Destination
It’s easy to forget how much of Scotland is still wild and under-explored. Hiking Scotland’s hills has often figured as a way of finding respite from the frenetic pace of the city. For those looking for a challenge think The West Highland Way. An island escape, The Isle of Arran. For a more leisurely walk in Scotland, following the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness – look no further than The Great Glen Way.
The most northerly region of the UK also contains the most mountainous terrain, with the highest mountain in Britain (Ben Nevis) towering over Scotland's distinctive highlands. Generally, the south and central lowlands are characterised by gentler forested areas in comparison to more rugged features of the north. Scotland's topography is divided between mainland and islands and dominated by the cavernous lochs sprawling across its landmass - 90% of the standing fresh water volume of Great Britain lies within Scotland.
Explore highlands, lochs and deep glens in Scotland's areas of iconic natural beauty. Your walking holiday can take you into areas full of echoes of Scottish history. Choose from walking the romantic Rob Roy Way in Scotland's Southern Highlands, along the shores of Loch Lomond with its islands set against stunning mountain backdrops and ascend the Devil's Staircase on the West Highland Way or the beautiful Isle of Arran, ‘Scotland in miniature’. End your time walking with a day in Edinburgh for a final experience of Scotland’s fascinating history.
Scotland is significantly colder and wetter than England and Wales. For this reason it is best to avoid the winter months (November through to March), which can be very challenging. The warmest months, and best time to visit are from April through to October. Dry weather cannot unfortunately be guaranteed, but the days will be warmer, lighter and better for walking.
Unlike the rest of the UK, Scottish school holidays generally run from late June until mid-August and so those wishing to miss the busiest months should avoid these times.
Those hoping to walk the West Highland Way or the Great Glen Way should also be aware of the much hated ‘midge’. These tiny, biting insects exist in high numbers in the north-west of Scotland and are at their worst during the hottest months, especially August. For this reason, May, June and September can be better months to visit the North West Highlands.
By Plane: The quickest way to get to Scotland is by plane. Scotland has 3 international airports, Edinburgh and Glasgow in the south and Aberdeen in the north. Edinburgh and Glasgow both have excellent transport links into the rest of Scotland, whilst Aberdeen is slightly more isolated.
As Scotland is quite far from London, it is generally easier to fly directly into a Scottish airport rather flying into a London airport and then making your way to Scotland. However there are regular daily flights into Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen from all of the major London airports. Likewise if you are starting your holiday in a different part of England or Wales, you will find regular flights to Scotland from most British airports.
By Eurostar/ Train: If travelling from mainland Europe, the UK can be reached by train from Paris, Brussels and Lille using the Eurostar. The Eurostar arrives in London, and from there you will find excellent train and bus connections to Scotland.
A train from London to Edinburgh or Glasgow will take approximately 4 ½ hours. Both cities then have excellent train connections with the rest of Scotland. Alternatively, you can take the Caledonian Sleeper, which is an overnight sleeper train from London to major Scottish destinations, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William. It is a particularly good option if you're travelling to northern Scotland.
Other major British cities with good train connections into Scotland include Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham. You should book train journeys as far in advance as possible to secure the best fares.
By Ferry: If traveling from mainland Europe, there is an overnight car ferry from IJmuiden in Holland to the city of Newcastle, which lies just south of the Scottish border. The journey takes 17 hours, although a cabin is included in your fare. From Newcastle, there are very good transport links into Scotland.
It is also possible to travel by ferry from Northern Ireland to Glasgow.
Reliable company that helped us even under difficult circumstances.
The trip went off without a hitch. All of the accommodations were above my expectations. The walk pack was super user friendly and the bag transfers spot on. I will definitely use your company again
Efficient, easy to deal with, helpful
All arrangements were made for us, making it an easy journey. Every guest lodge was comfortable and welcoming. The hosts were very friendly and accommodating. Trails were well marked and the scenery was beautiful and diverse.
We have completed about a dozen walks with you, and only the first one with another company. Celtic trails always give an excellent service and are easily contactable when needed en route.
This was very well organized. No complaints at all, would recommend. We were tired, but made it!
Stipt, good contact and very pleasant
A 'in country' booking service that takes care of your accommodations, some meals and luggage transfers. The company is super responsive and affordable compared to similar walking tour companies, we had conversations with other walkers who used a different service than Celtic Trails. They told us that some of their accommodations were not that good with one having unclean rooms with bugs. Our experience with the lodging was all positive.
Celtic Trails enabled us to focus on the walking.
Nathan and Celtic Trails helped us to choose the ideal holiday for our group. Then organized accommodations and transport for our bags so we could just enjoy the walk and the scenery.
I?ve walked with other trail companies on other walks and this was by far the best. Everything was well organized with good communication.
Our trip worked out perfectly. We really loved the smaller b&bs. Great hospitality!
We loved our second walk with Celtic Trails! They made our trip planning and logistics easy and stress free. They gave us everything we needed to make the trip happen - we just had to manage the walking part! The locally-owned guest houses were charming, with great breakfasts and friendly hosts. This personal and local element is one of our favorite parts of Celtic Trails holidays.
Celtic Trails made everything easy...Main benefit was that you were able to book accommodation during peak times
Celtic Trails do exactly what it says on the tin
Very professional and thorough trip planning.
Excellent! The website was very helpful, the staff promptly responded to our questions and readily modified the suggested route to meet our personal needs.
You are very service minded
You guys do a fine job at organizing the nicest guest houses and providing all the needed information. I am very pleased with my walking holidays! Please, extend my gratitude to Nathan who was always responding quickly to my emails. Thank you!
We have just completed our third walking holiday with Celtic Trails, 60-80 miles each, without a single mishap on any of them! Their attention to detail is brilliant, the costs reasonable, and the service outstanding!
Reliable -nice places to stay - responsive & superb
Well organised, challenging & satisfying. The walk was realistically described and it was overall a brilliant holiday! Thanks Celtic Trails.
Celtic Trails are excellent! because you are attentive, responsive, and competent.
Celtic Trails were efficient, personal, helpful and friendly. They were also every flexible when our plans changed.
We had an amazing experience- thank you! All arrangements went very smoothly!
