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, breath-taking lochs and heather covered highlands all richly peppered with ancient castles, villages, and abbeys tell the tale of it’s often turbulent history. Beyond the mainland, the Western Isles and Orkneys retain much of their Norse character and offer some of Scotland’s most seductive scenery and mythical heritage.

Tour Inclusions
• 5 nights in unique & traditional accommodation
• Driver/Guide companion
• All mini-coach transportation
• Full Scottish cooked breakfast daily
• Three-course evening meals x 3
• Scottish Entertainment
• Ferry crossings to Mull and Iona

Entrance fees as listed:

• Iona Abbey
• Dunvegan Castle or the Museum of Island Life
• Culloden Museum
• Whisky distillery tasting tour
• Bannockburn

Fri 10 Sep, 2010 - Wed 15 Sep, 2010 (5 nights) GFri 24 Sep, 2010 - Wed 29 Sep, 2010 (5 nights) GFri 8 Oct, 2010 - Wed 13 Oct, 2010 (5 nights) GG - Guaranteed departureCXD - Cancelled

Itinerary:

Day 1  Oban
From Glasgow we travel 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 visit Luss, an estate village locked in time with an attractive church and Viking graves. Then we head north and west to take in the stunning view as we climb over the “Rest and be Thankful”. The scenery is breathtaking as we make our way to Inverary with its fairytale castle, and our lunch stop might be the inn Boswell, Burns and Keats once frequented. Following the shores of Loch Fyne we reach Kilmartin Glen and its ancient stone circles and burial cairns, before heading on to our delightful accommodation in Oban.
(D)

Day 2  Oban
Today we take the ferry across the Firth of Lorne to the Inner Hebridean Isle of Mull, giving us fine views as we go, including a sight of 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, we might even be able to enjoy breathtaking views of the Outer Hebridean islands before heading back to Oban by way of Tobermory.
(B)

Day 3  Kintail / Skye
Today 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 will see Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, and have time to reflect on the Commandos Memorial near Spean Bridge before making our way to our accommodation through Glen Garry, with fantastic views of its loch.
(B/D)

Day 4  Inverness
Today we explore the Isle of Skye. Depending on our route, our island journey will take us to Dunvegan Castle with its 1500 year-old fairy flag, or the Museum of Island Life, before heading on to Skye’s Jurassic coast. We remember Flora MacDonald, who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape to France after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. After lunching in Portree, we cross the new Skye Bridge to the Kyle of Lochalsh, passing the 3000 feet high hills of the Red and Black Cullins. Travelling northwards we see mountains which were once attached to Newfoundland! As we make our way to Inverness we reach the banks of Loch Ness and its elusive monster and then head for our accommodation.
(B)

Day 5  Fife 
This morning we see the site of the Battle of Culloden, where Bonnie Prince Charlie's rebel troops were defeated by the English. There is an excellent museum which brings the battle vividly to life. Then, picking up the famous whisky trail, we visit one of the many distilleries in the Strathspey area. Turning south through back roads which are often inaccessible during the snows of winter, we go on to Braemar, famous for its Highland Games and not far from Balmoral, the Queen's summer home. Heading down Glen Shee we regain the Lowlands and the village of Meigle with its mysterious carvings on the Pictish Stones. Then through the City of Dundee and over the Tay Bridge to St Andrews, the home of golf as we arrive in Fife for an Scottish meal.
(B/D)

Day 6  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 in 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 to Bannockburn, famous for Bruce's decisive win against the English in 1314. A few miles to the north we reach Stirling, the scene of William Wallace's 1296 victory at Stirling Bridge. You might want to visit the Castle, currently being carefully restored to its former glory, after which we sadly reach the end of our Scottish Sojourn and head back to Edinburgh.
(B)

Price

Pick-up/Drop-off Information:
Tour departs at 08.30am and returns (approx) at 5.30pm from:
 

Edinburgh Hotel 

Royal Terrace Hotel

18 Royal Terrace
Edinburgh,

City of Edinburgh

EH7 5