- Access some of the finest walking routes in Scotland by boat as you explore the most remote mountains in the UK
- Visit the wonderful Small Isles for day walks with excellent wildlife viewing opportunities on both land and sea
- Enjoy the unparalleled wilderness of the rough bounds of Knoydart and experience the wildlife that thrives there
- Sample some of the finest cuisine in Scotland while staying in a unique lodge which can only be accessed by boat
- 7 nights accommodation in a remote wilderness lodge by the shore. Accommodation is in twin or single rooms
- All meals during the trip, from dinner on night of arrival to breakfast on day of departure (Meals included indicated as B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
- The services of an experienced and knowledgeable walking guide and boat skipper throughout
- All boat transport throughout the trip, starting and finishing in Mallaig
Blue Graded Walking Holidays
Blue graded walking holidays are suitable for fit and experienced hikers. We walk at a good pace and you can expect to be out for 6-8 hours a day. You will not always be on a path and the terrain underfoot can be rough and boggy, including boulder fields and mountain tops. Some of the daily walks will involve a mountain ascent of over 3000ft / 900m high. Daily distances will be typically up to 16km but may be longer occasionally. Daily hike details are available in the itinerary.
13th Apr - 20th Apr 2019
Pete Long
There are 2 types of people remaining. Those who have heard Pete's 'orange for a head' joke and those who haven't.4th May - 11th May 2019
Dave Picken
Meet Dave Picken, expert guide and bee-keeper extraordinaire.13th Jul - 20th Jul 2019
Lorraine McCall
Not happy with just walking up all the Munros, Lorraine walked and kayaked to reach them.10th Aug - 17th Aug 2019
Alastair Goodridge
Meet Wilderness guide Alasdair Goodridge and discover what he loves about the outdoors.24th Aug - 31st Aug 2019
Alastair Goodridge
Meet Wilderness guide Alasdair Goodridge and discover what he loves about the outdoors.ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS
Accommodation is a mixture of twin and single rooms in a simple wilderness lodge set by the beach in Knoydart. The bedrooms, which are fairly compact, are located on the upper floor while the ground level consists of a large lounge and open plan kitchen for tea & coffee. Shared bathroom facilities are next door to the kitchen with showers, basins & toilets. Electricity is generated on site during the day. Wifi is available while the power is on and cameras etc can be charged.
Freshly prepared and locally sourced meals are taken in the adjacent restaurant and are a real highlight of this trip. Special dietary requirements can be catered for but must be advised at the time of booking. The restaurant is licensed and offers an excellent choice of wines, beers and spirits. Shoes with decent grip are needed to walk to the restaurant.
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. There are a limited number of single rooms available on this trip at no extra charge. These are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis so if you would like a single room then early booking is highly recommended.
You will be met by your Wilderness Scotland Guide on the main platform at Mallaig Railway Station at 5:50pm on Day 1 of your trip. The time coincides with the arrival of the train from Glasgow. At Mallaig we board our private launch to take us to our accommodation which is approximately a 30 minute crossing.
You will be returned to Mallaig railway station at 10.00am on the last day, shortly before the Glasgow train departs Mallaig.
Trip Details
Join us on our truly classic hiking adventure in Scotland’s Wilderness.
Often described as the last wilderness in Scotland, the Knoydart peninsula has an island feel about it. Isolated from the rest of the Western Highlands by the ‘rough bounds’ – a notorious strip of mountainous terrain – it remains an untamed and beautiful area of high mountains and twisting sea lochs.
Knoydart has always been best accessed by boat, and from our base at a remote wilderness lodge we make full use of the sea. Making passages to Skye, the Small Isles and remote corners of the Knoydart peninsula we often encounter whales, dolphins and porpoises before we even begin the day’s walk.
For this we use the fast boat, ‘Mary Doune’, allowing us to enjoy tremendous linear walks over mountain passes and giving access to the Small Isles of Rum and Eigg, notable for their variety and distinctive landscapes and history. This combination of wilderness, remarkable mountains and a plethora of wildlife, make for an unforgettable holiday.
