Explore rugged landscapes, abandoned villages and Fairy Pools on a wild adventure in the Inner Hebrides
Off the west coast of mainland Scotland, the Isle of Skye offers wild walking trails across wind-whipped landscapes and through time-stood-still fishing villages. It’s the star attraction in the Inner Hebrides and for good reason with wonderfully rugged scenery providing a sensational setting for an adventure on foot. For this hiking trip, we are based in the hill-cradled fishing town of Portree, heading out each day to explore a different part of the island led by our expert local guide.
This trip includes a few of our Citizen Science Departures. These special departures offer you the opportunity to be involved in the collection of freshwater samples during the trip. The environmental DNA information derived from this sample will contribute directly to the eBioAtlas; the world’s largest repository of flora and fauna species data, contributing to the conservation and restoration of biodiversity both locally and globally. To book onto one of these special departures, see the Dates & Prices tab. For more information on these departures and the eBioAtlas, click here.
Did you know you can travel by train to this trip? Find out more here
Highlights
Visit the magical Fairy Pools, where hardy souls swim in the frigid waters
Stay in the pretty fishing village of Portree
Discover the dramatic Quiraing landslip on foot
Tour a Scotch whisky distillery with a tasting on the Isle of Raasay
Citizen Science departures available on this trip
Key Information
Six hotel nights
Five days of guided walking
Group normally 6 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
Moderate walks, leisurely pace; good level of fitness recommended
Option to travel by train to your adventure
Countries visited: United Kingdom
What's Included
All breakfasts, three picnic lunches and two dinners
Bus transfers to the walking areas
Tour leader throughout
What's Not Included
Flights and rail journeys
Visas
Insurance
Single supplement
5Days of Walking & Trekking
Terrain:
Paths are typically well maintained though in some places rough underfoot
Day 2
4 km / 2.5 miles
Day 3
9 km / 5.6 miles
Day 4
10 km / 6.2 miles
Day 5
17 km / 10.6 miles
Day 6
7 km / 4.3 miles
People, Places & Planet
We work hard to create trips that have a positive impact on the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Learn more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice hereand find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.
Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:
People
How this trip helps improve life for local communities.
Local guides keep you well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels, restaurants, and other enterprises, and by championing locally produced food wherever possible.
Read more about our other initiatives
Places
How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.
By travelling in a small group, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
We work with our partners on the ground to proactively reduce waste; this includes eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles by providing refills for reusable bottles.
With our partners, Rewilding Apennines, we rewild 100 square meters (1,075 sqft) of land per passenger who travels with us.
Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us.
Planet
How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.
Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances. In particular the Rosedale hotel is proud to serve locally caught fish and other produce from across Scotland.
Both properties are independent and locally owned so have a lower carbon emission than chained properties of a similar size in the area.
Walking trips like this have very little detrimental impact on the environment and the locals, as it is a quiet, low-impact activity requiring comparatively few resources to support.
Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.
Tips for sustainable travel on this trip
Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
Plastic waste reduction: Please bring a reusable water bottle on this trip, also consider avoiding single-use hotel toiletries, which generate a large amount of plastic waste.
Itinerary
Inverness
Inverness
Day
1
Arrive Inverness
Our adventure begins in Inverness, the most northerly city in the UK. Perched on the northeast coast of Scotland, it is the cultural hub of the Scottish Highlands and an ideal place for us to begin. If you have free time after checking into the hotel, you may want to explore the old town, home to the 19th-century Inverness Cathedral and an indoor Victorian market. This evening, there is a welcome meeting and dinner with your tour leader and the rest of the group.
Transfer to Isle of Skye; hike at Fairy Pools; to Portree
We travel to the port town of Mallaig, where we board the ferry for Armadale on Skye (a 45-minute journey). On arrival, we transfer to the Fairy Pools, a magical collection of waterfalls and swimming spots where hardy souls brave the chilly waters – bring your swimwear if you want to test yourself with an icy dip. After exploring the pools, we continue to Portree where we check into our hotel.
Accommodation: The Rosedale Hotel (or similar)
Distance covered: 2mi (4km)
Ascent: 525ft (160m);
Descent: 525ft (160m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
3
Quiraing landslip region hike; Fairy Glen exploration
This morning, we travel to Trotternish, the northernmost peninsula on the island, for a circular walk of the Quiraing, an enormous landslip created over millions of years. It is wild, rugged and atmospheric.
Our route passes spectacular rock formations, including two of the most famous in the region, the Prison and the Needle. After, we head to the Fairy Glen (a smaller yet still spectacular version of the Quiraing) to explore this geologically fascinating area at your leisure. We then return to Portree.
Accommodation: The Rosedale Hotel (or similar)
Distance covered: 6mi (9km)
Ascent: 2,297ft (700m);
Descent: 2,297ft (700m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Day
4
Explore Isle of Raasay; distillery tour and tasting
We catch the ferry from Sconser to the Isle of Raasay, arriving at 10.50am where we begin our hike for the day.
