Scotland National Parks Walking & Hiking Tour
Scotland National Parks Walking & Hiking Tour
Aerial view of church and surrounding landscape
Scotland National Parks Walking & Hiking Tour
Scotland National Parks Walking & Hiking Tour
Four ships at the harbor
Scotland National Parks Walking & Hiking Tour
Scotland National Parks Walking & Hiking Tour
Scotland National Parks Walking & Hiking Tour
Beer - Scotland Walking & Hiking Tours
Walking & Hiking
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Scottish Highlands Walking & Hiking Tour

Legends of Scotland in Edinburgh, St Andrews & Loch Lomond

Couples, Friends & Solos

6 days 5 nights

Activity Level: 1-3

Premiere Hotels

From: $5,799 - $6,099 pp dbl occ

($1,250 - $1,350 for sgl occ)

Regal castles nestled among moody mountains. Lofty crags reflected in shimmering lakes. Splendid country estates with championship golf courses. Spend your days exploring the remote corners of Scotland’s rugged wilderness by foot and your evenings unwinding at elegant abodes. Uncover the geology and culture of a beguiling landscape steeped in history. Three luxurious hotels, two spectacular national parks, one incredible trip.

Scottish Highlands Walking & Hiking Tour map
Scottish Highlands Walking & Hiking Tour map

Scotland

Start/End Edinburgh

Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

Highlights

  • Discover two crown jewels of Scotland’s public lands: Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Parks
  • Follow ages-old footpaths over heather-strewn leas and rolling green hills dotted with castles and lochs
  • Pause in small villages to connect with locals, perhaps over a spot of tea or dram of Scottish whiskey
  • Stroll amid medieval and neoclassical gems in Edinburgh, the picturesque capital city bookending your trip

Itinerary

Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
6 Days Premiere Hotels
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Days 1-2
Description

Set out from the lovely historic villages of Dunkeld and Birnam, planned by the Dukes of Atholl in the 1700s, now the gateway to the Scottish Highlands | Walk through picturesque deciduous woodlands along the River Braan to beautiful Black Linn waterfall and its confluence with the River Tay | Stand in awe of the ancient Birnam Oak, immortalized in Shakespeare's Macbeth | Take in the spectacular natural beauty of the Royal Deeside and Cairngorms National Parks | On the way to her Balmoral estate, trace the route of Queen Victoria | Explore the Muir of Dinnet and sparkling Loch Kinord | Circumnavigate Burn O'Vat, a glacial pothole formed after the last ice-age with a long history as a hiding place for fugitives, including outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor | Toss a caber at the Highland Games Centre in Braemar, where the Braemar Gathering has been a highlight on the sporting calendar since 1832.

Accommodations
Lounge at Darroch Learg Hotel
Darroch Learg Hotel
Ballater
| Premiere Hotel

Set on a sunny wooded slope of Craigendarroch, creature comforts and serenity are on offer at this family-run hotel.

Day 3
Description

Follow an ancient path used by cattle-thieving Cateran marauders in the Middle Ages | Straddling the border between Perthshire and Angus, the Cateran Trail is a spectacular walk through a quiet corner of the Cairngorms Highlands | Drink in views of the wild coastline and world-famous St Andrews Old Course while enjoying an elegant meal | Explore an authentic Scottish landscape of spittals, moors, hills, heaths, bogs, and glens | Take in glorious views of the Grampian Mountain range, whose peaks are often shrouded in mist | Settle into plush country house life at an elegant estate set within Cairngorms National Park | Set out on the steep trail to the Falls of Bruar to see its series of cascades and falls, which inspired a 1787 poem by Scotland's National Bard, Robert Burns.

Accommodations
Exterior view of the Old Course Hotel
Old Course Hotel
St Andrews
| Premiere Hotel

One of Scotland's leading hotels, the refined and elegant Old Course overlooks West Sands Beach and St Andrews's world-famous golf course. (pool, spa)

Days 4-6
Description

Discover the picturesque bens, glens and lakes of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park | Visit Kellie Castle and wonder at the majestic library ceiling—one of the oldest ornamental plaster ceilings in Scotland | See the long-concealed mural by Phoebe Anna Traquair and explore the Arts & Crafts garden filled with the smell of roses | Set out on a stunning coastal walk through Anstruther to Pittenweem, admiring the rocky shoreline and quintessential Scottish vishing villages | Ascend an iconic Scottish summit, Conic Hill, situated on the Highland Boundary Fault and offering awe-inspiring views of Ben Lomond and the Arrochar Alps (and Glasgow on a clear day) | Stroll the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond before returning to Edinburgh.

Accommodations
Exterior view of Cameron House
Cameron House
Loch Lomond
| Premiere Hotel

An elegant resort and golf course set on the shore of shimmering Loch Lomond. (pool, spa)

The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.

Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.

October 2023
Oct 2 - Oct 7
Sold out

Looks like you’re traveling with a smaller group

Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.

Please Select a Group Size

Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.

Activity Level: 1-3

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.

Route notes

The terrain on this trip is mostly rolling, with some moderate and occasionally steep ascents and descents. Many of our hikes are on uneven narrow and rocky trails and dirt paths that can be wet, muddy and boggy. We also traverse some steep mountain paths with rocky outcrops. Please note that on most days the van will be unable to intersect the route.

Daily Route Options

* Includes shuttle.
Day 1
Walking & Hiking
Level 2 | 6 miles | 500 ft. gain
Day 2
Walking & Hiking
Level 2 | 6 miles* | 200 ft. gain
Level 3 | 7 miles | 300 ft. gain
Day 3
Walking & Hiking
Level 1 | 3 miles | 200 ft. gain
Level 2 | 5 miles* | 1000 ft. gain
Level 3 | 8 miles | 1100 ft. gain
Day 4
Walking & Hiking
Level 1 | 2 miles* | 100 ft. gain
Level 2 | 6 miles* | 200 ft. gain
Level 3 | 8 miles | 300 ft. gain
Day 5
Walking & Hiking
Level 2 | 3 miles* | 300 ft. gain
Level 3 | 7 miles | 1100 ft. gain
Day 6
Walking & Hiking
Level 1 | 2 miles | minimal elevation gain

What's Included

  • All breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
  • Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
  • Snacks and beverages between meals
  • Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
  • Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
  • Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
  • Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
  • All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
  • Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
  • On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
  • Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
  • Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
  • Park and other entry fees
  • Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
  • Select coach transfers
  • Baggage transfers and porterage

Ask a trip expert

Have a question and need expert advice? Our team of Trip Consultants is here to help! You can also visit our Help Center.

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