scotland highlands and islands includes iona, mull, lewis, skye, orkney

SCOTLAND'S HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS
inc. Iona, Mull, Lewis, Skye & Orkney

13 day tour inc. arrival/departure days

TENTATIVE ITINERARY	Nightstop
DAY ONE
You will land at Glasgow Airport where you will be met by your Back-Roads representative and transferred to our local base. The afternoon and evening are free for you to explore this interesting city with its famed art galleries and parks. Dinner is not included tonight.	Glasgow
DAY TWO
Departing from our Glasgow hotel, we head north to immediately breathe in the atmosphere by the shores of the celebrated Loch Lomond. We'll visit Kilchurn Castle or Inveraray gaol/jail before continuing west. This afternoon's itinerary includes a visit to one of Argyll's woodland gardens. We'll have time to explore Dunstaffnage Castle before reaching our base for the next three nights.	Oban
DAY THREE
This morning is spent at leisure exploring Oban, the mainland port for the Hebridean Isles and full of local colour. After taking in a classic elevated view over the town, we make the short winding drive to Easdale Island. On the way we cross the only bridge over the Atlantic Ocean and pass the fascinatingly named Inn 'Tigh Na Troos' (House of the Trousers!). Once on Easdale Island we visit the local folk museum, where we learn about the life of the former slate mining community. This is probably one of the most photogenic fishing villages you'll find anywhere in the world.	Oban
DAY FOUR
Time to take to the water, crossing the Firth of Lorne to the Inner Hebridean Isle of Mull. The ferry journey itself is a delight with fine views of mainland and island vistas. Before reaching Craignure, our first port of call, there's a grand view of Duart Castle, ancestral home of the McClean clan. Once on dry land we head across the open, untouched landscape to Fionnphort in the south. From here we take a very short ferry ride, as foot passengers, to the revered Island of Iona, home to St. Columba and early Christian missionaries 1400 years ago. Within the shadow of the cathedral, Scots kings until Macbeth's time were buried. There is a special atmosphere here aided by the almost total lack of motor cars. Returning to Mull we follow, time permitting, the rugged coastline to the west, with the possibility (depending on weather) of breathtaking views of the Outer Hebridean Islands offshore.	Oban
DAY FIVE
A day of glorious mountain scenery awaits us as we head north through the Grampian and North West Highland ranges. As we enter the splendid isolation of the pass of Glen Coe there's a real sense of majesty in the scenery. A visit to the Glencoe Visitor Centre gives us a chance to discover the real truth behind the tragic massacre of the MacDonalds. Arriving at the busy highland town of Fort William, there's an opportunity for the 'essentials' of life - eating, banking and shopping! Continuing our full day, we take in the Caledonian Canal - maybe there'll be yachts traversing the locking system to begin their voyage through Scotland's inland waterways. As we follow the canal, there are views of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, a haven for skiers and climbers alike. As we leave the canal, we encounter the imposing Glen Finnan Monument at the head of Loch Shiel. Winding around loch, brae and mountain, we cross by ferry to the Isle of Skye.	Isle of Skye
DAY SIX
It's time to take a look around the misty Isle of Skye. Nowhere on this island is it possible to ignore the sea as it eats away at the coastline. It was from islands like this that thousands left in 'coffin' ships crossing the Atlantic to a new life. Amongst today's highlights are the island's 'capital', Portree, the 17th century ruined Duntulm Castle built by the MacDonalds on the site of a Celtic fort, the Old Man of Storr, a black basalt column 160ft tall and 40ft in diameter and the unique landscape of the 'quirang'. We'll also visit the memorial to Flora MacDonald, famed accomplice of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Close by lies a fine folk museum where a peat fire burns and heather lines the roof. We board an early evening ferry and enjoy a memorable 90 or so minutes crossing to the Western Isles. Uig to Tarbert evening ferry 18.00 arr.19.40 h.	Tarbert
DAY SEVEN
The Isle of Lewis is not actually an island, rather it is the northern two-thirds of the largest of the Western Isles, sharing a mountainous land border with Harris to its south. Lewis's best known visitor attractions include the superb Arnol which brings you the sights, sounds and smells of Lewis's traditional way of life. Other possibilities for our day include the tweed mill at Bragar and the Norse mill at Siabost before reaching the Blackhouse Village at Gearrannan. Just beyond is Carlabhagh, with the nearby iron age broch of Dun Carloway. Further on, the road brings you to the amazing collection of standing stones at Calanais. The capital of Lewis and the only town in the Western Isles is where we'll stay the night.	Stornoway
