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Secret Scotland

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Visit www.secret-scotland.com for ideas and itineraries to help you plan self drive Scotland Tours.

17/10/2026

Glorious autumn weather, so we took to the hills to climb Ben MacDui (second highest mountain in Scotland) and Cairn Gorm to bag a couple more Munros.

It took us 5hr30 incl half hour lunch break at the top of the Ben, which was lovely, sheltered, hardly any wind.

I wandered across the boulder field with care to look at the Lairigh Ghru, and took the little detour before the submit of Cairn Gorm for the huge cairn and view.

We didn't have any encounters with Am Fear Liath Mòr (the Big Grey Man) that haunts the hill and has been experienced by lots of people, but it was a nice sunny day and not at all spooky.

07/10/2026

You may have noticed that we've not posted anything for a while, and there's a reason for this. We've decided to close Secret Scotland after more than 20 years in business.

The biggest factor in our decision is Climate Change. In the face of an existential crisis, we should be doing everything we can to cut fossil fuel emissions. Flying thousands of miles for a vacation is not sustainable, and we don't wish to contribute to the problem by encouraging people to fly to Scotland.

We are also concerned about the impact of overtourism in Scotland, with places like Skye, Glenfinnan and the NC500 route being the worst affected.

We’ve always been true to our principles, so it feels right to be taking our final bow on our terms.

All that remains is to say a big “Thank You” to everyone who supported us and bought into the ethos of Secret Scotland. It’s been a great adventure, and we’re glad we took the gamble on an idea 21 years ago.

Slainte!

P.S. We might still post on here from time to time...
https://www.secret-scotland.com/blog/scotland-travel-blog-october-2026

09/08/2026

We can now lift the Press embargo on our famous clients' recent "Secret Scotland Trip". 😉

12/07/2026

Colonsay and Crinan holiday 2026 - Day 8
Last day! Tomorrow we drive home!

We can’t plan the weather, but everything else we did, and we’ve had a blast.

Today we drove down the West Tayvallich peninsula to the old pier and Keills Chapel, which was beautifully restored by Historic Scotland to accommodate the crosses and flagstones discovered around it.

We then took a short hike up to the ruined Arichonan village where the inhabitants were evicted by the laird to Canada to make way for more profitable sheep. It’s a much longer story but Mike will develop later on.

We had a delicious lunch from the Glen Bistro at Kilmartin Museum before sneaking into the Duntrume estate to discover by chance its elegantly shabby gardens. We then headed to Lochgilphead for some retail therapy at its Community Shop. Incredible what you can find for £6!!

The boys then drove back but I still had time to tick another box and run part of the Crinan Canal 🏃🏻‍♀️

Our last night deserved the same treatment as our first night: an excellent meal at a local restaurant. And the Tayvallich Inn provided exactly what we were after! The lads shared a battered squid starter then had the pan seared venison, whilst I enjoyed the caper seabass. The teenager finished with the lemon sorbet whilst I couldn’t refuse a dark choc and baileys cheesecake (we were nearly finished when I remembered to take photos!!)

Scotland is an amazing country and every day this week, whatever the weather, we filled our time with memories. I can’t picture a summer when we don’t spend a holiday week staycationing. 💜

11/07/2026

Colonsay and Crinan holiday 2026 - Day 7

What a glorious day! We drove 1 hour South and hopped on the little MV Loch Ranza to spend the day on the Isle of Gigha.

We wanted to make most of our day while supporting the island community so rented bikes and managed to cycle to both ends of the island.

Stopped at the twin beaches for an invigorating swim, saw an otter mum and 2 cubs playing/feeding, went to the Fisherman’s cave.

We had lunch on a secluded beach before cycling from this top North point all the way to the bottom South point and the old ferry pier.

Rewarded ourselves with a refreshing pint of the locally brewed Gigha b**r at the Isle of Gigha hotel.

And then I just had to walk to the highest point on Gigha, Creag Bhan, all 100 metres of it, to get a whole view of this vibrant little parcel of Scotland.

10/07/2026

Colonsay and Crinan holiday 2026 - Day 6
Day 6 already???

First day back on the mainland and it started with a fine rain mist…

No matter. We planned to visit the Isle of Luing today and we stuck with it! Glad we did as the weather improved muchly ☀️

We drove North then West across the “Bridge over the Atlantic” (for real - check Google!) to the Isle of Seil and then possibly the shortest ferry crossing in the World… Europe? The UK? Scotland? Definitely shortest in Argyll!! Made even quicker by the timelapse shot as we started our walk.

