SCOTLAND’S HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS – 9 DAY/8 NIGHT ESCORTED TOUR

This Scotland’s Highlands and Islands Tour will take you through breathtaking landscapes, historic castles, dramatic highlands, and charming cities.

PRICES INCLUDE:

💚Accommodation of 8 nights at good 3 star and 4 star hotels, all rooms with private bath or shower

Food & Beverage

💚Breakfast at the hotel each day, days 2 – 9 inclusive 💚Afternoon tea at Atholl Palace on day 3 💚Dinner at hotel on days 1, 3 – 7 (3 courses with tea/coffee) 💚Dinner and entertainment on day 2 (3 courses with tea/coffee) 💚Dinner at a local restaurant on day 8 (3 courses with tea/coffee)

• Modern motor-coach with driver x 8 full days, on days 1-8 (09h00-17h30 daily)
• Modern motor-coach with driver x 1 evening return transfer on days 2 and 8
• Modern motor-coach with driver x 1 airport transfer on day 9
• English-speaking guide x 9 full days, on days 1-9 (09h00-17h30 daily)

Visits:

💚National Museum Scotland 💚Edinburgh Castle 💚Palace of Holyroodhouse 💚Wick Heritage Museum 💚Skara Brae 💚Ring of Brodgar 💚Italian Chapel 💚Dunrobin Castle 💚Culloden Battlefield 💚 Castle 💚Glencoe Visitor Centre

Experiences:

💚Whisky distillery visit on day 4 💚Return ferry from Scrabster to Stromness on day 5 💚Loch Ness cruise on day 7 💚Loch Lomond cruise on day 8

SELF-DRIVE TOUR OPTION AND FAMILY GROUP RATES AVAILABLE
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO CONTACT US or call us direct at 772-571-3132

DAY 1: WELCOME TO SCOTLAND

Arrive at Edinburgh Airport. Meet with your English-speaking guide and driver and transfer to Edinburgh.

Enjoy a panoramic city tour.

Discover Edinburgh, the inspiring capital of Scotland, with a panoramic city tour. From the historical closes of the Old Town to the larges avenues of New Town, explore an outstanding city of contrasts and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along its main thoroughfare, Princes Street, you will witness the most unique sight of Edinburgh Castle, majestically dominating both Old and New Town. See Calton Hill and its National Monument, rightfully giving Edinburgh its nickname: the “Athens of the North”.

Visit National Museum of Scotland.

From the age of dinosaurs to the technology of the future, the museum’s galleries contain treasures from around the world. From meteorites to monsters from the deep, the Natural World galleries tell the story of our planet, while the World Cultures gallery link people and possessions across the globe. Follow the story of Scotland from prehistory to the present day in the Scottish galleries, marvel at a spectacular array of over 800 objects in the Window on the World and meet the Scots whose ideas, innovations and leadership took them across the world in the Discoveries gallery.

Overnight, Dinner, Bed and Breakfast at your hotel in Edinburgh or area.

DAY 2: EDINBURGH

This morning, visit Edinburgh Castle.
Edinburgh’s Castle rock has been a stronghold for over 3000 years. In its dominating position overlooking the capital city, the grandeur and historical significance of Edinburgh Castle has made it a globally famous icon of Scotland and part of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site.

Sited on top of an extinct volcano, gaining stunning views across City of Edinburgh, the castle has witnessed many of the defining events of Scottish history and has dominated its surroundings with majesty for centuries. Captivating visitors with its ancient buildings and marvellous views, it continues to spellbound with its wonderful story.

Visit Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Founded as a monastery in 1128, the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh is The Queen’s official residence in Scotland and is closely associated with Scotland’s turbulent past.

Mary, Queen of Scots lived here between 1561 and 1567. Successive kings and queens have made the Palace of Holyroodhouse the premier royal residence in Scotland. At the end of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and against the spectacular backdrop of Arthur’s Seat, the Palace of Holyroodhouse visitors can explore the 14 historic State Apartments and the ruins of Holyrood Abbey. The Queen’s Gallery at the Palace of Holyroodhouse hosts a programme of changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection.

