"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.
Please note the summer itinerary runs from April to September and the overnight destination on this trip will change to the below:
Day 1: To Carbisdale Castle*
Day 2: To Loch Ness
Day 3: Loch Ness to Skye to Loch Ness
Day 4: To Oban
Day 5: To Edinburgh
> 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!
* Black out dates may apply
> 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: Edinburgh - Fort Augustus
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 hear the gruesome tale of the Wolf of Badenoch who was buried there. We then head north to the Pass of Killicrankie where you will hear the story of the Jacobites and Bonnie Dundee. Lunch is in the small village of Kingussie, made famous by the 'Monarch of the Glen' TV show. We pass Dalwhinnie Distillery, Strathmashie, Loch Laggan Dam and Spean Bridge. There is time for a quick photo stop at the Commando Memorial passing through the Great Glen before arriving at Fort Augustus on the banks of Loch Ness, our night for the evening.
Day 2: Loch Ness
Today we will travel the full length of Loch Ness with a quick photo stop at Urquhart Castle. We drive through Inverness and onto lonely Culloden Battlefield, scene of the last major battle in Britain, over the Kessock bridge with views to the Black Isle. We will make a stop at Glen Ord Distillery before a quick lunch stop at Beauly and a walk at Glen Affric, home to one of the largest remnants of the ancient Caledonian Pine Forest, before passing through Drumnadrochit and back to Fort Augustus for the night.
Day 3: Fort Augustus to Skye
This morning we drive through Invermorriston, hearing tales about Roderick MacKenzie and his memorial. We then take the road to the Isles, past Loch Cluanie through Glen Shiel before stopping at stunning Eilean Donan Castle. We then cross over the bridge to Skye where you will see the ruins of Castle Moil and hear the story of Saucy Mary. We will pass through Broadford and stop at Sligachan Bridge – hear faerie stories with fantastic views of the Black and Red Cuillin. We will stop in the small village of Portree for lunch and then head to the Old Man of Storr the Quiraing and Kilt Rock before arriving in Kyleakin.
Day 4: Skye to Oban
Today we will see Loch Loyne, Loch Garry (Scotland’s Loch), Loch Oich, The Well of the Seven 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 Linnhe, drive past Castle Stalker and the only sea waterfall, the Falls of Lora and to Oban with spectacular views over to the Isle of Mull.
Day 5: Oban to Edinburgh
Leaving Oban we will travel to Glencoe and onto Rannoch Moor and the Black Mount. 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 before arriving in Edinburgh.
