Scottish Isles and Glens

Arrive in Scotland in Glasgow this morning and travel to your hotel, peacefully located 20 miles North of the city in the village of Drymen close to Loch Lomond (airport transfers available). Meet your tour director at 3:00pm and set out for a short drive through part of the Trossachs National Park, often called "The Highlands in Miniature" before boarding the steamboat "Sir Walter Scott" to embark on a scenic cruise on Loch Katrine. Later return to your hotel and relax for a time before joining your tour director and travel companions for a welcome drink before dinner.

Overnight: The Winnock Hotel, near Glasgow

Meals: Dinner included

Today, we are headed off to the Isle of Bute via ferry. We will first be taking the scenic highland route and over the mountain pass of “Rest & Be Thankful”. We then visit the opulent Victorian manor at Mount Stuart House, built in the late 1870s for the 3rd Marquess of Bute, an incredibly wealthy coal baron of the era; we discover the highly decorated chambers and many Victorian comforts and innovations of the time. Finally, we spend some time in Rothesay, the main town on the island before returning to the mainland and to your hotel in time for dinner.

Overnight: The Winnock Hotel, near Glasgow

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included

Leaving the Lowlands, we travel along the "bonny banks" of Loch Lomond, renowned for its unsurpassed beauty then through the deep valley of Glen Coe, notorious for the Campbell massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692. We pass through port town of Fort William and stop at the Spean Bridge Woollen Mill, which offers selection of quality Scottish products. We then continue north to visit the romantic Eilean Donan Castle; constructed at the meeting point of three lochs and with parts dating back to the 13th century it is an undoubted icon of Scotland. Check in to your charming family-owned hotel near Kyle of Lochalsh.

Overnight: Balmacara Hotel, near Kyle of Lochalsh

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included

Today is dedicated to exploring the majestic Isle of Skye; first we uncover its strong connections with Bonnie Prince Charlie who fled to the island after his defeat at Culloden Moor. We'll visit Dunvegan Castle, stronghold of the Chiefs of MacLeod for nearly 800 years and the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland. View priceless family heirlooms and stroll through the elegant formal gardens. Later we stop in the isle's main town of Portree to see the brightly-painted houses that cluster around the harbour. Return to your hotel for free time before dinner.

Overnight: Balmacara Hotel, near Kyle of Lochalsh

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included

Today we enjoy a journey of spectacular highland scenery as we make our way north along the west coast to visit Inverewe Gardens. Created in the 1800s, Inverewe spans more than 50 acres and is set on a remote headland; the gardens provide a lush sub-tropical oasis of diverse trees and shrubs which thrive due to the warm currents of the Gulf-Stream, and which contrast dramatically with the surrounding rugged highland landscapes. Later we continue to Ullapool, a charming fishing and ferry port perched high on the far north-west coast; we enjoy a brief drive around the town before checking-in to your hotel.

Overnight: Royal Hotel, Ullapool

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included

Our exploration of the far northern Highlands continues as we journey through one of Scotland's most sparsely-populated regions; see barren landscapes of bog tracts, moors, heather-strewn hills, rugged mountains and dramatic coastline. We learn about the Highland Clearances, a tragic period of history when many peasants were forced off the land and emigrated to the USA, Australia and elsewhere. We continue to John O' Groats the most northerly point on the British mainland before taking the nearby ferry to Orkney - we enjoy our evening meal as we travel on board the ferry.

Overnight: Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall, Isle of Orkney

Meals: Breakfast and dinner (on board ferry) included

Today we discover the enchanting Isle of Orkney and a host of historic and pre-historic sites. Firstly, we make our way to the fascinating Skara Brae an excavated village dating back more than a 5,000 years and view the stunning Ring of Brodgar, a circle of prehistoric standing stones pre-dating Stonehenge. Then we explore more recent history as we drive across the Churchill Barriers, created during World War II to deter German submarines and see the Italian Chapel constructed by Italian prisoners of war. By afternoon we return to Kirkwall to see 12th century St. Magnus Cathedral and enjoy some free-time and evening at leisure to dine independently.

Overnight: Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall, Isle of Orkney

Meals: Breakfast included

Returning by ferry to the Scottish mainland we make our way South through the remote landscapes of Caithness with views of off-shore sea-stacks and coastal cliffs. We visit Dunrobin Castle, a stately house, whose elegant, turreted structure resembles a glorious French Chatueau; wander the stunning interiors of the house including the dining room, music room and library each housing an array of priceless artefacts and view the beautiful manicured gardens. Later we continue south to our hotel in the heart of Inverness, Capital of the Highlands.

Overnight: Columba Hotel, Inverness

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included

Enjoy a cruise on Loch Ness to visit the picturesque ruins of Urquhart Castle; once Scotland's largest castle it was mostly destroyed in the Jacobite wars but today offers a perfect look-out point for Nessie. Later we stop at the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre to learn about the conflict where Bonnie Prince Charlie was defeated in 1746; walk around the moor and see monuments to the various regiments who lost men during the battle. After a photo-stop at the Clava Cairns stone-circle which inspired the Outlander books we return to Inverness for free-time for a stroll along the River Ness before dinner at your hotel.

Overnight: Columba Hotel, Inverness

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included

Making our way South we pass through the heart of the Cairngorm Mountains to Leault Farm where we see traditional farming methods first-hand as the farmer and his dogs herd their flocks of sheep in a demonstration of skill. We then pass south to Pitlochry to visit Blair Athol Distillery, Scotland's smallest, which is set in a picturesque location outside the town; we see how whisky is distilled and enjoy a tasting a wee dram at the end of the tour. Later we make our way to Edinburgh, the Scottish capital where we dine at a Scottish evening with local specialties and enjoy an exciting show with bagpipes, story-telling, music and dance before checking in to our central hotel.

Overnight: Apex Grassmarket Hotel, Edinburgh

Meals: Breakfast and dinner (at your Scottish evening) included

This morning, discover Edinburgh on a sightseeing tour; we see the wide streets and elegant mansions of the 200-year-old Georgian "New Town" and walk along part of the Royal Mile, the oldest part of the city where rambling, medieval houses reach 11 storeys tall. We end our tour at the imposing Castle where we gain panoramic city views and can wander the historic buildings to see the Stone of Destiny and the Scottish Crown Jewels. The afternoon and evening are free for you to explore and dine independently in the city. On departures from July 28 to August 13 we'll also enjoy the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo which takes place on the Castle esplanade.

Overnight: Apex Grassmarket Hotel, Edinburgh

Meals: Breakfast 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, to continue to explore Edinburgh independently or to make your way to the nearby railway station to embark on your onward travel within Scotland or England.

Meals: Breakfast included