Highlights
The Isle of Skye is famous for a reason - nowhere else in Scotland can you find such a rich variety of landscape, history, wildlife and culture in a single island. From the mighty Cuillin mountains - the most challenging peaks in Britain - to its wild coastline, its traditional crofting townships to its astonishing rock formations, Skye contains enough walks for a holiday of several months! This trip selects some of its finest routes, and throws in two memorable day trips - to the off-shore island of Raasay and to the spectacular Loch Coruisk. We will not be climbing any mountains, but we will be walking some memorable low level hikes into some truly spectacular locations! Raasay, dominated by the distinctive flat topped peak of Dun Caan, still has a small population and is steeped in history. Loch Coruisk, set right in the heart of the famous Cuillin mountains, is one of the most spectacular locations in Europe. Both provide unique and unforgettable walking. Like all our holidays, this is a relaxed trip with a mixture of longer and shorter days. You will need to be able to cope with some straightforward walking on rough ground. Skye is hilly country, so there will be some uphill sections at times - though don't worry, we will not be hillwalking or mountaineering! There will be plenty of time to watch the wildlife, take in the views and soak up the atmosphere of these wonderful islands. |
2023 Dates:
Sat 29th April - Fri 5th May Full 2024 Dates: We will not be running this trip in 2024 How long: 6 nights / 5 days walking Grade: Moderate (see our Grading Information page for more details on how we grade our tours) Start / Finish: Inverness Price: £1,665 Single supplement £140. ***£50 discount for returning clients!*** |
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Itinerary
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Getting Here
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What's Included
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Grade
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Reviews
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Tour Details
(please note that this schedule may be subject to change depending on weather conditions during the trip).
DAY 1 - TRAVEL FROM INVERNESS TO SKYE
After meeting at Inverness train station at 1.30pm, we will have a spectacular drive to the Isle of Skye. We should have time for a gentle afternoon walk, before arriving at our island guest house.
DAY 2 - QUIRANG
There really is nowhere in Britain quite like the Quirang. These remarkable rock formations in the north of Skye provide spectacular walking, and are almost better on a misty day, where the huge cliffs and stone pillars loom out of the cloud like fossilised giants!
DAY 3 - RAASAY
A day trip to the lovely island of Raasay, home to the wonderful Gaelic poet Sorley Maclean. Our walk here is full of variety, with great history and plenty of opportunity for wildlife watching.
DAY 4 - ORONSAY
A bonus island today! Oronsay is a small tidal island in a spectacular location, near the head of Loch Bracadale. Making sure we don't get cut off by the tide, we will explore its beautiful coastline and climb its small peak, for fabulous views out over this huge sea loch. Sea eagles, otters and basking sharks abound in this area - so the wildlife watching should be excellent too.
DAY 5 - LOCH CORUISK
This will be a day to remember - a boat trip from the small crofting township of Elgol will take us across the head of Loch Scavaig to the remote and beautiful Loch Coruisk, nestling in the heart of the Skye Cuilllin mountains. This is wild, spectacular and uninhabited country. We will spend the day beneath the rocky peaks, walking right round this beautiful freshwater loch, before catching the boat back to Elgol - looking out for basking sharks en route.
DAY 6 - BORERAIG & SUISNISH
Our final day takes us to the deserted townships of Boreraig and Suisnish in south west Skye. Beautiful and atmospheric, this walk will take us through gentle woodland, across lonely moorland and along spectacular coastal scenery, and will offer dramatic views across Loch Slappin to the mighty peak of Blaven.
DAY 7 - RETURN TO INVERNESS
On the final day we will depart Skye at 10am, arriving back in Inverness at approximately 1pm.
(please note that this schedule may be subject to change depending on weather conditions during the trip).
DAY 1 - TRAVEL FROM INVERNESS TO SKYE
After meeting at Inverness train station at 1.30pm, we will have a spectacular drive to the Isle of Skye. We should have time for a gentle afternoon walk, before arriving at our island guest house.
DAY 2 - QUIRANG
There really is nowhere in Britain quite like the Quirang. These remarkable rock formations in the north of Skye provide spectacular walking, and are almost better on a misty day, where the huge cliffs and stone pillars loom out of the cloud like fossilised giants!
DAY 3 - RAASAY
A day trip to the lovely island of Raasay, home to the wonderful Gaelic poet Sorley Maclean. Our walk here is full of variety, with great history and plenty of opportunity for wildlife watching.
DAY 4 - ORONSAY
A bonus island today! Oronsay is a small tidal island in a spectacular location, near the head of Loch Bracadale. Making sure we don't get cut off by the tide, we will explore its beautiful coastline and climb its small peak, for fabulous views out over this huge sea loch. Sea eagles, otters and basking sharks abound in this area - so the wildlife watching should be excellent too.
