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Island Hopping in the Western Isles of Scotland |
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hiking holiday takes you through the Isles of Arran, Islay and Jura. One of Scotlands greatest scenic assets are its famous Western Isles. |
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| These remote islands, a haven for wildlife and bird life, are little explored by the tourist due to the lack of accommodation, and this limits the numbers of people who can visit. Our tour starts off on the Isle of Arran just off the west coast of Scotland and easily reached from Glasgows airports by train. Arran is known as Scotland in Miniature because the scenery has all that the whole of Scotland is famous for: dramatic coastlines of the west coast of Scotland, mountains and glens and rolling pastures to the south, and mountains (highest 950m). After three days on Arran we transfer to the Isle of Islay, is a Whisky lovers paradise. The clean waters and air have made it a classic location for many famous malts, such names as Oban, Isle of Jura, Bunnahahain, Bruichladdich, Laphroaic, Ardbeg, Bowmore to name but a few. We take a day's trip to the Isle of Jura which is extremely remote, certainly here there is more wildlife than people and excellent for bird watching. Our last day is a fabulous day walking on Islay. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tour
Itinerary 53 miles/85 kms |
Available June to September | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Day 1:
Arrive
Arrival into Glasgow Prestwick airport where you can take the train to Ardrossan. Here we have our welcome meeting before you take the ferry to Arran. Ferries cross several times a day to Arran and the trip lasts around 1 hour. Night in Brodick. |
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| Day
2: Arran - Glen Rosa 8-10
miles, 14-17km, climbs to 450m/750m Today you walk past Brodick Castle and up Glen Rosa before descending down Glen Rosa to Sannox. For those who wish to walk to a high altitude there is an optional extension which will take you up Goat Fell. Short bus ride back to Brodick. |
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Day
3: Arran - Sannox to Lochranza
9 miles, 15km flat A short transfer by bus to Sannox . Today's walk goes along the rugged coastline from Sannox to Lochranza, mostly right on the sea's edge. Lochranza is a remote hamlet of a few houses and a tiny ferry port where you catch the ferry to the mainland. Lochranza is very romantic with its ancient Castle sitting not far from the coast and often the setting for a fabulous photo shot which is very typically Scottish. Lochranza also has its own whisky distillery. On todays walk you can look for seals and whales offshore. Transfer back by bus to Brodick. Night in Brodick. |
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4: Arran - Lamlash to Brodick
9 miles, 15km flat You start with a short transfer to Lamlash south of Brodick. Once in Lamlash you take the optional ferry to Holy Island, the home of a Budhist Monks Monastery. The walk follows the coastline north back to Brodick through rolling coastlines. Night in Brodick |
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5: Transfer to Islay Today you catch 2 ferries; first the short crossing to the mainland where you take a bus or taxi 8km to the other side of the peninsular before taking the ferry to Port Askaig on Islay . Overnight in Port Askaig Islay. |
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6: Islay Circular 12
miles, 20km, climbs to 100m Now on Islay you will notice the influence of Gaelic. The walk today takes you north to Bunnahabhain and past the distillery before heading inland in a circular fashion to Ballygrant. From Ballygrant we take an east route back toward Port Askaig via the little Loch Ballygrant. Overnight in Port Askaig. |
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Day
7: Isle of Jura 11
miles, 18km, climbs to 250m Take the short ferry ride across the Sound of Islay to Jura and Feolin. Here we head north on a circular route past Loch a Chnuic Bhric and to the lower slopes of Benn Chaolais. Here you will have wonderful views of Islay, Sound of Islay and in the distance Colonsay. Overnight in Port Askaig. |
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| Day
8: Holiday Complete Today you make your journey back to Glasgow . The earliest you can reach Glasgow is around 19:00. |
Difficulty Walks from 4 hours to 6 hours with climbs up to around 450m maximum height, but most days a fairly easy walking. Accommodation Standard 3 star Hotels / Guest houses / Inns |
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What your Scottish Walking includes
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Seven nights from £549
per person All prices subject to change |
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Extras
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| How to get there | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By Plane
to Edinburgh or Glasgow airport where trains are available to Ardrossan
the ferry terminal. By Car to Ardossan where parking is available By Train / Bus to Ardossan |
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