Trip Itinerary – Knoydart Walking Holiday
Day 1 –We meet in Mallaig at 5:50pm. Mallaig is easily reached by car or train via the spectacular West Highland Railway Line. A short transfer by boat takes us to our base at Doune on the very tip of the Knoydart Peninsula. After a welcome brief we sit down to our first dinner together. (D)
Day 2 – Today we explore some rarely visited lower hills in western Knoydart, and visit the beautiful coastline around Airor. Leaving directly from the door of the lodge, we hike into the Black Hills, possibly towards the rocky summit of Roine na Beinne (441m), from where there is a good chance of seeing Golden Eagles or Red Deer. Descending northwards we pick up a coastal path which we follow, past the remote settlement at Airor, all the way back to the lodge. (B, L, D)
Walk details: 14km, approx 7hrs.
Day 3 – The goal for the day is the highest point on the island of Eigg, An Sgurr – a dramatic plug of columnar pitchstone, rising abruptly from wild moorlands. The summit boasts fine views over this beautiful island and the nearby emerald wedge of Muck. (B, L, D)
Walk details: 8km, approx 4hrs.
Day 4 – This fantastic walk traverses the Knoydart peninsula from north to south, finishing at the door of the Old Forge – the most remote pub in Scotland! We enjoy a dramatic approach by boat through Loch Hourn before being dropped at beautiful Barrisdale Bay. The normal route we follow takes a good path up to the Mam Barrisdale col at 450m before enjoying a long descent down Glean an Dubh-Lochain to Inverie. (B, L, D)
Walk details: 14km, approx 6hrs.
Day 5 – Using the ‘Mary Doune’, we speed across the Sound of Sleat towards Rum. We may traverse this wild and beautiful island or climb one of the dramatic peaks in the Rum Cuillin, relishing their thick Viking names. Late afternoon, we are whisked back to Doune in time for dinner. (B, L, D)
Walk details: 10km, approx 5hrs.
Day 6 – Our final island visit takes us into the heart of the Cuillin mountains on Skye. We circle the shores of Loch Coruisk which, surrounded by towering rocky peaks, is one of the most atmospheric places in all of Scotland. (B, L, D)
Walk details: 11km, approx 5hrs.
Day 7 –This bold peak rises up behind Inverie village. From its summit, the views to Inverie Bay below us and over the sea to Skye are outstanding. The Outer Hebrides are often visible, more than 60 miles away across the Minch. It’s a wonderful point from where we can admire the whole peninsula and reflect on our week in Knoydart. (B, L, D)
Walk details: 10km, approx 5hrs.
Day 8 – Following a relaxed breakfast we board the launch boat and, keeping our eyes open for Minke Whales which are often spotted in these waters, return to Mallaig. For those travelling by rail, we arrive in Mallaig in time to catch the mid-morning train back to Glasgow. (B)
Prices and Dates
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2019 Trip Dates
Trip Reviews
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.
by Penny Leonard 23/09/2018
Your Guide
Safety paramount while ensuring we had a good experience and a bit of an adventure in difficult weather. Adam was very competent and seemed relaxed when having to make difficult decisions and choices
The Bottom Line
Excellent. I particularly enjoyed having the use of the boat which enabled us to do walks not possible any other way.
by Anne Campbell 19/09/2018
Pre-Trip Service
Good communication in a timely manner
Trip Comments
Accommodations wonderful and guide very knowledgeable about area
Accommodation and Food
Wonderful staff very attentive
Your Guide
Very knowledgeable and very attentive to all the group
The Bottom Line
Nothing to complain about. Excellant in are key areas.
by Andrew Leonard 19/09/2018
Pre-Trip Service
just a little pushy at times but all info required was willinglyprovided
Trip Comments
Would have been even better with finer weather and absence of a cold virus that quickly overtook everyone in the group; this increased the effort required to undertake and appreciate some of the outings.
Accommodation and Food
Comfortable bed and sittting room; one possible improvement would be to up-grade the showers.
Your Guide
Adam consulted the whole group concerning options, led us on a sensible choice of outings and supported each individual well. In no aspect did his walk leadership fail to impress. His partnership with Andy was successful. His social interaction and provision of information was at just the level for the members of this group. A+
The Bottom Line
A well-designed trip that was effectively delivered; quality was high but so was the price; many of my walking colleagues might baulk at the cost.
by Alison Kershaw 18/09/2018
Pre-Trip Service
quick response to email.
Trip Comments
Adam was an excellent guide. He had the necessary expertise and people skills dealing with us as a group with grace and good humour. He is also a very good harmonica player!!
Accommodation and Food
Cosy place. Nice to be able to make cups of tea and fill flasks in the kitchen. The drying area was a little inadequate being in the bathroom area but it worked.
Your Guide
Already covered this earlier, but Adam was an excellent guide.
