HIKING TOURS OF SCOTLAND
[13 days with 11 nights in Scotland!]
2024: SEP 3-15 & SEP 17-29 $3,837
$2,337 Ground Package (no airfare)
2025: APR 29-MAY 11 & MAY 13-25 $TBD
DAY 1 TUESDAY, Travel
We will depart the SMC Niles campus at 2:30PM for Chicago on a Royal Excursion luxury coach. Our
6:30PM non-stop flight from Chicago to Edinburgh will arrive 8:25AM Wednesday morning.
Fire Up for this Scotland adventure!
DAY 2 WEDNESDAY, Edinburgh
After clearing customs we will be shuttled to our hotel. An enchanting,
vibrant, and medieval city awaits us. Our Travelodge hotel in the city center is very near the Royal Mile. You are free to explore, shop, check out the pubs and dine on your own.
It will be early to bed in preparation for our big day tomorrow.
DAY 3 THURSDAY, Edinburgh
After breakfast we will do the fabulous Edinburgh city hike. It is about 8.5 miles and will take a good part of the day. Highlights include Princess Gardens, Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, the Grassmarket, a pub stop at Greyfriars Bobby, Cowgate, the Holyrood Castle, Scottish Parliament, Holyrood Park and the breathtaking trail up to Arthur’s Seat, Calton Hill, and back to the theatre district for dinner.
DAY 4 FRIDAY, Aberfeldy
After breakfast we will check out then board our bus for the scenic ride to Glencoe and the lovely Trossochs region. Our hike at Ben A’an will take us up a river and through heather to an unforgettable view. We will also make a stop at Weem Wood with it's legends of dragons and demons, for a lovely forest hike. Our lodging will be in Aberfeldy at Breadalbane Arms.
DAY 5 SATURDAY, Aberfeldy
This morning we make our way to the nearby village of Pitlochy for a beautiful forest hike. A tour of the Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery will be held later in the day.
DAY 6 SUNDAY, Aberfeldy
Today we travel to the famous Great West Highland Way for a point to point 9.0 mile hike.
DAY 7 MONDAY, Aberfeldy
Our goal today is to visit the charming coastal village of Oban and do a coastal hike past the Dunstaffnage Castle and hopefully make a visit to the famous Oban Distillery.
DAY 8 TUESDAY, Isle of Raasay
We will check out of our hotel and leave the west coast for the
beautiful Isle of Raasay just off of the Isle of Skye. En route we will
stop for an amazing hike in the Glencoe region – the Lost Valley. Our lodging at the Raasay House will be accessed by a 20 minute ferry ride from Isle of Skye.
DAY 9 WEDNESDAY, Isle of Raasay
Today we get to visit the magical Isle of Skye and take hikes at The Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr. We will rehydrate in the charming ocean front village of Portree.
DAY 10 THURSDAY, Inverness
We will get up early for our three hour drive to our amazing hike at
Beine Eighe. Our hike will conclude with a wine and cheese
rehydration on the shore of Loch Maree, one of Scotland's most
beautiful lochs. Our hotel will be the centrally located Leonardo in
DAY 11 FRIDAY, Stirling
After breakfast we will checkout and head to our final lodging the
Travelodge City Centre, conveniently located in Stirling. We will stop en route for a hike at Urguhart Castle for a search for Nessie the Lochness Monster. Then we will enjoy a truly historic hike in Stirling including the (Braveheart) National Wallace Monument and the Stirling Castle beheading stone.
DAY 12 SATURDAY, Stirling
Following breakfast we will depart for the 90 minute ride to the Kingdom of Fife and historic historic St. Andrews. En route we will do an awesome hike at Alva Glen. It features five waterfalls and some cool grass trails high up in the glen. Then on to St. Andrews for a beautiful trek including the ruins of
Scotland’s biggest cathedral, the Old Town Gate, Scotland’s oldest
university, the Old Course (the home of golf) and the West Sands Beach
where the movie Chariots of Fire was filmed. There will be time for
shopping and dining before we return to Stirling.
DAY 13 SUNDAY, RETURN
Relaxed travel day: We'll head to the airport for our return flight and shuttle back to Niles. There's no extra charge for the many memories you will carry home with you.
DAY 1 TUESDAY, Travel
We will depart the SMC Niles campus at 2:30PM for Chicago on a Royal Excursion luxury coach. Our
6:30PM non-stop flight from Chicago to Edinburgh will arrive 8:25AM Wednesday morning.
Fire Up for this Scotland adventure!
DAY 2 WEDNESDAY, Edinburgh
After clearing customs we will be shuttled to our hotel. An enchanting,
vibrant, and medieval city awaits us. Our Travelodge hotel in the city center is very near the Royal Mile. You are free to explore, shop, check out the pubs and dine on your own.
It will be early to bed in preparation for our big day tomorrow.
DAY 3 THURSDAY, Edinburgh
After breakfast we will do the fabulous Edinburgh city hike. It is about 8.5 miles and will take a good part of the day. Highlights include Princess Gardens, Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, the Grassmarket, a pub stop at Greyfriars Bobby, Cowgate, the Holyrood Castle, Scottish Parliament, Holyrood Park and the breathtaking trail up to Arthur’s Seat, Calton Hill, and back to the theatre district for dinner.
