ISLE OF SKYE DISCOVERY TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1 Day 3 Travel from Edinburgh to Skye Loch Coruisk Following introductions and meeting the group we will depart 8 miles (13km) easy to moderate 5 hours, and make our way across country for the trip to Skye. We will ascent 624 feet (390m) have the opportunity to stop of at some of ’s famous Our third day on Skye takes us to Loch Coruisk, one of the landmarks along the way, including the Falls of Dochart, the most isolated and breathtaking places on the island and without beautiful and haunting scenery of Glencoe and the iconic doubt, one of the highlights. Glenfinnan Monument and Harry Potter viaduct deep in the heart of the Western Highlands. We take the Bella Jane charter boat from , a tiny fishing vil- lage at the southern end of the peninsula. We stop en Upon reaching Mallaig and small fishing port on the north route to view the seal colony and other sea life before reaching western coast we make the short hop across the Sound of Loch Coruisk. The scene is one of wild and rugged grandeur, Sleet to and our superb lodgings and warm welcome with small islands and sandy bays, ringed all around by the gaunt from our host Richard at the Ardvasar Hotel, reknown for not peaks of the Cuillan range, spilling their gushing streams over only it’s magnificent views out to sea, but also for it’s fresh crags and down into the waters of the Loch below. Weather local produce including seafood, game and Angus beef. permitting, we will walk around the Loch and enjoy a lunch stop We will arrive in good time to settle into our very comfortable at this dramatic location. rooms before enjoying our first scrumptious meal on Skye at After lunch we hike out over the hills and through Glen Sli- the hotel. gachan, perhaps the most stunning of all Skye’s glens, to the Hotel, our home for the next two nights.

Day 2 The Cleared Coast, and Suisnish Day 4 8 miles (13km) easy to moderate 4 to 5 hours, Lorgill, The Hoe and Bay ascent 464 feet (290m) 6 miles (10km) easy to moderate, 3.5 hours, Following a hearty breakfast we take a short drive to the ascent 624 feet (390m) ruined church of Strath Suardal to begin our hike. Today our We head to the Duirinish peninsula today for some breathtak- circular walk takes us through the cleared villages of both ing coastal walking. The circuit of the high cliffs of the Duirinish Boreraig and Suisnish, cleared of people in the mid 19th cen- provide magnificent walking on turf ground in an atmosphere tury by landowners to make way for more profitable sheep of peace and calm with awe inspiring views across to the Outer farming. Hebrides drifting on the horizon. The story of the Clearances, whilst perhaps economically We begin at the sheep station at Ramasaig and head across inevitable, there are many who hold scant regard for the man- country to the deserted crofting community of Lorgill, cleared ner in which it was done. There are few places on Skye which in 1830 of the ten families who lived here and were forcibly bear such evident testimony to the ruthlessness that under- removed to begin new lives in Nova Scotia. pinned the Clearances as these two ruined com- munities. The outstanding coastal scenery, overlooking Loch From here we climb up to the cliffs and Macleod’s Maidens Eishort and L och Slapin makes the moving and poignant walk come into view, Skye’s famous sea stacks. The walking along the all the more enjoyable and it is hard not be be able to envisage cliff tops is pure delight and we follow the trail at a relaxed pace these villages as they once were, with thriving communities with fine views out to sea. The sea cliffs of The Hoe are home making a living off the land, growing barley and potatoes and to an amazing variety of seabirds including fulmars who nest on fishing the local waters. the cliff edge and as we approach Ramasaig Bay we can look across Moonen Bay to the lighthouse at Neist Point, the most Our walk hugs the coastline and passes some fine waterfalls westerly point on Skye. and emerges near the hamlet of Kilbride where our transport awaits us. We have an optional extension here of a walk up to Waterstein Head, one of the most spectacular cliffs on the island, a magnifi- cent eyrie from which to gaze out over the Minch to the islands of the Outer Hebrides floating on the horizon. Day 5 Day 7 The and Meall na Suiramach Transfer back to Edinburgh 4 miles (6.5km) easy to moderate 4 hours, We take an alternative route back to our starting point following ascent 640 feet (400m) the Road to the Isles, over the and by Eilean Donan Formed in post glacial times when underlying sedimentary Castle and through the spectacular Glen Shiel with it’s Five rocks could no longer hold the weight of the overlying lavas Sisters of Kintail standing proudly high above our route. and as a result moved eastward in a series of massive and We follow the Great Glen south and head across the central spectacular landslips, the utterly amazing formations of the highlands and back to Edinburgh by late afternoon. With time Quiraing were born. to say farewell to new friends found and treasured memories of On a mixture of heather clad slopes and good trails we will your week on Skye. take as long as we need to explore this labyrinth of formations including the Needles, the Prison and the Table. The route into the heart of the Quiraing is along a gentle incline and then down into a narrow and quite exhilarating, almost alpine crossing below the cliffs of Maoladh Mor, before venturing on to be faced with the massive and imposing cliffs of Meall na Suiramach. Here we have the chance to drink in these magnificent views before continuing on to Loch Hasco and a leisurely hike down from the Quiraing and on to our new lodgings at the Flodi- garry Hotel, perched beautifully on Skye’s north east coast, where a warm Highland welcome awaits us.

Day 6 The Old Man of Storr, Sanctuary 4 miles (6.5km) easy to moderate 3 to 4 hours, ascent 640 feet (400m) There can be few red blooded hikers who are not drawn to the bizarre assortment of pinnacles and ridges which make up the Storr Sanctuary. The Old Man itself stands proudly, under- cut at it’s base and seeming to defy gravity and the might of the Skye weather. Our journey today takes us into the heart of the Sanctuary to explore the highest part of the Ridge with its glori- ous views eastward to the and beyond to the Torridon mountains. Later we drive to the very northern end of Skye and enjoy an optional walk to Castle. Perched dramatically on the edge of the cliff, the castle was the headquarters of the Mac- donalds of Skye for almost 150 years, until it was abandoned in 1732 in favour of a more hospitable dwelling nearby. On our return to we have time to relax and enjoy the warm open fires and Highland hospitality before sitting down to our celebratory farewell dinner.

Hike Scotland Telephone: +44 (0)1877 382108 Email: [email protected]