My big self-drive tour of the Highlands

From £1750

14 days Choose your hiking level from easy to hard

Discover the must-see places and more secret sites of Scotland

As the credits of the film Highlander scroll across your screen, you find yourself dreaming of war in Scotland, valiantly wielding your sword in the heart of vast moors dotted with heather. In the background, dizzying mountains rise up against the wind, and on the side a medieval castle is besieged by enemy troops... With this 14-day tour in Scotland, you're not promised victory or courage, but you're guaranteed breathtaking scenery, just like the most beautiful Scottish postcards. The national parks of Trossachs and Cairngorms, the grandiose Isle of Skye, the hundred-year-old whisky distilleries, the giant Ben Nevis... All this draws the so singular portrait of this country of legends, between raw nature and ancestral traditions. Quiet, rolling... Action!

Admire and enjoy the beautiful Highlands

Feel the magic and mysteries floating around the Isle of Skye

Hike the Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the British Isles

Discover Scotland's most beautiful national parks: Cairngorms and Trossachs

Day 1 - Flight to Scotland

Flight to Edinburgh or Glasgow. Pick up of your rental car at the airport. Then head off to Pitlochry, a charming town that immediately immerses you in the imagination and magic of Scottish country. Depending on the arrival time, possibility of discovering the Visitor Centre of Killicrankie, nest of information on the eponymous battle. Get ready, the change of scenery is also in the language of our Scottish friends. Fàilte gu Alba!

Day 2 - Pitlochry

Discover the small town of Pitlochry. After strolling for a while in the cobbled lanes, don’t hesitate to measure yourself against the splendid surrounding mountains. At the end of the afternoon, why not go and taste a good whisky in a local distillery? We recommend Edradour, founded in 1825 and one of the smallest in Scotland. It is one of the last distilleries to make a handcrafted single malt.

Day 3 - Pitlochry - Aviemore : Cairngorms National Park

Head for Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park. Located in the heart of the Highlands, this park is the largest in the United Kingdom. It includes most of the Caledonian pines native to Scotland and the highest mountains in the country. This haven of nature is the ideal place for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, climbing or even skiing in winter. Weather permitting, take a walk through the reindeer centre. Yes, you’ll think you’re in Lapland, and yet this animal was reintroduced to the Cairngorms in 1952. There are now 150 reindeer in the park.

Day 4 - Aviemore: hiking in the Cairgorms National Park

New day dedicated to the magnificent Cairngorms Park. Numerous hiking trails criss-cross the park offering multiple walking possibilities. For example, the Cairn Gorm hike (1245 m), a very popular munro. Another option is Kingussia, where an easy road takes you up to the top of the dizzying mountains. If you are not a keen walker, another shorter hike leads you to the heart of the cliffs of Cairn Gorm. If you still have time, head to the Loch Garten Osprey Centre, home of Scotland’s iconic bird of prey, the Osprey.

Day 5 - Aviemore - Torridon : hiking in Torridon

Sandstone mountains, impressive monoliths, lochs and wilderness make Torridon a magnificent place that is sure to leave you with great memories. A hike in this superb setting gives a very good idea of the grandeur and beauty of this region. Don’t forget to take your camera: beautiful pictures in perspective!

Day 6 - Torridon : hiking in the valley

Second day at Torridon. You have the freedom to hike on one of the many trails that criss-cross the valley. Formidable panoramas made of peaks with unusual shapes.

Day 7 - Torridon - Portree

The Isle of Skye will definitely be one of the highlights of your trip: rugged landscapes, small fishing villages and medieval castles give this 50 miles long island a very special atmosphere. Literally the island of the clouds, it was named by the Vikings because of the fog and the clouds permanently hanging from its cliffs and rocks giving it a mystical character. You will feel here as if you were in another world. And it is not Portree, the capital of the island and your next point of call, that will prove you wrong. This charming port with its colourful houses forms a wonderful picture on the emerald canvas of the Isle of Skye. On the way, a short detour to the Eilean Donan Castle, an emblematic 13th-century castle famous for being the setting for the film Highlander. The film illustrates the mysterious atmosphere on the Isle of Skye.

