7 day tour
Bonnie Scotland
From
£1769.00
Tour Summary
This incredible tour of Scotland's scenic beauty commences with a two-night stay in Glasgow, Scotland's largest city. Enjoy seeing many of the city's attractions as well as visiting a local whisky distillery and mighty Stirling Castle. Next, travel into the Highlands to visit Glen Coe, Glenfinnan and the magical Isle of Skye. Experience the beauty of the Cairngorms National Park and the Grampian Mountains before visiting grand Scone Palace. Explore St Andrews, famed as the home of Golf, then head for a relaxing two-night stay in majestic Edinburgh. Join a local expert for an insider look at this historic city, including a visit to Edinburgh Castle to see the stunning Scottish Crown Jewels. Later step aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia for a behind the scenes tour of this floating palace.
Stirling Castle - visit this ancient castle once a favoured residence of the Scottish Kings and Queens
Glenfinnan - stop to photograph the famous viaduct that appeared in the Harry Potter movies and the moving monument to fallen Clansmen of the Jacobite campaigns
Isle of Skye - sail "over the sea to Skye" and enjoy a scenic tour through the picturesque Sleat Peninsula
Aberdeen - enjoy an overnight stay in the "Silver City", famed for its magnificent granite architecture
Edinburgh - join a local expert to visit historic Edinburgh Castle and the luxurious Royal Yacht Britannia
Movie locations - World War Z, Harry Potter and The Angels Share
Hotel accommodation included
Full Tour Itinerary
Select Day:
Day 1 - Arrival in Glasgow
Welcome to Scotland and our biggest city, Glasgow. After checking-in to your city centre hotel, the remainder of today is free for you to relax and investigate your new surroundings.
Why not join locals and visitors on the Glasgow Mural Trail, a collection of colourful street art that is located throughout the city centre.
Gather at 6 pm to meet your Tour Director, and fellow passengers for a welcome dinner served in your hotel.
Overnight: Doubletree by Hilton Glasgow Central Hotel (or similar) (2 nights)
Day 2 - Discovering Glasgow, Loch Lomond and Stirling
We start the day exploring the natural beauty of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. At the pretty village of Luss, a cruiser awaits to give us the best views of the "bonnie, bonnie banks" as we sail across Loch Lomond to reach picturesque Balmaha.
It's a short drive to reach Glengoyne Distillery, considered by many to be one of Scotland's most attractive whisky distilleries. Here we join a tour to learn all about the traditional methods used in the production process then enjoy a tutored tasting of the end product!
The ancient city of Stirling sits in the shadow of its mighty castle which sits atop a volcanic core. This impressive fortress was a Royal residence, and during our visit, we can see the opulent Royal Palace, Great Hall and Chapel Royal, where Mary, Queen of Scots was crowned, aged just 9 months old.
On arrival back in Glasgow discover more of this lively city on an orientation tour which will let you see the medieval Cathedral and the elegant Victorian architecture of the city centre. Later tour through one of the city's lovely parks and see the famous River Clyde.
Day 3 - Glasgow - Isle of Skye -Inverness
After breakfast bid, goodbye to city life and head for the beautiful Highlands. Enjoy the views as the coach climbs the Black Mount to reach desolate Rannoch Moor, one of the last true wildernesses left in Europe. Stop to view the majestic beauty of Glen Coe before travelling through Fort William to see Ben Nevis, Britain's tallest mountain.
The" Road to the Isles" is one of Scotland's most famous routes, and along the way, we'll stop at Glenfinnan to see the renowned viaduct made famous in the Harry Potter movies. Also at Glenfinnan is the poignant monument that commemorates the Highlanders who died during the Jacobite uprisings.
At the end of the Road lies Mallaig, where we board a ferry to sail "over the sea to Skye". When we reach the magical Isle, tour through the attractive Sleat Peninsula, known as the Garden of Skye, then see the dramatic peaks of the Cuillins as we head towards the sweeping Skye Bridge.
Once back on the mainland we pass iconic Eilean Donan Castle then make our way through Glen Shiel where we will see the spectacular "Five Sisters of Kintail" mountain range. From Invermoriston we route along the banks of Loch Ness, so keep your camera to hand, just in case "Nessie" pops up to say hello!
Overnight: Mercure Hotel, Inverness (or similar)
Day 4 - Inverness - Cairngorms National Park - Aberdeen
A short drive from Inverness lies Culloden Moor, the site of the last battle ever fought on British soil. It was here, in 1746, that the Government forces crushed the Jacobite army of Bonnie Prince Charlie. We'll learn more during our visit to the award-winning visitor centre.
