Scotland: Hiking the Highlands
SEPT. 8-15, 2025
8 days
Full Price: $5849
Activity Level — Energetic
Travelers should exercise regularly and train for this hiking trip.
Trip Overview
Immerse yourself in the wild splendor of Scotland on this exclusive women’s 8-day hiking adventure.
Misty moors, heather-clad hillsides, verdant glens, and ancient castles steeped in folklore will fill your camera roll by the end of this trip.
Guided by experienced locals, explore the untamed hills of Glencoe and the Cairngorms during invigorating day hikes. Each evening, unwind and reflect on the day’s experiences, forging friendships and savoring Highland hospitality.
This is more than a hiking trip. It’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in Scotland’s rich history and traditions. Learn about women-led crofts, glimpse how ancient people lived at an archaeology site, and take a loch plunge while wild swimming (followed by a steamy sauna).
The best part? Our team takes care of the logistics so you can focus on enjoying a much needed vacation in beautiful Scotland.
“Such a fun trip with an amazing group of women. Having a small group allowed us to get to know each other and bond. ”
MAIN ATTRACTIONS
Hike in Scotland’s rugged Highlands and experience green Glencoe.
Visit medieval castles, a living history museum from the 1700s, and historic stone villages.
Soak up the history of Edinburgh’s city center.
Indulge in delicious and plentiful Scottish cuisine, including fresh seafood, local beer, and hearty breakfasts.
Traverse heather-clad landscapes while giving your body a good workout. (You must train for this trip.)
Enjoy restorative stays at beautiful hotels.
Bask in the beauty of the Cairngorms.
Hike with other Bold Spirit women who love to travel as much as you do.
Learn about rewilding and women-led crofting.
Shop along the cobblestone streets of Edinburgh.
Take the plunge into a loch for wild swimming and a shoreline sauna experience.
Stretch both your mind and hamstrings on this special journey.
Activity Highlights
Hiking in the Highlands of Glencoe and the Cairngorms
Historical sites, medieval castles, charming stone villages
Local Scottish cuisine (cullen skink, anyone?)
Beautiful, bustling Edinburgh
Connecting with other Bold Spirit Travel women
DETAILED Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Scotland
Welcome to Edinburgh. Meet your Bold Spirit tour leader(s) today in the afternoon. Orientation will be at 1:00PM so make sure you are at the hotel before then.
Your Scottish adventure begins with group orientation followed by a memorable hike up Arthur’s Seat, an ancient volcano that stands proudly in the heart of the city. This brisk ascent promises an invigorating experience and panoramic views from the summit.
This evening, we’ll get acquainted over dinner at a local restaurant nestled in the heart of Edinburgh.
Traveler’s Note: You may want to come to Edinburgh a day or two earlier to see the city and get over jet lag. There is much to see in Edinburgh, including the Royal Mile and Palace of Holyroodhouse. To get to the hotel, you can take a taxi from the Edinburgh airport.
Check-in is at 3:00PM. Store your luggage at the front desk until your room is ready.
Read more about how to get to Scotland here.
Meals included: Welcome dinner
Miles walked: 3 miles / 915 ft elevation gain / 3 hours hiking time
Hotel: The Bruntsfield
Day 2: Enchanting Perthshire
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
Leaving Edinburgh's city lights behind, we head north to Perthshire.
Traveling by private transfer, we’ll arrive at a woodland area known as The Hermitage.
The Hermitage was initially conceived in the 18th century as a pleasure ground for the Duke of Atholl. Together, we will walk along forest paths flanked with ancient pines, to a crashing waterfall where the River Braan plunges into deep, frothy pools.
After the walk, we’ll head to riverside Dunkeld for a bite to eat. You can take a stroll along the river, explore the historic cathedral, or simply relax and soak in the peaceful atmosphere of this charming village.
Continuing our journey, we’ll arrive in Aviemore in the heart of the Cairngorms and check into our hotel.
We will meet in the evening for a group dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Miles walked: 3 miles / 459 ft elevation gain / 2 hours hiking time
Hotel: The Cairngorm Hotel
Day 3: wild loch swim and sauna
Enjoy a hearty Scottish breakfast at the hotel and fill your water bottle for today’s trek.
We’ll head to Glenmore, a forested area renowned for its ancient pine trees, magical lochs, scenic trails, and abundant wildlife. Our hike today is a local favorite. Meall a’ Bhuachaille offers well-maintained paths to the summit, heather-covered slopes, and windswept ridges.
