DAY 1

As you step off the train at the Birnam/Dunkeld station, you take in the crisp fresh air of the Highlands with the wild mountains of Perthshire nearby. You check into your beautiful hotel set on 280 acres, before departing for your walk. The well-maintained Dunkeld Path Network winds along the bank of the River Tay, Scotland’s longest and most famous for Salmon fishing. A short ascent on the Inver Path leads to the manicured grounds of the Hermitage with its impressive Douglas Fir trees. The route continues to the edge of the early-mid-Victorian Highland resort of Birnam, home of the “Birnam Oak,” considered the last remnant of the great Birnam Wood made famous in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.” You cross the Dunkeld Bridge linking the towns of Dunkeld and Birnam. The bridge was designed by Scottish engineer Thomas Telford and financed mainly by the 4th Duke of Atholl. Time permitting, you may peruse the artisan shops or admire the cathedral before strolling back to your hotel just outside of town.
Hilton Dunkeld House Hotel, Dunkeld

DAY 2

Today offers several walk options right from the doorstep of your hotel. Our suggested route follows the now familiar riverside path to Dunkeld. While the beginning and end sections of the walk follow the quiet road past the Dunkeld Golf Club, the path soon leads to open country where great crested grebes, goldeneye ducks, and coots can be spotted. From this vantage point, you also enjoy views of the day’s destination, the Loch of the Lowes Nature Reserve. Here, at the Scottish Wildlife Trust visitor center, you can observe live and recorded footage of a pair of breeding ospreys who call the reserve home. You retrace your steps and complete the loop back to the village where, time permitting, you may wish to visit the Beatrix Potter Exhibition and Garden located down the street from the Birnam train station.
Hilton Dunkeld House Hotel, Dunkeld

DAY 3

Today you transfer to Killiecrankie and your home for the next two nights, a small hotel nestled in forest and rose gardens. Today’s route starts with a gradual uphill section (approximately 2 hours) through fields of heather, offering some of the best views in Scotland. Before reaching the Bealach Pass, there is a challenging option (2 miles round trip) all the way to the summit of Ben Vrackie, at 2760 feet. The path then descends to the town of Moulin with its 1965 brewery, which won Scot’s Pub of the year award twice, where you may stop to refuel with a hearty lunch and a pint of Braveheart. There are several easy walk options through fields and woodlands, including one past the Edradour Distillery, the smallest in Scotland. This afternoon, you continue on foot to Killiecrankie, following a tranquil route alongside Loch Faskally and the River Garry, ideal for bird watching and plant identification, or spend a leisurely afternoon in Pitlochry and return by taxi (at your own expense).
The Killiecrankie House Hotel, Killiecrankie

DAY 4

After a full Scottish breakfast, you head out for an exhilarating start with open vistas, leading to the Atholl Estates and Blair Castle. The ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl, Blair Castle presides over the heart of Highland Perthshire. Dating from the 13th century, Blair Castle’s history extends over some 740 years, and it is still home to Europe’s last private army, The Atholl Highlanders. You may choose to join a guided tour of the castle, a fascinating historic introduction, before lunch at the local tearoom, a working 1590 water mill known for outstanding homemade soups, and scones. The return to your cozy home is easy, a gentle path following the River Garry.
The Killiecrankie House Hotel, Killiecrankie

DAY 5

Following breakfast you depart Killiecrankie to make the stunning voyage (approximately 2 hours by car) west to Fort William. Today’s walking route is on the final section of the Great Glen Way toward Fort William. You walk near Old Inverlochy Castle, with beautiful views of Ben Nevis, and along the Caledonian Canal, with its “Pepper Pot” lighthouse and Neptune’s staircase—an impressive series of eight locks raising the canal by 50 feet. The largest town in the western Highlands, Fort William is picturesquely located on the shores of Loch Linnhe and is named after its original settlement around the fort, constructed to control the local population after Oliver Cromwell’s invasion of Scotland during the English Civil War. You may want to stop at the West Highland Museum which has an interesting exhibit.
The Lime Tree Hotel, Fort William

DAY 6

A number of walks around Fort William are possible today, of varying levels of difficulty and length and all with superb views of the loch, rolling hills, and mountains. Or you may choose to take an optional train ride excursion along the West Highland Railway through some of Scotland’s most atmospheric scenery (advance reservation recommended, please visit www.westcoastrailways.co.uk). The 1½-hour train ride to Mallaig crosses the famous 21-arched Glen Finnan viaduct (featured in the Harry Potter movies), and stops at the poignant Glen Finnan monument at the head of Loch Shiel that was erected in honor of the clansmen behind Bonnie Prince Charlie’s attempt to gain the British throne in 1745. The end point, the town of Mallaig, is a thriving fishing community and one of the gateways to the islands of the Inner Hebrides. You can see the jagged peaks of the Isle of Skye just a few miles away across the Sound of Sleat. Mallaig is a good place to have lunch with many local seafood restaurants.
The Lime Tree Hotel, Fort William

DAY 7

You depart at your leisure after breakfast.

