Highlands and The Isle of Skye
from Edinburgh
INCLUDES: Two nights accommodation in rooms with private facilities; full Scottish breakfast; excursions by superior air-conditioned minicoach as detailed below; admission to Clan Donald Centre Gardens; transportation by air-conditioned luxury touring coach (to/from Inverness); services of a tour host; service charges and taxes.
This very special three-day tour combines a relaxing two night stay in Inverness and will show you some of Scotland’s finest scenery, including a wonderful full-day excursion to the fabled Isle of Skye!
Day One
Moors and Mountains
Departing from Edinburgh or Glasgow we make our way to lonely Rannoch Moor and then into Glen Coe, Scotland’s most famous glen and the scene of the terrible massacre in 1692. We will make a stop in the midst of this awe-inspiring scenery so you can enjoy the magic of this special place.
From Fort William the striking scenery of the Great Glen unfolds ahead of us – first Loch Lochy, then Loch Oich and finally Loch Ness. We will travel to the attractive village of Fort Augustus then drive the entire length of Loch Ness. We will stop at Urquhart Castle where you can visit the castle and enjoy a short cruise on the loch (optional). Shortly we will arrive in Inverness, our home for the next two nights.
The stay in Inverness is unescorted.
Day Two
The Magical Isle
Today we enjoy a full day excursion to the beautiful island of Skye. From Inverness we travel to Achnasheen then on through pretty Glen Carron to Kyle of Lochalsh.
Soon 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.
The Clan Donald Centre celebrates the history of the Gaels. We will make a stop here so you can discover more about this powerful clan that once boasted the title “Lord of the Isles”. The grounds contain the ruins of Armadale Castle as well as a delightful garden.
Later there will be scenic drive where the views of the Cullin Hills are simply breathtaking. If the weather is kind to us we will be able to see Rum, Canna and Eigg in the Small Isles. There will be time for some beach-combing before we return to the mainland.
A real highlight is our stop at Eilean Donan Castle, perched on its island at the head of Loch Duich. Here you have the option of visiting this most picturesque of castles. Our return to Inverness will take us through Glen Shiel where we will see the "Five Sisters" mountain range.
Day Three
Beauly and the Spey Valley
This morning there is an excursion through the Black Isle to the picturesque village of Cromarty. Later there is free time in Inverness for individual sightseeing or shopping before we join our motorcoach for a spectacular drive south through the Highlands. From the Spey Valley and the Cairngorm Mountains we travel through Glen Garry to enjoy scenic views of picturesque Blair Castle. After a break we’ll make our way through the gentle rolling countryside towards Perth then onwards to Edinburgh or Glasgow.
OPTIONAL EXTRAS: Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness cruise ticket.
Admission to Eilean Donan Castle
