Scottish Highlands & Cairngorms National Park Walking Tour
DISTANCE
31 miles (50 km)
DIFFICULTY
Moderate
DURATION
5 walking days
Accommodation
Boutique Inns and Luxury B&Bs and Hotels
Travel Information
Price
£2750 pp
Scotland Walking Tour Overview
Scotland hiking is unlike any other outdoor adventure. Tucked within the wild landscapes and natural beauty of Cairngorms National Park lies a Scotland of timeless beauty—rolling glens, sparkling lochs, and ancient forests, making it a favourite hiking trip for many. On this self-guided Scotland walking tour, you’ll experience the same breathtaking remoteness, balanced with the comfort of handpicked luxury accommodations and smooth transfers.
In Braemar, home of the world-famous Highland Games, the historic Fife Arms Hotel immerses you in Highland character with warm wood tones, traditional tartans, and thoughtful details that reflect the surrounding wilderness.
With detailed route notes, you’re free to take your Scotland walking trip at your own pace and with peace of mind, whether tracing the shores of Loch Ness, exploring historic sites like centuries-old castles, or savouring the local culture with a dram at world-renowned whisky distilleries. In Scotland, your next adventure is bound to be as unforgettable as the landscapes themselves, leaving you with memories that linger long after the last step.
Hiking Tour Highlights
Your walking tour in Scotland is awash with authentic Scottish highlights, from the natural beauty of the Highlands to the local food and drink.
Immerse yourself in the Highlands’ diverse and world-class scenery, much-loved by hikers, from sweeping moors and deep valleys to serene lakes and rugged mountain peaks.
Explore storied strongholds such as Balvenie and Braemar Castles, steeped in clan history and royal heritage.
Wander through rare Highland woodland where birch and juniper thrive in a protected ecosystem.
Hiking Cairngorms National Park will leave you with incredible memories of Scottish landscapes. Climb scenic footpaths to the summit of Morrone for commanding views across the Cairngorms.
Follow part of the Great Glen Way beside the Caledonian Canal and on to the legendary waters of Loch Ness.
Walk to Foyers Falls on Loch Ness, a dramatic cascade immortalised in verse by Robert Burns.
Discover Scotland’s whisky-making tradition with guided whisky tastings at acclaimed, world-class distilleries, including Glenfiddich in Dufftown, the heart of malt whisky country.
Tour of Scotland: Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Aberlour (2 miles/3.2 km)
Begin your self-guided tour. Meet your driver in Inverness and travel into Speyside, a region famed for whisky, salmon rivers, and barley fields. Settle into Aberlour before stretching your legs on a gentle two-mile woodland loop to the Linn of Ruthrie waterfalls.
Explore the village, stop at the Speyside Way Visitor Centre, or sample a dram at Aberlour Distillery. Kick off your walking holiday with an orientation meeting this evening, then enjoy a welcome dinner featuring locally sourced ingredients, from game from Ballindalloch Estate to lobster from Lossiemouth.
Included Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Aberlour to Dufftown & Craigellachie (13.3 miles/21.4 km)
Follow a spur of the Speyside Way through farmland, forest, and heather moor to Dufftown, the “malt whisky capital of Scotland.” Visit Balvenie Castle, then enjoy tours and tastings at Balvenie and Glenfiddich distilleries. Continue on to Craigellachie, with its historic iron bridge and village pubs, before looping back to Aberlour along the River Spey. Shorter options are available.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Braemar & the River Dee (3 miles/4.8 km or 3.8 miles/6km)
Transfer to Braemar, a charming Highland village in Cairngorms National Park. Choose between two short walks: a gentle riverside loop along the Dee or a slightly more challenging trail to Lion’s Face, with sweeping valley and mountain views. Both routes offer the chance to visit Braemar Castle. Explore the village, browse local shops, or tour Lochnagar or Balmoral Castles.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Morrone or Birkwood Nature Reserve (3.9 miles/6.3 km or 7.4 miles/11.9km)
Set out directly from Braemar for one of two scenic hikes. The Morrone Birkwood loop explores rare birch and juniper forest, with panoramic views over Deeside. For a bigger challenge, climb to Morrone’s summit for a classic Highland hill walk and 360-degree vistas. Evening at leisure with dinner in town or at your hotel.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Great Glen Way to Loch Ness (4.9 miles/7.9 km)
Travel across the Cairngorms to the Bridge of Oich and join the Great Glen Way. This easy five-mile walk follows the Caledonian Canal towpath past locks, woodlands, and stone cottages before arriving in Fort Augustus on the shores of Loch Ness. Explore this lively Highland village, then relax at your hotel.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Inverfarigaig & Falls of Foyers (7.2 miles/11.6 km)
A short transfer brings you to Inverfarigaig for a scenic forest walk along the South Loch Ness Trail. Pass lochans, wildflower meadows, and ancient fort ruins before reaching the dramatic Falls of Foyers, immortalised by Robert Burns. Return along the lakeshore to complete the loop, with time to relax back in Fort Augustus.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
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Distance
Total: 31 miles (50 km)
Duration: 5 walking days
Average daily mileage: 6.2 miles (10 km)
Longest day: 6.6 miles (10.6 km)
Shortest day: 5.6 miles (9 km)
Duration
6 nights
5 days walking
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour has been hand-picked to provide guests with a luxurious experience of Scotland.
All of our selected B&Bs, Inns, and Hotels will give you a warm welcome with a hearty breakfast for you in the morning to set you off on your day’s walk.
Difficulty
Easy to Moderate
The Scotland walking tour is accommodating for most activity levels. The terrain on this hiking trip is largely gentle, taking place on well-maintained dirt footpaths and paved trails through woodland, but portions of the route include steep ascents and descents, dirt or grassy paths with loose stones and gravel, and exposed sections above the tree line.
Highest elevation gain in one day: 750ft (228m)
Average daily elevation gain: 558ft (170m)
Travel Information
Best time to go: March – September
Arriving By Train:
The nearest train stations to your starting point of Aberlour are Glasgow Central Station and Waverly Station in Edinburgh, which both offer multiple trains a day to Inverness and boast some incredible and unique views of Scotland on your way.
From there, a drive of around 1 hour and 15 minutes will get you to Aberlour.
Arriving By Plane:
Recommended airport: Inverness Airport
From London, you can take a flight to Inverness Airport, which takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes. From there, a drive or taxi ride of about 1 hour and 15 minutes sees you at your starting point of Aberlour.
Arriving By Car:
There is plenty of long-stay parking available in Aberlour. Aberlour is about a 3- to 3.5-hour drive from both Glasgow and Edinburgh. Take the A82 to Inverness if travelling from Glasgow, or the A9 if you are coming from Edinburgh.
Private Transfer:
We are happy to arrange private transfers to your starting accommodation.
Please contact us for further details.
Price
£2750 pp
Two people sharing a room
Luxury accommodation with a private bathroom
Pricing includes:
- 6 nights of luxury hotel, inn, and select B&B accommodation
- Luggage transfers each walking day
- Transfers on appropriate walking days
- Route notes and maps
- Local backup on call
Please contact us to enquire about the single supplement for this tour if you plan on travelling alone.