SCOTTISH COAST TO COAST WALK ACROSS THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS THE SCOTTISH COAST TO COAST WALK SUMMARY Traverse Scotland from Coast to Coast on foot. Take on a classic journey from Perth to Fort William across the moors, mountains and rivers of the central Scottish Highlands. The Scottish Coast to Coast walk visits charming highland towns, remote hotels, quiet glens and wide open moors. All touched by history, people and stories. The Scottish Coast to Coast Walk starts in the elegant city of Perth and follows the River Tay to Dunkeld and Aberfeldy. The route meanders to Kenmore before heading into the empty, and majestic, countryside of Fortingall, Kinloch Rannoch, Rannoch Station and Kingshouse. At Kingshouse you join the West Highland Way to Kinlochleven and then Fort William, the end of your Scottish Coast to Coast Walk. But the walking is only half the story. On your coast to coast journey you will also discover delicious locally sourced salmon, smoky whiskies, charming highland hotels and the warmest of welcomes. Tour: Scottish Coast to Coast Walk Code: WSSCTC Type: Self-Guided Walking Holiday HIGHLIGHTS Price: See Website Single Supplement: See Website Dates: March to December Traversing the incomparable Rannoch Moor Walking Days: 9 Enjoying a fireside dram at the end of an unforgettable day Nights: 10 Spotting Ben Nevis, which marks the end of your Coast to Coast Start: Perth Finish: Fort William Nine days of wonderful walking through ever-changing landscapes Distance: 118.5 Miles Tucking into a perfectly prepared meal at a remote highland hotel. Grade: Moderate to Strenuous WHY CHOOSE TO WALK THE SCOTTISH COAST TO COAST WITH US? IS IT FOR ME? Macs Adventure is a small, energetic company dedicated to delivering adventure excellence. We are This is a fairly tough walk through passionate about delivering outstanding walking holidays where every last detail is taken care of. Each some very remote areas so is best holiday we offer is unique, tailor made to meet your requirements. From your first contact with Macs suited to more experienced walkers who can navigate using map and com- Adventure you will deal with a local specialist who knows the region intimately. pass. They will be rewarded with an Self guided walking holidays are a wonderful relaxed way to discover the magic of the Scottish Highlands. unforgettable walk! Free to travel at your own pace and wander off the beaten track, you will discover the beauty of the landscape, the warmth of the people and the long history of the Scottish Highlands. We will supply you with detailed route notes, clear maps and a pre-departure information pack to guide you every step of the WHAT’S INCLUDED? way. Your baggage will be collected and moved onto your next accommodation so that you are free to Accommodation: Hand-picked B&B’s, walk each day with just a daypack. In the unlikely event you should require emergency support our office small hotels, country inns and guesthous- is always more than happy to help with your queries. So you can just relax and enjoy your holiday. es. Meals: A hearty breakfast included. Lunch and dinner not included but always availa- ble at accommodation or nearby. Baggage Transfer: Door-to-door bag- gage transfer. Information Pack: Comprehensive Route Notes with Maps SCOTTISH COAST TO COAST WALK ACROSS THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS Walk: 13 miles, 200m ascent buffs shouldn’t miss the Scottish Crannog centre DETAILED ITINERARY Overnight: B&B or Inn in Bankfoot or alternatively the Kenmore Hotel, one of many claimants to the title of Scotland’s oldest inn. DAY 3 Leaving Kenmore the route climbs over Day Route Miles Drummond Hill, rewarding with expansive views Bankfoot to Dunkeld of Loch Tay. 1 Arrive Perth Following a very quiet county road you quickly 2 Walk to Bankfoot 13 leave Bankfoot behind and climb gently The hamlet of Fortingall is famous for having the 3 Walk to Dunkeld 9.5 alongside Garry Burn to Glen Garr. You may be oldest tree in Scotland and is reputedly the birth 4 Walk to Aberfeldy 19 tempted to climb the Obney Hills to visit either place of Pontius Pilate - the son of a Roman 5 Walk to Fortingall 13 the obelisk or prehistoric fort, which mark their Legionary and a local girl. 6 Walk to Kinloch Ran- 11 summits. noch Continue to Dunkeld via the Rumbling Bridge Walk: 13 miles, ascent/descent:750m 7 Walk to Rannoch Sta- 17 and Hermitage. The Hermitage has long been a Overnight: Coshieville House B&B tion 8 Walk to Kingshouse 12 stopping point on the grand Scottish Tour. The 9 Walk to Kinlochleven 9 mature forests, streams and waterfalls make for DAY 6 a delightful end to a pleasant day. 10 Walk to Fort William 15 