Celtic Trails customer service is excellent with helpful and knowledgeable staff on hand to assist. Booking via the website is easy, the walk packs are well thought out and the books and maps will get you to the end of the trail. The baggage transfer has worked perfectly on the 3 walks we have completed with Celtic Trails. We would use Celtic Trails again when booking a long distance walk.
Very good service
Celtic Trails are the best! very thorough! professional! can do approach!
I had a great walk on the Cateran Trail, the accommodations were great and the transport was great, so that?s the most important thing.
Celtic Trails provided excellent customer service when we needed it. We felt a huge accomplishment when we finish the walk. It was tough but so enjoyable. We met the most amazing people on the trail and there is nothing so magical as walking through the Scottish highlands.
You will be in good hands with Celtic Trails
The whole trip was very well organised by Celtic Trails. Everything went like clockwork - including the weather!
Celtic Trails have a good organization & service, described well with good directions and info, so nice to have bags sent ahead, all accommodations were good and hosts were very helpful.
Excellent customer service and luggage transfers. The walk contents were great!
Celtic Trails provided a great service, well organised and good communication. Looking to walk the 2nd half of the West Highland Way next!
Arranging and booking a walking holiday with Celtic Trails is simple, straight forward and the pricing is extremely competitive.
I feel fantastic, very relaxed. Thank you!
Celtic Trails took away concerns about where to go, where to stay, and how to transfer belongings to each location, so all we had to do was enjoy the walk. The bed and breakfasts were marvellous, and all of our hosts were familiar with Celtic Trails. All of my questions were answered thoroughly by Nathan before we departed for our vacation.
Speyside Way was a lovely walk, not too difficult, variety of scenery & lots of history. No hitches with accomodation or transport.
We would recommend Celtic Trails to our friends. The walk has had a positive impact on our health and well being.
Excellent service throughout. The whole trip felt personalised and it was very refreshing to have a single point of contact, rather than a faceless website, in the event of any queries.
Celtic Trails are a solid, dependable walking company!
Any interaction that I had with Celtic Trails was very friendly and helpful. Service seemed tailored to ensure the best possible experience. A big thanks to the team!
Trust Celtic Trails to provide a high quality vacation. Everything from the communication, directions, travel pack, restaurant recommendations, hotels and B&B?s were phenomenal.
Not my first walk with Celtic Trails and I doubt there are any better
I highly recommend Celtic Trails. Our accommodations were great and the luggage transfers went smoothly.
Celtic Trails were very friendly, with an efficient service, including local information and personal transfers. Nathan was also very helpful throughout the whole process.
A well organised walking company. Innkeepers along the way also speak well of Celtic Trails which is reassuring.
All details of the trip are prearranged so that you can focus on just enjoying each daily walk.
Celtic Trails staff are very responsive to your individual requests and needs. They are quick to give you answers to any questions and give advice to tailor your walk to special circumstances or preferences.
The trip was seamless - the hosts and firms with which you partner with, were all top notch!
Celtic Trails are quick to respond to queries and helpful. Very comprehensive organisation and we met nice hosts throughout the holiday.
Working with CT is made easy by the responsiveness of the staff. All are professional and courteous.
We were very impressed with the responsiveness to our inquiries and the tone of staff to our emails, who all provided a great service.
An excellent way to walk overseas if you don't want the hassle of organising accommodations & transfers yourself.
This is my 14th long distance trail and I always feel in safe hands with Celtic Trails.
Walking with CT is made easy by the responsiveness of the staff. All are professional and courteous.
Celtic Trails was very easy to work with and made our holiday stress free.
I have already passed on your info to two different friends. I think we got great value for our money and experience, as the knowledge you have, made everything run much smoother.
Celtic Trails are a friendly company who can handle special needs requests too.
Celtic Trails were reliable. The booked us special accommodations and provided very clear walking information.
Very smooth, it was wonderful not having to think about or organize the logistics, and it was very clear what information we had to provide, and when. I would absolutely travel with Celtic Trails again in the future. We greatly enjoyed the scenery, the friendliness of the locals, and the warm welcomes at the accommodation. I came back to my home town invigorated and feeling ready to take on daily life challenges. I had heard so much about the West Highland Way and the Scottish Highlands have been calling to me for a long time. This was my introduction to both the country and the Highlands and I'm absolutely blown away.
The customer service with Celtic Trails and with the taxi company were both excellent. We greatly enjoyed the scenery, the friendliness of the locals, and the warm welcomes at the accomodation.
I was extremely satisfied with the service I received from Celtic Trails. This process was seamless. Very grateful to have the luggage transfer. Celtic Trails made the whole process easy. I didn't have to do the research or the booking, which made the actual trip stress-free. Would absolutely recommend working with this company again. It was a great break away from a busy work schedule. Being in the clean, beautiful Scottish countryside was a welcome change of pace. This was my first walking holiday, and I am hooked!
Very well organized. The accommodations and hosts were excellent. The contact with Nathan was professional and caring. I appreciate all the extra care everyone showed us. I would recommend hiking Scotland to everyone that loves beautiful countryside. Awesome. Celtic Trails is an excellent tour company to book with.
With Celtic Trails, you can focus on your walk, and they will take care of the rest! The beautiful but wild and rugged landscape covered in green of the Highlands was a delight the entire way.
Celtic Trails are all good.
4th time using Celtic and not a single problem on their end.
Celtic Trails were well organised, lived up to my expectations, a good experience walking on my own knowing the support was there if I had needed it.
Everything was wonderful and so easy. All we had to do each day was walk. Everyone we met at the accommodations were welcoming and did everything they could to make our stays better. We had such a great trip for our first walking holiday and would absolutely do another one. My fiance proposed on this trip so we both came back incredibly happy and excited. I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful setting.
Our experience with Celtic Trails was easy and well-organised. Thank you for making the logistical and admin worries an issue we didn't have to worry about. It was nice to be in nature and unconnected. Love the small towns and nice perople we met.
Nathan was very responsive over email, and worked with our group of eight to book a tour that fit our schedule. This was one of our family's favorite trips of all time. The Borders region is simply beautiful. The people we encountered in each town were so friendly and welcoming.
