A Scottish Journey

Prices From: $1712
Days: 6 days

A 6 day tour to see the real Scotland - a land of rugged mountains, breathtaking lochs and heather-covered highlands marked by fortressed castles, quaint villages and glorious gardens. This fascinating tour makes the most of the warm Scottish welcome, with accommodation and experiences that reflect the rich Celtic culture.

Itinerary

Tour Itinerary

A Chance to see the real Scotland - a land of rugged mountains, breathtaking lochs and heather-covered Highlands marked by fortressed castles, quaint villages and glorious gardens. This fascinating tour makes the most of the warm Scottish welcome, with accommodation and experiences that reflect the rich Celtic culture.

Day 1- Oban

From Glasgow we travel to Paisley, famed for its Abbey and its eponymous patterned fabrics. We then visit the birthplace of William Wallace as we head to Dumbarton with its Robert the Bruce connections. Driving by Loch Lomond and its bonnie banks we visit Luss, an estate village locked in time with an attractive church and Viking graves. Then we head north and west to take in the stunning view as we climb over the "Rest and be Thankful". The scenery is breathtaking as we make our way to Inverary with its fairytale castle, and our lunch stop might be the inn Boswell, Burns and Keats once frequented. Following the shores of Loch Fyne we reach Kilmartin Glen and its ancient stone circles and burial cairns, before heading on to our delightful accommodation in Oban.

(D)
Overnight accommodation in Oban

Day 2- Oban

Today we take the ferry across the Firth of Lorne to the Inner Hebridean Isle of Mull, giving us fine views as we go, including a sight of Duart Castle, the ancestral home of the Maclean clan. We travel across the island taking in the untouched landscape, before reaching Fionnphort where we take a short ferry ride to the mystic Island of Iona, home to St Columba some 1400 years ago. We see the ancient ruins of the Nunnery and the restored Abbey, once the burial site of Scotland's kings. On our way back to the mainland, we might even be able to enjoy breathtaking views of the Outer Hebridean islands before heading back to Oban by way of Tobermory.

(B)
Overnight accommodation in ObanOvernight accommodation in Oban

Day 3 - Kintail / Skye

Today we travel the back roads through glorious mountain scenery as we pass through the wooded Glen Orchy and up on to desolate Rannoch Moor. We head into the dramatic Highlands and the splendid isolation of the pass of Glen Coe, where the Campbells tragically massacred the MacDonalds. We visit historic Fort William before turning west along part of the "Road to the Isles". Following the Caledonian Canal we will see Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain, and have time to reflect on the Commandos Memorial near Spean Bridge before making our way to our accommodation through Glen Garry, with fantastic views of its loch.

(B/D)
Overnight accommodation at Mackinnon Country House Hotel or similar

Day 4 - Inverness

Today we explore Isle of Skye. Depending on our route, our island journey will take us to Dunvegan Castle with its 1500 year-old fairy flag, or the Museum of Island Life, before heading on to Skye's Jurassic coast. We remember Flora MacDonald, who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape to France after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. After lunching in Portree, we cross the new Skye Bridge to the Kyle of Lochalsh, passing the 3000 feet high hills of the Red and Black Cullins. Travelling northwards we see mountains which were once attached to Newfoundland! As we make our way to Inverness we reach the banks of Loch Ness and its elusive monster and then head for our accommodation.

(B)
Overnight acccomodation at the Glen Mhor Hotel, Inverness or similar

Day 5 - Fife

This morning we see the site of the Battle of Culloden, where Bonnie Prince Charlie's rebel troops were defeated by the English, and there is an excellent museum which brings the battle vividly to life. Then, picking up the famous whisky trail, we visit one of the many distilleries in the Strathspey area to enjoy a dram and tour of one of them. Turning south through back roads we go on to Braemar, famous for its Highland Games and not far from Balmoral, the Queen's summer home. Heading down Glen Shee we regain the Lowlands and the village of Meigle with its mysterious carvings on the Pictish Stones. Then we travel through the City of Dundee and over the Tay Bridge to the Old Course at St Andrews, a pilgrimage for golf lovers from amateurs to professionals alike. We drive past the course, glimpse the famous Clubhouse and see the holes where history has been made over the years. Close by is the British Golf Museum (optional) which traces the story of the game both in Britain and abroad, and whose exhibitions and hands-on displays bring the game to life. Tonight we arrive in Fife ready for our Scottish meal.

(B/D)
Overnight accommodation The Spindrift Hotel, Fife or similar

Day 6 - Edinburgh

Departing the Kingdom of Fife we visit one of the area's many beautiful harbours and spend a short time in Dunfermline Abbey, final resting place of King Robert the Bruce . Dunfermline, once the capital of Scotland, was the birthplace of many Kings. We continue on to Bannockburn , famous for Bruce's decisive win against the English in 1314. A few miles to the north we reach Stirling , the scene of William Wallace's 1296 victory at Stirling Bridge. You might want to visit Stirling Castle , currently being carefully restored to its former glory, after which we sadly reach the end of our Scottish Sojourn and head back to Edinburgh.

Return to Edinburgh early evening.

As we head out of the Kingdom of Fife we visit one of the area's many beautiful harbours and spend a short time in Dunfermline Abbey, the burial place of King Robert the Bruce. Dunfermline, once the capital of Scotland, was the birthplace of many Kings. We continue on to Bannockburn to visit its famous battlefield. This was the site of Bruce's decisive win against the English in 1314 and the name resonates in the Scottish psyche with ideas of freedom and independence. A few miles to the north we reach Stirling, the scene of William Wallace's 1297 victory at Stirling Bridge. You might want to visit the Castle, currently being carefully restored to its former glory, after which we sadly reach the end of our Scottish journey as our tour concludes in Edinburgh.
(B)

Optional Extras

Pre or post tour accommodation in Edinburgh
Private or rail airport transfers.
Make your mini-tour part of an extended Edinburgh city break.

Tour Departure:
This tour departs at 8.30am from:

Carlton George Hotel
4 W George St
Glasgow, Glasgow City

and returns approx 6pm from/to:

The Royal Terrace Hotel
18 Royal Terrace,
Edinburgh, EH7 5AQ

Prices

Prices

Dates and Rates

Departs London every other Friday throughout 2011 season.

Departs Edinburgh	Arrives Edinburgh	Price pp (USD$)
22th april	27th april	$1785
6th may	11th may	$1785
20th may	25th may	$1785
3th june	8th may	$1785
17th june	22th june	$1785
1st july	6th july	$1785
15th july	21st july	$1785
29th july	3rd aug	$1785
12th aug	17th aug	$1785
26th aug	31st aug	$1785
9th sept	14th sept	$1785
23th sept	28thsept	$1785
7th oct	12th oct	$1785