Though compact, the island is home to an extraordinary collection of wildlife; you may see white-tailed sea eagles, golden eagles, oystercatchers, guillemots, red deer, dolphins and seals, depending on the weather and time of year.
We end with a tour and tasting at the Raasay Distillery, where they produce single-malt Scotch whisky and gin inspired by the island. After a full day on Raasay, we return by ferry and bus to Portree.
Accommodation: The Rosedale Hotel (or similar)
Distance covered: 6mi (10km)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day
5
Highland Clearance villages
We head south for a circular walk around Suisnish and Boreraig, two villages emptied during the Highland Clearances. In this dark chapter of Scottish history, thousands of families were forcibly driven from their ancestral homes to make way for sheep. The remains of long-abandoned villages can be seen all over the Isle of Skye, but Boreraig is perhaps the most hauntingly beautiful.
Accommodation: The Rosedale Hotel (or similar)
Distance covered: 11mi (17km)
Ascent: 1,394ft (425m);
Descent: 1,394ft (425m)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day
6
Kilt Rock; circular walk visiting Rubha Hunish
This morning, we head to the magnificent Kilt Rock, a towering sea cliff formed of basalt columns, which resembles a pleated kilt. From here, we head to Duntulm where we begin a circular walk taking in Rubha Hunish, the northernmost point on Skye. On our return journey, we stop for a coffee and cake at an arty café. This afternoon, we have free time in Portree.
Accommodation: The Rosedale Hotel (or similar)
Distance covered: 4mi (7km)
Ascent: 656ft (200m);
Descent: 656ft (200m)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
7
Transfer to Inverness via Eilean Donan Castle
After breakfast, we travel back to Inverness stopping at Eilean Donan Castle en route. This ancient island fort has become a symbol of the region and marks the meeting point of three lochs. After stopping for photos, we continue and the tour ends at Inverness railway station.
Meals included: Breakfast
Essential Info
Is this trip for you?
This trip has been graded Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
Walking days: Five
Maximum height gained: 2,297ft (700m)
Maximum distance walked: 11mi (17km)
The Isle of Skye is known for its beautiful rugged landscape. The paths used can be narrow at times with a lot of steep steps, and rocky, loose stone sections. So it is important to be confident with your footing.
A good level of fitness is required and it is important to pack for the potential for unpredictable Scottish weather (see packing list).
Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Ardross & Glencairn Guesthouse, 19 Ardross St, Inverness, IV3 5NS Phone: (+44) 1463 232965 Recommended arrival time: Before 6pm at the start hotel to catch the introductions and welcome dinner
Getting to the start hotel
There are trains from London Kings Cross railway station to Inverness railway station approximately every hour. It’s a 20-minute walk or just over a five-minute drive to our start hotel. There are also flights from London Gatwick (LGW) to Inverness Airport (INV). A taxi from the airport to the start hotel takes just over 20 minutes.
Return journey
The tour ends at Inverness railway station, from where you can catch trains to London Kings Cross approximately every hour. As it is quite a long journey, you may like to take the sleeper train. You can also get flights to London Gatwick from Inverness Airport.
If you would like further information on joining this trip or your return journey, please speak to your sales representative.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Inverness Location end: Inverness
Vaccinations and Health
United Kingdom
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for polio, tetanus and rabies (bat lyssavirus). Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
Scotland
No vaccinations are obligatory.
Visa
United Kingdom
Travellers from the US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter the United Kingdom. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
UK passport holders do not need visas for this trip. Other nationalities should check with the relevant embassies.
For further Brexit travel advice please visit https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/brexit-advice-for-travellers
Food & Drink
All breakfasts, three picnic lunches and two dinners are included.
At Ardross & Glencairn provide a hot and cold buffet-style breakfast, guests can help themselves to a continental selection and a full cooked breakfast. The Rosedale Hotel provides a continental breakfast with a changing selection of fruit, cereals, pastries, cheese, cold meats etc.
The picnic lunches consist of a sandwich, a piece of cake and fruit.
Dinners are 2 course from a small menu choice.
Weather
Rain can fall at any time of year; however, the temperatures typically rise from around 12C (54F) in April to the high 20Cs (around 80F-85F) or above in September. Like most of the UK in recent years, there have been some hotter days in the middle of summer.
Rosedale Hotel, Skye, and Ardross Glencairn Guesthouse, Inverness
Occupying a trio of old fisherman houses on the working harbour of Portree, the Rosedale Hotel provides an idyllic retreat for our time in Skye. Outside the front door, the waters are navigated by local fishing boats, while the town itself has cafes and restaurants to explore.
Our 17-room traditional hotel has an intimate sea-view restaurant, serving a selection of dishes based on fresh, seasonal, local produce. The rooms are unfussy and homely and all come with complimentary toiletries and tea/coffee-making facilities.
In Inverness, we stay at the Ardross Glencairn Guesthouse, close to the River Ness and only a few minutes’ walk to the city centre.
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