Nathan clearly and quickly communicated with us during the booking process, finding us a cancelled holiday to take over even when there was initially no more space. He was flexible with us skipping the lodging for the first night, and provided lots of helpful info when we asked. Thank you, Nathan!
Celtic Trails are a friendly company, accessible, knowledgeable and friendly staff via phone, providing relevant and detailed information for the walk. Dales Way already booked with them for September.
Good standard of accommodation. Fairly priced and very well organized. I was a pleasure to have Nathan assist us with this booking.
Celtic Trails were convenient and well-organized. While walkers from the US could certainly use the way-marked trails, organizing B&Bs and luggage transfer would be more difficult. Having Celtic Trails make these arrangements was very helpful. We love being outdoors and thoroughly enjoyed our previous walk organized by Celtic Trails (Borders Abbeys). Our Great Glen Way trip was postponed due to Covid and we had been looking forward to it for quite some time. The weather couldn't have been more perfect (we were very lucky and had warm, sunny days). Completing the walk gave us a feeling of accomplishment. We also met some lovely people on the trail with whom we will stay in touch. This route was a good mix of relatively flat terrain (along the Caledonian Canal) and climbing (for spectacular views). People were almost universally friendly.
Excellent level of Service . Friendly, Well organised , great communication. Very good level of accommodation. We will not hesitate to utilise Celtic trails again for our next walking holiday!
Celtic Trails did exactly as asked, all arrangements happened as planned, no issues, no concerns, no worries, no stress. Body tired, spirits lifted, well-being improved, achievement level high. We had brilliant, utterly amazing weather. The routes were well-signposted and we relaxed into enjoying the views, sights and sounds.
Celtic Trails are a hassle free way to plan and execute a walking trip- it makes the actual trip so much more pleasurable to not have to worry about planning each component. There were no issues with the plans, and all arrangements were excellent.
Celtic Trails provide prompt responses and caring personal attention. We have only walked with Celtic Trails and would recommend them.
My family knew generally where we wanted to go but none of us had the time to investigate the logistics of accommodation and luggage transfers. Celtic Trails allowed us to focus on our holiday, and the accommodations they arranged for us were all lovely. We didn?t originally plan on doing the Rob Roy Way (rather the West Highland Way) but we wanted too late to book accommodation. All travelers agreed that we were likely even happier to be on a less-travelled route, and we were grateful that your staff (Nathan) took the time to point us in a different direction.
Effortless and smooth luggage transfer, great accommodation and detailed daily info packs were a big help.
Celtic Trails were well organised. Would recommend.
Celtic Trails reduced the stress of booking all our own accommodations and restaurants. Emergency phone line service was excellent!
Excellent communication, friendly and helpful staff (answered our many questions!) We liked all the B&B?s and appreciated the recommendations. The walk was so peaceful. I felt happy and invigorated by it. I have recommended it to several friends and also would do it again.
Throughout the planning stages, the Celtic Trails staff was quickly responsive and courteous in all communications. When we needed to modify our plan, they did this with expediency and courtesy. The map and guidebook in the travel pack were excellent. Friendly, courteous, and timely communications that gave me the feeling of working with a person, not a company. Our walk materials were well organized with excellent information provided.
Celtic Trails are friendly, efficient and very helpful. This holiday had a very positive impact on our health and well-being.
Celtic Trails are thorough and personal. We had some changes to make en route and they helped us. I thoroughly enjoyed this hike. The people ie locals and travellers and hosts alike were wonderful. The history ie the abbeys and the story of St Cuthberts made the walk much more than and walk. Especially wading through the water on the tidal flat to Holy Island. The scotch was also good!
It is such a wonderful way to spend a holiday - relaxing, yet challenging; mediative, yet social (loved meeting other walkers).
Celtic Trails were comprehensive and well organised. Would recommend.
Flawless. Everything was turn key from beginning to end. All we really had to do was show up and walk. All of the lodging locations were prepared and ready for us. All of the details regarding where we had dinner arrangements and where we didn't; pre-arranged taxi service at Kingshouse; luggage transfer; and other odds and ends were well described in the walk kit and everything went incredibly smooth. The B and Bs selected were each unique and interesting. The hosts were great! Physically, I'm sure it strengthened everyone in the group. Perhaps more importantly was the opportunity for renewal. We put the world behind us and just immersed ourselves in the beauty of the place. I think we would all agree it really helped us all get refocused and refreshed. The many walkers we met along the way added greatly to the entire experience! Everyone in the group has stressful jobs. Getting away for this length of time was difficult but we all appreciate the beauty natural places can provide and think we all also knew that a commitment of time to complete this walk - in this location - would truly help everyone get the kind of separation from work we were hoping for. Nobody talked work! We only talked about the hike, the views and the people we were meeting. That is unusual for us! We selected this hike in part because a couple of us had been the Highlands previously as a part of tours and recognized this would be an opportunity to hike one of the world's most beautiful places. It would be difficult to pick what I enjoyed most. The views and people we met along the way all contributed to making it a trip of a life-time.
Celtic Trails are reliable and trustworthy. Much better than other companies. It is a great sense of adventure and achievement to do long distance walks. Especially great when there?s also a sense of history and places like St. Cuthberts.
Celtic Trails are passionate, professional and deliver a fantastic experience. Much better than other companies. Would recommend.
This walk has shown that at 81 years it is still possible to walk 100 km in seven days and feel good, both physically and mentally afterwards. Celtic Trails were Thorough, accurate and friendly.
All of our hosts were ready for us, smiling and gracious and everything worked to PERFECTION. It was so easy, efficient and lovely to have our bags waiting for us at each stop. We would, and already have, recommended Celtic Trails to a friend. This was really well-organised - I am completely impressed. Memories forever from this trip with my daughter - THANK YOU!!
The WHW is challenging but doable. Riding back to Glasgow we could really see and feel just what we had accomplished. It would be hard to top this trip in terms of wild country, varied landscapes, and amazing views. I highly recommend walking in April with fewer crowds and no midges. As soon as I return home, I start planning my next trip. Celtic Trails takes care of every detail! All you need to do is walk and enjoy the amazing scenery and kind people along the way. I wish I had the opportunity to walk like this every single day. It makes me feel rested, appreciative, and grounded in the present moment.
