Outstanding West Coast seafood in the finest harbour town on Skye. Local langoustines are extraordinary. | Dinner: Scorrybreac, Portree The finest restaurant on Skye. Outstanding local venison, Skye langoustines and Isle of Mull cheese.
DAY 3
INVERNESS AND THE CAIRNGORMS
MORNING
INVERNESS AND CULLODEN BATTLEFIELD, WHERE SCOTLAND'S FATE WAS DECIDED
The Battle of Culloden in April 1746 was the last pitched battle on British soil and the event that ended the Jacobite rising and transformed the Scottish Highlands forever. The extraordinary NTS battlefield site with its new visitor centre, the clan grave markers, the Leanach Cottage where the wounded sheltered and the remarkable memorial cairn give the finest account of any battlefield in Britain. Entry to visitor centre approx 13 pounds. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
LOCH NESS AND THE GREAT GLEN, SCOTLAND'S MOST FAMOUS WATER
Loch Ness contains more fresh water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined. The extraordinary 23-mile drive along its western shore on the B862, far superior to the busy A82, gives the finest views over the loch. Urquhart Castle on its headland above the water is the finest ruined castle in the Highlands, its extraordinary setting and the views down the loch to the southwest extraordinary. Entry to castle approx 10 pounds. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE CAIRNGORMS AND THE FINEST ANCIENT FOREST IN BRITAIN
The Cairngorm plateau is the largest sub-Arctic landscape in Britain and one of the finest wild landscapes in Europe. The Caledonian pine forest at Rothiemurchus near Aviemore is the finest surviving ancient Scots pine forest in Scotland, its extraordinary gnarled pines, red squirrels, ospreys and capercaillie making it the finest wildlife habitat in Britain. The walk from Loch Morlich into the Rothiemurchus forest is extraordinary. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Corrieyairack Pass, a military road built by General Wade in 1731 across the Monadhliath Mountains between Fort Augustus and the Spey Valley, is the most extraordinary and least known ancient road in the Highlands. The 23-mile crossing reaches 2,500 feet and gives extraordinary views over an entirely uninhabited landscape. The road was described by Queen Victoria as the finest drive she had ever taken. Accessible by 4WD or on foot. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Contrast Brasserie, Inverness Outstanding Scottish breakfast in the finest independent restaurant in Inverness. | Lunch: Fiddler's, Drumnadrochit Outstanding Highland lunch near Loch Ness. Local venison and Cairngorm ales. | Dinner: The Cross, Kingussie The finest restaurant in the Cairngorms. Outstanding seasonal Highland menu. Book ahead.
DAY 4
WESTER ROSS AND THE NC500
MORNING
THE NORTH COAST 500 AND THE TORRIDON MOUNTAINS
driving The North Coast 500, Scotland's answer to Route 66, is the most extraordinary coastal driving route in Britain, its 516 miles of single-track roads connecting the most dramatic Highland coastal scenery in Europe. The Torridon mountains on the western section, the oldest mountains in the world at 750 million years, rise from sea level in extraordinary Torridonian sandstone tiers above the deep fjords of Loch Torridon. The drive from Kinlochewe to Applecross is extraordinary. Drive/Travel: 1.5 hours drive
MIDDAY
APPLECROSS PENINSULA AND THE BEALACH NA BA PASS
The Bealach na Ba pass from Lochcarron to Applecross at 2,053 feet is the most dramatic road pass in Britain, its extraordinary series of hairpin bends on gradients of 1 in 5 giving views over the Skye Cuillin and the outer Hebrides. The village of Applecross on its sheltered bay with its extraordinary ancient monastery site and the finest seafood inn on the west coast make the descent worthwhile. Entry free. Road closed in severe winter weather. Drive/Travel: 1.5 hours drive
AFTERNOON
WESTER ROSS AND THE BEINN EIGHE NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE
Beinn Eighe near Kinlochewe was Britain's first National Nature Reserve, established in 1951 to protect the extraordinary ancient Caledonian pine forest and the quartzite summit plateaux above. The Mountain Trail to 550 metres above Loch Maree gives the finest view in Wester Ross, over the extraordinary peaks of Slioch, the Fisherfield wilderness and down the length of Loch Maree. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Sandwood Bay in Sutherland, 4 miles from the nearest road through extraordinary moorland, is the finest and most remote beach in mainland Britain, its extraordinary mile of pink sand, the sea stack of Am Buachaille and the complete absence of any facilities making it one of the most extraordinary natural places in Scotland. The walk in takes 2 hours each way through extraordinary peat bog landscape. Camping on the beach is legal under Scottish access law. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Applecross Inn Outstanding Scottish breakfast at the most extraordinarily located inn in Britain. | Lunch: Applecross Inn The finest seafood on the west coast. Outstanding local prawns and Applecross oysters. Worth the pass. | Dinner: The Torridon Hotel The finest dinner in the western Highlands. Outstanding Highland game and west coast seafood. Book ahead.
