The Wonders of Western Scotland

Join your guide for a day's hiking in the wilds of the West Coast.

Applecross is widely considered to be one of the most picturesque locations on the West Coast. Located on a peninsula looking out towards the Isle of Raasay and Isle of Skye, the Applecross Peninsula is home to just a couple of hundred people. A place of peace and tranquility, but also of drama and power in the huge landscapes and variable weather, this is one of Scotland’s most evocative places.

Attadale Gardens sit tucked along the side of a wooded valley, overlooking a picturesque inlet. The gardens are an extraordinary series of rooms, reflecting the creative talents of its succession of owners. The gardens now belong to a local branch of the Macpherson clan from nearby Skye. Explore the gardens on a private tour and discover how the varied planting scheme thrives in the climate of Scotland’s West Coast.

Visit the evocative Eilean Donan Castle, perched on a small tidal island at the convergence of three sea lochs. Eilean Donan possesses all the qualities of a romantic castle and is one of the Highland's greatest beauties.

Skye’s rugged landscapes and dramatic mountain scenery are unrivalled among the islands of the West Coast. There are only a few roads crossing the island and its isolated position has ensured it retains a strong and proud Gaelic identity. There is a thriving art and crafts tradition on the island and photographers from far and wide are attracted not only for the peaks and valleys but for the extraordinary abundance of wildlife, both on dry land and in the sea, that Skye is famous for.

Talisker is the oldest working distillery on the Isle of Skye, set on the shores of Loch Harport in the village of Carbost. Tour of the distillery, seeing its five copper pot stills and the traditional worm tubs that make our Talisker so unique, then take a look at the casks in the warehouse where the Angel’s Share is lost to evaporation during maturation. End with a taste of the-award winning, alluring, sweet, full-bodied single malt.

This morning you will enjoy a leisurely cruise to the stunning Rona Harbour (Acarsaid Mhor), taking in views of the iconic Storr and Cuillins along the way. Wildlife spotting opportunities are abundant throughout this trip, from seabirds to marine life. In particular, Rona has a resident seal colony, so make sure you pick up a pair of binoculars to view them basking on the rocks.

Guests go ashore and have up to two hours during which they can explore the natural beauty of this remote island. The views looking back toward Skye are magnificent. The historical site of An Teampull, a small 14th-century chapel, can be accessed on foot. Take a hike to the ruins of a settlement that dates back to the Scottish Clearances. Alternatively walk to the dramatic Church Cave, which was used for Sunday worship until 1912.

Your next destination is the Isle of Raasay where you will stop for a fresh, locally caught, seafood lunch. Head ashore and enjoy the many activities on offer. We recommend a visit to the newly built Raasay Distillery for a tour with the friendly staff and a taste of their whisky. Booking in advance for this tour is advisable. Alternatively Raasay House offers kayak hire, bicycle hire (manual and electric), and archery for the more adventurous. Raasay House also offers minibus tours up to the historical sites of Brochel Castle, Calum’s Road and Rainey’s Wall. Or simply walk one of the many trails and appreciate the spectacular views.

Return to the Seaflower for the journey back to Portree,

From the coast to the mountains, the landscapes here are a paradise for lovers of the great outdoors. Mind, the weather can be very unpredictable and variable, even in the height of summer and the planned route may change at the last minute. But that's part of the adventure and every glen has something new to reveal.

The West Highland Line is one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world, linking Glasgow with the West Coast of Scotland. It's part of the national network and is a little glimpse into Highland life. The stretch over Rannoch Moor is a particularly splendid part of the line. The Moor is inaccessible by road and its wild beauty gives a strong sense of the remoteness of the place. What makes it special for rail fans, however, are the construction techniques of the Victoria navvies, who "floated" the line over a bed of earth and wood to stop the metal rails from sinking into the bog. Your guide will drop you off at the station and pick you up at the other end so you will enjoy this scenic journey in the company of other passengers.

Glencoe is undoubtedly one of the most awe-inspiring sights in the whole of Scotland. Site of the 1692 Massacre of Glencoe, today it is a hauntingly beautiful Highland glen which evokes the spirit of the clans who ruled this land for centuries.

Blair Castle is unlike any other castle in Scotland. Its baronial architecture and beautiful setting in wooded grounds with mountainous backdrop are typical enough, but a couple of accidents of history have set Blair Castle apart. In 1844 Queen Victoria spent three weeks at Blair and during her stay granted the Duke a private army, the Atholl Highlanders, today the only private army in Europe. In more recent times, the castle passed to a branch of the family currently residing in South Africa.

The Cairngorms are blessed with some of Scotland’s best scenery. Over 55 Munros (mountains over 3,000 feet), incredible wildlife and native woodland, such as the Abernethy Forest with its original Caledonian pines, are just some of the reasons it is widely considered one of the UK’s best national parks.

Discover a private Highland estate in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. On the tour, you will have a good chance of seeing red deer, golden eagles, red and black grouse, red squirrels and mountain hares. You will discover a landscape steeped in history and folklore, learn about land management and the diversity of flora and fauna, absorb our breathtaking views. The tour is done at a leisurely pace to give you plenty of opportunity to enjoy the remote and dramatic landscape.

Glamis Castle is the ancestral home of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne and is perhaps best known as being the childhood home of the Queen Mother and as the setting for William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. A fascinating collection of furniture, paintings and objects testify to its history and the castle retains a lived in feel.

Visit the coastal town of Arbroath, perched on the east coast of Scotland. Arbroath has given its name to the Arbroath Smokie, a smoke-cured haddock considered one of Scotland's most emblematic dishes. Many old smokehouses are still in operation around the harbour and you'll have the chance to meet the owner of one and witness the process of filleting and smoking. This is an untouched corner of Scotland and retains a strong feeling of local life. Walk around the town with your guide and visit Arbroath Abbey before popping back to the smokehouse to taste a freshly-smoked smokie.

Loch Lomond is one of Scotland’s most evocative sites. Its location in the Trossachs National Park make it both a physical and symbolic border of the Highlands and Lowlands. It's a popular location for many visitors to Scotland, and to avoid the crowds, this excursion will take you out on a private motor boat to discover the loch up close. The southern half of the loch is dotted with many tiny islands, one of which has a colony of very elusive wallabies! If you're feeling adventurous, you can use the boat's inflatable landing boat to reach one of the island's beaches. The northern half of the loch is an altogether different landscape and resembles a Norwegian fjord with the magnificent Trossachs mountain in the background.