2025 ITINERARY TRIP 3 & 4
TRAVEL DAY 1 TUESDAY, TRAVEL
DAY 1 TUESDAY, Travel
We will leave the SMC Niles campus (NOT Dowagiac) at 11:45AM for Chicago on a Royal Excursion luxury coach to O'Hara International airport. Trips 3 & 4 have different flights to Edinburgh and will arrive Wednesday morning.
Fire Up for this Scotland adventure!
DAY 2 WEDNESDAY, ARRIVAL
DAY 2 WEDNESDAY, Edinburgh
After clearing customs we will be shuttled to our hotel in the heart of the city – the Travelodge Edinburgh Central An enchanting, vibrant, and medieval city awaits us. We will spend the remainder of the day exploring this wonderful medieval city before retiring early to rest.
[TIP: An Edinburgh Castle Tour Flexie Ticket is good anytime for a week.]
DAY 3 THURSDAY
DAY 3 THURSDAY, Edinburgh
After our hotel 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, the Cowgate, 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
DAY 4 FRIDAY, Tyndrum
9:00AM After our hotel breakfast we will check out then board our bus for the scenic ride to the hike up Conic Hill (6.5) for an unforgettable view of Loch Lomand. We will arrive to Tyndrum and our beautiful hotel Muthu Ben Doran and a wonderful dinner on me.
DAY 5 SATURDAY
DAY 5 SATURDAY, Tyndrum
9:00AM After our hotel breakfast it's a 90 minute scenic ride to Pitlochy village for a great hike up to Ben Vrackie (5.7) and then enjoy a late lunch and shopping in this charming village. This is my daughter Emily's favorite hike. Dinner is again on me.
DAY 6 SUNDAY
DAY 6 SUNDAY, Oban
9:00AM After our hotel breakfast we'll check out and take the 60 minute ride to the beautiful west coastal village of Oban where we will hike along Oban Bay on the Atlantic Ocean (8.0). Our hotel is the Muthu Oban Regent overlooking the bay. This would be a great time to visit the Oban Distillery (make reservations now).
DAY 7 MONDAY
DAY 7 MONDAY, Oban
8:00AM After our hotel breakfast we'll leave early for our doubleheader hike at Steall Waterfall (3.0) and then to our West Highland Way point to point course (11.0) in beautiful Glencoe. Expect some Highland Cows on our way to the second highest falls in Scotland. Tonight dinner is again on me at our hotel.
DAY 8 TUESDAY
DAY 8 TUESDAY, Portree
8:00AM After our hotel breakfast we will check out of our hotel and travel 4 hours to Portree on the magical Isle of Skye. We will do the fabulous Quiraing Trail hike (7.0) before arriving at our hotels in Portree; The Skye, Royal and Rosedale.
DAY 9 WEDNESDAY
DAY 9 WEDNESDAY, Portree
9:00AM After our hotel breakfast we will do another doubleheader on Skye, the Sea Eagle (6.0) and the Old Man of Storr (3.4) before enjoying this ocean village and it's dining and shopping.
DAY 10 THURSDAY
DAY 10 THURSDAY, Inverness
Inverness 9:00AM After our hotel breakfast we check out then travel 2.5 hours to an amazing hike at Beine Eighe (6.1) overlooking the most beautiful loch in Scotland - Loch Maree. This is my son Jake's favorite hike. Then it's on to our next lodging in Inverness, the beautiful capital of the Highlands. We are well located to dine at one of several neat places along the River Ness.
DAY 11 FRIDAY
DAY 11 FRIDAY, Stirling
9:00AM After our hotel breakfast we will checkout and travel 3 hours to Stirling. We will stop en route for a short hike (4.0) at Urguhart Castle. Then it's on to the historical city for another neat hike in Braveheart territory. Our final lodging is the
Travelodge City Centre, conveniently located in the heart of Stirling. My favorite restaurant is The Portcullis (6 blocks).
DAY 12 SATURDAY
DAY 12 SATURDAY, Stirling
9:00AM After our hotel breakfast we will depart for the 90 minute ride to the Kingdom of Fife and historic St. Andrews. You'll have a beautiful trek including the ruins of Scotland’s biggest cathedral, the Old Town Gate, Scotland’s oldest university, the Old Course (the birthplace of golf) and the West Sands Beach where the movie Chariots of Fire was filmed. There will be time for shopping and dining in this really cool city before we return to Stirling.
DAY 13 SUNDAY, TRAVEL
8:00AM Relaxed travel day: After our hotel breakfast we'll checkout and head to the airport for our return flight. Our flight leaves Edinburgh late morning and arrives in Chicago in the evening where we catch our shuttle back to Niles. There's no extra charge for the many memories you will carry home with you.
ABOUT SCOTTLAND AND BEING SCOTTISH
THISTLE TREKKERS
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.
OUTLANDER BOOK SERIES
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.]
BEING SCOTTISH
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 LANGUAGE
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.
MORE ABOUT SCOTLAND
GUNN CLAN
History of the Gunn Clan in Scotland.
Gunn Clan Motto: Aut Pax Aut Bellum (Either peace or war)
INNIS & GUNN BEER
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)
EXPERIENCE SCOTCH WHISKEY
In Gaelic whiskey is called uisce beatha (water of life) - the Scots take their whiskey seriously.
30 THINGS SCOTLAND IS FAMOUS FOR
30 THINGS SCOTLAND IS FAMOUS FOR
" 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. "
RICK STEVES' SCOTLAND
30 THINGS SCOTLAND IS FAMOUS FOR
RICK STEVES' SCOTLAND
Video clips with historic and cultural information about the land and people of Scotland.