A SCOTTISH JOURNEY

2 nts Oban, 2 nts Isle of Skye, 1 nt Ballater, 1 nt Fife

Tour only package from

$2295*

* Includes ALL taxes and service charges

Tour Highlights
Daily Itinerary
Dates & Prices
Hotel Descriptions

A land of intrigue, drama, warmth and culture that will enchant visitors of all ages and interests. Scotland is a captivating place of immense contrasts and is surely one of the most beautiful and historically fascinating countries in the world. From vibrant Glasgow and refined Edinburgh to the gentle rolling hills, dramatic coasts, towering mountains, breathtaking lochs and heather covered highlands all richly peppered with ancient castles, villages, and abbeys telling the tale of it’s often turbulent history. Travel along the whisky trail, explore mystical lochs and ancient monuments, visit Royal castles and explore this land’s ancient history. Beyond the mainland, the Western Isles retain much of their Norse character and offer some of Scotland’s most seductive scenery and mythical heritage.

Travel to the Scottish islands of Skye and Mull, learn how the Scottish make their famous whiskey and visit the last remaining cooperage, meet local characters and taste local Scottish food.

Features

6 nights in charming accommodation
Driver/guide companion
Mercedes mini-coach transportation throughout
Full Scottish breakfast daily
4 x evening meals
Ferry to Mull and Iona
Entrance Fees Included:
Iona Abbey
Dunvegan Castle
Museum of Island Life
Culloden Museum
Speyside Cooperage
Whisky tasting
Stirling Castle

Meals

5 breakfasts

0 lunches

4 dinners

Oban

From Glasgow we make our way first 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 pass through Luss, an estate village locked in time with an attractive church and Viking graves. We then head north-west to take in the stunning view as we climb over the “Rest and be Thankful” pass. Enjoy breathtaking scenery on our way to Inverary with its fairytale castle. Following the shores of Loch Fyne we reach Kilmartin Glen and its ancient stone circles and burial cairns, before heading on to our coastal accommodation in Oban.

Day 1

1 x

Oban

Today we take the ferry across the Firth of Lorne to the Inner Hebridean Isle of Mull where you will see the 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, conditions permitting, we may be able to enjoy breathtaking views of the Outer Hebridean islands before heading back to Oban.

Day 2

1 x

Skye

This morning 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 should be able to see Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, and have time to reflect on the Commandos Memorial near Spean Bridge before making our way to the Isle of Skye through Glen Garry, with fantastic views of its loch.

Day 3

1 x

Skye

Today we explore the stunning Isle of Skye. We make our way to Portree, the island’s main town and a bustling port. From here we pass through amazing landscapes, we might even spot some sea eagles. We will see many highlights along the way including the Old Man of Storr with its weirdly-shaped rock pinnacles, the Kilt Waterfall as it tumbles from the lough over the precipitous cliff edge and the Quiraing, one of a great series of landslips which came to form the Trotternish Ridge. We call in at the Museum of Island Life, a preserved township of thatched cottages which shows how life was lived on Skye more than 100 years ago. From here we make our way to Dunvegan Castle, built on a rock in a stunning loch-side setting. The ancestral home of the MacLeod clan chiefs for 800 years, it is the oldest inhabited castle in Scotland and it boasts many treasures including the Fairy Flag, which is supposed to have miraculous powers and guarantee certain victory to the MacLeods in battle. We also pass through the attractive village of Carbost, home to the Talisker Distillery, before making our way back to our accommodation for dinner.

Day 4

1 x

Ballater/Braemar

Leaving the Isle of Skye, and if the weather permits, we take the ferry from Glenelg to the mainland. Then we head for Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, passing by Loch Ness, famed for its elusive monster! We make a short stop in Inverness before moving on to the site of the Battle of Culloden, where Bonnie Prince Charlie’s rebel troops were defeated by the English. Here you will find an excellent museum which brings the battle vividly to life. We then travel along the famous “whisky trail” before arriving in Speyside, home of the few remaining independent distilleries, for a tasting. In the region also lies Speyside Cooperage, the only working one of its kind in the UK, here it is possible to see where the American Oak casks are produced. It's then on to the stunning Cairngorms National Park on our way to Braemar, the highest and most mountainous parish in Britain and famous for its annual Highland Games attended by the Queen, reputedly founded as long ago as the 11th century.

Day 5

1 x

Fife

Today we drive past Balmoral Estate (May-Jul), the Scottish home of the Royal Family, purchased by Queen Victoria in 1848, who referred to it “my dear paradise in the Highlands”. We have time to make a short stop at nearby Crathie Church, where the Royal Family attends Sunday service when in residence. Princess Anne was married here, and Queen Victoria’s loyal servant John Brown is buried here. Spot the mysterious Pictish Stones dotted on the landscape as we travel to 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 which traces the story of the game both in Britain and abroad, a hands on exhibition bring the game to life. Tonight we arrive in Fife ready for our Scottish meal.

Day 6

1 x

Edinburgh

As we head out of the Kingdom of Fife we visit one of the area’s many beautiful harbours and spend a short time at 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 past Bannockburn - 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. We visit the historic Castle, Scotland’s symbol of independence and once the home of Mary Queen of Scots and William Wallace. Explore its gardens, the Chapel Royal, Forework Gate, Grand Battery, Palace Gates and the Stirling Heads. We sadly reach the end of our Scottish journey as our tour concludes in Edinburgh.

Day 7

1 x

= Breakfast

= Lunch

= Dinner

A SCOTTISH JOURNEY

Features

Meals

Oban

Oban

Skye

Skye

Ballater/Braemar

Fife

Edinburgh

Important details

Accommodations

Main Navigation

Other Stuff

A SCOTTISH JOURNEY

Features

Meals

Oban

Oban

Skye

Skye

Ballater/Braemar

Fife

Edinburgh

Important details

Accommodations

Main Navigation

Other Stuff

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