Scottish Clans and Castles 2021

Arrive in to Glasgow and travel to your city centre hotel (airport transfer available from Glasgow Airport). Meet your tour director at 2:00pm and set out for a short drive. Glasgow is Scotland's largest city and we'll enjoy a panoramic tour of the city's main sites including the Victorian architecture of George Square and Glasgow Cathedral. In the leafy West End we'll see Kelvingrove Park and Glasgow University which featured in the popular TV series "Outlander". By evening we enjoy a welcome drink with the group before dining together.

Overnight: Hotel Novotel Glasgow Centre, Glasgow

Meals: Dinner included

Today is dedicated to the impressive Stirling Castle, which rivals that of Edinburgh for its Royal history. We'll enjoy free-time in Stirling to wander the historic streets and take lunch. Later we head to a Glengoyne whisky distillery to learn about the process of whisky making and, of course, for a dram or two. We then return to Glasgow to dine independently.

Overnight: Hotel Novotel Glasgow Centre, Glasgow

Meals: Breakfast included

Today we pass north across the desolate Rannoch Moor and deep in to the majestic Highlands; journey through Glen Coe and hear haunting tales of the infamous 1692 clan massacre. Arriving in Scotland’s Northern Highlands we'll visit the romantic Eilean Donan Castle; an icon of Scotland, Eilean Donan was constructed at the meeting point of three lochs and is closely linked to the Mackenzie and Macrae Clans. Later we continue to our nearby Highland hotel.

Overnight: Balmacara Hotel, near Kyle of Lochalsh

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included

Leaving the Scottish mainland we cross to the Isle of Skye by bridge to explore the beautiful "Misty Isle". First, we'll visit the enigmatic Dunvegan Castle, stronghold of MacLeod clan for nearly 800 years. Then to enjoy the island's dramatic natural scenery as we tour the Trotternish Peninsula; we'll pause to visit Kilt Rock, a spectacular sea cliff of huge, vertical basalt columns and Flora Macdonald’s grave at the remote Kimuir Graveyard in the far north of the Island.

Overnight: Balmacara Hotel, near Kyle of Lochalsh

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included

This morning we head for a scenic drive across breath-taking landscape of the Highlands and we stop at pretty lakeside village, Lochcarron, to take some photos. Then, we continue to Strathpeffer, where you can spend free time at this Victorian spa town with characteristic architecture. Before heading to Inverness, we visit Hugh Miller's Birthplace in Cromarty to discover one of Scotland's most famous 19th century figures. In the evening we enjoy a dinner together as a group in our Highlands hotel.

Overnight: Glen Mhor Hotel, Inverness

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included

Today we explore the Highlands surrounding Inverness; firstly, we head to the picturesque ruins of Urquhart Castle, once Scotland’s largest castle which was largely destroyed in the Jacobite wars. We then embark on a cruise on Loch Ness itself where we can keep an eye out for "Nessie"! By afternoon we visit the eerie moorland of Culloden Battlefield whose modern visitor centre offers an intriguing insight in to the story of the bloody battle of 1746 when the British forces defeated Bonnie Prince Charlie. Later we return to Inverness in time for dinner as a group.

Overnight: Glen Mhor Hotel, Inverness

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included

This morning we visit the magnificent Johnstons of Egin to discover the history and craftsmanship behind their traditional Scottish woollens. Then we visit Brodie Castle, a 16th century tower house with fairy-tale towers and turrets that is set in spacious grounds and housing fine collections of antique furnishings and artwork. Later we return to Inverness and enjoy some free time for independent dining.

Overnight: Glen Mhor Hotel, Inverness

Meals: Breakfast included

Our journey today takes us south to a traditional Highland working farm where we enjoy a unique experience seeing the farmer and his talented sheepdogs at work. We then continue to Culross, a traditional 16th century Scottish town; here we enjoy a walking tour of this charming settlement with highlights including the historic Town House and tower, Culross Palace and the picturesque hillside remains of Culross Abbey. Later we continue to Edinburgh to enjoy evening at leisure and dine independently.

Overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton Queensferry Crossing, Edinburgh

Meals: Breakfast included

This morning we explore Edinburgh; a brief city drive will take us from the elegant avenues, town houses and mansions of the Georgian New Town to the winding alleys and the cobbled Royal Mile of the medieval old town. We then tour the impressive Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of The Queen, and walk through the opulently furnished chambers. The balance of the day is free to explore the city independently. By evening we enjoy a farewell dinner with entertainment except for departures between July 29th to August 19th, when we'll attend the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at the Castle esplanade instead.

Overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton Queensferry Crossing, Edinburgh

Meals: Breakfast and dinner (at Scottish evening) included

Today our programme ends after taking a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. You are then free to return to the airport for a return flight to your home nation (shared airport transfers available), or to make your way in to central Edinburgh to explore further independently or to embark on your onward travel within Scotland or England.

Meals: Breakfast included