Raise a dram to Scotland’s Stunning Landscapes with Boundless Journeys

We meet in Inverness, gateway to the Highlands, before traveling to the north coast to catch the ferry to Orkney. The Orkney Isles, about ten miles off the northern coast of Scotland, comprise an archipelago of about 70 islands. They boast some of Europe?s oldest and best-preserved Neolithic sites.

During our one-hour ferry crossing, we may spot a pod of dolphins riding the bow wave. Our destination is the island of Burray, just off the coast of Orkney?s main island, appropriately known by the locals simply as ?Mainland.? We settle in at our lovely hotel, built in 1860 as a fish store before it was renovated and transformed into a hotel in 1997. We enjoy a welcome dinner this evening.

Accommodations

Sands Hotel
Burray, Scotland

Set in a 19th century building, the charming Sands Hotel is along the shore of Scapa Flow in the small fishing village of Burray. The modern and tastefully decorated rooms offer beautiful sea views overlooking Burray Harbor and Watersound Bay. The restaurant’s menu features the freshest local ingredients transformed into authentic Scottish specialties.

We begin our exploration with a spectacular hike along the dramatic coast from Brough Head to Marwick Head. Have your binoculars ready, as this is home to one of the largest seabird colonies in Scotland, including Herring gulls, Lesser-backed gulls and Long-billed curlew. After our walk, we visit Skara Brae, a Stone Age village which thrived for 600 years, between 3200 and 2200 BC. It remained buried under coastal sands for millennia until 1850, when a winter storm battered Orkney and stripped away the grass and sediment that had hidden it for so long. Its structures remained incredibly preserved under the sand.

We end our day at the Scapa whisky distillery, witnessing what goes into making Scotland?s prized spirit and sampling a wee dram for ourselves.

Accommodations

Sands Hotel
Burray, Scotland

Set in a 19th century building, the charming Sands Hotel is along the shore of Scapa Flow in the small fishing village of Burray. The modern and tastefully decorated rooms offer beautiful sea views overlooking Burray Harbor and Watersound Bay. The restaurant’s menu features the freshest local ingredients transformed into authentic Scottish specialties.

A short morning drive takes us past Scapa Flow. Sheltered by five of the Orkney Isles, it is one of the world?s great natural harbors, having hosted naval fleets from the Viking era to the time of World War II. But with its shallow, sandy bottom, it has also been witness to many shipwrecks. Upon arrival in Houton, we embark on a ferry to Hoy, the archipelago?s second largest island.

Our hike today traces the island?s dramatic coast, with sweeping views of some of Britain?s highest and most spectacular cliffs. The day?s highlight is the sea stack known affectionately as the Old Man of Hoy, a 449-foot tower of basalt soaring from a rocky point at the foot of the sea. It was first climbed in 1966, in a daring ascent led by mountaineers Sir Charles Bonington and Dougal Haston, and televised by the BBC. We?ll have amazing views of the Old Man from nearby cliffs, and might even spot some climbers clinging to its vertical walls. We return via the picturesque Rackwick Bay, with its crescent beach.

Accommodations

Sands Hotel
Burray, Scotland

Set in a 19th century building, the charming Sands Hotel is along the shore of Scapa Flow in the small fishing village of Burray. The modern and tastefully decorated rooms offer beautiful sea views overlooking Burray Harbor and Watersound Bay. The restaurant’s menu features the freshest local ingredients transformed into authentic Scottish specialties.

We ferry back to mainland Scotland today, then enjoy a scenic and leisurely four-hour transfer through the West Highlands to the picture-perfect village of Plockton. Along the way, we pause for photo opportunities and for a short hike into a cascading waterfall, where we might catch sight of salmon jumping against the torrent to get upriver.

In Plockton, there will be time to explore the waterfront lined with palm trees, perhaps meeting one of the artists who gather here to capture the area?s coastal charms on canvas. We close our day at the Plockton Inn, a cozy seaside spot boasting award-winning seafood and a friendly pub. If we a?re lucky, there wi?ll be local musicians playing traditional folk songs here.

