Scotland’s West Island Way: All-Women Walking Trip on the Isle of Bute

Things to know

• What’s included?

  Included:

  • • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • 6-day women-only West Island Way walking tour
    • Accommodation for 5 nights in the grand Glenburn Hotel (solo occupancy room)
    • All meals
      • Breakfasts from Day 2 to Day 6
      • Packed lunches from Day 2 to Day 5
      • Dinners from Day 1 to Day 5
    • Welcome drink
    • Local travel required for walks

  Not included:

  • • Transportation to Rothesay, Scotland
    • Additional drinks
    • Additional excursions
    • Guide gratuities — optional
    • Travel and medical insurance — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  This West Island Way walking tour requires a basic level of fitness. You’ll walk between 5 to 10 miles per day (8-16 km)—you can find detailed day-by-day distances and elevation gains in the itinerary. Still, this is a gentle trail with mostly well marked paths. The lowest point is sea level and the highest elevation is 430 m (1,410 ft).

  For more adventures in Scotland, click here! Looking to discover more women-only trips? Discover them here!

  If you’d like to combine this with another fantastic hiking adventure, check out Women’s-Only Walking Holidays on Isle of Arran, Scotland!

• What do I need to bring?

  Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

  • • Day pack large enough to carry all the items you might need throughout the day
    • Hiking poles — optional
    • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
    • Lightweight hiking boots or shoes
    • Comfortable hiking clothes
    • Spare clothes for layering
    • Waterproof rain jacket
    • Sunhat
    • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
    • Headlamp or flashlight
    • Sunglasses
    • Camera — optional (but recommended)

  Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

• Are wildlife sightings guaranteed?

  While wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, the Isle of Bute is rich in diverse habitats that support a variety of wildlife. An experienced guide will take you to areas where you have the best chances of seeing animals such as sharks, seals, osprey, and red deer. The natural beauty of the island itself, combined with the potential for wildlife encounters, makes every walk a memorable experience!

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing

  • • This West Island Way walking tour is women-only.
    • The usual client-to-guide ratio is 10:1.
    • This tour typically requires a minimum of six women to run. However, smaller groups can still proceed if participants agree to cover the additional costs. This will usually be discussed with your guide about six weeks before the tour start date. If you’re curious about the current number of participants, feel free to reach out.
    • Price of the tour is based on a single occupancy room. In case you’d like to share a double room with your friend/partner, you can get a discount at checkout.

  West Island Way walking tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join this West Island Way walking tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  The starting point of your West Island Way walking tour is Rothesay, the principal town on the Isle of Bute. To get there, it’s best to first fly into Glasgow Airport (GLA). From Glasgow Central Station take a one-hour train ride to Wemyss Bay. That’s where you’ll take Calmac Ferry to Rothesay. Trains and ferries run every hour or so, and you’ll have no problem reaching Rothesay. Both the train and the ferry are very affordable.

  Make sure to arrive by late afternoon for a check-in and orientation guide on Day 1 of the tour.

• Safety measures and insurance

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, we partnered up with Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

  Redpoint tailors their insurance packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

  Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s insurance. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Deposits
  Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

  Cancellations
  Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.

  Basic

  • • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If canceled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Flexible

  • • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If canceled 30-59 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If canceled within 29 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Super Flexible

  • • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If canceled 30 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If canceled within 29 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.

   

  Early Bird booking

  Want to be the first one to know when we publish new dates or secure your spot well in advance? Select a future month that suits you best and lock in your Early Bird spot in time with just a 10% deposit.

  As soon as our guides publish new tour dates, you’ll be the first one to know. We’ll hold your spot for 2 weeks until you choose the date that suits you best.

  More about how Early Bird bookings work below:

  • • Only a 10% non-refundable deposit must be paid upon booking, but this deposit can be transferred to any other 57hours adventure in case the dates don’t end up working for you.
    • Once our guides publish new tour dates, we’ll reach out to you so you’ll be the first one to choose from newly released dates.
    • When you pick your date, you’ll confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total trip amount (amounting to the standard 30% deposit).
    • Once the trip has been confirmed, the regular cancellation policy (found above) applies.
    • The remaining balance is due 90 days before the trip.