Explore Scotland's contrasts, from the serenity and beauty of the Scottish Highlands to the buzz of Glasgow.
This unforgettable Scottish Highlands trip travels into the far-reaches of Scotland's rugged countryside. Keep your eyes peeled for Nessie, delve into the history of the kings and warriors and join the Wood family for a ceilidh and lunch in the 'presence' of Rob Roy.
Embrace the allure of 'Auld Reekie' and explore its labyrinthine lanes, before joining your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception to kick-start your turas through an unimaginably beautiful part of the world.
Let your Local Specialist take you on an informative sightseeing tour of Edinburgh. See the regal Palace of Holyroodhouse, the new Scottish Parliament Building and the Royal Mile, delving into the heart of the city, before visiting Edinburgh Castle, perched atop Castle Rock. Stroll through the grand New Town with its Gothic façades enjoying the rest of the day at leisure. Tickets to see the Edinburgh Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
Dinner And Drive To Historic Torphichen
Enjoy a scenic drive to the ancient village of Torphichen, associated with Scottish kings and Knights Templar. At the Torphichen Inn, your arrival will be toasted by our gracious host before enjoying an excellent dinner of local specialties and entertainment.
Adult Price: £48.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Rosslyn Chapel
We’ll drive out of Edinburgh to the tiny village of Rosslyn, where you’ll hear the inside story on the famous Rosslyn Chapel. One of Scotland's most unusual 15th-century buildings, Rossyln is famed for its associations with the Knights Templar, the Masonic movement, and now 'The Da Vinci Code'.
Adult Price: £21.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Royal Yacht Britannia
You’ll explore this magnificent ship, which has played host to some of the most famous people in the world. Now berthed in Leith, you’ll be welcomed on board to discover the heart and soul of this most special of royal residences – the former honeymoon sanctuary for four royal couples.
Adult Price: £23.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Scottish Show With Dinner
Tonight is your chance to put on that tartan and join us for an evening of singing, dancing and bagpipe playing at an internationally famous venue. You’ll enjoy delicious food and wine, join in the singing and watch a Highland dance or two. There's even a chance to sample Scotland’s national dish – haggis.
Adult Price: £62.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 3
A Day of Abbeys, Landscapes and History
A scenic day's excursion brings us to the ruins of the 12th-century Augustinian Jedburgh Abbey, which we will have an opportunity to view. Continue to nearby Melrose Abbey, said to be the final resting place of the embalmed heart of Robert the Bruce. We take the scenic route back to Edinburgh this afternoon, following the lush green landscapes along the Tweed River.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
Dinner And Ghost Walk
Work up an appetite discovering some of Edinburgh's most haunted places with your Local Specialist, who’ll share ghoulish tales before you enjoy a three course meal in a local restaurant.
Adult Price: £40.00
Day 4
Explore Glamis Castle and on to Creative Dundee
This morning, we cross the Firth of Forth to the celebrated home of golf - St. Andrews, to view its ancient university and famous golf course. Shakespeare's Macbeth takes centre stage as we visit Glamis Castle, once the home of the beloved Queen Mother and birthplace of Princess Margaret. Enjoy a guided tour of the castle and explore its beautiful gardens, before we travel to the waterfront city of Dundee, distinguished for its status as the first UNESCO City of Design, and the original home of marmalade.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Apex City Quay
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 5
Venture to Culloden and the Scottish Highlands
Dive Into Culture and learn about the local whisky industry at a famous distillery, including a tasting of Scotland's much-loved golden nectar. Hearts and hands warmed, we wind our way to the tragic battlefield and Visitor Centre at Culloden, past rugged landscapes and the imposing Cairngorms Mountains. Visit the site where Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite army was defeated. Our final stop for the night is in the heart of the Scottish Highlands and gateway to Loch Ness.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Carrbridge
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
Highland Farm Experience
Visit a real Highland sheep farm and meet Neil the Shepherd and his border collies. He’ll show you how he uses different whistles to command each dog to carry out different tasks. You’ll also have the opportunity to try your hand at feeding the lambs and discover his training techniques. Weather permitting.
Adult Price: £15.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Cawdor Dinner Evening
Join us for dinner at a traditional country pub in the charming village of Cawdor, home to Shakespeare's Macbeth.
