As a country that starts with U listed on Countryaah.com, United Kingdom, or Great Britain, is the largest island nation in Europe and with around 64 million residents the third most populous EU country (after Germany and France). In a geographical sense, the name Great Britain denotes the largest of the British Isles with England, Wales in the west and Scotland in the north of the island. In the common sense, the name is also used for the United Kingdom (United Kingdom), which also includes Northern Ireland.
- Day 1: Welcome to Scotland
- Day 2: Lochinver and the Old Man of Stoer
- Day 3: Through the wild heart of the Fisherfield Mountains to the Shenavall Refuge
- Day 4: Wide beaches and untouched coastlines in the north of Kinlochberwie
- Day 5: Cul Mor and the history of Scottish geology
- Day 6: Hike on Handa Island
- Day 7: Sgurr an Fhidhleir – The Fiddler
- Day 8: Departure
Assynt and Sutherland are one of the northernmost areas of Great Britain, the north-west is a breathtaking landscape with beautiful sandy beaches, shining lochs and glittering moorland. All of this is dominated by the intoxicating mountains of the region. Each individual summit stands on its own with great character. The north-west is an extraordinary landscape, over a thousand holes await us. The peaks are not the highest, but they are completely free-standing and have steep slopes on many sides. They are eroded into fantastic shapes, transforming this landscape into one of the most unforgettable places in Scotland. The cliffs and endless, dreamlike sandy beaches with turquoise blue water let our eyes and thoughts wander.
Meals: B = breakfast / L = lunch / packed lunch / D = dinner
1st day:
Welcome to Scotland
We are met by our mountain guide at Inverness Airport. From there we go on a drive (1.5 hours) with great panoramas in the Northwest Highlands to our accommodation in Ullapool. During the first dinner together, you can get to know each other and exchange ideas in peace.
Arrival is individual (arrival no later than 5.30 p.m.).
Driving time: approx. 1.5 hours
overnight stay in a B&B
(- / – / A)
2nd day:
Lochinver and Old Man of Stoer
Our trip begins with a visit to the mighty sea cliffs of the Old Man of Stoer, which lie in the north west of Scotland. The coastline is rough and imposing. The place is the best in the Assynt district for whale watching dolphins. It always goes along the coast over peat and sometimes without a path. Today serves as a gentle introduction to the hikes that will follow.
Travel time: Ullapool – Old Man of Stoer (Culkein); approx. 1 hour (outward journey)
Overnight stay in a B&B
Hike: approx. 3 hours (+360 m / -360 m; approx. 11 km)
(B / – / D)
3rd day:
Through the wild heart of the Fisherfield Mountains to Shenavall Refuge
This circular hike over hill and dale through the great wilderness of Scotland takes us past the great mountains of the Fisherfields. We see An Tealleach, Beinn Dearg Mor and the majestic Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair. At lunchtime, one of Scotland’s typical bothys (unmanaged huts) offers a moment of calm for the last few kilometers back to the starting point.
Travel time: Ullapool – Dundonell; approx. 30 min. (outward journey)
Overnight stay in a B&B
Hike: approx. 5 hours (+740 m / -740 m; approx. 18.5 km)
(B / – / D)
4th day:
Wide beaches and pristine coastlines in the north of Kinlochberwie
Some would say Sandwood Bay is one of the UK’s most beautiful beaches. We get an idea of it for ourselves and hike this untouched beauty. From Kinlochberwie it goes over a wide path to the beach with dunes, cliffs and rocks protruding from the sea. A place to unwind. After a long break and rest, we go back the same way. In the afternoon we take our time on the return journey and let the intoxicating surroundings work on us.
Travel time: Ullapool – Shegra, approx. 1.5 hours (outward journey)
Overnight stay in a B&B
Hike: approx. 4.5 hours (+150 m / -150 m; approx. 13 km)
(B / – / D)
5th day:
Cul Mor and the History of Scottish Geology
A first highlight is the view from Cul Mor over the other isolated mountains in Assynt. The short journey there is astonishing. The ascent is on old hunting trails and partly pathless to the summit. If we still have time in the afternoon, we’ll take a look at the Knockan Crags and learn more about the geological history of Scotland. In the evening, the pubs of Ullapool invite you to a hearty dinner and one or two Scottish whiskey.
Travel time: Ullapool – Knockan Crags; approx. 20 min. (outward journey)
Overnight stay in a B&B
Hike: approx. 5 hours (+810 m / -810 m; approx. 13.5 km)
(B / – / D)
6th day:
Hike on the island of Handa
This spectacular island is home to tens of thousands of seabirds and is home to one of the largest bird colonies in north-western Europe. The dramatic cliffs on the northern side rise 120 meters from the Atlantic and the various layers of Torridonian sandstone offer the birds ideal conditions for nesting. A short boat trip takes us to the island of Handa where, with a bit of luck, we will see puffins, the unofficial national birds of Scotland.
Travel time: Ullapool – Tarbert (boat to Handa Island); approx. 1 hour (outward journey)
Overnight stay in a B&B
Hike: approx. 3 hours (+120 m / -120 m; approx. 6.5 km)
(B / – / D)
7th day:
Sgurr to Fhidhleir – The Fiddler
This hike takes us to one of the most remote areas of Coigach. The start is at the end of a long single-track road and leads us into a breathtaking landscape. When we arrive at the summit, we see steep cliffs that drop over 500 meters and the view over Coigach and Assynt is more than worth the climb. On the descent we have the “summer islands” in view. If there is still time, we will drive along the coast closer to the islands for more unforgettable impressions.
Travel time: Ullapool – Culnacraig; approx. 45 min. (outward journey)
Overnight stay in a B&B
Hike: approx. 4 hours (+720 m / -720 m; approx. 8 km)
(B / – / D)
8th day:
Departure
Today we say goodbye to this beautiful piece of earth. For a long time to come, the impressions will accompany us in everyday life at home and give us strength.
The departure takes place individually (not before 11.30 a.m.).
Driving time: approx. 1.5 hours
(B / – / -)
