Highlands and Islands - 8 day tour

Day 2 - Oban - Glen Coe - Isle of Skye

We bid farewell to Oban and make our way to the Connel Bridge. As we cross Loch Etive look out for the Falls of Lora below. Glen Coe is arguably Scotland's most famous Glen partly because of it's awe-inspiring beauty and, more sinisterly, because of the infamous massacre that took place here in 1692. The sad tale will be told as we make a short diversion to explore this special place for ourselves. Fort William's glorious setting on the banks of Loch Linnhe has made it a popular tourist destination since the arrival of the steamships in the mid-1900's. The town sits in the shadow of Ben Nevis, which, at 4,406 feet, is the tallest mountain in the UK.

Here we leave our tour coach and board the Jacobite Steam Train (see note below) for a journey of a life time on the famous West Highland Line – regarded by many as the most scenic in Britain! From Fort William the train travels along the banks of Loch Eil then crosses the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, featured in the Harry Potter movies as part of the route to Hogwarts. Look out for the Glenfinnan Monument built to commemorate the ill-fated Jacobite up-rising of Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745.

The scenic journey continues with wonderful views of Lochs Eilt, Ailort and nan Uamh before reaching the silver sands of Morar (made famous in the popular film Local Hero) and Mallaig. After some free time to enjoy the views over the Sound of Sleat to the Magical Isle we board a ferry for our crossing "Over the sea to Skye”. A short drive brings us to our home for the next two nights.

Overnight: Isle of Skye (2 nights)

Day 3 - Touring the Magical Isle

After breakfast we board our coach to explore the beautiful Isle of Skye. From the little villages and gentle scenery of the southern part of the island the views will change dramatically as the Cuillin Hills come into sight. Considered by many to be amongst the finest hills in Britain the Cuillins present a vista that is simply unforgettable.

Set round its natural harbour the picturesque town of Portree is the largest community on the Isle of Skye. The name of the town means the "King's Port" following a visit by King James V in 1540. Today the pretty painted houses which surround the harbour give Portree an old fashioned appeal. During our stop there will be time to explore the town and browse the interesting shops that surround Sumerled Square.

Later we tour the famed Trotternish Peninsula. From Portree we travel northwards to the little ferry port of Uig from where ferries sail to the Outer Herbrides. At little Kilmuir there is a monument to Flora MacDonald who, famously, assisted Bonnie Prince Charlie to escape the Government Troops who were hunting for him.

We'll stop to explore The Quiraing, a dramatic terrain formed by a landslide. We'll stop so you can walk through a landscape that dates from Jurassic times! See if you can identify the rock formations that are known as the "Needle", "Table" and "Prison". A short drive brings us to Kilt Rock, so named because the basalt columns of this rock fall to resemble the pleats of a kilt - we will stop so you can snap an "I was there" photograph!

Day 4 - Isle of Skye - Eilean Donan Castle - Loch Ness

After breakfast we bid farewell to the Isle of Skye and return to the mainland.

We stop to visit picturesque Eilean Donan Castle. This is, without doubt, one of Scotland's most iconic sights. The castle stands on a little island situated at the confluence of Loch's Alsh and Duich. We'll have time to discover the castle for ourselves during our stop here.

There are wonderful views as we travel through Glen Shiel, look out for the impressive mountain range known as the Five Sisters of Kintail. Wildlife thrives in this part of Scotland so as we drive through this striking scenery you might see local residents such as red deer, golden eagles and pine martins.

Enjoy a scenic drive along the banks of mysterious Loch Ness and free time to explore the attractive village of Drumnadrochit. This afternoon take the opportunity to visit impressive Urquhart Castle and take a monster-spotting cruise on the dark and deep waters of Loch Ness. A relaxing drive brings a late afternoon arrival in Fort Augustus.

