Escorted Tours
Today, we travel north past Stirling Castle and to the region of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. We venture through the impressive Mountains of the West Highlands and the magnificent whitewashed 18th Century town of Inveraray, home to the Campbell Clan and the Duke of Argyll. This afternoon, will be spent in the heart of Argyll before arriving in the bustling town of Oban for our two night stay.
Today, you have an early start, beginning the day by crossing on the Ferry to Mull for a chance to explore dramatic coastlines and wild beauty. We take the small Ferry to Iona, the birthplace of Celtic Christianity and Ancient Burial Ground of Scottish Kings. Here you can visit the historic Abbey with its intricate carved crosses in the Churchyard or explore rocky headlands and sandy coves. There is an opportunity to take a small boat for an optional trip to the island of Staffa and view the dramatic basalt columns immortalised by Mendelssohn in his Hebridean's Overture 'Fingal's Cave'. We then return on the Ferry to Oban for our overnight stay. Meals: Breakfast
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Today after breakfast, we ramble north along the west coast around Appin, passing the impregnable Castle Stalker. Next, we travel to the gorgeous Glencoe, one of the most famous natural landmarks in all of Scotland. This beautiful area boasts steep slopes and photogenic peaks. Your driver-guide may reveal to you the tragic tale that's haunted this valley for over 300 years. We continue through Fort William and under the shadow of Ben Nevis, which at 1,344 metres is the highest Mountain in the British Isles before continuing through the Great Glen, a natural fault in the earth's crust that runs through Scotland. From here, you travel north to the picturesque fishing village of Plockton for our overnight stay. Meals: Breakfast
Today, is a very flexible day on the Isle of Skye. There are many possibilities depending on the weather and your driver-guide will use their local knowledge to decide on the best day out for the group. You may ascend the Quiraing along Trotternish Ridge and be rewarded with spectacular views. Alternatively, you could drink in the scenery at Loch Coruisk or drive through the dramatic Red Cuillin to the little hamlet of Elgol. We then return to your accommodation in Plockton in the late afternoon for a free evening to explore the village. Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, you will be collected from your hotel for the short drive to the famous stronghold of Eilean Donan Castle. Then, we travel east taking in the stunning views over Loch Duich and the Five Sisters of Kintail before we continue to Loch Ness for lunch and the possibility of spotting 'Nessie'. Half an hour south of Loch Ness we stop in the village of Spean Bridge and join a new bus for the continuation of your tour to Orkney. Your guides will help you transfer your luggage and introduce you to your new travelling companions. With your new crew, you continue north following the Great Glen travelling the entire 23 miles of the famous Loch. Upon arrival in Inverness, check-in at the hotel for your overnight stay. The evening is free for you to explore the 'Capital of the Highlands'. Meals: Breakfast
Today is an early start, leaving behind the 'Capital of the Highlands', crossing over the Black Isle and continuing past Dunrobin Castle. We will drive along the northeast Highland Coastline, travelling into some of Scotland's most dramatic scenery. Onwards through Scotland's most northerly mainland village, John o'Groats and then to Gills Bay, where you board the Ferry and cross the Pentland Firth into the Orkney Archipelago. It is a short drive to the famous Italian Chapel where you stop for a visit before continuing to the Viking stronghold of Kirkwall, the Capital of Orkney. Here you can visit Kirkwall's magnificent Viking Cathedral and enjoy its historic winding streets in the evening. Meals: Breakfast
Today, will give you the chance to explore this Archipelago's fertile green pastures, fringed by shores of golden sands and washed by waters of the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. We visit the 5,000 year old village of Skara Brae, the mystical prehistoric stone circle at Brodgar and the Druidic standing stones of Stenness before travelling onto Maeshowe, where in the 12th Century the Vikings left one of the largest collections of Norse runic inscriptions. We then return back to Kirkwall for our overnight stay after what is sure to have been a memorable day. Meals: Breakfast