Fortingall to Kinloch Rannoch 11 Onward Travel Dunkeld and Birnam straddle the River Tay and much of the townscape has been restored by Get ready for a wonderful day of classic Scottish Total Distance 118.5 Historic Scotland, making it one of Scotland’s hill walking through an empty corner of the prettiest towns. Dunkeld Cathedral is a particular highlands. You follow a rough track to Glenmore highlight. Bothy, the iconic shape of Schiehallion looms Walk: 9.5m, ascent/descent: 300m ahead. A ruined highland village lies at its feet. DAY 1 Overnight: Dunkeld B&B, Inn or small hotel. Once you climb over the shoulder of Schiehallion it’s all downhill to the Kinloch Rannoch. The path Arrive Perth Day 4 is indistinct and very rough/boggy in sections, but Perth is an elegant town sited at the head of the the scenery more than makes up for it. Forth of Tay and the jumping off point for your Dunkeld to Aberfeldy Walk: 11 miles, ascent/descent: 700/650m coast to coast walk. Overnight: Kinloch Rannoch Hotel or Today your Coast to Coast moves up a notch Guesthouse Perth is easily accessible by road, rail and car with a tough day over the moors and through from Glasgow and Edinburgh (1h20). Settle into forests to Aberfeldy. You start by following the DAY 7 your accommodation, take a stroll or visit St old military road to Ballinloan and then climb over Kinloch Rannoch to Rannoch John’s Kirk. Grandtully Hill to Aberfeldy. The excellent cakes at the Watermill cafe in Aberfeldy should only be Station Overnight: Perth skipped in an emergency! The empty highland landscape and dark waters of Loch Rannoch are your only companions as DAY 2 Walk: 19 miles, ascent/descent:650m/600m you walk to the remote Rannoch Station. You Perth to Bankfoot Overnight: Aberfeldy Guest House follow the small almost completely traffic free road on the southern shore of Loch Rannoch for After collecting a pebble from the banks of the DAY 5 most of the day, although some small diversions River Tay you head north along the banks of the are possible. Tay to Luncarty and Stanley, where you leave Aberfeldy to Fortingall the Tay for Bankfoot. The Tay is the longest river The Birks of Aberfeldy are the first of many Walk: 17 miles, ascent/descent: 200/150m in Scotland and you will get to know it well over highlights on an action packed day to Fortingall. Overnight: Moor of Rannoch Hotel the next few days. Following footpaths and farm roads you soon reach Kenmore at the head of Loch Tay. History SCOTTISH COAST TO COAST WALK ACROSS THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS DAY 8 DAY 11 use three star accommodation as a minimum but some remote inns are either not graded or only Across Rannoch Moor Onward travel two star. Each night offers something different. The emptiness of Rannoch Moor is beguiling. A Fort William is served by regular trains and Single Rooms big sky landscape of rivers, lochs and bogs buses to Glasgow and buses to Inverness and populated only by deer. Your walk follows an other destinations in the Highlands. If you require single rooms these are available , ancient right of way which cunningly finds a route although a single supplement is payable. Single through this empty, but beautiful, landscape. TRIP INFORMATION rooms in remote inns or small B&B’s may not Kingshouse Hotel, sitting picture perfect in front have ensuite bathrooms. of Buachaille Etive Mor marks the end of your Solo Walkers day’s walk. Navigation Walk: 12 miles, ascent/descent:200/300m This trip is not available to solo walkers for safety This route is not way marked (with the exception Overnight: Kingshouse Hotel reasons. of the last 2 sections of the West Highland Way), DAY 9 and a few sections follow very indistinct trails. Meals You should be a competent navigator with map The Devil’s Staircase to and compass. The route comprises of hill and A delicious breakfast is included each morning. Kinlochleven mountain tracks, riverside trails, minor roads and Most accommodation offers a full Scottish highland paths, some of which can be indistinct Breakfast as well as a continental option. You Joining the West Highland Way you are soon and boggy. won’t start the day hungry! climbing the Devil’s Staircase at the head of Glencoe. A short sharp climb rewards with 360 Additional Nights Lunch and dinner are not included so you are degree views of the peaks of the western free to choose from the available options. Most of Highlands. You may wish to extend your time on the your accommodations will more than happy to Scottish Coast to Coast and we can add extra provide a packed lunch on request and this can Kinlochleven, where you will be enjoying a drink nights at any point before, during or after the be booked on arrival.