- Small island cruise
- Wildlife cruise
- Isle of Skye
- Inverness
- Ullapool
Day 1 - We depart during the morning for our journey to our overnight stopover hotel. Typical of the hotels we use is the Gretna Hall Hotel at Gretna. This is located close to the England / Scotland border. Accommodation is on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
Day 2 – we travel to the West Highlands and the Morar Hotel for the next 3 nights.
Day 3 – Isles of Eigg and Rum. After a leisurely breakfast we depart from nearby Arisaig at 11.00 hours on the MV Shearwater, cruising to the Hebridean Isles of Eigg and Rum. With short stop at Eigg, where passengers can, if they so wish, disembark and explore the island and walk the Scurr of Eigg, and be collected 5 hours later. Or continue to Rum for a 2 hour stop. Kinloch castle is a 20 minute walk away, (buggy transfers available at an extra cost), where there are guided tours of this flamboyant 19th century castle. Or there are many nature trail walks – full information available on landing. The village hall has information about the island and is host to the local tea room and home baking. (Walking shoes recommended on Rum). A Wide array of sea and bird life can be spotted on and around the islands and it is not unusual for sailings to be slightly late due to a detour to watch minke whales, basking sharks or dolphins. Arriving back in Arisaig about 18.00 hours.
Day 4 – free day. There are some lovely beach walks from Morar, and loch cruises from Mallaig. Recommend the famous West Highland Line train journey to Fort William. The train station is right next to the hotel. It is not a busy station with only 2 or trains a day!
Day 5 – Isle of Skye and Atlantic Coastline. Over the sea to ‘Bonnie’ Sky and to Broadford. Take the Skye Bridge to Kyle, travelling through magnificent Highland glen scenery and coastal views, passing Loch Maree and Loch Carron and on to the Dundonnell Hotel for the next 2 nights.
Day 6 – Marine Wildlife and Summer Isles Cruise. After breakfast we head to Ullapool pier to catch the MV Summer Queen 10.00 hours sailing for a truly captivating day. Firstly, Mussel Bay, and the colony of Atlantic seals, past Annat Bay and the huge bird colony before heading to the Summer Isles. It is here that there will be the most likely sightings of dolphins, minke and killer whales and other marine wildlife. We stop at Cathedral Cave – a wonderful photo opportunity. Onwards through the narrow channels to land on Tanera Mhor, the last inhabited Summer Isle and the last place in Britain to print its own stamps. We go ashore, explore the island, visit the Post Office or café. On our return we pass other seal colonies at Horse and Goat Islands, concluding an unforgettable cruise with an abundance of wildlife and scenery which only the Summer Isles can offer. Tea / coffee included. The cruise arrives back about 13.30 hours. After lunch there is an optional afternoon tour of the local area including Ardmair Bay, 3 miles from Ullapool, a small Highland village with superb views over the isles. (The group may be split so half the group will do the cruise at 13.30 hours and the optional tour in the morning).
Day 7 – Inverness and Spey Valley. The journey to Inverness ‘The Highland Capital’ hugs the shoreline of Loch Broom, then sweeps inland where Highland landscapes, lochs, mountains and moorlands all come into view. The journey takes approximately 1½ hours before arriving in the thriving city of Inverness with time free. Afterwards we head south for our final night’s stay in Scotland.
Day 8 – Continue our journey, arriving home later on.