Adult Price: £38.00
Day 6
Journey to Loch Ness, Inverness and Thurso
The mystical haunt of Nessie is our first stop today before passing through Inverness en route to Dunrobin Castle. This stately home and its magnificent gardens, inspired by the Palace of Versailles, comes straight from the pages of a fairy tale. Spend your afternoon exploring its château-like structure and surrounds, once home to the Clan Sutherland. Arriving in Thurso, our home for the next two nights, we enjoy dinner at our hotel.
Sailing from Clansman Hotel, we'll experience a scenic cruise on Scotland's most famous waterway, Loch Ness. We'll also see beautiful Urquhart Castle, founded in the 13th-century, from the lake. The management regrets to inform you that Nessie sightings are not guaranteed!
Adult Price: £24.00
Day 7
A Day on the Orkney Islands
We board a ferry to South Ronaldsay in the Orkney Islands, viewing the stretch of WWII causeways known as the Churchill Barriers. Visit the ornate Italian Chapel, built by Italian prisoners of war. See the prehistoric free-standing stones of the Ring of Brodgar before visiting Skara Brae and delving into the stories of the Neolithic village. We stop at beautiful Kirkwall Cathedral for a photo opportunity before returning to our hotel for dinner.
Dramatic landscapes accompany our scenic drive along the rugged north-west coastline of the Scottish Highlands to remote Ullapool on the shores of Loch Broom. We journey to the 13th-century Eilean Donan Castle, perched on a tiny island where three sea lochs meet, then continue to the Isle of Skye where we'll stay overnight and enjoy a delicious in our hotel.
We return to the mainland following a beautiful route that takes us past the Glenfinnan Viaduct, along which Harry Potter's Hogwarts Express once crossed to his beloved school of magic. We pass Fort William on the shores of Loch Linnhe, renowned as the gateway to Ben Nevis, before continuing to Oban, our Highland home for the next two nights.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - The Royal
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
Isle Of Skye Drive
An opportunity to travel around the Isle of Skye with your Local Specialist. You’ll hear about the way of life on this remote inner Hebridean Island and discover its stories and legends.
Adult Price: £15.00
Optional Experience
Ballachulish Dinner and Drive
Enjoy a scenic drive on Loch Linnhe for dinner.
Adult Price: £37.00
Day 10
Sail to the Isles of Mull and Iona
Set sail from Oban to the Isle of Mull, disembarking at Craignure. Cross the pretty island countryside to catch a ferry from Fionnphort to the island of Iona, which was once the home of a Gaelic monastic community in Iona Abbey. Before our journey back to Oban, we'll have the chance to view Rèilig Odhrain, the final resting place of many Scottish kings.
A solemn reminder of the MacDonald clansmen, who were massacred at the 'Glen of Weeping', marks our morning journey south to Glasgow. We follow the banks of Loch Lomond, then enjoy an orientation tour visiting St. Mungo's Cathedral and viewing George Square with its statues of Britain's famous sons and daughters.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Holiday Inn Theatreland
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
Glasgow City Evening
You'll enjoy a chance to experience a night out in the city of Glasgow. Your Travel Director will take you for an evening of good food, a drink, and undoubtedly interesting conversation.
Adult Price: £37.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Doune Castle
Enjoy a visit to this famous castle, featured in film and television shows such as Monty Python, Outlander, and Game of Thrones.
Adult Price: £24.00
Day 12
Uncover Stirling Castle’s Secrets
Venture to Bannockburn, where King Robert Bruce of Scotland defeated Edward II of England during the First War of Scottish Independence. Mary, Queen of Scots and several Scottish kings and queens have made Stirling Castle their home over the centuries. Enjoy a visit to its grounds and delve into the history of this royal residence and fortress, besieged by Bonnie Prince Charlie in the 18th century. We'll visit the splendidly decorated Royal Palace of King James V and view the renowned Stirling Heads. Later, we Connect With Locals, joining the Wood family this afternoon for a memorable Be My Guest experience at their 15th-century farm on the shores of Loch Ard, amidst tales of Rob Roy. This evening, we return to Glasgow for time at leisure to enjoy true Scottish hospitality.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast, Be My Guest
Day 13
Farewell Glasgow
Our epic journey across Scotland's highlands, islands and cities has come to an end. It's time to say a fond farewell to our travel companions and Travel Director as our memorable holiday comes to an end. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
All optional experiences for this trip
Book with your travel director when you travel
Available on day 2
Dinner And Drive To Historic Torphichen
Enjoy a scenic drive to the ancient village of Torphichen, associated with Scottish kings and Knights Templar. At the Torphichen Inn, your arrival will be toasted by our gracious host before enjoying an excellent dinner of local specialties and entertainment.
