DAY 1

Soon after meeting your guides in Edinburgh for a short orientation, you depart on an approximate 1¼-hour drive to Callander, the capital of the Trossachs region. Walking away from the town center you follow the old Oban railway line to a wayside inn, where the lunch menu features traditional Scottish favorites such as fish and chips, steak and ale pie, and haggis. After lunch, you drive to nearby Loch Venacher for the start of the afternoon walk. This loch straddles the Highland Boundary Fault, and as you walk along the "Lowland" south shore look across the loch into what is, geologically at least, the Highlands of Scotland. After the first mile of easy walking the trail leaves the lochside and climbs gently through coniferous forest to a clearing where lies the lochan (a small loch) Alt a Chip Dhuibh. This body of water was formed by the damming of a marshy area. Soon after leaving the lochan, you come out into a moorland bowl with gentle walking and fine views all around, before briefly re-entering the forest and making a short climb up to a magnificent viewpoint high in the Menteith Hills. From here you can look south to the Campsie Fells and the Stirling Plain, and east towards Fife with fine views (on a clear day) of the Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle. Below is the open expanse of the Lake of Menteith, on the shores of which are the ruins of Inchmahome, a 13th-century Augustine priory where the infant Mary Queen of Scots was taken for her safety during the turbulent years of the 16th century.

A gentle stroll leads down through the forest to the Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel, your home for the next two nights. This resort hotel is set in 25 acres of woods and beautifully landscaped gardens, close to the shores of stunning Loch Ard. This evening you dine on local specialties such as Perthshire Lamb and Scottish Salmon, in your hotel’s restaurant.
MacDonald Forest Hills Hotel, Kinlochard nr Aberfoyle

DAY 2

After a hearty Scottish breakfast, you transfer to Trossachs Pier at the eastern end of Loch Katrine. At the heart of the Trossachs, this is the most beautiful of its lochs, popularized in the early 19th century following the success of Sir Walter Scott’s narrative poem "Lady of the Lake" and his novel Rob Roy, which were both set in the area. An original 19th-century steamship named for the famous author has plied the waters of Loch Katrine for over 100 years, affording visitors the same sights that so charmed Queen Victoria. Today, you are among the morning passengers sailing to lonely Stronachlachar at the western end of the loch, 12 miles away.

From Stronachlachar (referred to locally as Strona), you travel a short distance to begin a morning walk up to Rob Roy’s viewpoint high above Loch Lomond, close to Inversnaid. Loch Lomond is the immortal subject of ballad and legend and is the longest stretch of fresh water in the United Kingdom, at approximately 24 miles long, up to 5 miles wide, and almost 600 feet deep. After enjoying the extensive views, you descend to the Inversnaid Hotel on the shores of the loch, then drive back to Kinlochard, where you eat lunch in a quaint village tea shop.

This afternoon includes a visit to Ledyard Farm, which dates back to 1474. It served as an annual gathering place for the Gregor clan for over 500 years. A father and son team, Fergus and Gregor, show you around this working farm which is an authentic Scottish experience. Alternately you may opt for a pleasant walk taking you high above the tranquil southern shore of beautiful Loch Ard.

Tonight enjoy a traditional dinner in a typical Scottish pub.
MacDonald Forest Hills Hotel, Kinlochard nr Aberfoyle

DAY 3

This morning’s a short transfer brings you to the start of the walk at Balmaha towards the southern end of Loch Lomond. Balmaha lies on the Highland Boundary fault, the geological fault that separates the Highlands of Scotland from the Lowlands. Standing on the viewpoint above the pier you can see the fault line marked by a series of woody islands that form giant stepping stones across the Loch.

This walk follows a beautiful section of the West Highland Way, a trail that opened in 1980, and stretches for 95 miles. It begins just outside Glasgow in the Lowlands, crosses the Highland Boundary Fault into the Highlands, and finishes in Fort William. It goes close to the easterly shore of Loch Lomond with superb views of both the loch, and some of its 38 islands, and the mountains beyond, most notably Ben Lomond (3,192 feet). You may even spot some of the many 200 species of birds recorded in this area.

Concluding at the Rowardennan Hotel, you enjoy a well-deserved rest and lunch. Afterwards begin the transfer (approximately three hours including stops) around the western side of the loch to the breathtakingly beautiful Glen Coe, which literally means "Valley of the Weeping." Your traditional, mountain hotel is located here in the heart of Scotland’s most famous glen.
Clachaig Inn, Glencoe

DAY 4

Today’s walk takes you along one of the most dramatic sections of the West Highland Way, the "Devil’s Staircase," so named by the approximately 400 soldiers who endured great hardship to build it. This section of the trail was part of an old military road linking Fort William and Stirling, and is one of a series of such roads in this area. Many of them were constructed in the 18th century at the behest of England’s General Wade, with the aim of suppressing and dismantling the Highlanders’ way of life. By doing this they were ensuring that there could never be another Jacobite uprising like that led by Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745-46.

After an initial 30-minute gradual ascent (elevation gain of approximately 800 feet) the path levels out at the top of the pass. This is the highest point on the West Highland Way with stunning views of Blackwater Reservoir and the remote and desolate Rannoch Moor. The trail then runs across an expanse of open countryside before descending into the sleepy town of Kinlochleven, which surprisingly in 1904 was home to Europe’s largest aluminum smelter. The town now serves as a welcome break for weary hikers, with its restaurants transformed from some of the abandoned, industrial premises. It is here where you are served a hearty lunch.

Next you proceed to the newly completed Glencoe Visitors Centre, where you learn more about the massacre of February 1692. Returning to the village of Glencoe you visit the memorial commemorating the MacDonald Clan who perished during this tragic event. From here some may wish to take a pleasant walk back to the hotel on a quiet lane, which offers superb views of the Glen and the peaks.

