walk location map
A week of guided walks on the Isle of Skye, Scotland.Skye Walking Holiday Itinerary: The following itinerary is intended to give you a general idea of what your Isle of Skye Guided Walking Holiday will include. However, this may be subject to change at short notice if, for example, I judge the weather conditions are unsuitable to carry out the intended route a lower level walk will take place. The emphasis of the holiday will be on providing an enjoyable and rewarding experience for everyone rather than simply 'Munroe bagging'. Your holiday starts when we meet in the evening at Broadford Youth Hostel on Saturday 26th May 2007. This will give you the opportunity to meet me and get to know the other group members. I will be available to answer any questions you may have and tell you more about our intended plans for the forthcoming week. Day 1 - Sunday 27th May 2007
Day 2 - Monday 28th May 2007
Day 3 - Tuesday 29th May 2007 
We have an easier day today when we drive to the north of the island viewing some of Skye's amazing scenery en route. The Quiraing is an incredible maze of rock pinnacles and cliffs towards the northern end of the Trotternish peninsula. Moderate walking allows us to view these dramatic rock formations at close quarters. Then, if you are feeling energetic, a short steep climb can take us up into the heart of the pinnicles themselves. Excellent views to the sea and the mainland can be had for much of the route. Day 4 – Wednesday 30th May 2007 
Today we return to high level walking as we ascend Sgurr na Banachdich (965m or 3,165ft), a Munroe on the main Cuillin ridge. Our drive takes us across the island to Glen Brittle. The walk begins near the British Mountaineering Club hut in Glen Brittle and passes the spectacular Eas Mor waterfalls. The path then follows the burn, ascending gradually till it reaches the main Cuillin ridge. The route along the ridge to the summit of Sgurr na Banachdich is quite narrow and exposed, but gives excellent views of the main Cuillin ridge itself Day 5 – Thursday 31st May 2007
Day 6 – Friday 1st June 2007
This concludes your guided walking for the holiday. After the final night in your accommodation it is time to depart for home. Taking with you I hope some unforgettable memories of Skye's spectacular scenery. I hope this has given you a good idea of what your Isle of Skye Guided Walking Holiday will involve. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions you wish to ask about the holiday or are interested in booking. The basic cost for the guided walking holiday as stated on the 'Holiday Details' page is £300.00. ***** BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL ***** |
Today we head for the hill that stands behind the town of Broadford. Beinn na Cailleach (732m or 2,401ft) is an excellent introduction to walking on the hills and mountains of Skye. It is no lesser hill for it's proximity however. One of the Red Cuillin, Beinn na Cailleach and it's two outliers to the south make a fine horseshoe walk with excellent views of the Skye coastline, the Cuillin ridge and the mainland.
Bruch na Frithe (958m or 3,143ft) is probably the easiest of the Skye Munroe's to climb. We drive to Sligachan today to begin our ascent of the first of our Black Cuillin. The route up via Fionn Choire is easy walking at first then rougher under foot as height is gained. The view to be had from the summit is one of the best on the ridge.
Today can be either completely relaxed or there is the option to do a moderate low level walk. A 45 minute drive takes us to Elgol, a small hamlet on the western side of the island. From there a boat trip will take us to Loch Coruisk. I have seen otters, eagles, dolphins porpoises and seals from the shore at Loch Coruisk. When we have disembarked there is a choice. One can relax and look around the loch and then take the return boat to Elgol or there is an option to walk back to Elgol via Glen Sligachan. This is a moderate walk of approximately 8 miles and 365m (1,200ft) of ascent. It takes us past some fine hills including Blaven, Marsco and Sgurr nan Gillian.
Blaven (928m or 3,044ft) is the anglisised form of Bla Bheinn from the Norse bla meaning blue and the Gaelic bheinn meaning hill. Blaven is separated from the main Cuillin Ridge by Glen Sligachan. Many believe Blaven to be the finest hill in Scotland.
The route starts from Loch Slapin and follows the Alt na Dunaiche on a footpath constructed recently by the John Muir Trust. Pleasant waterfalls are passed as the ground gradually rises to meet the lower slopes of Blaven. The path then steepens and zigzags up the slope with occasional easy scrambling, eventually easing as the summit cairn is reached. If the sun shines, this is a place to rest and enjoy 360 degrees of spectacular scenery. 