Things to do in

Applecross

Depart Inverness at 08:30 and travel west towards Kinlochewe and the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve. Marvel at the imposing form of Beinn Eighe Ridge as it gives way to the world-famous Loch Maree, home to the majestic Golden Eagle. Next, head down through Torridon towards Shieldaig, passing some of Europe’s most ancient geology and wild scenery along the way. Continue up the renowned Bealach Na Ba ("Pass of the Cattle") and onwards to the isolated village of Applecross, where you will stop for lunch. Get incredible views towards the Isle of Skye and the Hebrides as you make your way towards Eilean Donan Castle, a picture-perfect edifice perched on a junction of 3 gorgeous lakes. After your visit to the castle, travel along the shores of Loch Ness en route to Inverness, where you will be dropped off by approximately 19:30.

Experience the dramatic landscapes of the Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Skye on a 5-day tour from Edinburgh. Visit historic sites and discover remote sandy beaches. Marvel at stunning seascapes and enjoy exploring picturesque villages. Travel in comfort in a small group, enjoying personalized attention and accommodation in guesthouses and B&Bs. Detailed Itinerary Day 1 Head north over the Forth Road Bridge to the charming highland village of Dunkeld on the banks of the river Tay, and then into the Cairngorm National Park and to the ancient pine forests of the Rothiemurchus Estate. After lunch you’ll spend time on the shores of Loch Insh and then take a short forest walk to the ruins of Loch an Eilean castle. Panoramic views of Loch Ness follow as you travel down to the banks of the famous loch to village of Dores where you can do some Nessie spotting! Overnight in Ullapool. Day 2 Visit the highlands of the far north-west and marvel the grandeur and expanse of the Mountains of Assynt. This was the first crofting area to be bought by local crofters – the Assynt Crofters’ Trust. See the ruins of the 15th-century Ardvreck Castle, once the stronghold of the MacLeods of Assynt. See some of Europe’s oldest landscapes, from the stunning white sand beach at Achmelvich Bay to the traditional fishing village of Lochinver. Be on the lookout for wildlife throughout the day. Overnight in Ullapool. Day 3 You’ll head south from Ullapool to take in the drama of the River Droma as it plunges 60 meters down into the Corrieshalloch Gorge. Travel past the mountains of the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve and along the picturesque coastline of Loch Torridon. The tranquil setting of Applecross is your destination for lunch. Experience a drive on one of the highest roads in Scotland, Bealach nam Bo, known for its jaw-dropping views, hairpin bends, and precipitous cliffs. In the afternoon you’ll stop in Plockton, where you can see palm trees growing alongside Loch Carron. Then it’s over the sea to Skye and the delightful harbor town of Portree. Day 4 Enjoy a flexible day on Skye. Depending on the prevailing conditions you might travel north to the stunning Quiraing mountain pass and enjoy a spectacular walk through some of Skye’s extraordinary geological scenery. You might visit the Kilt Rock, composed of basalt columns, with water cascading over the cliffs and down into the sea below. After lunch you might travel to Neist Point for a walk out to the lighthouse at the most westerly point on Skye. Alternatively your driver/guide might choose a visit to Dunvegan Castle, the ancient ancestral seat of the Clan McLeod. Return to Portree for a free evening and to your overnight accommodation. Day 5 Travel south from Skye, making a stop at the famed Eilean Donan Castle, situated at the head of 3 lochs as protection against Viking raiders. The stronghold was used in the filming of the movie Highlander. Continue eastward through the rugged mountains of Kintail, past Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis. You’ll stop in Fort William for lunch. In the afternoon you’ll explore spectacular Glencoe, scene of the massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692, before stopping in Killin for refreshments beside the Falls of Dochart.

Day 1: Set off from Inverness and begin your journey on Scotland’s ‘Route 66’. It’s an epic drive with loads to squeeze in. Just make sure you have plenty of space on your camera. Heading for Ullapool, you will spend the first day weaving through the North Coast 500’s winding roads. Your driver-guide will take you to towering mountains, banks of shimmering lochs, and the shores of beautiful beaches. We reach the scenic port town of Ullapool in the late afternoon. Day 2: Today, the scenery gets progressively more beautiful, rocky, and mountainous. As you travel north, your driver-guide will take you to some of the most beautiful sights in Scotland. Your itinerary depends on the weather and your guide’s expert tips, but you may have a chance to venture into the deep Smoo Cave, wander the ruins of Ardvreck Castle, and gaze at gorgeous white beaches. You stop for lunch in a Highland village and spend the evening in the beautiful town of Thurso. Day 3: Today, get plenty of opportunities to explore cosy fishing villages, epic cliffs, and ancient Neolithic sights. In the morning you will have a chance to visit a fine Scottish Highland Whisky distillery. The road leads you further south, where you have a chance to stop for lunch. Continue on your epic North Coast 500 route southwards where you can enjoy the green valleys and sea views as you travel to Dunrobin Castle. You have time to explore the stately home, learn about the Dukes of Sutherland, and find out how it has been used as both a school and a hospital. Finally, you will arrive back in Inverness in the early evening to finish your tour.

Partake in a search for the Loch Ness Monster, known affectionately as "Nessie". You will stop for a short walk down to the shores of Loch Ness, where you can take some photos of the fantastic scenery and maybe even catch the monster out for an early morning swim. Next, you will venture onto the magnificently situated Urquhart Castle, on the shore of Loch Ness. Traveling on, you will heard to Cluanie Dam, where in 1957 the glen of Cluanie was flooded as part of the North Scotland Hydro-Electric Board's Glenmoriston project, to generate hydro electricity onto the dramatic Glen Shiel. Following this, you will visit the pictish brochs at Glenelg, along with the Bernera Barracks Fort. You will then venture forth to Eilean Donan Castle, which is recognized as one of the most iconic Scottish images all over the world. The picturesque village of Plockton will be your next stop, which sits on a sheltered bay with stunning views overlooking Loch Carron. Often referred to as the “Jewel of the Highlands”, it offers everything breathtaking scenery and landscapes, secluded bays, coral beaches, islands, panoramic views, and the possibility of seeing an array of marine life at close quarters. Your tour will then encounter Lochcarron, pretty village of white-washed cottages, before advancing towards Applecross. Next on your tour, you will head onward to Torridon, which boasts a dramatic and desolate setting beneath the mountains, on the shore of Upper Loch Torridon in Wester Ross. You will finally pass through the picturesque village of Garve, which is situated along the Black Water River and lies five miles northwest of Contin.

Depart Inverness early in the morning and begin your tour crossing the beautifully scenic Black Isle and stopping in the village of Lochcarron. Enjoy the views across Loch Carron and perhaps pick up a bite to eat, before you continue on to Achintraid. The small village enjoys views over Loch Kishorn and a breathtaking mountain range on the opposite shore. Continue your journey, climbing upwards through dramatic landscape over the Bealach na Ba (Gaelic for Pass of the Cattle). Pause for photos at the summit of the third highest road in Britain at over 2000 feet, so be ready for those breathtaking views across Raasay and the Isle of Skye. Begin your descent to Applecross village, located on a beautiful bay and full of natural wildlife, perfect for nature lovers. Look out for otters, red kites, deer and perhaps pine martens. Stop here and enjoy plenty of time to explore the village. Begin your return journey to Inverness, driving along the banks of Loch Torridon, through the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve. This nature reserve is one of the oldest in Britain and is home to plenty of wildlife; you may even spot a golden eagle. Travel on through Shieldaig and Kinlochewe and homeward bound to Inverness.