Itinerary Changes

Please bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary, and the actual activities, sites, and accommodations may vary due to season, special events, weather, or transportation schedules. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience.

DAY 1

As you step off the train at the Birnam/Dunkeld station, you take in the crisp fresh air of the Highlands with the wild mountains of Perthshire nearby. You check into your beautiful hotel set on 280 acres, before departing for your walk. Our suggested route follows the riverside path to Dunkeld. While the beginning and end sections of the walk follow the quiet road past the Dunkeld Golf Club, the path soon leads to open country where great crested grebes, goldeneye ducks, and coots can be spotted. From this vantage point, you also enjoy views of the day’s destination, the Loch of the Lowes Nature Reserve. Here, at the Scottish Wildlife Trust visitor center, you can observe live and recorded footage of a pair of breeding ospreys who call the reserve home. You retrace your steps and complete the loop back to the early-mid-Victorian Highland resort of Birnam, home of the “Birnam Oak,” considered the last remnant of the great Birnam Wood made famous in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.” Time permitting, you may wish to visit the Beatrix Potter Exhibition and Garden located down the street from the Birnam train station, peruse the artisan shops or admire the Dunkeld cathedral before strolling back to your hotel just outside of town.
Hilton Dunkeld House Hotel, Dunkeld

DAY 2

Today you transfer to Killiecrankie and your home for the next two nights, a small hotel nestled in forest and rose gardens. Today’s route starts with a gradual uphill section (approximately 2 hours) through fields of heather, offering some of the best views in Scotland. Before reaching the Bealach Pass, there is a challenging option (2 miles round trip) all the way to the summit of Ben Vrackie, at 2760 feet. The path then descends to the town of Moulin with its 1965 brewery, which won Scot’s Pub of the year award twice, where you may stop to refuel with a hearty lunch and a pint of Braveheart. There are several easy walk options through fields and woodlands, including one past the Edradour Distillery, the smallest in Scotland. This afternoon, you continue on foot to Killiecrankie, following a tranquil route alongside Loch Faskally and the River Garry, ideal for bird watching and plant identification, or spend a leisurely afternoon in Pitlochry and return by taxi (at your own expense).
The Killiecrankie House Hotel, Killiecrankie

DAY 3

After a full Scottish breakfast, you head out for an exhilarating start with open vistas, leading to the Atholl Estates and Blair Castle. The ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl, Blair Castle presides over the heart of Highland Perthshire. Dating from the 13th century, Blair Castle’s history extends over some 740 years, and it is still home to Europe’s last private army, The Atholl Highlanders. You may choose to join a guided tour of the castle, a fascinating historic introduction, before lunch at the local tearoom, a working 1590 water mill known for outstanding homemade soups, and scones. The return to your cozy home is easy, a gentle path following the River Garry.
The Killiecrankie House Hotel, Killiecrankie

DAY 4

Following breakfast you depart Killiecrankie to make the stunning voyage (approximately 2 hours by car) west to Fort William. Today’s walking route is on the final section of the Great Glen Way toward Fort William. You walk near Old Inverlochy Castle, with beautiful views of Ben Nevis, and along the Caledonian Canal, with its “Pepper Pot” lighthouse and Neptune’s staircase—an impressive series of eight locks raising the canal by 50 feet. The largest town in the western Highlands, Fort William is picturesquely located on the shores of Loch Linnhe and is named after its original settlement around the fort, constructed to control the local population after Oliver Cromwell’s invasion of Scotland during the English Civil War. You may want to stop at the West Highland Museum which has an interesting exhibit.
The Lime Tree Hotel, Fort William

DAY 5

Today is an opportunity to take a break from walking if you wish, and many alternatives are available. You may choose to take a train ride excursion along the West Highland Railway through some of Scotland’s most atmospheric scenery (advance reservation recommended, please visit www.westcoastrailways.co.uk). The 1½-hour train ride to Mallaig crosses the famous 21-arched Glen Finnan viaduct (featured in the Harry Potter movies), and stops at the poignant Glen Finnan monument at the head of Loch Shiel that was erected in honor of the clansmen behind Bonnie Prince Charlie’s attempt to gain the British throne in 1745. The end point, the town of Mallaig, is a thriving fishing community and one of the gateways to the islands of the Inner Hebrides. You can see the jagged peaks of the Isle of Skye just a few miles away across the Sound of Sleat. Mallaig is a good place to have lunch with many local seafood restaurants.
Nevis Bank Inn, Fort William

