Outdoor Adventures in the English Lake District & Scottish Highlands - 13 Days

Highlights

• Paddle, hike, and horseback ride around England's famed Lake District
• Immerse yourself in folk music and culture in the colorful city of Glasgow
• Hit the "whisky trail" and visit the best distilleries on the Isle of Skye
• Tour ancient castles, lochs, and glens in the Scottish Highlands

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Manchester (England), Drive to Ambleside, Lake District Canoeing

Welcome to the UK! Big Ben and Buckingham Palace will have to wait because this adventure is all about the glorious north and its great outdoors. You'll arrive in Manchester, a major industrial city that's also the gateway to northern England. At the airport, pick up your rental car and hit the road north on a 1.5-hour drive to Lake District National Park. This area in the county of Cumbria is renowned for its pristine natural scenery, including 16 major lakes such as Windermere, Ullswater, and Derwentwater. The region also features numerous tarns (small mountain lakes) and waterfalls.

Your destination is the pretty town of Ambleside, which is home to handsome stone cottages and 400-year-old pubs. It's also a great home base from which to explore the Lake District's highlights—and the adventures start right away! After dropping off your bags at the hotel, you'll transfer to a nearby lake, where you'll meet a guide for a canoe tour. After learning proper paddling techniques, hop in the canoe and cruise across the glassy waters, enjoying the beauty of the surrounding woodlands and soaring mountains in the distance.

Day 2: Lake District Pony Trekking & Standup Paddleboarding

Rise and shine! More Lake District adventures are on the agenda today, starting with a morning horseback ride. This excursion begins at a countryside pub, where you'll hop in the saddle and commence an hour-long ride down quiet bridle paths. This route passes by dazzling Lake District scenery, including patchwork farmland and green fells (hills/mountains). 

After the ride, you'll return to the lake and hit the water on a guided standup paddleboarding tour. During this 2.5-hour tour, you'll enjoy serene paddling, active diving off the board, and time to swim. There's no need to worry about the weather, as wet suits and life vests are provided.

Day 3: Lake District Highlights Drive

Experience more of the Lake District in all its majesty as you leave after breakfast on a guided countryside tour. This half-day road trip will take you to many highlights and numerous lakes (including Lake Windermere, the largest in the area). Along the way, you'll visit the Neolithic Castlerigg Stone Circle, stop at the arched Ashness Bridge, drive the winding Kirkstone Pass, and much more. As you go, your expert local guide will impart fascinating knowledge and lore about the region.

Day 4: Drive to Glasgow (Scotland), Walking Tour, Dinner & Folk Music

Say goodbye to England as you get behind the wheel again for the 2.5-hour drive north into Scotland and Glasgow, the country's largest city. This metropolis is abuzz with culture and excitement, filled with fine museums, art galleries, and theaters. You'll quickly learn that locals (called Glaswegians) are renowned for their hospitality, and the convivial atmosphere is infectious.

Speaking of which, after checking into your hotel you'll experience the best of this friendly culture—as well as some fine local cuisine. Meet a local guide and embark on a folk-music-themed walking tour of the gritty city's oldest and most interesting streets. After the hour-long walk, pop in at a classic Scottish restaurant for a hearty, home-cooked meal. Then, you'll experience the best contemporary and traditional folk music from a rotating lineup of Glasgow's up-and-coming talent. Sláinte Mhath!

Day 5: Drive to Glencoe via Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

You're in for a treat as this morning, you'll venture into the famous Scottish Highlands. Drive an hour north of the city to Loch Lomond, the largest lake in Scotland. It's part of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, a 720-square-mile (1,865 sq km) protected area that's one of the largest national parks in the UK. It's known as "the Highlands in miniature" due to its captivating scenery, which abounds with mountains, lochs, forests, and glens with incredible views everywhere you look. 

During this self-guided exploration, you can embark on a nature hike, cruise across Loch Katrine, or kayak on Loch Lomond. Another highlight is the Birds of Prey Centre, which rescues and rehabilitates wild birds and also puts on flying shows. If you like, stop in at Glengoyne, a family-run distillery, for a tasting of malt whisky. Definitely don't miss the beautiful Falls of Dochart, which run through the town of Killin. Here, you can find out more about local folklore and clan history. At the end of the day, drive 1.5 hours deeper into the Highlands to reach the village of Glencoe, where you'll overnight. 

Day 6: Kayaking the Great Glen & Caledonian Canal

The Glen Coe Valley is a Highland region of almost surreal beauty. It runs 10 miles (16 km) beneath rugged volcanic peaks shaped by millions of years of erosion. Today, after a hearty breakfast, you'll grab a paddle and experience the beauty of this area from the water. This half-day kayaking adventure will take you down the Caledonian Canal, a 60-mile (96 km) stream that cuts through the spectacular Great Glen. 

Weather permitting, you'll visit some local landmarks, such as the Well of the Seven Heads and the ruins of the 17th-century Invergarry Castle. After a few hours of paddling, you'll return to shore and enjoy a relaxed evening in Glencoe village. If you have time and energy, you can also embark on a short hike through the nearby woods. 

