Best of the Highlands
from Edinburgh
INCLUDES: Three nights accommodation in rooms with private facilities; full Scottish breakfast; excursions as detailed below by superior air-conditioned mini-coach; admission to Glenfiddich malt whisky distillery and the Clan Donald Centre Gardens; transportation by air-conditioned luxury touring coach (to/from Inverness); services of tour host; service charges and taxes.
A wonderful combination of scenery, history and nature make this one of our most popular sightseeing tours.
From Edinburgh and Glasgow we will make our way via lonely Rannoch Moor to the beauty of Glen Coe. There is a stop in the heart of the Glen so you can enjoy the spectacular surroundings. Next we head for Fort William before driving through the Great Glen to Loch Ness where you can visit Urquhart Castle and take a monster spotting cruise (optional). Our tour is based in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, for the next three nights.
The stay in Inverness is unescorted.
Today we enjoy a full day excursion to the beautiful island of Skye. Following our tour through picturesque Glen Carron we cross “over the sea to Skye” and make our way to Sleat, the Garden of Skye. The gentle scenery that we see in this part of the island contrasts with the rugged beauty of the Cuillin Hills that we will discover later on our tour. We will make a visit to the Clan Donald Centre where there is time to explore the fabulous gardens. Later we will make a scenic drive and enjoy some beach combing. A real highlight is our stop to visit Eilean Donan Castle (optional), perched on its island at the head of Loch Duich. You will marvel at the views when we stop at this most picturesque of castles. Our return to Inverness will take us through Glen Shiel to Invermoriston where we will make our final stop of the day.
Whisky and Steam Trains
Our day starts with a visit to handsome Grantown on Spey. Later we will join the whisky trail and after a scenic drive along the banks of the River Spey there is a stop at a malt whisky distillery. Our visit will unveil the secrets of the distillers art and at the end of our tour there will be the chance to sample a wee dram! Broomhill Station (also known as Glenbogle Station to viewers of the popular BBC programme “Monarch of the Glen”) sits on the Speyside Railway (optional). We’ll make a stop here to give you the opportunity of taking a nostalgic trip by steam train on this attractive line. There’s free time in Aviemore, Scotland’s outdoor activity centre before we return to Inverness.
Cromarty and Inverness
This morning there is an excursion to the Black Isle and the delightful village of Cromarty followed by free-time in Inverness before joining our motorcoach for the tour south. Our route will take us to the gentle Spey Valley, with views of the Cairngorm Mountains, then through the dramatic scenery of the Drumochter Pass and onwards to Glen Garry - watch out for imposing Blair Castle. We’ll make a stop for afternoon tea before continuing through the rolling Perthshire countryside. From Perth its homeward bound to journey’s end in Edinburgh or Glasgow.
Eilean Donan Castle