DAY 6

A number of walks around Fort William are possible today, of varying levels of difficulty and length and all with superb views of the loch, rolling hills, and mountains. One option is to follow a relatively easy circular path on the wooded slopes of Cow Hill, where Highland cattle used to graze, playing an important part in maintaining environmental diversity. In recent years, cattle have been reintroduced to the area in an effort to redevelop that diversity. They range widely but can sometimes be seen foraging in the forested area. The gentle route follows what is locally known as “the Peat Track,” formerly used by farmers to access areas above the town to collect peat for fuel, which is still used, although on a small-scale, in many parts of the Highlands.
Nevis Bank Inn, Fort William

DAY 7

You depart at your leisure after breakfast.

Itinerary Changes

Please bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary, and the actual activities, sites, and accommodations may vary due to season, special events, weather, or transportation schedules. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience.

DAY 1

As you step off the train at the Birnam/Dunkeld station, you take in the crisp fresh air of the Highlands with the wild mountains of Perthshire nearby. You check into your beautiful hotel set on 280 acres, before departing for your walk. The well-maintained Dunkeld Path Network winds along the bank of the River Tay, Scotland’s longest and most famous for Salmon fishing. A short ascent on the Inver Path leads to the manicured grounds of the Hermitage with its impressive Douglas Fir trees. The route continues to the edge of the early-mid-Victorian Highland resort of Birnam, home of the “Birnam Oak,” considered the last remnant of the great Birnam Wood made famous in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.” You cross the Dunkeld Bridge linking the towns of Dunkeld and Birnam. The bridge was designed by Scottish engineer Thomas Telford and financed mainly by the 4th Duke of Atholl. Time permitting, you may peruse the artisan shops or admire the cathedral before strolling back to your hotel just outside of town.
Hilton Dunkeld House Hotel, Dunkeld

DAY 2

Today offers several walk options right from the doorstep of your hotel. Our suggested route follows the now familiar riverside path to Dunkeld. While the beginning and end sections of the walk follow the quiet road past the Dunkeld Golf Club, the path soon leads to open country where great crested grebes, goldeneye ducks, and coots can be spotted. From this vantage point, you also enjoy views of the day’s destination, the Loch of the Lowes Nature Reserve. Here, at the Scottish Wildlife Trust visitor center, you can observe live and recorded footage of a pair of breeding ospreys who call the reserve home. You retrace your steps and complete the loop back to the village where, time permitting, you may wish to visit the Beatrix Potter Exhibition and Garden located down the street from the Birnam train station.
Hilton Dunkeld House Hotel, Dunkeld

DAY 3

Today you transfer to Killiecrankie and your home for the next two nights, a small hotel nestled in forest and rose gardens. Today’s route starts with a gradual uphill section (approximately 2 hours) through fields of heather, offering some of the best views in Scotland. Before reaching the Bealach Pass, there is a challenging option (2 miles round trip) all the way to the summit of Ben Vrackie, at 2760 feet. The path then descends to the town of Moulin with its 1965 brewery, which won Scot’s Pub of the year award twice, where you may stop to refuel with a hearty lunch and a pint of Braveheart. There are several easy walk options through fields and woodlands, including one past the Edradour Distillery, the smallest in Scotland. This afternoon, you continue on foot to Killiecrankie, following a tranquil route alongside Loch Faskally and the River Garry, ideal for bird watching and plant identification, or spend a leisurely afternoon in Pitlochry and return by taxi (at your own expense).
The Killiecrankie House Hotel, Killiecrankie

DAY 4

After a full Scottish breakfast, you head out for an exhilarating start with open vistas, leading to the Atholl Estates and Blair Castle. The ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl, Blair Castle presides over the heart of Highland Perthshire. Dating from the 13th century, Blair Castle’s history extends over some 740 years, and it is still home to Europe’s last private army, The Atholl Highlanders. You may choose to join a guided tour of the castle, a fascinating historic introduction, before lunch at the local tearoom, a working 1590 water mill known for outstanding homemade soups, and scones. The return to your cozy home is easy, a gentle path following the River Garry.
The Killiecrankie House Hotel, Killiecrankie

