Luxury Walking View Trip Dates North Highland Coast Book Now

Trip Grade: Blue 4 North Highland Coast

Join us for an adventure unlike any other - our new ﬂagship walking experience in the furthest reaches of the wild northern coastline of Scotland. We will stay at a private lodge that oﬀers the last word in hospitality, set beneath the craggy slopes of Ben Loyal. Here you’ll dine on some of the best food to be found anywhere in Scotland and sleep soundly in sumptuously appointed rooms.

From the lodge we set out each day to hike the peaceful mountains, beaches and islands of Sutherland. The scenery is wild and spectacular, and we will keep our eyes peeled for wildlife such as golden eagles, red deer and otters while we walk.

Highlights • Hike among the wildest scenery in Scotland based from an exclusive and luxurious Highland lodge • Enjoy the leadership and insights of our expert guide as you explore one of the quietest areas of the Highlands • Superb food and drink, created from wonderful local ingredients. All included in the cost and freshly prepared for us by the in-house chef

Book with confidence • We guarantee this trip will run as soon as 4 people have booked • Maximum of 8 places available per departure

PLEASE NOTE – The itinerary may be subject to change at the discretion of the Wilderness Scotland Guide with regard to weather conditions and other factors. Planned Itinerary

Arrival Info

• Your Guide will meet you at the centre of Inverness Railway Station by the fixed seating area

• 9:00am on Day 1 of your trip

Departure Info

• You will be returned to Inverness Railway Station • 4:30pm on the final day of your trip

PLEASE NOTE – The itinerary may be subject to change at the discretion of the Wilderness Scotland Guide with regard to weather conditions and other factors. Day 1 | Duncansby Head & John o’Groats

We meet at the train station in Inverness at 9am and transfer in our vehicle to the northern tip of mainland Scotland. Here we do a coastal walk around Duncansby Head to view the spectacular sea stacks and look out for seabirds above the turbulent waters of the Pentland Firth. We can also make a visit to the famous John O’ Groats for coffee before we head west to our accommodation in Kinloch. (L, D)

Walk details: 12km/ 7 miles | 200m/ 650 ft of ascent | approx. 4-5 hours

Day 2 | Into the Wild

Today we hike along the riverside path from the lodge to a small bothy with picture-perfect views across Loch an Dithreibh. We then have a choice of two routes for walking back to the lodge, either following the path back or exploring some of the nearby hills. (B, L, D)

Walk details: 14km/ 8 miles | 150m/ 490 ft of ascent | approx. 4-6 hours

Day 3 | Island Hopping on the North Coast

Using the lodge’s zodiac, we venture out to the nearby islands to explore and enjoy easy walks. We visit the now uninhabited islands of Eilean nan Ron and the Rabbit Islands. With sea stacks, caves and arches, these islands offer easy walking with beautiful views. The empty houses, abandoned in the 1930s, give us insight to a human history adding further intrigue to the day. (B, L, D)

Walk details: Short walks on the island – 3-4 hours hiking maximum Day 4 | Ben Hope

Ben Hope is a prominent feature of the North Coast skyline, and the most northerly of the Munros (Scottish hills over 3000ft in height). The ascent is fairly short but steep, however a good trail makes progress relatively easy. This will be the most challenging hike of the trip (comparable to a Blue Grade 6). The views from the summit, gazing over the rugged coastline and seemingly endless North Atlantic, are quite outstanding. (B, L, D)

Walk details: 8km/ 5 miles | 950m/ 3120 of ascent | approx. 6 hours

Day 5 | Achinver Coast and Crofts

Today we enjoy a coastal circuit, following a grassy track that takes you over beautiful beaches and through community-owned lands with a patchwork of crofts surrounded by animal grazing lands. Afterwards, we hike up to the ruins of Castle Varrich, which sits on a prominent headland with views across the Kyle of Tongue. This is the ancient seat of Clan McKay – and may date back even further to the time of the Vikings. (B, L, D)

Walk details: 10km/ 6 miles | 190m/ 623 ft of ascent | approx. 3-4 hours Day 6 | Exploring Cape Wrath

A memorable day where we get to experience the UK mainland’s most north-westerly point. After a short transfer we cross the Kyle of Durness by boat, and from the pier we catch a lift in a minibus up to the lighthouse at Cape Wrath. After enjoying a cup of tea in its remote café, we set off hiking east along the tops of the high and dramatic cliffs. When we finish the hike we are picked up then cross back over the Kyle of Durness and so we return to the lodge for a final night dinner. (B, L, D)

Walk details: 16km/ 10 miles | 600m/ 1968 ft of ascent | approx. 6 hours

Day 7 | Heading Home

On our last morning, we have a choice, either we explore the North Highland Coast a little more on a short walk in the area, or we plan a leg stretch on the journey back to Inverness. Lunch will be along the return journey, arriving at the station for 4.30 pm. (B, L)

PLEASE NOTE – The itinerary may be subject to change at the discretion of the Wilderness Scotland Guide with regard to weather conditions and other factors. Trip Grading | Blue 4 |

Blue graded walking holidays are suitable for fit and experienced hikers. We walk at a good pace and you can expect to be out for 6-8 hours a day. You will not always be on a path and the terrain underfoot can be rough and boggy, including boulder fields and mountain tops. Some of the daily walks will involve a mountain ascent of over 3000ft / 900m high. Daily distances will be up to approx 16km but may be longer occasionally.