Day 8 - Isle of Skye: Trotternish Peninsula

Head north to the Isle of Skye, where the Trotternish Peninsula lies. Prepare to be amazed. Here they are, the superb landscapes of Scotland, the ones that move the crowds and feed the imagination! A land of foggy cliffs and magical atmosphere, that’s what Trotternish promises… After a beautiful hike in this idyllic setting, embark on a boat trip from Portree. In addition to the splendid panoramas offered by the coast, this is an opportunity to see many marine animals such as sea eagles, dolphins, seals and minke whales. Back on land, visit the Skye Museum of Island Life, which offers a beautiful glimpse of life on the island a century ago. Another point of interest is the Kilt Rock View Point, on the east side of the island, which offers a splendid view of Mealt Falls and the basalt organs plunging into the ocean at sunset.

Day 9 - Isle of Skye - Glencoe Mountains

Bye-bye Isle of Skye! Return to the mainland this morning by ferry from Armadale to Mallaig. Then on to Fort William and Glencoe. On the way, fantastic scenery… Hills and valleys follow one another behind the windows and give all its relief to the panorama. Arrival at Glencoe whose mountains were carved thousands of years ago by glaciers and volcanic explosions. These reliefs of ice and fire form magnificent landscapes, worthy of the most beautiful postcards. From the south of Rannoch Moor, pull out your camera to take a picture of the Etive Mor Buachaille, the most photographed conical-looking mountain in the country. You can also visit Glencoe’s Visitor Centre or the Glencoe Folk Museum, which detail the terrible massacre that took place here in 1692 against the MacDonald clan.

Day 10 - Glencoe - Fort William

A new path opens up for you. Fort William is home to the highest peak in the British Isles: the Ben Nevis, which rises to an altitude of 1,345 metres. Many amateur hikers go there every year and brave the cold, wind and fog. Now it’s your turn to attempt the climb! Remember to cover yourself well (hat, gloves, fleece and windbreaker imperative)! If you don’t feel up to the challenge of this giant, there are easier hikes. And there is something for all levels. Rather sea than land? Cruises are also available from the city, so you can admire the cut-out silhouette of the Scottish horizon from the water.

Day 11 - Fort William - Drymen

Head off for the Trossachs region, where splendid new landscapes await you. This nature reserve has magnificent forests, bordered by lakes and mountains. No wonder it has inspired so many poets and writers, such as Sir Walter Scott. Road to Drymen, a town in the heart of the Trossachs. Mingle with the locals in a good old pub, where you can sip whisky while singing Scottish songs in the heart of the town!

Day 12 - Drymen: Trossachs National Park and Ben Lomond climb

Let’s go to Ben Lomond, the highest peak in the Trossachs National Park and the region, perched at over 970 m above sea level. A beautiful mound to climb that reveals beautiful landscapes: wooded valleys, vast lochs, green hills dotted with sheep… At the summit, the view is unparalleled on Loch Lomond, the largest lake in Scotland after Ness. A huge expanse of dark water stretches before you with the misty valley as a backdrop. It’s enough to have your head in the clouds! Descend at your own pace through the north of the fault line that separates the highlands from the lowlands in the heart of Scotland.

Day 13 - Drymen - Edinburgh / Glasgow

At the end of the trip, discover one of Scotland’s two emblematic cities: historic Edinburgh or futuristic Glasgow. Depending on the formula chosen, route to Stirling Castle, a splendid 15th century building surrounded by cliffs and steeped in history, or to Glengoyne Distillery, one of the most beautiful traditional distilleries in the country… Arriving in the city, strolling in the streets… these two cities have a lot to offer. In Edinburgh, don’t miss the National Trust of Scotland Museum, the Royal Botanic Garden, the St Giles Cathedral, the Leith Docks area and the famous Edinburgh Castle. In Glasgow, there are also many points of interest worth visiting, such as the Gallery of Modern Art, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, the Glasgow Cathedral, the Botanic Gardens and the mythical Lighthouse.

Day 14 - Edinburgh / Glasgow: return flight

This is the end of your Scottish adventure. Depending on flight schedules, free time in Edinburgh or Glasgow. Then, drive to the airport and return your rental car..

N.B. : The program is given for information only. The stages can be modified on site for meteorological, security, organizational, flight schedule or any unexpected event reasons. In these difficult times, the local guide will do their utmost to mitigate the effects of these events beyond our control.

Comfort

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£ 1750/person

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Gold

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£ 2950/person

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Platinium

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£ 4250/person

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Trip organisation (customisation and bookings)
All ferry crossings
Accommodation
All Breakfasts
Personalised guidebook
24/7 emergency telephone support
Navigation App with preloaded walking routes and maps
Rental car

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“Stunning remote location, blue skys for most of our stay and the most spectacular beaches I have seen in my life! Until you pur your toes in the water (very cold) you could be in the caraibean! 🙂 ”