This evening a delicious meal is served at the hotel’s restaurant.
Clachaig Inn, Glencoe

DAY 5

Following breakfast you depart on a short transfer back to Kinlochleven. You set off on the final section of the West Highland Way toward Fort William. After an initial ascent of approximately 750 feet, the route flattens as it follows the old drovers’ road, and later the military road, through the Lairigmor—the Great Pass—emerging high in the hills above Fort William. This is the largest town in the western Highlands and is picturesquely located on the shores of Loch Linnhe. It was originally developed as a settlement around the fort, which was constructed to control the population after Oliver Cromwell’s invasion of Scotland during the English Civil War.

Arriving in town in the late afternoon, you can relax at the hotel. This evening dinner, is on your own in one of Fort William’s fine restaurants or pubs.
The Alexandra Hotel, Fort William

DAY 6

Our journey today is truly unforgettable. You begin the day with a 1½-hour train ride, passing through some of Scotland’s most atmospheric scenery. You cross the famous 21-arched Glen Finnan viaduct (featured in the Harry Potter movies), which offers views of the poignant Glen Finnan monument at the head of Loch Shiel. The final destination of Mallaig is a thriving fishing community, as well as one of the gateways to the islands of the Inner Hebrides; you can admire views of the jagged peaks of the Isle of Skye just a few miles away across the Sound of Sleat.The walk leaves Mallaig on paved road then leads across open countryside toward Loch an Nostarie, a picturesque loch surrounded by low hills, which feels remarkably remote despite being just a few miles from Mallaig. (For the shorter option, it is possible to return to Mallaig from here). The onward route leads to a viewpoint above the hamlet of Mallaiquaig, close to the spot where Bonnie Prince Charlie landed in 1746 after his exile on the Isle of Skye. From here you loop back to Mallaig on the "old crofter’s" path. The middle section of this walk can be very wet underfoot especially on rainy days. However, bog walking is a unique experience and a quintessential part of walking in the Highlands!

Mallaig offers a wide variety of lunch establishments, many selling local seafood. In particular, a restaurant called "Cullen Skink," offers delicious fish chowder made from smoked haddock. In the early afternoon you return to Fort William, and visit the Glen Finnan monument. This memorial was erected in honor of the clansmen who supported Bonnie Prince Charlie’s attempt to gain the British throne in 1745. Arriving back in Fort William you will have time to further explore the streets of the town before reuniting for a final celebratory dinner.
The Alexandra Hotel, Fort William

DAY 7

Your final day begins just a few miles from Fort William at Inverlochy Castle. Constructed in the late 13th century, it is one of Scotland’s earliest stone castles and was home to powerful, local families for several centuries. From Inverlochy it is just a short transfer to the beginning of the last walk at Neptune’s Staircase on the Caledonian Canal. Scotland’s longest canal opened in 1822 and stretches for 60 miles, providing a shipping link between the east and west coasts. It was the inspiration of Thomas Telford, one of the most versatile and prolific engineers of the Industrial Revolution, and is considered to be one of the greatest British engineering achievements of the 19th century (At one point the canal climbs 64 feet in just over a quarter of a mile. Boats must negotiate a series of eight lochs). Next you enter a peaceful waterway haven with views of the stunning massif of Ben Nevis to your right and Beinn Bhan ahead, the tranquility disturbed only by the passing of occasional pleasure craft.

After lunch in the town of Spean Bridge you transfer to Edinburgh, which takes approximately three hours, and it is here in the late afternoon where you bid farewell to newfound friends.

Itinerary Changes

Please bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary, and the actual walks, sites, and accommodations may vary due to season, special events, weather, or transportation schedules. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience.

Nights 1 & 2

Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel
Kinlochard nr Aberfoyle, Scotland

Set in 25 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and woodland, this 57-room resort hotel offers guests the complimentary use of an indoor pool, sauna, and steam room.

Nights 3 & 4

Clachaig Inn
Argyll, Scotland

Located in one of the most stunning walking areas of Scotland, this simple 23-room inn offers tasty traditional food and a lively atmosphere. Please note that rooms at this inn are often smaller than what you may be used to, but the setting, service and proximity to the walks are exceptional.

Nights 5 & 6

The Alexandra Hotel
Fort William, Scotland

Centrally located in Fort William, this gracious hotel offers 97 well-appointed rooms as well as an inviting lounge, with occasional live music.

Please note that this is a sample hotel itinerary for this tour. While these exact hotels are featured on most departures, we occasionally reserve other hotels of similar style and quality. If you are currently booked on a Country Walkers adventure, a hotel itinerary has been sent to you for your exact departure date. Please call Country Walkers at 800.464.9255 if you have any questions about the exact hotels selected for any of our tours.

Stuart Hall

Stuart was born in Dundee, Scotland, and has traveled widely in Southeast Asia, Australia, and Europe. Stuart has lived in Aberfoyle, in the heart of the Trossachs, for 10 years and while not guiding for Country Walkers, he enjoys a variety of winter sports including climbing and hiking in the Scottish hills.

Rob Mulholland

Rob is a native of Glasgow, Scotland. He spends most weekends exploring the trails around the Trossachs, where he has lived and worked for over thirteen years. He has travelled throughout the world and is also a successful artist who creates public sculptures and exhibits.

Ruth Hackney

Ruth was raised near Manchester, England. After graduating from Cambridge University she taught English and traveled widely before settling in southern Greece more than 20 years ago. She offers her extensive historical and cultural knowledge on our Greece tours as well as in Scotland.