6 of the Best Walking & Hiking Tours in Scotland
Discover beautiful, rugged Scotland on an affordable walking holiday
Scotland is home to some of the most dramatic landscapes and one of the best ways to soak in this landscape is on a rewarding walking holiday. Craggy mountains, ancient forests and brilliant green glens are just some of the impressive features in this remote environment. Add to this the lovable charm of the locals and fascinating history around every bend, and Scotland is a must for all keen hikers.
Whether you want to explore the famous tracks of the Great Glen Way or West Highland Way; hike the length of Scotland on the John Muir Way; or follow in the footsteps of the legendary Rob Roy; there is a fantastic walking tour in Scotland for you.
These 6 Scottish walking trips allow you to explore Scotland on an affordable self guided holiday.
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Rob Roy Way Tour
Scottish Rob Roy MacGregor was a notorious outlaw and a folk hero, after escaping capture several times. The 80-mile Rob Roy Way goes through classic Highland scenery and areas that were his old haunts. It begins Drymen, whose Clachan Inn is the oldest registered licensed pub in Scotland and would have been known by Rob Roy as it was run by his sister!
Hike the Rob Roy Way on UTracks' 9 day self guided walking tour.
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West Highland Way Walking Tour
From the south of Loch Lomond to Fort William and Ben Nevis, this famous footpath connects Britain’s largest lake with its highest mountain. The route is a step back into history: many stages follow military roads that date back to the 1700s and used to link the Highlands to the Lowlands, as well as hotels that originated from droving inns that operated for centuries.
The West Highland Way is an 8 day self guided walk of moderate grading. If you'd like more time to smell the roses along the way, take a look at the 10 day version of the same route.
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John Muir Way Walking Tour
Known for encouraging the creation of the Yosemite National Park, John Muir was born in Dunbar and as a child developed a deep love of the natural world around him. Forming a Scottish coast-to-coast route, the John Muir Way links Dunbar, on the southeast coast, with Scotland’s first national park (Loch Lomond & the Trossachs) and the seaside town of Helensburgh in the west.
The John Muir Way can be walked in 12 days on a self guided tour.
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The Pennine Way Tour
A challenging mountain journey across the rugged backbone of England, The Pennine Way was the first official Long Distance Footpath to ever be created in the country. Crossing some of the finest upland landscapes in England, it is steeped in the region’s history: it was the product of the post-WWI mass trespass movement of the 1930s, which saw working class walkers from industrial towns around the Pennines defying local landowners and walking across their land. Although many British walks are often described as ‘classic’, the 268-mile trail from Edale in Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders will always be considered as ‘the big one’, as it is a walk that tests out the endurance and navigational abilities of hikers up to the challenge.
The Pennine Way is one of the World's Great Walks and can be completed on a 20 day self guided walking tour. If you'd like a shorter option, there's the Pennine Way Northern Section Tour that takes 11 days.
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The Great Glen Way Walk
Head ‘north of the border’ and find your favourite loch along the Great Glen Way. From Fort William to Inverness – both served by the new comfortable Caledonian Sleeper trains – it follows mostly canal and loch-side footpaths, passing en route by the foot of Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain.
The Great Glen Way walk is an 8 day self guided journey.
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Scotland Coast to Coast Walk & Barge Tour
Starting at Fort William and concluding at Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, the Great Glen Way ranks among the most exhilarating long distance trails in the UK. Based on board a comfortable barge, the Scotland Coast to Coast Walk and Barge tour is a guided hike-and-sail itinerary that offers the opportunity to walk from one coast of Scotland to the other over a week. The barge stops are planned to suit the walking stages, breaking the 75-mile trail into manageable day walks, ranging between 10 and 15 miles. The relaxed route passes by the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK, while scattered along the shores of Loch Ness, the centuries-old forts and castles remain a silent witness to the country’s turbulent past.
>> Browse our full range of walking tours in Scotland.
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