Scottish Highlands, Islands and Cities - 13 day tour

Day 2 - Edinburgh City Tour and Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh is a rugged and beautiful city, as we will discover when we are joined by a local expert guide for a morning city tour.

See Princes Street, the New Town, the Royal Mile, Scottish Parliament and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the former residence of Mary Queen of Scots and still a working Royal Palace.

A highlight is our visit to the apartments at the historic Edinburgh Castle to view the Scottish Crown Jewels.

The remainder of today is free for individual sightseeing.

Tonight, if your tour departure coincides with performance dates, tickets are included to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Day 3 - Scottish Border Excursion

This morning we head into the beautiful Scottish Borders to see impressive 12th century ruined Jedburgh Abbey, founded by King David I.

Continue the rolling countryside to Melrose Abbey, where the embalmed heart of Robert the Bruce is said to rest, before following the valley of the River Tweed back to Edinburgh.

Day 4 - Edinburgh - St Andrews - Dundee

See the spectacular Forth Bridge as we travel to St. Andrews, considered by many as the home of golf.

Take a photograph at the famous Old Course or enjoy discovering the ancient University - there is so much to enjoy in this bustling town.

Later visit Glamis Castle, the childhood home of the late Queen Mother and the birthplace of Princess Margaret.

Glamis was also the setting for Shakespeare's Macbeth.

During our visit, enjoy a guided tour of the castle and free time to enjoy the beautiful gardens.

Later, arrive in Dundee, a waterfront city on the River Tay, the UK's first UNESCO City of Design. Tonight, why not stroll along the recently rebuilt waterfront to see the V&A and the RRS Discovery.

Overnight: Apex City Quay, Dundee (or similar)

Day 5 - Dundee - Culloden Moor - Carrbridge

This morning, visit a local malt whisky distillery to learn more about the traditions behind Scotland’s national drink, then sample a wee dram.

Travel through dramatic Highland landscapes and then enter the rugged beauty of the Cairngorms National Park.

Our last visit of the day is to Culloden Moor, where, in 1746, a ferocious battle took place between the Jacobite Army of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Government Forces. The Jacobites were soundly defeated, and, as a consequence, life in the Highlands changed forever.

Lately, the site has featured in Diane Gabaldon’s fictional novel “Outlander”.

It’s a short drive to our hotel in Carrbridge.

Overnight: Carrbridge Hotel, Carrbridge (or similar)

Day 6 - Carrbridge - Loch Ness - Thurso 

It is a short drive to admire the beauty of Loch Ness, home of “Nessie, the fabled Loch Ness Monster.

Drive through Inverness, then head through the Black Isle to visit Dunrobin Castle, the ancestral home of the Dukes of Sutherland. This fairy-tale castle resembles a French chateâu with its towering conical spires.

Stroll through the formal gardens, inspired by the Palace of Versailles.

Enjoy superb sea views as we travel northwards along the famed North Coast 500 to reach Thurso, our home for the next two nights.

Overnight: Pentland Hotel, Thurso (or similar) (2 nights)

Day 7 - Orkney Islands Excursion

Visit John O'Groats, the most northerly village in mainland Britain, then take the ferry from Gills Bay across the Pentland Firth to the Orkney Island of South Ronaldsay.

On arrival, see the Churchill Barriers, built as part of the naval defences to protect the anchorage at Scapa Flow during World War II.

Stop to visit the ornate Italian Chapel, built by Italian prisoners of war, before driving through the mainland to see the prehistoric Ring of Brodgar.  

Visit Skara Brae and walk through the remains of the famous Neolithic village thought to have been occupied in 3,000 BC.

Viking Kirkwall is our next treat, where we will see towering St Magnus Cathedral.

Later we will cross the sea back to the mainland and our hotel, where dinner is served.

Day 8 - Thurso - Ullapool - Isle of Skye

Rejoin the North Coast 500 route, where the landscape along the northern coastline is simply stunning!

Experience some of Scotland’s finest coastal scenery, towering mountains and pretty fishing villages. Visit the picturesque fishing port of Ullapool, which sits on Loch Broom. It was designed by Thomas Telford as a herring port in the 1780s.

View impressive Eilean Donan Castle, then continue via the Kyle of Lochalsh and over the sea to Skye, where we will see the towering Cuillin Hills.

Overnight: Kings Arms Hotel, Kyleakin (or similar)

Day 9 - Isle of Skye - Fort William - Oban

The main town on the island is Portree, which sits overlooking its attractive harbour. There is time to enjoy Portree for yourself before joining the ferry for the short sailing to Mallaig on the mainland.

Tour along the scenic “Road to the Isles” and see the famous Railway Viaduct, which features in the Harry Potter movies and the Glenfinnan Monument, commemorating the Highlanders that fought during the 1745 Jacobite uprising.

At Fort William, you will see Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, in all its glory before following the coastal route to the Victorian seaside town of Oban, our home for the next two nights.

Overnight: The Royal Hotel, Oban (or similar) (2 nights)

Day 10 - Isle of Mull & Isle of Iona Excursion

Cruise from Oban across the mouth of Loch Linnhe to Craignure on the Isle of Mull, the fourth largest Scottish island and a jewel of moorlands, forests and cliffs.

Tour through the island to reach  Fionnphort for a short ferry crossing to the island of Iona. It was here that St Columba built a monastery in 563.

During our time on Iona, visit the Abbey, one of the oldest and most important religious sites in Western Europe and see Reilig Odhrain, reputed to be the final resting place of the early Scottish Kings.

Later return to Oban in time for dinner.

Day 11 - Oban - Glen Coe - Glasgow 

Enter dramatic Glen Coe, known as the Glen of the Weeping, after the tragic massacre of 1692 of the resident MacDonald Clan. There is a stop so you can savour the majestic beauty of this famous glen.

The beautiful scenery continues as we make our way over Rannoch Moor to reach Loch Lomond, where you can stop for photographs.

On arrival in Glasgow, enjoy a panoramic tour of the city centre, including George Square, the impressive City Chambers and a visit to Glasgow Cathedral.

Overnight: Holiday Inn Theatreland, Glasgow (or similar) (2 nights)

Day 12 - Stirling Castle and Bannockburn Excursion

This morning head to Bannockburn, the scene of the famous battle in 1314 where the Scots under the command of King Robert the Bruce defeated the English Army of King Edward II during the War of Independence.

Next, travel to the city of Stirling for a guided visit of the historic Stirling Castle to explore the Royal Palace of King James V. See the recently restored Stirling Heads, Chapel Royal and the Great Hall, once a venue for extravagant banquets and celebrations.

Enjoy a Farewell Lunch on a 15^th Century working farm with your companions and Travel Director in the heart of Rob Roy MacGregor country.

Return to Glasgow for free time and the opportunity to dine independently in one of the city’s lively restaurants.

Day 13 - Depart Glasgow

After breakfast say a fond farewell to bonnie Scotland as your wonderful holiday draws to a close.

Airport transfers are available at 07:00 hrs and 09:00 hrs. Conditions apply.