DAY 5 - LOCH CORUISK
This will be a day to remember - a boat trip from the small crofting township of Elgol will take us across the head of Loch Scavaig to the remote and beautiful Loch Coruisk, nestling in the heart of the Skye Cuilllin mountains. This is wild, spectacular and uninhabited country. We will spend the day beneath the rocky peaks, walking right round this beautiful freshwater loch, before catching the boat back to Elgol - looking out for basking sharks en route.
DAY 6 - BORERAIG & SUISNISH
Our final day takes us to the deserted townships of Boreraig and Suisnish in south west Skye. Beautiful and atmospheric, this walk will take us through gentle woodland, across lonely moorland and along spectacular coastal scenery, and will offer dramatic views across Loch Slappin to the mighty peak of Blaven.
DAY 7 - RETURN TO INVERNESS
On the final day we will depart Skye at 10am, arriving back in Inverness at approximately 1pm.
This holiday starts and ends in Inverness. Your guide will meet you at the entrance to Inverness railway station at 1.30pm where you will join the rest of the group for the drive to Skye.
Inverness is easily accessible by plane, train and bus.
Flights
The following airlines offer direct flights to Inverness:
www.loganair.co.uk - Manchester, Birmingham, Belfast, Exeter, Glasgow, Newquay, Southampton.
www.easyjet.com - London Gatwick, London Luton, Bristol.
www.britishairways.com - London Heathrow.
www.aerlingus.com - Dublin.
Trains
Inverness can be reached by train from Edinburgh, Glasgow and England. Travellers coming from London and the south of England can take advantage of the overnight Caledonian Sleeper service. For more information on train services see the following websites:
www.scotrail.co.uk
www.nationalrail.co.uk
www.thetrainline.com
www.sleeper.scot
Please note that all train tickets should be purchased in advance of travel. We recommend that you do this as soon as you book your holiday as advance tickets are always considerably cheaper than ones bought at the last minute.
Coaches
The following operator offers coach services from Glasgow and Edinburgh to Inverness:
www.citylink.co.uk
Please note that all coach tickets must be purchased in advance of travel. We recommend that you do this as soon as you book your holiday as coaches can get booked up. Advance tickets can also be considerably cheaper than ones bought at the last minute.
Cars
Driving to Inverness by car is straightforward - it is simply a case of heading for Perth then taking the A9 north. Approximate journey times (not including stops, road works or delays) are as follows:
Edinburgh: 3 hours
Glasgow: 3.5 hours
Newcastle: 5.5 hours
Manchester: 6.5 hours
Birmingham: 7.5 hours
Bristol: 8.5 hours
London: 9.5 hours
Inverness is easily accessible by plane, train and bus.
Flights
The following airlines offer direct flights to Inverness:
www.loganair.co.uk - Manchester, Birmingham, Belfast, Exeter, Glasgow, Newquay, Southampton.
www.easyjet.com - London Gatwick, London Luton, Bristol.
www.britishairways.com - London Heathrow.
www.aerlingus.com - Dublin.
Trains
Inverness can be reached by train from Edinburgh, Glasgow and England. Travellers coming from London and the south of England can take advantage of the overnight Caledonian Sleeper service. For more information on train services see the following websites:
www.scotrail.co.uk
www.nationalrail.co.uk
www.thetrainline.com
www.sleeper.scot
Please note that all train tickets should be purchased in advance of travel. We recommend that you do this as soon as you book your holiday as advance tickets are always considerably cheaper than ones bought at the last minute.
Coaches
The following operator offers coach services from Glasgow and Edinburgh to Inverness:
www.citylink.co.uk
Please note that all coach tickets must be purchased in advance of travel. We recommend that you do this as soon as you book your holiday as coaches can get booked up. Advance tickets can also be considerably cheaper than ones bought at the last minute.
Cars
Driving to Inverness by car is straightforward - it is simply a case of heading for Perth then taking the A9 north. Approximate journey times (not including stops, road works or delays) are as follows:
Edinburgh: 3 hours
Glasgow: 3.5 hours
Newcastle: 5.5 hours
Manchester: 6.5 hours
Birmingham: 7.5 hours
Bristol: 8.5 hours
London: 9.5 hours
What's Included: 6 nights accommodation in comfortable island guest houses*, 5 days walking. Full Scottish or continental breakfasts, packed lunches and evening meals at local restaurants (note that lunch on the journey back to Inverness at the end of the holiday is not included). All transport during the holiday, including boat trips to Raasay and Loch Coruisk, and the services of a qualified and experienced Mountain Leader.