Adult Price: £48.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 2
Rosslyn Chapel
We’ll drive out of Edinburgh to the tiny village of Rosslyn, where you’ll hear the inside story on the famous Rosslyn Chapel. One of Scotland's most unusual 15th-century buildings, Rossyln is famed for its associations with the Knights Templar, the Masonic movement, and now 'The Da Vinci Code'.
Adult Price: £21.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 2
Royal Yacht Britannia
You’ll explore this magnificent ship, which has played host to some of the most famous people in the world. Now berthed in Leith, you’ll be welcomed on board to discover the heart and soul of this most special of royal residences – the former honeymoon sanctuary for four royal couples.
Adult Price: £23.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 2
Scottish Show With Dinner
Tonight is your chance to put on that tartan and join us for an evening of singing, dancing and bagpipe playing at an internationally famous venue. You’ll enjoy delicious food and wine, join in the singing and watch a Highland dance or two. There's even a chance to sample Scotland’s national dish – haggis.
Adult Price: £62.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 3
Dinner And Ghost Walk
Work up an appetite discovering some of Edinburgh's most haunted places with your Local Specialist, who’ll share ghoulish tales before you enjoy a three course meal in a local restaurant.
Adult Price: £40.00
Available on day 5
Highland Farm Experience
Visit a real Highland sheep farm and meet Neil the Shepherd and his border collies. He’ll show you how he uses different whistles to command each dog to carry out different tasks. You’ll also have the opportunity to try your hand at feeding the lambs and discover his training techniques. Weather permitting.
Adult Price: £15.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 5
Cawdor Dinner Evening
Join us for dinner at a traditional country pub in the charming village of Cawdor, home to Shakespeare's Macbeth.
Adult Price: £38.00
Available on day 6
Loch Ness Cruise
Sailing from Clansman Hotel, we'll experience a scenic cruise on Scotland's most famous waterway, Loch Ness. We'll also see beautiful Urquhart Castle, founded in the 13th-century, from the lake. The management regrets to inform you that Nessie sightings are not guaranteed!
Adult Price: £24.00
Available on day 9
Isle Of Skye Drive
An opportunity to travel around the Isle of Skye with your Local Specialist. You’ll hear about the way of life on this remote inner Hebridean Island and discover its stories and legends.
Adult Price: £15.00
Available on day 9
Ballachulish Dinner and Drive
Enjoy a scenic drive on Loch Linnhe for dinner.
Adult Price: £37.00
Available on day 11
Glasgow City Evening
You'll enjoy a chance to experience a night out in the city of Glasgow. Your Travel Director will take you for an evening of good food, a drink, and undoubtedly interesting conversation.
Adult Price: £37.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 11
Doune Castle
Enjoy a visit to this famous castle, featured in film and television shows such as Monty Python, Outlander, and Game of Thrones.
Adult Price: £24.00
All Optional Experiences
The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Join the Wood family at their 15th-century farm on the shores of Loch Ard for a home-cooked Scottish Be My Guest lunch, tales of Rob Roy and a few foot-tapping ceilidh tunes. (Day 12)
Dive into Culture
Visit Blair Athol Whisky Distillery in the foothills of the Grampian Mountains for a tour and tasting of their single malt whisky. (Day 5)
Sightseeing highlights
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Explore in Edinburgh with a Local Specialist
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Discover Dundee, Orkney Islands, Stirling and Glasgow
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Visit Edinburgh Castle, Glamis Castle, Blair Athol Whisky Distillery, the battlefield and Visitor Centre of Culloden, Dunrobin Castle, John O'Groats, The Italian Chapel in Orkney Islands, Skara Brae, Ullapool, Isle of Skye, Isle of Mull, Isle of Iona, St. Mungo's Cathedral in Glasgow and Stirling Castle
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View Jedburgh Abbey, the 18th green at St. Andrews, Inverness Castle, Eilean Donan Castle and Glencoe
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See Loch Ness, Loch Lomond and the Battlefield at Bannockburn
Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
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Ferry to the Orkney Isles and return
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Ferry to the Isle of Mull and Iona
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Ferry from the Isle of Skye to Mallaig
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
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Optional Experiences and free time
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
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Tickets are included for the world-famous Tattoo during the Edinburgh Festival
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
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Handcrafted Highlights
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LIVE, UNEDITED & INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS REVIEWS
Scotland's Highlands Islands and Cities Trip Reviews
Our guests are at the heart of everything we do, their feedback fuels our innovation, inspiring us to improve continuously and craft Simply The Best vacations. That's why we ask each of our guests to leave a third-party verified, independent review after every trip. As testament to our commitment we have been given the Trusted Service Award from Feefo, recognising we deliver exceptional experiences as rated by real guests.