Spend the balance of your day at leisure.

This evening, enjoy Spirit of Scotland Show.

Spirit of Scotland Show involves a rip roaring evening of traditional Scottish song and dance accompanied by a great selection of quality Scottish food to delight your pallet. Our resident band and traditional Scottish Dancers provide breathtaking performances for their audience and never fail to entertain.
(Dinner will be served at the Entertainment Show)

Overnight, Dinner & Show. Bed and Breakfast at your hotel in Edinburgh or area.

DAY 3: EDINBURGH TO INVERNESS

This morning, depart Edinburgh and journey to Inverness. Enjoy photo stop at Forth Bridges.

Enjoy afternoon tea at Atholl Palace.

On June 7th, 1878, The Athole Hydropathic officially opened. Established initially as a centre for healing and restoration, the Atholl Palace was later transformed into a modern hotel.

Continue onto Inverness and check  into your hotel.

Enjoy panoramic tour of Inverness city.

Discover Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, with a panoramic city tour.

From the magnificent red sandstone of St Andrew’s Cathedral to the quaint banks of the Caledonian Canal, Inverness offers a tranquil and relaxed pace of life, at the foot of its picturesque Castle.

Overnight, Dinner, Bed and Breakfast at your hotel in Inverness or area.

DAY 4: INVERNESS TO THURSO

This morning, depart Inverness and journey to Thurso.

Visit Wick Heritage Museum.

The Wick Heritage Museum houses a number of furnished rooms and exhibitions portraying Wick’s herring fishing heritage. Displays highlight working life, community life and family life across the period and contain an array of authentic items including household furnishings, ranging from a traditional box bed to authentic Caithness chairs.

Visit Pulteney Distillery. (subject to availability).

Overnight, Dinner, Bed and Breakfast at your hotel in Thurso or area.

Scotland

DAY 5: THURSO

This morning, enjoy day excursion to Orkney.

Visit Skara Brae.

The neolithic settlement of Skara Brae, lying near the dramatic white beach of the Bay of Skaill, is the best preserved group of prehistoric houses in Western Europe.Uncovered by a storm in 1850, which blew away the sand to reveal the shapes of stone buildings, the attraction presents a remarkable picture of life around 5,000 years ago. This Neolithic village on the shores of the Bay of Skaill in Orkney’s west mainland is one of several stunning archaeological sites within the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the summer months, visitors can also access Skaill House: built in 1620 by Bishop George Graham on the site of a Norse farmstead, all 12 of its Lairds have been related and all have contributed to the history and collection in the house. Inside you can see rooms with furniture and artefacts belonging to generations of Skaill lairds and see a dinner service used by Captain James Cook on his final voyage.

Visit Rings of Brodgar.
The Ring of Brodgar is a Neolithic henge and stone circle about 6 miles north-east of Stromness on the Mainland, the largest island in Orkney, Scotland. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Heart of Neolithic Orkney.

Visit Italian Chapel.

The Italian Chapel is on the island of Lambholm, which is linked to the Orkney Mainland by the first Churchill Barrier. Known as the Italian Chapel, it was built by Italian prisoners of war – during World War Two – chosen amongst the five hundred men housed at Camp 60 on Lambholm, having been sent to Orkney to help build the Churchill Barriers. The men had very little to work with when creating the Chapel, other than two old nissen huts, unwanted scrap and some concrete. The astounding and truly unique chapel is an unforgettable inspiration to all those who visit it.

Return ferry from Stromness to Scrabster.

Overnight, Dinner, Bed and Breakfast at your hotel in Thurso or area.

DAY 6: THURSO TO AVIEMORE

This morning, depart Thurso and journey to Aviemore.

Visit Dunrobin Castle.

Dunrobin Castle is the most northerly of Scotland’s great houses and the largest in the Northern Highlands with 189 rooms. Dunrobin Castle is also one of Britain’s oldest continuously inhabited houses dating back to the early 1300s, home to the Earls and later, the Dukes of Sutherland. The Castle, which resembles a French château with its towering conical spires, has seen the architectural influences of Sir Charles Barry, who designed London’s Houses of Parliament, and Scotland’s own Sir Robert Lorimer. The Castle was used as a naval hospital during the First World War and as a boys’ boarding school from 1965 to 1972.

