"I've travelled a lot but this HAGGiS tour was by far the best experience I've had! Scotland is so 'Wild & Sexy' and I have too many favourite moments to recount here!" Sarah Wright, USA, July 2009
Loch Ness, Isle of Skye & North West Highlands
Please note that this trip was called the 5 day Compass Buster tour but has been re-named for 2010 to the Highland Fling.
A spectacular 5 day adventure through the Highlands and magical Isle of Skye. Get out there amongst some of the world’s most incredible scenery. Go monster hunting on Loch Ness, experience Culloden battlefield and hear tales of Scotland’s bloody history, enjoy whisky tasting in a Highland distillery and explore the magical Isle of Skye.
> Spend the night in a real castle* complete with its own art collection and resident ghost!
> Explore Loch Ness and try to catch a glimpse of the world’s most famous monster
> Hear tales of Scotland’s bloody history in haunting Glencoe
> Explore the Isle of Skye, awesome mountains, legends and jaw-dropping scenery
> Taste some malt whisky at one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries
> What's Included: An unforgettable adventure with like-minded travellers, transport, all ferries and a legendary tour guide!
> Loch Ness cruise - Enjoy an evening boat cruise on Loch Ness and search for the monster
> Hire bikes and discover the fantastic forest trails around Loch Ness
> Walk around the canals and village of Fort Augustus, Loch Ness
> Visit a Highland whisky distillery
> Ceilidh Night – get dancing at a traditional Scottish night oot!
> Watch the sunset over Oban Bay from McCaig’s Tower
> Accommodation is guaranteed on all trips - we reserve the beds and you pay as you go. The price is between £15 and £20 per person per night in shared dorm accommodation. For more information and upgrade options click here.
* N.B. Another hostel may be substituted for Carbisdale Castle as an overnight stop
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Day 1: To Carbisdale Castle
Heading north from Edinburgh, we pass the Forth Bridges, through Perthshire - surrounded by mountains, forests and salmon packed rivers. We will stop at Dunkeld to visit the beautiful Cathedral and hear gruesome tales of the Wolf of Badenoch who was buried there. We then head north to the Pass of Killicrankie where you will hear tales about the Jacobites and Bonnie Dundee. Lunch is in the small village of Kingussie, made famous by the 'Monarch of the Glen' tv show. Then it's off to lonely Culloden Battlefield, scene of the last major battle in Britain set in the Cairngorm National Park. We then pass over the Kessock Bridge with views of the Black Isle and Cromerty Firth as we head for our lavish evening accommodation in a haunted Highland castle!
Day 2: Carbisdale to Loch Ness
We’ll depart for our journey north over Bonar Bridge. On the way take in the views of Dornoch Firth, and Dornoch town's picturesque Cathedral. Frolic on the amazing sandy beaches at Dingwall and then make a stop at Glen Ord Distillery. We will take a walk at Glen Affric home to one of the largest remnants of the ancient Caledonian Pine Forest before passing through Drumnadrochit and onto Loch Ness we will make a stop at Urquhart Castle before arriving at Fort Augustus our home for the next couple of nights (on the banks of Loch Ness) for the night.
Day 3: Loch Ness to Skye to Loch Ness
This morning we take the Road to the Isles with a stop at Eilean Donan Castle. We cross the bridge to Skye for legends and faerie stories with spectacular views of the Old Man Of Storr and the Cuillin Mountains before returning back to Fort Agustus for the night.
Day 4: Loch Ness to Oban
Today we will see Loch Loyne, Loch Garry (Scotland’s Loch) Loch Oich, The Well of the 7 Heads and hear the story of the Battle of the shirts. We will drive through the Great Glen and past the Glenfinnan viaduct (Harry Potter Train Bridge). Fort William, Loch Lhinnie, then a drive past Castle Stalker and the only sea waterfall - Falls of Lora and to Oban with spectacular views over to the Isle of Mull. Oban will be your home for the night.
Day 5: Oban to Edinburgh
Leaving Oban behind us we will travel to Glencoe and onto Rannoch moor and the Black Mount with a stop at the Green Welly for lunch. We will then hear the story behind the pile of stones at Ben Lawers and pass Glen Ogle and Loch Lubnaig before hearing tales about Rob Roy and stopping in the Trossachs at Kilmahog to say hello to Hamish the Hairy coo. Our journey back to Edinburgh will take in views of Stirling Castle and the Wallace monument arriving in Edinburgh.
