City Mountaineering - Expeditions

A 9-day trip (just 4-days off work!), including 7-days of hiking the Skye Trail - an unmarked route of 127km (79 miles) through the island of Skye.

Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through the rugged and mystical landscapes of the Isle of Skye on the iconic Skye Trail!

Join us for an unforgettable hiking adventure as we traverse this legendary route, immersing ourselves in the breathtaking beauty and rich history of Scotland's Highland wilderness.

There are no waymarks for the route and we are off the beaten track so many sections do not even have a path.

🗻 Spectacular mountain views - passing under the shadow of the Jagged Cuillin mountains;
🏝️ Coastal scenery - from beaches to cliff-tops that are remarkable but almost unvisited;
🏞️ Haunting deserted villages - destroyed in the highland clearances;
🐬 Wildlife watching - From Sea Eagles to Dolphins

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ITINERARY
Saturday (AM)
Meet in Inverness, then drive to Isle of Skye for a short walk to your first wild camp location

Sunday: Coastal hike to Flodigarry (17km)
The trail starts from Skye's most northerly tip, Rubha Hunish, and follows a spectacular section of the coastline, continuing above dramatic cliffs to reach Flodigarry for a night of wild camping

Monday: Hike inland to The Storr - Trotternish Ridge (25km)
A slightly more challenging stage climbs from Flodigarry beneath the amazing rock formations of The Quiraing, continuing south on the Trotternish Ridge towards the Storr - this must be one of the most dramatic ridge traverses in Britain!

The day will end with a wild camp amongst the dramatic scenery of our surroundings

Tuesday: Cliff-top hike to Portree (18km)
The third stage of the Skye Trail, takes a short walk to The old man of Storr before a descent to the road, which leads to a fabulous parade along the top of dramatic coastal cliffs with superb views.

We will restock supplies in Portree and spend the night in a local hostel.

Wednesday: Rest Day
You have the option of either hiking stage 4 of the trail, or seeing the trail in the comfort of the minibus. We will also visit some other local attractions that are not on the trail (e.g. Fairy Pools, Talisker distillery, Black Cuillins)

At the end of the day we will stay in a hostel connected to arguably the best pub on the island.

Thursday: Hike below the mighty Cuillin mountains to Elgol (15km)
This day we follow a rough track through the remote Glen Sligachan (a valley separating the mighty Black Cuillin with the Red Cuillin) to the beautiful bay at Camasunary . Arriving at the coast on the south-west of the island, we will camp on the shores of the Atlantic ocean

From here a vertiginous cliff path with fantastic views across the water to the Cuillin

This will be a shorter hiking day, where we can spend the afternoon relaxing in Elgol for the afternoon

Friday: Hike on good trails to Torrin (17km)
The sixth stage presents a lovely day with great views to Sleat and the small isles, ending at Torrin where there is a summer cafe and a B&B - Although, depending on the weather, we may be spending our final night on that trail on a summit with views over the bay, the ocean and the mountains!

Saturday: Coastal hike to Broadford (20km)
The final stage follows the coast from Torrin to the cleared villages of Suisnish and Boreraig before heading inland to pick up the Marble Line, the old railroad route into Broadford and the end of the Trail.

We will then check-in to our accommodation and celebrate the completion of the Skye Trail with a hearty meal and drinks

Sunday (AM)
Return to Inverness (expect to arrive around 2pm)

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Join us for the adventure of a lifetime as we trek the Skye Trail and discover the wild beauty of the Scottish Highlands! Reserve your spot now and get ready to experience the magic of Skye's legendary landscapes!
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9-days for an all inclusive price of just £795 To reserve your place, simply click on the RSVP, pay the £100 deposit and we'll be in contact with further details

Cost includes
• Travel and logistical Support from Inverness
• All food whilst hiking (from breakfast on Sunday to lunch on Saturday) - excluding the rest day
• All accommodation (tents provided for wild camping sections, hostels & B&Bs)
• Guided hiking by an experienced and qualified Mountain Leader

Not included
• Return transport between home and Inverness
• Your personal hiking kit
• Your personal travel insurance
• food & drink before/after the hike and on the rest day

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All City Mountaineering trips are compliant with the 2018 Package Travel regulations (including financial protection)

A 9-day trip of hiking and island hopping the little islands off the west coast of Scotland.

