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Scotland Hiking Tours & Trips

Find a Hiking & Trekking trip that explores Scotland. There are 14 adventures to choose from, that range in length from 5 days up to 12 days. You will visit outstanding places like Inverness and Fort William!

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14 scotland hiking holidays with 38 reviews.

• Hiking & Trekking

Classic Walks of Scotland

The classic Walks of Scotland was my husband’s and my first experience with a group trip, We felt that everything went well, from the booking of the trip with Tourradar to the rest of the trip, hikes and bookings though Intrepid. The Intrepid group we hiked with was great and our guide, Kate, was very professional, attentive and fun. Thanks to Carmen and Phil from Guisachan Guest house for the comfortable and homey accommodations.

Walking Scotland’s Orkney Islands

We had a wonderful holiday in orkney, thanks to Marco and Martin, both gave their best to give us a great week

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Walking the Rob Roy Way

Scotland Walking & Hiking Tour.

Walk the North West Highlands and Skye

Tour was great. Angela is amazing. She’s so knowledgeable and looked after the group at all times.

Walking the Isle of Skye

Walking the Speyside Way

Walking the West Highland Way

Great Glen Way - A Scottish Fairy Tale (9 days)

Scotland - West Highland Way - 8 days (8 days)

Hiking and Wild Swimming in the Cairngorms (5 Days)

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Intl. Flights Included

Hogmanay on the Scottish West Coast - 8 days

• Flights included

• Ocean Cruise

Wild Scotland

Walk the Cairngorms in Summer

Regions in scotland.

• Northern Scotland (6)

Travel Styles

• 10 Best Hiking & Trekking Companies
• Your Guide to Planning a Private Hike 2024/2025
• Best Hiking Tours in The World 2024/2025
• Scotland Travel Guide | All You Need to Know
• Best 7 Day Scotland Itineraries 2024/2025 (with Reviews)

International Versions

• Deutsch: Wandern & Trekking in Schottland
• Français: Écosse : Treks et randonnées
• Español: Senderismo y Trekking Circuitos en Escocia
• Nederlands: Wandelen & trekking Rondreizen in Schotland

                      Walking and Hiking Tours in Scotland

Scotland's Western Highlands and Isle of Skye

Scotland: Isle of Skye and the Outer Hebrides

Scotland: The Great Glen Way Self-Guided Tour

• Sup erb Guid es
• Over 30 years of experience
• Quaint and Authentic hotels, inns and B&B's
• "Pub" life
• Carefully created intineraries
• Moors, Woodland, Lakes, Lush Valley's, and Mountains
• History, Culture and Literature

Guided & Self-Guided Walking and Hiking Tours in Scotland

Scotland: Western HIghlands and Isle of Skye

GUIDED 

$3,975 - 7 NIGHTS / 8 DAYS

The Scottish Highlands-- a vast land of raw beauty and rugged mountains, unspoiled wilderness and majestic scenery. 

$3,975 - 7 Nights / 8 Days

And off-shore lie the Hebrides, a myriad of magical islands rugged landscapes that  slide unhurriedly into the Atlantic.

The Great Glen Way

SELF-GUIDED

$1,350 - 8 Nights / 9 Days / 7 Days Walking

Discovering the impressive castles on the route, including Uruhart Castle and Ardverikie Castle.

West Highland Way - North Section

$975 - 6 Nights / 7 Days / 5 Days Walking

Climbing the challenging highland section of the West Highland Way..

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HIKING TOURS IN SCOTLAND

The scottish highlands remain a mysterious frontier even after thousands of years of human settlement. somehow the sweeping moors, deep forests, mountain valleys, and deep lochs remain as interminable and intriguing as they were when the scottish so heartily rebuked both the romans and the english..

Explore the best of Scotland with Ryder-Walker’s Guided Scotland: Highlands and Islands and the Self-Guided Rob Roy Way . Immerse yourself in the captivating Highlands and Islands trek, featuring our favorite hikes around the charming market town of Callander before traveling to the iconic Isle of Skye. Alternately, embark on the historic Rob Roy Way, tracing the life of the legendary robber-outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor.

You can imagine the old legends of knights and faeries coming to life as you hike through the ancient Scottish woods beneath the summits of the highest peaks in Scotland, the Munros (mountains over 3,000 ft). The Munros are featured in both the Highlands and Islands and the Rob Roy Way itineraries. Meanwhile, the Isle of Skye is a legendary location for good reason – the landscape here is truly austere with jagged peaks, remote villages, and medieval castles all adding to the brooding atmosphere of the landscape. Whether you are starting out your hiking day with a sturdy Scottish breakfast or arriving at a village just in time to catch a sheepdog exhibition, the eternal charm of the Scottish Highlands is sure to inspire you to explore the hidden mysteries of Scotland.

As a cultural excursion, our tours in Scotland are some of Ryder-Walker’s richest hikes, full of historic locations, local lore, and vibrant living culture. It’s hard not to fall in love with the Scottish sense of life. At night cheery traditional Scottish music fills the pubs with the sounds of fiddles, guitars, pipes, flutes, and drums. Scottish food is also an unsung hero, with the local pies, pub fare, and farm-to-table restaurants far exceeding the United Kingdom’s dim reputation for cuisine. You might even get a chance to try the infamous haggis, a pudding of spiced sheep’s pluck. Overall, you won’t find more warmth and cheer than in the chilly reaches of the Scottish Highlands and Isle of Skye.

Our Highlands and Islands tour focuses on what we think is the absolute best hiking across Scotland. The section that travels through the Scottish Highlands explores the Trossachs National Park – the same national park that the Rob Roy Way traverses. Here you will hike some of the highest peaks in Scotland and wander through the beech forests that inspired the nature poems of legendary Scottish poet Alexander Campbell. On the Isle of Skye, the trek takes a turn for the more dramatic, as the landscape of the far northern island reveals its true majesty. Notably, the Torridan mountains are a low-lying, and surprisingly dramatic chain of mountains known for their twisted rock formations. Other features of note in Skye are the island’s massive vistas, roaming sheep flocks, and windswept coastline.

The Rob Roy Way follows the life of a real-life Robin Hood; a tale of clan politics and resisting the changing world from the insular world of the remote highlands. Rob Roy MacGregor himself gained notoriety as a cattle thief and would end his life as a hero to all of Scotland. Along the Rob Roy Way, we visit locations where Rob Roy did battle with Spanish pirates, hid, and escaped from the law. We visit the historic home of the MacGregor clan, and the site of his eventual burial. Along the route, the Rob Roy Way explores remote stretches of the Southern Scottish Highlands, across moorland, and along the shores of Loch Tay. The Rob Roy Way is the perfect hike for someone who is looking for an adventure without any grueling challenge. While the Scottish wilderness is impressive and often austere, the hiking maintains a certain levity, and the Scottish Munros are never so huge that the hiking becomes truly difficult for any reason other than distance.

Choose your adventure and discover the beauty, history, and allure of Scotland with Ryder-Walker. Whether you’re drawn to the mystique of the Highlands and Islands trek or the historical charm of the Rob Roy Way journey, both hikes promise an unforgettable exploration of Scotland’s hidden mysteries and lore.

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Scotland | Highlands and Islands

Scotland is a unique country boasting 790 diverse islands, a rugged coastline, thousands of hidden lochs, a distinctive culture, imposing mountains looming stoically against the wilds of the infamous Scottish climate and vast stretches of uncharted trails. During this trek we traverse many miles of awe-inspiring mountains and precipitous glens, summit dramatic peaks and ramble through mossy forests. We visit...

Guided Tour Date

Scotland | Scotland: Rob Roy Way

Walk in the footsteps of one of Scotland’s most brilliant outdoorsmen, legendary outlaws, and greatest heroes – Rob Roy MacGregor. Through green meadows, along the coasts of sapphire lochs and across the feet of snowcapped Munros (peaks over 3,000 feet), you walk as he did during this nine-day hiking tour through a beautiful region of the Scottish Highlands called the Trossachs....

Self-Guided Tour Date

Hear It From Our Guests

Need some help deciding choose your hiking style , recent posts.

Explore Four Favorite Gems of Scotland’s Highlands and Islands

The Real Story of Rob Roy MacGregor

Our Scotland hiking tour was amazing—here are some photos

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Hiking Tours in Scotland

• Walk the 'bonnie banks' of Loch Lomond on the iconic West Highland Way
• Explore the Isle of Skye - from secluded glens to must-see spots 
• Stay in Inverness, near mysterious Loch Ness and Culloden Battlefield
• Visit the distilleries that produce Islay's world-renowned single-malt whisky
• Wander the country's historic capital, Edinburgh, complete with hilltop castle
• Discover the white-sand beaches and turquoise waters of far-flung islands

A hiking tour in Scotland immerses you in the very fabric of its wild beauty and rich culture through a patchwork of stunning footpaths. Scotland is bursting with coastal routes, rugged and dramatic landscapes, ancient abbeys and historic castles converted into splendid hotels.

In Scotland you can hike some of Europe’s most iconic long-distance trails including the impressive West Highland Way up to the base of the mighty Ben Nevis and the Great Glen Way along the shores of Loch Ness. These locations are where many blockbusters were filmed, like Harry Potter and Braveheart!

Macs Adventure was founded in Scotland in 2003, and over the years we have researched and refined our self-guided itineraries into a unique and brilliant collection of hand-picked hiking tours . We have a hiking tour for every ability and preference!

Our Rail & Hike  trips combine world-class train journeys with classic hikes, and this is showcased beautifully in our Highlands & Isle of Skye tour which starts in historic Edinburgh. Whether you'd like to hop between Scottish islands , experience Whisky & Walks tours  or are looking for some In Style accommodation with smoked Scottish salmon and hand-dived scallops on your vacation, we can arrange a hiking tour in Scotland that will leave an everlasting impression.

Our Hiking Tours in Scotland

Featured Tours - Scotland

Walking in the Scottish Highlands

West Highland Way - 9 Days & 8 Nights

Grand Tour of Scotland: Rail & Hike

Great Glen Way - 9 Days & 8 Nights

Highlands and Isle of Skye Rail & Hike In Style

Fife Coastal Path - 8 Days & 7 Nights

Discover scotland.

Macs Adventure is company with roots in Scotland and full of exceptional and knowledgeable experts!  Since our foundation in 2003, our professional team has researched and refined our self-guided itineraries in Scotland to bring you a unique collection of  hand-picked hiking tours  that allow you to explore everything Scotland has to offer. 

On your Macs tour you’ll stay in comfortable, friendly, locally-owned B&B’s, guesthouses, and In Style hotels. We’ll take care of transferring your heavy bags each day so you can just march to the tune of your own…bagpipe!?

Self-guided travel is low impact. Learn more about our Sustainable Travel  journey.

We love Scotland with a passion and our main aim is to make sure that you do too.  

1. Best for classic long-distance (& bragging rights!): West Highland Way

2. Best for history, legends & scenery: The Highlands & Isle of Skye

3. Best for iconic train journeys: Rail & Hike collection

4. Best for the mighty Loch Ness: The Great Glen Way

5. Best for a touch of comfort: Hiking In Style Tours

Top tip: Book tours back-to-back if you can’t choose!

If you’d like to speak to one of our experts,  inquire here or give us a call at (720) 487-9898.

1.  Highlands & Isle of Skye: Rail & Hike – 8 days of exciting hikes, castles, history and a Jacobite steam train over Glenfinnan viaduct. Edinburgh to Glasgow. 

2.  Highlands & Isle of Skye: Rail & Hike in Style – All the same enriching history, culture and hikes as the above, but with higher-grade accommodation - castle hotels and beautifully appointed lodges.

3.  Skye Highs Short Break – 4 nights immersed in Scottish culture and landscapes, a hop aboard the Jacobite steam train and, optional short day hikes.

4.  Skye & The Outer Hebrides – 8 days of point to point walks, views of Cuillin Ridge on Skye, visits to remote and wild Isles of Harris and Lewis, and unbelievable white-sandy beaches.

Head over to our  Hiking on the Isle of Skye page for more information.

This exclusive collection is designed for a little comfort at the end of the days hiking. They include converted castle hotels, country house hotels and boutique guesthouses.

Highlands & Isle of Skye: Rail & Hike In Style : Experience world-class rail journeys, with hand-picked hikes by day and fabulous accommodations in the evening.  

Best of Skye In Style : Stay in 4* hotels and soak up this remote island on our favorite hikes.

Islay Whisky Trails In Style : Immerse yourself in Scotland's most famous whisky isle - Islay. Easy-going hikes with a wee dram in the 4* hotels.

Great Glen Way In Comfort :  Hike the entire Great Glen Way from Fort William to Inverness, overnighting in the best 3-5* accommodation right off the trail. 

Have have teamed up with organizations to support the paths our customers walk on. We're donating $5 for every customer traveling along the West Highland Way in 2024.

These paths are like the lifeblood of our business, and we want to make sure they're here for generations to come.

Learn more about the importance of trail maintenance .

Countless happy hikers have completed The West Highland Way with Macs. It continues to be one of our most popular routes and is a favorite with our team and guests.

