Scotland, From Highlands to Islands
A slow journey through Scotland’s untamed north, ancestral paths and rewilding landscapes
11
DAYS
6
DESTINATIONS
6
BIOMES
The raw beauty of Scotland
11-day adventure through Scotland
From the rugged charm of the West Coast to the historic elegance of Edinburgh, each experience has been carefully chosen to foster a meaningful connection with this enchanting land. Traverse the iconic NC500 route, uncover the stories behind ancient castles, and immerse yourself in the serene landscapes of some of Scotlands most famous Lochs.
Along the way, taste the distinct flavours of local whiskies and savour moments of tranquility in brilliant accommodations like Lundies House and Killiehuntly Farmhouse that are dedicated to rewilding the Scottish landscape. Every experience celebrates the enduring ties between people and their environment, offering an enriching adventure designed to leave a lasting positive footprint. Join us on this transformative journey, crafted with purpose, for discerning travellers seeking both inspiration and impact.
Trip Highlights
Following the Edge of the Land
Travel Scotland’s most dramatic frontiers, from the sweeping curves of the North Coast 500 to the raw beauty of the West Coast and Isle of Skye. Winding roads trace sea cliffs, empty beaches and wide Highland horizons, revealing a country best understood by moving slowly through its edges.
Ancient Landscapes and Living History
Walk through places where history is embedded in stone, water and story. From castles and clan lands to crofting villages and ancestral river paths, each stop offers insight into how Scotland’s past continues to shape its present.
Rewilding, Restoration and a Deeper Connection to Nature
Stay on estates and in homes actively restoring the land, from native woodland regeneration to biodiversity-led farming. These landscapes invite not just admiration but understanding, showing how travel can support renewal rather than extraction.
From Highland Silence to Edinburgh’s Cultural Heart
The journey flows from remote stillness to refined city life, ending in Edinburgh where layered history, architecture and storytelling bring Scotland’s cultural identity into sharp focus. It is a contrast that completes the arc of wild to human, past to present.
Activities tailored for all experiences
Scenic Journeys and Private Guiding
Travel with expert driver-guides who bring context and storytelling to every mile. Routes are as meaningful as destinations, whether tracing the NC500, crossing to Skye, or moving through the Cairngorms and Perthshire.
Soft Adventure in Wild Places
Engage with Scotland’s landscapes through gentle, immersive experiences; wild hikes in the Cairngorms, loch swimming followed by sauna, coastal walks and time outdoors shaped by weather, light and season rather than rigid schedules.
Cultural Encounters and Heritage Experiences
Step into Scotland’s cultural fabric through whisky distillery visits, castle tours, village explorations and a ride aboard the iconic Jacobite Steam Train. These moments reveal tradition not as performance, but as something lived and evolving.
Thoughtful Stays and Slow Evenings
Evenings are as considered as days. Fireside dinners, locally sourced meals, quiet mornings and properties chosen for their commitment to place, design and land stewardship create space to rest, reflect and truly arrive.
Your Journey Overview
Tracing Scotland’s Wild North
Journey through Scotland at its most elemental, where landscapes are shaped by wind, water and time, and travel follows ancient routes rather than modern urgency. This immersive journey moves from the Highlands to the islands and onward to the cultural heart of Edinburgh, revealing a country defined as much by its quiet spaces as its celebrated landmarks.
Days unfold along coastal roads and mountain passes, through crofting villages, rewilding estates and storied glens. The rhythm is unhurried: long drives that invite reflection, walks shaped by weather and light, and moments of stillness beside lochs, rivers and open sea. Encounters with history, culture and community emerge naturally, from whisky distilleries and castles to shared stories and local traditions rooted in place.
This is a journey of reconnection, to land, heritage and a slower way of moving through the world. Designed for travellers who value meaning over momentum, it offers an experience of Scotland that is grounded, expansive and quietly transformative.
