Select any picture below for a larger view

The ideal base for touring Skye, Lochalsh and the Western Highlands

The Glenshiel Area, Fly-fishing, Hill walking, Munros

Walking Holidays | Sports, Munros, Hillwalking in Scotland

A view of the Five Sisters of Kintail from Mam Ratagan A view across Loch Duich to Kintail Lodge Hotel, with the Five Sisters of Kintail in the background

  • The Five Sisters of Kintail, taken from the top of the road going over Mam Ratagan Pass to Glenelg.
  • You can just see the wake of a local Prawn Creeler steaming across Loch Duich.
  • Kintail Lodge Hotel is in the middle of the picture down on the far shore, indicated by white arrow (click on the picture to zoom in)
  • On the left of the picture is the start of the 4-mile walk to the falls of Glomach.
  • A few miles up the glen to the right of the picture is the site of the 1719 Battle of Glenshiel.
  • Believe it or not, there was actually an eagle flying behind me, circling in the sky just out of shot when I took this photograph

Walking Holidays at Kintail Lodge Hotel

Ian Philp of trekHighlandsis a qualified Mountain Leader offering guided and self-guided walking holidays. The Kintail Lodge Hotel is perfectly situated to act as a base for a walking holiday in one of the most scenic parts of Scotland. Ian's local knowledge allows him to plan holidays for all ability levels, and having him as your guide will ensure you see special parts of the area many visitors miss.
More about trekHighlands here...

Local Attractions & Places of Interest in the Area

Munros and Waterfalls...

Glen Shiel has some of the most rugged mountain scenery in the Scottish Highlands and there are over 20 Munros within easy reach of Kintail Lodge.
(For those who are not already 'in the know' a Munro is a hill in the Scottish Highlands over 3000 ft (914.4 m) in height and which is deemed to be a "separate mountain". Opinions are divided over the precise number of Munros, with different sources quoting figures of between 277 and 285.)
See the bottom of this page for Munro links.

The Saddle is one of the finest mountains in the area and its long ridge, known as the Forcan Ridge, must be one of the most exhilarating in the country. The North and the South Glen Shiel Ridges offer excellent, challenging days out for the experienced walker but most famous of them all is the Five Sisters of Kintail - a truly classic walk with picture postcard views and their western flanks that rise for over 1000m in one fell swoop.

For the less serious walker, the Falls of Glomach, one of the highest waterfalls in Britain at 310 ft, offers a nice day out with a good chance of seeing Golden Eagles and Deer.

These are just a few of the many high- and low-level walks in the area. Speak to our resident guide, Ian Philp, for more information or to discuss a day's guided walk in the area.

Brochs, Castles, Otters and Nessie...

An Iron-age Broch at GlenelgAt Glenelg (10 miles) are two fine examples of Iron Age Brochs (roughly 700BC - AD43) built by the Picts. These were built throughout Scotland, generally near the coast, and acted as refuges during attack.

Select for a larger view of Eilean Donan CastleEilean Donan Castle (6 miles) is one of the most photogenic castles in Scotland. Built in the 13th century as the principle seat of the MacKenzies of Kintail, during the 1719 Jacobite rising the castle was battered to a ruin and remained so for 300 years until Colonel MacRae-Gilstrap restored it around 100 years ago. More information about Eilean Donan Castle...

Select for a larger view of General Wade's Barracks at GlenelgGeneral Wade's Barracks, Glenelg, was built to house 300 soldiers. In 1724 General Wade reported to King George I that certain Highland Clans were against him and advised the King on how to bring them into line. This resulted in 'the clearances'. The ruins of General Wade's Barracks can be seen to this day.

Author Gavin Maxwell has strong connections with Sandaig (12 miles). He wrote Ring of Bright Water, a story about an otter he called Mijbil. Towards the end of his life he lived on a small island - Eilean Ban - just off Kyleakin. This now has a visitors' centre and offers boat trips to see otters. Seals and other wild life can also be seen in the area.

Loch Ness with its world-famous monster, Nessie, is only a short drive away. The Exhibition Centre offers eye-witness accounts and photographs of the monster. Boat trips 'monster spotting' on the loch are also available. Visiting Urquhart Castle en route makes for a good day out.

Select for a larger view of Kintail Lodge Hotel, Glenshiel
A view of Kintail Lodge Hotel on the shores of Loch Duich
Select for a larger view of The Black Cuillins from Elgol, Skye
The Black Cuillins from Elgol, Skye
Please select for a larger view of Loch Alsh at twilight from above Eilean Donan Castle
Loch Alsh at twilight from above Eilean Donan Castle

 

Sports in Scotland, Hill walking and Munro Links

We include here some links to web sites about sports in Scotland in general, hillwalking in Scotland and Munros in particular. Please note that these links are included for the convenience of visitors to this web site and we accept no responsibility for the content of any third-party web sites. Each link opens in a new browser window.

The Munros and Tops Index

Munro Bagging on the Web by Adrian Tupper

Paul Kennedy's Munros site

The Munros of Scotland by Ian Fisk of New Zealand

Hillwalking in Scotland - Connery's Scottish Walks
"Hillwalking throughout Scotland, the Connery way. From the Cairngorm Mountains to Isle of Arran, from Pitlochry to Loch Lomond, from Greenock to the Trossachs from Lochs to Glens."

Select to go to www.scottishsport.co.uk

This web site has a substantial walking section, concentrating on the munros with routes, maps etc..