DAY 5

Following breakfast you depart Killiecrankie to make the stunning voyage (approximately 2 hours by car) west to Fort William. Today’s walking route is on the final section of the Great Glen Way toward Fort William. You walk near Old Inverlochy Castle, with beautiful views of Ben Nevis, and along the Caledonian Canal, with its “Pepper Pot” lighthouse and Neptune’s staircase—an impressive series of eight locks raising the canal by 50 feet. The largest town in the western Highlands, Fort William is picturesquely located on the shores of Loch Linnhe and is named after its original settlement around the fort, constructed to control the local population after Oliver Cromwell’s invasion of Scotland during the English Civil War.
Nevis Bank Inn, Fort William

DAY 6

A number of walks around Fort William are possible today, of varying levels of difficulty and length and all with superb views of the loch, rolling hills, and mountains. Or you may choose to take an optional train ride excursion along the West Highland Railway through some of Scotland’s most atmospheric scenery. The 1½-hour train ride to Mallaig crosses the famous 21-arched Glen Finnan viaduct (featured in the Harry Potter movies), and stops at the poignant Glen Finnan monument at the head of Loch Shiel that was erected in honor of the clansmen behind Bonnie Prince Charlie’s attempt to gain the British throne in 1745. The end point, the town of Mallaig, is a thriving fishing community and one of the gateways to the islands of the Inner Hebrides. You can see the jagged peaks of the Isle of Skye just a few miles away across the Sound of Sleat. Mallaig is a good place to have lunch with many local seafood restaurants.
Nevis Bank Inn, Fort William

DAY 7

Enjoying a final tasty breakfast at your hotel, you are transferred to the train station, where you can access scenic main rail and bus routes to Inverness, Glasgow, or Edinburgh.

Itinerary Changes

Please bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary, and the actual activities, sites, and accommodations may vary due to season, special events, weather, or transportation schedules. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience.

DAY 1

As you step off the train at the Birnam/Dunkeld station, you take in the crisp fresh air of the Highlands with the wild mountains of Perthshire nearby. You check into your beautiful hotel set on 280 acres, before departing for your walk. The well-maintained Dunkeld Path Network winds along the bank of the River Tay, Scotland’s longest and most famous for Salmon fishing. A short ascent on the Inver Path leads to the manicured grounds of the Hermitage with its impressive Douglas Fir trees. The route continues to the edge of the early-mid-Victorian Highland resort of Birnam, home of the “Birnam Oak,” considered the last remnant of the great Birnam Wood made famous in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.” You cross the Dunkeld Bridge linking the towns of Dunkeld and Birnam. The bridge was designed by Scottish engineer Thomas Telford and financed mainly by the 4th Duke of Atholl. Time permitting, you may peruse the artisan shops or admire the cathedral before strolling back to your hotel just outside of town.
Hilton Dunkeld House Hotel, Dunkeld

DAY 2

Today offers several walk options right from the doorstep of your hotel. Our suggested route follows the now familiar riverside path to Dunkeld. While the beginning and end sections of the walk follow the quiet road past the Dunkeld Golf Club, the path soon leads to open country where great crested grebes, goldeneye ducks, and coots can be spotted. From this vantage point, you also enjoy views of the day’s destination, the Loch of the Lowes Nature Reserve. Here, at the Scottish Wildlife Trust visitor center, you can observe live and recorded footage of a pair of breeding ospreys who call the reserve home. You retrace your steps and complete the loop back to the village where, time permitting, you may wish to visit the Beatrix Potter Exhibition and Garden located down the street from the Birnam train station.
Hilton Dunkeld House Hotel, Dunkeld

DAY 3

Today you transfer to Killiecrankie and your home for the next two nights, a small hotel nestled in forest and rose gardens. Today’s route starts with a gradual uphill section (approximately 2 hours) through fields of heather, offering some of the best views in Scotland. Before reaching the Bealach Pass, there is a challenging option (2 miles round trip) all the way to the summit of Ben Vrackie, at 2760 feet. The path then descends to the town of Moulin with its 1965 brewery, which won Scot’s Pub of the year award twice, where you may stop to refuel with a hearty lunch and a pint of Braveheart. There are several easy walk options through fields and woodlands, including one past the Edradour Distillery, the smallest in Scotland. This afternoon, you continue on foot to Killiecrankie, following a tranquil route alongside Loch Faskally and the River Garry, ideal for bird watching and plant identification, or spend a leisurely afternoon in Pitlochry and return by taxi (at your own expense).
The Killiecrankie House Hotel, Killiecrankie