For a taste of the experience watch father and daughter on their West Highland Way adventure.

Join Ewan on his travels from the west coastal town of Fort William and alongside the vast Loch Ness to Inverness on the east coast.

Hike past canal locks, mountain scenery with panoramic views and stop in traditional pubs.

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for Nessie as well!

A great insight to the roads in the Highlands as we drive with Taylor past towering mountains to white-sand beaches around Scotland.

Keep watching to find out her selection of the hand-picked day hikes that’ll be sure to help stretch your legs.

The Jacobite steam train to Mallaig is one of the greatest rail journeys in the world! It crosses over the historic Glenfinnan viaduct, which made international fame in the Harry Potter films.

Follow Caroline on her hike in the wild beauty of the Isle of Skye.

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Scotland Walking Holidays

Walking holidays in scotland’s secret places, join us off the beaten track on our guided scotland walking holidays.

Our small group & private tours explore beautiful and remote landscapes in the Scottish Highlands & Islands. Discover wildlife and history, connect with local people and Scottish culture, and enjoy freedom and relaxation hiking in wide and open nature. Let us create your perfect Scottish walking holiday! 

Guided Walking Tours

Walking the Southern Highlands & West Highland Way

The Western Highlands & Isle of Skye – Hiking Adventure

Island Hopping the Inner Hebrides – Mull, Iona, Staffa & Kerrera

Loch Lomond’s Hills & Islands

Hiking Small Mount Ben A’an Trossachs National Park

Waterfalls, Goats & Whisky on the West Highland Way

Guided walking holidays.

Guided Hiking in Scotland. Connect with Nature, Explore, Experience, Relax. Hiking in the Highlands brings you up close and in touch with Scotland’s outstanding landscapes, nature, wildlife and people.

Tailor-Made Hiking Tours

Customised Private Tours. Explore Scotland with your personal guide, tailor made just for you, your family and friends. Tour with your own bespoke itinerary and travel at a pace that suits you.

Women's Tours

Hiking Adventures for Women. Welcome to Scotland, Ladies! We are a woman-owned tour company and have been designing walking holidays and hiking adventures since 2003.

Small Groups of Max 8

Local guides, hiking off the beaten track, authentic small hotels, sustainable tourism with walk wild scotland, we are committed to promoting and developing sustainable, responsible ways of travel.

Our knowledgeable guides are passionate about conveying a deep understanding of, and respect for, the environment. We keep our groups small to ensure that we leave a limited footprint, as well as creating a meaningful and authentic experience for our guests.

When planning your Scotland hiking trip, note that both Edinburgh and Glasgow are well connected to the European and international transport system. We encourage you to choose rail travel whenever possible. For those flying to Scotland, we invite you to consider offsetting the carbon emissions of your flights via Atmosfair . We are striving to become a carbon-neutral enterprise by 2030.

Learn more about Walk Wild Scotland’s  Green Tourism  commitment and sustainable tourism accreditation.

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We’re proud of our excellent Scotland Walking Tours reviews!

As a leading Scottish ecotourism business we are committed to promoting responsible and sustainable travel. We champion the ‘leave no trace’ initiative and much more.

History & Wildlife

Explore Scotland’s incredible flora and fauna. Meet Scottish people and get close to history, castles and culture. Join us on a journey of discovery.

Walking the West Highland Way

A Brief Guide To The Scottish Highlands

Scotland Off The Beaten Path

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Great Glen Way Walking Tour

Opened in April 2002, this long-distance walking trail travels right through the very heart of Scotland. From Fort William to Inverness, you’ll discover the highlights that make this area such a magnet for walkers. Pass by the foot of Ben Nevis (1344m), the highest mountain in the UK. Follow undulating forest tracks along the shores of Loch Ness and walk through a mixture of farmland, exposed high moorlands and woodland as you make your way to the capital of the Highlands, Inverness. Along the route you will also encounter the forts and castles scattered along the way that lay witness to Scotland’s turbulent past, from the Iron Age to the Jacobite Rebellion led by Bonnie Prince Charlie who was finally defeated at the Battle of Culloden.

Scottish Walking & Whisky Tour

What is more Scottish than whisky and walking the beautiful countryside. This self-guided tour allows you to visit and tour some of the best distilleries in all of Scotland, while also walking the local countryside, gaining an appreciation for the environment these whiskies are from. And not trip to Scotland is complete without touring Islay and their famous and distinctive malts.

Self-guided 8-day West Highland Way Trek

This tour follows most of the 92-mile national long distance trail of the same name through the southwestern part of the Scottish Highlands. It is claimed by some to be the most popular long distance trail in the British Isles. Starting at the village of Drymen just outside Glasgow, it includes Loch Lomond, valley routes through the mountains round Crianlarich and open heather moorland across the Rannoch Moor wilderness area. It passes close to sombre Glencoe, famed for its massacre of the MacDonald Clan, and finishes at Fort William near the foot of Ben Nevis (Britain’s highest peak, which can be readily ascended by experienced clients if they choose to spend an extra day).

West Highland Way and Ben Nevis Walking Tour

The West Highland Way is one of the premier walks in all the UK. This self-guided walking tour along the West Highland Way allows you to walk through some of Scotland’s best scenery.

North Highland Way, Orkney and Cape Wrath

The North Highland Way is a beautiful walking tour that takes you to the top of the Scottish Mainland. This self-guided walking tour allows you to enjoy the great walking in this remote part of Scotland.

John Muir Way Walking Tour

Opened in 2014, this long distance walking trail honours Sir John Muir, the famous conservationist whose legacy includes the Sierra Club and Yosemite National Park in the USA. It forms a Scottish Coast to Coast from Helensburgh in the west, through the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park (the first one in Scotland) to finish in his birthplace of Dunbar.

Glencoe and the Highlands Walking Tour

Join this Guided Walking Tour in the Scottish Highlands and experience some of the best scenery in all of Scotland.

West Highland Way Walking Tour

Scotland’s West Highland Way is one of the premier long-distance paths in all of Europe. Combining stunning highland views, charming villages and friendly locals, the West Highland Way is a perfect way to discover some of the best of Scotland.

Southern England

National Parks of the UK Walking Tour

What better way to explore walking in the UK then this guided walking tour, that takes in walking trails in four of the best National Parks in the UK.

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8 of the best hiking routes in Scotland

May 25, 2023 • 11 min read

Pick your favorite route from these top hiking trails in Scotland © Duncan_Andison / Getty Images

Rain, bog and midges be damned: Scotland  is insanely lovely no matter what hand the weather and wilderness deal you.

Any list of Scotland’s best hikes is bound to cause outrage at the ones that have been missed out. Because this land ignites the true passion of the hill climber and the mountaineer, with tough terrain and heart-breakingly beautiful landscapes that can never be captured in words – not even those of Robert Burns.

Nobody, however poetic, can ever do justice to these brooding lochs and disorientating moors, the angry seas that beat the living daylights out of coast and island, and the moment when on a dreich day the sun bursts through the clouds with a light so piercing it’s as if the world has been made anew. Its munros don’t seem too intimidating on paper, but up close, they are gnarly monsters that leap directly from the sea.

From epic climbs to escapades in the footsteps of outlaws and long-distance hikes over moor and mountain, these are our favorite eight hikes in Scotland. Rant away: we know you’ll have your own, as hiking here is highly personal – and no matter how many times you return, you can only ever hope to scratch the surface.

1. Liathach, Glen Torridon

Best munro climb 7¼ miles (11.5km), 8-10 hours, demanding

The munro that sorts the casual walker from the hard-core hiker, Liathach (“The Grey One”), is a beast, punching a burly fist high above the fjord-like depths of Loch Torridon. But if ever you are going to bag a peak, make it this one. It’s wild, rough and otherworldly up here, with near-vertical terraces of rock, tawny summits to surmount, boulders to scramble over and elating views over a thrillingly remote slice of the northwest Highlands . So remote, in fact, that the only other souls up here might be red deer, snow hares and golden eagles.  

These mountains are ancient, partly formed by two-billion-year-old Lewisian gneiss (some of the oldest rock on the planet), and spectacularly buckled and contorted during the last Ice Age.

Starting at the car park near Glen Cottage in remote, river-woven Glen Torridon, the hike eases you in gently enough – ach, but don’t be fooled! After crossing a stream, you soon begin to climb. And climb. And relentlessly climb the brutal mountain, with a few rocky scrambles before you reach the knife-edge, boulder-scattered, breathtakingly exposed ridge that gets your pulse racing, turns your legs to jelly and – oh, wow – makes you gasp out loud at views that ripple over lochs, glens and tawny munros as far as the Isle of Skye on clear days.

And do make sure you choose a clear day from early summer onwards, as it’s no fun being up here in the mist, snow or driving rain. Just when you think the hard part is over, you’ve got to get down – a tough, steep scree-and-bog scramble that will make your knees scream. You won’t care; you’ll still be drunk on that view. Bring a map, compass, food and water.

2. North Ronaldsay Circuit, Orkney Islands

Best hike for island enchantment 12 miles (19km), 6.5-7.5 hours, easy

Out on a limb off Scotland’s northeast coast, North Ronaldsay is the northernmost of the  Orkney Islands . Flat, green and hemmed by fortress-like drystone walls that keep its ancient seaweed-eating sheep on the rocky shores, this little island has a quiet magic that seeps into your soul, with its surreal light, Old Norse place names, Viking heritage and waters where, if you dip in a casual finger, you’ll surely pull up a wreck. The landscapes are gentle, but the sea here is fierce, as it is here that the North Sea smashes into the Atlantic with all its might.

Optionally starting in Hollandstoun, this easy full-day hike is a delight, giving you a flavor for this island of big skies, powder-white beaches and phenomenal wildlife – seals, orcas, a feast of birds (from black guillemots to eiders), even the occasional visiting walrus…

Many moments will grab you, but you certainly won’t forget clapping eyes on the stripy, mid-19th-century  lighthouse guarding the island’s north, which at 42m (139ft) is the UK’s highest, where the views reach all the way to Fair Isle on cloudless days. If you want a memento of the sheep (of course you do), pop into its gift shop for wooly souvenirs. In the south, check out the  bird observatory and the seal rookery at the Broch of Burrian.

3. Cape Wrath Trail, northwest Scotland

Best back-of-beyond multi-day trek 230 miles (370km), 2-3 weeks, demanding 

No other hike breaks bodies and souls and reconnects you to the natural world like the Cape Wrath Trail, where the roads fizzle out, the GPS draws a blank, and the paths are mostly non-existent. Here it is just you and the lonely, rarely seen wilderness of far northwest Scotland for mile after mile, day after day, week after week. Bog up to your waist, fast-flowing rivers to cross, blisters and a thousand midge bites – it’s all worth it, say those who’ve had first-hand experience of the trail, for a glimpse of the mountains and middle-of-nowhere glens whose stark beauty makes you pinch yourself in disbelief.

From Fort William to Cape Wrath, the most northwesterly point on the British mainland, this hike is epic not because of a solitary view or a moment, but because you are pitting yourself against the elements, forging a trail through the wilds, putting one foot in front of the other when you are bone-tired, lost and wet and frozen to the core – feeling what it means to be truly alone. 

That said, there are times you’ll never forget: glimpsing the flying buttresses of the Assynt mountains, glowing rust red in the last embers of day, seeing a stag guard a lonely peak, slipping through the machair and shifting dunes to mile-long Sandwood Bay, warming your bones by a fire in a bothy. And then, of course, at the trail’s end, there are the high, ragged cliffs of Cape Wrath, which takes its name from hvarf , Old Norse for "turning point", as this is where the Vikings would turn their boats for home. On a day when the ocean unleashes its fury, however, wrath could have a different meaning.

You’ll need to be fit, experienced and entirely self-sufficient for this hike, as facilities are sparse and navigation points few. The Cicerone Cape Wrath Trail is a useful guide. Signals come and go, so revert to the old-fashioned way of staying safe on the trail – tell someone where you are.

4. The Southern Upland Way

Best coast-to-coast hike 214 miles (344km), 12-16 days, challenging

With the obvious temptation of legging it up munros, the Highlands get all the fuss when it comes to listing Scotland’s best hikes. But it would be frightfully rude to overlook Southern Scotland, especially when it delivers a beauty so rarely seen and feted. Unspooling through the tawny pleats and folds of the Southern Uplands, the coast-to-coast Southern Upland Way from Portpatrick in the southwest to Cockburnspath in the east is one of the country’s most challenging long-distance  Great Trails .

How so? Well, you might not be clambering up Scotland’s giddiest peaks, but make no mistake – this multi-day march is a monster. The days are long, the going is arduous, and you’ll need your wits and an old-fashioned map and compass to navigate, particularly on the misty moors. The trail is remote, wild, boggy when wet, and at times exposed, but the scenery is tremendous, with vast, heathery moors giving way to greywacke sandstone hills. And with a little careful planning, you can arrange some guesthouses to pick you up at day’s end to ease things a bit.

