Scottish Isles and Glens
from Glasgow
Let this comprehensive tour of Scotland introduce you to the delights of historic Edinburgh; vibrant Glasgow; the ancient Orkneys and scenic Skye. You’ll visit castles, gardens, battlefields and even a whisky distillery. What better way is there to explore Scotland?
Day One
Welcome to Glasgow
Land in Glasgow and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon drive around the main attractions of this Victorian city including George Square and the River Clyde. Visit ancient Glasgow Cathedral. Join your fellow travellers for a welcome get-together drink and dinner.
Overnight: Menzies Glasgow Hotel, Glasgow (or similar)
Day Two
Glasgow to Kyle of Lochalsh (2 nights)
View Loch Lomond and drive through the towering peaks of Glen Coe. Take the scenic "Road to the Isles” and cross by ferry to the Isle of Skye and cross back to the mainland to your hotel.
Overnight: Balmacara Hotel, Kyle of Lochalsh (or similar)
Day Three
Isle of Skye Tour
Discover the beauty of the majestic Cuillin Mountains that run the entire length of the island. Learn about local history and the many connections with Bonnie Prince Charlie. Visit Dunvegan Castle, stronghold of the Chiefs of MacLeod for 800 years and stop in Portree, the island’s capital.
Day Four
Inverewe Gardens and Ullapool
We start the day by stopping for photograps at iconic Eilean Donan Castle. Enjoy more Highland views as you drive past dramatic scenery on the way to Inverewe Gardens, the most famous in Scotland. The exotic plantings thrive due to the warmth of the Gulf Stream. Overnight in the remote town of Ullapool, built on the fishing industry.
Overnight: Royal Hotel, Ullapool (or similar)
Day Five
Ullapool to Thurso (2 nights)
Explore one of Scotland’s sparsely-populated Highland areas and learn of the consequences of the Highland Clearances. Stop in the remote village of Durness and in Bettyhill, built in 1814. In Thurso visit Caithness Horizons, a museum focusing on aspects of Highland life, and check in to your hotel.
Overnight: Petland Hotel, Thurso (or similar)
Day Six
Isle of Orkney & Skara Brae
Take a ferry ride to Orkney. Visit Skara Brae, a 5,000-year-old village and the Ring of Brodgar, a circle of huge standing stones, erected in prehistoric times. See St. Magnus Cathedral and the Italian Chapel before returning to Thurso.
Day Seven
Thurso to Nairn (2 nights)
Drive to John O’Groats, the most northerly village on the British mainland. Visit Dunrobin Castle, seat of the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland. Take a guided tour of the castle and watch a falconry display. Travel south to Nairn.
Overnight: Newton Hotel, Nairn (or similar)
Day Eight
Urquhart Castle & Culloden Moor
Tour the vast ruins of 13th century Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness. Visit Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, where Bonnie Prince Charlie was defeated and tour the defenses at Fort George. Enjoy a fun Scottish evening in your hotel.
Day Nine
Nairn to Edinburgh (2 nights)
Visit Glenfiddich Distillery and sample a "wee dram.” Drive south through the Cairngorm National Park to Pitlochry and through the majestic scenery of the Grampian Mountains to Edinburgh and enjoy a restaurant dinner followed by a ghost walking tour through old parts of the city.
Overnight: Apex International Hotel, Edinburgh (or similar)
Day Ten
Edinburgh Castle & City Tour
Drive through Edinburgh’s Georgian "New Town” with its planned streets and see Princes Street, the principal shopping thoroughfare. Walk along part of the Royal Mile, the oldest part of the city, to see tall tenement houses and narrow alleyways. Tour Edinburgh Castle to see the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Scone. The rest of the day is free for independent sightseeing and dining.
Day Eleven
Tour Ends Edinburgh Airport
Transfer to Edinburgh Airport in good time to check in for your flight.