Travel through the spectacular scenery of the Cairngorms National Park to visit the lonely village of Tomintoul then travel through the Grampian Mountains to reach Royal Deeside. Our overnight stay will be in the attractive city of Aberdeen.
Overnight: Sandman Signature Hotel & Spal, Aberdeen (or similar)
Day 5 - Aberdeen - St Andrews - Edinburgh
After breakfast, enjoy a delightful coastal drive to Stonehaven, then through the charming Angus countryside to reach Dundee. We follow the banks of the River Tay to Perth and Scone Palace, a fairy tale castle set in extensive grounds.
This is the ancestral home of the Earl and Countess of Mansfield, who welcome us with coffee and freshly baked shortbread. In olden days, Scone was the crowning place of the Scottish Kings, including Macbeth and Robert the Bruce. Join an expert guide to view many of the treasures exhibited in the palace, then enjoy free time to explore the open gardens.
Travel through the Kingdom of Fife to reach St Andrews, famed as the home of Golf. On our orientation tour, see the famous Old Course and the R&A clubhouse. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club has set the rules of the game for much of the World since 1754.
There's time to practice your swing at the St Andrews Golf Practice Centre before we make our way through the quaint fishing villages of the East Neuk to reach the Firth of Forth. See the impressive Forth Bridges as we make our way to our hotel in Central Edinburgh.
Tonight, why not take your seats at a Scottish evening of Highland dancing, bagpipes and the colourful Haggis ceremony.
Overnight: Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh Haymarket Hotel (or similar) (2 nights)
Day 6 - Discovering Edinburgh
This morning, join a Local Expert for an in-depth tour of Scotland's Capital City. First, visit the impressive Georgian architecture of the New Town to learn of the famous authors, scientists and scholars who lived here.
Later, cross into the medieval Old Town to visit mighty Edinburgh Castle, where we will see the many attractions contained within its walls, including the stunning Scottish Crown Jewels. Later, take a drive along the famous Royal Mile to see the Palace of Holyroodhouse, HM The King's official residence in Scotland.
This afternoon, make the short drive to the vibrant Port of Leith to visit the Royal Yacht Britannia, which served the Royal Family for nearly 45 years. It sailed more than a million nautical miles in service and played host to lavish state banquets, attended by many Presidents and Prime Ministers. During our fascinating visit, discover how life was lived, upstairs and downstairs, aboard this floating palace.
If your tour coincides with the Edinburgh Festival, tickets are included for tonight's performance of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, performed on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, featuring massed pipe bands, singers and performers.
Day 7 - Homeward bound
This wonderful Scottish tour ends after breakfast.
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.
Tell me about the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo?
Staged every year as part of the world-famous Edinburgh Festival, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a unique and memorable celebration of music, dance and military pageantry.
Set against the spectacular backdrop of the floodlit Edinburgh Castle, almost a thousand musicians, pipers, drummers, singers, and dancers perform at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Esplanade.
One of the most memorable moments is the stirring performances of the Massed Pipes and Drums and Military Bands that emerge from beneath the portcullis gate, playing the rousing battle tunes of Scotland's famed regiments.
As the show unfolds, there are spectacular displays from the many overseas performers who bring a flavour of their national culture through music and dance.
This unforgettable spectacle is brought to an emotional and poignant close each evening as a lone piper, spotlit high on the castle ramparts, plays a haunting lament.
A mass chorus of Auld Lang Syne and the dazzling march out brings the curtain down on a truly memorable night's entertainment.
Is there much walking involved on your tours?
On most tours you’ll have the chance to stretch your legs at some point each day.
If you have someone in your party who has mobility issues then there is normally an alternative at most stops .
We’re two people booking independently. How do we make sure that we are travelling together?
We ask that each party send us a brief email to info@scottishtours.co.uk. prior to making your bookings. Tell us the name of the tour you are going to book, date of travel and the name of the second traveller.
Once you’ve done this, please go ahead and make your reservations.
All tours have free seating. If you check in for the tour together, you can sit next to your travel companion on the coach.
If you are travelling on a multi-day tour, we’ll do our very best to have you accommodated in the same lodgings.
What are optional extras?
The extended tours we offer are the perfect blend of discovery and free time.
To enhance your tour and to add to your enjoyment a specially crafted programme of optional extras will be offered. These could include evening diversions such as a Scottish Banquet with music and entertainment or a speciality visit to a historic castle.
A list of the options available on your tour will be included in your tour documentation together with information on how you can purchase them.
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