On this trek, nature and culture constantly jostle for attention: from the placid shores of St Mary’s Loch to spectacular red-sandstone  Melrose Abbey , where Robert the Bruce’s heart is buried,  Abbotsford on the banks of the River Tweed, once home of writer Sir Walter Scott, and 466m-high (1529ft) Wanlockhead, Scotland’s highest village.

5. Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh

Best city hike 2.4 miles (3.9km), 1½-2 hours, easy-moderate

You can admire the crag-hugging  castle and walk the Royal Mile, but the true beauty of  Edinburgh is that you’re only ever a muddy boot-step away from proper hill country. One of the quickest forays into the wilds is  Arthur’s Seat , flinging up above the capital in all its dark, brooding glory. At just 251m (823ft) high, this stump of a volcano that last blew its top 350 million years ago is a bairn of a mountain by Scottish standards, but as with most things in this land, it is not to be underestimated. Robert Louis Stevenson summed it up neatly when he called it: “A hill for magnitude, a mountain in virtue of its bold design.”

You’ll need a sure foot and a bit of puff to ramble up to the wind-beaten summit on the trail from  Holyrood , former hunting ground of Scottish monarchs. There are several routes to choose from: from the easy-peasy green and blue routes to the steeper, rockier, more challenging – and ultimately more rewarding – red route, following a lava flow Lang Rig up, and descending via the Salisbury Crags. Either way, the views at the top are sensational, sweeping across the capital to the Forth Bridge in the west and beyond to the Highlands.

6. Ben Nevis (Càrn Mòr Dearg Arête)

Best peak hike 11 miles (17.5km), 10-11 hours, challenging

Ben Nevis gets more than its fair share of hiker traffic, and we get it: the temptation to stand atop "The Ben" is irresistible. For all its crowd-pulling power, Britain’s highest peak at 1345m (4412ft) offers a wonderfully wild slice of the Highlands , not to mention out-of-this-world views from the summit, where Scotland’s munros, glens and lochs spread out at your feet like a great tweed blanket. On clear days, you can even see the outline of Northern Ireland in the shimmering distance.

Most hikers stomp up the well-trod and well-defined Pony Track, the shortest, quickest, easiest (well, relatively speaking) and most crowded way to the top. If you have the nerve, leave them to it and tackle the Càrn Mòr Dearg Arête instead, which takes you along a curving, knife-edge ridge, with close-up views of The Ben’s fierce North Face.

You’ll need to get an early start as this is a long, strenuous day, packing in a lot of scenic diversity – taking you from the North Face car park up through forest and onto rocky ground. While no climbing is involved, you’ll need to be confident with heights and scrambling, as there are exposed, boulder-strewn, scree-scattered sections to negotiate. But having these ravishing views largely to yourself make it well worth any extra effort.

7. Sgùrr Alasdair, Isle of Skye

Best island climb 5 miles (8km), 6-8 hours, challenging

The  Isle of Skye is full of highs, none more enthralling than Sgùrr Alasdair, the loftiest peak in the Black Cuillin at 992m (32,55ft). With their dark, gnarly fangs of rock shooting up straight from the sea, the Cuillin mountains present some of Britain’s toughest terrain to both hikers and mountaineers. And then there’s the weather, which even the Vikings reviled: Skye takes its name from the old Norse sky-a , meaning "cloud island."

Seen from ground level, these peaks look insurmountable, and some are unless you happen to be familiar with rope and karabiner. The Holy Grail for mountaineers is, of course, the Inaccessible Pinnacle (In Pinn), a mighty, merciless fin of rock that is Sgùrr Alasdair’s cake topper. If you’re not ready to climb it just yet, you can get a taste of the intrepid (and eyeball the abseilers) by hoofing it up to the base.

Starting at Glen Brittle memorial hut, this rough, tough hike involves scrambling over rocks and scree above steep gullies as you pick your way up the slopes. Navigation can sometimes be tricky, especially if mist or rain sweeps in. But pick a clear day, and you’ll be spellbound by the view over the rugged mountain and bright-blue loch, which reaches all the way to the isles of Rhum, Eigg and Canna.

8. Rob Roy Way

Best historic hike 79 miles (124km), 6-7 days, moderate

Dashing Scottish outlaw at the time of the Jacobite risings, Rob Roy – or Robert Roy MacGregor to give him his rightful name – is perhaps the greatest and most romantic of all Scottish folk heroes. On this Great Trail walk from Drymen (on the far more famous and crowded West Highland Way) to Pitlochry in Perthshire, you’ll cover the same ground as the intrepid, rabble-rousing bandit.

The route throws you in the deep end of the Highlands, with a feast of all the kind of scenery and history you come here for: glacier-sculpted glens and swift-flowing burns, glassy rivers, frigid lochs and falls, the forests of the Trossachs , Clachan An Diridh stone circle on Fonab moor and the 12-arch Glen Ogle viaduct. There’s some hilly terrain to negotiate, with a fair few ups and downs, but no tough climbs to speak of.

Much of the trail is on narrow roads, tracks and cycle paths, but you’ll still need good kit, a reasonable level of fitness and a map and compass for when the path is not properly defined.

This article was first published July 2022 and updated May 2023

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We love the wide-screen scale of the Scottish Highlands. Great heather-covered moors roll into a broad, blue horizon. Ruined castles stand watch over silvery lochs. There’s a wonderful wildness to it all. But for all of that sweep and solitude, it’s the close-ups of local life that we remember best. You’ll meet the shepherd whose choreographed collies steer a flock with fluid grace. We walk with a naturalist along a windswept North Sea estuary famous for its salmon runs. And we’ll also introduce you to fascinating folks like the cashmere weavers of Elgin…the whisky aficionados at an artisanal distillery…and the groundskeepers who manicure a 600-year-old golf course to within a micron of perfection. Throughout, you’ll spend your nights in lovely country house hotels, and enjoy a wide range of walks from canal towpaths to Edinburgh’s lively High Street. We suspect you’ll join our honorary clan of travelers who count the Scottish Highlands as one of their favorite destinations ever.

• Enjoy an 'Only with Classic Journeys' afternoon as you savor traditional tea before ascending to the ancient Edinburgh Castle with your expert local guide for an up-close tour

• Spend a fascinating morning with a shepherd and his amazing team of collies in the quiet Highlands countryside.

• Cruise across infamous Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle and a scenic walk in a Caledonian forest

• Strike out on foot to explore historic Culloden Moor before meeting up with the craftsmen at a cashmere mill 

• Join a naturalist to go Puffin watching on the coastal footpaths along the shores of Isle of May

• Accept an invitation to St. Andrews, the legendary home of golf, for a guided walk on the 600-year-old Old Course

• Visit Falkland Palace, the country residence of Mary, Queen of Scots, before a whisky tasting at an artisanal distillery 

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We believe in creating authentic connections by immersing you into the history and culture of a people and place. So we find the most well-connected local guides who share their relationships and knowledge with us. And with them, we handcraft walking tours in cinematic settings that allow you to see the world on foot and at eye level.

It’s why Travel + Leisure magazine has named Classic Journeys as the #1 World’s Best Tour Operator multiple times, and the editors of T+L say, "Classic Journeys provides unbeatable access to experiences around the globe." Here’s what that access means for you every time you travel with us.

• Experience the world on foot and at eye level. Each day, join your guide on the most cinematic footpaths in the region.
• Exceptional full-time local guides who become your well-connected friend. Our amazing guides are with you throughout each day of the tour, share their lifelong connections as well as engaging anecdotes about the history and culture of the region.
• Small groups that provide you unrivaled access. An average of fewer than 10 guests per departure means we can offer you special access to sites like Stonehenge so you experience the stone circle when it’s closed to the general public, a guided visit to Zion Narrows that other companies cannot arrange because of larger group sizes, and vineyard walks with a count and countess in Tuscany.
• Award-winning hotels are waiting for you at the end of every day. Luxuriate in the finest and most distinctive accommodations in the region you’re exploring, including rainforest lodges, 16th century villas, and award-winning properties that show up on World’s Best and Gold lists.
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• Handcrafted itineraries with all activities included. With our long-term friendships, we know our walking tour regions more personally than anyone else. So you get thoughtfully curated itineraries that combine explorations of the villages, organic farms, archeological sites and the people who know them best.
• Sustainable travel that supports the places you’re visiting. We put our local currency into the pockets of the people who live where we travel. It’s your guarantee that you’ll have authentic, up-close experiences on your trip. Best of all, our person-to-person approach helps sustain their ways of life.

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Loch Ness Country House Hotel

Built in 1710, this country-house property is a haven of tranquility, elegant comfort and excellent food. The striking Georgian building is surrounded by six acres of beautiful gardens, and its main drawing room is a great setting for afternoon tea.

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6 of the Best Walking & Hiking Tours in Scotland

Discover beautiful, rugged scotland on an affordable walking holiday.

Scotland is home to some of the most dramatic landscapes and one of the best ways to soak in this landscape is on a rewarding walking holiday. Craggy mountains, ancient forests and brilliant green glens are just some of the impressive features in this remote environment. Add to this the lovable charm of the locals and fascinating history around every bend, and Scotland is a must for all keen hikers.

Whether you want to explore the famous tracks of the Great Glen Way or West Highland Way; hike the length of Scotland on the John Muir Way; or  follow in the footsteps of the legendary Rob Roy; there is a fantastic walking tour in Scotland for you.

These 6 Scottish walking trips allow you to explore Scotland on an affordable self guided holiday.

Rob Roy Way Tour

Scottish Rob Roy MacGregor was a notorious outlaw and a folk hero, after escaping capture several times. The 80-mile Rob Roy Way goes through classic Highland scenery and areas that were his old haunts. It begins Drymen, whose Clachan Inn is the oldest registered licensed pub in Scotland and would have been known by Rob Roy as it was run by his sister!

Hike the Rob Roy Way on UTracks' 9 day self guided walking tour.

West Highland Way Walking Tour

From the south of Loch Lomond to Fort William and Ben Nevis, this famous footpath connects Britain’s largest lake with its highest mountain. The route is a step back into history: many stages follow military roads that date back to the 1700s and used to link the Highlands to the Lowlands, as well as hotels that originated from droving inns that operated for centuries.

The West Highland Way is an 8 day self guided walk of moderate grading. If you'd like more time to smell the roses along the way, take a look at the 10 day version of the same route .

John Muir Way Walking Tour

Known for encouraging the creation of the Yosemite National Park, John Muir was born in Dunbar and as a child developed a deep love of the natural world around him. Forming a Scottish coast-to-coast route, the John Muir Way links Dunbar, on the southeast coast, with Scotland’s first national park (Loch Lomond & the Trossachs) and the seaside town of Helensburgh in the west. 

The John Muir Way can be walked in 12 days on a self guided tour.

The Pennine Way Tour

A challenging mountain journey across the rugged backbone of England, The Pennine Way was the first official Long Distance Footpath to ever be created in the country. Crossing some of the finest upland landscapes in England, it is steeped in the region’s history: it was the product of the post-WWI mass trespass movement of the 1930s, which saw working class walkers from industrial towns around the Pennines defying local landowners and walking across their land. Although many British walks are often described as ‘classic’, the 268-mile trail from Edale in Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders will always be considered as ‘the big one’, as it is a walk that tests out the endurance and navigational abilities of hikers up to the challenge. 

The Pennine Way is one of the World's Great Walks and can be completed on a 20 day self guided walking tour. If you'd like a shorter option, there's the Pennine Way Northern Section Tour that takes 11 days.

The Great Glen Way Walk

Head ‘north of the border’ and find your favourite loch along the Great Glen Way. From Fort William to Inverness – both served by the new comfortable Caledonian Sleeper trains – it follows mostly canal and loch-side footpaths, passing en route by the foot of Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain. 

The Great Glen Way walk is an 8 day self guided journey.

Scotland Coast to Coast Walk & Barge Tour

Starting at Fort William and concluding at Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, the Great Glen Way ranks among the most exhilarating long distance trails in the UK. Based on board a comfortable barge, the Scotland Coast to Coast Walk and Barge tour is a guided hike-and-sail itinerary that offers the opportunity to walk from one coast of Scotland to the other over a week. The barge stops are planned to suit the walking stages, breaking the 75-mile trail into manageable day walks, ranging between 10 and 15 miles. The relaxed route passes by the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK, while scattered along the shores of Loch Ness, the centuries-old forts and castles remain a silent witness to the country’s turbulent past.

>> Browse our full range of walking tours in Scotland.  

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Scotland Tours Walks & Hikes

Rob Roy Way

The Great Glen Way

Introductory to Moderate

West Highland Way

John Muir Way

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We offer different levels of accommodation and comfort so that even the most budget conscious can treat themselves to active holidays on Europe's most celebrated tracks and trails. Our trips are great value for money because you only pay for what you want.  

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Our wide range of self-guided itineraries embody the UTracks philosophy of exploring Europe your way. We handle the logistics so all that's left for you to do is enjoy exploring Europe at your own pace. Most depart daily with a minimum of two people, meaning maximum flexibility.

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Home » Hiking in the Scottish Highlands: A guide to the best trails

Hiking in the Scottish Highlands: A guide to the best trails

• Nature , Travel Tips

The Scottish Highlands are a hiker’s paradise, with a diverse range of trails that offer something for every level of experience. From easy low-level walks to strenuous high-mountain routes, the Scottish Highlands offer a wide variety of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy.

Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or new to the sport, the Scottish Highlands offer a unique opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful and unspoiled landscapes in the world. With its rugged mountains, deep glens, and sparkling lochs, the Scottish Highlands offer a truly breathtaking experience for those who venture into the wild.

In this guide, we will take a look at some of the best hiking trails in the Scottish Highlands, providing detailed information on the trails themselves, as well as tips on planning your hike and staying safe on the mountain. From beginner-friendly hikes to more challenging routes, we will cover a range of trails that will appeal to hikers of all levels of experience.

So, whether you’re planning your first hike in the Scottish Highlands or are a seasoned pro, this guide will provide all the information you need to make the most of your time in the mountains.

Planning Your Hike

Proper planning is essential when it comes to hiking in the Scottish Highlands. The mountains can be unpredictable, and it’s important to be prepared for any eventuality. Before embarking on your hike, it’s essential to consider the following:

Clothing and Footwear: 

Make sure you have appropriate clothing and footwear for the trail you plan to hike. Layering is key, as the weather can change quickly. It’s also important to have waterproof gear and sturdy hiking boots.

Equipment: 

Make sure you have a basic first aid kit, a map and compass, and a flashlight or headlamp. It’s also a good idea to carry a small backpack with extra food and water, as well as a mobile phone in case of emergency.

Weather Conditions: 

Check the weather forecast before you set out and be prepared for changing conditions. The Scottish Highlands can experience rapidly changing weather, so it’s essential to be prepared for rain, wind, and even snow.

Trail Information: 

Make sure you know the trail you plan to hike, including its distance, elevation, and estimated time to complete. Check if the trail is well-marked and if it’s suitable for your level of experience.

Safety: 

Remember that hiking in the Scottish Highlands can be challenging, and it’s essential to be aware of the risks. Make sure you’re familiar with basic navigation and survival skills and be prepared for emergency situations.

By following these tips, you’ll be well-prepared for your hike and ready to enjoy all that the Scottish Highlands have to offer.

Hikes for Beginners

The Scottish Highlands offer a wide range of hiking trails for beginners, from easy low-level walks to more moderate routes. Here are a few recommended hikes for those new to the sport:

Glen Affric: 

This moderate trail takes you through one of Scotland’s most beautiful glens. The trail is well-marked and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The total distance is around 8 miles and it takes around 4-5 hours to complete.

The Lochs of Killin: 

This easy trail takes you along the shores of Lochs Tay and Dochart, with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. The trail is well-marked and offers a gentle walk with a total distance of around 4 miles and takes around 2-3 hours to complete.

The Trossachs: 

This moderate trail offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the Scottish Highlands, with lochs, hills, and forests to explore. The trail is well-marked and offers a total distance of around 6 miles and takes around 4-5 hours to complete.

The Quiraing: 

This moderate trail offers spectacular views of the Isle of Skye and is a great introduction to hiking in the Scottish Highlands. The trail is well-marked and offers a total distance of around 4 miles and takes around 3-4 hours to complete.

These hikes are just a few examples of the many trails available for beginners in the Scottish Highlands. Remember to pack appropriately, check the weather forecast and carry a map and compass. Enjoy your hike and the breathtaking views of the Scottish Highlands!

Intermediate and Advanced Hikes

For those looking for a more challenging hike, the Scottish Highlands offers a variety of intermediate and advanced trails. Here are a few recommended hikes for experienced hikers:

The Cuillin Ridge: 

This advanced hike takes you along the ridge of the Black Cuillin mountains on the Isle of Skye. The trail is steep and strenuous, with challenging scrambles and narrow ridges. The total distance is around 12 miles and it takes around 8-10 hours to complete.

The West Highland Way: 

This intermediate hike takes you through some of Scotland’s most spectacular landscapes, from the lowlands to the highlands. The trail is well-marked and offers a total distance of around 96 miles and takes around 7-8 days to complete.

The Ben Nevis: 

This advanced hike takes you to the summit of Scotland’s highest mountain. The trail is steep and strenuous, with challenging scrambles and steep inclines. The total distance is around 6 miles and it takes around 6-8 hours to complete.

The Lairig Ghru: 

This intermediate hike takes you through one of the most remote and wild areas of the Scottish Highlands. The trail is well-marked but can be strenuous, with steep inclines and rocky terrain. The total distance is around 22 miles and it takes around 2-3 days to complete.

These hikes are for experienced hikers and require proper planning, navigation, and safety skills. Remember to check the weather forecast, carry a map and compass and make sure you’re properly equipped for the trail. Enjoy your hike and the breathtaking views of the Scottish Highlands!

Contact Our Hiking Tour Specialists

The Scottish Highlands offer a truly breathtaking experience for those who venture into the wild, with its rugged mountains, deep glens, and sparkling lochs. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or new to the sport, the Scottish Highlands offer a unique opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful and unspoiled landscapes in the world.

We encourage readers to explore the Scottish Highlands and try out the recommended hikes. Remember to properly plan your hike, be equipped and aware of the weather conditions, and stay safe. For more information or to discuss including a hiking trail on your tour of Scotland, contact our team at Braw Scottish Tours .

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Home » Best Hiking Tours in Scotland – An Easy, Carefree Escape

Best Hiking Tours in Scotland – An Easy, Carefree Escape

Hiking in the Scottish Highlands will change your life. Our quest has always been to discover and share travel experiences that offer great value. Recently, we enjoyed one of the best hiking tours in Stirling, Scotland, about an hour north of Glasgow and we’re excited to share more about it.

Feeling a wee bit sluggish? Stressed? Tired of the daily grind? We may have the perfect remedy to reignite that dying inner spark. However, this goes beyond saying, “Just take a vacation.” Instead, we’re suggesting devoting time to moving, discovering, and exploring the Scottish Highlands!

Best Scottish Highlands Hiking Holiday

So many people will go on a vacation and they’ll walk—but it will be through cities, museums, shopping malls, and the buffet line at an all-inclusive resort.

“After our week surrounded by inspiring scenery, we felt physically and mentally rejuvenated and pleasantly disconnected.”

Why do so many travelers seem to avoid exploring the great outdoors while on holiday? Especially, when there are places like the Gartmore Estate that exist and are so easily accessible.

As a result, after about a week out walking in the Scottish Highlands, we discovered a sense of rejuvenation that we hadn’t felt in a long time. Each day brought on an exciting adventure and a fun, new challenge. Our bodies reveled in the endorphins generated from that glorious, natural hiker’s high.

When you’re ready to book your next flight, follow these three easy steps to get the best price .

The gartmore house > historic country manor.

The Gartmore House is an 18th-century historic country manor is set in Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Located on 75 acres of private land, a stay on the Gartmore Estate is quiet and peaceful.

By the way, the Gartmore Estate is a not-for-profit charitable trust with folks that have a true passion for education. They specialize in hosting Activity Breaks where visitors come to enjoy and grow in their favorite creative pastimes. Some of the activities include painting, yoga, knitting, photography, hill walking, quilting and patchworking, jewelry, foraging, and more!

While we loved the Hill Walking Holiday but doesn’t foraging sound cool? Similar to a ‘Bear Grylls-style’ adventure? We learned guests explore the Scottish Hills foraging for edibles and learn how to survive in the wilderness. We have that flagged for our next visit.

To reach the Gartmore Estate, most travelers will take the train from Glasgow Queen Street railway station to the Stirling railway station—from Stirling, complimentary pickup is offered by Gartmore Estate.

Budget Tip : The Z Hotel Glasgow is located across the street from Glasgow Queen Street railway station. While compact, it’s extremely clean and affordable, and the price cannot be beaten. Willing to choose the best places to stay by yourself or are you interested in getting off the beaten path? Try  Trivago : a service comparing the best prices.

Experience a Gartmore Walking Holiday

Don’t let the term “walking holiday” fool you! Our week was adventurous and fun! Before arriving, we assumed our hikes would start and end from the Gartmore House. However, every morning we were transported to a new trailhead around the region. This allowed us to experience four very different days of weather, terrain, and trails.

One of the most brilliant aspects of our walking holiday was that there was little planning or stress involved. Essentially, all we needed to do was simply show up and someone else planned our day of hiking, which we loved.

Our days were organized by Gavin Clarke, a local Scottish guide who designed our daily itinerary based on our personal preferences and fitness levels. He even had gear we could borrow such as hiking boots, walking poles, waterproof pants, and gaiters.

We suggest bringing your favorite hiking boots, a pair of water-resistant pants, walking poles, and a comfortable day pack. For the day you’ll need cameras, snacks, water, and any necessary outdoor wear (hats, gloves, raincoats, etc.). A packed lunch is provided each day. Trust us, this is one of the best hiking tours in Scotland!

Hiking the Scottish Hills > The Ultimate Decompressor

Hiking is the ultimate decompressor and stress reliever. Studies continuously show that spending time in nature is a natural mood enhancer and helps fight off common mental health issues like depression.

Our goal is to inspire others to get out in nature and try a walking holiday.  We invite you to check out our video above to get a glimpse of what our outdoor adventure was like with the folks at the Gartmore Estate. They specialize in Activity Holidays and their Scottish Hill Walking is one of their most popular guest experiences.

Guest Rooms at the Gartmore House

On an average hiking holiday, after a long day out on the trails, hikers will return to their basic (sometimes highly trafficked) accommodations. Thankfully, the rooms at the Gartmore House were anything but basic. We loved our time doing some of the best hiking in Scotland, however, after a long day out on the trails, we always looked forward to coming back to our cozy room.

Our room was super spacious with a king-sized, comfortable bed. There was lots of room to unpack and feel settled. We appreciated our little “coffee station” where coffee, tea, biscuits, and chocolates were replenished daily.

Additionally, another perk was that all toiletries were generously provided. It’s unfortunate how many accommodations no longer supply shampoo or soap for guests, especially in Europe.

From our room, we could see a silhouette of the Stirling Castle and Wallace Monument off in the distance. In the evenings, we’d look out the massive windows at enjoying views of the sunset, mountains, and farm animals.

From experience, we will tell you not all hiker’s accommodations in the U.K. are this comfortable or offer this much value.

How’s the Food at the Gartmore House?

All Activity Holidays at the Gartmore Estate come full board which includes three daily meals. Typically, this will be a traditional Scottish breakfast, lunch, and a tasty three-course dinner. The food was amazing!

Every day we’d receive a dinner itinerary (that’s what I playfully called it) in which you could select from three different items in each course; starters, mains, and desserts. The chefs prepared hearty, professionally prepared dishes and we were pleasantly surprised at the quality and selection. Therefore, the portions were large and we never once left feeling hungry.

Day Trips from the Gartmore House

Guests have the opportunity to explore some of the nearby towns and cities. Holidays lasting for four days or more include an optional day trip. On our hiking holiday, we were able to tour the cities of Dollar and Stirling.

Stirling is a charming, walkable city where you can climb to the lookout of Stirling Castle or visit the Wallace Tower. Each attraction does have an admittance fee. We recommend stopping for drinks and roasting marshmallows at Monterey Jack’s .

Excursions to Aberfoyle and Loch Katrine are other options. Boat cruises on the Loch Katrine are available at an additional fee. Transportation is included.

What to Do During Down Time?

After dinner, we’d relax in the parlor room to enjoy the cozy fireplace. Sometimes we would have dessert and coffee served there as we decompressed from the day. Essentially, this is a place for detoxing, so there are not any televisions in the rooms, which we recognized as a good thing.

Wi-Fi can also be slow and spotty due to the remote location. Again, this is probably a good thing, as we were her to escape. Consider bringing some good books for evenings. There is a small library on location.

Towards the end of our trip, we were told we were going to have a special dinner and some live entertainment. The Gartmore House arranged a Champagne dinner in the Cayzer room. The room is right out of the movies. It’s wood-paneled and features a stunning boardroom table, a fireplace, and a decorated frieze.

Afterward, we were brought into the parlor where local Scottish singer Gary MacAlba Speirs put on a phenomenal live performance. His amazing act consisted of Celtic songs, jokes, and stories of local folklore.

Over a Guinness, we sang along to familiar songs and laughed over stories of recent adventures. Saint Patrick’s Day was just a few days prior, so Celtic vibes were still going strong! We learned that each Activity Holiday concludes with a special live performance for all the guests.

Cost for the Activity Holiday

There are specialized rates and perks that come with an Activity Holiday package. We participated in the Walking Holiday and for everything we experienced, it was a phenomenal deal. The organized Activity Holidays vary slightly in length and price, but on average the rate is about USD 100 per person per day.

As a result, each Activity Holiday Package is extremely affordable and includes:

• Transfers to and from Stirling Train Station.
• Full Room and Board, three meals daily.
• Unlimited tea and coffee.
• Toiletries.
• An evening of live entertainment.
• Four Days with Private Guide (Walking Holiday) or Tutor.
• Optional day trip/transport to Aberfoyle or Loch Katrine.