DAY EIGHT
This morning we must arise early to catch our 07.30 ferry back to mainland. Your journey from the Isle of Lewis finishes at the picturesque village of Ullapool. The 2 hour 40 minute crossing takes you from the Minch through a scattering of islets called The Summer Isles and Loch Broom. Remember to watch out for dolphins and porpoises during the crossing, as they are regular visitors. We'll enjoy some time at Ullapool before continuing your journey through the mind-blowing scenery of these wild highlands. This is Europe's last great wilderness and the stark beauty of it all is quite simply astounding. We'll arrive at Scotland's northern most tip, near John O'Groats, to catch our second ferry of the day to the Orkney Islands. Stornoway to Stromness Northlink Ferries ex. Scrabster at 19.00 arr. 20.30 h.	Orkney
DAYS NINE & TEN
We'll have a relaxed start to the morning following our late night before beginning our Orkneys explorations. These Isles will provide some of the most memorable sightseeing of the tour. This archipelago comprises of some 70 islands, and although it seduces with it's natural beauty, it is the Neolithic history that grips one. This is a World Heritage Site. For five millennia there has been human inhabitation on these islands. A storm in 1850 uncovered the remarkable Skara Brae where an intricate maze of 500 year old dwellings, largely intact, was discovered. And the discoveries have continued since with the islands now boasting over 3000 such Neolithic sites! But there's also history of a more modern time too. Evocative relics of two world wars lie in the Scapa Flow. And in the 5000 intervening years many other inhabitants have left their spoor so that there are castles, churches (including one built by Italian POWs), museums, craft centres, Martello Towers, preserved fishing villages, Victorian gardens and naturally a whisky distillery for us to visit. We'll also be visiting the outer islands of Hoy, South Ronaldsay and smaller, more remote ones where the sea and bird life are of particular interest.	Orkney
DAY ELEVEN
We leave the isle of Orkney (Northlink Ferries 09.00) and cross to the northern tip of Scotland and explore the region of Caithness. There are not too many places in the world that one can honestly write are unspoilt, or undiscovered but Caithness is surely one of them. This is true Back-Roads Touring country and we promise you some amazing sights and unforgettable experiences! You'll choose how to spend our time available from visiting literally hundreds of castle ruins precariously hugging wind-swept cliffs, the northerly town of Wick where the Heritage Centre demonstrates how people have survived in this incredible terrain of peat bog and over the centuries. Then there's Dunnet Head. This most northerly point on mainland Britain rises some 100 metres above sea level. The Dunnet Head lighthouse was built in 1831 by Robert Stevenson, grandfather of the author Robert Louis Stevenson.. We can also visit a traditional Caithness cottage, hardly altered since it was built 150 years ago. The Caithness Heritage Trust has restored Mrs Mary-Ann Calder's former home. This crofthouse features a wealth of family history. We might also see a Caithness Glass centre, seeing it made and perhaps buy a souvenir or two! Then there's Dornoch cathedral, in use for 700 years but in the news more recently as the venue for the pop star Madonna having a child christened.	Inverness
DAY TWELVE
Departing Inverness we'll first stop at Culloden, site of one of the most famous battles in Scottish history. The visitor centre tells the story of the great battle of 1746 when the forces of King George II defeated the Jacobite rebels of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Then we'll take the high road south to Edinburgh. En route we'll stop at Pitlochry. This town, right in the centre of Scotland is famed for its salmon 'ladder'. Depending on the time of year, we'll see the incredible sight of salmon leaping up a waterfall!! We continue our journey south and depanding on time and group interests we'll complete our tour with stops at Sterling or Callandar. Dinner is not included tonight.	Glasgow
DAY THIRTEEN
Alas, it's time to fly home and you'll be transferred to the airport. Of course, you may wish to spend some time in Edinburgh, or join our 'Tartan Tour' to the east of Scotland. In which case we'll be happy to assist in organising your onward arrangements.
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/orkney/pentlandferries/index.html