After a relaxed start, we depart Orkney and sail the Viking waters back to the mainland. Once on the mainland we travel the Old Road right across the very top of Scotland, driving past the stunning Ben Loyal and Ben Hope Mountains, following the rocky cliffs and stunning golden sand beaches. You then visit the far northwest Highlands and the Wilderness of the Mountains of Assynt before stopping to view the 15th Century ruins of Ardvreck Castle. We then continue on to Ullapool, situated at the mouth of Loch Broom, a beautiful whitewashed fishing village where you spend two nights. Once again, you leave the group at this point and join your new group, with whom you will stay for the rest of the tour. Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast today, your day is free at leisure in Ullapool. This picturesque fishing town is surrounded by stunning mountains and is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts. If you want to spot Seals, Dolphins, Porpoises, numerous Sea Birds and Eagles, you can go on a cruise around the Summer Isles. Alternatively, why not head up Claypool Hill for an easy two hour walk offering wonderful views over Loch Broom. Ullapool is also a great place to relax and enjoy the Highland pace of life. You can browse the small craft boutiques, try Whisky in a pub or savour top quality seafood. This evening, enjoy some live music and mingle with the locals before your next leg of the journey. Meals: Breakfast
Wake up, enjoy your breakfast and look out over Loch Broom as it glistens under the morning sky. After breakfast, meet your new travel companions and take a Ferry across the sea. This two and a half hour boat trip takes you through the Summer Isles to Stornoway, the main town of the Western Isles. Don't spend your time snoozing and reading as you sail across the ocean because if you look out to sea, you may spot Dolphins and Whales. Once you have arrived on Lewis and Harris, you head to the North West Coast. Your driver-guide will make the most of what weather you've been blessed with and take you through traditional crofting towns and seaside ports. We even get to see the Butt of Lewis from the lighthouse here and there's nothing but fish and water between you and America. Tonight, we spend the evening in Stornoway, a bustling port town and the home of Scotland's most delicious black puddings. Meals: Breakfast
Today, immerse yourself in the history and landscapes of this wild island. We first head to Arnol Blackhouse, where you can experience what traditional farming life was like in these remote reaches without getting your hands too dirty. A little down the road, we visit the stone Fort of Dun Carloway. This structure was built before 100 A.D. and has experienced more battles than you've had hot dinners. It's a wonderful location to ponder over the vast swathes of history that have come before you. We then travel through a landscape littered with crofting villages to one of the most famous sights of the island, the Callanish Stone Circle. This prehistoric site still mystifies archaeologists today. The rest of your afternoon is spent on the beautiful Beaches and Mountains of the western side of Lewis before we travel back to Stornoway in the late afternoon. Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast this morning, it's time for something a little more dramatic. It's time to enter the region of Harris. Harris boasts the highest Mountains in the Outer Hebrides and one of the most beautiful white sandy beaches in Britain, Luskentyre. The area is also famous for Harris Tweed and myths that are as strange as they are poignant. After a morning of exploring the dramatic landscapes, we stop for lunch. Depending on the weather, we may even go for a picnic on the beach so don't forget to pack your sunglasses. Your adventure continues on a Ferry over the sea to Portree, the largest town in Skye and your base for the next two evenings. Meals: Breakfast
Back on the Isle of Skye today, your driver-guide makes the most out of your time on this marvel studded landscape. You may travel to the Quiraing Mountain Pass and enjoy a spectacular walk, venture to Kilt Rock and see a gigantic Waterfall or take a boat trip to the lesser known Loch Coruisk. After you have enjoyed the sites of Skye, you have your final evening in Portree. There are plenty of fabulous seafood restaurants to celebrate a fine day of exploring. Meals: Breakfast
Don't be too sad that your trip is ending today, because there are a lot of amazing things to check out on the way back to Edinburgh. Once you have crossed the Skye Bridge, you get a chance to see Eilean Donan Castle. This classic combination of a sturdy stone fortification perched upon a Loch is about as Scottish a view as you can get. Just ensure you’ve got some room left on your camera to take photos. You then travel under Britain's tallest Mountain, Ben Nevis. The peak of this Mountain is likely to be shrouded high in the clouds. Your driver-guide may become a little emotional as you move through the Valley of Glencoe. This marvellously mountainous area was the site of one of the most tragic massacres in Scottish history. The story is as unforgettable as the landscape. The hilly views become flatter as you enter the Lowlands and travel to Edinburgh, where we arrive in the early evening and where our tour concludes. Meals: Breakfast
Tour Prices are per person twin share in Australian Dollars. Conditions apply and group tours are subject to change and availability. Prices are subject to currency fluctuations. (ra)
