Scotland: Lochs, valleys and peaks of the Highlands
Activity
Difficulty
Duration
Dates
Price
From 1150.00 €
About your stay in the Scottish Highlands
The Scottish Highlands are an amazing place. Located in the north of the United Kingdom, they plunge us into a wild region dotted with thousands of lochs (freshwater lakes) and vast unspoilt expanses.
We’ll be exploring the wide open spaces of the Highlands, between lakes, peaks and valleys. We’ll travel through a wild and isolated area, served only by a railway station, for a guaranteed change of scenery. We’ll also walk around the imposing Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK. We end our tour in the famous Glenfinnan valley, with its railway viaduct that everyone has seen in the Harry Potter films.
You will leave with :
Julian
Trekking Guide
“Every trek becomes a dynamic and joyful adventure, whether in France, Europe, or further afield if the mood takes you!”
Photo gallery of our stay in the Scottish Highlands
The Highlands of Scotland itinerary
Upcoming departures
What's included in the formula
- Supervision by a qualified French mountain leader.
- Overnight stays in youth hostels (dormitories)
- Half-board (from breakfast D1 to breakfast D8)
- Picnic lunches (except on the last day)
- Private transfers as indicated in the program
- Train journeys
- The bus from Fort William to Glasgow
What's not included in the package
- Cancellation assistance insurance to be taken out upon registration
- Your personal consumption (drinks in general)
- Picnic on the last day and dinner on the first evening
- Transport to and from the meeting point on D1 and D8
- All transfers related to program changes
- Your travel and hiking gear
- Everything that is not marked as “included in the formula”.
Day 1: Arrival by train in the Scottish Highlands
3 hours by train – 30 minutes walk – Overnight in a youth hostel
We meet at 4.30pm at Glascow Queen Street station, where we get to know each other.
After doing a little shopping for the next few days’ meals, we board our train in the late afternoon for a three-hour journey to Corrour, located in the Scottish Highlands. The West Highland Line is one of the most beautiful railway lines in the world, crossing wilderness and offering breathtaking panoramas.
Arriving at Corrour station, it’s a 25-minute walk (with our bags) to our accommodation on the shore of Loch Ossian.
Day 2: Around Loch Ossian
5 hours’ walk – Overnight in a youth hostel – D+ 400 / D- 400 m
Our day’s walk starts from our hostel and takes us around Loch Ossian from its southern tip to its northern tip. We’ll get to know the area where we’ve set up camp, with the chance to climb Creagan an Amair (641m) or Meall na Lice (582m), which will give us a great aerial view of the area.
Day 3: Aerial panorama of the Highlands atmosphere
Night in a youth hostel
Stays from May 5 to 12, 2025 / from May 12 to 19, 2025
confirmed level: 7-hour walk – D+ 930 m / D- 930 m
Today we begin a beautiful loop that takes us to the heights of the south-eastern shore of loch Ossian. Three summits are linked by a wild ridge line: Carn Dearg (941m), Sgor Gaibhre (955m) and Sgor Choinnich (938m), giving us a vast panorama of the Highlands.
Stay from April 28 to May 5, 2025
medium level: 6-hour walk – D+ 620 m / D- 620 m
We choose a route on the north shore of loch Ossian to climb Beinn Na Lapp (935m). We start the descent on a magnificent ridge before leaving the path to reach a secluded hanging loch. Finally, we follow the torrent along a wild, flower-filled path back to our hostel.
Day 4: Leum Uilleim summit and journey to Fort William
4 hours’ walk – 45 minutes by train – Overnight in a youth hostel – D+ 550 m / D- 550 m
After dropping off our bags at Corrour station, we start our day’s hike towards Leum Uilleim, a peak culminating at 909m. We return to the station via another ridge line.
Our train to Fort William is at 3.20pm. We reach our destination after a 45-minute journey and make our way to our accommodation in the city center. We’ll need to do some shopping to plan meals for the coming days.
Day 5: In the Mamores massif
Night in a youth hostel
Stays from May 5 to 12, 2025 / from May 12 to 19, 2025
confirmed level: 5 hours 30 of walking – D+ 1000 m / D- 1000 m
Today we’re off to discover another Highlands region: the Mamores Mountains. After a short cab transfer, we reach the starting point of our hike. We head due south to climb Stob Ban (999m). From the summit, there’s a fine view of the Glencoe valley to the south and the imposing Ben Nevis to the north.
Stay from April 28 to May 5, 2025
medium level: 5-hour walk – D+ 790 m / D- 790 m
Today we’re hiking in the Mamores massif, opposite Ben Nevis. Our steps lead us to a pass at 750m altitude, which we reach via a pretty valley lined with trees and waterfalls. If you feel like it (and have the legs), we can push on up to the summit of Stob Ban (999m).
Day 6: Ben Nevis
6 hours 30 mins walk – Overnight in youth hostel – D+ 860 m / D- 860 m
Today we’re tackling the slopes of Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak at 1345m. Although its altitude is relative, this summit is nonetheless renowned for its difficulty. We start our hike on its north face to the Charles Inglis Clark Memorial Hut, a hut built in memory of this British army captain who died in 1918. Finally, we head back down to Fort William via the scenic Normal Route.
Day 7: Glenfinnan Valley
30-minute train ride + return – Overnight in youth hostel
For this final day of star trekking, we take the train to the Glenfinnan valley, with a memorable passage over the railway viaduct often depicted in the various “Harry Potter” films.
