Best of Scotland - 7 day tour
Best of Scotland
7 day / 6 night
This tour has the perfect mix of stunning scenery, intriguing history and sophisticated cities. Discover historic Edinburgh and its famous castle. Travel to the home of golf, St Andrews and tour through the stunning beauty of the Scottish Highlands to discover its renowned landscape of lochs and glens. Visit evocative Culloden Moor and haunting Glen Coe, then enjoy a wee dram at picturesque Glengoyne Malt Whisky Distillery. End the tour with a stay in the lively city of Glasgow.
Edinburgh - let a local expert show you the highlights of Edinburgh, including a visit to its ancient castle
St Andrews - visit the famed home of golf
Isle of Skye - take the ferry “over the sea to Skye” and explore the beautiful Sleat Peninsula
Culloden Moor - explore the historic battlefield and discover the tale of Bonnie Prince Charlie
Scottish Highlands - enjoy a two-night stay in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park
Movie locations - Ae Fond Kiss, Braveheart and Rob Roy
Hotel accommodation included
Full Tour Itinerary
Select Day:
Day 1 - Welcome to Edinburgh
On arrival, relax and explore the fascinating city of Edinburgh.
This evening, meet your companions and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception, including a light meal and drinks.
Visit our Getting to Scotland page for more information on rail and air links to Edinburgh.
Overnight: Jurys Inn, Edinburgh (or similar) (2 nights)
Day 2 - Edinburgh City Tour and Edinburgh Castle
This morning, your local guide takes you on a sightseeing tour of this beautiful city, including a visit to Edinburgh Castle, perched high above the city.
See the Royal Mile, the elegant Palace of Holyroodhouse in the shadow of Arthur's Seat, and the new Scottish Parliament building. Admire the elegant Georgian architecture of the New Town and see the impressive Scott Monument.
This afternoon and evening are free for you to enjoy the unique atmosphere of this festival city.
Day 3 - Edinburgh - St Andrews - Scottish Highlands
See the iconic Forth Bridge as we travel across the Firth of Forth to reach St. Andrews, where we see the famous ancient university, St Andrews Cathedral and the famous Old Course.
Continue north across the Tay at Dundee to visit Pitlochry, a charming Victorian resort on the banks of the River Tummel. Explore the town or join an Optional Experience to visit Blair Castle, ancestral home to the Dukes of Atholl.
Later travel through the Grampian Mountains to reach our hotel situated in the Cairngorms National Park.
After time to relax, enjoy dinner served at your hotel.
Overnight: Highlander Hotel, Newtonmore (or similar) (2 nights)
Day 4 - Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Excursion
This morning travel through Glen Spean to visit the moving Commando Memorial and take in the views of Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest mountain.
Enjoy a scenic drive through the remarkable Great Glen to reach Fort Augustus, which sits on the banks of mysterious Loch Ness. After some time for monster-spotting, head through Glen Sheil, where the “Five Sisters” mountain range dominates the landscape.
Stop to view romantic Eilean Donan Castle before taking the bridge “over the sea” to visit the magical Isle of Skye.
Back on the mainland, continue your journey past the lochs and glens of the Scottish Highlands to visit Culloden Battlefield. This site was where the final confrontation of the 1745 Jacobite uprising took place. It was to be the last battle ever to take place on British soil.
Later return to your hotel in the Spey Valley for dinner.
Day 5 - Scottish Highlands - Glen Coe - Glasgow
Stop in Fort William, which sits by the banks of Loch Linnhe.
Continue south through Glen Coe, 'Glen of the Weeping', site of the infamous massacre of the Macdonald clan by the Campbells in 1692.
Later, drive over expansive Rannoch Moor, then enjoy the views as the coach descends the Black Mount.
Journey along the "bonnie, bonnie banks" of Loch Lomond, immortalised in the well-known Scottish song, to reach the lively city of Glasgow.
Enjoy a panoramic orientation tour starting in the fashionable West End, home to Glasgow University and Kelvingrove Art Gallery. Take a drive into the city centre to see the ornate Victorian architecture that Glasgow is noted for, including George Square and the opulent City Chambers.
End the tour with views of Glasgow Cathedral and the People's Palace museum before heading to our hotel on the banks of the River Clyde.
Tonight you are free to dine as you wish.
Overnight: Hilton Garden Inn City Centre, Glasgow (or similar) (2 nights)
Day 6 - Stirling Castle and Glengoyne Whisky Distillery Excursion
Start your day with a drive to the historic city of Stirling to visit Stirling Castle, a symbol of national pride and once a place of great power. See the ‘Stirling Heads’ and visit the halls, chapels and bedrooms of this imposing castle.
