Glimpse of Scotland
from Edinburgh
This two day tour will let you explore some of Scotland’s most popular sights; go monster spotting by Loch Ness and see some spectacular scenery. This really is essential Scotland!
Day One
Waterfalls and a Bonnie Prince
A short drive will take us to The Hermitage, one of the most picturesque landscapes in Scotland. Here we have a relaxing walk through spectacularly large Douglas Firs to an amazing folly, Ossian's Hall, that overlooks the pretty Black Linn waterfall.
There are fine views of Blair Castle, the seat of the Dukes of Atholl – the only man allowed to have their own private army, The Atholl Highlanders. Wild mountain vistas surround us as we start our ascent of the Drumochter Pass, the main route into the highlands since the earliest of times.
The Cairngorm National Parkis an area of stunning natural beauty, as we will discover. As we journey through the Spey Valley the Cairngorm Mountains, which rise to over 4000 feet, provide a striking backdrop.
Desolate Culloden Moorwas the site of the last battle ever fought on British soil. The Jacobite troops of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the British Army under the command of the Duke of Cumberland clashed here in 1746. The Jacobites were routed in a bloody battle and the aftermath changed Highland life forever. We'll make a stop so that you can discover more about the battle and the dramatic consequences that followed (optional).
A short drive will take us to Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands, and then to our accommodation nestling by the banks of mysterious Loch Ness.
Overnight: Drumnadrochit
Day Two
Monsters and Massacres
After a hearty breakfast there's much to enjoy in our Highland sourroundings. Why not visit the Loch Ness 2000 Exhibition to discover the story behind the area's most famous resident or mount your own "Nessie" spotting expedition when you take a sail on the loch to visit nearby Urquhart Castle (optional)?
We travel along the banks of Loch Ness to the attractive village of Fort Augustus. Our drive through the Great Glen provides us with wonderful loch-side views as we travel to Fort William, which sits in the shadow of Ben Nevis.
Brooding Glen Coe is next. The outstanding beauty of this place belies the tragic tale that we'll hear next. Gather round as our guide takes us back to 1692 and tells the story of the Massacre of Glen Coe when Campbell soldiers slaughtered 40 MacDonalds who had been their hosts. This infamous deed remains controversial to this very day.
All too soon Glen Coe is left behind and we travel over remote and barren Rannoch Moor. This unspoilt landscape extends over 50 square miles and is one of the most unspoilt areas in Europe. Our descent of the "Black Mount" provides excellent views over Loch Tulla before we make a stop in the little Highland village of Tyndrum.
The final part of our journey together will take us through Rob Roy McGregor country to the bonnie little village of Strathyre. As we negotiate the Pass of Lenny we move from the Highlands back into the Lowlands. The final part of our journey will take us along the "bonnie, bonnie banks" of Loch Lomond to Glasgow from where we join the motorway for the short journey back to Edinburgh and journey's end.