The third of four hiking tours departs in just
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HIKING TOURS OF SCOTLAND
[Trips 3 & 4 soon to be finalized]
[13 days with 11 nights in Scotland!]
2025: APR 1-13 & APR 15-27 $3,837+/-
$2,337+/- Ground Package (no airfare)
2025 FINAL COST $TBD
Trip 2 Itinerary (Trip 3 & 4 will be similar)
Travel Tips (Review now & 2wks before)
~Keep training (It's a hiking tour!)
~Review Lecture Notes & Tips
~Review Travel Tips
~Keep us informed of any changes
~Trip Cancellation and/or Health Supplement Insurance.
~Get fired up about Scotland!
Edinburgh color map supplement (pdf)
Download2024 Scotland Orientation 8AUG2024 (pdf)
DownloadScotland 2024 itinerary Trip 2 FINAL3a (pdf)
DownloadScotland Pocket itinerary Trip 1 FINAL 2SEP (odt)
DownloadMAP-Lodging Locations Trip 2 (pdf)
DownloadMAPS-Trip 2a (pdf)
DownloadMAPS-Edinburgh pg1 replacement (pdf)
DownloadMAP-St Andrews (pdf)
DownloadDAY 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 meet our West Coast Motors driver who will shuttle us to our hotel. An enchanting, vibrant, and medieval city awaits us. Our hotel is Travelodge Edinburgh Central located very near the Royal Mile. Prior to and after check in (abt. 3:00pm) you are free to explore, visit the castle, shop, check out the pubs and dine on your own. After check in you are free to explore and have a great Scottish dinner.
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 our hotel breakfast we will check out then board our bus for the scenic ride to the lovely Trossachs region. Our hike at Ben A’an will take us up a river and through heather to an unforgettable view. Our lodging will be in Aberfeldy at Breadalbane Arms. (J. K. Rowlings has an estate here.)
DAY 5 SATURDAY, Aberfeldy
After breakfast on your own we will take the short trip to the lovely Pitlochry village. Believe me it is not the “Pits.” We will do a hike at Ben Vrackie before enjoying a late lunch in the charming village. This is my daughter Emily's favorite hike.
DAY 6 SUNDAY, Oban
After breakfast on your own we will check out and take a beautiful two hour drive to the village of Oban on the West Coast. We will have a cool circular hike that starts and finishes at our lodging, the Oban Bay Hotel & Spa overlooking Oban Bay. This would be a great time to visit my favorite distillery – Oban.
DAY 7 MONDAY, Oban
After our hotel breakfast we will take the picturesque drive to Glen Nevis for a very cool hike to the waterfall. After lunch we will take another short drive to Kingshouse and start a beautiful point to point 10 mile segment of the West Highland Way Trail.
DAY 8 TUESDAY, Tyndum
After our hotel breakfast we will check out and take an hour's drive to Loch Lomond and the Trossach National Park for a scenic hike on the great Ben Lomand Trail. Then we will continue another hour
through this beautiful area to our lodging in Tyndrum, the Mutha Ben Doran hotel. Breakfast and dinner are included at this hotel.
DAY 9 WEDNESDAY, Tyndum
After our hotel breakfast we go back to the Glencoe region and do the iconic Lost Valley hike with a special option to go all the way up Stob Coire Sgreamhach. We'll return for another Scottish dinner provided by our hotel.
DAY 10 THURSDAY, Inverness
After our hotel breakfast we check out then travel to an amazing hike at Beine Eighe overlooking the most beautiful loch in Scotland - Loch Maree. This is my son Jake's favorite hike. I will host a wine and cheese reception at the finish on the shore of Loch Maree. Our hotel is in nearby Inverness at the centrally located Leonardo hotel.
DAY 11 FRIDAY, Stirling
After breakfast we will check out 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
After our hotel breakfast we will depart for the 90 minute ride to the Kingdom of Fife and 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
Early travel day: Our flight leaves Edinburgh at 9:40AM. We will clear customs in Newark and arrive to Chicago at 4:57PM. We should be back in Niles at about 8:30PM. There's no extra charge for the many memories you will carry home with you.
EDINBURGH: 61° / 48° 9 days
ABERFELDY: 60° / 46° 11 days
OBAN: 60° / 52° 15 days
TYNDUM: 56° / 46° 13 days
INVERNESS: 61° / 48° 11 days
STIRLING: 62° / 46° 19 days
Coach will have a list of suggestions.
Use the link below to check out the many options along the Royal Mile.
7:00am Hotel Breakfast
" Wake up to Lavazza coffee, our cooked breakfast items from the grill, pastries from the bakery, plant based delights and lots more. "
COFFEE & TEA IN YOUR ROOM
Food and Drink near our hotel:
Bonnie's Coffee on Banks St. open Tue-Sat 8-5, Sun 9-5. Mon 10-3
Glen Lyon Coffee Roasters Dunkel St. open 9-4 Mon-Sat
Croft Restaurant on Bank St. open Noon-11.
Cow & Parrot Coffee Store on Bank St. open Wed-Sun 9-4.
Chechek's in The Square open 12-9
Piece sandwich shop on Bridge End open 10-3 Mon-Sat
Plaice In Square in The Square open Noon to 10
Fountain bar & restaurant in The Square open 11-11
Ballintaggart Shop on The Square open 9-5
Habitat Cafe in the Square open 10:30-4 Tue-Thu
Coach will have a list of suggestions.
Use the link below to check out the many options in Oban.
7:30am Hotel Breakfast
Coach will have a list of suggestions in Inverness. Your breakfast is included.
7:00am Hotel Breakfast
Dining Room, Noon-9:30PM
The Thyme Restaurant (3 blocks)
Coach will have a list of suggestions for dinner in Stirling. He paid extra for your breakfast at our hotel.
7:00am Hotel Breakfast
" Wake up to Lavazza coffee, our cooked breakfast items from the grill, pastries from the bakery, plant based delights and lots more. "
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.
It is your responsibility to meet the group and not disrupt the itinerary. Ideally you will use the same flight(s) as our group.
Chicago to Edinburgh 03SEP
UA 118W Dep. 6:30pm
Arr. 8:25am 04SEP
Edinburgh to Chicago 15SEP
UA 119H Dep. 1:30am Arr. 1:55pm
It is your responsibility to meet the group and not disrupt the itinerary. Ideally you will use the same flight(s) as our group.
RETURN FLIGHT HAS CHANGED
Chicago to Edinburgh 17SEP
UA 118W Dep. 6:30pm
Arr. 8:25am 18SEP
(Updated 16AUG)
Edinburgh to Newark 29SEP
UA 37U Dep. 9:40am Arr. 12:25pm
Newark to Chicago 29SEP
UA 2861U Dep. 3:25pm Arr. 4:57pm
TBD
TBD
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