From the castle walls, view the Wallace Monument - dedicated to the famous hero Sir William Wallace and overlooking Stirling Bridge, the site of his most famous victory in Scotland’s Wars of Independence.
Later travel into the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
Hear tales of the famous folk hero Rob Roy MacGregor when we join the Wood family on their 15th Century farm to enjoy home-cooked food and true Highland hospitality at a farewell gathering.
Later, discover the traditions of whisky-making at a visit to pretty Glengoyne Distillery, followed by a ‘wee dram’.
Day 7 - Depart Glasgow
After a hearty Scottish breakfast, bid farewell to your Travel Director and companions as your holiday in Scotland comes to an end.
Airport transfers are available - conditions apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect on this Escorted Tour?
If you enjoy the art of first-class travel whilst enjoying amazing value then an Escorted Tour is just for you. These tours are carefully researched and combine quality hotels, luxury travel, informative visits and leisure time. You’ll find our Escorted Tours to be memorable - for all the right reasons!
You will travel aboard a state of the art motorcoach with air-conditioning, reclining seats, oversized windows and emergency washroom. Many coaches are equipped with WiFi too.
An experienced tour manager will lead the tour and your coach will be expertly driven by a professional driver. In certain locations you’ll may be joined by a local guide who will provide local insight and show you the highlights.
These tours are inclusive of superior tourist class accommodation, transportation, selected admission fees and many meals.
On many tours you’ll have the chance to personalise your touring experience by participating in some carefully planned optional excursions. These are at additional expense and, if available, details will be provided with your tour documentation.
What kind of accommodation do you use?
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 Tour Documentation.
How do I arrange my airport transfer?
Complimentary airport transfers are included on the first and last day of your tour.
If you wish to avail of this facility, please provide your flight details (flight number, arrival/departure time and originating/destination airport) as soon as you have this information.
You will meet your driver or guide in the arrivals hall after completing the immigration and customs formalities.
Complete information will be included in your tour documentation.
Please note that you'll need to make your own transfer arrangements if you plan to arrange pre or post tour accommodation.
Tell me what the visit to a whisky distillery will be like?
A visit to a traditional whisky distillery is a feast for all the senses. After a warm welcome you’ll normally have a short audio/visual presentation on the the history of the distillery and the traditional methods used in the distilling process.
Next is a tour of the distillery where you you will experience all stages of the whisky making process from mashing and fermenting to distilling and maturation.
Your tour will end with a tutored tasting of a malt whisky and the opportunity to buy a souvenir of your visit in the distillery shop.
How much luggage can I bring?
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.
Inclusions
Accommodation
- 6 nights hotel accommodation - all rooms with private bathrooms
- Location: Edinburgh (2); Scottish Highlands (2) and Glasgow (2)
Meals
- Scottish/Continental breakfast (6)
- Welcome reception with drink and light meal with your Tour Director
- Table d’hôte dinners (2)
- Farewell lunch on a working Scottish farm
Visits, Admissions and Experiences
- Admission to Edinburgh Castle, Culloden Battlefield and Stirling Castle
- City tour of Edinburgh
- Orientation tours of Glasgow and Stirling
- Tour and tasting at Glengoyne Whisky Distillery
Tour Essentials
- Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with extra-legroom, reclining seats, on board washroom and Wifi
- Ferry to Isle of Skye
- All baggage handling and hotel tips are included
- Services throughout the tour of a professional Tour Director
- Service charges and taxes
Departure information
Please check your tour documentation for the commencement time of the tour
From Jurys Inn
43 Jeffrey Street
Edinburgh EH1 1DH
The tour will end in Glasgow after breakfast on day 7
Check-in: 14:15 hrs
Tour Departs: 14:30 hrs
Tour Returns: 09:00 hrs
Child details
Child discount applies to children aged 5 to 17 years inclusive on the basis that they share a room with an adult.
We’re sorry but children aged under 5 years cannot travel on this tour.
Photo-ID may be requested to confirm discount entitlement.
Price Notes
Accommodation
The price of the tour includes hotel accommodation with en-suite bathroom.
FAQs
Please see the FAQ section for more information on this tour.
Product code
TT 00185
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Customer Reviews Overall Rating:
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Rating: (4 /5) 08 Jun 2015
The hotel in the country badly needs an upgrade. Poor plumbing- no water pressure, no room fridges. No shop anywhere nearby to purchase tissues etc which are not supplied. Addittionally the management likes people to sit at the same table each night- however this is not always appropriate- we had a disagreeable individual on the trip that no one wished to sit with more than once.
Roberta from Toowoomba, Australia
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