DAY 5
CAPE WRATH AND THE FAR NORTH
MORNING
CAPE WRATH, THE MOST EXTREME CORNER OF MAINLAND BRITAIN
Cape Wrath at the extreme northwest corner of mainland Britain is one of the most extraordinary and difficult to reach places in Scotland, accessible only by ferry across the Kyle of Durness and then by minibus across 11 miles of military firing range. The extraordinary lighthouse built by Robert Stevenson in 1828, the 280-foot cliffs of Clo Mor, the largest seabird colony on the British mainland, and the complete wilderness of the surrounding landscape are extraordinary. Ferry approx 6 pounds, minibus approx 14 pounds. Drive/Travel: 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
DUNCANSBY HEAD AND THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY SEA STACKS IN BRITAIN
Duncansby Head near John o'Groats is the true northeastern tip of mainland Britain and contains the finest sea stacks in Scotland, the extraordinary Duncansby Stacks standing 60 metres from the cliff face in a sea of extraordinary tidal currents. The 1-mile cliff walk from the lighthouse gives the finest coastal geology views on the north coast. The geo of Duncansby at sunrise is one of the most extraordinary natural amphitheatres in Britain. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 1 hour drive
AFTERNOON
DUNROBIN CASTLE AND THE FINEST TRAIN STATION IN SCOTLAND
Dunrobin Castle on the east coast of Sutherland is the largest house in the northern Highlands and the most extraordinary French-chateau-style castle in Scotland, its extraordinary conical towers, formal gardens above the Dornoch Firth and extraordinary collection of big game trophies from the Victorian era giving it a character unlike any other castle in Britain. The adjacent Dunrobin station on the Far North Line is the finest private station in Scotland. Entry approx 14 pounds.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Smoo Cave at Durness is one of the most extraordinary geological features in Britain, a vast sea cave carved by both the sea and an underground river into the limestone cliffs above Loch Eriboll. The extraordinary inner chamber, accessible by inflatable boat through a waterfall, is 50 metres wide and 30 metres high. The approach through the extraordinary limestone gorge is remarkable. The cave is at its most extraordinary after heavy rain when the underground waterfall is at full power. Entry free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Mackay's Hotel, Durness Outstanding Scottish breakfast near Cape Wrath in the most extraordinary remote hotel in Scotland. | Lunch: Sango Sands Oasis, Durness Outstanding cafe above the extraordinary beach. Local pies and Sutherland cheese. | Dinner: The Carnegie Club, Skibo Castle The finest dinner in Sutherland. Outstanding Highland beef and local game. Booking essential.
Where To Stay
Fort William, Night 1 Inverlochy Castle or The Alexandra. Approx 100 to 350 GBP per night. Portree, Skye, Night 2 Bosville Hotel or Cuillin Hills Hotel. Approx 100 to 200 GBP per night. Inverness, Night 3 Rocpool Reserve. Approx 120 to 220 GBP per night. Torridon or Applecross, Night 4 The Torridon Hotel. Approx 150 to 300 GBP per night including dinner. Durness, Night 5 Mackay's Hotel. Approx 80 to 140 GBP. The most remote hotel base in mainland Scotland.
Top Tips
1. Applecross Bealach na Ba: the road is not suitable for large vehicles or caravans. Check road conditions.
2. Cape Wrath ferry: seasonal only, check dates and book ahead. The minibus schedule is weather-dependent.
3. Sandwood Bay: allow 4 hours for the return walk. Take OS map and compass. No phone signal throughout.
4. Smoo Cave boat tour: check tide and weather conditions. Inner cave accessible only in calm conditions.
5. North Coast 500 in July: campsites and hotels book out months ahead. Book accommodation well in advance.
6. Scottish access law: wild camping is legal in Scotland. The Highlands offer the finest wild camping in Europe.
Total Budget
110 to 390 GBP/day