How to Get to the Gartmore Estate

From Glasgow, the Gartmore Estate can be reached in about an hour with a vehicle. You may also take a train from Glasgow to Stirling. In this case, it’s about a 30-minute ride to Stirling, and a 40-minute drive from the Stirling train station to the Gartmore Estate. The free transfer will take you from the train station directly to the door of the Gartmore House!

Do you have any questions or comments related to a walking holiday in the Scottish Highlands? If so, please let us know below.

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• West Highland Way

Why go hiking on the West Highland Way?

• Challenge yourself to hike all, or part, of Scotland’s finest long distance trail and enjoy a special camaraderie with fellow hikers from all around the world
• Capture amazing photographs as your hike takes you past some of the Highland’s finest scenery - including Loch Lomond, Ben Nevis and the Trossachs National Park
• Take an extra day in Fort William after the end of your tour to ride on the Harry Potter steam train from Fort William to Mallaig or climb Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain!
• Convenience: The start-point of the West Highland Way is in Milngavie – only 30 minutes from Glasgow Airport

What's Included:

• Top-Choice Accommodation
• Detailed Itinerary, Maps & GPS Tracks
• Baggage Transfer
• Insider Tips
• 24/7 Support
• Access your tour details & documents on the go with your designated Hillwalk Tours account

What's Excluded:

• Travel to and from tour start and end points
• Lunches, dinners, snacks & drinks
• Travel insurance
• Hiking equipment

The West Highland Way is a 154km (96 mile) long route, running from Milngavie, north of Glasgow, to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. Opened in 1980 as the first official long distance footpath in Scotland, it is one of Scotland’s official Great Trails and part of the International Appalachian Trail.

The trail gives a fabulous introduction to the Highlands of Scotland and offers breath-taking scenery as you hike from Glasgow, along Loch Lomond and then into the heart of the Highlands. It is the most popular walking route in Scotland and considered one of the classic long distance walks of the world.

The route is usually described and walked from south to north. The thinking behind this being, the southern stages are easier, and will prepare walkers for the more demanding and spectacular northern stages.

In addition, after finishing their hike in Fort William, many walkers choose to crown their hiking adventure with a ride on the Harry Potter steam train or a climb of Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain.

Choose Your Hike

Prices / what's included, accommodation, extra days/activities, travel info, why choose hillwalk tours, more reading.

We offer different tour grading levels depending on the balance of physical challenge and comfort level that you require

Gentle Hikes

Our Gentle Hiking Tours are designed with the part-time hiker in mind.

People for whom taking photos, meeting the locals and enjoying a long lunch are as important as the hike itself.

Average Hiking Distance: 12-15km (7.5-9 miles) per day Average Hiking Time: 3-5 hours per day

Moderate Hikes

Our Moderate Hiking Tours will suit people who are used to regular exercise.

Hikers will appreciate the chance to cover plenty of ground each day without going beyond their limits.

Look out for the 👣 symbol: this itinerary covers the entire West Highland Way trail from Milngavie to Fort William.

Average Hiking Distance: 18-22km (11-14 miles) per day Average Hiking Time: 4-7 hours per day

Challenging Hikes

Are you the type of hiker who sets off in the morning and doesn’t stop until they reach their destination?

If yes, then our Challenging Hiking Tours will be just right for you.

Average Hiking Distance: 26-30km (16-19 miles) per day Average Hiking Time: 5-8 hours per day

The West Highland Way starts in Milngavie town centre, just 25 minutes by train from Glasgow Central Station. From here, the trail enters open countryside and leaves the northern fringe of Glasgow City. It proceeds by way of country roads, an abandoned railway line, a Forest Park and scenic Conic Hill to reach Balmaha on Loch Lomond.

From here, the route follows the isolated, wooded, eastern shores of the loch via Rowardennan and Inversnaid to Inverarnan. This is the most rugged and difficult section of the route with no major climb, but many ups and downs that can get very tiring. The Way then continues northward to Tyndrum via Crianlarich.

North of Tyndrum the Way enters more remote landscapes and passes through Glen Orchy before crossing the desolate yet beautiful moorland of Rannoch Moor and descending into famous Glencoe. Glencoe is often considered one of the most spectacular and beautiful places in Scotland. The narrow glen shows a dramatically grim grandeur, shut in on both sides by wild and precipitous mountains. From here, the route climbs the Devil’s Staircase before a gradual descent to Kinlochleven.

The final stage skirts the Mamore Mountains on an old military road and descends into Glen Nevis before finishing in Fort William. The trail then passes the foot of Ben Nevis and many walkers crown their achievement of walking the Way by climbing the highest mountain in Britain.

Terrain Overview

The terrain over the course of the West Highland Way is varied and includes wide smooth tracks in forests, twisty paths over moorland, hillside paths, undulating paths in trees, and field paths. The trail makes use of some ancient and historic routes of communication, such as military roads, disused railway tracks and drovers’ roads.

The trail avoids the high tops and is within the capabilities of most walkers. One of the most difficult sections is the walk up the eastern shore of Loch Lomond, whilst some other sections are very exposed. Total aggregate ascent over the whole route is approximately 4,000m, and there are a number of sustained and quite steep climbs, especially near Glencoe. The highest point on the Way is the Devil’s Staircase at 550m.

Due to the high volume of walkers, some parts of the trail often become badly eroded. However, a considerable amount of work is routinely undertaken to maintain the route. The trail passes through a variety of woodland and forest areas, some natural and some artificially created. The forests along the route are now well protected as their conservation status was established at the Rio Biodiversity World Summit in 1992.

Elevation Profile

Terrain by Stages

Milngavie – Drymen: Good footpaths, tracks and lanes, mainly flat and low-lying; some walking on tarmac.

Drymen – Rowardennan: Mainly good paths and tracks with one challenging climb. The beautiful lakeside section along Loch Lomond is twisty and undulating.

Rowardennan – Inverarnan: A demanding and isolated walk on a path along Loch Lomond, occasionally tough underfoot with many ups and downs. It includes some quite challenging sections but offers superb scenery.

Inverarnan – Tyndrum: Generally good paths and gravel tracks with a gradual ascent into the Highlands.

Tyndrum – Inveroran: Clear, well-drained paths and gravel tracks; some moderate ascents and descents.

Inveroran – Kingshouse: A trek across beautiful, isolated and exposed moorland which can be a little challenging in poor weather conditions. The route passes over the Drovers’ road between Bridge of Orchy and Inveroran with large panoramic views and little visibility of civilisation.

Kingshouse – Kinlochleven: Another remote walk with occasional rough stretches and one sharp climb followed by a long descent into Kinlochleven.

Kinlochleven – Fort William: Starting with a steep climb out of Kinlochleven the route follows the contour of a valley which offers little respite from the weather, before forest cover is reached outside of Fort William.

What’s Included in the Price?

• Stay in our friendly, family-run guesthouses
• Relax in comfortable en-suite bedrooms *
• Big breakfasts will keep you going all day long
• Luggage? Don’t worry, we’ll move it for you!
• Detailed maps, route notes and GPS tracks mean you’ll never get lost
• Walking directions written and updated by the Hillwalk Tours team
• Local alternative/supplementary route options based on local knowledge
• Our waterproof map-case keeps your maps and documents dry
• If you need to contact us, we’re here 24/7 to help
• Insider tips on the best places to eat and drink **
• Explore the local history and culture in our fascinating guides
• Discover the most interesting attractions on the trail
• Need info on transport ? We’re happy to help

* Unless already booked out in which case we’ll try to secure a private bathroom

** You will have the opportunity to purchase picnic lunches and evening meals each day. If you are staying in a remote location, the B&B owner will prepare a tasty surprise for you upon request.

Please Note:

We occasionally charge additional supplements on the West Highland Way for tours starting during the high season. This is due to higher costs involved in booking our upgrade option or in cases where our normal accommodation suppliers do not have availability, and an alternative, more expensive, supplier is sourced with your approval.

Sometimes you need a break from all that hiking! Luckily, the West Highland Way region is full of fun things to do!

Fort William: Booking an extra night in Fort William is a very popular choice among hikers! Not only is the bustling Highland town known as the gateway to Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak at 1,344m (4,409ft), and a gateway to the Glen Nevis Valley, home to Steall Falls, it’s also a popular location for Harry Potter fans & travellers alike to hop on & ride the magical Hogwarts Express steam train from Fort William to Mallaig (considered one of the most scenic train journeys in the world).

Whether you spend your time hiking the UK’s largest peak* , taking in the outstanding natural beauty of the Glen Nevis Valley , or riding on one of the world’s most scenic train journeys , some additional time spent in Fort William is not to be missed! (Please note that we do not book tickets for the Hogwarts Express / Jacobite Steam Train.)

Crianlarich/Tyndrum: Take a day-trip to Oban – the “Seafood Capital of Scotland” and one of the most spectacular locations in the entire country. (Please note that we do not book tickets for the train to Oban.)

Booking Extra Days

• Choose WHERE you wish to stay.
• Decide HOW MANY NIGHTS you need.
• Go to the BOOKING FORM and fill in the ‘Extra Nights Required/Other Requests’ section.

The costs of extra nights during your West Highland Way hiking tour start from £85 per person per night and from £100 for single hikers who will have their own private room.

* Climbing Ben Nevis should only be attempted in favourable weather conditions (good visibility, low winds, bright & clear weather). Hikers should be in good physical shape and will need excellent navigational skills in the event of bad weather unexpectedly affecting visibility.

1 If you are booking an extra night, please be aware that occasionally, due to the limited supply of accommodation, we may have to make reservations for you at a nearby B&B and arrange transfers to and from the walking trail accordingly. In most locations, this is not a concern but in certain places (e.g. Rowardennan, Inverarnan, Tyndrum, Inveroran, Kingshouse), availability can be an issue. For more information, just have a chat with the person who is booking your tour.

2 Please note that if you book any extra nights in a location not included in your tour itinerary, you will have to make your own arrangements to transfer your bags to this location.

Staying at the very best accommodation during your time in Scotland can transform a “good” hiking tour into a “great” hiking tour.

That’s why, at Hillwalk Tours, we take the quality of our accommodation partners seriously. So much so that you will find we strive to only work with high-quality and well-reviewed accommodation. Additionally, most of our accommodation partners have been personally checked by a member of the Hillwalk Tours team to ensure your comfort.

As keen hikers ourselves we know you’ll want somewhere relaxing to put your feet up in the evening. A place where a warm smile from your hosts makes you feel welcome as soon as you step through the door. If your hiking gear gets wet, it’s nice to know that you can dry it or, if you ask, it may even be taken from you and returned nice and dry the next morning.

Comfy beds, en-suite bathrooms (where available), tasty breakfast menus, and a friendly & cosy atmosphere – these are all the things that we like so you can rest assured that we’ll do our best to find them for you as well.

To find out more about the types of accommodation you can expect to find on a Hillwalk Tours walking holiday, read here: Accommodation on your Walking Tour

In addition, if you’d like to stay an extra night at any location during your hiking tour, just let us know.

Due to limited accommodation options in some locations on your tour, we may need to book you into accommodation which will require transfers to/from your hike start/end point or where you will have private bathroom facilities instead of an ensuite. We may also need to book you into the same accommodation for more than one night to cover multiple locations. The cost of this is covered in your basic tour price and will not affect your tour itinerary.

In general, we try to book accommodation which is as close to the local amenities as possible. If you are staying in a remote location (where access to local pubs/restaurants is not feasible), the hosts of the accommodation that you are staying at will ensure that you are well fed.

Getting to and from your West Highland Way hiking tour is easy… when you know how!

In your hiking pack, you will receive all the necessary public transport information you need to make your journey as convenient as possible.

In the meantime, if you’d like to do some advance planning yourself, here are our tips:

Most Convenient Airports

• Glasgow International
• Glasgow Prestwick
• Edinburgh Airport
• Inverness Airport

Sustainable Travel (from Europe)

• Travel by Ferry to the UK Sail from ports in the Netherlands, France, Ireland and Spain to Dover, Hull, Harwich, Portsmouth & others in the UK. See list of Routes from Continental Europe & Ireland to UK Ports
• Travel by Train to the UK From Paris, Brussels, Rotterdam or Amsterdam to London via Eurostar
• Travel by Bus to the UK From Europe to London / Manchester From Europe to the UK From the Netherlands & France to London

Public Transport

• Milngavie Train Service
• Drymen Private Bus Service
• Rowardennan Private Bus Service to Drymen (From Drymen you will have to take a taxi to bring you to Rowardennan)
• Inverarnan Private Bus Service
• Crianlarich Train Private Bus
• Tyndrum Train Private Bus
• Inveroran Transfer to Bridge of Orchy
• Bridge of Orchy Train Private Bus
• Kingshouse Private Bus
• Kinlochleven Public bus from Glencoe

Departing from Fort William after your Hiking Tour:

Use train or private bus services to Glasgow

Travelling by car?

If you would like to leave your car at the first or last accommodation on your tour, for the duration of the tour, then you can directly contact the accommodation owners before the start of your tour to check that this is possible. We will provide contact details for the accommodation provider.