Overnight: Loch Ness area

Day 5 - Loch Ness - Dunrobin Castle - Stornoway (Isle of Lewis)

After breakfast we drive along the banks of enigmatic Loch Ness. As we do keep a close watch just in case "you know who” makes an appearance! After a brief panoramic tour of Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands, we enjoy grandstand views of the Moray Firth as we travel over the Kessock Bridge.

Just outside Golspie lies magnificent Dunrobin Castle, the most northerly of Scotland’s great houses. This grand chateau-like castle is the home of the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland and it has a commanding position overlooking the Moray Firth. We’ll make a stop so you can visit this splendid castle and tour some of its 189 rooms and take a stroll through the extensive gardens.

We’ll explore the Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve which is one of the most important geological sites in Europe. We’ll discover more about the mysteries that are locked up in the rocks during our visit.

The fishing port of Ullapool sits on Loch Broom and is where we board our ferry for the crossing of The Minch to reach Stornoway, on the Isle of Lewis. On arrival it is a short drive to our accommodation for the next two nights.

Overnight: Stornoway, Isle of Lewis (2 nights)

Day 6 - Exploring Isle of Lewis

Together Harris and Lewis make Scotland’s largest island. These islands have been inhabited for over 6,000 years and there is a real sense of history as we will discover as we spend today discovering Lewis.

After breakfast we will make our way to the Butt of Lewis where a lighthouse stands warning passing ships of the nearby rocks. This is the most northerly point of the Outer Hebrides. Due west from here is nothing but the North Atlantic until you reach Newfoundland, Canada!

The astonishing Callanish Standing Stones is our next visit. Archaeologists believe that these 15 foot (5 m) stones were placed here by Neolithic people sometime between 3,000 and 1,000 BC and the site is rated second in importance only to Stonehenge. A short distance away is the impressive Dun Carloway Broch, an Iron Age stone fort known to have been built more than 2,000 years ago. This is one of the best preserved fortified towers in Scotland and it’s beautifully located with wonderful views over Loch Carloway and the sea beyond.

The weaving of Harris Tweed cloth has, traditionally, been an important home-based industry for islanders so when we visit a local weaver, on our last visit of the day, there will be an opportunity to see the fabric being hand woven in the time-honoured fashion – a truly fascinating process.

Day 7 - Exploring Isle of Harris

Today we concentrate on the neighbouring island of Harris. We’ll travel through the imposing hills of North Harris to reach the little village of Tarbert, the main port serving the island.

The little island of Taransay has found fame as the setting for the popular TV programme, Castaway as well as the movie "Rocket Mail”. We’ll stop so you can admire the views and take a stroll along Luskentyre Beach, which appears never-ending. This is a great place to enjoy some beach combing. Look out for the machairs which sit behind the beach - these green grassy plains are covered in a mass of wild flowers in the summer.

We return to Stornoway for some free time so can explore this bustling port before our island interlude comes to an end. We'll make our way to the ferry port where the MV Loch Seaforth waits for our crossing back to the mainland. On arrival we make our way to our overnight accommodation in Inverness.

Overnight: Inverness

Day 8 - Inverness - Cairngorm National Park - Edinburgh

There’s time to explore Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands before travelling the short distance to visit tragic Culloden Moor. It was here that the Jacobite army of Bonnie Prince Charlie was routed by Government troops in a bloody battle in 1746.

We’ll stop at Dalwhinnie Malt Whisky Distillery so that you can discover how our National drink is lovingly produced. After our tour you’ll have the chance to sample a "wee nip” and shop for souvenirs.

The Cairngorm National Park is Britain’s largest and contains five of Scotland’s six highest peaks. The park provides stunning backdrop to our travels through the Spey Valley then we descend through the Drumochter Pass to reach the pleasant Victorian tourist town of Pitlochry where we will stop for refreshments.

The dramatic scenery of Highland Perthshire gives way to rolling farmland as we reach the "Fair City” of Perth then we join the motorway for our journey through the ancient Kingdom of Fife. The final part of our drive offers wonderful views of the Forth Bridge as we make our way into Edinburgh.