Our efforts are rewarded with a tasty sweet treat on the shores of Loch Morlich, the UK’s highest beach. Here, golden sands stretch out beneath the watchful gaze of the surrounding mountains.
After the day’s exertions, rejuvenate your body and mind with a refreshing dip. The national park offers a variety of pristine locations ideal for wild swimming, which is celebrated for its numerous benefits including enhanced cardiovascular health, reduced stress, and an uplifted mood.
Take a cold plunge and then warm up at the beach sauna before heading back to the hotel in the afternoon.
Dinner is on your own this evening. Grab a Bold Spirit buddy and try out one of the local eateries in the town.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Miles walked: 5 miles / 1,781 ft elevation gain / 4 hours hiking time
Hotel: The Cairngorm Hotel
Day 4: Women-Led Crofting & LIVING HISTORY
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
Today you’re in for a special treat. Crofting, once common across the Scottish Highlands, has dwindled over time. This morning, we’ll visit a croft being lovingly restored by two inspiring women.
During our visit, we’ll explore the croft and learn how they blend traditional methods with modern rewilding principles for pasture management, fertilization, and rotation. Don’t miss their innovative hen-mobile in action.
Later, we’ll stop at a local café for lunch where the tray bakes are a must.
After lunch, we’ll time-travel to the 1700s at The Highland Folk Museum. This living history experience offers a vivid glimpse into the domestic and working life of the Highland people from centuries past. This unique museum not only showcases the evolution of Highland life from the 1700s to the present day, but also invites you to explore its beautiful natural surroundings, home to red squirrels and tree creepers.
Later, hop into the van to move west through dramatic Highland scenery, from the rolling hills and forests of the Cairngorms to the rugged peaks of Glencoe.
Enjoy dinner together in lively Fort William before arriving at our hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner (Lunch purchased onsite at the cafe by guests)
Miles walked: no significant miles today; focus on croft and living museum
Hotel: Loch Leven Hotel
Day 5: WILDERNESS AND WATERFALLS
After breakfast at the hotel, lace up those boots and grab your walking sticks for a day of hiking.
Glencoe is a magical Scottish Highland glen known for its dramatic scenery and rugged beauty. The lush landscapes have been featured in films such as Skyfall and Harry Potter.
We begin trekking in the village of Kinlochleven where we’ll follow a well-maintained trail winding through a verdant forest. As we ascend, the roar of The Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall will soon capture our attention. The waterfall’s 50-foot drop is a dramatic and awe-inspiring sight.
As our route becomes steeper, we’ll pop above the tree line, leaving the woods behind to reach a remote loch. The views are worth the climb.
We will have a picnic lunch today.
On our return journey, we’ll be rewarded with vistas of Loch Leven framed by the striking silhouette of the Pap of Glencoe.
After a day in the hills, enjoy an evening back at the hotel to relax and have dinner at your leisure.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Miles walked: 8 miles / 1,150 ft elevation gain / 5 hours hiking time
Hotel: Loch Leven Hotel
Day 6: Hiking Glencoe’S LOST VALLEY
Pull on your boots for another beautiful day exploring Glencoe and the Highlands.
Today’s “Lost Valley” hike is tucked into a hidden valley or glen in Scottish terminology. It is one of Glencoe’s most renowned short hikes. The brisk and steep climb, coupled with crossing streams, proves to be a rewarding effort, drawing you deeper into the encompassing mountain terrain.
We will have a picnic lunch today.
From the “Lost Valley,” we’ll retreat to the eco-friendly Glencoe visitor center, which is set in a woodland glade. Discover the stories that make Glencoe National Nature Reserve so remarkable while sipping a hot drink in scenic surroundings.
Tonight we’ll regale stories of the day in a local pub during our group evening meal.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Miles walked: 2 miles / 1,165 ft elevation gain / 2.5 hours hiking time
Hotel: Loch Leven Hotel
Day 7: Loch Lomond & Trossach National Park
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel this morning before packing up. We depart the Highlands today and will make our way south.
Leaving the wilds of Glencoe, the journey offers the perfect opportunity for one last hike in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.
This beautiful area, often celebrated as the “gateway” to the Scottish Highlands, provides a more tranquil yet equally stunning contrast to Glencoe. A hike up Ben A’an, the “mountain in miniature,” is a wonderful trail. Though short, it rewards with panoramic views over Loch Katrine, a stellar way to conclude your hiking vacay in Scotland.
We will have a picnic lunch today.
