West Highland Way & Skye

West Highlands Way and Skye

Your independent walking holiday is a great mix of multi-day trekking along one of the UK’s best trails and day walks on the stunningly beautiful and rugged Isle of Skye. Despite crossing the highlands, this West Highland Way, is a relatively straight forward route which stays at low altitude. You’ll join the West Highland Way at the Bridge of Orchy, where the highland scenery really begins to show its true savage beauty. You’ll cross the vast expanse of Rannoch Moor, a remote and desolate part of the trail with little sign of life, except for fellow walkers.  At Glen Coe the scenery changes once more to dramatic mountain terrain, dominated by the impressive Buachaille Etive Mor which stands as a sentry to this stunning glen. Glen Coe is often considered one of the most spectacular and beautiful places in Scotland.

From Glen Coe your trail climbs the Devils Staircase, a 259m ascent to the highest point on the West Highland Way (548m) with great views over the peaks of Glen Coe and Ben Nevis which can be seen in the distance North over the Mamores. The trail then descends back to sea level at Kinlochleven. The path runs along the mountainside with spectacular views over the Mamores and miles of open wilderness stretching away to the East. After a final climb your route descends to Glen Nevis and Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK.

The Isle of Skye is the largest and most northerly island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The coastline of Skye is a series of peninsulas and bays radiating out from a mountainous centre dominated by the rugged and wild Cuillin hills. You’ll explore the southern headlands, mountains and bays of Skye. Areas such as Strathaird have dramatic coastlines close to the Cuillin hills which form a beautiful backdrop. There are also a number of small crofting communities. The amazingly beautiful Loch Coruisk surrounded by imposing mountains will take your breath away.

More information about the highlands & islands of Scotland

Accommodation & Meals

7 nights B&B in ensuite 2 person rooms (double or twin) in good quality Guest Houses or Hotels.  Some locations have very limited choice.

Luggage Transfers

On this walking holiday your main luggage is transferred between guest houses so you only have to carry a day rucksack with picnic lunch (supplied by the guest houses and included in the holiday price), water and spare clothes, waterproofs, camera etc. On this holiday a local company is responsible for transporting your main luggage. Please limit the weight of your bags where possible to 20kg. We only use hotels and small guest houses in historic buidlings and some of the rooms are accessible by stairs.

Travel Info

To get to Scotland and Skye

By Train

Train travel to Bridge of Orchy from Glasgow Queen Street and the return from Mallaig is included in the price of your holiday.

Trains run regularly from London and other UK cities to Glasgow Central rail station. Bus service 398 available at the station takes you to Queen Street station, as does the Glasgow subway.