TENTATIVE ITINERARY

NIGHTSTOP

DAY ONE - Thursday

Wester Ross: Leaving Inverness in the morning, we travel the old main road north through the picturesque priory town of Beauly (well-named as it means ‘beautiful town’ in French).  From there, it’s through the straths and glens to the Gulf Stream influenced Wester Ross coast. 

There’s a chance to relax and marvel at the view over the Inner Hebredies islands from remote locations near to Gairloch, or perhaps explore the sumptuous world famous walled gardens at Inverewe with plants from around the world growing in the climate of the Scottish Highlands.

We’ll explore some of the crofting townships around the coast and recall the important role they played in World War II.  With every turn there is an opportunity to head even further off the beaten path – and we will!

With spectacular views over Loch Broom and Little Loch Broom, we’ll head for Ullapool, stopping to watch the roaring waters of Corrieshalloch Gorge plunge 200 feet below us as we walk across the small suspension bridge.

DAY TWO - Friday

Coigach and Stoer: today we take back roads like no other – some of the roads aren’t even classified.  But the landscape is classified A1!  The pace of life here is different, and our tour pace will reflect this.  There are endless options to explore the landscape, or just admire the views – we’ll take all day to do what we want.  And there is much to chose from:

• the Coigach Peninsula is a treasure trove of tiny settlements, views over the coast and islands and mountain scenery such as the intriguingly shaped Stac Pollaidh and Suilven;
• Inverpolly Nature Reserve is a beautiful wilderness of highland flora and fauna. It is also of immense geological significance as the exposed rock in this area is some of the oldest in the world at 3,000million years old.  We’ll have a geology lesson at Knockan Crag (but no exam to follow!);
• Inchnadamph Nature Reserve is home to the famous Allt nan Uamh caves where scientists found human remains dating back at least 4500 years, along with the bones of animals now extinct in Scotland such as bears and lynx;
• the Stoer Peninsula, another peaceful crofting community bordered with secluded beaches for relaxing and picnics;
• all around us are the incredible mountains of Suilven, Canisp, Quinag and  Cul Mor, each uniquely shaped by successive ice ages, each changing shape at every turn;
• throughout the area we chart the changing social history visiting the brochs of the Picts; the place names given by the Vikings; the ruined castles of the local clans such as Ardvreck.

DAY THREE - Saturday

Handa Island or Sandwood Bay: weather permitting, we have the opportunity today to undertake one of two unique experiences. 

If birds, flora and uninhabited islands are your fancy, then we can take the tiny fisherman’s boat on the crossing to Handa Island – in just a few minutes we’ll have the chance to get away from it all and stroll around this small, fascinating island.  Uninhabited by humans since the potato famine of 1848, this is now home to thousands of seabirds. 

Alternatively, we can explore the remote and secluded beaches beyond Kinlochbervie, one being Sandwood Bay which can only be reached by walking a Crofter’s path across the moorland.  Many say it is one of the nicest beaches in Scotland, facing out to the Atlantic Ocean, but edged by high cliffs on one end and a moorland lagoon on the other.

Either way, you’ll enjoy the chance to sit back and relax and enjoy the scenery on the way back as we take the single-track road back towards Inverness via Lairg and the huge estates of the Duke of Sutherland, infamous for his role in the Highland Clearances.