A Scottish Journey 2022

This morning make your way to Scotland's majestic capital city; Edinburgh is synonymous with the nation’s ancient culture and bristles history and elegant architecture. After checking in at your hotel you may spend the afternoon at leisure exploring the city before meeting the group at the hotel, where we’ll get to know each other over a delicious welcome meal.

Overnight: Eden Locke (or similar), Edinburgh

Meals: Dinner included.

Departing Scotland's capital, Edinburgh, we travel through the picturesque fishing communities of the East Neuk region to see brightly hulled fishing boats and jumbles of fishermen's cottages. Our journey takes us to St Andrews, famed as the spiritual home of golf and more recently as the town where Prince William and Kate Middleton first met. We explore the medieval centre, with its narrow alleys and cobbled streets, which lead to the now ruined cathedral and the adjacent church of St Regulus. Later we continue north to stop in the historic town of Dunkeld before we settle in our accommodation in Aboyne, our base for the first two nights.

Overnight: The Lodge on the Loch (or similar), Aboyne

Meals: Breakfast included.

This morning we continue North into the scenic Scottish Highlands passing through the imposing mountains of the Cairngorms National Park. Here we'll visit the open-air Highland Folk Museum, used in famous TV series "Outlander". Then, a lesson in Scotch whisky awaits. We’ll uncover the centuries-old legends and intricate processes behind turning malted barley into ‘liquid gold’ – sampling a dram or two while we’re at it. This evening, we’ll have some free time to spend as we wish.

Overnight: The Lodge on the Loch (or similar), Aboyne

Meals: Breakfast and lunch included.

Beginning with dramatic views for the Highlands, we'll make our way to the eerie battlefield at Culloden Moor, site of the infamous Battle which played a key role in Scotland's history; stroll the field itself before exploring the visitor centre, which brings the battle vividly to life and where we learn about the events that unfolded here and their profound historical significance. After, we'll try to spot legendary monster Nessie as we stop by the Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle. Later we continue to Inverness our base for the next two nights.

Overnight: Kingsmills Hotel (or similar), Inverness

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Following busy couple of days, today we enjoy a more relaxed affair; after a brief walking-tour of Inverness, the rest of the day is yours to explore the Capital of the Highlands at your leisure. Set on the banks of the river Ness, Inverness offers ample sightseeing and visitor opportunities; visit the Mercat Cross and St Andrews Cathedral, wander through the cobbled Old Town or climb to the hill-top Inverness Castle overlooking the town for your history-fix. Or simply relax in one of the city's many pubs! The rest of the evening is yours to spend at leisure.

Overnight: Kingsmills Hotel (or similar), Inverness

Meals: Breakfast included.

Today we embark on a journey of stunning natural beauty as we traverse the rugged landscapes of the Scottish Highlands to the West Coast. Here we'll visit the National Trust for Scotland Conservation Village of Plockton; nestling in a sheltered bay, Plockton is a traditional crofting and fishing community comprising of neatly painted cottages and a tiny harbour. After free time during lunch, our final journey of the day will take us over the Skye Bridge to the stunning Isle of Skye, our base for the next two nights where dinner awaits.

Overnight: Duisdale House Hotel (or similar), Isle of Skye

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Today is devoted to exploring the Isle of Skye, renowned for its rugged scenery, abundant wildlife, unique history and some of Scotland's most startling geological features. During the day, we'll pass the imposing Cuillin Mountains, see the extraordinary Quiraing and tour part of the Trotternish Peninsula to see the famous Kilt Rock cliffs and the spectacular Old Man of Storr. Time-permitting we'll enjoy time in the charming harbour town of Portree, the island's principle town. After a full day of exploring, enjoy evening at leisure.

Overnight: Duisdale House Hotel (or similar), Isle of Skye

Meals: Breakfast included.

This morning we cross by ferry from the Isle of Skye back to the Scottish mainland. The stunning Highland scenery pervades as we pass the sands of Mallaig and Morar on route to the village of Glenfinnan where we'll enjoy views of the towering Glenfinnan Monument erected in honour of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Glenfinnan Viaduct which was made famous when the Hogwarts Express passed over it in the Harry Potter movies. Then onwards through soul-stirring Scottish scenery passing the other 'Big Ben' – Ben Nevis, Britain's tallest peak, before finally, we board the ferry to cross to the Isle of Mull and our Inner Hebridean base for two nights.

Overnight: The Western Isles Hotel (or similar), Isle of Mull

Meals: Breakfast included.

First stop today, will be at the 13th century Duart Castle, dramatically perched on a cliff overlooking the rugged coast. We'll tour the dungeons and state rooms of this, the oldest inhabited castle on the island. Then make our way through enigmatic scenery to the Southern-most point of the Isle of Mull. From the charming village of Fionnphort, we take the foot-passenger ferry to the tiny Isle of Iona; this serene isle is home to Iona Abbey and Nunnery, one of Scotland's most sacred, historical and peaceful sites - a tiny Scottish island haven. By evening we return to our island hotel for a farewell dinner together.

Overnight: The Western Isles Hotel (or similar), Isle of Mull

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Our final day sees us cross by ferry back to the mainland to historic Stirling, known as the heritage-capital of Scotland. Here we wander through the old town and enter the hill-top castle, home to stunningly restored chapel and living quarters and with views of the towering Wallace monument visible in the distance. It's the perfect finale to our tour before we make the short journey back to Edinburgh where our tour ends.

Meals: Breakfast included.