MacBACKPACKERS- 5 Day Skye and Highland Fling by MacBackpackers

Tour Itinerary

Macbackpackers make sure you experience the best of Scotland in the time you have...

Five unforgettable days � and the best value introduction to Scotland's unique scenery, history and culture.

Day 1. Departing Edinburgh We head north out of the city and over the Forth Road Bridge through Fife. Our first stop is at Scotland's ancient capital Dunkeld. A small gateway village to the Highlands. Now what better way to get those taste buds jumping is with a cheeky wee dram (whisky). Our next stop is at Edradour Whisky Distillery for a FREE whisky and Tour. We then continue on to Pitlochry for a spot of lunch.

After leaving Pitlochry, we then carry on our journey to Ruthven Barracks, an imposing 18th century ruined fortress, deep in the Grampian Mountains, where our tales of rebellion Scotland begin. We then head on to the eerie battlefield of Culloden. Still virtually untouched, this was the sight of the Highlanders last stand. Next stop is Loch Ness for a little bit of Monster spotting before pulling in to Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, where our bus stops over night.

Day 2 � The Northern Wilds

We pack up and leave Inverness heading north over the Kessock Bridge on to the Black Isle. This bridge spans the Moray Firth which is home to the world�s most northerly pod of bottlenose dolphins. Our first stop on day 2 of our adventure is a breathtaking stroll through the luscious forest of Rogie where, in season, we watch the salmon leaping up the impressive waterfall.

After our enchanting walk, it is back on the bus and time to explore one of Europe�s last unspoiled wildernesses. We make our way to the wilds of Wester Ross and journey through amazing scenery towards Gairloch. Here we soak up the atmosphere of this coastal settlement and enjoy it�s white sand beaches before heading through the heart of the Torridon Mountain Range. This spectacular journey takes us past the oldest exposed rock in the world then down towards our final destination, the magical mystical Isle of Skye where the village of Kyleakin will be our home for the next 2 nights.

Day 3 �The Isle of Skye

And now our adventure gets even better! A day exploring one of Scotland�s most famous Islands. Before heading to its northern tip, we pass through the mighty Cullin Mountains on to Portree the island's Capital, where we stop for supplies and also for a wee look at this village, with its quaint little fishing harbour.

The Trotternish peninsula is the focus for the rest of the day, stopping at amazing waterfalls and the seriously haunted ruined Macdonald stronghold perched atop a sea cliff. We scramble up one of the island's amazing rock formations, a small mild hike to suit all, so leave your high heels at home.

Now it is time to bring it down for a little chill time and to pay our respects to the �little people� at the enchanting Faerie Glen. As the sun goes down we head back to the village of Kyleakin in time for a pint at the local pub.

Day 4 �The West Coast

We leave the magical Island of Skye behind and head south for the beautiful harbour town of Oban. This is a day of mountains and lochs as we travel down the west coast of the highlands. The first stop is at the world famous Eilean Donan Castle. This castles ancient history is as amazing as its beauty. But the beauty doesn�t stop as we continue down the west coast through Glen Sheil, Loch Garry on our way Glen Finnan, the site of the start of the last Jacobite uprising in 1745 and more famously the Harry Potter bridge and the route of the Hogwarts Express.

We return to Fort William to pick up supplies before our trip south takes us to the majestic beauty of Glen Coe. This Glen is the site of the massacre of 1692, but its stunning scenery and mountains mask the darker side to it�s history leaving us with ample time to relax and walk in the splendour of this stunning place.

Then it�s south to Oban via the region of Appin along some of the very best coastline on the west for a peaceful drive to Oban where we shall spend the night

Day 5 � Ancient Scotland and Stirling

The very last day and chance to take the tour to visit some our most treasured and ancient lands. South of Oban lies the land of Kilmartin and within this glen we will visit some of the ancient burial chambers, standing stones, cup marks and Dunadd hill fort where the kingdom of the Scots was first established.

On leaving Kilmartin Glen we travel East and through Rob Roy country with many tales of this rogue who invented the word blackmail. Our last stop on this adventure is at Stirling and the Wallace Monument. With it�s views over the Forth Valley, here we tell the story of William Wallace�s heroic campaign to rid Scotland of English oppressors in the thirteenth century. Here are sites of the battles of Stirling Bridge and the later battle of Bannockburn where, after Wallace�s death, Robert the Bruce finally gained independence for Scotland. Below us in this valley lies Stirling Castle, which sits across the river � Scotland�s most strategic fortress

All good things must come to an end and from Stirling we head back to Edinburgh, Scotland�s capital, for a well earned rest and a few beers in some of the cities beautiful bars.

*Please Note�Tours may alter from this itinerary due to weather, road works etc