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    Wilderness Walking

    Argyll & the Isles

    144 reviews

    Next Trip: 6th - 12th Apr 2024 Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights

    From: £2,395 View Prices & Dates

    Travel Planning & Advice

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    Trip created by Rachael Gavan
    View Rachael's Profile

    Region: Inner Hebrides including Skye
    Trip Type: Wilderness Walking
    Accommodation: Deluxe
    Max Group Size: 8
    Confirmed: When 3 Travellers Book
    Deposit From: £635

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    Carbon Footprint: 210kg ? What does this mean?
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    All you need to know about your trip, this essential document is a must for all adventures.

    Download Itinerary

    Argyll and the Isles is a glorious coastal region of western Scotland. Known for its glittering sea lochs, wild islands, hills and glens, it is perfect for exploring on foot.

    While the scenery is outstanding, the ancient heritage, abundant wildlife and whisky distilleries are equally appealing. This fascinating itinerary takes you on a journey through the Argyll peninsula and several of its islands, including hard-to-reach Jura. Our hikes link prehistoric sites, nature reserves and whisky distilleries, all set against the backdrop of green hills and the rolling Atlantic. The second half of the trip is three nights on the Isle of Islay – a wild and beautiful island on the very western fringe of Scotland – known for its eight whisky distilleries, prolific birdlife and stunning coastal landscapes.

    Trip Highlights

    • Explore the beautiful Argyll Peninsula, visiting some of our favourite islands which hug its western coastline, spending the last three nights at a lovely hotel on the whisky island of Islay.
    • Take a private boat to the wild island of Jura, detouring to view the turbulent waters of the famous Correyvreckan Whirlpool.
    • Stay in two welcoming small hotels, each with a tranquil setting, with wonderful meals providing the perfect end to each day.

    Day by Day Itinerary

    Day 1 – The Green Isle of Kerrera

    We meet in Oban late morning, coinciding with the arrival of the train from Glasgow. After introductions, we head straight to our first island – Kerrera. Just south of Oban, we take a small boat across the strait to this small island, which has about 100 residents. We enjoy a superb hike which takes a circular route covering the southern half of the island. On the way, we pass the ruined outpost of Gylen Castle, once a stronghold for clan MacDougall. The views are wonderful and will whet the appetite for the week ahead! After hopping back across to the mainland, we settle into our seafront hotel where we enjoy a welcome dinner. (L, D)

    Walk details: 10 km/6 miles | 300 m/980 ft of ascent | approx. 4 – 5 hours

    Day 2 – Kilmartin Glen & Argyll's Beavers

    Picturesque Kilmartin Glen is one of the richest sites in Europe for prehistoric remains. Our morning walk takes us on a circular route through some of the most interesting sites, passing Celtic crosses, medieval grave slabs, Bronze Age chambered cairns and standing stones. In the afternoon, we visit Knapdale – where beavers were reintroduced to Scotland in 2009 after a 400 year absence. We take a fascinating tour with the knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff and find evidence of their presence, from gnawed trees to footprints in the sand. If there’s time, we’ll wander along the nearby Crinan Canal before returning to our hotel. (B, L)

    Walk details: Up to 8 km/5 miles | 50 m/160 ft of ascent | approx. 3 – 4 hours

    Day 3 – The Wild Island of Jura

    With a privately chartered boat at our disposal, this day is sure to be a highlight of the trip. We’ll venture, with a flexible approach, to the less visited Isle of Jura to enjoy some wild hiking. We may land in West Loch Tarbert and hike coast to coast, being collected by our boat on the eastern shores. Or we may hike point to point along the east coast, passing the cottage where George Orwell stayed when he wrote ‘1984,’ and enjoying fantastic views back to Argyll. Whatever hike we undertake, our boat will detour to the Corryvreckan Whirlpool, so we can appreciate the power of Scotland’s largest tidal whirlpool – from a safe distance! (B, L)

    Walk details: approx. 12 km/7.5 miles | 350 m/1,150 ft of ascent | approx. 4 – 5 hours