Highland Arrival and First Impressions
Your journey begins in the Scottish Highlands with a warm welcome at Inverness Airport, where a Journeys With Purpose representative meets you for a private transfer north into the landscape that will shape the days ahead. As the road winds through rolling countryside and along the coast, there is time to ease into the rhythm of Scotland, with optional stops in the characterful villages of Dornoch, Golspie and Brora. Here, small museums, independent shops and quiet streets offer a gentle introduction to Highland life.
Along the way, discover Scotland’s heritage of craftsmanship, from lambswool and cashmere to the enduring traditions of tweed. A visit to Campbells, the historic Highland Tweed House established in 1858, offers a glimpse into the artistry and quality that define Scottish knitwear, rooted in place and passed down through generations.
By afternoon, arrive at Newhall Mains, your peaceful Highland retreat for the next two nights. Lovingly restored from historic barns and cottages, it blends traditional materials with contemporary comfort, creating a sense of calm and seclusion. Set amid open landscapes and fresh Highland air, this first evening invites you to slow down, breathe deeply and settle into Scotland’s wild north.
Slow Living on the Black Isle
A full day at Newhall Mains invites you to settle into the gentle rhythms of the Black Isle, where movement and stillness exist in easy balance. Quiet country lanes, forest tracks and coastal paths encourage exploration at your own pace, whether by bicycle or on foot. E bikes are available from the hotel, making it easy to follow the shoreline from North Kessock to Redcastle or venture onto the mountain bike trails at Learnie Red Rocks. A leisurely ride leads to Cromarty, a characterful harbour town filled with ceramic studios, antique shops, cafés and welcoming pubs that reward unhurried wandering.
Back at the estate, life slows further. The restored courtyard becomes a playful gathering place with croquet on the lawn, open to all levels and enjoyed beneath wide Highland skies. Highland cows and Jacob sheep drift across the land, quietly grounding the experience in place. For deeper restoration, retreat to the private sauna or the wild wellness area beneath the old walnut tree, where sun warmed decking and a cold plunge offer a simple, invigorating ritual. This day is about presence rather than plans, an opportunity to move, rest and reconnect with the landscape that surrounds you.
Exceptional Stay at Newhall Mains
Highland Villages and the Spirit of the NC500
The day unfolds as you journey north along a storied stretch of the Highlands, guided by a local expert who brings depth and context to the landscapes you pass through. Pausing in the villages of Dornoch, Golspie and Brora, you’re invited to wander at ease through small museums and independent shops, gaining a quiet insight into Highland life where craft, heritage and community remain closely entwined.
Along the way, the region’s long tradition of lambswool and cashmere comes into focus, with opportunities to discover makers whose work reflects generations of skill and care. A visit to Dunnet Bay Distillers offers a warm and characterful interlude, with a guided tour and tasting that explores local botanicals and the craft behind their small batch spirits. By evening, you arrive at Lundies House in Tongue, a calm and considered retreat at the edge of the north, where the vastness of land and sea sets the tone for the days ahead.
A Private Passage Along the North Coast
This full day along the NC500 is guided entirely by your interests, led by a local storyteller who knows these northern landscapes as lived experience rather than landmark. The route unfolds at an unhurried pace, with time to stop where light, weather or curiosity invite. A gentle hike to Castle Varrich offers wide views over the Kyle of Tongue, while quieter detours reveal empty beaches, distant lighthouses and the steady presence of Ben Loyal rising from the land.
What sets this stretch of the NC500 apart is its stillness. Far from the busier sections of the route, the day feels spacious and personal, shaped by silence, scale and subtle detail. Packed lunches are carried to enjoy outdoors when the moment feels right, followed by the option to ease back into village life with a visit to local favourites such as Norse Bakehouse or the Cereal Bakery at Burr’s Store. It’s a day defined not by distance covered, but by depth of experience and a growing sense of connection to the far north.