Hiking mostly off-track, we will get a boat and hike across the islands of Eigg, Rum Canna and Sanday There are no waymarks for the route and many sections do not even have a path.

However; the route is familiar to us and the rewards as you explore the best of what these islands have to offer:

Eigg - The world's first 100%-renewable energy electricity grid in the world! It also has stunning beaches and the high cliffs make for great wildlife watching!
Rum - Tough terrain, with few tracks on this miniature version of Skye
Canna - Castle ruins and basalt coastline standing tall above the crashing waves below
Sanday - Watch the Puffins on the high cliff tops

The route has been devised for those who want a relaxing week of easy hiking and those who prefer to get well away from the beaten track and is a trip never to be forgotten!

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9-days for an all inclusive price of just £845, which includes:
- Travel and logistical Support from Inverness/Fort William
- 4 boat trips
- All food whilst hiking and wild camping - But excluding any food bought from pubs/restaurants/cafes
- All accommodation (tents provided for camping and wild camping sections, hotel stay at the end of the trip)
- Guided hiking by an experienced and qualified Mountain Leader

Not included:
- Return transport between Home and Inverness/Fort William
- Your personal hiking kit
- Food/drink in cafes/restaurants/pubs

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To reserve your place, simply click on the RSVP, pay the £100 non-refundable deposit and we'll be in contact with the finer details

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Itinerary (this is subject to change based on the ferry timetable and sea/weather conditions)

Saturday: You will be met outside Inverness Airport/Train Station at around 10am for a kit check and full trip briefing. You will then be transferred to the port and will board the ferry to Eigg. You will head out on a hiking/wild camping adventure on relatively easy terrain - although it will mostly be off-track. You will cross the island to a pristine beach where you will pitch your tents for the first night in the wild

Sunday: Continuing around the island, you will reach An Sgurr. At 393m, this is the highest point on Eigg and offers panoramic views around the entire island. You will then descend to the rugged seas cliffs for a second night of wild camping on Eigg

Monday: Continuing a circuit around the coast of Eigg and visiting the famous massacre and cathedral caves, you will head back to the port and board the next boat to the national nature reserve of Rum. With no roads, you will truly explore this island wildness, hiking over the hills and around the coastline (first night on a northern coastal beach)

Tuesday: You will continue on your journey, by foot, around the southern shores of the island, to a beautiful glen below the mighty Rum Cuillin mountains. This will be your base camp for 2-nights.

Wednesday: You will spend a day climbing the local hills culminating in a ridge traverse to the highest point on the island (the summit of Askival), returning back to base camp for the night.

Thursday: Breaking camp in the morning, you will hike north, up the glen and over the mountain pass. You will descend into the next valley and along to the mausoleum and western beaches of the island.

Friday: You will continue on your Rum adventure on good tracks to the pure white sands on the northern side of the island. Camping on the cliffs as the sea crashes below you, the sunsets here are spectacular!

Saturday: You will end your journey on Rum with a hike along good tracks across the island back to the port, for a late boat trip to Canna. On arrival, you will take a short hike to the highest point on the island before returning to a campsite for the night. Your final dinner of this wild adventure will be in the cosy local pub.

Sunday: Getting up early, you will hike over to Sanday to view the raised beaches, hut circles and rugged-cliff coastline before returning to the port for a ferry off the island and back to the Scottish mainland (and relative civilisation).You will then be driven back to Fort William for your return home (expect to be back in Inverness at around 2pm)

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All City Mountaineering trips are compliant with the 2018 Package Travel regulations (including financial protection)

Join us for an unforgettable week of hiking and exploring the wild and rugged beauty of the North-West coasts and mountains of Scotland! With an abundance of wildlife and unique mountain landscapes, this trip promises to be one you'll never forget.