Accommodations

Plockton Inn
Plockton, Scotland

Set in the heart of the beautiful village of Plockton, in the West Highlands, the Plockton Inn is well known for its exceptional hospitality, award-winning seafood restaurant, and breathtaking sea views. Sample a local malt or ale in the lively pub while listening to traditional Scottish music of local musicians.

Today we take our cue from the beloved folk tune, The Skye Boat Song, and speed 'over the sea to Skye' to the tiny settlement of Elgol. Here, we board a boat to the remote bay of Loch Scavaig, just as Queen Victoria herself once did. This beautiful body of water is surrounded by the Black Cuillin Mountains, which serve as the backdrop for our gently sloping hike along their base. The trail skirts the shores of Loch Coruisk, whose wild beauty and rugged mountains inspired Sir Walter Scott and Lord Tennyson to capture the gorgeous landscape in verse.

*If joining our August 2023 departure, this day will be devoted to attending the Isle of Skye Highland Games. This open-air event dates to 1877 and takes place on a scenic headland with views of the harbour. Locals and visitors alike flock to the 'Games Field' to watch an array of athletic and cultural competitions including Highland Dancing in full tartan regalia, bagpipping, and the 'Heavy Events,' in which athletes compete in areas such as hammer throw, weight over bar, caber toss, and tug of war, all while wearing a kilt! We are free to watch the spectacle at the field and meander the craft and food stalls.

Accommodations

Plockton Inn
Plockton, Scotland

Set in the heart of the beautiful village of Plockton, in the West Highlands, the Plockton Inn is well known for its exceptional hospitality, award-winning seafood restaurant, and breathtaking sea views. Sample a local malt or ale in the lively pub while listening to traditional Scottish music of local musicians.

Our day begins with a trail hike from our hotel in the village of Plockton. A steady and moderate ascent along even terrain rewards us at the summit with excellent views of Isle of Skye and the fishing village of Applecross. From here, we may peek at the village of Plockton a bit beyond the cairn. Our descent takes us through forested land and along the shore of a loch. We may be able to glimpse over the water to see a crannog — the remains of an ancient island dwelling.

A short drive after our hike delivers us to the Eilean Donan Castle. A Scottish icon set amidst magnificent vistas, it is easy to see why this is one of the country's most photographed spots. After a visit, we transfer to our lovely hotel in Fort Augustus — set at the southwest tip of the mysterious Loch Ness!

Accommodations

The Lovat
Fort Augustus, Scotland

The Lovat is a landmark Victorian Loch Ness hotel overlooking the loch-side village of Fort Augustus. It is surrounded by stunning scenery, sitting at the southern tip of the mysterious deep waters of Loch Ness. This exceptional eco-friendly Highland hotel offers rooms of modern comfort combined with traditional aspects of Highland life, and views of the Highland mountains, Caledonian Canal or world-famous Loch Ness.

Today is one of our most scenic days as we hike the trails of Glen Affric, widely regarded as one of Scotland's most beautiful valleys. Blanketed by Scots pines, the glen's slopes reach up to resplendent peaks that overlook the pristine waters of Loch Affric. There are countless options for great hikes in this glen, so we're spoiled for choice. Our guide will decide on the best hike which will ensure magnificent views of this unique wilderness of pinewoods and moorland. If you're up for it, we may hike to a summit for an elevated panorama across the numerous peaks of the Highlands.

Accommodations

The Lovat
Fort Augustus, Scotland

The Lovat is a landmark Victorian Loch Ness hotel overlooking the loch-side village of Fort Augustus. It is surrounded by stunning scenery, sitting at the southern tip of the mysterious deep waters of Loch Ness. This exceptional eco-friendly Highland hotel offers rooms of modern comfort combined with traditional aspects of Highland life, and views of the Highland mountains, Caledonian Canal or world-famous Loch Ness.

After breakfast, we return to Inverness. But we can?t visit Loch Ness without pausing to look for the elusive monster in its waters. After stopping for a search, we continue to the lakeside ruins of Urquhart Castle, once a stronghold of Robert the Bruce, and one of Scotland?'s largest medieval castles. A final scenic drive returns us to Inverness and our journey?'s end.