🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 (5-Day Trip) The Scottish Highlands, Ben Nevis & the Isle of Skye

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This hike is now FULL. If you missed the trip, final places are available on 25-29 September! Sign up via the link:
**https://www.meetup.com/londonsocialhiking/events/306678758/**

We’ve created a list of FAQs to help you.

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We're going to Scotland! This 5-day tour is the highlight of our 2025 hiking calendar and can truly be called the ‘Ultimate Scotland Bucket List Adventure’! You'll discover the Scottish Highlands, the magical Isle of Skye, climb the highest British mountain – Ben Nevis, and experience Scotland's untamed natural beauty and amazing traditional food. We have worked very hard to secure accommodation during summer in the top locations – Portree (the capital of the Isle of Skye), Ratagan (stunning remote location on the shores of Loch Duich) and Glasgow City Centre. Our group size will be limited to only 14 participants for the maximum flexibility and a fantastic small-group experience!

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit the Isle of Skye – Scotland's most Instagrammable and famous destination
• Climb Ben Nevis (1345m) – the highest mountain in Britain
• Spend the night in Portree, the capital of the Isle of Skye, and enjoy its picturesque harbour and jolly, colourful houses
• Hike to the iconic rock pinnacle of the Old Man of Storr
• Venture into the heart of the Black Cuillin Mountains – some of the most dramatic and challenging mountains in Britain
• Enjoy amazing local specialities and fresh seafood
• Spend the night in a stunning remote location on the shores of Loch Duich (see the picture), with views of the Five Sisters of Kintail mountain range from the living room
• Walk to the magical Fairy Pools and enjoy a refreshing wild swim in the crystal-clear waters
• Spend an evening in Glasgow and experience its vibrant and historic city centre
• Relax on the shores of Loch Lomond – the largest lake in Britain
• See the picturesque Eilean Donan Castle. It's one of the most famous castles in Scotland, and probably appears on more shortbread tins and calendars than any other.
• Enjoy a breathtaking drive through the Scottish Highlands and Glencoe Valley

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Wednesday:

07:45 Meet outside Hotel Novotel London West, 1 Shortlands, W6 8DR (a five-minute walk from Hammersmith Station)
08:00 Sharp departure
14:00-14:45 Stop for lunch at Tebay Services Farmshop and Kitchen
17:00 Check in at Sandyford Hotel (a short walk from Glasgow City Centre)
17:30 Free time to explore Glasgow and dinner. Recommended to visit: George Square (the principal square in Glasgow), Buchanan Street (the main shopping street in Glasgow), Glasgow Cathedral.

Day 2 – Thursday:

07:00 Breakfast at the hotel (included)
08:00-11:30 A scenic drive with photo stops through the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park and the mountain pass of Glencoe
11:45-12:45 Lunch at the Bridge Cafe in Spean Bridge village
12:45-16:00 Continue our scenic journey to the Isle of Skye, with a stop next to the romantic Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland's most photographed castles
17:15-18:45 An easy walk to the Fairy Pools, with an option to swim
19:15-20:45 Dinner at Sligachan Hotel, with views towards the Cuillin Mountains
21:00 Check in at Portree Youth Hostel, in the capital of the Isle of Skye

Day 3 – Friday:

08:00 Breakfast in Portree
09:00 Depart
10:00-13:30 Hike to the spectacular Coire Lagan and a small lochan in the heart of the Black Cuillins Mountains (see here)
14:30-15:30 Lunch at the Oyster Shed seafood café
16:30-18:15 Hike to the Old Man of Storr (difficulty: Moderate, distance: 5km, ascent: 320m)
20:15 Check in at Ratagan Youth Hostel, on the shores of Loch Duich

Day 4 – Saturday:

08:00 Breakfast
08:45 Depart
10:30-17:00 Climb Ben Nevis – the highest mountain in Britain (difficulty: Difficult, distance: 17km, ascent: 1340m)
17:15-19:30 Free time for dinner and to explore souvenir shops in Fort William
21:45 Check in at The Abbotsford Hotel in Dumbarton

Day 5 – Sunday:

08:00 Breakfast at the hotel (included)
09:15 Depart
09:30-11:00 Free time on the shores of Loch Lomond and to buy gifts from Scotland
11:00 Depart to London
13:30-14:15 Stop for lunch at Tebay Services Farmshop and Kitchen
18:00-18:45 Stop at services for dinner
21:30 London, Hammersmith

DIFFICULTY & EQUIPMENT

Please note that this trip requires a very good level of fitness, particularly if you would like to climb Ben Nevis. However, on each day, your guide will be able to offer easier alternatives. Good hiking boots with ankle support and waterproof clothing are essential.

TRANSPORT

As on most of our trips, we'll travel in a comfortable 16-seater minibus.

LUGGAGE

You can bring two small bags with you: one cabin size personal item bag (up to 10kg) and one smaller hiking backpack to fit under the seat. During the hike, you can leave your luggage in the minibus.

BOOKING

The total cost of this trip is £698 per person. A deposit of £298 is required to secure your place, with the remaining balance paid two months before the trip (May 2, 2025). Any places not paid in full by this date will be lost, and the deposit will be non-refundable and non-transferable.

To join, please RSVP and pay the deposit (£298) by bank transfer to the account below, leaving your Meetup name and the name of the trip as a reference (e.g. John Scotland):

Business Account Name: London Social Hiking Limited
Sort Code: 20-17-20
Account Number: 63116514

We'll let you know by changing your status to ‘Paid’ as soon as the payment is cleared. You can check your status next to your name in the attendees list of the event. Please allow up to 24 hours for the payment to arrive.

THE PRICE OF £698 INCLUDES

• Transport throughout the trip
• Experienced, professional PSV minibus driver
• Guiding on all hiking routes by an experienced and qualified Mountain Leader
• Two nights' accommodation at hotels in shared twin rooms with a full Scottish breakfast included (you'll share your room with somebody from our group of the same gender)
• Two nights' accommodation at hostels in single-gender rooms, booked for our group's exclusive use (most rooms for up to 4 people). Both hostels (Portree and Ratagan) are in top locations and have great reviews. Hotels are not available on the Isle of Skye during the peak summer season (prices of £500+ per night), so hostels were our best and only option!
• Professional event organisation
• Group first aid kit with qualified first aiders
• Admin fee
• 20% VAT

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Personal insurance (for cancellation, accident, health, emergency evacuation and loss, theft of or damage to baggage and personal effects, and personal trekking insurance)

HOW TO CONTACT US

For all enquiries, please PM Anna (the main organiser) via Meetup. Alternatively, you can email us at info@lshiking.co.uk We'll usually get back to you within 4 hours.

Your guide will be Anna (07596844467, only for use during the hike). Please get in touch if you have any difficulty locating the meeting point or need help during the trip.

WHAT TO BRING

• Suitable hiking shoes with ankle support
• Waterproof and windproof jacket and trousers
• Gloves/hat/cap
• Water bottle (min 1L)
• Nuts and energy snacks to last you during the trip
• Walking poles (optional)

REVIEWS ⭐

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REFUND POLICY

As stated in the ‘Booking’ section of the event description, a deposit of £298 is required to secure your place, with the remaining balance paid two months before the trip (May 2, 2025). Any places not paid in full by this date will be lost, and the deposit will be non-refundable and non-transferable. If you have paid the full balance (£698) by May 2 and wish to cancel, our standard refund policy (link) will apply.