A Scottish Coast to Coast

11-25 June 2005

Knoydart to Montrose Bay - 171 miles / 257 Km - 2 weeks

£950 Fully inc.

The English Coast to coast walk is a popular and a well defined long distance path. Scotland on the other hand, doesn't have a equivalent path. The wild nature of the Scottish highlands doesn't by its very nature allow for a simple trek with convenient overnight stays in comfortable hostels and guest houses.

Following on from our pioneering and successful 'Cape Wrath Trail' walk in 2002 this innovative walk has been put together using the same basic criteria. To enable walkers to enjoy a magnificent wild trek through some of Scotland's wildest and most remote tracts with the minimum of camping and carrying of heavy packs. With our mini-bus backup we will provide maximum possible assistance, including a qualified and knowledgeable guide, with only three nights being necessary under canvas. The remaining nights are spent in comfortable hostels or B&Bs with all meals being provided.

Our chosen route strikes inland from the dramatic west coast scenery of Inverie and Knoydart. The trip begins with a short ferry journey across Loch Nevis, and then continues through the wild Rough Bounds of Knoydart before passing through the densely forested Glens around Invergarry. We then pick up the Great Glen Way for a few miles, arriving at Fort Augustus before striking off into wild country once again. The old military road known as the Corrieyairack Pass will lead us across the central highlands and down to Laggan and Newtonmore.

Leaving Speyside behind we then forge onwards across the southern flank of the mighty Cairngorms with a nights wild camping high at the headwaters of the River Feshie.

Descending to Braemar we enter Deeside before climbing the famous Jock's Road Pass. Finally we enter the Angus Glens before descending to the village of Edzell, the final stretch leading us across the arable lowlands of Angus and on towards the sandy beaches of Montrose Bay.

A walk of many contrasts, this is a tough undertaking although not quite as challenging as our version of the Cape Wrath Trail!

Please call us on 01786 870 456 if you are interested in this trip.

The Coast to Coast Itinerary is outlined below:

The 2004 price is £950 and includes all accommodation, meals, a qualified guide, mini-bus backup and luggage transfer, ferry costs, a celebratory meal out on the last night and of course good company! Free loan of equipment including lightweight backpacking tent, camping stoves / cooking gear is also available. You will be expected to provide your own rucsack and sleeping bag.

Day 1: Sat 11th

Travel to accommodation and overnight stay prior to ferry to Inverie from Mallaig. Evening slide show and discussion about the route.

Day 2: Sun 12th

Stage 1: Inverie to Head of Loch Nevis (Overnight Camp) 13km
After taking the 10am ferry from Mallaig we arrive at the small village of Inverie, the main settlement on the wild Knoydart Peninsula. We then walk through the wild mountain pass below the peaks of Meall Buidhe and Beinn Buidhe before descending to the head of Loch Nevis for an overnight camp.

Day 3: Mon 13th

Stage 2: Loch Nevis to Loch Quoich (29km) Overnight at Invergarry hostel.
This is one of the toughest days and involves an arduous trek through the wild rough bounds of Knoydart. Camping gear can be deposited half way through the day at Strathan (head of Loch Arkaig) before crossing the wild pass into lonely Glen Kingie. A stalker's path then takes us on to the minor road at the head of Loch Quoich. This is one of Scotland's most remote regions and major peaks such as Sgurr na Ciche dominate the wild glens.

Day 4: Tue 14th

Stage 3: Loch Quoich to Invergarry (25km) Overnight at Invergarry hostel
This day, although still quite long, is much easier with good paths and tracks leading us through mainly level forest surrounding Loch Garry. We arrive at Invergarry for an overnight stay and possibly a well earned pint!

Day 5: Wed 15th

Stage 4: Invergarry to Corrieyairack Pass (19km) Overnight camp
Initially easy going we stroll along the floor of the Great Glen taking forestry tracks and a section of canal tow path to Fort Augustus. Then we load up with the overnight kit for a camp in the hills above Fort Augustus. The old military road gives excellent walking.

Day 6: Thu 16th

Stage 5: Corrieyairack Pass to Garva Bridge: 18km (Overnight hostel in Newtonmore)
An easier day sees us climb to the crest of the pass before descending through the gentle rolling hills to Garva Bridge.

Day 7: Fri 17th

Stage 6: Garva Bridge to Newtonmore: 24km (Overnight in Newtonmore)
Todays stage is a combination of minor road walking, some pathless moorland stretches and hill path through Glen Banchor. Walking through the lower slopes of the Monadliath mountains we get some glimpses of the Cairngorms.

Day 8: Sat 18th

Rest day

Day 9: Sun 19th Overnight camp

Stage 7: Kingussie to Glen Feshie (21km)
A short drive along the A86 takes us to Kingusssie. The walking begins on the B970 with about 5km of road walking before we strike off into the forest at Drumguish. A forestry track leads us towards Glen Feshie where we pick up a private road for a short distance before entering a smaller path set among some magnificent ancient stands of Caledonian Pine forest. A gentle ascent now brings us gradually up the ever narrowing Glen Feshie to our final wild camp of the walk.

Day 10: Mon 20th

Stage 8: Glen Feshie to Braemar (27km) Overnight in Braemar hostel
This is another quite tough day but the paths under foot are generally good going. We walk east and pass below the southern side of the Cairngorms, crossing the foot of the Lairig Ghru pass before wandering east on a vehicle track to the minor road at the Linn of Dee. The tents can be deposited and any excess baggage. There now follows a lengthy stroll along the minor road to Braemar. The scenery is superb with views across the Strath to the high Cairngorms. Caledonian pines abound and the only drawback being the hard tarmac underfoot.

Day 11: Tue 21st

Stage 9: Braemar to Glen Clova (20km) Overnight in Clova Lodge bunkhouse
Todays walk is relatively tough again with a stiff climb over Jocks road (to 3000ft). This brings us from Deeside via Glen Callater to Glens Doll and Clova, the Angus Glens. The views on the high pass are exceptional and the path is pretty sound for much of its distance.

Day 12: Wed 22nd

Stage 10: Glen Doll to Glen Esk (21km) Overnight in B&B in Edzell
Today is another spent high in the hills. We climb out of Glen Clova and high into the Angus hills (almost to 3000ft) before dropping down into Glen Esk, the next in the series of Angus Glens.

Day 13: Thu 23rd

Stage 11: Glen Esk (22km) Overnight B&B in Edzell
Todays stage is a pleasant stroll down Glen Esk on a mixture of paths, tracks and minor roads.

Day 14: Fri 24th

Stage 12: Edzell to Montrose Bay (18km) Overnight in Stirling
This is the final chapter in the Coast to Coast saga and involves an easy walk through arable land and is mainly on minor roads. We finish on beach at Montrose where a glass or two of cold Champagne will be awaiting. Not a bad spot for a swim if you can brave the chill of the North Sea.

We then return south to Stirling for the final night and celebratory meal.

Day 15: Sat 25th

Departure

Lomond Walking Holidays

Tel / Fax: +44 (0)1786 870456 (24HRS)

Kirkhill Cottage, 5 Burnside, Kippen, Stirlingshire, FK 8 3EF.

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