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A Scottish Journey - 10 day tour

from £2649.00 Book Now

Tour Summary

A Scottish Journey
10 day / 9 night tour

This superb small group tour gives you the opportunity of experiencing many of Scotland’s best-loved sights. Spend time on the scenic Cairngorms National Park, then visit Culloden Moor and Loch Ness. Explore three Hebridean Islands - Skye, Mull and Iona. Discover the quaint fishing villages of the East Neuk of Fife and spend time in St Andrews. For foodie’s, you’ll enjoy no fewer than one lunch and four dinners featuring locally sourced produce and freshly caught seafood. If you want to escape from the crowds, this is the tour for you.

Small Group Tour - travel in an intimate group of just 16 or 18 passengers

Cairngorms National Park - explore the spectacular scenery and discover the traditions of whisky-making

Skye - see the dramatic Cuillin Mountains and the Jurassic scenery of Trotternish

Mull - tour through this scenic island and stay in the picture-postcard town of Tobermory

Iona - explore this island wilderness to discover the legend of St Columba

Movie locations – Bloodied, BFG and Local Hero

Hotel accommodation included

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Full Tour Itinerary

Select Day:

Day 1 - Welcome to Scotland

Arrive in Scotland's Capital City at your leisure then enjoy time for independent sightseeing.

Later, join your fellow passengers and driver/guide for a delicous welcome meal.

Overnight: Eden Locke Hotel (or similar)

Day 2 - Edinburgh - St Andrews - Aviemore

We travel to the picturesque fishing villages of the East Neuk region, such as Pittenweem, which is home to brightly hulled fishing boats and a jumble of red-painted and grey slated houses.

We continue to St Andrews, known as the home of golf and where Prince William met Catherine ‘Kate’ Middleton while studying at St Andrews University, Scotland’s oldest. The town’s medieval centre, with its narrow alleys and cobbled streets, leads to the now ruined St Andrews Cathedral and the adjacent church of St Regulus.

Later, we travel into Highland Perthshire to visit the delightful village of Dunkeld, enjoying free time to explore its medieval cathedral attractively situated by the banks of the River Tay.

The final part of our journey takes us through the Grampian Mountains to reach Aviemore, in the heart of the Spey Valley.

Overnight: Hotel TBA (2 nights)

Day 3 - Cairngorms National Park Excursion

After enjoying breakfast in our Highland surroundings, it’s time to head out to discover the picturesque beauty of the Cairngorms National Park. This is Britain’s largest National Park and is “one of the top 20 places to visit in the World”, according to National Geographic Traveller magazine!

After our scenic drive, we head to Newtonmore to visit the Highland Folk Museum, which explores rural life in the Highlands from the 1700s to the present. Set in a beautiful natural setting, you can explore the homes, farms and shops of the past so authentic that they’ve been used as a filming location for the popular Outlander TV series.

The Speyside region is famed for the production of Scotch Whisky and is home to around half of all Scotland’s working distilleries.

We’ll stop at a distillery to discover the traditions of whisky-making using just three ingredients malted barley, yeast and pure Highland water. At the end of the visit, enjoy a tutored tasting of a dram or two.

Day 4 - Aviemore - Culloden Moor - Inverness

We head northwards through the Cairngorms National Park to reach the evocative Culloden Moor. It was here that the bloody battle between the Jacobite army of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the British army under the command of the Duke of Cumberland took place in April 1746.

A visit to the award-winning visitor centre will explain the chain of events that brought these two forces together on that fateful day. Afterwards, take a walk on the moor to see the Clan memorials.

Enigmatic Loch Ness is famed throughout the World as the home of “Nessie”, the Loch Ness Monster. Keep your camera close as we drive along the banks of this mysterious loch, just in case!

Our hotel for the next two nights is in the "Highland Capital" of Inverness.

Overnight: Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness (or similar) (2 nights)

Day 5 - Exploring Inverness

After a busy start to the week, it’s time to relax in our new Highland surroundings.

Enjoy a guided walking tour of Inverness this morning, then explore the city on your own.

You could stroll through the Old Town and shop in the Victorian Market, take in the views from Inverness Castle, or follow the river, listening for the tell-tale splash of leaping salmon.

A popular visit is to Fraser’s Highland House to discover the history of tartan through the centuries.

Day 6 - Inverness - Loch Ness - Isle of Skye

We travel through the picturesque scenery of the Scottish Highlands to reach Plockton, a charming little village comprised of neatly painted cottages surrounding a picturesque bay.

