Scottish Highlands and Islands Experience

Immerse yourself in Scotland’s glorious west coast and isles!

The Scottish Highlands and Islands Experience is a unique 11-night Experience, offered for the first time in 2027, after more than two years of careful research and development. Our group will first be based in the seaside town of Oban for seven nights, before ferrying to the Isle of Mull, where we will spend our final four nights in picturesque Tobermory.

The Scottish Highlands are a bucket list trip for many, for great reason. Dotted by lochs, mountain ranges, glens, and moors, it feels like every turn holds another stunning, breathtaking view. With our additional focus on some of the islands that are scattered along Scotland’s west coast, you will learn about the unique cultures and histories of Scottish islands and appreciate all that nature has to offer including rugged coastlines, surprising beaches, protected wildlife and incredible vistas.

Our first base for Highlands and Islands is Oban. Crowned by the folly McCaig’s Tower, Oban is home to one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, around which the town was developed. Over time it transformed into a busy port town and is both the “gateway to the isles,” with ferries departing for at least seven different islands. It’s also considered the “seafood capital of Scotland.” Oban and its harbor are sheltered by the isle of Kerrera and guarded to the north by the ruins of Dunollie Castle, once the seat of clan MacDougall. The mainland and its people have rarely ever existed independent of the islands that dot its coast, and so too will we embrace these islands of the Inner Hebrides.

From Oban we participate in a typical Scottish experience; taking a ferry to the island of Mull! On Mull we will base in the colorful village of Tobermory, the main town on the island, with about 1,000 people. Despite its small size, Tobermory is host to quite a bit of local entrepreneurship and industry, as residents have filled gaps in the local economy, and are producing soap, cheese, gin, whisky, biscuits, and chocolates in and around town, in addition to the more prominent commercial activities of fishing, farming, and tourism. Few main roads cross the island, and those that do are often single lane and sprinkled with clusters of sheep. Though popular with British visitors, Mull feels rather untouched. The often unbroken views are spectacular and awe-inspiring. You will leave wanting – needing – to come back to see and experience more of its remote and surprising corners.

The Scottish Highlands and Islands Experience endeavors to help you to enjoy this rich area of Scotland. We also want you to understand its long and fascinating history, learn firsthand about its vibrant culture and friendly people, experience the natural wonders and wildlife to which it is home, and fall in love with a place that very well deserves it.

Important Information

Location: Oban (7 nights) and Tobermory (4 nights)

Meeting and drop-off: Oban Railway Station. Meeting at 2pm on the first day. On the last day we will take a ferry from the Isle of Mull to Oban, so our drop off, between 10am and 11:30am, is dependent on the seasonal ferry schedule. We will confirm this time a few months before the tour.

Physical requirements: You should be able to walk at least three miles throughout the day, on surfaces that could be paved, gravel, grassy, uneven, rocky, or possibly muddy. (It is Scotland, after all!). There will be some hills, and one day involves up to five miles of walking, though with some stops. Certain experiences will involve stairs.

The trip is possible with a lower fitness level but that may require sitting out activities and experiences that involve more walking or navigating uneven terrain, and we encourage you to speak with us about this before booking.

Including our stay on Mull, we will visit at least six islands, all by ferry transfer. The transfers range from 10 minutes to almost an hour, in addition to our day-long wildlife boat tour. Though the waters are not rough in our experience, we cannot guarantee calm waters and you should be able to manage any possible sea sickness, especially if this is an issue for you.

Leaders:  Kelly Wood and Kristin Meador

Price: $7,800 USD per person, double occupancy; $8,700 USD single occupancy of a double room

Planned Experiences

The Scottish Highlands and Islands Experience follows a similar approach to our Cornwall Experience, based in one location (Oban) for one week, before moving to an island (Mull) for a unique four-night experience. In the western Highlands and islands we have planned a wide range of experiences, intended to introduce you to the landscape of this beautiful area and to the cultures of the peoples who have lived here for millennia:

• Walking tours of Oban and Tobermory, with free time to explore on your own
• Guided visit and tasting at Oban Distillery, located in the middle of town
• Visits to several castles that testify to the fascinating, turbulent history of clans in the Highlands, including Dunollie Castle where we will have a special, private experience
• Scenic walk on the tranquil Kerrera, where only its ~70 residents can have vehicles!
• Day in Kilmartin Glen, one of Scotland’s richest prehistoric landscapes, with a guided walk among some of its most well-preserved sites
• Land Rover tour of Lismore, where we’ll also have a sheepherding demonstration
• Several opportunities to enjoy fish and seafood in the “seafood capital” of Scotland
• Free time on Iona, where St. Columba founded one of the oldest abbeys in Western Europe
• Private visits to learn about local farming and production practices, including a weaving mill, oyster farm, and dairy farm
• Seeing (and hopefully meeting) famous “Highland Coos” up close!
• Visit to the traditional town of Inveraray and to Inveraray Castle, home of the Dukes of Argyll and seat of the Clan Campbell
• Wildlife boat tour to the Treshnish Isles and Staffa, with plenty of time on land to see puffin colonies, as well as guillemots, shags, seals, and possibly dolphins
• Ample time and opportunities to enjoy and appreciate the natural beauty of the Highlands and islands, including a stop at Calgary Beach
• Delicious lunches and dinners, often with great views, at delightful tea rooms, pubs, and restaurants

*Most activities take place rain or shine. Our schedule and experiences are subject to change depending on weather and other elements out of our control.