- 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.
23rd Jun - 30th Jun 2018
Rosie Mckenzie
Meet our Wilderness Guide Rosie Mckenzie. She has a love for trekking in the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Find out more ...21st Jul - 28th Jul 2018
Kirsty Chuchla
Join the effervescent Kirsty as she leads groups to Scotland's beautiful wild places.11th Aug - 18th Aug 2018
Dave Picken
Meet Dave Picken, expert guide and bee-keeper extraordinaire.8th Sep - 15th Sep 2018
Adam Mackintosh
Find out more about our Harmonica playing Wilderness Scotland guide Adam Mackintosh.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.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 – In the evening we meet in Mallaig, which is easily reached by car or train via the spectacular West Highland Line from Glasgow. In Mallaig we meet our private launch a short transfer by boat takes us to our base at Doune on the very tip of the Knoydart Peninsula. (D)
Day 2 – We explore some rarely visited lower hills in western Knoydart, and explore 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. (B, L, D)
Walk details: 14km, approx 7hrs.
Day 3 – Taking to the sea, 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, it is a fantastic sight as we walk in – and easier than it looks! 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 most remote pub in Scotland! 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. If time permits, we may hop over to Canna to complete our tour of the Small Isles, (B, L, D)
Walk details: 11km, approx 5hrs.
Day 7 – The peak of Sgurr Coire Choinnichean rises up behind Inverie village. We follow an easy ridge to its top and from the summit the views to Inverie Bay below us and over the sea to Skye are outstanding. 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 one last time and, keeping our eyes open for Minke Whales, 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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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 Michael Holmes 16/05/2018
Your Guide
Peter was an outstanding guide, who, right from the outset, set the tone, for what transpired to be a superb week, with his easy manner, obvious competence, inclusive approach and dry sense of humour. On the walks, he clearly had an excellent knowledge of the area and chose routes and pace that were well suited to the group and the weather conditions. Whenever we stopped for a rest, he always had something interesting to say or show us about the countryside or local wildlife. He was also very safety conscious and was particularly helpful in removing the odd tick! As well as enjoying the varied walking, amazing scenery and the boat trips, we all learned a huge amount from Pete over the week and it would be an absolute delight to do another trip with him.
by Elizabeth Munro 16/05/2018
Pre-Trip Service
I telephoned the day prior to departure to ask if it was necessary to pack a hairdryer. I was advised to do so, however at the lodge we were advised not to use one as it would trip the electricity. Clearly, the person I spoke to did not know of the circumstances of that tour.
Trip Comments
I did feel that the packed lunches were not as appetising when comparing to a previous trip.
I did like the fact that we could have access to tea and coffee in the lodge.
Accommodation and Food
Considering the location, the accommodation was comfortable and homely.
Your Guide
He was very astute and had a clear understanding of people and decision making was appropriate in relation to safety due to inclement weather.
The Bottom Line
Deciding on our next trip with wilderness Scotland!
by Lyman Feron 15/05/2018
Pre-Trip Service
liked the clarity provided
Trip Comments
boat transfers and the hiking.
Making the most of the varying Scottish weather/conditions to maximise what we got out of the hiking by varying the itineray as appropriate
Accommodation and Food
good food and great setting
Your Guide
Peter was very good, great knowledge of flora and fauna exhibited, kept the group walking at the required pace. Dealt efficiently with any issues and group dynamics. Particular highligths wwere his motivational poems/talks every morning and the passion he displyed for his job and the coumtryside.
The Bottom Line
Excellent, I and my 3 walking companions will use Wilderness Scotland/Ireland again.
One final request/suggestion for the future, it would be great to be able to choose from a jacket or rucksac as the pre-trip freebie to suit individual needs, a small point I appreciate.
by Harriet Carlyle 15/05/2018
Pre-Trip Service
Excellent support from the team. We particularly appreciated being assured that should earlier train delays mean that we missed the Mallaig train, the boat would either meet us off the later train (in the middle of the night!) or overnight accommodation would be arranged for us in Mallaig.
Trip Comments
I loved the variety of the walks, despite the weather constraints, and the superb scenery, wildlife and geology. Travelling around by boat was also fun.
Accommodation and Food
Simple accommodation but perfectly fine, and thankfully the hot water was endless!
Your Guide
Pete was an excellent guide (even if no otters appeared in the bay as promised on "Otter Wednesday"!). He took great care in planning each day's itinerary to make the most of Knoydart and the surrounding islands, despite the weather constraints, and engendered a great group dynamic. We all appreciated his knowledge of the flora and fauna, and always looked forward to his morning literary quotes, hot tips on bush-craft and 101 things to do with a bracket fungus ;-)
The Bottom Line
A great experience from the initial booking to the end of the trip. I am already looking forward to my next holiday with Wilderness Scotland