There is free time to enjoy lunch and take a stroll around the harbour before we drive across the bridge to reach the stunning Isle of Skye.

The Redwood House, our island base for the next two nights, has a stunning location on the shores of Loch Greshornish.

Overnight: Redwood House (or similar) (2 nights)

Day 7 - Isle of Skye Excursion

Today is devoted to the Isle of Skye, renowned for its incredible scenery, geology, wildlife and history.

Our scenic drive starts amongst the rugged beauty of the Cuillin Hills, which provides some of the most attractive landscapes in Scotland.

The north of the island delivers scenery on a grand scale. Today we see examples of Skye’s most startling geological features, including the extraordinary Quiraing, famous Kilt Rock and the spectacular Old Man of Storr.

Day 8 - Isle of Skye - Fort William - Tobermory (Isle of Mull)

Returning to the mainland, we travel through remote Moidart before catching the ferry to the Isle of Mull, the second-largest island of the Inner Hebrides.

Our base for the next two nights is in the delightful town of Tobermory.

Tonight the evening is yours to spend as you please.

Overnight: Western Isles Hotel, Tobermory (or similar) (2 nights)

Day 9 - Isle of Mull & Isle of Iona Excursion

Today is dedicated to exploring the Inner Hebridean islands of Mull & Iona.

We first visit 13th century Duart Castle. The oldest inhabited castle on Mull, Duart Castle, is dramatically perched on a cliff overlooking the rugged coast. Explore the dungeons and staterooms or take a stroll through the extensive grounds.

Next, we travel to the charming village of Fionnphort, which means 'Port of the White Sands' in Gaelic. Home to just 100 people, it is famed worldwide for its unique red granite, quarried just north of the village.

We take the ferry for the short crossing to Iona, a tiny island steeped in history and renowned for its natural beauty and serenity. After visiting Iona Abbey and Nunnery, we return to Mull and our hotel overlooking Tobermory Bay.

Tonight, we gather to enjoy a farewell dinner together.

Day 10 - Tobermory - Stirling - Edinburgh

After returning by ferry to the Scottish mainland, we travel to Stirling, known as the heritage capital of Scotland. This is where the Wars of Independence were fought and won, and three centuries of Monarchs ruled.

There is time to explore the Old Town before entering Stirling Castle, one of Scotland's largest and most important castles. On our tour, visit the Royal Palace, Great Hall and the Chapel Royal.

It was here that Mary, Queen of Scots, was crowned Queen of Scotland, aged just 9 months old.

As we make our way towards Edinburgh, we'll pass the impressive Kelpies horse head statues.

Sadly, the tour ends on arrival in Edinburgh.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect on this Premium Small Group Tour?

Many of our customers choose a small group tour for a more intimate and flexible travelling experience.

Comprising of no more than 18 passengers, these tours are carefully planned to travel off the highways, so you’ll discover quaint villages and picturesque vistas that other tours just drive on by.

All the small group tours we feature are operated by purpose-built luxury mini-coaches that feature air-conditioning, panoramic windows and comfortable seating.

Each group is led by an experienced driver/guide who will entertain and inform you with stories of our history, nature and folklore.

Admission fees to the key attractions are included in the price of your tour.

Comfortable accommodation has been arranged in carefully selected small hotels, manor houses and inns. Carefully chosen for their quality and ambience, they provide an authentic experience yet boast modern amenities.

A tasty breakfast will get each touring day off to a delicious start.

Many dinners are included so you can join your newfound friends for a delicious meal carefully prepared using local ingredients - it’s a great way to end your day of discovery.

What type of room should I choose?

There are different bedrooms types to choose from, here is what you can expect:

Single room - one person sleeping in a single bed
Twin room - two people sleeping in two separate beds
Double room - two people sharing one large bed
Family room - three people sharing a room sleeping in one large bed (2 people) and one single bed (1 person)

Please note that a family room can be a standard double room with either a sofa bed or a rollaway bed.

Will there be a tour commentary?

Each tour is led by an experienced driver/guide who will provide an informative and entertaining commentary in English.

You’ll hear tales of the Clans, bloody battles and the famous characters that have shaped the history of Scotland. You will learn too of the landscape that surrounds you and of the nature that makes Scotland so special.

Be ready to have a laugh as well - you’re bound to be told some really corny jokes!

How many people will be on the tour?

The average number of travellers on a Small Group Tour is 16.

Can I reserve specific seats on the coach?

Seats cannot be pre-booked however your driver/guide will normally implement a seat rotation system which will allow all passengers the opportunity of experiencing spectacular views from different seats on the minicoach.

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