Just a lovely experience. Great to know a bed was booked and clean clothes would be there on arrival. We went as a pilgrimage - it was hugely beneficial to our health and well-being, especially in Holy Week with appropriate readings.
Our experience was AMAZING! Your website doesn't convey just how incredible the walk was, but maybe that is not possible. Great transfers! Nice drivers! Celtic Trails were easy to deal with and professional. We would absolutely recommend. I would do any of your UK walks, but The Wye Valley and Dingle Way have been particularly recommended. I most enjoyed the freedom. All I had to do each day was get up and walk. It was wonderful.
Our experience with Celtic Trails was excellent. As always, great, cheerful assistance from Nathan. Great value for money. We would, and do, recommend Celtic Trails to others. All of the proprietors rave about Nathan and how great it is to work with him. St. Cuthbert's Way was even better than we expected. Beautiful scenery, great abbeys.
Our experience with Celtic Trails was easy and kind. The weather and birdwatching were perfect.
Our experience with Celtic Trails was easy. The baggage transfers made a huge difference in comfort, the hotels were of good quality and all connections came off as indicated. This particular walk was memorable due to Scottish experience - wonderful ho
Celtic Trails were excellent: trouble free with quality accommodation. Better than other companies. Would recommend.
Celtic Trails are much better than other companies - an excellent company to use. This experience with them was as good as ever
This is the walk my late wife had planned as a solo retreat. My children and I took her on the walk as a final tribute to her, and a way to gain closure and peave with her passing. Thank you for your part in making that possible. We had fabulous service. Nathan was very flexible, personalized and accommodation in planning and arranging the holiday. This was a major milestone for me and my family. Very meaningful. Life-changing.
Celtic Trails are highly recommended - clearly committed to providing a good service. The service and information provided could hardly have been netter and made the walk a stress free and pleasant experience. We are tired but relaxed after a most enjoy
St. Cuthbert's is a really good walk, because it can be down within a week, with travel. Really good mix of countryside contrasts. Our experience with Celtic Trails was hassle free, with decent accommodation. Better than other companies. Book early to g
Celtic Trails are an experiences and flexible organisation that delivers what they promise. We appreciated their swift and accurate responses.
We had excellent communication from Celtic Trails. Routes were well planned out - no suprises. Top notch accommodations. This was a well needed break for my sister and myself. We were sorry to finish. Fresh air all day - good for the soul! Met lots of other Walkers. Great Camaraderie.
Celtic Trails were well organised and professional. Arran was an amazing walk. Such varied scenery and so many historic sites to see.
Celtic Trails did an excellent job of turning my vague idea of a walking tour in Scotland into a concrete experience. They deal with details, shared advice and took excellent care of us. This walk was a feast of the senses - distilleries, short bread fac
Celtic Trails handle it all - just pay and show up! Nothing to worry about, makes the trip stress free. They did everything we expected and it all went well. No complaints. The scenery was spectacular and we met great people.
Celtic Trails planned our holiday in meticulous detail, and everything worked. Walking to Holy Island through the sands and the roaring of about 200 seals at low tide was a fantastic ending to the walk.
We feel exhausted!! But triumphant!!
Celtic Trails are professional; experienced team members, nice accommodations, great experience provided. Feel as though my mental health has been enhanced with time to reflect while walking.
From booking to walking and return, Celtic Trails takes care of everything. This was my 4th walk with Celtic Trails and my experience was wonderful.
Celtic Trails is a competent, comprehensive service. All the bookings and services were handled appropriately. A friend recommended the WHW. It took 3 years to do it, due to Covid, but I am so glad we persevered. We enjoyed knowing our lodging and lu
Celtic Tails are a company who can be trusted to have their client best at the forefront of their minds. Speyside Way next year.
Celtic Trails are very responsive. We would recommend.
Without any doubt, I would recommend Celtic Trails cause they're really professional and they provide you with everything you need. We chose the RRW because we wanted to walk the Highlands with not many people around.
Everything was excellent organized, the walking distance of every day was very good chosen, the accommodations were all very good. We enjoyed the natures, swimming in Loch Lomond, the views, arriving at the different accommodations with their kind hosts, the Scottish breakfast.
We recommend Celtic Trails to our friends all the time. You are organised, accessible, quick to respond, and always provide what you have promised.
Celtic Trails arranged a thoroughly enjoyable holiday through a marvellous countryside and graciously took care of all the nitty gritty arrangements. We had never been to Scotland - the kindness and hospitality of everyone was uplifting.
This walk had been arranged for 2020 and 2021, postponed both times. We're grateful for the way Celtic Trails dealt with this. It all went completely smoothly. Celtic Trails are very well organised. The walk was clearly well researched and based on ex
Celtic Trails was well organised; Nathan always helpful and responsive. We would recommend to hikers. Materials were excellent. We chose this particular path because my ancestors were from this area and walking those beautiful lands was deeply meaningfu
I'd enjoy doing another walk someday if God permits. I'd probably see if you could support it. Thanks for your work for me.
Celtic Trails are a good company for long distance walks. It was good to be outdoors and do nothing except walking. Maybe the Isle of Wight next.
Celtic Trails organises accommodation along the walk and transfers of luggage. They are helpful and flexible with arrangements.
A great experience with Celtic Trails - prompt and thorough responses. Would recommend.
Celtic Trails' support and commitment ensured that we had a brilliant holiday. Thank you, Nathan, for acting as my main agent. The West highland Way was a great choice, something different every day - 'the walk that keeps on giving'.
Celtic Trails taakes care for you and all your questions and concerns. The staff communicates quick and clear with a personal touch. Our mind felt free, without making any concerns about finding the right path. We enjoyed being in the moment and enjoying the beautiful scenery.
We have only walked with Celtic Trails - they provide an excellent service, high end of market accommodation. They take all the stress out of planning. All the information we needed was supplied.
Dealing with Nathan was a particular pleasure; he recommended this walking route to us after learning more about our past experiences and wishes for the trip. We hadn't previously heard of the route and it turned out to be ideal. We also really apprecia
Celtic Trails were well organised; this was a lovely walk - a pilgrimage to a holy place. Nice friendly hosts.