This trip includes return journey, from London to Inverness, on the Caledonian Sleeper Train
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Highlights:

Mountains!

• Hike iconic peaks including Suilven and Ben Hope, the most northerly Munro in Scotland!

Adventure!

• Spend a day scrambling up Stac Pollaidh for incredible views and a taste of what's to come.

Wild Camping!

• Experience the magic of sleeping under the stars in a designated dark sky area, with a couple of days spent in the wilderness (weather dependent).

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Itinerary
This is subject to change based on weather conditions. We strive to get the most out of every day based on the weather that we are presented with

Saturday (10am): Meet in Inverness

• Meet your guide/host in Inverness and transfer to the rugged west coast.

Saturday: Stac Pollaidh

• Stretch your legs on the incredible hill of Stac Pollaidh (612m) before checking into your accommodation.

Sunday: Conival and Ben More

• After an early breakfast, tackle your first Munros: Conival (987m) and Ben More Assynt (998m).
• Return to your accommodation for dinner and drinks.

Monday: Suilven Wild Camp

• Enjoy a lazy morning after the previous tough day.
• Pack your expedition bag and head out for a 2-day/1-night wild camp adventure towards the iconic Suilven (weather permitting, maybe you'll camp on the summit!).

Tuesday: Suilven Circuit

• Pack away the tent and continue your circuit over Suilven (731m).
• Return to town for showers and dinner.

Wednesday: Scenic Drive and Rest Day

• Drive north through the stunning, winding roads of Sutherland.
• Take regular breaks to stretch your legs and take plenty of photos at mountain passes and pristine white-sand beaches.

Thursday: Ben Hope

• Hike your third Munro of the trip, Ben Hope (927m). On a clear day, enjoy views of the entire north coast.
• Check into your accommodation on the far north coast of Scotland.

Friday: Ben Loyal

• Start early for a hike up "The Queen of Scottish Mountains," Ben Loyal (764m). The long ridge offers superb views of bog, moor, mountains, and sea.
• Relocate to Thurso for the final two nights of the trip.

Saturday: John O'Groats

• Rest day with a drive along the north coast to John O'Groats, the most north-easterly point on the British mainland.
• Explore coves and beaches, and get a photo with the iconic sign before returning to town.

Sunday: Ben Klibreck and Return Journey

• Drive back to Inverness with a stop to hike Ben Klibreck (962m), a vast rolling mountain and the perfect finale to the adventure.
• Expect to arrive Inverness at around 3pm

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DIFFICULTY: This trip is designed to be a moderate week in Scotland. The routes are straight forward but there are some long hiking days and some steep uphill and downhill hiking is unavoidable. A reasonable level of fitness is expected.
Your qualified guide is highly experienced enough to keep the pace slow and everyone happy, safe and motivated throughout the trip

TRANSPORT: Minibus travel throughout

ACCOMMODATION: Bunkhouse/hostel/camping
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Join us for a week of spectacular hikes, wild camping, and stunning landscapes in the Scottish Highlands! RSVP now and prepare for an adventure of a lifetime.
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Cost: £795. To join simply RSVP and pay the £150 deposit. We will then be in contact with further details

What's included
- 6/7-nights accommodation
- 1/2-nights wild camping (kit provided)
- 6/7-days hiking/scrambling with a qualified guide
- All transport and logistical support while in Scotland
- Breakfasts and dinners when wild camping

Not included:
- Breakfasts and dinners when not wild camping
- lunches
- Personal hiking kit
- Personal travel insurance
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All City Mountaineering trips are compliant with the 2018 Package Travel regulations (including financial protection)

A Journey Through History and Nature
Embark on an unforgettable 9-day hiking adventure through Orkney, a land of dramatic coastlines, ancient history, and breathtaking landscapes.
This journey is designed for outdoor enthusiasts and history lovers alike, offering a unique blend of challenging hikes, wild camping, and cultural discoveries.
From exploring Neolithic monuments and Viking ruins to hiking along rugged coastal cliffs, every day presents a new and exciting experience.
Trip Highlights:

