Western Explorer to Iona

This is only a suggested itinerary - we can easily change start and end points, number of days, and the specific route. Your tour is yours to customise as you wish!

Departing from our iconic capital city, Edinburgh, we travel west through the hills of the Trossachs, with an option to visit the town of Stirling where so many key moments in Scotland’s turbulent history were played out. After walking in the footsteps of Robert the Bruce and William “Braveheart” Wallace, we continue on through the village of Doune, itself home to a castle you might recognise – otherwise known as Castle Leoch (in Outlander) or indeed most of the fantastical castles en route to Monty Python’s Holy Grail.

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

Today we continue our journey west, driving through spectacular Glencoe. With an atmospheric moorland narrowing to a dramatic mountain pass, have your cameras at the ready for scenery that will take your breath away. Discover Glencoe’s infamous, bloody history before embracing the magic that draws so many people back here again and again, from hikers to location scouts, from James Bond to Harry Potter.

Continuing along the coast, we take a short hop across the water before passing Glenfinnan and its famous rail viaduct, so familiar to millions of Harry Potter fans across the world. Glenfinnan also features prominently in the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie, and we will learn a little more about this on a short hike up to a spectacular viewpoint above Loch Shiel. Leaving the film fans behind, we end our day in the remote, beautiful land of Ardnamurchan.

Ardnamurchan

With a day (or two!) in Ardnamurchan, it is time to relax and discover all that this beautiful peninsula has to offer. Perhaps you will walk across the sands to ruined Castle Tioram before continuing a little along the pretty coastal path; or maybe you’d like to enjoy a spot of sea or fly fishing. Wildlife spotting opportunities abound, with otters, seals and sea birds, not to mention the iconic red deer, living side by side with the locals. For the more intrepid explorer, pedal or paddle your way to some of the most stunning beaches in the country. Fresh seafood will always be on the menu, and of course we can always drop in on the local distillery.

Or you could just put your feet up and relax!

Ardnamurchan

Leaving Ardnamurchan behind, we cross over onto the wonderful island of Mull, arriving by ferry into the pretty port of Tobermory with its colourful waterfront. Enjoy some traditional fish and chips on the harbour, or perhaps a delicious local ice cream as we take our time to explore the town. There is also an option to join a wildlife tour where you might even spot a rare Golden Eagle.

We end the day with a visit to the spiritual island of Iona, the foundation of Christianity in Scotland and final resting place to many Scottish Kings. The Statutes of Iona also turned the tide of history in the 17th Century and your guide will explain a little more about this on your tour. You will have the time and space to explore the island at your own pace before we return to Mull for the night.

Isle of Mull

This morning we have the option to return to Iona, or to visit the incredible island of Staffa, home to thousands of puffins as well as the basalt columns of Fingal’s Cave, inspiration for Mendelssohn’s fabulous orchestral overture, “The Hebrides”. You may still be humming the tune as we leave Mull and return to the mainland late this afternoon!

Oban/Inveraray

The beautifully conserved village of Inveraray, on the shore of Loch Fyne, is home to Clan Campbell. Inveraray Castle, still home to the Clan Chief, featured in the filming of the BBC’s Downton Abbey series, and we will have the opportunity to view its fine interiors and peaceful gardens this morning before starting our journey back to Glasgow. As always we have many delicious lunch options, perhaps in the original Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, or in one of the welcoming cafes in the pretty village of Luss on the shore of Loch Lomond.

Our tour ends this evening in the city of Glasgow, with its famous artistic and industrial heritage. Why not spend an extra day or two here to explore before you return home? You will have fallen in love with Scotland’s west coast – you may never want to leave!

Why not extend your trip with an extra day (or two!) in Ardnamurchan or Mull, allowing yourself the time to truly appreciate all that this stunning area has to offer.