Scottish Clans and Castles
10 day / 9 night
Discover Scotland’s colourful past on this enchanting tour. Visit no less than five of the country’s greatest castles - Brodie, Doune, Dunvegan, Eilean Donan and mighty Stirling and see the iconic battlefield sites at Bannockburn and Culloden. Explore the stunning beauty of the Isle of Skye and enjoy a steam train trip on the famed West Highland Railway Line. All this is just a flavour of what awaits you on this marvellous tour.
Price range: £1,765 - £3,235
Doune Castle - explore this grand castle set amid lovely countryside that has starred in Outlander and Game of Thrones
Bannockburn - visit the site of the famous battle that changed the history of Scotland forever
Isle of Skye - enjoy a tour of the Winged Isle including Dunvegan Castle, Kilt Rock and the scenic Sleat Peninsula
Sheep-dog Demonstration - marvel at the teamwork between shepherd and their dogs at a working sheep farm
Edinburgh - tour the Georgian “New Town” and drive along the famous Royal Mile to visit Edinburgh Castle
Movie locations - Harry Potter, Captain America: The First Avenger and The Angels’ Share
Hotel accommodation included
Select Day:
Your Scottish trip starts at 3:00 pm at your hotel in Drymen. It is 20 miles north of Glasgow Airport so please ensure that you have appropriate transfer arrangements in place. Meet your tour director and set out for the short drive to visit Doune Castle, which has enjoyed fame in the "Game of Thrones" and "Outlander" TV series. Later enjoy a scenic tour through the picturesque Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Return to your hotel and enjoy free time to rest and relax. Chat with your tour director and fellow travellers about your trip with a welcome drink before sitting down to dinner in your hotel.
Overnight: Winnock Hotel, Drymen (or similar) (2 nights)
Drive to Stirling to visit Stirling Castle. Walk through some of the many chambers and halls to learn about notable people such as "Braveheart” William Wallace and Mary, Queen of Scots. In 1314 King Robert the Bruce secured a famous victory over the army of King Edward II at the Battle of Bannockburn. This was an important step in Scotland's fight for independence. We'll tour the battlefield and explore the exciting new visitor centre then experience the amazing 3D battle show. Return to your hotel in good time for dinner.
Today head up into the majestic Highlands. Journey across mysterious Rannoch Moor and through Glen Coe, a spectacular glen made famous by the Campbells’ massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692. Stop at Spean Bridge Woollen Mill then follow the banks of the Caledonian Canal to reach the long, narrow lochs in the Great Glen. Continue your drive north to visit the romantic Eilean Donan Castle. The first fortified castle was built in the 13th century, rebuilt several times and partially ruined in 1719. Check in to your charming family-owned hotel near Kyle of Lochalsh.
Overnight: Balmacara Hotel, Kyle of Lochalsh or similar (2 nights)
Today cross to the Isle of Skye by bridge to explore this lovely island, sometimes called the "Misty Isle”. It has many strong associations with Bonnie Prince Charlie as he fled here after his defeat at Culloden Moor. Travel to Dunvegan Castle, stonghold of the Chiefs of MacLeod for nearly 800 years, making it the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland. Stop in Portree to get lunch on your own and take a walk to admire brightly-painted houses that cluster around a large bay. Drive along the Trotternish Peninsula to view Kilt Rock, a sea cliff with huge, vertical basalt columns. Return to your hotel for free time before dinner.
Visit the Armadale Castle, Gardens and Museum to discover the history of the Lords of the Isles and the most powerful clan of the Isle of Skye. Take a ferry to Mallaig on the mainland and transfer to the famous Jacobite Steam Train for a fun ride through some of Scotland’s loveliest scenery. The rails run alongside the "Road to the Isles” so you may view Loch Shiel and the Glenfinnan Monument, another reminder of Bonnie Prince Charlie. The train crosses the 21-arched Glenfinnan viaduct, which was featured in some of the Harry Potter movies. Reboard your coach at Fort William and drive to Inverness.
Overnight: Glen Mhor Hotel, Inverness (or similar) (3 nights)
Embark on a cruise of Loch Ness to visit the picturesque ruins of Urquhart Castle, once Scotland’s largest castle which was destroyed in Jacobite wars. Stop at the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre to learn about the battle when British Government forces defeated the army of Bonnie Prince Charlie on 16th April 1746. The Visitor Centre shows the background to this bloody battle and how the battle brought an end to the clan system in Scotland. Stop for photos at Clava Cairns, a prehistoic burial place with a circle of standing stones that inspired the "Outlander" books. Return to Inverness in time to relax and, after dinner, take a gentle walking tour with a local guide.