    Day 4 – Ferry to Islay; Hike to Killinallan Point

    Today we’ll take the ferry to Islay, the southernmost island in of the Inner Hebrides archipelago. On arrival, we’ll enjoy a hike which explores the shoreline of Loch Gruinart and Killinallan Point keeping a look out for birds such as cuckoos, corncrakes and hen harriers, and visiting beautiful beaches with views north to the islands of Colonsay and Mull  (B, L)

    Walk details: 10 km/6 miles | 50 m/160 ft of ascent | approx. 4 – 5 hours

    Day 5 – Coastal Wander & Distillery

    This morning, we’ll enjoy a coastal walk with views over to Nave Island and further afield to Colonsay. We’ll then take a tour to the only single farm single malt distillery on Islay, producing whisky from barley to bottle. Once we’ve sampled a smokey dram, we may head out for another short hike along one of Islay’s most beautiful beaches. (B, L)

    Walk details: 7 km/4 miles | 23 m/75 ft of ascent | approx. 2 hours

    Day 6 – Mull of Oa and the American Monument

    Our walk today explores the Oa Peninsula in the far south of Islay. We hike up to the American Monument, which commemorates the loss of two troops ships in 1918. Follow a dramatic cliff-top trail past an Iron Age fort to reach the summit of Beinn Mhor. Although just 200 m high, this is a superb viewpoint – on a clear day, the coast of Northern Ireland can be seen! This afternoon we’ll hike out to an unusual lighthouse and then listen to the singing sands as we walk along a secluded beach. We’ll have our final dinner together tonight and celebrate a wonderful trip. (B, L, D)

    Walk details: 8 km/5 miles | 130 m/425 ft of ascent | approx. 4 hours

    Day 7 – Return to Oban

    After breakfast, we take the morning ferry back onto the Argyll mainland, keeping a lookout for wildlife and admiring the views as we sail. Once back in Kennacraig, it’s a 90-minute transfer back to Oban. We should arrive by 2pm. Trains south to Glasgow depart at approx 2.30pm. (B, L)

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    Wilderness Walking
    Argyll & the Isles

    To download a PDF copy of our Trip Itinerary, containing full details about this holiday, please complete the form below:

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    Trip Dates & Prices

    All payments taken in local currency GBP

    Trip Dates for 2024AvailabilityStatusPriceBook
    6th Apr - 12th Apr 20243 places leftGuaranteed £2,465Book Now
    27th Apr - 3rd May 20241 place leftGuaranteed £2,465Book Now
    1st Jun - 7th Jun 2024Trip FullFULLY BOOKED £2,495
    29th Jun - 5th Jul 2024Trip FullFULLY BOOKED £2,495
    20th Jul - 26th Jul 20248 places leftAvailable £2,395Book Now
    10th Aug - 16th Aug 20244 places leftGuaranteed £2,495Book Now
    7th Sep - 13th Sep 20242 places leftGuaranteed £2,495Book Now
    28th Sep - 4th Oct 2024Trip FullFULLY BOOKED £2,495
    19th Oct - 25th Oct 20245 places leftGuaranteed £2,395Book Now

    Trip Details

    Accommodation Read More

    We spend our nights in welcoming and friendly hotels. Accommodation is in twin or double rooms with en-suite bathroom facilities. Please note that we can offer a maximum of two single rooms on this itinerary.

    Both accommodations offer wonderful hospitality and a warm welcome is assured. You can relax and enjoy the tranquil coastal locations, indulging in wonderful meals and perhaps tasting a local whisky or two.

    Single Rooms

    There is no supplement charged to solo travellers, however, you will be required to share a room with another person of the same sex. If you request a double room for single occupancy, a supplement of £620 is charged.

    Due to the nature of the accommodations we use, single supplements are limited and are allocated on a first come first served basis.

    Meals Read More

    Breakfast and lunch are provided each day along with dinner on your first and last night. Included dinners are two courses as standard.

    Food is of paramount importance and our meals are prepared from the best local produce. Naturally, vegetarians and other dietary requirements are willingly catered for – simply let us know at the time of booking.

