Day One
Welcome to Edinburgh
Welcome to Scotland - land of legends and romance, from the great cultural cities in the south, to the dramatic mountains and misty lochs of the Highlands. On arrival at Edinburgh Airport, transfers depart for your hotel at 09:00, 11:00 & 13:00. Then the rest of the day is yours to relax before joining your Tour Director for a Welcome Reception, a pleasant evening of dinner and wine.
On August 4 to 25 departures enjoy a visit to the spectacular
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.
Overnight: Malmaison Hotel, Edinburgh (2 nights)
Day TwoExplore Edinburgh
Join a Local Expert to see the highlights of the city. Drive along Princes Street to the ornate
Scott Memorial, then tour the 18th century New Town with its classical Adam façades. Over in the Old Town, visit the castle, home of Mons Meg, the
Stone of Destiny and Scotland's crown jewels. Enjoy a guided tour along part of the Royal Mile where, at the bottom stands the Scottish Parliament and the
Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of the Queen. The rest of the day is at leisure. Perhaps research your family tartan in the Tartan Centre or visit the art treasures in the National Gallery.
Day Three
Edinburgh - St. Andrews - Inverness
Cross the Firth of Forth into Fife and make your way to
St. Andrews, where golf was born on the Old Course in the 15th century. After some time to explore this university town, cross the Tay and drive to the charming Victorian resort town of
Pitlochry, famous for its salmon leap. Continue via Blair Atholl and over the Grampian Mountains to the sparkling Spey Valley. We'll visit
Ballindalloch Castle, which has been the home of the McPherson-Grant family since 1546. After a tour of the castle we'll enjoy tea and freshly baked scones served by our hosts in the traditional way. Continue to stately Inverness, where your luxury signature hotel is set within four acres of manicured grounds, offering the very best in Highland hospitality.
Overnight: Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness (or similar)
Day Four
Inverness - Loch Ness - Thurso (2 nights)
See
Culloden Moor in the morning, where Bonnie Prince Charlie's
Jacobite army was finally crushed in 1746. Visit the Culloden Visitor Centre before continuing along the shores of Loch Ness. Keep your eyes peeled for the monster! Next, follow the rugged coast north to the fishing port of Wick. Pause at the
Old Pulteney Distillery to taste a wee dram of whisky and learn about the production of the national drink. Stay in the town of Thurso, which looks out over the Pentland Firth towards the ‘Old Man of Hoy'.
Overnight: Pentland Hotel, Thurso (or similar) (2 nights)
Day Five
Excursion to the Orkney Islands
Start the day by driving to the most northerly town on the British mainland,
John O'Groats. Board the ferry to the beautiful Orkney Islands - where the hardy locals live ‘below the wind and above the water'. Sightseeing with a Local Expert includes visits to the 5,000-year-old village of
Skara Brae, the mysterious
Ring of Brodgar, Kirkwall and the small chapel built by Italian prisoners of war during WWII. Return to your Thurso hotel for dinner.
Day Six
Thurso - Ullapool - Isle of Skye
Travel through stunning and pristine landscapes along the northern coast with its white sandy beaches, and further inland to misty valleys and glens, lochs and rushing waters. Then it's ‘
Over the Sea to Skye' the largest and most beautiful island of the Inner Hebrides. See the dramatic
Cuillin Hills and on the way to Broadford, hear romantic tales of how young Flora MacDonald helped rescue
Bonnie Prince Charlie.
Overnight: Dunollie Hotel, Broadford (or similar)
Day Seven
Isle of Skye - Glen Coe - Ballachulish
A chance to explore this wild and beautiful island, before crossing to the Kyle of Lochalsh. Stop for a photo at remote
Eilean Donan Castle, which, under a clear sky, offers a perfect reflection in its loch. Move on to the WWII Commando Memorial where there is a fine view of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain. We enjoy more spectacular scenery en route to the Valley of
Glencoe, its dramatic peaks still echoing with the ghastly cries of massacred clansmen. At night, get together with your friends at a sumptuous grand-finalé Celebration meal. Don't be surprised if, by the end of the evening, you're 'Toasting to the Lassies' or singing '
Auld Lang Syne'.
Overnight: Ballachulish Hotel/Isles of Glencoe Hotel, Ballachulish (or similar)
Day Eight
Ballachulish – Loch Lomond – Glasgow
Spend time on peaceful
Loch Lomond, ‘Queen of Scottish Lochs' and the largest in Great Britain. Perhaps experience the beauty and tranquillity of the loch with an optional cruise before continuing to
Glasgow. An orientation drive shows you the city's grand public buildings, including George Square and
St. Mungo's Cathedral. Then the rest of the afternoon is at leisure.
Overnight: Holiday Inn Theatreland/Hallmark Hotel, Glasgow (or similar)
Day Nine
Depart Glasgow
Your tour comes to an end after breakfast. Departure transfers arrive at Glasgow Airport at 07:00 hrs & 09:00 hrs.
