Day 1: Edinburgh - Ullapool
Travel north over the Forth Road Bridge to the charming highland village of Dunkeld on the banks of the river Tay. From here you head into the Cairngorm national park and the ancient pine forests of the Rothiemurchus estate. Lunchtime will be spent on the beautiful shores of Loch Insh before a short forest walk takes us to the ruins of Loch an Eilean Castle. You can enjoy panoramic views of Loch Ness as you travel down its famous banks to the village of Dores where you can do some "Nessie" spotting! Then its on to the fishing village of Ullapool where you will spend the next two nights.

Day 2: Northwest Highlands
Visit the far northwest Highlands and the expansive wildness and grandeur of the mountains of Assynt. Visit to the 15th century ruins of Ardvreck Castle, amazing views of some of Europe's oldest landscapes. Stop off in the small fishing village of Lochinver. With the chance of seeing wildlife such as eagles and red deer this is sure to be a memorable day.

Day 3: Portree
Leave Ullapool heading West past the mountains of Beinn Eighe national nature reserve and along the picturesque coastline of Loch Torridon. The tranquil setting of Applecross is your destination for lunch, then head-off for jaw-dropping views on one of Scotland's highest roads, Bealach nam Bo (meaning the Cattle Pass). In the afternoon you will stop in "tropical" Plockton where you can see palm trees growing alongside Loch Carron and take time to enjoy it's sheltered serenity. Then it's over the sea to Skye and the delightful harbor town of Portree with its friendly welcome.

Day 4: Skye
There are many possibilities depending on the weather and your driver/guide's knowledge will come to the fore in designing the best day out for you that particular day. For example: travel north to the stunning Quiraing mountain pass and enjoy a spectacular walk through some of Skye's extraordinary geological scenery. Kilt Rock, composed of basalt columns (reminiscent of the pleats in a kilt) with its waterfall cascading over the cliffs and down into the sea below. After lunch you can go over to Neist Point for a walk out to the lighthouse that is the furthest point west on Skye. Or go over to Dunvegan Castle, ancient ancestral seat of the Clan McLeod. Talisker Distillery is also on Skye, as are the famous Cuillin Hills. Return to your accommodation in Portree in the early evening where you are free to explore the town yourselves at leisure.

Day 5: Skye - Edinburgh
Travel south from Skye stopping first at the famous stronghold Eilean Donan Castle, used in the film "Highlander", set at the head of 3 lochs as protection against Viking raiders. Continuing east through the rugged mountains of Kintail including the splendor of the Five Sisters, drive down through Glen Garry past Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, then on to Fort William for lunch. In the afternoon you can explore spectacular, awe-inspiring Glencoe, scene of the infamous massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692, before stopping in Killin for refreshments beside the beautiful Falls of Dochart and returning to Edinburgh AT 19:30 approx.