This part of Scotland is overlooked and has much to offer. It is always good to get out into the lovely Scottish countryside, so it was very uplifting. In describing Celtic Trails to a friend, I would tell them that it might seem expensive at first, but
A well organised trip with clear advice and instructions. Came back very relaxed and we could just enjoy the walking knowing everything else was taken care of. This is a lovely walk starting in beautiful lush farmland, up to the open moors. Lovely views
Great fresh air, great companionship. Need a bit of that Scottish gut in my life - more people showuld go.
Celtic Trails are well organised and the rooms were top notch. We believe, from discussions with others, their booking company was not as professional as Celtic. A tough and challenging walk, but very rewarding. It has refreshed our mental and physical being since Lockdown.
Attention to detail was very good. "You couldn't fault them" (my wife talking!). We would recommend.
We had an excellent experience with Celtic Trails. The Rob Roy Way was stunning and completing a long distance walk was the best way to experience the Scottish Highlands. Celtic Trails made the experience even more enjoyable and arranged some really gre
Celtic Trails will take care of everything. All you have to do is walk and enjoy the trail. We have recommended to others. Breath-taking scenery, time together with the whole family. The walk was fun, athletic; what a sense of accomplishment. The best
Celtic Trails were efficient and well-organised. This is a fantastic and well waymarked trails. The scenery changed daily and was always magnificent. We feared the route might be crowded but it wasn't and we met only a few, always friendly, fellow wal
All arrangements were well organised and made the trip a true vacations with no worries.
A comprehensive, good quality and value for money service. All hosts were excellent and far exceeded our expectations.
I found myself again during this holiday. It was truly wonderful. West Highland Way next.
Celtic Trails organised everything and took care of the details. Nathan was helpful and very responsive, especially in light of the fact this was our third attempt due to Covid. I enjoy walking and the WHW did not disappoint. Great time in Scotland. Weather was perfect. Accommodation were lovely and good food.
Everything exceeded our expectations. Celtic Trails took care of everything. All we had to do was walk, eat and sleep. Very well planned and organised. Hadrian's Wall next.
Excellent hiking guides and pre-trip information packet. Very thorough. We chose this walk because of the recommendation of a prior customer.
Celtic Trails were easy to work with. Good guide book and itinerary details provided. Mostly very good accommodation. Would recommend.
Excellent service - all ran very well. Walking in nature and the wonderful landscapes of your beautiful country makes me happy. My first long distance walking holiday - Cateran Trail, Rob Roy Trail, Great Glen Way next ...
Celtic Trails has every detail planned and ensured a smooth and stress-free experience. If any problems arise, there is a contact number to immediately fix the issue. This holiday had a dramatic physical and mental improvement on our well-being. For a f
Celtic Trails were friendly, professional, easy, supportive and encouraging. Looked forward to this holiday as a goal at the end of a very tough time. Much improved well-being on return and happily exhausted.
Celtic Trails' organisation made the walk very comfortable - no worry about finding accommodation. Taxis very good. Everyone was very friendly.
Celtic Trails were great. A very enjoyable walk.
Celtic Trails were well organised and no confusions with hotel / B&B booking. Very smooth. We like walking and this was a very good challenge. We looked forward to it and it didn't disappoint.
Celtic Trails are an efficient service with an interesting range of trails on offer. The path was easy to follow and good camaraderie with others on the trail. A wonderful, memorable experience.
Celtic Trails are very well organised; excellent information, efficient.
Celtic Trails have always provided an excellent service and respond well to individual needs. Much better than the one other company we used once, many years ago.
Really excellent service, start to finish - thank you for really terrific service, Nathan! Thorough, prompt and efficient throughout.
Celtic Trails does what it says on the tin!
We enjoy walking and wanted a challenging, safe and organised holiday. This walk was a lovely easy starter. We loved it as it was interesting, environmental and healthy. Celtic Trails were accommodating, organised and listened to our needs and requests. This walk was excellent for our well-being and inspired us to do further walking holidays - Speyside Way and Offa's Dyke next.
Celtic Trails were excellent from start to finish.
A much needed break at this current time. A circular walk with parking was VERY convenient. The scenery / walking was terrific. The history and added bonus.
Celtic Trails was the first walking company I have booked with. They were first class. Professional. Patient. Impressive attention to detail. Excellent communication. Excellent value. It was a magical experience - good for the soul. Being with nature is the best medicine. St. Cuthbert's Way was a wonderfully varied walk - woodland, farmland, high ridge moors, coast, wonderful history, lovely towns and villages. Thank you for all your help! I have Glyndwr's Way already booked for August.
We were grateful to Celtic Trails for organising our holiday - we would recommend.
Efficient and friendly service. Good accommodation.
A fab holiday! Brilliant organisation, lovely B&Bs, couldn't have been better. I would definitely recommend Celtic Trails to others. I enjoyed all of this walk. Beautiful countryside well marked route and very varied landscapes.
Flawless organisation, clear communication, excellent accommodation and very good suggestions for where to eat at each stop. This was pure delight. Easy walking, friendly people and beautiful countryside. Walking across the sand to Holy Island was a high point.
Ben was very helpful, arranged for us to leave our car all week at one of the B&Bs and he kept us up to date with everything. Everything went really smoothly. Beautiful scenery and we met lots of lovely people along the way. The holiday was fantastic for both physical and mental health. I would recommend Celtic Trails to a friend - very helpful staff, good communication, very comprehensive, detailed itinerary. We didn't have to worry about anything - it was all taken care of. We are going to look at other walks on your website.
Celtic Trails were very organised. This holiday gave me a sense of achievement and an increase in stamina. I'd like to do the West Highland Way, Dales Way and Pembrokeshire Coast next.
We keep coming back to you - verification enough that we would recommend you - this was our 8th walk with you. It was good to be out in a time of Covid. The Scottish hospitality was great
Celtic Trails are the best - much better than other companies. This walk was just what I needed. Thanks Ben, you did us proud - really enjoyed the walk.
