Scotland: Highlands & Islands

Arrive at Edinburgh Airport where you will be met by your coach and guide, who will escort you throughout the tour. Board your executive coach and transfer into Edinburgh’s city centre, known as the Athens of the North. Here you will stay for the next 2 nights. Dinner and overnight in Edinburgh.

After breakfast your guide will meet you at the hotel for a half-day city tour of Edinburgh with a visit to the world-famous Edinburgh Castle. The afternoon is at leisure in Edinburgh on your own, visit the many shops which line Edinburgh’s world-famous Princes Street. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast we bid farewell to Edinburgh and begin our journey to Scotland’s far north travelling across the Forth Road Bridge and onto St. Andrews, famous as the “Home of Golf”. Visit St Andrews Castle, there is time at leisure to explore the town before continuing for a visit of Edzell Castle & Gardens. Arrive in Aberdeen, a prosperous fishing port where we stay for Dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, we leave Aberdeen behind as we follow the salmon-rich River Dee en route to Dufftown, the whisky capital. Visit Glenfiddich Distillery (or similar), enjoy a guided tour and a wee dram. Continue onto Elgin for a visit of Elgin Cathedral. Our final visit today is Fort George before arriving in Aviemore where you will spend the next two nights. Dinner and overnight.

After breakfast we capture the scenic glory of the far north and west. Journeying along the banks of sparkling Loch Maree we pass through Gairloch before arriving at Poolewe where we visit Inverewe Gardens. Onwards via Gruinard Bay to Corrieshalloch Gorge, a deep wooded ravine with a rushing river 150 ft. below. Return to Strathpeffer for Dinner and overnight as above.

We leave Strathpeffer after breakfast, passing briefly through Inverness, then travel South along the banks of Loch Ness, watch out for the loch’s mysterious inhabitant NESSIE !!!! Visit Urquhart Castle, it is from here that most of the sightings of Nessie are reported. From here continue South to Fort William, this town is overshadowed by Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, 4,406 ft. Some time at leisure to look around the town centre. Leave Fort William and onto Oban, a harbour town, here you will spend the next 2 nights. Dinner and overnight.

Following a hearty Scottish Breakfast, today we enjoy a full-day tour of the Isles of Mull & Iona. Firstly both coach and passengers board the ferry from Oban to Craignure. Arrive on Mull after the short journey of 40 minutes, relax and enjoy the magnificent scenery this island has to offer. Travel to Fionnphort for the passenger only ferry to the Isle of Iona, a 5-minute sailing. Spend some time to explore this island on your own and explore the ancient Iona Abbey. Return to Mull and board your coach for the return journey to Craignure. Take the return ferry from Craignure to Oban, before returning to the hotel for Dinner and overnight.

After a full Scottish Breakfast, leave Oban and continue South passing through Inveraray with a visit to Inveraray Castle before descending along the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. Stop off at the small town of Luss, the setting for the Scottish Television programme – Take the High Road. Continue onto Glasgow where you will stay for your final 2 nights. Dinner and overnight.

Following a full Scottish Breakfast, today enjoy a half-day city tour of Glasgow with the chance to visit Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Following your visit, return to the West End of Glasgow to explore the Riverside Museum of Transport & Travel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to do some last minute shopping in the many shops Glasgow has to offer, something for everyone. Return to hotel for Dinner and overnight.

After your final Breakfast, take your transfer to Edinburgh Airport for your return flight home, taking with you wonderful memories of your time in Scotland.