Visit Culloden Battlefield.

Scene of the 1746 Battle of Culloden between the Jacobite and the British armies. As the last battle being fought on British soil, Culloden marks the beginning of the dismantlement of the structures of Highland society. In the aftermath of the battle, kilts and tartans were banned. It was here that the Jacobite army fought for a Stuart king in order to reclaim the throne of Britain from the Hanoverians. Today, 250 years on, Culloden is still a site that connects us intimately with Britain’s past. Find out why this battle lasted only one hour but still changed the course of Scotland’s history. Listen to accounts from genuine characters who were involved in the Battle, experience the battle in a 360 degrees theatre, get a bird’s eye view of the forces and tactics at play.

Overnight, Dinner, Bed and Breakfast at your hotel in Aviemore or area.

DAY 7: AVIEMORE TO FORT WILLIAM

This morning, depart Aviemore and journey to Fort William.

Enjoy Loch Ness Cruise and visit Urqhuart Castle.

Once one of Scotland’s largest castles, Urquhart saw great conflict during its 500 years as a medieval fortress. Control of the castle passed back and forth between the Scots and English during the Wars of Independence. The power struggles continued, as the Lords of the Isles regularly raided both castle and glen up until the 1500s. The last of the government troops garrisoned here during the Jacobite Risings blew up the castle when they left. Urquhart’s iconic ruins remain, offering glimpses into medieval times and the lives of its noble residents.

Enjoy photo stop at Commando Memorial. Continue onto Fort William and check In to your hotel. Spend balance of your day at leisure.

Overnight, Dinner, Bed and Breakfast at your hotel in Fort William or area.

DAY 8: FORT WILLIAM TO GLASGOW

Today, depart Fort William and journey to Glasgow.

Visit Glencoe Visitor Centre.

Learn all about Glencoe’s remarkable history, landscape and wildlife in the National Trust for Scotland’s visitor centre. Surrounded by towering mountains, Glencoe is one of Scotland’s most spectacular places and provides outstanding opportunities for walking and climbing. Enjoy Living on the Edge, an interactive exhibition exploring the landscape, wildlife and history of this special place. Just a short walk from the visitors centre is the main location of the infamous massacre of 1692. There is also some of the finest climbing and walking country in the Highlands to be found within an area of dramatic landscapes and historical significance.

Enjoy a Loch Lomond Cruise.

Cruise Loch Lomond boasts the largest private passenger cruise boat fleet in Scotland, comprising seven vessels maintained to the highest standards. Each boat features twin decks, an enclosed saloon, an open deck, a bar with tea/coffee facilities, and toilets. This diverse fleet enables exclusive allocation of a vessel for each group or private party, ensuring flexibility and reliable service. The company’s substantial Boat Yard and slipway in Tarbet, Loch Lomond houses the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) for annual vessel surveys and the issuance of passenger safety certificates. This facility supports maintenance, repairs, and cosmetic work, upholding the fleet’s exceptional quality.

Enjoy panoramic tour of Glasgow.

Discover Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, with a panoramic city tour. From the magnificent St Mungo Cathedral to the People’s Palace and Glasgow Green, explore Glasgow rich past as a religious centre and one of the most important industrial cities in Britain. The Victorian architecture of the centre offer a striking contrast to the extensive parks of the West End.

Among those, Kelvingrove offers a haven of peace in the city, with amazing views on Glasgow University’s striking buildings and the Kelvingrove Museum. It is not hard to imagine why Glasgow is home to Scotland’s most celebrated architect: Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Spend the balance of your day at leisure. Enjoy dinner at local pub/restaurant.

Overnight, Dinner at local pub/restaurant. Bed and Breakfast at your hotel in Glasgow or area.

DAY 9: FAREWELL

This morning, transfer to Glasgow Airport for your journey home.

Trip ID: GSEM 298305.1