    On this trip, we generally eat dinner as a group however if you would like to make alternative arrangements you are free to do so. Your guide will have an evening off during this trip where they do not eat with the group. They will recommend options for dinner that evening and will help you make any necessary reservations.

    Inclusions Read More
    • 6 nights accommodation in comfortable small hotels
    • Most meals during the trip (Meals included indicated as B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
    • The services of an experienced and knowledgeable guide/driver throughout
    • All transport throughout the trip starting and finishing in Oban, including ferry fares
    • A private boat charter on Day 4
    • Tour of a whisky distillery with tastings
    Trip Grading Read More

    Green Graded 1-3

    Green graded walking holidays are suitable for active travellers who are reasonably fit and enjoy moderate hikes. We walk at a comfortable pace and you can expect to be out for 5-6 hours a day. The terrain will be mostly good paths and hill trails but these can still be muddy and rough in places. Some hikes may involve an ascent up to a max of approx 1,500 feet / 450m. Distances will be typically 8-10km but there may be the odd slightly longer day. Daily hike details are available in the itinerary.

    Travel – Arrival and Departure Read More

    You will be met by your Wilderness Scotland Guide in the centre of Oban Railway Station at 11:30am on Day 1 of your trip. We aim to return to Oban by 2:00pm on the last day.

    If you would like to use your own vehicle on the trip please get in touch with our team to discuss.

    Other Read More

    All ferries and boat trip fees are included within this itinerary.

    Photo Gallery

    Make This Trip Private

    Fancy this trip just for your group? Get together with family and friends spend quality time exploring wild places. A private trip allows you to benefit from all the features of the group departure, including hand-picked accommodation and expert local guides but with the advantage of the flexibility to tailor the days to your group. Make the trip more or less challenging depending on your experience or choose to add in some optional extras like castle or distillery visits depending on your interests. The price of a private trip will depend on the number of travellers in your group. Let us know your prefered departure date and we'll take care of the rest.

    Speak to an Expert

    Rachael Gavan

    Our friendly office team hail from across the world but share a passion for the outdoor and wild spaces of Scotland. We are committed to providing you with the best customer service and are more than happy to chat through options and provide help and advice. Get in touch to find your perfect adventure.

    Ask Rachael a Question

    Meet Your Guide

    Difficulty Grades Explained

    Green Graded Walking Holidays

    Green graded walking holidays are suitable for active travellers who are reasonably fit and enjoy moderate hikes. We walk at a comfortable pace and you can expect to be out for 5-6 hours a day. The terrain will be mostly good paths and hill trails but these can still be muddy and rough in places. Some hikes may involve an ascent up to a max of approx 1,500 feet / 450m. Distances will be typically 8-10km but there may be the odd slightly longer day. Daily hike details are available in the itinerary.

    Compare walking grades

    Trip Reviews

    Rated 4.94 out of 5 based on 144 reviews of Wilderness Walking – Argyll & the Isles

     

    Every client receives a feedback survey when they return from their guided, self guided or tailor made holiday with us. Once completed the review is published on our website just as soon as our database updates. The little touches and details are important to us and where issues are raised we make positive changes to our trips to improve your experience.

    That’s why we read each of our client’s reviews and although we don’t respond to all of them, if it’s glowing feedback then we get the satisfaction of helping to make your holidays truly memorable.

    AS

    Anne Sapp

    Reviewed on 16/10/2023

    Age: 60 - 70
    Country: United States
    Trip Date: 30/09/2023
    Trips Taken: 1

    The Bottom Line

    LL

    Lesley Lind

    Reviewed on 16/10/2023

    Age: 70 - 80
    Country: United Kingdom
    Trip Date: 30/09/2023
    Trips Taken: 7

    The Bottom Line

    The Bottom Line

    Another great trip.

    GB

    Gemma Brownson

    Reviewed on 09/10/2023

    Age: 60 - 70
    Country: United Kingdom
    Trip Date: 30/09/2023
    Trips Taken: 1

    The Bottom Line

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