Worked like clockwork. Very pleasing to have completed this walk safely, under present conditions (Coronavirus). Hosts doing an excellent job under difficult conditions
Celtic Trails is a very professional company that provided us with excellent information. We referred to the details in our packet throughout our holiday. The clean Scottish air, beautiful land and seascapes, comfortable accommodations and friendly people gave us a heightened sense of well-being. The Arran Coastal Way was a very challenging walk for us; we followed the path for the first three days, after that we shortened our daily walks to about 4-5 miles, then took a bus to the next village accommodation.
Celtic Trails coordinated our trip with short notice and was able to provide spectacular accommodations.
Because the holiday was all meticulously planned for you, it really does feel like a holiday and not a chore. Doing something like this helps you clear your head of stress and it certainly did just that. My favourite part was getting up early, sitting on a hill with a brew and seeing the morning sun rise over Loch Ness. Magical.
This is our 2nd time booking with Celtic Trails. very happy. Nathan, our contact, was outstanding. Courteous, helpful, professional. Hiking is good for the soul! It clears the mind and helps to reconnect and take time out for oneself. Scotland is beautiful and so were the folks along the way.
Great Glen Way is quieter and gentler that the West Highland Way. It was nice to meet several people doing both. Walking long distance has become an annual event between friends. It is the best 'brain wash' I know - good for the body and soul. Celtic Trails were reliable, well-organised and has very pleasant staff to liaise with.
It was good to get out and walk - desperately needed a good stretch out. There was a lot of hard surface walking.
Celtic Trails were very helpful and supportive. A walking holiday is just about one of the best things to do - camaraderie, mental health, fitness. Beauty for the soul.
Celtic Trails were supportive and well-organised. I would recommend them to a friend.
Celtic Trails are my preferred company - I would recommend them to a friend. This walk improved my health and well-being. A very relaxing vacation.
Celtic Trails was excellent to work with! Will definitely recommend. This holiday had had an impact on my mental health - lots of time to clear my mind. Loved the great Glen Way! Very beautiful and varied landscapes.
Nikki was very attentive and efficient. I felt relaxed and refreshed after a week or so walking outdoors.
Absolutely amazing organisation - perfect in every way: So responsive, fast, excellent communication and organisation. Was a pleasure doing business with you. I enjoyed magical scenery, meeting all the wonderful people along the way and super cosy and nice accommodation. I had a superb experience!
Celtic Trails were a positive way of doing a long-distance walk, where accommodation and luggage transfers were all arranged, leaving us to just enjoy the walking.
I would describe Celtic Trails as efficient - it felt like someone was there in the background, just in case. They took all the effort away, so I could just do the fun part.
I would rate my overall experience with Celtic Trails as excellent; the service of the staff, the website, the walk pack and the walk information were all excellent. The info about our accommodations was spot on, as was the taxi info. And by the way, all of the hosts at the B&Bs were wonderful, as were out taxi drivers. I would say that the thing that impressed me most, was how I felt you were keeping track of me. Early on, when I decided to take a day off … at each place we arrived, the hosts asked about my health. I had this feeling that you were making sure I was okay and that “unseen guardian” made me feel more secure. I would definitely recommend Celtic Trails to any who want to do a long distance walk in the future.
I loved the whole experience and this was definitely helped by the fantastic organisation of Celtic Trails. I had no worries about anything, except the walking and the weather. Thank you so much - fantastically organised!
A well-organised tour, with a quality and service minded company. We felt well taken care of and often sent good thoughts to Nathan, who put some much care into it. It was our first attempt at a walking holiday and it turned out to be very positive.
With Celtic Trails, we were in good hands - they helped us save time in the planning process. It was lovely to be in the fresh air, clean air. A good opportunity to get to know yourself a bit better :-)
Celtic Trails were: well-organised, nice accommodation, good route guides. I enjoy the challenge and sense of achievement from completing a walk.
Celtic Trails were easy to walks with: Great experience, no problems or complaints. This walk made us feel stronger.
I have always enjoyed long-distance trails and my husband is now developing a love of them as well. St. Cuthbert's was the most beautiful trail I have ever done. There is quite a lot of road walking in Northumberland, but the views are still amazing. A very good experience - our accommodations being exceptionally good in some places.
Nice variety of B&Bs, guest houses, inns and hotels. Loved the snacks provided. Scotland is lovely - we plan to return to walk some more. Celtic Trails were through and easy - we would recommend to a friend. I teach in an inner city high school; it was 'relaxing' to be outside and challenge myself mentally and physically to walk to West Highland Way.
Celtic Trails are the best way to do a long-distance walk. Walking is a great way to discover the scenery and the people.
I would describe Celtic Trails as a fantastic, hassle-free hiking experience. After this holiday, I can't see me doing any other type of holiday at all. A fantastic way to keep active and occupied, whilst seeing and experiencing a new place (and going places inaccessible to motor vehicles).
All went without a hitch. Speyside Way was beautiful. Wonderful views, fresh air, beautiful country. Enjoyable and stress-free. Celtic Trails were just about perfect. Exactly what we wanted. Good price and excellent organisation.
Going through Celtic Trails allowed us to visit an area we would have been unlikely to do on our own. The Borders are an area of great beauty, with a lot of history. Not only did we see four gorgeous abbeys, we also go to see the festivities of the common ridings.
We had a brilliant time with marvellous views, beautiful plants and flowers and fascinating birds and animals. Arran is a truly wonderful place. It was perfect for celebrating our Golden Wedding. Celtic Trails' information and materials are clearly presented. Our requirements were attended to an any questions arising were answered promptly.
Very informative company.
We are regular long-distance walkers. Fife was new to us. Length of walk suited the time and dates we had available. Stunning scenery, interesting villages, friendly locals, great time of year for wildlife and wonderful weather. Well maintained and signed path.
The walk was a good mixture of riverside, farmland, pasture moorland and forestry. It was also the quietest I've done - it deserves more attention. Celtic Trails were very good all round.
We have only ever walked with Celtic Trails and we would recommend them to a friend: knowledgeable; great information; respond quickly to questions. We most enjoyed: the scenery; people we met; food in restaurants etc.
Much better standard of accommodation and better communication than other companies. Easy to book, professional, no hassle, everything taken care of. We will be back in touch soon to book another break.