• Visit the awe-inspiring Neolithic sites of the Ring of Brodgar and Skara Brae.
• Hike through the stunning landscapes of Hoy, including the Glens of Kinnaird and Ward Hill.
• Witness the towering Old Man of Hoy, the UK's tallest sea stack.
• Trek along Orkney’s dramatic west coast, taking in sea stacks, cliffs, and remote beaches.
• Explore the Brough of Birsay, a tidal island with Viking and medieval history.
• Follow the St Magnus Way pilgrimage route, ending at the ancient Broch of Gurness.
• Immerse yourself in Kirkwall’s rich culture, with its historic cathedral, museums, and local shops.
• Discover wartime history at the Churchill Barriers and the Italian Chapel.
• Enjoy wild camping in breathtaking coastal locations and cozy hostel stays in Kirkwall.
• Look out for orcas, seabirds, and other wildlife along the journey.

### Your Trip Includes

• Guided hiking by an experienced and qualified Mountain Leader
• Road travel and logistical Support from Inverness
• 4 ferry crossings
• All food on the wild camping sections of the itinerary
• 3 nights hostel/hotel accommodation
• 1 night on a campsite
• 4 nights wild camping
• tents, sleeping bags and sleeping mats provided for all camping sections

Spaces are limited – book your spot today and start your adventure!
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EXAMPLE ITINERARY
The specific route will be decided when group size and weather is known. We could hike north-south/east-west/any other variant...

Day 1 – Saturday (Arrival & Exploration)
Gather in Inverness at 10am, where the adventure begins! Travel north through the rugged Scottish Highlands, passing stunning landscapes on the way to Thurso. Keep an eye out for red deer and soaring golden eagles as we make our way to the coast.
Board the ferry to Stromness for a scenic 90-minute crossing, where you might spot seals or even a pod of dolphins. As we approach Orkney, take in the first views of the archipelago’s dramatic coastline.
After arriving in Stromness, pitch tents at a welcoming campsite, then set off to explore the charming, historic town. Wander along narrow flagstone streets, browse local craft shops, and visit the Pier Arts Centre. End the day with a hearty meal at a cozy local pub, enjoying traditional Orcadian hospitality.

Day 2 – Sunday (Hiking Hoy)
Rise early for a ferry ride to Hoy, the wildest and most mountainous of the Orkney Islands. Begin an exhilarating hike through the Glens of Kinnaird, surrounded by heather-clad hills and breathtaking scenery. A detour to Ward Hill, Orkney’s highest point at 479m, offers rewarding panoramic views across the islands.
Descend towards the remote beauty of Rackwick Bay, a secluded sandy beach framed by towering cliffs. Set up your wild camp with a spectacular view of the North Sea. Relax and soak in the serene atmosphere as the sun sets over the waves, with the sound of seabirds echoing across the bay.

Day 3 – Monday (Old Man of Hoy Hike)
Prepare for an unforgettable hike to one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks, the Old Man of Hoy. This 137m sea stack rises dramatically from the ocean, defying gravity with its towering sandstone cliffs. If you're lucky, you might witness rock climbers scaling its vertical face!
Enjoy a picnic lunch with awe-inspiring sea views before trekking back over the hills. Along the way, look out for puffins, fulmars, and other seabirds nesting in the cliffs. Return to camp at Rackwick Bay for a second night wildcamping under the stars, with the rhythmic sound of the waves as your backdrop.

Day 4 – Tuesday (Coastal Trek to Skaill Bay)
Hike back through the glen and catch the ferry to Stromness. Stock up on supplies before setting off on an epic trek along Orkney’s rugged west coast.
Marvel at the towering sea cliffs and the dramatic Yesnaby sea stacks, sculpted by centuries of wind and waves. The landscape here is wild and untamed, offering countless photo opportunities. Finally, arrive at the picturesque Skaill Bay, where we’ll wild camp beside the beach, falling asleep to the soothing sound of the surf.
For those interested, there’s an optional visit to Skara Brae, a remarkably well-preserved Neolithic settlement over 5,000 years old. Wander through ancient stone dwellings and imagine the lives of Orkney’s prehistoric inhabitants.