DAY 4 FRIDAY, Aberfeldy
After breakfast we will check out then board our bus for the scenic ride to Glencoe and the lovely Trossochs region. Our hike at Ben A’an will take us up a river and through heather to an unforgettable view. We will also make a stop at Weem Wood with it's legends of dragons and demons, for a lovely forest hike. Our lodging will be in Aberfeldy at Breadalbane Arms.
DAY 5 SATURDAY, Aberfeldy
This morning we make our way to the nearby village of Pitlochy for a beautiful forest hike. A tour of the Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery will be held later in the day.
DAY 6 SUNDAY, Oban
We check out of our hotel today and head for the 1:50 drive to Oban on the west coast. We will do a coastal hike loop starting in this lovely village and passing
the Dunstaffnage Castle and some ancient ruins. Hopefully we enjoy a tour of the world famous Oban Distillery before checking in to the Oban Bay Hotel.
DAY 7 MONDAY, Oban
Today we get an early start as we travel to Isle of Skye for two wonderful hikes – the Old Man of Storr and The Quiraing. We will rehydrate in the wonderful
coastal village of Portree.
DAY 8 TUESDAY, Tyndum
We will check out of our hotel and take the 34 mile drive to the village
of Tyndrum and do a 9.0 mile point to point segment on the famous West Highland Way. Our lodging for the next two evenings is the Mutha Ben Doran hotel.
DAY 9 WEDNESDAY, Tyndum
Today we take a spectacular 39 mile drive to the beautiful Glencoe region
and do the Lost Valley hike where the McDonald clan hid their stolen cattle. One other hike is being planned.
DAY 10 THURSDAY, Inverness
We will get up early for our three hour drive to our amazing hike at
Beine Eighe. Our hike will conclude with a wine and cheese
rehydration on the shore of Loch Maree, one of Scotland's most
beautiful lochs. Our hotel will be the centrally located Leonardo in
DAY 11 FRIDAY, Stirling
After breakfast we will checkout and head to our final lodging the
Travelodge City Centre, conveniently located in Stirling. We will stop en route for a hike at Urguhart Castle for a search for Nessie the Lochness Monster. Then we will enjoy a truly historic hike in Stirling including the (Braveheart) National Wallace Monument and the Stirling Castle beheading stone.
DAY 12 SATURDAY, Stirling
Following breakfast we will depart for the 90 minute ride to the Kingdom of Fife and historic historic St. Andrews. En route we will do an awesome hike at Alva Glen. It features five waterfalls and some cool grass trails high up in the glen. Then on to St. Andrews for a beautiful trek including the ruins of
Scotland’s biggest cathedral, the Old Town Gate, Scotland’s oldest
university, the Old Course (the home of golf) and the West Sands Beach
where the movie Chariots of Fire was filmed. There will be time for
shopping and dining before we return to Stirling.
DAY 13 SUNDAY, RETURN
Relaxed travel day: We'll head to the airport for our return flight and shuttle back to Niles. There's no extra charge for the many memories you will carry home with you.
Coach Gunn has dubbed our hikers Thistle Trekkers.
The thistle is the flower of Scotland and one of its most recognizable symbols. Since King Alexander III, it has been Scotland's national emblem. Mysterious origins: One legend has it a sleeping party of Scots warriors were saved from ambush by an invading Norse army when one of the enemies trod on the spiky plant. His anguished cry roused the slumbering warriors who duly vanquished the invader and adopted the thistle as their national symbol.
The Outlander series (historic, romantic, adventure novels) have captivated many of our Cairn Stone vets who recommend it as a wonderful way of learning the history and cultural flavor of the Scottish clans in preparation for our visit.
[Thom is a fan! Books 1 & 2 (Outlander, Dragonfly In Amber) are richest in clan history, culture & language of 18th century Scotland.] Also available on Kindle & audio books.]
Scottish traditions are steeped in history and the majority of Scotland's customs and traditions have been around for centuries.
Every Cairn Stone hiking adventure is also a culinary adventure!
The food and drink of Scotland.
Gaelic is spoken today by only about 1% of Scotts yet has a rich place in the culture and history of Scotland. Use the button below to learn more about this Germanic language that diverged from Middle English many centuries ago.
History of the Gunn Clan in Scotland.
Gunn Clan Motto: Aut Pax Aut Bellum (Either peace or war)
We'll have time to sample this popular beer fresh brewed and served in 1/2 L tankard in the pubs. Slàinte Mhath! (Pronounced Slanj-a-va)
In Gaelic whiskey is called uisce beatha (water of life) - the Scots take their whiskey seriously.
" When most people think of Scotland, the first things that come to mind are its lush countryside, rolling hills, and dramatic coastline. However, Scotland is also famous for many things that make it unique and special for both locals and travelers. "
Video clips with historic and cultural information about the land and people of Scotland.
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