Easy to book, professional, no hassle, everything taken care of. Much better standard of accommodation and better communication than companies we've used previously. We enjoyed everything ... except the rain. Will be in touch soon to book another one.
We most enjoyed walking along the coast and through rural landscapes. Celtic Trails were supportive, responded quickly to questions and all went smoothly.
The personnel at Celtic Trails are knowledgeable, patient, prompt and friendly; they should great attention to detail and care for their customers. The scenery was beautiful. We enjoyed the lovely villages and found our hosts, local inhabitants and other walkers to be quite friendly, pleasant and helpful.
Everything was very clear and went exactly as planned. We are feeling accomplished and stronger and hope we've inspired friends and family to do a walking holiday of their own. St. Cuthbert's Way was an excellent choice for our first long-distance walk. There were enough others making the walk to feel comfortable and we enjoyed meeting up with them for drinks and meals and the end of each day.
Nikki did a wonderful job of breaking up the walk into do-able segments and placing us in first rate B&Bs. It really put the focus on the walk and not the logistics of the trip. Walking is an amazing way to see a country and meet the people. Everyone we met was so kind and helpful. Scots gave us directions, offered us food, shared great stories and gave us helpful tips for our journey. Knowing that a wonderful B&B was at the end of each day's walk made it a joy to arrive at our new "home".
I would describe Celtic Trails as the only way to go.
Love the outdoors, the total experience was wonderful, as were the hosts and people in the towns we stayed. Makes me a very happy person.
St. Cuthbert's Way is one of the best - some tough bits but a wonderful cross-section of country.
I like the personal contact with those organising the trips and the better standard of accommodation.
It was great to walk the whole way, door-to-door, without using any vehicles. The Speyside Way is well way-marked and the walking relatively easy, while still feeling quite wild and with fabulous views.
We love Celtic Trails! We have recommended you to many friends - excellent accommodations and very good attention to detail. We used another company to walk the coast to coast in 2017 and their service fell well short of yours. We highly recommend the West Highland Way - not too challenging, but breathtakingly beautiful.
I have never used another company - you are all awesome!
We chose Celtic Trails because they were more locally based and had a very thorough website. We most enjoyed the trail variety, the scenery, exploring rural and remote parts of Scotland and the lovely, local people.
We had a fabulous holidays - all went smoothly. Cannot recommend St. Cuthbert's Way highly enough. We've used Celtic Trails four times before and will be using you again - we have already recommended you to friends.
"A great first experience of walking holidays, and Scotland!"
This first experience of a walking holiday and Scotland was great. We most enjoyed the scenery, tranquillity and warm welcomes everywhere.
I most enjoyed the scenery, walking on beaches, the seals and the birch.
Great accommodations. Thank you.
We have walked with another company before and the mapping we received for this walk was better.
We have walked with you before, having heard of you via word of mouth, and you met our expectations again. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip.
We have walked with Celtic Trails twice before and we would gladly walk with you again. We most enjoyed the beautiful scenery, the animals and the Scots!
Celtic Trails are far superior to other companies - excellent choice of accommodation, very client focussed. It's nice to deal with a small company.
We would choose to travel with you again. We liked the luggage transfers and the quality of the accommodations. The best thing about a long-distance walking holidays is the scenery, the sense of achievement and the fresh air.
All accommodation choices were very good. Our luggage and personal transfers were all carried out as arranged.
"Really enjoyed St. Cuthbert's Way, very good walks, lots of different types of habitat to walk through, real pleasure".
Really enjoyed St. Cuthbert's Way - very good walk, lots of very different types o habitat to walk through. A real pleasure. Thank you Celtic Trails for a great walk.
The best thing about this walk, as well as the scenery and the company, was knowing Celtic Trails were behind us. We are now considering the Llyn Coastal Path.
Excellent. Best thing for us was the route being well-signed and a good walking surface. Also, a mixture of accommodations.
All went to plan - would recommend.
"Outstanding vacation. All locations very friendly."
Celtic Trails didn't just meet our expectations, they exceeded them.
Have walked with you four times before and you met our expectations again.
The Isle of Arran was really special - fine walking (including some challenging walking). The accommodation was very comfortable. What made if for me, though, was the friendliness of everyone I met.
Accommodations all very good.
We heard of you via a friend who walked with you previously and you met our expectations.
The best thing about this walk was the scenery, good weather, hospitable hosts, good food and whisky!
We want to thank you and others at Celtic Trails who made our recent holiday so delightful. We enjoyed all the B&B hosts we met, the weather co-operated, and we completed our walk with a sense of the beauty of the coastline and the excellence of the trail itself.
"Instead of walking the Spittle of Glenshee to the Mount Blair road end section, I started by climbing up Mount Blair first and then walked on to Kirkton & Glen Isla. This made a full and very interesting day. The viewpoint on Mount Bllair is amazing - Ben Lomond to south. Schiehallion to west and Ben Macdui to the north."
'We enjoyed the variety of the John Muir Way. We walked along a canal through forests & field and countryside & coast.'
"We enjoyed the variety of scenery & people's hospitality."
B&Bs were (as usual) very good... beautiful walk.
Spectacular scenery, kind hosts.
"We loved our holiday!!"
"The scenery was spectacular. [we enjoyed] seeing things we had never seen – boats moving through the locks. The sheep – meeting the local people, everyone was so friendly. Perhaps you could be a little more accurate in your descriptions of the extra 4 miles into Spean Bridge, but we had a wonderful time and will definitely do another one of your walking holidays."
"We enjoyed not having to worry about the daily details, this holiday was the easiest to plan. Though we have never attempted a walking holiday before – we were more than pleasantly surprised! Nathan took care of all the details, we are looking at our calendars and planning out next trip!"
"I enjoyed fine views in peaceful countryside which is remote with small towns, all with their unique character at the end of each day. Celtic Trails is probably the best!"
'We enjoyed the wonderful scenery, historical settings and sheep!'
"Wonderful isolated landscape with a great B&b to end the walk. We hardly saw anybody on the Cataran Trail. Some parts not so well waymarked, but no problems. Well organised as with all Scotland holidays we have taken with you."
"Thanks for the good information, good trip, flexibility (and good weather!)."
Thanks for all your help. We had a great trip!