DAY 4

After a full Scottish breakfast, you head out for an exhilarating start with open vistas, leading to the Atholl Estates and Blair Castle. The ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl, Blair Castle presides over the heart of Highland Perthshire. Dating from the 13th century, Blair Castle’s history extends over some 740 years, and it is still home to Europe’s last private army, The Atholl Highlanders. You may choose to join a guided tour of the castle, a fascinating historic introduction, before lunch at the local tearoom, a working 1590 water mill known for outstanding homemade soups, and scones. The return to your cozy home is easy, a gentle path following the River Garry.
The Killiecrankie House Hotel, Killiecrankie

DAY 5

Following breakfast you depart Killiecrankie to make the stunning voyage (approximately 2 hours by car) west to Fort William. Today’s walking route is on the final section of the Great Glen Way toward Fort William. You walk near Old Inverlochy Castle, with beautiful views of Ben Nevis, and along the Caledonian Canal, with its “Pepper Pot” lighthouse and Neptune’s staircase—an impressive series of eight locks raising the canal by 50 feet. The largest town in the western Highlands, Fort William is picturesquely located on the shores of Loch Linnhe and is named after its original settlement around the fort, constructed to control the local population after Oliver Cromwell’s invasion of Scotland during the English Civil War.
Nevis Bank Inn, Fort William

DAY 6

A number of walks around Fort William are possible today, of varying levels of difficulty and length and all with superb views of the loch, rolling hills, and mountains. Or you may choose to take an optional train ride excursion along the West Highland Railway through some of Scotland’s most atmospheric scenery. The 1½-hour train ride to Mallaig crosses the famous 21-arched Glen Finnan viaduct (featured in the Harry Potter movies), and stops at the poignant Glen Finnan monument at the head of Loch Shiel that was erected in honor of the clansmen behind Bonnie Prince Charlie’s attempt to gain the British throne in 1745. The end point, the town of Mallaig, is a thriving fishing community and one of the gateways to the islands of the Inner Hebrides. You can see the jagged peaks of the Isle of Skye just a few miles away across the Sound of Sleat. Mallaig is a good place to have lunch with many local seafood restaurants.
Nevis Bank Inn, Fort William

DAY 7

Enjoying a final tasty breakfast at your hotel, you are transferred to the train station, where you can access scenic main rail and bus routes to Inverness, Glasgow, or Edinburgh.

Itinerary Changes

Please bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary, and the actual activities, sites, and accommodations may vary due to season, special events, weather, or transportation schedules. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience.

Nights 1 & 2

Hilton Dunkeld House Hotel
Dunkeld, Scotland

This beautiful property is set within 280 acres of pristine land on the bank of the River Tay, Scotland’s premier salmon-fishing river. Bright guest rooms combine contemporary furnishing with rich, warm accents. The oak-paneled bar with its grand piano and log fire is ideal for relaxing with an apéritif before dining on locally-sourced ingredients at the Garden Restaurant overlooking the river. A heated indoor pool, sauna, gym, and spa treatments are available, and tennis, golf, fishing, or horseback riding can be arranged. Walks start at the hotel’s front step located just a mile out of town.

Nights 3 & 4

The Killiecrankie House Hotel
Killiecrankie, Scotland

An intimate award-winning hotel and restaurant overlooking the Pass of Killiecrankie—the deep gorge of the River Garry. Recently refurbished elegant guestrooms are individually decorated with rich colors, fabrics, and fresh flowers. The fine-dining restaurant serves exceptional cuisine, and the cozy wood-paneled bar is a magnet for guests and locals. An inviting living room has a fireplace for cool weather or opens to manicured gardens and patio in warmer days. Surrounded by expansive lawns and woodlands, the hotel is just 3 miles from the Highland Victorian town of Pitlochry.

Nights 5 & 6

The Lime Tree Hotel
Fort William, Scotland

This stylish hotel is located in the hub of Scotland’s best outdoor activities, with beautiful views of Loch Linnhe and the hills beyond. The property blends old and new, and the contemporary decor extends into guest rooms with neutral colors and exposed oak and cedar. Common areas feature comfortable lounges with open fires, as well as original artwork from the Highlands.

Please note that this is a sample hotel itinerary for this tour. While these exact hotels are featured on most departures, we occasionally reserve other hotels of similar style and quality. If you are currently booked on a Country Walkers adventure, a hotel itinerary has been sent to you for your exact departure date. Please call Country Walkers at 800.464.9255 if you have any questions about the exact hotels selected for any of our tours.