Drive through part of the Speyside region, where many distilleries are based close to sources of pure water from the River Spey. Join the famous Malt Whisky Trail to visit a distillery to learn about the simple ingredients and many steps involved in whisky making. Tour the facilities and sample a "wee dram.” Visit Brodie Castle, a 16th century tower house with fairytale towers and turrets that is set in spacious grounds. The house contains fine furnishings, a collection of paintings and a library with over 6,000 volumes. Return to Inverness and enjoy some free time for a stroll along the River Ness in front of your hotel.
Drive south through majestic Highland scenery to Leault Farm where dogs obey commands to round up sheep. Drive south through the high peaks of the Grampian Mountains and stop for a look around the town of Pitlochry. Drive to the east coast to Culross for a relaxing walking tour around this charming 16th Century town. See the 1626 Town House, Culross Palace and the remains of Culross Abbey. In the "Outlander" TV series Culross acts as the fictional village of Cranesmuir. Drive south to Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, and your manor house hotel on the outskirts. Enjoy a Scottish Evening with dinner, lively singing and story-telling
Overnight: Norton House Hotel, Ingliston, Edinburgh (or similar) (2 nights)
This morning explore Edinburgh on a sightseeing tour. Compare and contrast the wide streets and elegant mansions of the Georgian 200-year-old "New Town” with the narrow lanes and medieval townhouses along The Royal Mile, the oldest part of the city. See Princes Street, the main shopping thoroughfare that separates the two areas. Learn about many prominent Scottish inventors, doctors and writers. Tour the impressive Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of The Queen, and walk through the majestically furnished chambers. The balance of the day is free. On July 26 to Aug 16 departures enjoy the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at the Castle esplanade.
Your tour ends after breakfast. Airport transfers to Edinburgh International Airport are available - terms and conditions apply.
If you enjoy the art of travelling in comfort and style then a Premium Escorted Tour is for you. You’ll travel in a group that is restricted to around 40 fellow travellers. Travel is aboard a state of the art motorcoach with air-conditioning, on-board WiFi, reclining seats and oversized windows. For your comfort there is an emergency washroom on-board too. An experienced tour manager will lead the tour and your coach will be expertly driven by a professional driver. In certain cities you’ll be joined by a local guide who will provide local insight and show you the highlights. These tours are fully inclusive of first class/superior class accommodation, transportation, admission fees and most meals. Savvy travellers appreciate that these tours have no hidden extras – all the ingredients needed for a great tour are included in the tour price. There are no optional extras for you to budget for during your holiday.
The group will stay together in first class or superior tourist class hotels. Each has been carefully selected for comfort, quality and ambiance located in the best locations close to the shopping areas and the key sights. You will discover a pleasant balance of familiar brand hotels such as Hilton, Marriott and Accor together with locally owned family-run hotels. In rural locations your accommodation will be in the best available hotels. A full hotel list will be provided as part of your EDocumentation.
Described as one of the great railway journeys of the world this 84 mile round trip takes you past a list of impressive extremes. Starting near the highest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis, it visits Britain’s most westerly mainland railway station, Arisaig; passes close by the deepest freshwater loch in Britain, Loch Morar and the shortest river in Britain, River Morar, finally arriving next to the deepest seawater loch in Europe, Loch Nevis! The train will cross the 21-arched Glenfinnan viaduct (a location made famous in the Harry Potter films) which overlooks Loch Shiel and the Jacobite monument. The train may pause on the viaduct, time permitting, to allow you to take in the magnificent view. On some tours the route may be reversed.
You can bring one suitcase and one carry-on bag per person. The maximum weight allowance and luggage dimensions varies by tour so you should check the tour documentation for the luggage policy that applies to your tour.
On a Premium Escorted Tour you’ll not be travelling for much more than two hours without a stop. There are washrooms/toilets at each stop and most coaches are equipped with on-board toilets, however for safety reasons their use is restricted whilst the coach is in motion.
Please check your tour documention for the commencement time of the tour
From the Winnock Hotel
The Square
Drymen
Glasgow G63 0BL
Please note that this hotel is located 20 miles from Glasgow Airport.
The tour will end in Edinburgh after breakfast on day 10
Check-in: 13:45 hrs
Tour Departs: 14:00 hrs
Tour Returns: 09:00 hrs
Child discount applies to children aged 8 to 18 years inclusive on the basis that they share a room with an adult.
We’re sorry but children aged under 8 years cannot travel on this tour.
Photo-ID may be requested to confirm discount entitlement.
Accommodation
The price of this tour includes hotel accommodation with en-suite bathroom.
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Selected departures include a visit to this famous celebration of music, dancing and culture performed against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.
FAQ's
Please see the FAQ section for more information on this tour.
Product code
CIE 02098
