Highland Explorer: Skye and the Far North

Following breakfast this morning we head off in the opposite direction for a full day excursion to the Isle of Skye, travelling via the pretty village of Plockton, notable for the palm trees that line the main street. We cross the elegant Skye Bridge that replaced the ferry at Kyle of Lochalsh and drive across Skye. Look out for the distinctively shaped island of Raasay to the right and to the left the dramatic peaks of the Cuillin Mountains, more often than not wreathed in ethereal mist, hence Skye’s nickname of ‘The Misty Isle’. We arrive in the principal town of Portree, the epitome of a Hebridean port with colourful houses lining the harbour side. We have free time here to browse the craft shops and have lunch (not included) – the fish ‘n’ chip shop down by the harbour is particularly recommended, as long as you’re prepared to share a chip or two with the local gulls! We return to our hotel in the afternoon with a brief stop in Lochcarron.

After breakfast this morning we travel north on a full day scenic tour that takes us by Loch Broom to Ullapool and on into Assynt, an extraordinary landscape of vast, undulating moorland and beautiful, deserted beaches.

This morning following breakfast we check out of our hotel and head for Fort William, following a leisurely and highly scenic route that takes us via Beauly, Strathglass and Glen Urquhart to Drumnadrochit on the shores of Loch Ness. Of course, the loch is forever associated with its rather kitsch mythical monster but it is an undeniably beautiful stretch of water in its own right.

After a break here we continue through the Great Glen that cleaves through the Highlands to Fort Augustus, a bustling town at the south end of Loch Ness, bisected by Thomas Telford’s engineering marvel, the Caledonian Canal. We continue by Loch Oich and Loch Lochy to our hotel in the Fort William area, close to the fjord-like Loch Linnhe and the massive bulk of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest peak.

This morning after breakfast we will travel west to Mallaig, mostly running parallel with the railway line, with the opportunity to drink in the stunning views of this wild and historic part of Scotland. We will pass rugged mountains, sea and inland lochs and on to the shores of the Atlantic. The road also takes us past the massive Glenfinnan Viaduct overlooking Loch Shiel, where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard in 1745, and our journey will be timed to allow us to view the ‘Jacobite’ steam train as it puffs slowly across the viaduct, providing a unique photo opportunity. There is time to enjoy lunch (not included) in Mallaig, whether you choose fish and chips, crab sandwiches or freshly landed lobster.

We enjoy some free time in Fort William in the afternoon.

After breakfast we check out of the hotel and begin our homeward journey travelling through the hauntingly beautiful Glen Coe, a fine example of a volcanic caldera further shaped by glaciation in the last ice age, and by tranquil Loch Earn to Crieff, where we will stop for lunch (not included). We then return to our original departure points.