Scottish Highlands, Islands and Cities
from Edinburgh
Tour Highlights: Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle, Jedburgh Abbey, St Andrews, Glamis Castle, Aberdeen, The Whisky Trail, Cairngorm National Park, Culloden Moor, Inverness, Dunrobin Castle, Orkney Islands, Italian Chapel, Skara Brae, Ullapool, Isle of Skye, Eilean Donan Castle, Isles of Mull and Iona, Glen Coe, Glasgow, Glasgow Cathedral, Culzean Castle and Alloway
Step back in time with this epic tour. Pagan monuments, Roman ruins, majestic cathedrals, medieval castles, geological wonders, famous universities, Highland glens, historic cities and majestic scenery will grip your imagination!
Day One
Welcome to Edinburgh (3 nights)
Welcome to bonnie Scotland! There are airport transfers from Edinburgh Airport at 09:00, 11:30 and 14:00 hrs. Conditions apply. Relax after your journey. This evening, meet and get to know your companions and Travel Director at a Welcome Pub Reception, which includes a typical Scottish pub meal and drinks.
Overnight: Novotel City Centre Hotel, Edinburgh (or similar)
Day TwoDiscovering Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a rugged and beautiful city. See Princes Street, the New Town, the Royal Mile, Scottish Parliament and Arthur's Seat during your morning sightseeing tour with an expert Local Guide. Visit the apartments at the historic castle with views of Holyrood House, the former residence of Mary Queen of Scots. During the Edinburgh Festival, tickets for the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo are also included.
Day Three
The Scottish Borders
This morning see the impressive 12th century ruined Abbey at Jedburgh. Admire Melrose Abbey, where the embalmed heart of Robert the Bruce is said to rest, before following the valley of the River Tweed back to Edinburgh.
Day Four
Edinburgh - St Andrews - Aberdeen
Cross the spectacular Forth Bridgeto St. Andrews, considered by many as the home of golf, Take a photograph at the famous 18th green or enjoy discovering the ancient University there is so much to enjoy. Later visit Glamis Castle, the childhood home of the late Queen Mother. Arrive this afternoon in Aberdeen, a city with a rich history and a strong industrial heritage. Dine tonight at your hotel.
Overnight: Thistle Altens Hotel, Aberdeen (or similar)
Day Five
The Whisky Trail
Marvel at the wonderful Scottish landscapes along the valley of the River Dee, past Ballater and Royal Deeside, through the rugged Cairngorm Mountains to Speyside. The area around the River Spey in Moray, Badenoch and Strathspey is renowned for producing some of the best malt whiskies in the World. Tonight, at your hotel in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, enjoy a traditional Highlight Dinner including the ‘piping in of the haggis’!
Overnight: Four Seasons/Aviemore Highland Hotel, Aviemore (or similar)
Day Six
Aviemore - Loch Ness - Thurso (2 nights)
It is a short drive to see the site of the Battle of Culloden, where Bonnie Prince Charlie’s army was defeated in 1746. Drive through Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands to admire the beauty of Loch Ness, home of the fabled monster. Visit Dunrobin Castle, the ancestral home of the Dukes of Sutherland, which resembles a French chateâu with its towering conical spires. Stroll through the formal gardens, inspired by the Palace of Versailles. Enjoy wonderful sea views as we travel northwards to Thurso, our home for the next two nights.
Overnight: Royal Hotel, Thurso (or similar)
Day Seven
Discovering the Orkneys
Take the ferry (weather permitting) from John O'Groats to South Ronaldsay. Our drive through Orkney will take us back through man’s history. These fascinating islands boast countless reminders of the people who have lived here. See Scapa Flow, one of the world's great natural anchorages. Visit the Italian Chapel and see the remains of a Neolithic village at Skara Brae. Pass the pre-historic Ring of Brodgar to Viking Kirkwall. Later, take the ferry back to Thurso on the mainland.
Day Eight
Thurso to the Isle of Skye
The landscape along the northern coastline is stunning! See misty valleys and glens and visit the picturesque fishing village of Ullapool, which sits on Loch Broom. Continue via the Kyle of Lochalshand over the sea to Skye, following in the footsteps of Bonnie Prince Charlie!
Overnight: Tongadale Hotel, Portree (or similar)
Day Nine
Isle of Skye - Fort William – Glen Coe (2 nights)
The main town on the island is Portree, which sits overlooking its attractive harbour. There is time to enjoy Portree for yourself before driving past iconic Eilean Donan Castle. You’ll see the towering Five Sisters mountain range as we travel through Glen Sheil and then along the shores of Loch Cluanie. Cross the mountains to view Loch Garry on your way to Fort William, where you see Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, in all its glory. Dine this evening at your hotel in Ballachulish.
Overnight: Ballachulish Hotel, Ballachulish (or similar)
Day Ten
Explore Mull and Iona
Cruise from Oban across the mouth of Loch Linnhe to Craignure on the Isle of Mull, the fourth largest Scottish island and a jewel of moorlands, forests and cliffs. Drive to Fionnphort for a short ferry crossing to the island of Iona. It was here that St Columba built a monastery in 563. Visit the Abbey, one of the oldest and most important religious sites in Western Europe, before returning to Ballachulish.
Day Eleven
Ballachulish - Glen Coe - Glasgow (2 nights)
Enter dramatic Glen Coe, known as the Glen of the Weeping after the tragic massacre of 1692 of the resident MacDonald Clan. The beautiful scenery continues as we make our way over Rannoch Moor and via Tyndrum to Loch Lomond, where you can stop for photographs and perhaps take a cruise on the Loch. Enjoy Scottish hospitality with a very special Be My Guest lunch on a working farm in the Trossachs National Park. Later your orientation of Glasgow includes views of George Square, the impressive City Chambers and a visit to St. Mungo’s Cathedral.
Overnight: Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow (or similar)
Day Twelve
Robert Burns Country
Today we travel through the rolling Ayrshire countryside to visit Culzean Castle a magnificent neoclassical mansion overlooking the Firth of Clyde. The castle boasts extensive grounds that form a splendid country park. See the monument to Robbie Burns in Alloway and Burns Cottage, where Scotland’s famous poet was born! This afternoon enjoy an included visit to the beautiful Glengoyne malt whisky distillery to sample a 'wee dram'. Tonight, celebrate with your companions and Travel Director at a Farewell Dinner in Glasgow.
Day Thirteen
Homeward Bound!
Say a fond farewell to bonnie Scotland as your wonderful holiday draws to a close. Airport transfers are available at 07:00 hrs and 09:00 hrs. Conditions apply.