Exceptional Stay at Lundies House
Wild Coasts, Seabirds and the Road to Skye
The day begins along Scotland’s raw West Coast, where ancient mountains rise from wide, open lands and the sense of space feels almost limitless. Travelling at a relaxed pace, you follow the curve of the coastline, pausing to walk, breathe in the salt air, and absorb the stillness of a region often described as the “empty lands”, though it feels anything but empty in spirit.
A crossing to Handa Island offers an unforgettable immersion in one of Europe’s most important seabird sanctuaries. Stepping ashore, the air fills with movement and sound as tens of thousands of birds nest along soaring cliffs, puffins, guillemots, kittiwakes and skuas creating a living coastal symphony. The journey continues through Assynt’s striking mountain forms and fishing villages, with time shaped by weather, curiosity and your guide’s local knowledge. By late afternoon, the road turns south toward the Isle of Skye, where you arrive at The Three Chimneys, ready to settle into the rhythm, flavours and quiet drama of island life.
A Day to Follow Skye’s Wild Rhythm
Today unfolds at your own pace on the Isle of Skye, a place where dramatic landscapes and Gaelic heritage shape every journey. With no fixed schedule, you’re free to explore according to the weather, the light and your curiosity, allowing the island to set the tempo rather than the clock.
You might choose a walk to the Old Man of Storr or the Quiraing, where vast, sculpted landscapes invite slow wandering and photography, or seek out the Fairy Pools beneath the Cuillin for moments of clarity and calm. Coastal routes lead to Neist Point Lighthouse, while Portree offers a gentler rhythm of harbour views and local seafood. For those drawn to flavour and tradition, a visit to Talisker Distillery reveals Skye’s maritime spirit through one of Scotland’s most distinctive single malts.
Exceptional Stay at The Three Chimneys
All Aboard the Jacobite Steam Train
The day begins with a scenic transition from island to mainland, as you travel by private transfer to Armadale and cross by local ferry to Mallaig. From here, step back in time aboard the Jacobite Steam Train, one of Scotland’s most evocative rail journeys. Travelling in First Class, you settle into a slower rhythm as the locomotive winds through lochs, glens and mountain landscapes, the gentle cadence of steam and rail creating space for reflection. Afternoon tea is served as ever-changing West Coast scenery unfolds beyond the windows, a journey as much about atmosphere as destination.
On arrival in Fort William, your chauffeur meets you for the onward drive into the Cairngorms. Just over an hour later, you arrive at Killiehuntly Farmhouse, where Highland warmth and quiet surround you once more. Set within a rewilding estate, this thoughtful retreat offers a peaceful close to a day shaped by movement, memory and the enduring romance of travel by rail.
Wild Hike, Sauna and Swimming
Immerse yourself in the wild heart of Scotland on a truly personalised adventure.
Join local guide Annie, a zoologist with a lifelong passion for Scottish wildlife, landscapes, and conservation. Whether you crave a gentle stroll or a challenging hike, her walks are crafted to suit you, always rich with local knowledge, hidden gems, and the natural beauty of the Highlands.
Having explored the rivers and lochs around Braemar since childhood, Annie will lead you to her favourite secret spots and share the life-affirming benefits of pure Scottish water. Water shoes and changing robes are thoughtfully provided so you can dive straight into the experience.
After your wild swim, warm up and unwind in our hand-built, wood-fired sauna overlooking a cascading waterfall, a perfect moment to reflect, relax, and reconnect with nature.
Your journey also includes a wild picnic in situ, allowing you to fully savour the serenity and splendour of the Scottish outdoors.
Exceptional Stay at Killiehuntly Farmhouse & Cottages
Perthshire Stories and Highland Romance
A day shaped by history, landscape and gentle exploration unfolds with your private driver-guide through the heart of Perthshire. Begin in the riverside village of Dunkeld, where the cathedral rises quietly above the Tay and brightly painted 18th-century houses line the streets. Wander Atholl Street’s independent shops, pause by Thomas Telford’s graceful bridge, and uncover small details of everyday history, from the Ell Shop to stories of clans and craft that still anchor the village today.