Day 7: The Trossachs Horseback Tour & E-Biking in the Highlands

This morning, you'll head back to The Trossachs and meet your guide for a horseback ride amid the splendor of the Highlands. Hop in the saddle and follow an expert guide on a one-hour trot along the hills and glens around the park. The trip culminates with your arrival at a magnificent viewpoint over Loch Lomond. Get lucky, and you might spot the iconic red deer, which is native to the region. 

Day 8: Drive to the Isle of Skye via Eilean Donan Castle, Skye Boat Tour

Continue further north this morning on a two-hour drive to the coast and Eilean Donan Castle. Located on Loch Duich, this is probably the most photographed castle in Scotland. The island fortress dates to the 13th century and is named after a seventh-century Irish priest killed on the nearby island of Eigg in 617 CE. Find out how Donan came to the west coast of Scotland to try to convert the pagan inhabitants to Christianity.

The castle has been the subject of many clan battles, and during a tour, learn about these family feuds, plus how three English frigates destroyed the castle in the early 1700s. It wasn't until 200 years later that John Macrae-Gilstrap restored the building and the causeway. After soaking up the castle's extraordinary history, leave on an hour's drive west to the famous Isle of Skye. This dramatic and ethereal isle (the largest in the Hebrides archipelago) is known for its rugged terrain and the iconic Cuillin Range. The island's coastline is scattered with high cliffs, sea stacks, and picturesque fishing villages.

Once here, you'll head to the coast and board a glass-bottomed boat (the Seaprobe Atlantis) for a journey that explores the worlds both above and below the surface. You'll enjoy fantastic coastal views of Skye and the mainland as you cruise, keeping an eye out for the seals, otters, and other wildlife that frequent these waters. Then, go below decks to see the fascinating underwater world teeming with marine life. At the end of the 1.5-hour tour, you'll return to shore and drive to your hotel in the village of Broadford.

Day 9: Isle of Skye Whisky Trail Tour & Tasting

It's no secret that Scotland is known for its fine whiskies. There are around 150 such distilleries throughout the country, many of them family-owned. Some of the very best can be found in the Hebrides islands, and today you'll hit the famous "whisky trail" to seek them out. A local whisky expert will pick you up at your hotel this morning, and you'll set off on a full-day adventure into single malts.

The first stop is at Talisker, the oldest operating distillery on Skye. It's set on the shores of Loch Harport, with spectacular views of the Cuillins. Here, you'll taste the seductively sweet and full-bodied single malts that reflect the wild character of these lands. Afterward, board a passenger ferry to the Isle of Raasay.

Day 10: Drive to Fort William, Cruise Loch Linnhe

Leave early for a 2.5-hour drive south to mainland Scotland and Fort William, known as the "adventure capital of the UK." This loch-side town sits between crystal clear lakes and lies at the foot of Ben Nevis. At 4,412 feet (1,345 m), this is the tallest peak in the UK, which draws outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world. Upon arrival, you'll check into your hotel.

Take the rest of the day to see Fort William at your own pace, perhaps by tasting local whiskies at a distillery, hiking a portion of Ben Nevis, or strolling the waterfront as you look out to islands like Rum, Eigg, Muck, Canna, and Skye. You can also learn about the area's history and the Jacobite risings at the West Highland Museum or get tickets for an 84-mile (135 km) round-trip ride on the Jacobite Steam Train. The train starts near Ben Nevis and travels to the village of Arisaig before passing lochs Morar and Nevis. 

In the evening, head to the waterfront and hop on a boat for a relaxing cruise on Loch Linnhe. Kick back on deck and enjoy spectacular views of Ben Nevis as you pass islands teeming with birdlife. You'll also be treated to an unbeatable sunset over the surrounding granite peaks. Complementing the experience is the selection of local beers and whiskies aboard the ship.

Day 11: Ben Nevis Cycling Adventure

Today, you'll see the Ben Nevis range from a different perspective as you ride around its ridges and rugged trails on a mountain bike. This half-day excursion will take you up the mountain to around 3,937 feet (1,200 m) along ridges and rugged terrain. You can also hop on a gondola for a ride up to the trailhead of the Red Giant, a single-track descent packed with gravity-defying turns, or take on the ultimate challenge—the World Cup downhill track! Whatever you decide, this cycling adventure is suitable for all skill levels. 

Day 12: Drive to Glasgow via Loch Lomond Cruise

It's time to make the journey back to the big city. Leave in the morning on a 2.5-hour drive south to Glasgow. On the way, you'll make one last stop in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park to admire the unrivaled beauty of the Scottish Highlands. While here, you'll enjoy a boat cruise around Loch Lomond and have extra time to embark on nature hikes (keep an eye out for endemic birds like capercaillies and the elegant black grouse). If you like, you can also visit some castle ruins and historic villages in the area. At the end of the afternoon, you'll continue on to Glasgow and check into your hotel.

Day 13: Depart Glasgow

You've reached the end of the trail on your outdoor adventure through northern England and the Scottish Highlands. Enjoy one more leisurely breakfast at the hotel in Glasgow before driving to the airport to drop off your rental car. There, you'll board your flight home—or onward to the next adventure!

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