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Anne Matheson in RupanyupMy Account Icon
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Trip Rating
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5
We visited a wide range of places. This was my third trip to Scotland and I still went to places that I hadn’t seen previously.
The tour included many interesting places, Culloden, Iona, Glencoe among my favourites. Some of the hotels left a little to be desired, eg Oban but some were excellent, eg Kyleakin. The tour director was reasonably knowledgeable but I would have appreciated a little more depth in her information.
Tour director makes a great trip in the Scottish Highlands even better.
Trip Rating
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5
Our absolute favourite part of an overall brilliant trip, were the islands we visited. Such stunning beauty in incredibly remote areas. Every local person we met was really welcoming and friendly. Nothing was too much trouble for anyone in the tour company. When we left our passports behind in a hotel room, the director went above and beyond to get them back to us, which he successfully did.
My wife, and I have only been on one bus tour before, in China. This trip was everything we had hoped for and more. We loved everything about the trip. Our director was amazing. His knowledge as a historian really added to our enjoyment, as we leaned so many interesting facts. His ability to turn what could be dry historic facts into engaging stories was brilliant.
Simply outstanding - like our Tour Director, Rose Brown.
Trip Rating
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5
The Tour delivers a broad understanding of Scotland's heroic history, showcases its islands, lochs, rivers, burns, mountains and glens. You know you are in a Celtic rather than a Saxon, country. Bagpipes, kilts, Haggis and whisky - stuff of legends.
The Scotland's Highlands, Islands and Cities Tour is magic for those wishing to see the vast sweep and contrasts of Scotland from the Borders all the way North to Orkney, the N500 road, Skye, Mull and Iona ending in unexpectedly gorgeous Glasgow with lots of gems eg Dornoch in between. We experienced stunning scenery, amazing sites both ancient eg Skara Brae and modern eg The Kelpies. Watching some of our group tackle sheep shearing is an experience we will all remember in spite of the dreich that day!
The hotels ranged from quaint to very modern. The bus was roomy, comfortable, and had wifi. Most seats had outlets to charge cell phones. I picked this tour because of the historic sights we would visit and the variety of activities. Among the places we saw/visited were castles, ruined abbeys, lochs, a distillery, a battlefield, ancient stone formations, and beautiful churches. I especially enjoyed the unscheduled photo opportunities, our "be our guest host" experience and the optional tour to a farm to see the sheepdogs at work. We also had dinner at a small pub where we were treated to traditional Scottish music, dancing, and delicious homemade haggis. The scenery on this tour was absolutely beautiful!
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Trip Notes
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Drinking Water: Tap water is safe to drink in all of the destinations on this trip. Please remember to bring a water bottle.
Hotels in the Scottish Highlands and on the Isle of Skye are generally simpler establishments typical of the region. Accommodation on the Isle of Skye may be substituted with accommodation on the mainland. All sightseeing will remain the same as per the itinerary.
Reversed Itinerary: The departure on 02 August 2021 will operate in reverse and may stay in alternative hotels to those listed. All sightseeing and inclusions will remain as described.
Edinburgh Tattoo 6-28 August 2021: We've included Tattoo tickets when you're in Edinburgh to departures 02 August, 07 August, 09 August, 14 August, 16 August and 22 August 2021.
Unless otherwise stated, trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discount. Discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Trip prices are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however are subject to change - please confirm all details at time of booking.
Twin-share option not available for trips to South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, South Africa, Kenya & Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia or for any holiday & cruise combination, or in Asia and Eastern Mediterranean except Highlights of Turkey (without cruise) & Best of Turkey. It's also not available on Small Group trips. Guided Vacations included in this restriction are Newfoundland and Labrador (DNLA) as well as Panama, the Canal & Beyond (LPAN).
For trips that are part of our Guaranteed Room Share, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms. Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless travelling as part of a family group.
Your selected dates have an enhanced itinerary.
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You’ll be travelling in Autumn, Winter or Spring, and this itinerary has been enhanced for you to enjoy the unique experiences these seasons offer.