We saw an otter!!

And the Secret Scotland team members are pretty skilled at stone skimming!

The walk took us through the slate quarries (Luing being one of 7 slate islands just South of Oban) to Cullipool where we stopped for picnic, and coffee and cake at the Atlantic Islands Centre - supporting the local community.

After lunch we continued through farmers fields and cow + calves herds (they don’t like their photos taken - I got charged 🤣) to Toberonochy before heading back on the main road to the ferry.

The drive back to our Kilmahumaig Barn cottage in Crinan was done with the windows open, as the youngest member of the team took his shoes off… 😳😷😂

Rewarded myself with a good helping of my Wild Island gin bought on Colonsay! 🍸😋

09/07/2026

Colonsay and Crinan holiday 2026 - Day 5

Whoop whoop some blue sky this morning!

We had a few hours before leaving the island so we set off for Kiloran Beach to feel the sand and the sea between our toes.

Loaded up with some goodies from the Colonsay Smokery for our dinner tonight then headed for the ferry back to Oban.

Glorious weather on arrival meant I manage to shoot this time lapse which worked quite well I think - pat on my own back 😁 (see in comments as FB won’t let me post photos and videos at the same time).

We’ve arrived at our Crinan Cottage which is absolutely delightful.

The weather looks promising for the rest of the week - we might bag a couple more islands as day trips, watch this space!!

08/07/2026

Colonsay and Crinan holiday 2026 - Day 4

We had a bit of a change in weather today…
It was worse.
It rained all day, and not a light drizzle.

But we still had a good day!!

We set off to walk to Cable Bay, but couldn’t see 5m ahead of the car, so we continued on and learnt a bunch at the Colonsay Heritage Museum. ☁️
We had a lovely lunch of tomato soups, beef and mustard sandwich, and cheesy chips at the Colonsay Hotel, supporting a local business.🥫🍟🥪
We then headed to Colonsay Airport, in order to walk to Ardskenish Beach, but got faced with this enormous flood in the middle of the path.🫧
So we went to Colonsay House Cafe instead for delicious cakes and coffee, supporting a local business.☕️🍰
Which raised the question: scone with cream on top or jam on top?? 🤔
Then we had to drive back through the flooded road, which actually has a gauge! 📏
Couldn’t leave the island without trying Colonsay Gin so we walked the 10 steps (woohoo!) from the cottage back to the Colonsay Hotel for a well deserved aperitif 🍸🍺
Tomorrow we leave Colonsay to head to Crinan. We’re told a heatwave is on the way! 🤞☀️🌡️

07/07/2026

Colonsay and Crinan Holiday 2026 - Day 3
Groundhog Day as the first photo clearly shows…
So we supported the local community and went shopping!
✅Got some gin from Chris at the Wild Island Distillery. Chris also mans the bar on Ceilidh nights and works at the airport when a plane lands or takes off!
✅ A gorgeous chopping board
✅ A wonderful print of Riasg Buidhe abandoned village painted in the sunshine, as we saw it in the pouring rain yesterday, from The Old Waiting Room Gallery
✅ Pies for our dinner from The Island Shop - Isle of Colonsay

Played a game of travel Battleship again, which Logan won fair and square!

Then for some unknown reason, the rain STOPPED.

So… we went to the beach! 🥳

06/07/2026

Colonsay and Crinan holiday 2026 - Day 2
It didn’t stop raining all day.
Nevertheless, with what could pass as barely appropriate clothing, we set off to find the Riasg Buidhe abandoned village in the morning. Very interesting place. Got lucky enough to stumble upon the local herd of wild goats!
Yes we did get soaked to the bones, but it was worth it!
The afternoon saw us driving round and to the end of every single road on the island. It is really quite special.
Kiloran Bay looks spectacular in any weather I think.
Discovered the interesting game of Exploding Kittens - who ever thought of such a game??
And ended the day at the Sunday Sessions for a Ceilidh at the Colonsay Community Village Hall!
Scotland always has something amazing to offer, whatever the weather!

Address

Monkton
KA92PR

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 11pm
Tuesday	9am - 11pm
Wednesday	9am - 11pm
Thursday	9am - 11pm
Friday	9am - 11pm
Saturday	9am - 11pm
Sunday	9am - 11pm

Website

http://www.secret-scotland.com/

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