• About Our Tours

Tour Grading

How to book, don't forget.., during your tour, about our scotland hiking tours.

In recent years, it has become increasingly difficult to book a single room along the West Highland Way. Many B&B’s along the trail do not have single rooms and are simply unwilling to take solo walkers in their double/twin rooms, unless they are part of a larger group (e.g. a group of three people). For this reason, Hillwalk Tours can only offer walking tours for solo walkers along the West Highland Way in the months of March, April & October. Unfortunately it’s not possible for us to book West Highland Way tours for solo walkers in all other months. For a solo walker who is part of a larger group, we will continue to try and book a single room (maximum of one) throughout all months of the walking season. We are of course still offering walking holidays for solo walkers, without restrictions, in all of our other hiking regions in Scotland, England, Ireland and Spain. Thank you for your understanding.

A self-guided hiking tour means you are hiking without a guide.

Hillwalk Tours will provide you with all the resources you need to successfully complete the trail alone or in the company of good friends. We’ll plan your route, transfer your bags and show you all the best places to visit but you decide whether you want that extra hour in bed in the morning! All this gives you the freedom to enjoy the trails and the wonderful countryside at your own pace.

Find out more about the benefits of a self-guided hiking tour in comparison to a guided tour here .

Choosing the right hiking tour can be tricky. It’s important to consider the balance of physical challenge and comfort level that you require. To make your decision easier, we have drawn up a menu of Gentle, Moderate and Challenging hiking tours.

Before we explain the difference between the various grades, it is important to note that each hiking tour within a specific region follows the same official hiking trail. For example, if you choose to go walking in Kerry in Ireland, it doesn’t matter whether you pick a ‘Gentle’ tour or a ‘Challenging’ tour – you will still be walking along the official ‘Kerry Way’ trail. To make these walking trails more accessible to all walkers, we have either 1) picked out the sections of the walking trails that are less demanding or 2) shortened the average daily hike between accommodations.

• Same Trail, Easier Sections: For example, on the Kerry Way in Ireland, our ‘Gentle’ tours are restricted to the less demanding sections of the trail while our ‘Challenging’ tours cover the entire trail including the most difficult sections.
• Same Trail, Shorter Distances: For example, on the Hadrian’s Wall Path in England, you can walk the entire trail on a 8-Day Challenging Tour, a 10-Day Moderate Tour or a 11-Day Gentle Tour. However, while the Challenging tour requires you to keep up a brisk pace of 23km (14.5 miles) per day on average, the Moderate tour has a more leisurely average of 18km (11.25 miles) per day and the Gentle tour only requires an average walking distance of 15km per day.

Below is a general overview of each tour grading level. Note that the figures for ‘Average Daily Hike’ and ‘Hiking Time’ may vary between regions. Poor weather conditions can affect the average hiking time which is based on a person of normal fitness walking at a moderate speed of around 4km/h (2.5 mph). The hiking time takes into account the terrain covered but not the time required for lunch stops, photos, etc. For more details on daily distances, the level of ascent and the terrain the trail crosses; refer to the itinerary page of each individual tour.

12-18km (8-11 miles)  3-6 hours

Our Gentle Hiking Tours are designed with the part-time hiker in mind. While you can still expect some climbs, these tours offer the shortest average daily hikes, which in turn means less ups and downs. This will give you plenty time to enjoy the sights and scenery, take photos, have a long lunch and, if necessary, negotiate the more tricky sections of a walk.

 16-23km (10-14 miles)   4-7 hours

Challenging

 22-30km (14-19 miles)   5-9 hours

Our core purpose at Hillwalk Tours is to create experiences that make people happy. Some of the ways we try to achieve this, and ensure you have the best possible experience with us, include;

The biggest choice of itineraries for the trails we offer, guaranteed – We want you to explore these areas of outstanding natural beauty at your own pace, with nearly 400 itineraries to choose from across 21 different trails (and we’re always looking to add more).

We book your tour direct, always – We don’t book third-party companies to organise tours for our customers. We don’t resell tours from other third-party companies. We always directly book and operate all of our tours ourselves.

Creating memorable self-guided hiking tours is all we focus on, nothing else! – We just focus on creating and organising self-guided hiking tours, and nothing else! And we’ve been doing it for quite some time (since 2008), with over 20,000 hiking tours taken with us so far, and growing…

You can access your tour information easily – You will receive a designated Hillwalk Tours account where you can login to access all your tour documents, trail GPS file, and other important details. Access your tour information anytime, anywhere, and on any device.

We don’t do off-the-shelf guidebooks – We personally walk each trail we offer & create our own detailed route notes. By doing so, it allows us to provide you with more itineraries, route options and alternatives than any other walking tour company!

We come highly recommended by other hikers – Our tours & service have consistently received 5* reviews from walkers. Check out our reviews on Google ,  Facebook  &  Tripadvisor .

You can start your tour on any day / date you like – We don’t confine you to book your tour on specific dates. Instead, you can book your tour to start on any day / date you like during the walking season.

We have itineraries to match your fitness levels – We provide 3 levels of hiking; ‘Gentle’, ‘Moderate’ & ‘Challenging’, which are designed to suit all types of fitness levels and abilities of hikers.

You can walk at your own pace – As all our tours are self-guided, you can walk the trails at your own pace as opposed to adhering to a strict schedule, allowing you the freedom to enjoy the beautiful nature & surrounds.

We’re here to support you 24/7 – You can reach us by phone 24/7 if you ever need additional support while on the trail.

We have a very low booking deposit – Our booking deposit of £100 is one of the lowest, if not the lowest, in the industry.

Guided hiking tours are not available from Hillwalk Tours.

However, don’t be put off doing a self-guided hiking tour. With help from the documentation that you are provided in advance i.e. Route Notes & Directions, Local History & Attractions, Places To Eat / Evening Meal Suggestions etc., you are well prepared, making it perfectly manageable to complete the trail by yourself – and without missing out on any of the local information & history as you walk along the trail!

You can start your hiking tour on any day / date you wish within the walking season. Generally, the walking season for most of our hiking tours takes place between March to October, but there are some exceptions. Please see the individual trail pages for further information on the start and end dates of the walking season for each individual trail.

Our 7-Day tours include 5 days of hiking. The first and last days of all our hiking tours are travel days used to transfer to/from the town where your hike will begin/end. If you would like to hike for 7 days, simply select one of our 9-Day tours.

Our 7-Day tours include 6 nights of accommodation – specifically the first 6 nights on your hiking tour. Your tour finishes on the seventh day when you check out of your last B&B.

A single supplement is an additional charge for walkers booking single accommodation (a room for one person).

This is due to the fact that most accommodation providers price their rooms for double occupancy, meaning that they don’t discount the rooms even if they are only occupied by one person. Furthermore, accommodation providers have outlined that the cost of cleaning the room is the same regardless of how many people are in it, and also the potential cost of giving up a double occupancy (or more) sized room for just one person at a cheaper rate, when they could sell the room to more than one person at the normal rate, is too high.

Therefore, the total tour price for individuals who request a single room is “the price per person plus the single supplement”. This added supplement covers the extra costs associated with accommodating a single person in their own room.

It is not possible to bring your dog on a Hillwalk Tours hiking holiday. Unfortunately, the majority of our accommodation providers do not accept pets of any kind. Furthermore, on many of the trails you will pass through farmlands where livestock are present, and where dogs are not permitted as a result.

Yes, most bus and train tickets can be purchased online in advance of your trip. Specific transport information is available on the tour pages of each hiking region. See the Travel Info section for each tour for more information.

Upon booking you will also receive a step by step public transport guide which will outline some potential public transport options you can take in order to get you from your arrival airport to the start location of your tour.

We can generally arrange for you to park at your first accommodation.

If you are bringing your car, please contact us in advance.

About Luggage Transfers and Accommodation

No, on all our Scottish hiking tours your luggage will be transported to your next accommodation each day as you walk and will arrive before 4pm. Weight limits apply to each piece of luggage, and vary from trail to trail, so please refer to your walking pack documents and communications sent to you in advance of your tour for the maximum weight limit allowed per bag on your selected tour.

You will mostly be staying in traditional Scottish Bed & Breakfasts (B&B’s) / Guesthouses and small Hotels during your hiking trip. B&Bs / Guesthouses are often private lodging houses, where the friendly hosts welcome travellers into their homes. To ensure your comfort, most accommodation you will stay in has been personally checked by a member of the Hillwalk Tours team. At your accommodation, you can expect a warm welcome, en-suite facilities (where available) and a tasty breakfast each morning (but usually no other meals).

For more details on the types of accommodation you can expect to find on a Hillwalk Tours walking holiday, read here:  Accommodation on your Walking Tour

Yes, you will receive a list of all accommodation that you will be staying in prior to the departure of your travels. Once final payment for your tour has been received, you will be sent an email with a digital PDF copy of your walking pack documents such as your route notes, accommodation details and evening meal suggestions etc. It’s within PDF copy of your walking pack documents that you’ll be able to find what accommodation you will be staying in each night*. You will also be posted a walking pack (either to your home address or the first accommodation on your tour) which will include essential physical items for your tour such as the required maps for the trail and luggage tags.

*If you’d prefer to receive a physical copy of your full walking pack documents too, it’s essential that you reply by email within 48 hours of booking your tour in order to let us know.

In general, we try to book accommodation which is as close to the local amenities as possible. If you are staying in a remote location (where access to local pubs/restaurants is not feasible), the owner of the B&B / Guesthouse or Hotel that you are staying at will ensure that you are well fed.

Please be aware that occasionally, due to the limited supply of accommodation, we may have to make reservations for you at a nearby B&B / Guesthouse or Hotel and arrange transfers to and from the walking trail accordingly. In most locations, this is not a concern but in certain places, availability can be an issue. For more information, just have a chat with the person who is booking your tour.

A ‘twin’ room is a room for two people with two separate beds. A ‘double’ room has just one large bed (for two people).

For more detailed information on the different room type options, please see the following page: Room Types

About Your Walking Pack

Once final payment for your tour has been received, you will be sent an email with a digital PDF copy of your walking pack documents such as your route notes, accommodation details and evening meal suggestions etc. You will also be posted a walking pack (either to your home address or first accommodation on your tour) which will include essential physical items for your tour such as the required maps for the trail and luggage tags*.

A breakdown of the documents and items you can expect to find in your walking pack are as follows; – Route notes (prepared by a member the Hillwalk Tours team who has walked every step of your tour) – Detailed hiking map(s) – A high-quality waterproof map-case – Full details of your accommodations and where you will be staying – Our tips on the most interesting attractions to visit along the trail – A look at fascinating local history – A guide to the best places to eat and drink – Safety information, emergency contact details & the country code for walkers

You will find GPS coordinates for each overnight accommodation on your tour in your walking pack, which you will receive prior to departure. Additionally, you will find the GPS coordinates for the trailheads (i.e. the start and end points of your daily hikes) for most of our tours.

GPS tracks for your walking route will also be provided and available to download prior to your tour. Please note that while we are reasonably confident that the tracks are correct and up-to-date, we recommend that they are not used as the only tool for navigation. The most important means for navigation should be the way markers along the trail, our route notes and the maps we provide in the walking pack.

Once final payment for your tour has been received, you will be sent an email with a PDF copy of your hiking documents. This PDF document can then be forwarded to as many people within your walking group as you’d like.

For the walking pack which includes physical items such as luggage tags, map-case, maps etc. and which will be posted to you (or awaiting at your first accommodation) – one walking pack will be provided per four people. Therefore, for a group of 1 – 4 people, one walking pack will be sent. For 5 – 8 people, two walking packs will be sent, etc.

The contents of your walking pack (route notes, accommodation information, history, etc.) will all be in English .

About Fitness Levels

We believe that the beauty of the Scottish countryside should be enjoyed by everyone.

We try to provide trail itineraries that cater to a large range of hikers & abilities. To achieve this, we provide 3 different levels of difficulty i.e. Gentle, Moderate, and Challenging itineraries. The difference between each level of difficulty is in the average distance that you will walk each day. It does not differ in relation to the elevation, as the exact trail will still be followed. Therefore, the same elevations (the up’s and down’s) of the trail are usually present regardless of the level of difficulty. Depending on the trail, you may find in your route notes some alternative & easier route options for sections of the trail in order to help you navigate & bypass more difficult parts of the trail, but this isn’t always the case.

It’s important to note that levels of difficulty provided by Hillwalk Tours should only be used as a guide against where your own level of fitness is at, and what you feel you will be able to manage on a daily basis. At the end of the day, it’s you that knows your own level of fitness best. We strongly encourage you to review the distances & walking times for each itinerary that you may be considering, along with any additional notes on the specific tour page, in advance of booking.

The difference between these tours is the distance that you will hike each day:

• Gentle tours cover an average of 12-18 km (8-11 miles) per day
• Moderate tours cover an average of 16-23 km (10-14 miles) per day
• Challenging Tours cover an average of 22-30 km (14-19 miles) per day

For a more detailed breakdown of how we grade our hiking tours, please see the following question: Tour Grading

Yes, we are more than happy to organise an additional night for you at any location along your tour.

