Highlands and Islands Honeymoon

Enjoy a memorable day on the road, heading north through wonderful Highland scenery before arriving at your first romantic getaway.

Your hotel in the Scottish Highlands

The classic Victorian Cairngorms town of Kingussie is the location of your first base, a quirky and romantic restaurant-with-rooms in a glorious woodland setting.  Your room overlooks the river rushing downhill, and nobody would blame you for spending just a little too much time here, watching red squirrels and rare bird life feed right outside your window. Dinner is something of an event here, the multi-award-winning restaurant serving the very best local produce with a rare lightness of touch.

Take your time over a sumptuous and leisurely breakfast (in bed, maybe?) before heading out to discover this most enchanting corner of Scotland. The towns of Kingussie, Carrbridge and Grantown on Spey are all steeped in history, activities and scenery, while Aviemore, just 13 miles away, features good shopping, lunch- and dinner-spots, as well as a wealth of attractions.

Whisky-lovers are spoiled for choice, with some of the world’s most celebrated distilleries on your doorstep, many offering a genuine hands-on experience at their visitor centres.

Scotland features some of the world’s greatest driving routes, and today you’ll experience one of the best. Travelling west, you’ll scythe through a vast section of the Great Glen, pasts loch Laggan and Lochy, navigating Glen Garry and passing one of the world’s most famous castles on the way to the Skye Bridge.

Your hotel on the Isle of Skye

Located on the coast of the Sleat Peninsula in the south of the island, your hotel in this peaceful corner of Skye boasts a quite superb setting. Centred around a main house, with whitewashed, repurposed outbuildings here and there, it’s a perfect spot to really bathe in the beauty of the location, with fabulous views across the islet of Ornsay towards wild Knoydart peninsula.

Dining options include a formal restaurant and a lively wood-panelled bar, where locals and visitors enjoy an evening pint or dram. There is an emphasis on local, seasonal, fresh and tasty produce. 

This morning, enjoy another fine Scottish breakfast and perhaps a stroll along the shore, before making your way to the tiny jetty just a few short steps from the hotel.

Here, board a modern RiB for a private tour with a friendly local skipper. From Isleornsay, you’ll motor out on to the waters of Loch Hourn, viewing the coastline of Skye from a wonderful perspective. You’ll take in some of the most romantic locations around the island, such as the peninsulas of Sleat and Knoydart, and the ‘small isles’ of Eigg, Muck and Rum.

Often called ‘the world’s favourite island’, Skye features incredible scenery, world-class walking, one of the most famous distilleries, mountains, beaches and fabulous food and drink. The pretty ‘capital’ Portree has shopping, history and a wealth of things to see and do. Or… no-one would blame you for simply taking the day off and relaxing at your hotel.

On the road this morning, first board the ferry at Armadale for the short crossing to the tiny fishing port of Mallaig. From here, spear along the Road to the Isles to Fort William, hug the shore line of sparkling Loch Linnhe and follow the route through the intimidating valley of Glen Coe – a must-stop location for photos. Continue south to Crianlarich, then loop your way towards your unique hideaway in the Trossachs.

Your hotel in The Trossachs

Framed by magnificent Trossachs scenery, this hotel is a wonderfully romantic retreat is run by a hospitable farming family who have created a gastronomic experience within their welcoming 18th century farmhouse. With magnificent views over Loch Voil and Loch Doine, this is the perfect place to soak up the peace and tranquillity of a sprawling highland estate.

The hotel is well located for great drives throughout the Trossachs as well as along Loch Tay, and around Ben Lawers, Scotland’s tenth highest mountain, and Glen Lyon beyond.

Breakfast here is one of our favourite culinary experiences, the eggs’ rich orange hue coming courtesy of the chickens roaming the hotel grounds, and the rest of the produce arriving from within a stone’s throw of your table (or bed!).

Today you will enjoy a private wildlife safari by 4×4 into the hills with a champagne picnic. Your journey then continues through stunning Highland scenery. You’ll find superb walking on your doorstep, amidst vast, unspoiled scenery, as well as some of Scotland’s most legendary history.

Later, treat yourself to a romantic dinner at your hotel’s restaurant, one of Scotland’s finest, whose ever-changing menu crackles with the imagination and flair of a chef at the very top of his game.

Your romantic break comes to an end today, and you will be suitably refreshed and ready to start the next chapter of your lives together. Edinburgh and Glasgow are both less than two hours’ drive.