A Total Trip: A family journey into the wilds of the Scottish Highlands

Family adventurers Charlie Wild and Jessica Last run The Travel Project, documenting off-the-beaten-path trips in the UK with their young boys through a lens of sustainability and spontaneity. When they were looking to introduce their little explorers Sonny and Lochy to misty waters, winding roads and wild terrain there was one clear choice: the Scottish Highlands.

The landscape here lends itself to activity, from woodland strolls to biking trails, from kayaking to climbing castle walls. The family’s itinerary included the windswept western coast and the Isle of Skye – and with two little ones in tow (sometimes literally!), they needed to go remote without ever feeling disconnected.

Along the way, they prioritized staying in the moment and focusing on the experiences that matter most – and less time fumbling with cash and physical cards meant more time soaking in the vibes. Here’s what they spent, using Apple Pay for easy, secure and private transactions as well as wallet-free convenience.

Editor’s note: While some experiences were paid for ahead of time for this piece, such as the family's  accommodations, every experience listed here has Apple Pay capability on-site. 

Accommodations and getting around

First things first: the family needed the perfect home base. Panoramic views of loch, glen and mountains were a must, as was proximity to all the natural activities they were looking for. They wanted something off the beaten track, but still with comforts they’d appreciate at the end of an adventure-packed day. The best of all worlds was Woodlands SeaBeds Luxury Lookout Lodges, a design-led hideaway overhanging Loch Linnhe near Glencoe. With autumn pricing, their stay was £495 ($676) per night, and their cabin included an outdoor spa tub. In other words, after hikes and other outdoor pursuits, just what the doctor ordered.

Next, they needed a way to get around. Since public transport here is slow and infrequent, it’s better to come by car so you can detour to experiences away from the tourist hot spots. So the family rented a compact SUV from Arnold Clark for £516 ($704) for three days. The total cost for gas for the trip came to £117.39 ($158).

Stocking up

The weather in Scotland is notoriously changeable, with four distinct seasons often experienced all in one day. Still, even the wettest stretches can be transformed by parting clouds and slanting shafts of golden light – and when the weather is fine here, it’s very fine indeed.

That was the case for Jess and Charlie. They were lucky to enjoy more sun than they were expecting, so they stopped at Nevisport, a popular Scottish outfitter in Fort William, to pick up hats and sunglasses. The total for a cache of unexpected sun gear came to £60 ($82).

While in Fort William – which has carved out a reputation as the “Outdoor Capital of the UK” – they stopped in at The Highland Bookshop, an independent store with a focus on Scottish history and culture, plus adventure guides and maps. With an £8 ($11) book for Sonny to carry in the car, they were ready to go.

Adventures on the West Coast

The scenery is spectacular throughout the Western Highlands, with high, rocky mountains rising above wild glens. Great expanses of moor alternate with lochs and patches of commercial forest. In other words, the perfect setting for outdoor adventures for this intrepid family.

There’s no shortage of waterfalls in the Highlands. But few are as dramatic as Inchree Falls – the perfect way to start the trip. Cascading more than 300ft through a forest of aspen, the falls are easily accessible via a relatively easy 3-mile loop trail – and since the falls themselves are only a half mile from the parking area, this is a great stop for families with small kids. Two main viewpoints offer different angles and views toward Loch Linnhe. Best of all: it was totally free.

Biking is one of Jess and Charlie’s favorite activities, and something they knew they wanted to do with their kids. Glencoe is one of the best places in Scotland to get on two wheels, whether you’re into road cycling, mellow forested trails, or full-on downhill and mountain-biking courses.

The family was looking for a quieter half-day ride. The Glencoe Orbital loop is a relaxed 8-mile ride with gentle roads and track through woodland, with some hills and rushing streams along the way. The family hired an e-bike and a pushbike with a kid-sized trailer for Sonny for £80 ($109) from local outfitter Rugged Coast.

Rugged Coast also offers kayaks and paddleboards for rent – and Charlie and Jess couldn’t resist the opportunity to get out on Loch Leven, a sea loch connected to Loch Linnhe and enclosed by Glencoe and steep Highland mountains. They rented two kayaks for £80 ($109).

The Loch’s sheltered stretches make for gentle paddles, and several islands are perfect for a chilly swim. Rugged Coast is based near the Isles of Glencoe, a loch-side hotel and restaurant. After their paddle, the family got lunch for £65 ($89).

Off to the Isle of Skye

For the second leg of their Highlands trek, the family headed for the Isle of Skye, one of Scotland’s top-three tourist destinations and a 50-mile-long natural wonder.

Easily one of the most impressive and iconic sights on the island is the Quiraing, a popular spot for hikers, photographers and nature lovers. The family of travelers took their time looking out at this group of grass-covered basalt pinnacles, spires and cliff faces, which in turn look out over sea and sky. Viewpoint access was free.

Also free was the hike up the nearby Old Man of Storr, a dramatic pinnacle rising out of the surrounding hills. Even at a 3-year-old’s pace, the 2-mile round-trip hike was doable for the family and offered views over Loch Leathan. Mist clung to the craggy face of the Old Man on their trip, but it was no less striking.

They drove to the Island, but the 30-minute ferry back from Mallaig to Armadale cost the family £20.50 ($28).  

Capping it off with castles

Whether you’re looking for desolate stone fortresses looming in the mist or luxurious palaces built on expansive grounds, the Highlands have the full range of castles to explore. Jess and Charlie made sure to intersperse their natural adventures with those of the feudal-clan variety as well.

The little princes loved romping around Dumbarton Castle, (admission for the family was £21.50/$30). And the evocative Eilean Donan, perched on its small tidal island, was especially picturesque at sunset (admission £30.50/$42).

But best of all might have been the iconic Castle Stalker, Scotland’s architectural movie star, spectacularly situated on a tiny offshore island. There were no tours when they visited, so it was free. Like the rest of the trip, it was priceless.

Whether online to lock in their hotel or rentals, or in person at a local small business, altogether the family used Apple Pay to book £1,961.87 ($2,635) worth of experiences.