Island Hopping Walking Tour Multi-day tour

Machrie Moor standing stones

After taking the one hour ferry from Ardrossan on the mainland over to Brodick on Arran, we have time in the afternoon to take a shorter walk to the fascinating archaeological landscape of Machrie moor with ancient standing stones, stone circles and burial cairns dating back to between 3500and 1500bc.

We then check in to our B&B for the next two nights and you will have time to explore the village before we have an informal introduction from your guide with a summary of the week ahead.

Walk details: 4.25 km/ 2.75 miles | approx. 1.5 – 2 hours | Ascent 42 m/138 ft | Descent 42 m/138 ft

Goatfell Mountain and Arran Distillery

Today we ascend Goatfell, the highest point on Arran at 874 metres from sea level. We pass the Arran Brewery where there is time to sample this renowned local beer!

The ascent is via a good path initially which becomes rougher nearer the summit. the views out to Holy island and of the surrounding ridges are outstanding.

We descend to the small village of Corrie with a refreshment stop at the Corrie Hotel. We are then off to Lochranza for a whisky distillery tour and tasting.

Walk details: 12.5 km/ 7.75 miles | approx. 6 – 8 hours | Ascent 853 m/2798 ft | Descent 853 m/2798 ft 

Ferry to Islay and coastal walk

Today we are off to the Isle of Islay for our 3-night stay. After taking the ferry over from Arran we will head out on a wonderful coastal walk taking in the beauty of one of Islay’s many unspoilt beaches. There is always a chance to spot birds and marine life on the coastlines.

Our accommodation for our 3 nights is in the vibrant village of Bowmore, home to Islay’s first distillery established in 1779. This diverse island has several wonderful distilleries and we visit at least four of the best in our time here.

Walk details: max. 10 km/ 6 miles | max 3 hours | Ascent 50 m/164 ft | Descent 50 m/164 ft

Magnificent Paps of Jura

After a very short ferry trip over to the Isle of Jura, we head to the start of our walk-up onto the highest of the Paps of Jura – Beinn an Oir, an impressive mountain giving fantastic views of the other hills and beyond.

It’s a long rather boggy walk in but improves once on higher ground and then a steep ascent onto this excellent summit. We return the same way and finish with a whisky tasting at world-renowned Jura distillery before our short ferry trio back to Islay.

Walk details: 13.25 km/ 8.25 miles | approx. 6 hours | Ascent 758 m/2486 ft | Descent 758 m/2486 ft

Mull of Oa, singing sands and the ‘distillery trail’

We have three shorter walks today, The Mull of Oa is one of the most dramatic locations on Islay on the far point of the Oa peninsula and is home to an important monument which your guide will be happy to talk about.

We then take a walk to the singing sands in the south of Islay and visit an unusual lighthouse, followed by a walk that links three distilleries, Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg, where we stop for a tasting in each and finish with a tour of Ardbeg. A fantastic end to this varied day!

Walk details: 14 km/ 8.7 miles | approx. 5 – 6 hours walking | Ascent 200 m/656 ft | Descent 200 m/656 ft

Ferry to Mull and explore Tobermory

Next on our island list is the gorgeous hospitable Isle of Mull, which we reach by ferry and a wonderful scenic drive via the village of Tarbet and the famous coastal town of Oban.

We spend four nights on Mull giving us plenty of time to discover all its hidden delights. On arrival, we may have time for a short afternoon walk before checking into our delightful B&B based in lovely Tobermory with its colourful harbour houses.

Walk details: approx 5 km/ 3 miles | approx 2 – 3 hours | Ascent 100 m/328 ft | Descent 100 m/328 ft

Ben More mountain

Ben More is not only the most westerly ‘Munro’ in all of Scotland (mountain over 300 feet) but is also the highest peak in the Inner Hebrides other than the mountains of Skye.

We take the straight route up the mountain which can be boggy in the lower section followed by a rocky upper section. On a clear day, the views from the summit are fantastic. We return to Tobermory where we have a tasting tour at the Tobermory distillery on our Island Hopping Walking Tour.

Walk details: 9.25 km/5.75 miles | approx. 6 hours | Ascent 945 m/3100 ft | Descent 945 m/3100 ft

Isle of Ulva circuit

The island of Ulva has recently become community-owned and is really such a delightful place to explore.

We take the tiny ferry over to the excellent boathouse cafe where we start our excellent varied circuit around the southern section of the island, which includes a visit to the remains of the explorer, David Livingstone’s grandparents croft, an interesting cave and some beautiful rugged coastline.

We return to the cafe for a refreshment before our short ferry back to Mull and a scenic drive with a beautiful beach stop on our return to Tobermory.

Walk details: 7.5 km/4.66 miles | approx. 3 – 4 hours | Ascent 185 m/606 ft | Descent 185 m/606 ft

Dun da Ghaoithe mountain ridge

Dun Da Ghaoithe is the second-highest mountain on Mull and offers some beautiful views, not only on the summit but on the walk up and back down.

It has a wonderful long ridge which we do a section of to marvel at the views before retracing our footsteps to the start.

There is time to take the short drive from here to the wonderfully positioned Duart Castle for a short walk in the grounds and a tour of the inside of the castle.

Walk details: 15 km/9.25 miles | approx. 5 – 6 hours | Ascent 843 m/2765 ft | Descent 843 m/2765 ft

Homeward Bound

The following day we take the ferry over to the Ardnamurchan peninsula which allows us a very scenic route back to Edinburgh via stunning Glencoe, allowing you to sit back, relax and reminisce about what promises to have been a true Scottish adventure on the Island Hopping Walking Tour.

Walk details: Transfer day with short leg stretchers and photo stops