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Self-Guided Walking : Europe

Scotland: The Scottish Highlands

Easy to Moderate Terrain: 5-11 Miles Daily

Scotland: The Scottish Highlands

This is the countryside that’s inspired countless stories: turreted castles, purple-heathered hills, sparkling lochs, and views of moorland sky and bog. Your maps will guide you from 13th-century Blair Castle and the gardens of Atholl Estate to the Pass of Killiecrankie, site of a famous 1689 battle. Ancient forests along the River Garry lead to great bird-watching at Loch Faskally, while the trail to Bealach Pass reveals fine views. An optional extension takes you to the summit of Ben Vrackie before descending to sleepy Moulin, a 5,000-year-old village, home to the 1695 Moulin Inn & Brewery and Edradour Distillery—Scotland’s smallest! Pass through west coast glens and lochs and arrive on foot in Fort William, with its stunning vista of Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak. Walk the Great Glen Way, the West Highland Way, or take a steam locomotive over the 21-arch Glenfinnan Bridge featured in the Harry Potter films. However you make this journey your own, you’ll see much of off-the-beaten-path Scotland along the way.


Tour Highlights:
  • Explore Blair Castle, a 13th-century behemoth that served as the ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl and the home of Clan Murray.
  • Climb through fields of heather on your way to Bealach Pass in Killiecrankie before stopping by Scotland’s smallest distillery in the afternoon.
  • Stay in the magnificent Killiecrankie House Hotel, with views of a deep gorge in the River Garry, impeccably manicured gardens, a grand living room with fireplace, and fresh-cut flowers in each room.
  • Visit with friendly locals and browse shops as you explore the charming village of Pitlochry.
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Tour Only

7 days, 6 nights

FROM $2,298 USD

per person, double occupancy



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Why Walk With Us

  • Choose from 19 handcrafted Self-Guided Walking itineraries for 2017
  • Trust our expertise with 38+ years in active travel.
  • 24/7 support from a local representative.
  • Generous inclusions: luggage transfers, all breakfasts, some lunches and dinners.
  • Your departure is always guaranteed.
  • Detailed maps and easy-to-follow route notes ensure that you’ll easily find your way.
  • Past guests and referrals always save.

Itinerary & Accommodations

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Day 1

Fiddlers Path and Inver Path

Savor the crisp fresh Highlands air and the wild mountains of Perthshire as you alight at your beautiful hotel in Dunkeld, set on 280 acres. Today, you’ll explore the Dunkeld Path Network, which winds alongside the Tay, Scotland’s premier salmon fishing river, and passes Birnam, a town famously cited in Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

Accommodation: Dunkeld House Hotel, Dunkeld

This beautiful property is set within 280 acres of pristine land on the bank of the River Tay, Scotland’s premier salmon fishing river. Bright guest rooms combine contemporary furnishings with rich, warm accents. The oak-paneled bar with its grand piano and log fire is ideal for relaxing with an aperitif before dining on fine fare from locally sourced ingredients at the on-site restaurant overlooking the river. A heated indoor pool, sauna, gym, and spa treatments are available, and tennis, golf, fishing, or horseback riding can be arranged. Walks start at the hotel’s front step, located just a mile outside of town.

Day 2

Loch of the Lowes Path

Today’s walk to the Loch of the Lowes Nature Reserve traverses open country where great crested grebes, goldeneye ducks, and coots may be spotted. A more challenging alternative climbs to the King’s Seat viewpoint on Birnam Hill. Upon returning to Dunkeld village, visit the Beatrix Potter Exhibition and Garden.

Accommodation: Dunkeld House Hotel, Dunkeld

This beautiful property is set within 280 acres of pristine land on the bank of the River Tay, Scotland’s premier salmon fishing river. Bright guest rooms combine contemporary furnishings with rich, warm accents. The oak-paneled bar with its grand piano and log fire is ideal for relaxing with an aperitif before dining on fine fare from locally sourced ingredients at the on-site restaurant overlooking the river. A heated indoor pool, sauna, gym, and spa treatments are available, and tennis, golf, fishing, or horseback riding can be arranged. Walks start at the hotel’s front step, located just a mile outside of town.