"We felt that walking 25 miles in the first two days of the walk was too much for us. As a refinement - we would suggest the option of making the trip a day longer and staying either in St. Baswells or two nights at Allerton House which was one of our favorite B&B's. It was easy enough to take the bus from St.Boswell's to Jedburgh. At Jedburgh we had enough time to visit the Mary Queen of Scots House which was very interesting. The rest day and visit to the Farne Islands was spectacular - one of the highlights of our trip so far. We had a wonderful time and thank-you for all you have done for us!!"
"The route was easy to follow; the directions were good. Everything went smoothly."
"I enjoyed the lovely proper cooked in food in pubs. The organisation was great, the accommodation good and I enjoyed meeting people."
"A most memorable and enjoyable walk."
"All in all another fantastic walk, and thank you very much indeed once again for all your trouble. We hope everything holds up for next year, and all being well we will be in touch in the new year to plan our next project(s)."
"Can't think of anything which is in your control that could be improved upon. We have done a lot of long-distance walks and you provide everything we would expect."
"Generally we were very happy with the walk. Overall the hosts were very friendly and accommodating and we appreciated their taking out luggage upstairs or putting us on the ground floor. Apart from the Laggan diversion, the blue markers were easy to see and to follow."
"Overall I had an amazing time! I walked from end to end & met so many interesting people on the way. At the end of every day I appreciated the warm hospitality and the clean comfortable rooms to spend the night.' 'Thanks so much for organising this holiday for me. It is unforgettable!"
"An outstanding trip!"
'Really enjoyed talking with people we met in the accommodation, restaurants, shops etc. Thank you for working with our time criteria as another company told us that they could not book those same dates'.
"This is our third walk with your company, we have always been satisfied with all your effort to make our holiday a happy one. What a shame you can't control the weather too!"
"Thank you, it was awesome! :)"
"Thank you Nathan for a very well organised walk and for the literature about it. It really was a great experience and everything (apart from the weather) went like clockwork. The one good thing about the weather was that there were not midges, and it was dry crossing Rannoch Moor."
'To my mind it is a wonderful adventure - lots of exercise & beautiful places to see, without the burden of a backpack or the worry of finding suitable accommodations'.
"IT WAS PERFECT. Just magnificent, magical and atmospheric. The accommodation was excellent, all was totally smooth and though the weather was kind, it was really good to know Celtic Trails were there if things hadn't gone so smoothly."
"Lovely to arrive at the day to find we were expected and our bags had arrived. We were pleased with the accommodation and we thank you for helping us with our requests. We found everyone most welcoming and met some lovely like-minded people along the 'way'. Thank you."
First time for me with any company - Celtic Trail were well organised, absolutely no problem with any aspect of the walk (trail description, accommodation, transfers. This walk reinforces my feeling that it is important to remain active at any stage - very satisfied that I was capable of achieving my aim".
No vaccinations are required for entry into Britain. All citizens of the EU are entitled to free medical treatment under the National Health Service (NHS). If you are travelling from outside the EU you will receive free treatment from the Accident and Emergency Unit, but not if you are admitted into hospital or receive treatment at a general doctor's surgery. Consequently health insurance is highly recommended.
Most shops, hotels and restaurants accept all major debit and credit cards, although you should always carry a bit of cash on you, particularly when visiting more rural areas or when using small businesses. You will also find an ATM in most small towns.
Tipping is expected in most cafés and restaurants but not mandatory. Anything between 5% and 15%, depending on the quality of service is acceptable. It is not necessary to tip bar staff as you will usually order and collect your drinks at the bar.
Good, speedy internet and phone coverage in Scotland is generally clustered around the more urban areas, although reception in rural areas is generally reliable. That being said, you should always be aware that in more remote areas coverage is patchy, and in places like the Cairngorms National Park - coverage is sporadic at best. It is increasingly common to have free wi-fi in cafés, hotels and B&Bs but not guaranteed.
Citizens of the EU are free to visit the UK for any length of time with just their passports, whilst those from the USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand can visit for 6 months with just their passports. Those from other countries will need to look into Visas. Once you have arrived in Scotland, you are free to cross the borders of England and Wales without having your documents checked again.
Celtic Trails will arrange necessary transfers for yourself and your luggage for the duration of the walk. This is included in the price of the holiday, but does not include transport to the start of the walk. We are very happy to arrange private transfer to the start of your walk at an additional cost. Alternatively, there are the following options:
Train: The entire UK has an excellent train network and it is the most popular form of public transport because it is comfortable, safe and fast. It covers all cities and most towns and is also suitable for travelling on with large pieces of luggage.
In Scotland, most train routes centre on Edinburgh and Glasgow. From both of these cities you can travel north along the east coast towards Aberdeen, along the west coast towards Fort William and also through the centre towards Inverness. There are also train routes going south along both the east and west coasts.
In order to check train routes and times visit www.nationalrail.co.uk. If you would like advice on which is the nearest train station to the start/end of your walk please get in touch. Train tickets can be bought on the National Rail website or at the train station on the day.
Coach: Coach travel is often one of the most affordable ways of making long journeys across the UK (but not necessarily the quickest). National Express www.nationalexpress.com and Megabus www.uk.megabus.com are the main long distance coach companies in the UK serving major towns, cities and airports. Tickets for long distance coach journeys should always be bought online well in advance.
Bus: Buses (generally smaller than coaches) are used across Scotland for shorter journeys. There are thousands of bus routes and you will find a service running through most towns in Scotland. They are particularly useful in more rural parts, where there is not a train service. Tickets are bought from the bus driver. Timetables in Scotland can be checked at www.travelinescotland.com
Taxi: Travelling by taxi is not cheap but it is the most convenient way of travelling if you only have a small number of journeys to make. If you are in particularly rural area or need a taxi late at night, it is advisable that you book a day or two in advance. Taxi journeys should always be booked in advance unless you are in a major city or airport. Celtic Trails are very happy to provide you with the numbers of local, trustworthy taxi companies and also to book a taxi if enough notice is given.
Car: If you plan to drive to the start of your walking holiday, please let us know as we can provide advice on where to leave your car whilst walking.
Great Books For Great Walks: Essential reads for walking in… Scotland
