-
Day 1
ARRIVE EDINBURGH (3 NIGHTS)
Relax or explore this fascinating capital city. This evening, meet your companions and Travel Director at a Welcome Pub Reception, which includes a typical Scottish pub meal and drinks.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
Help
Day 2
EDINBURGH SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME
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 Holyrood House in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat, and the new Scottish Parliament building. Admire the elegant Georgian architecture in the New Town. During the Edinburgh Festival, your visit will include tickets to the dazzling Edinburgh Tattoo.
-
Day 3
EXCURSION TO THE BORDERS
This morning view the remarkably intact ruins of the 12th Century Jedburgh Abbey as well as the neighbouring Melrose Abbey, where the embalmed heart of Robert the Bruce is said to rest, before following the River Tweed back to Edinburgh.
Day 4
EDINBURGH - ST. ANDREWS - GLAMIS CASTLE - ABERDEEN
Travel across the Firth of Forth to St. Andrews to view the celebrated ancient university and the home of golf. Visit Glamis Castle, former home of the Queen Mother, birthplace of Princess Margaret, and the setting for Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Enjoy a guided tour of the castle and free time to enjoy the beautiful gardens. Dine tonight at your hotel in Aberdeen.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
Help
-
Day 5
ABERDEEN - SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS
Follow the River Dee through untamed Scottish landscapes and the rugged Cairngorm Mountains to join the Malt Whisky Trail in Speyside. More than half of Scotland’s whisky distilleries are located along the Whisky Trail along the River Spey. Visit Glenlivet distillery to witness the production of this Local Speciality and to sample a ‘wee dram’.Tonight, at your hotel in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, enjoy a traditional Highlight Dinner including the ‘piping in of the haggis’!
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
Help
Day 6
SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS - LOCH NESS - THURSO (2 NIGHTS)
See the site of the Battle of Culloden, where Bonnie Prince Charlie’s army was defeated in 1746, and admire the beauty of Loch Ness, home of the fabled monster, en route to visit Dunrobin Castle. Dunrobin Castle is the ancestral home of the Dukes of Sutherland and resembles a French château with its towering conical spires. Stroll through the formal gardens, inspired by the Palace of Versailles. Dine tonight at your hotel.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
Help
-
Day 7
ORKNEY ISLANDS EXCURSION
From the northernmost point of the British mainland, John O’Groats, take the ferry across the North Sea to the Orkney Island of South Ronaldsay.See the Churchill Barriers, built as part of naval defence to protect anchorage at Scapa Flow during World War II.Visit the ornate Italian Chapel, built by Italian prisoners of war. Visit Skara Brae and walk through the remains of the famous Neolithic village. See the pre-historic Ring of Brodgar en route to Viking Kirkwall before crossing the sea back to the mainland. Dine tonight at your hotel.
Day 8
THURSO - ISLE OF SKYE
Enjoy a scenic drive along the stunning northern coastline before moving inland to view the Falls of Shin, famous for its spectacular views of the waterfalls and leaping salmon. Visit the quaint fishing village of Ullapool before crossing to the picturesque Isle of Skye. Dine tonight at your hotel.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
Help
-
Day 9
ISLE OF SKYE - BALLACHULISH (2 NIGHTS)
After a leisurely morning in Portree, travel back to the mainland. Stop for views of renowned Eilean Donan Castle, before continuing through Glen Sheil and along the shores of Loch Cluanie to Fort William, where you see Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, in all its glory. Dine this evening at your hotel in Ballachulish.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
Help
Day 10
MULL AND IONA EXCURSION
Sail from Oban, across the mouth of Loch Linnhe, to Craignure on the Isle of Mull. Enjoy a scenic drive across the remote island to Fionnphort for a short ferry crossing to the island of Iona. Visit Iona Abbey, a beautifully preserved medieval abbey, and the ancient burial ground, Rèilig Odhrain, burial place of many Scottish Kings. Dine tonight at your hotel.
-
Day 11
BALLACHULISH - GLASGOW (2 NIGHTS)
This morning, travel south through Glencoe, ‘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.Arrive in the Trossachs National Park for a Be My Guest lunch on a working Scottish farm. This afternoon, your orientation tour of Glasgow includes views of the magnificent George Square and the River Clyde, former heart of the shipbuilding industry, as well as a visit to St Mungo’s Cathedral.
M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
Help
Day 12
LOWLAND EXCURSION
In Alloway, birthplace of Scotland’s greatest poet - Robbie Burns, view his monument and the famous Brig O’Doon. Visit Culzean Castle, a beautiful neoclassical mansion situated on the brink of the Firth of Clyde; its clifftop position offers exquisite views of the Ayrshire coast. Tonight, celebrate with your companions and Travel Director at a Farewell Dinner in Glasgow.
-
Day 13
DEPART GLASGOW
Say a fond farewell to bonnie Scotland as your wonderful holiday draws to a close. Transfers are available. Conditions apply.