What's Not Included: Transport to and from Inverness. Travel insurance. Visits to cafes and attractions.
*We will be staying in comfortable guest houses on the Isle of Skye. All rooms will have ensuite or private bathrooms. We may have to split the party up between several guest houses but we will be dining together each evening in local restaurants so there will be plenty of opportunities for socialising with the rest of the group.
What's Not Included: Transport to and from Inverness. Travel insurance. Visits to cafes and attractions.
*We will be staying in comfortable guest houses on the Isle of Skye. All rooms will have ensuite or private bathrooms. We may have to split the party up between several guest houses but we will be dining together each evening in local restaurants so there will be plenty of opportunities for socialising with the rest of the group.
Moderate. The walking on Skye is spectacular but the terrain can be quite rough in places. We won't be climbing any mountains on this holiday but we will be trekking into some quite wild locations, with wet, rocky ground. There will be some uphill sections but these will not be too long. The days are quite varied in length - the longest hike is to Boreraig and Suisinish and is about 10 miles long, mostly on good paths and tracks. Other days are shorter but may involve rockier ground or more uphill.
You should be capable of climbing small hills and familiar with walking in upland areas of the UK or abroad. Good hiking boots are essential for this trip. Having said this, we will still be going at a fairly relaxed pace, with plenty of time for photos and admiring the spectacular views that Skye has in abundance!
See our Grading Information page for more information about how we grade our holidays.
You should be capable of climbing small hills and familiar with walking in upland areas of the UK or abroad. Good hiking boots are essential for this trip. Having said this, we will still be going at a fairly relaxed pace, with plenty of time for photos and admiring the spectacular views that Skye has in abundance!
See our Grading Information page for more information about how we grade our holidays.
The following reviews are taken from the Hidden Hebrides page on TripAdvisor: For reviews of our other holidays click here.
D.O. (Washington, USA)
We spent two weeks with Jon and staff -- we thoroughly enjoyed our walking tours of Lewis & Harris and also of Skye. Accomodations are first rate, as is the selections of restaurants and food provided. The walks are well-planned and adjusted to the needs of the group and each individual, which we very much appreciated. Compared to other group tours we have been on in Scotland, this far exceeded what we were expecting. We'll definitely return for more tours with Hidden Hebrides!
S.T. (Missouri, USA)
This review is VERY LONG OVERDUE!! My husband, two very good friends (husband and wife from Atlanta) and I thoroughly enjoyed a WONDERFUL Walking Holiday of the Isle of Skye this past June 2017! From start to finish, out trip was Outstanding. Mick's responsiveness to all aspects of our trip was Excellent. My husband and I traveled from St. Louis, USA. Attention to all details, as well as a few additional requests by the 4 of us, were always addressed promptly. The Isle of Skye was beautiful! John Groom did an outstanding job guiding us throughout the island. Our hikes were spectacular! Our accommodations were wonderful (our bed and breakfast host/hostess could not have been kinder) and our evening dining experiences/food was superb! We are now talking about our next trip to Scotland! We would love to join Hidden Hebrides for either the Shetland Island or Orkney tour! Cannot wait to return to Scotland....the people are wonderful, beautiful countryside, lovely cities!
D.O. (Washington, USA)
We spent two weeks with Jon and staff -- we thoroughly enjoyed our walking tours of Lewis & Harris and also of Skye. Accomodations are first rate, as is the selections of restaurants and food provided. The walks are well-planned and adjusted to the needs of the group and each individual, which we very much appreciated. Compared to other group tours we have been on in Scotland, this far exceeded what we were expecting. We'll definitely return for more tours with Hidden Hebrides!
S.T. (Missouri, USA)
This review is VERY LONG OVERDUE!! My husband, two very good friends (husband and wife from Atlanta) and I thoroughly enjoyed a WONDERFUL Walking Holiday of the Isle of Skye this past June 2017! From start to finish, out trip was Outstanding. Mick's responsiveness to all aspects of our trip was Excellent. My husband and I traveled from St. Louis, USA. Attention to all details, as well as a few additional requests by the 4 of us, were always addressed promptly. The Isle of Skye was beautiful! John Groom did an outstanding job guiding us throughout the island. Our hikes were spectacular! Our accommodations were wonderful (our bed and breakfast host/hostess could not have been kinder) and our evening dining experiences/food was superb! We are now talking about our next trip to Scotland! We would love to join Hidden Hebrides for either the Shetland Island or Orkney tour! Cannot wait to return to Scotland....the people are wonderful, beautiful countryside, lovely cities!