Best of Scotland - 7 day tour

Day 2 - Edinburgh City Tour and Edinburgh Castle

This morning, your local guide takes you on a sightseeing tour of this wonderful 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. During the Edinburgh Festival, your visit will include tickets to the dazzling Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Day 3 - Edinburgh - St Andrews - Scottish Highlands

See the iconic Forth Rail Bridge as we travel across the Firth of Forth to reach St. Andrews, where we view the celebrated ancient university, St Andrews Cathedral and the famous Old Course. Continue north across the Tay at Dundee, to visit Pitlochry, a charming community 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. Dine tonight at your hotel.

Overnight: Gaskmore Hotel, Laggan/Carrbridge Hotel, Carrbridge (or similar) (2 nights)

Day 4 - Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Excursion

This morning travel to the coast and take the ferry "over the sea to Skye" from Mallaig to Armadale. Drive through the Sleat Peninsula and admire the spectacular scenery before stopping for lunch. Cross back to the mainland to see romantic Eilean Donan Castle then 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 heart of the Cairngorm National Park.

Day 5 - Scottish Highlands - Glen Coe - Glasgow

Stop at the Commando Memorial near Fort William for breathtaking views of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Continue south through Glen Coe, ‘Glen of the Weeping', site of the infamous massacre of the Macdonald clan by the Campbells in 1692. Journey along the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, immortalised in the well-known Scottish song, to the lively city of Glasgow.

Overnight: Crowne Plaza, Glasgow (or similar) (2 nights)

Day 6 - Stirling Castle and Glengoyne Whisky Distillery Excursion

Start your day with an orientation of Glasgow including the magnificent George Square and the River Clyde, former heart of the shipbuilding industry. You'll view the magnificent People's Palace and Winter Gardens which opened in 1898. Enjoy some free time to explore this vibrant city. Later 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 Sir William Wallace and overlooking the battlefield of Stirling Bridge. Later travel into the Trossachs National Park. Here enjoy a Cultural Insight into whisky making with a visit to Glengoyne Whisky Distillery to sample a ‘wee dram'. Tonight, experience a Farewell Dinner at a working hill farm on the banks of Loch Ard.

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. Transfers are available. Conditions apply.