There is so much to do in Scotland this summer, from the new Borders Railway opening between Edinburgh and Tweedbank to new sightseeing options on the Isle of Skye (by seaplane!) and country-wide celebrations for the 'Year of Food and Drink'.
If you are planning a trip this summer, below are Sherpa Expeditions' top adventures on foot and by bike across the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands, starting from just over £500 per person…
Great Glen Way | An exhilarating long distance trail starting at Fort William and concluding at Inverness, the northernmost city in Scotland. En route it crosses the Highlands passing by the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK, and following the shores of Loch Ness, with the forts and castles scattered along the way silent witness to Scotland's turbulent past.
Scottish Highlands Cycle | A weeklong trip that will see you cycling along scenic paths and quiet forest trails where you can spot native wildlife such as red deer, stag or golden eagle. At Fort William a day is set aside to rest – or ascend Ben Nevis! – followed by a train journey that takes you across desolate Rannoch Moor to Loch Rannoch. The trip concludes at the riverside city of Perth.
Rob Roy Way | 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!
Lochs and Bens | Take Scotland's backroads and country paths and enjoy the majestic mountain peaks, shimmering lochs and pretty glens. En route pass through picturesque Highland villages and peaceful lochside towns and make the most of the opportunities to take a forest walk or visit one of the many castles and ancient monuments found along the way.
West Highland Way | Follow Scotland's famous footpath on its course from the south of Loch Lomond to Fort William and Ben Nevis, linking Britain's largest lake with its highest mountain. The route is a step back into history, with stages which follow military roads that linked the Highlands to the Lowlands and hotels which originated from droving inns operated for centuries.