The weather in Scotland can be unpredictable and at times can make activities more challenging. Please do bear this in mind when thinking about what trip to join.

If our guides feel that you are not able to complete a scheduled hike they may ask you not to join in that day. If you have any questions about the grading, then please do give our Adventure Consultants a call to chat through your experience and suitability for this trip.

It is your responsibility to ensure you are appropriately ﬁt and capable of doing the described hikes in the expected times. Please refer to the grading section on our website for more details. If you are unsure we encourage you to speak to us ﬁrst. Accommodation and Meals

This luxury walking holiday enjoys beautiful accommodation in a private Highland lodge set among the hills and woodlands of Sutherland. The lodge offers sumptuously appointed rooms with lots of space and exceptional homemade food made from local ingredients

Accommodation is a choice of double or twin rooms. The rooms at the lodge are not ensuite however there are 4 large bathrooms so with our small group size there will plenty of time and bathroom space for everyone.

Single Rooms

There is no single person supplement charged to solo travellers. On this trip there is no additional supplement for single rooms as we have exclusive use of the lodge. There are a limited number of solo occupancy rooms available on this trip at no extra charge, and are allocated on a first come first served basis. Please check with our sales team for availability.

If there are no solo occupancy rooms available you will be required to share a twin room with a fellow traveller of the same sex. All Inclusive Inclusions

This trip includes the following:

• 6 nights accommodation in an exclusive and luxurious Highland lodge

• All meals, from lunch on Day 1 through to lunch on Day 7 (Meals included indicated as B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

• Wine with dinner each night

• The services of an experienced and knowledgeable guide / driver throughout

• All transport throughout the trip starting and finishing in Inverness

• Zodiac trip on Day 3

Our All Inclusive trips include all accommodation, meals, guiding and travel during the trip. We do not include drinks or any gratuities you may choose to leave. Our holidays reviewed in your words…

An amazing trip! Stunning and dramatic “ scenery in real wilderness Scotland and a programme designed to give you the best experience of it. Maura Buchanan ”

All Trip Reviews Here Your Guide

During this trip you will be accompanied and led by one of our professional guides. Our guides are among the most highly experienced and qualified in the country. Defined by their passion for Scotland’s wild places, they have an intimate knowledge of the natural and social history of this land which they will be delighted to share with you. For more info and to meet the team please see our Guide Pages.

Sustainable Travel

Wilderness Scotland is committed to the principles of ecotourism. We work very hard to ensure our engagements with local communities, wild lands and wildlife are positive.

We are a proud partner of the Leave No Trace Centre for Outdoor Ethics, which enhances our commitment to responsible activity in Scotland’s wild lands, as enshrined in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC).

We are also proud to be a John Muir Trust Peak Partner. Thanks in part to the generosity of our clients though our Conservation Contribution scheme the John Muir Trust can rely on our investment to go towards conservation projects that have a deep connection to Wilderness Scotland and the areas we adventure in.

You can learn more about the work we’re doing with the John Muir Trust and the other ways we care for the wild places we love here. Equipment List

Check out our guide on what to wear when adventuring in Scotland. wildernessscotland.com/blog/hiking-in-scotland-what-to-wear

Eat | Stay | See

Looking for accommodation for before or after your adventure with us? Check out our list of where to stay and what to do

Eat – Stay – See – Inverness.pdf

General Info – Scotland

From food and drink to the Loch Ness Monster, our General Info for Scotland guide has got you covered for all your need to know facts.

General-Info-Scotland.pdf Travel Insurance

It is your responsibility to take out appropriate travel insurance to cover you during your trip. This should include cover for cancellation prior to the trip, the activities undertaken (i.e hiking), curtailment, and adequate medical insurance for sickness/ injury and medical repatriation. We also strongly recommend you have cover for your other travel arrangements such as flights, and your personal possessions.

We suggest you do your own research to find the best insurance cover for you however the follow companies offer suitable policies.

Campbell Irvine Direct – campbellirvinedirect.com Journeyman Insurance Services – journeyman-services.com/travelInsurance

If you cancel your holiday charges will apply. Please see section 2 of our terms and conditions for a breakdown: wildernessscotland.com/make-a-booking/booking-conditions

Travel With Confidence

You can book with us in complete confidence that all trip payments made to us are fully protected.

Wilderness Scotland Ltd is a licensed and bonded tour operator. Your financial security is guaranteed through our membership and bonding with ABTA. FAQs

Looking for more information? Check out our frequently asked questions page. wildernessscotland.com/faq

Questions To Ask? Ready to Book?

If you want to get in touch please send us an email or give us a call. We accept bookings online, by email, or over the phone. A deposit of 25% is required at the time of booking to secure the trip with the balance payable 8 weeks (56 days) before departure. If booking less than 56 days before the trip start date, full payment of the trip price is required immediately.

We accept payment by credit or debit card, or bank transfer.

email: [email protected] View Trip Dates Tel (UK and Europe): +44(0)1479 420 020 Book Now Tel (US and Canada): 866-740-3890