Suggestions on interesting places to take a rest day are available on the tour pages of each hiking region. See the ‘Extra Days/Activities’ section of each tour for more information.

About Money, Flights and Insurance

ATMs (cash machines) are available in most larger cities, towns and villages. Remember that your home bank will likely charge you for withdrawing money overseas. Additionally, if you have a debit card, you can often get cash through the ‘cashback’ system at some shops and pubs when you make a purchase with the card (ask for ‘cashback’).

Credit and debit cards can now be used for payment almost everywhere. However, there are still some smaller businesses that may only accept cash, such as smaller shops, B&Bs (for packed lunches) or taxis (for transfers to or from restaurants). We therefore recommend that you carry some cash (local currency) with you as a back-up.

Contactless card payments are also increasingly accepted in many places (please check daily card limits in advance of use).

The currency used in the United Kingdom (i.e. England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) is Pound Sterling (£). Therefore, if you are taking any hiking tour in Scotland you will need Pound Sterling.

Flights and transport to the start and from the end of your hiking tour are not included on our tours. However, we do provide a detailed step-by-step guide of suggested options on how you can make it to the start location of your hike by public transport from numerous major airports. In addition, for further travel information, see the ‘Travel Info’ section on the individual tour page for each trail.

Although travel insurance is not required to take a hiking holiday, we strongly encourage you to take out adequate insurance cover prior to travel.

Unfortunately 3rd party travel insurance is not available through Hillwalk Tours, and must be booked separately.

Which Scotland Hiking Tour Should You Choose?

Choosing the right hiking tour can be tricky. It’s important to consider the balance of physical challenge and comfort level that you require. To make your decision easier, we have drawn up a menu of Gentle, Moderate and Challenging hiking tours.

Before we explain the difference between the various grades, it is important to note that each hiking tour within a specific region follows the same official hiking trail. So, if you choose to go walking along the  West Highland Way , it doesn’t matter whether you pick a ‘Gentle’ tour or a ‘Challenging’ tour – you will still be walking along the official ‘West Highland Way’ trail. But to make these walking trails more accessible to all walkers, we have shortened the average daily hike between accommodations for the gentle and moderate tours.

• Same Trail, Shorter Distances:  For example, on the  Rob Roy Way  you can walk the entire trail on a 6-Day Challenging Tour, an 8-Day Moderate Tour or a 10-Day Gentle Tour. However, while the Challenging tour requires you to keep up a brisk pace of 31km (19.5 miles) per day, the Moderate tour has a more leisurely average of 19.5km (12 miles) and the Gentle tour only covers a relaxing daily average of just over 15km (9.5 miles) per day.

Below is a general overview of each tour grading level. Note that the figures for ‘Average Daily Hike’ and ‘Hiking Time’ may vary between regions. Poor weather conditions can affect the average hiking time which is based on a person of normal fitness walking at a moderate speed of around 4km/h (2.5 mph). The hiking time takes into account the terrain covered but not the time required for lunch stops, photos, etc. For more details on daily distances, the level of ascent and the terrain the trail crosses; refer to the itinerary page of each individual tour.

1. Browse through our website to find your preferred hiking trail.

2. Choose the type of hiking tour you want to take: ‘Gentle’, ‘Moderate’ or ‘Challenging’.

3. Next, identify the number of days you want to spend on your hiking tour.

4. Click the ‘Make a Booking’ button on the top right of our webpage.

5. Finally, fill out our booking form and make a €100 deposit per person.

Deposits and Final Payments can be made using:

1. Credit Card – through PayPal, for Euro Payments, or through Stripe, for Sterling Payments

Paypal is used by 180 million people worldwide to make secure online credit card payments. Please note if you have opened a PayPal account at any stage in the past, you must log in to your account in order to make the payment.

Stripe is a quick and secure way to accept credit card and debit card payments online. Stripe handles millions of transactions every year for businesses around the world and is now the preferred payment partner for many major companies.

2. Bank Transfer – Instructions & account details on how to make a bank transfer payment can be found on our booking form and also within the final payment email. Alternatively, you can contact us directly for the required account details.

1. If you paid by credit card or debit card, you will receive an e-mail within 24 hours verifying receipt of your booking form and deposit payment.

In this email, you will be asked to confirm your tour details. If you paid by bank transfer, payment will take a few days to reach us. Therefore you will receive your email confirmation and request to confirm your tour details shortly after we have assigned the bank payment to your booking form. In this case, you may receive an automatic email outlining that a booking form has been received, but no deposit has been received – you can disregard this email.

2. Once your confirmation is received that all details on your booking form are correct, we will begin making the arrangements for your tour. Therefore, the sooner you send us this confirmation, the sooner we can start to book your tour.

3. After all the arrangements for your tour have been confirmed (this process can normally takes between five to ten working days) you will be sent a breakdown of the balance outstanding for your tour and a due date for payment.

4. Once your final payment has been received, we will send you an e-mail confirming receipt.

5. PDF soft copies of your walking pack will then be sent to you by email which will include all your tour details, and physical items required for your tour (e.g. maps, luggage tags etc.) will be posted to your home address, or to the first accommodation on your tour where it will be waiting for you on arrival. Alternatively, if you have requested that your full walking pack be printed, this will also be either sent to your home address or to your first accommodation on the tour where it will be waiting for you on arrival.

6. You will receive an automated email from us, one week in advance of your tour start date, providing you with some additional information to help with your preparation before travel.

7. During your tour, if you have any issues, you can reach us 24/7 on our emergency contact number which is found in your walking pack.

8. After your tour has finished, we will send you a feedback form in relation to your tour and how it all went. We place a huge importance on our customers feedback and experience of our tours, so when you have some free time, we strongly encourage you to fill out this feedback form as it helps us to continue to provide a high quality service and to further improve where necessary.

9. Lastly, if you would like to tell others about your experience with Hillwalk Tours, you can leave an online review on our Google , Facebook or Tripadvisor pages.

ESSENTIALS:

Please note: A detailed ‘Recommended Equipment L ist’ will be included in your walking pack

◻ WATERPROOF JACKET AND OVER-TROUSERS  – You never know when you will need protection from wind and rain – so prepare for unpredictable weather by packing a waterproof, breathable jacket and over-trousers. You may not need them, but you will be happy to have them if you do.

◻ BASE LAYER  – This is what you wear against your skin and the best options are breathable and wicking fabrics instead of cotton. They will move moisture away from the skin so that you feel more comfortable when you are walking.

◻ FLEECE – It keeps you warm in the cooler months and on top of the hills, and will allow you to shed layers when you are working hard in the summer.

◻ LIGHT AND COMFORTABLE TROUSERS – Make sure you choose trousers that are stretchy or allow enough space to move your legs freely.  Jeans / Denims are not suitable for hill walking and dry very slowly once they get wet.

◻ WICKING SOCKS – Choose non-cotton socks that fit well and will move moisture away from your feet to stop them feeling sweaty. Some people wear two pairs: a sock liner against the skin and wool or wool-blend socks over that. This will help to reduce the likelihood of blisters and ‘hot spots’. Our tip: Apply a little Vaseline or a similar anti-blister ointment each morning and then put on your socks, this reduces rubbing and helps to prevent blisters.

◻ FOOTWEAR – We recommend that you bring comfortable, waterproof, lightweight shoes or boots, that provide good ankle support and offer good grip on rock, grass and mud. Remember that the trails in many of our regions can become quite wet and muddy after periods of rain. Many walkers find hiking shoes sufficient for the Speyside Way Whisky Trail. And for the asphalt section of the Rob Roy Way, from Callander to Lochearnhead, many customers also find shoes more comfortable. Some walkers bring both light shoes AND boots to be prepared for different terrain.

House Shoes: Some B&Bs don’t allow boots or shoes in the house, so you may wish to bring some ‘house shoes’ i.e., slippers, flip-flops, etc.

◻ GAITERS – By covering your upper boot and lower leg these help to keep your feet and trousers dry in wet grass and boggy terrain. We recommended you bring gaiters especially for our tours along the western coast of Ireland and the Cotswold Way, but they are a good thing to have on your feet wherever the ground gets especially wet.

◻ BACKPACK / RUCKSACK (with Waterproof Cover or liner) – To store all your essentials and keep them dry – including extra layers of clothing, your waterproofs, first aid kit, camera and your lunch, snacks and drinks. Don’t forget how important it is to stay hydrated and bring at least 1 – 2 litres of water per person each day, depending on the weather! Also, make sure to bring some emergency snacks, to help keep your energy up!

◻ WARM HAT & GLOVES – Essential, even in summer, at higher altitudes and on exposed places.

◻ CASH – Bring enough for the duration of your tour/hike as ATM/cash machine & credit card services may be limited (see your Welcome Letter for more details) .

◻ FIRST AID KIT – It’s a good idea to have a small, basic first aid kit to deal with little injuries such as sprains, scrapes, cuts and blisters. Good things to bring are plasters & wound dressings, sterile cleansing wipes, pain killers, tweezers (for splinters & ticks), bandages and, zinc oxide tape.

◻ WHISTLE – This standard piece of hiking equipment is for the very unlikely event you need to signal for help (the standard signal is three long blasts).

◻ HIGH VISIBILITY VESTS & TORCH – Many trails, particularly in Ireland, have sections that follow roads. For those hikes you may wish to bring a High Visibility Vest which will increase your visibility, especially in bad weather or if it gets dark when your walk takes longer than expected. A torch can help on off-road sections.

◻ PLUG ADAPTER (CONVERTER) – 3-square pin plugs are used in Ireland and the UK – voltage is 230V.

◻ MOBILE PHONE – We strongly recommend that you bring or purchase a mobile/cell phone. It will allow you to contact your accommodation and transfer providers from the trail and call for help in an emergency.

• Visitors from other European Countries:  As it stands many European network operators also don’t charge for roaming in the UK (Scotland, England, Wales & Northern Ireland), but please check this with your operator before you travel.
• Visitors from the United States, Canada and elsewhere: If your phone is unlocked and GSM/UMTS compatible, you can also purchase a UK SIM card from a variety of mobile phone stores and supermarkets and use it in your own phone. Alternatively, you can purchase a cheap pre-pay phone when you arrive. It is often possible to buy a very basic pre-pay phone for as little as £15. You can then top-up with vouchers or a credit/debit card. If you phone supports digital eSIM cards, you may be able to purchase a separate plan from your phone network provider for use abroad or a prepaid plan from local network provider in your destination country.
• To make international calls in Europe you must dial 00 as the international access code (and not 011 as in the US or Canada). If you are dialling from a cell phone, enter + instead of 00, or simply hold down the 0.
• Make sure your phone is fully charged before you start your walk. Please note that you might not always have a phone signal on the trail but, in general, the level of coverage is quite good.
• If you have a smartphone, we recommend you have a mapping app like Google Maps installed and your location/GPS service turned on. This will let us better help you should you need assistance while on the trail by identifying your location.

ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS:

◻ SUN CREAM, SUNGLASSES AND SUNHAT  (April to Sept) – Let’s hope you’ll need those!

◻ MIDGE/INSECT REPELLENT & MIDGE NET (May to September only) – can also be useful for other regions, but it is especially important for Scotland (we recommend ‘Smidge’). For Scotland you might even consider bringing a midge net .

◻ CAMERA  – Vital for capturing photos of the stunning scenery along your trip, which help you brag to your friends about your holiday.

◻ COMPASS – A compass (and the ability to use it) is a good idea but not a requirement for our Scottish tours.

◻ WALKING POLES  – Assist forward movement, reduce impact on your knees, and help with balance in difficult terrain. A pair is best but many hikers also just use one.

◻ EARPLUGS  – We know how important it is to get a good night’s rest. However, as there may be other guests in the guesthouse with different plans for their night, we recommend bringing a pair of earplugs to ensure sweet dreams!

Your room will be ready each day from 4pm at the latest and sometimes sooner.

Check-in times to your accommodation is generally not before 4pm. You may be able to check-in a bit earlier (e.g. around 3pm), but this is not guaranteed. To request an earlier check-in time, please contact your accommodation host in advance to discuss.

If you expect to arrive later than 6pm to your accommodation, please inform you accommodation hosts in advance (in particular B&B’s & Guesthouses). Reasons for this can be that your flight is delayed, that you are still on the trail or because you might have stopped for food or a drink before check-in. By letting them know in advance, it allows the hosts to plan accordingly and to also put their minds at ease that you are OK.

Check-out time is usually 10am , but it can vary, therefore it’s often best to discuss check-out times with your accommodation hosts directly.

Your luggage will arrive by 4pm each day.

A tasty breakfast is important to prepare you for the day of hiking & adventure ahead. At your accommodation you can find either, a hot breakfast, a continental breakfast, or perhaps even both!

In some cases, where we have no other option but to book you into accommodation where no breakfast is served, we will deduct the cost of the breakfast from your tour price which can instead be used to purchase breakfast in a nearby café / restaurant.

Most accommodation hosts will always try and cater for dietary requirements as best they can, provided they are notified in advance. Therefore, if you do have any dietary requirements (e.g. vegan, vegetarian, etc.) please let us know in the “Any Dietary Requirements/Allergies?” field on our booking form when booking.