In the afternoon, we move onward to Edinburgh, but not without a visit to Doune Castle, located near Stirling. This well-preserved 14th-century fortress is instantly recognizable to fans of Outlander and Game of Thrones thanks to its prominent roles in both series.
Arriving back in Edinburgh, there’s time to relax with a drink at the bar, sharing stories and celebrating the many miles we’ve covered together. It’s a moment to reflect on new friendships and the discoveries made throughout Scotland.
Tonight, meet up with Bold Spirit friends for our farewell dinner, marking the end of an unforgettable journey.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Miles walked: 2 miles / 1,115 ft elevation gain / 3 hours hiking time
Hotel: The Bruntsfield
Day 8: A fond farewell to Scotland
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
Check-out time at the hotel is 11:00AM.
Guests will depart at different times today depending on their flight schedules. You may choose to stay on a few more days in Edinburgh or travel from Edinburgh to other parts of the UK.
Your local tour leader will be onsite at the hotel with you today until 11:30AM, then tour leaders depart.
When you’re ready, the hotel front desk team can call a taxi to take you to the airport. Your tour leader can help you to arrange this if needed.
Meals included: Breakfast
Miles Walked: 0
Hotel: N/A
What’s Included:
Seven nights shared accommodation in beautiful hotels and inns (optional single room upgrade - subject to availability.)
Bold Spirit tour leader(s) accompanying you every step of the way
All meals as indicated in the detailed itinerary
Private land transfers for the Bold Spirit group throughout the entire adventure
A small group experience (no more than 15 guests)
Privately guided hikes in the Highlands and the Cairngorms
Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel
Snacks in the van during the day
Gratuities for included meals
A private Zoom meeting to meet other guests before the trip
A packing list to get you ready for this Bold Spirit adventure
What’s Not Included:
Round-trip airfare (most guests will fly into Edinburgh)
Gratuities for tour leaders
Cost for additional activities not included in the itinerary
Meals not outlined in the detailed itinerary
Alcoholic beverages
Personal expenses, such as souvenirs
Travel insurance (must have emergency evacuation medical insurance)
Optional private room upgrade
Early hotel check-in
Telephone charges
Room service/minibar
Laundry
Airport pick-up and drop-off
What to Bring on This Adventure:
Comfortable trekking shoes and sneakers
Day pack (25 liters min.)
Reusable water bottle
You will receive a detailed packing list upon registering
Staying in Touch with New Bold Spirit Friends
For each Bold Spirit trip, we will set up a community WhatsApp group so you can stay in touch with the inspiring women you meet on your trip and share photos.
Travel Insurance
Insurance is recommended for your Bold Spirit trip. We highly recommend that you obtain adequate coverage for cancellation, curtailment, and loss of luggage, and personal effects. Your deposit and final trip balance can then be recovered via a claim to your insurance provider in the event that you must cancel your adventure due to unforeseen circumstances.
Check out insurance options at Squaremouth. TinLeg, or Atlas Journeys. Note that if you want Cancel for Any Reason insurance, you need to get it within 10 days of your first deposit for the trip.
Other Considerations
Our itinerary is subject to change based on availability and unforeseen conditions.
The minimum group number for this trip to run is six participants.
Please consider your ability to meet the physical demands of this trip very seriously. It is for the safety of both you and our Bold Spirit Travel group. You will be required to sign an Acknowledgement of Physical Demands as part of their waiver upon booking. Expect hiking over rough, boggy, and uneven terrain for an average of 2–5 hours per day.
Physical Rating: Energetic - hikes average 5 to 8 hours of physical activity most days. Depending on the shape you are in, specific training is needed ahead of the trip. Keep this in mind as you break in boots and prepare for your vacation.
You will have a private driver and van support for the entire hike. Store your luggage and walking poles in the van if you need to.
Rooms have private bathrooms but the smaller inns may or may not have AC, hairdryers, or televisions.
Food Options: There are limited vegetarian and vegan options on this tour. Pack a trail mix and protein bars, especially if you are vegan. Please let us know about your dietary needs before the trip so we can accommodate you.
Luggage Limits - You can bring 1 piece of luggage no more than 40 lbs + your day pack + a purse.
Your deposit for this trip is non-refundable. We use the deposit money to secure your hotels and guides and this is why it is non-refundable. Please get travel insurance in case you have to cancel for an unforeseen reason. Email us with questions about this.
Refund amounts are determined as follows:
120+ days before trip: Full refund minus non-refundable deposit
120–90 days before trip: 50% of balance minus non-refundable deposit
90 days or fewer before trip: No refund
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