Day One: You are collected from your Inverness accommodation or from the station or airport etc. We head along the side of world famous Loch Ness with some souvenir shopping in Drumnadrochit, the Monster Capital of the World and then a chance to photograph Urquhart Castle with background history to this castle being provided by your guide as part of an integrated three day historical adventure. You will also learn the truth about Nessie.
Leaving the castle we head west stopping to photograph the Telford bridge and rapids at Invermoriston, St Columba's Well and then turn into Glen Shiel.
Just past Dundreggan Hydroelectric Scheme we arrive at the mysterious "footprints", a unique piece of folklore to add mood to the day. On along Glen Shiel we see the location of the sacrifice of his life by Roderick MacKenzie to save Bonnie Prince Charlie. Soon we reach the Cluanie dam and follow the shore of Loch Cluanie until it reaches the watershed between east and west - can you spot the actual location where the water reverses direction?
Now the road plunges through one of Scotland's most dramatic glens with a brief stop at the site of the Battle of Glen Shiel. On clear days see the peaks of the sisters of Kintail and the Saddle. On misty days experience the vistas which have inspired countless artists.
Surprisingly quickly we reach the beautiful Sea-Loch Duich and skirt its wooded shores past Inverinate and suddenly the grey mass of Eilean Donan Castle is glimpsed through the jagged blasted cliffs created when the road was constructed. Time to visit Eilean Donan if required and pick up a light lunch or a sandwich to eat on the hoof. Don't want to spoil your appetite!
Soon the stylish Skye bridge is seen at Kyle of Lochalsh and we seemingly soar into the air over the sea to Skye.
Our itinerary on Skye is flexible. We head in a generally northerly direction through Broadford and on to charming Portree harbour, seeing the Old Man of Hoy in the distance. Leaving Portree we continue north through wild scenery arriving at Dunvegan Castle with time for a visit to this dramatically located fortress which has gently metamorphosed into a stately home.
Leaving Dunvegan, it is only a short drive to your fabulous first night's accommodation at the world famous Three Chimneys. Do note that if you do not book this tour well in advance we may not be able to book you in to Three Chimneys so don't delay. There is alternative accommodation if you wish to pare the budget and if we cannot get you in for a meal at Three Chimneys we will have reorganised the itinerary to take in an alternative route.
Day Two: Leaving Three Chimneys after a traditional Scottish breakfast we travel along the west coast of Skye with its lovely beaches and cliffs then taking a diversion to the Talisker distillery for a visit and tasting.
Now southwards visiting a hilltop prehistoric Broch, an iron age
structure found only in Scotland. When we arrive at Broadford we take a
right turn to Elgol, driving in the shadow of massive mountains,
skirting sea-lochs and then climbing steeply over the peninsular where
the road seemingly dives into an abyss which is Elgol harbour. Here
there is a great opportunity to take in a boat trip over to the Cuillin
Hills. Terrific fun.
By the time you get back you may want to snack on a sandwich or scone, but if you like smoked salmon we may suggest not eating too much now. Soon we head back to Broadford and out onto Sleat. Here we take an amazing rural road over moors and through scrub timber to a beach at Ord where you can climb on marble outcrops and do some beachcombing. A great place for photography and searching for seabirds.
The tiny single track road winds its way around the coast and there is
an option to visit a salmon smokehouse to pick up a smoked salmon snack
pack or some smoked nuts or smoked cheese.
As the afternoon progresses we finally come off the single track road and on to Isle Ornsay where there are two art studios and an exhibition which changes on a weekly basis showing some of the best of the western Highland artists' work.
Finally a gentle drive along the southern coast of Skye to Clare MacDonald's fabulous Kinloch Lodge hotel where you are accommodated and fed in sumptuous luxury. As of 19th January the restaurant has obtained a Michelin star.
Day Three: Reluctantly leaving Kinloch Lodge, we drive west to the Clan Donald Centre where there is time for a visit and morning coffee before we board the Armadale to Mallaig ferry.
The ferry trip lasts about thirty minutes and you will enjoy viewing the approach to the western Highlands where remote and uninhabited hills are waiting to greet you.
While your guide drives into Mallaig to wait for you, you get to watch the approach to this busy fishing village which is also one of the main supply points for the western Highlands.
Leaving Mallaig we follow the Road To The Isles along the coast, perhaps diverting for a quick look at Loch Morar, Scotland's deepest loch.
For Harry Potter fans the scenery becomes more and more familiar as we drive through hills used in flight sequences ... is that Harry up there, pursued by a dragon?
At Glenfinnan we stop to look at the lovely church used in the film Made of Honor where Patrick Dempsey charges into the church on a white steed at the last minute to stop the wedding. The inset below shows the false entrance, path and gravestones (made from polystyrene) all created for a 5 second section of the movie. No wonder they cost so much!
Just across the road, something which could not be more remote from Hollywood movies, if the weather is dry, we can take a short walk up to the probable location of the raising of the standard by Charles Edward Stuart in 1745. You'll see a Victorian inscription on the ground and your guide will explain why this is the favoured real location.
From here you also get the best view of the Harry Potter viaduct. Be prepared to duck if you see a Ford Anglia car careering towards you as the Hogwart's express passes by!
Just 100 metres down the road we make another stop for photographs of the Glenfinnan monument - the official location for the raising of the standard. You can even climb the monument to join Bonnie Prince Charlie on the top for a photograph.
A snack or cake and coffee at the visitor centre before we continue our journey towards An Gearasdan, the Gaelic name for Fort William. William of Orange was not well liked in the Highlands so the local people refused to call the fort by its English name. Instead they just called it "the garrison".
We cross the Caledonian Canal and see Neptune's Staircase of locks
before entering the outskirts of Fort William for a short guided walk
around ruined Inverlochy Castle.
Finally we arrive at Inverlochy Castle Hotel, in the glen beside Britain's highest mountain - Ben Nevis.
Here we part company and after your fabulous evening in this luxurious five gold star hotel, the next morning they will take you to the railway station in Fort William for your rail journey (not included in price) to Glasgow or Edinburgh.
If you would prefer to return to Inverness let us know at the time of booking and we will quote for our guide spending the next morning with you.
Price: £1,198 per person, minimum two persons. A third person £1,023. Second couple only £1,296. Maximum four persons. The price includes luxury accommodation, three gourmet evening meals and three breakfasts. Wine, lunches and incidental costs not included. Includes our guide's subsistence and all travel except the rail journey to Glasgow or Edinburgh.