Stays from May 5 to 12, 2025 / from May 12 to 19, 2025
confirmed level: 7 hours 30 of walking – D+ 1100 m / D- 1100 m
From the station, we climb up the valley to the summit of Streap at 909 metres above sea level, following a ridge that joins several peaks. From up here, the view of the surrounding mountains and lochs is majestic. A beautiful panorama for this last day’s walk.
Stay from April 28 to May 5, 2025
medium level: 5 hours 30 mins walk – D+ 370 m / D- 370 m
After contemplating the famous railway viaduct, we enter this valley to a secluded cabin perched in a magnificent mountain setting. We climb a little higher to a viewpoint overlooking the immensity of the Highlands. Enjoy the moment!
Day 8: Return to Glasgow
Departing from Fort William, we take a bus back to Glasgow for a change of scenery from the train journey of a few days earlier. In particular, we take in the remarkable Glencoe Valley and continue to admire Scotland’s marvellous landscapes.
We should reach Glasgow at around midday, where we part ways with our heads and hearts full of memories.
Highlights of the trip
General information
SAFETY
You can find the Quai d’Orsay’s position on these countries on the official website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: diplomatie.gouv.fr in the “Conseils aux voyageurs” section.
The information contained on the website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs is subject to change and is given for guidance only. Please note that no region of the world or country can be considered safe from the risk of terrorism.
REGISTRATION
By post:
Ask us for a registration form
- by phone: 06 65 93 29 29
- or e-mail: contact@watse.fr
Send us your registration with a copy of your passport, your postal address, telephone number and e-mail address, together with a deposit of 30% of the cost of the trip.
Also, if you wish to take out a Comfort or Comfort Multirisk cancellation insurance policy, this must be paid at the same time as the deposit when you register. You can consult our insurance contracts on our website.
By internet:
Book your stay directly on our website: directly on the stay page, choosing your dates and insurance options.
ASSISTANCE AND SAFETY
We strongly advise you to take out assistance insurance for the duration of your trip.
We offer two different types of insurance: Comfort Cancellation and Comfort Multirisk, to be taken out when you register for your trip.
Details of this insurance are available on request or can be viewed by by clicking here.
Other offers include Mondial Assistance, your own insurance company or Club Alpin Français. Check that your trekking activity is covered.
Make sure your insurance covers all medical expenses in the event of an accident.
You must make sure that you are covered for mountain rescue costs. If this is the case, you must provide us with the following information before you set off on your trek:
- a certificate from the insurance company covering mountain rescue costs.
- the contract number and telephone number of the assistance center
Beware of restrictive clauses in certain insurance policies (particularly those linked to Visa Premier, Gold or other cards), such as mountain insurance limited to snow activities, or altitude sickness not recognized as an illness requiring repatriation, which will be refused.
Please check the actual content of your insurance and take the necessary steps if necessary.
Health & climate
JET LAG
In Scotland: GMT – 1 hour from France.
CLIMATE
Scotland’s climate is oceanic.
The country receives a significant amount of rain throughout the year, with the winter months often wetter. Western regions, such as the Highlands, are generally wetter than the east.
Temperatures in Scotland are generally mild compared to other regions at similar latitudes. Winters are cool, with average temperatures around 0 to 5°C, while summers are cool to temperate, with temperatures reaching 15 to 20°C.
Scotland is a fairly windy country, especially on the coasts, and storms can occur, especially in winter. The weather can change rapidly, even on the same day, which is a typical feature of the Scottish climate. It is therefore advisable to be prepared for all weather conditions (and to pack accordingly).
HEALTH AND VACCINES
No vaccinations required.
Make sure you are up to date with your usual vaccinations.
You can take along the European Health Card issued by your social security.
Transport and conditions
Travel by train, bus and private cab (see itinerary for details).
(Possibility of meeting in Paris, Lille or London on the morning of D1 for those taking the train – to be arranged before the start of the trip).
LUGGAGE
There is no luggage transfer as the program is based on star trekking. It’s up to you to transport your luggage to and from your accommodation.
The stay
MEALS
The tour includes full board from breakfast on D2 to breakfast on D8. Meals and picnics are prepared by your tour leader, who is looking forward to a little help from you.
In some cases, dinner will be taken in a restaurant.
Picnics are prepared on a mixed salad basis.
Please inform us of any allergies and/or dietary restrictions when you register.
ACCOMMODATION
The tour includes star hikes, starting and finishing at your accommodation. There will be two different types of accommodation: the first for three nights, the second for four nights.
TRAINING
Supervision by a state-qualified French mountain leader.
Practical info
ELECTRICITY
You’ll need a G-type adapter for electrical outlets in Scotland.
FORMALITIES AND VISA
For EU and Swiss nationals :
– A valid passport (the UK requires this since Brexit).
As these formalities may change, please check with the country’s consular authorities. All travelers are responsible for complying with entry requirements in the countries they visit.
Watse cannot be held responsible for changes in formalities.
BUDGET, CHANGE AND TIPS
The currency in Scotland is the pound sterling (£). The indicative exchange rate is €1 = £0.84 (as of August 2024). You can use your credit card almost everywhere.
A 10% tip is expected in restaurants, unless service is included in the bill.
For the guide: this is not compulsory and should reflect your satisfaction with the team.
Details of the services provided or not provided are given in the “What’s included” and “What’s not included in the package” sections.
Watse added value
AN EXPERT GUIDE TO THE REGION
A French Watse guide specializing in the area is on hand throughout.
THE BEST
ACCOMMODATION
You’ll stay in accommodations selected by our teams for their geographical location and unusual features.
A UNIQUE AND EXCLUSIVE
ITINERARY
This holiday has been lovingly designed by the Watse team in a little-visited region far from the tourist circuit.