From here, the journey continues to Blair Castle, a romantic Highland estate set against wooded hills and mountain backdrops. Its baronial architecture and layered past reveal centuries of Scottish history, power and change. Later, slow the pace on the Rocks of Solitude walk near Edzell, where the River North Esk cuts through rock and forest, salmon leap upstream, and birdsong fills the air. A short woodland trail leads you through this secluded gorge before returning to the road and continuing onward to Edinburgh, carrying with you a day rich in story, scenery and quiet moments of connection.
Highland Thrills and Lochside Calm
The day opens with a burst of energy on the grounds of Cromlix, where a guided 4×4 safari invites you to engage directly with the landscape. Under the watchful eye of expert instructors, navigate rolling hills, muddy tracks and twisting trails, learning the art of off-road driving while taking in wide views across the estate. It is an experience that blends focus, fun and a sense of adventure, grounded in the quiet beauty of the surrounding countryside.
From land to water, the afternoon slows as your driver leads you south into Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Here, a private cruise carries you across the still waters of Loch Lomond, weaving between its islands as stories of clans, folklore and landscape unfold. With a glass of champagne in hand and mountains reflected in the loch, the day finds its balance, a gentle close shaped by calm, history and Scotland’s enduring natural grace.
Exceptional Stay at 100 Princes Street
Edinburgh Arrival and Old Town Stories
Your journey concludes in Scotland’s captivating capital, a city where layers of history, culture, and creativity unfold at every turn. Edinburgh greets you with its unmistakable skyline, the Castle rising high above the city from its volcanic perch, anchoring centuries of story and symbolism. Settle into 100 Princes Street, a discreet and characterful retreat overlooking the Castle itself. Behind its understated façade lies a world of quiet glamour and Scottish storytelling, an intimate base perfectly positioned for exploring both Old Town drama and New Town elegance.
The following day invites you deep into the city’s past on a privately guided walking tour through the Old Town. Along cobbled closes and historic streets, your guide brings to life tales of writers, royalty, and everyday life shaped by this compact and theatrical city. From the Royal Mile to hidden corners and waterside Leith, Edinburgh reveals itself as both grand and intimate. The experience culminates at Edinburgh Castle, where you are free to explore at your own pace, standing within one of Scotland’s most powerful symbols before drifting back into the city’s cafés, viewpoints, or green hillsides to savour a fitting finale to your journey.
Our purpose
Journeys With Purpose engage guests with the world’s most ambitious and exciting conservation projects across our seven continents. We believe travel can be a powerful force for learning, for expanding horizons and shifting perspectives on the magic and wonder of our natural world. Our journeys invite you to step outside of your daily ecosystem and engage with new cultures, environments and people in the world’s wildest corners.
At this moment in history, we are placing unprecedented pressure on the planet and wildlife, communities and nature is under threat. True wilderness is increasingly rare, yet there are remarkable examples of nature rebounding, and flourishing. These conservation successes showcase the resilience of our natural world, and our journeys serve to spotlight, and support, these projects.
Whether on a safari, diving trip or mountain expedition, by travelling with JWP you contribute to our mission: to conserve and restore 30 million acres of land and 30 million acres of seas by 2030. We are proud members of 1% for the Planet, through which we donate 1% of our annual revenue to grass-root initiatives.
Journeys With Purpose is also a member of The Long Run, a Conde Nast Traveller specialist travel agency, and a Certified B Corp, awarded “Best for the World: Environment 2022”.
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The planning process
Each journey is thoughtfully crafted by our specialists to your preferences, to offer a profound connection with the natural world, inviting you to slow down, immerse and reconnect.
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Sign up to our monthly field report to discover extraordinary projects, remarkable stories, and transformative experiences in wild nature.