Please note, not all businesses may readily accommodate dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, etc., especially in more remote and rural areas. If you require a specific diet, we recommend you enquire in advance or talk to your hosts. You may also find it useful to download an app such as Vanilla Bean or Happy Cow , both available on Android and iOS, to help you find a venue which meets your needs.

In your Route Notes, we list places where you should expect to find at least one café, pub, shop or restaurant along each day’s hike. However, opening times can change, some places may only open in afternoon, and businesses can close unexpectedly. We therefore recommend you also check with your accommodation hosts where you can get lunch the next day, either along the route or at the start of the hike.

If it is unlikely that you will be able to purchase food or drink during the day, you may wish to purchase a packed lunch before you start in the morning, especially if it is a long hike. If there are no shops nearby, your host will be able to provide a packed lunch at a reasonable price on request.

You can generally buy an evening meal in one of the local restaurants, cafes or pubs close to your accommodation. If there aren’t any restaurants/cafes/pubs in the local area, evening meals can be obtained from your host.

The majority of accommodation hosts will be able to assist you in drying your clothes and boots.

1 kilometre = 0.62 mile 1 mile = 1.61 kilometres

Many of the hiking trails can pass through private farmland. This means that farmers can have their livestock (such as cattle, sheep, goats etc.) grazing in the same fields that you walk through. Some livestock may look intimidating. However, don’t worry, you will find these animals are actually quite timid. Continue walking in a normal fashion (do not run) and you should have no problems. In addition, take note of any signs which the farmer may have put up.

You can find more information on how to deal with animals on your hike in the Safety Information & Country Code document you find in your walking pack.

Most areas have mobile / cell phone reception, even while you are hiking. However, you may pass through some remote areas where reception will be either limited or unavailable entirely.

It is important to note that, if you are ever in an emergency, mobile/cell phones can still contact the emergency service numbers even without mobile/cell phone reception.

Yes, in most accommodation Wi-Fi is available, however it’s not guaranteed. In addition, due to the remote locations of some accommodations, the Wi-Fi quality may not always be the best.

Yes, in general most routes are very clearly way-marked with a marker directly before and after each turn. If you are ever in doubt, you can also check the Hillwalk Tours route notes or maps provided in your walking pack.

Yes, it is possible that your tour may include taxi transfers to bring you to and from the trail. The reason for this is;

•  Due to limited accommodation options in some locations on your tour, we may need to book you into an accommodation which will require transfers to/from your hike start/end point.
•  Due to limited accommodation options or no availability in accommodation, we may need to book you into the same accommodation for more than one night to cover multiple locations, in which case taxi transfers will be required to bring you to and from the trail.
•  Due to minimum night stay requirements in accommodations on certain trails, we sometimes have no other option but for you to stay multiple nights in the same location and use transfers to get you to and from the trail.

The cost of these taxi transfers bringing you to and from the trail is covered in the tour price, and they will not affect your tour itinerary i.e. you will still walk the exact route as listed.

The climate of Scotland is temperate, and tends to be very changeable. It’s not uncommon to experience all four seasons in one day! The warmest months are July and August with temperatures at an average 17 °C. Rain falls throughout the year and April, May and June are normally the driest months. Annual rainfall in the western Highlands can be more than 3,000mm while the east coast receives an average of less than 800mm. The prevailing winds are from the west and southwest, and are a constant feature in the islands and Highlands.

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7 of the Best Walks in Scotland

With its dramatic scenery and everchanging landscapes, it's time to put on your walking boots and experience the most scenic walks in Scotland.

In Scotland you can walk almost anywhere, provided you stick to the  Scottish Outdoor Access Code . These seven walking wonders each provide a unique glimpse into Scotland's natural heritage and offer spectacular walks with views. From city summits and mountain peaks to coastal paths and even a hidden gem or two along the way. Take your next adventure to new heights and discover the best walks in Scotland.

Glenfinnan Viaduct Trail Glenfinnan

Glenfinnan Viaduct

© VisitScotland / Airborne Lens

Perhaps you only stopped for a quick snap of the majestic viaduct, or to appease the kids by taking them to see the railway bridge from the  Harry Potter  films, but if the weather is in your favour and you’ve got the right footwear, why not stay a while and take in the fresh air on a 1 to 2 hour walk?

The Glenfinnan Viaduct Trail is 2.5 miles (4 km) in length and offers sweet rewards, such as views of Loch Shiel and a visit to the poignant  Glenfinnan Monument  too, which is a tribute to Jacobite clansmen and was erected in 1815.

Arthur's Seat Edinburgh

Friends on Salisbury Crags in Edinburgh

© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Situated within Holyrood Park, this extinct volcano stands tall above the city of  Edinburgh . There are a number of routes to the top, making for an easy, pleasant 3 mile (4.75km) hill walk with a bit of a rocky scramble to the summit, which is well worth it for the views of the city. Edinburgh is a rather hilly city, and Arthur’s Seat is just one of its seven iconic hills – the others are Calton Hill, Castle Hill, Corstorphine Hill, Craiglockhart Hill, Blackford Hill and the Braid Hills – and they all take well under two hours to complete. So put some comfy shoes on and  get walking in Edinburgh .

West Highland Way Loch Lomond & The Trossachs

Walkers on the West Highland Way

© VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

An excellent challenge that spans 96 miles (154 km) between Milngavie and Fort William, the West Highland Way, can be broken into achievable chunks if time (or energy!) doesn’t allow for you to tackle the route from end-to-end. The seven mile (11.2 km) stretch from  Inverarnan to Tyndrum  in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park takes roughly seven hours to complete and is hard graft – it’s considered to be the toughest part of the way and you’ll certainly feel like a well-deserved rest at the end of the day!

Ben Nevis Fort William & Lochaber

Lovingly known by locals as 'The Ben', Ben Nevis stands at 4,411 ft (1345 m), close to the small town of  Fort William  in Lochaber. The main track to the summit is followed by thousands of visitors every year. The walk is often described as slow but steady and takes between six and seven hours to complete on average, along with many glugs of water and a few sit downs along the way. As it's the UK's tallest mountain it's pretty likely that you'll come across some snow on your way up, even in summer. The best time of year for most is between June - October, but whenever you go, make sure you put safety first and heed advice about navigation on Ben Nevis.

Coire Gabhail Glencoe

The Three Sisters, Glencoe

Famed for its atmospheric peaks, bloody history and taking a star turn in a little-known film about a spy called James Bond (ever heard of him?!),  Glen Coe  in the west Highlands is also a gateway to a myriad of stunning walks.

Step into the hidden world of Coire Gabhail, known as the Lost Valley, for a two to three hour rough and ready hike through 2.5 miles (4 km) of stunning mountain scenery. It's not just a pretty place for a picture either - it's got an interesting history too, and is said to be where the Macdonald clan used to hide the cattle that they had rustled from their neighbours!

Fife Coastal Path Fife

Cottages at Pittenweem

Yes, this glorious historic fishing village is on Scotland’s east coast! The Fife Coastal Path runs 117 miles (188 km) from Kincardine in the south of Fife to Newburgh up on the banks of the River Tay, so why not pick a section, such as the 14 mile (22.5 km)  Burntisland to Buckhaven  route, for a great day out and enjoy a nice walk? Look out for the 13th century St Serf’s Tower and the pretty Pan Ha’ cottages in Dysart too.

Coastal: Tobermory Bay to Aros Park Isle of Mull

Tobermory, Isle of Mull

© VisitScotland / John Duncan

Stretch your legs on this two hour walk which ascends up round the edge of Tobermory Bay on the  Isle of Mull  and peek through the leaves of trees and bushes to admire views of the colourful buildings on the seafront and beyond. Picnic spots and viewpoints are dotted along this 3 mile (5.5km) coastal route, which reaches Aros Park and the wee Loch a'Ghurrabain which you can stroll around before your return.

Another walk at the other end of the high street will take you to  Tobermory Lighthouse , a picturesque point where you can see over to the mainland.

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Get advice on planning, weather conditions and what to take in your rucksack from  Mountaineering Scotland .

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These Are 10 Of The Best British Islands To Visit

• The Isle of Sark in the Channel Islands is among the best British Isles to visit; it's a car-free paradise with horse and carriage rides and bike rentals as transportation options. Activities include horse-carriage tours and cycling.
• The Isle of Man, located in the Irish Sea, is known for its green rolling hills and Viking ruins at Peel Castle. Activities include hiking, visiting ruins, and shopping in Douglas.
• The Mainland, Orkney Islands, offers well-preserved Neolithic ruins and ancient monuments. Activities include hiking and exploring Stone Age and Iron Age ruins.

The British Isles are an archipelago with a number of small islands around the two main islands (Ireland and Great Britain). Some of these isles are steeped in history and charm. This article will include the islands associated with the United Kingdom (including the Channel Islands - some of Britain's forgotten gems ).

The British islands have many excellent islands to visit - e.g., the Gaelic-speaking Outer Hebrides of Scotland are not on the list, but they are also worth visiting. Here are some of the most stunning British Isles worth visiting, a few of which are home to some of Britain's best UNESCO Sites .

Isle Of Sark (Guernsey & Crown Dependency)

The Isle of Sark is a royal fief and part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey - one of the Channel Island Crown Dependencies. The little isle is home to around 500 people and is known as the jewel of the Channel Islands.

Sark is one of the few places on earth where cars are forbidden from the island - to get around, hire a bike, or enjoy an old-time horse and carriage ride around the island.

• Activities: Horse-Carriage Tours, Cycling

Isle Of Man (Crown Dependency)

The Isle of Man is another Crown Dependency of the United Kingdom (basically an independent country). It is located in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland and is one of the larger islands surrounding Great Britain.

Take the ferry from the English city of Lancaster to the Isle of Man and see charming green rolling hills and the impressive Viking ruins at the castle at Peel.

• Activities: Hiking, Visit Ruins, Shopping in Douglas

Related: Why This Historic Viking Castle On A British Isle Is Worth Visiting

Mainland, Orkney Islands (Scotland)

Mainland is the largest of the Orkney Islands, just to the north of mainland Scotland. It is famous for its impressive Neolithic ruins - some of the best preserved ruins in Great Britain of this kind.

See the Knap of Howar (the oldest standing house in Northern Europe), henges, and other ancient monuments.

• Activities: Hiking, Exploring Stone Age & Iron Age Ruins

Isle Of Wight (England)

The Isle of Wight is the largest and most famous of the islands of England . Today, it is famous for its charming setting, its Victorian architecture, and its spectacular coastlines.

The Isle of Wight has been a noted English vacation destination since at least Victorian times.

• Activities: Explore Coastlines & Victorian Architecture

Isle Of Skye (Scotland)

The Isle of Skye is likely the most famous and most visited of the islands of Scotland. The Isle of Skye is noted for its outstanding natural beauty and its excellent distilleries.

Go on a Whiskey-tasting tour in the Isle of Skye while exploring some of the most dramatic landscapes in Scotland.

• Activities: Hiking, Distillery Tours

Related: Is The Beautiful & Distant Isle Of Skye Actually Worth Visiting?

The Shetland Islands (Scotland)

The Shetland Islands are an even more remote Scottish island archipelago. They are green, windswept islands buffeted by the North Sea.

Discover the rich Viking heritage of these islands and plan to visit during the Up Helly Aa Festival, when the islands celebrate their Viking past .

• Activities: Hiking, Up Helly Aa Festival

Isle Of Anglesey (Wales)

The Isle of Anglesey is the largest island in Wales and is located just off the northwestern coast of Wales. The island has a large percentage of Welsh speakers (57%) and is considered a stronghold of the Celtic language.

The island has attractions from the UNESCO-listed Beaumaris Castle to the longest name in Europe - Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllllantysiliogogoch.

• Activities: Explore Medieval Ruins, Hiking

Lundy Island (England)

Lundy is a stunning English island owned by the National Trust . It is a noted English destination for its wildlife (e.g., seabirds and seals) and for the quaint structures on the island.

The little island only has a population of around 28, and most buildings on the island offer some sort of accommodation.

• Activities: Wildlife Viewing, Walking

Related: Why England's Lundy Island Is Famous & Why This Lonely Forgotten Isle Is Also Worth Visiting

Jersey (Crown Dependency)

Jersey is one of the two Crown Dependencies that make up the Channel Islands. It is the largest of the Channel Islands and is a remnant of the medieval Duchy of Normandy.

Today, it is a great destination to explore island life in the English Channel and see an overlooked part of Europe.

• Activities: Medieval Ruins, Walking

St Kilda (Scotland)

St Kilda is more than a ghost town; it is a ghost island. It is a remote (and dramatic) island of Scotland now home to the largest colony of Atlantic puffins. Visitors need to take a boat (there are boat tours available) to the island.

Explore the many ruins on the islands and see its blossoming seabird colonies. St Kilda is part of the Outer Herbrides of Scotland and had been inhabited for hundreds of years until it was abandoned in 1930.

• Activities: Wildlife Viewing, Exploring Ghost Villages