Day 5 – Wednesday (Brough of Birsay Exploration)
Continue trekking along the west coast towards Birsay, passing windswept cliffs and open moorland. Arriving at the Brough of Birsay, a tidal island steeped in history, we’ll cross the causeway (tide permitting) to explore Viking ruins, a medieval monastery, and a striking lighthouse.
This is also one of the best places in Orkney for wildlife spotting. Scan the waves for orcas, seals, and diving seabirds as we set up wild campfor the night with sweeping coastal views.

Day 6 – Thursday (St Magnus Way & Ancient Ruins)
Join the historic St Magnus Way pilgrimage route, following in the footsteps of Viking-era travelers. Hike via Costa Head, one of Orkney’s highest sea cliffs, with views stretching across the North Atlantic. Arrive at the Iron Age Broch of Gurness, an impressive circular stone fort that once housed ancient islanders.
After a day of exploration, transfer to Kirkwall, where a warm hostel awaits. Enjoy a well-earned shower before heading to a lively local pub for a delicious meal and a toast to our adventure so far.

Day 7 – Friday (Exploring Kirkwall & Beyond)
Enjoy a relaxed day exploring Kirkwall, Orkney’s vibrant capital. Options include:

• Visiting the majestic St Magnus Cathedral, a stunning red sandstone church founded in 1137.
• Exploring the Bishop’s and Earl’s Palaces, rich in medieval and Renaissance history.
• Discovering Orkney’s Viking and wartime past at local museums.
• Strolling through charming shops and cafes, picking up unique souvenirs and tasting local delicacies.

For those eager for more adventure, take a road trip to Scapa Bay, The Ring of Brodgar (a dramatic Neolithic stone circle), or The Gloup, a dramatic sea cave. Alternatively, hike up Wideford Hill for panoramic views over Kirkwall and beyond.
In the evening, we’ll gather for a group dinner and a second night in the Kirkwall hostel.

Day 8 – Saturday (Final Adventures & Return to Mainland)
Begin the day with a drive across the historic Churchill Barriers, causeways built during WWII. Stop at the Italian Chapel, a beautifully decorated chapel built by Italian prisoners of war, a poignant reminder of Orkney’s wartime history.
For those interested, there’s an optional coastal walk to spot orcas one last time before catching the ferry from St Margaret’s Hope back to the Scottish mainland. Enjoy the final scenic drive to our hostel/hotel accommodation and a celebratory farewell dinner, reminiscing about our unforgettable journey.

Day 9 – Sunday (Departure)
Before heading home, visit John O' Groats, the most north-easterly point of mainland Britain, where you can snap a final group photo at the famous signpost.
Transfer back to Inverness, where our adventure comes to an end. Say your goodbyes and depart with incredible memories, new friendships, and a deep appreciation for the wild beauty of Orkney.

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Small group!! (Maximum 6-people)

This trip is suitable for everyone and no prior experience of multi-day hiking is necessary.

The small group size will enable us to enjoy the tranquility of the area whilst enabling a flexible itinerary to explore the hidden gems that Orkney has to offer.
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Join this week-long adventure for just £895! Simply RSVP and pay the £100 non-refundable deposit to secure your place and we’ll be in contact with further details

Included:

• Guided hiking by an experienced and qualified Mountain Leader
• Road travel and logistical Support from Inverness
• 4 ferry crossings
• All food on the wild camping sections of the itinerary
• 3 nights hostel/hotel accommodation
• 1 night on a campsite
• 4 nights wild camping
• tents, sleeping bags and sleeping mats provided for all camping sections

Excluded:

• Return transport between home and Inverness
• Your personal hiking kit
• food & drink when not wild camping and/or when in cafes/restaurants/bars

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All City Mountaineering trips are compliant with the 2018 Package Travel regulations (including financial protection)