Day 3

Killiecrankie to Pitlochry via Bealach route and Moulin

Climb through fields of heather towards Bealach Pass and Ben Vrackie summit for some of the best views in Scotland. After lunch and a pint of Braveheart at the award-winning brewery in Moulin, options include a leisurely afternoon in Pitlochry or a bird watching stroll along the Killiecrankie loop.

Accommodation: The Killiecrankie Hotel

An intimate award-winning hotel and restaurant overlooking the Pass of Killiecrankie—the deep gorge of the River Garry. Recently refurbished elegant guest rooms are individually decorated with rich colors, fabrics, and fresh flowers. The fine-dining restaurant serves exceptional cuisine, and the cozy wood-paneled bar is a magnet for guests and locals. An inviting living room has a fireplace for cool weather or opens to manicured gardens and patio in warmer days. Surrounded by expansive lawns and woodlands, the hotel is just three miles from the Highland Victorian town of Pitlochry.

Day 4

Killiecrankie to Blair Atholl via River Garry

After a full Scottish breakfast, follow the River Garry to Blair Castle, ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl. Enjoy a guided tour, followed by lunch in a working 16th-century water mill, known for its outstanding homemade soups and scones.

Accommodation: The Killiecrankie Hotel

An intimate award-winning hotel and restaurant overlooking the Pass of Killiecrankie—the deep gorge of the River Garry. Recently refurbished elegant guest rooms are individually decorated with rich colors, fabrics, and fresh flowers. The fine-dining restaurant serves exceptional cuisine, and the cozy wood-paneled bar is a magnet for guests and locals. An inviting living room has a fireplace for cool weather or opens to manicured gardens and patio in warmer days. Surrounded by expansive lawns and woodlands, the hotel is just three miles from the Highland Victorian town of Pitlochry.

Day 5

Transfer to Fort William

Your destination today is Fort William, picturesquely placed on the shores of Loch Linnhe. Walk along the Great Glen Way, passing near Old Inverlochy Castle, with beautiful views of Ben Nevis, and along the Caledonian Canal, with its “Pepper Pot” lighthouse.

Accommodation: Nevis Bank Inn, Fort William

A modern inn on the banks of the River Nevis and a 10-min. walk from the center of Fort William. Spacious rooms are stylishly decorated with wooden furniture and luxurious fabrics. Browns Bar and Restaurant combines dark wood accents, oak floors, and large windows in a contemporary style, serving a wide selection of pasta, meat, and seafood.

Day 6

Cow Hill Circuit

Today’s loop walk to Cow Hill summit affords superb views; alternatively, opt for an excursion on the West Highland Railway to the fishing community of Mallaig, passing through some of Scotland’s most atmospheric scenery and crossing the famous 21-arched Glen Finnan viaduct (featured in the Harry Potter movies).

Accommodation: Nevis Bank Inn, Fort William

A modern inn on the banks of the River Nevis and a 10-min. walk from the center of Fort William. Spacious rooms are stylishly decorated with wooden furniture and luxurious fabrics. Browns Bar and Restaurant combines dark wood accents, oak floors, and large windows in a contemporary style, serving a wide selection of pasta, meat, and seafood.

Day 7

Departure from Fort William

Depart at your leisure after breakfast.

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Dates & Prices

Seasonal Tour Pricing

2017 Dates Number of Travelers
2 3 4 5 6 Single Supplement
Solo Surcharge
Jun 1 - Sep 30 $2,398 $2,398 $2,298 $2,298 $2,298 $650 $270
Oct 1 - Oct 31 $2,298 $2,298 $2,198 $2,198 $2,198 $650 $270
This tour is available daily, on request, from May 1 through October 31, 2017. Please note that the tiered tour price is based on a guarantee of a specified number of guests—should your group decrease in size, we reserve the right to alter the per person price if necessary as reflected in the Tour Price table. Please also note that the tour price includes one arrival transfer and orientation meeting on Day 1 of the tour. If traveling in a group of two or more with separate arrival times, additional charges will apply for multiple transfers and orientation meetings. All prices are per person, based on double occupancy.

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