Overview
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Take a journey into the fabled land of adventure on this affordable vacation in Scotland. From the elegant Georgian squares and 12th-century cathedral in Glasgow, you’ll travel to The Trossachs National Park to take in the rugged hills and serene lochs. On your way to legendary Edinburgh, stop in Stirling to admire the prized castle of Scottish kings and symbol of the country’s independence. Enjoy a full day of guided sightseeing in Edinburgh, including 200-year-old New Town—home to famous scientists, inventors, and novelists. Visit Edinburgh Castle to see the Crown Jewels and, for specific departures, be thrilled by the Royal Military Tattoo presented on the castle’s esplanade in a mass spectacle of Scottish pipe bands, music, dance, and pageantry by performers from around the world.
Next, you’ll take the elegant Forth Road Bridge to St. Andrews—the home of golf, the cross Firth of Tay and head into the Highlands. You’ll stop on the way in the Victorian mountain resort of Pitlochry before crossing haunting Culloden Moor, where the Jacobites made their final stand in 1746. Continue via Inverness into the Highlands for an overnight stay in Strathpeffer and a west coast excursion through spectacular Scottish landscapes and vistas. Your Scottish adventure leads you through the heather-clad moors of the western Highlands to Lochalsh and the Isle of Skye. Then, via ferry across the Sound of Sleat it’s back to the mainland. Take in the scenic highlights on your way back to Glasgow, including Glenfinnan and the monument to fallen clansmen, the viaduct that is recognizable to Harry Potter fans, and many other historic spots. Drive along the “bonnie banks” of Loch Lomond as well. Your value-minded vacation in Scotland is an experience of spectacular landscapes, legends, and lore.
Please note: Please note: 2021 itinerary is based on 2020 and is subject to change, but by booking today you will lock in your price. Full details will be confirmed in September 2020.
Highlights
Orientation drive
THE TROSSACHS Visit Aberfoyle
STIRLING View the castle
EDINBURGH Guided sightseeing, visit Edinburgh Castle
ST. ANDREWS Visit the home of golf
PITLOCHRY Visit the Highland resort
CULLODEN MOOR See the battlesite
ULLAPOOL Visit the remote fishing harbor
ISLE OF SKYE Drive across the Inner Hebridean island
ARMADALE–MALLAIG by ferry
GLENFINNAN See the famous monument and Harry Potter viaduct
FORT WILLIAM
LOCH LOMOND Take photographs of the iconic lake
2021 Tour itinerary
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
Total meals included:
- 6 breakfasts, 3 dinners
ARRIVE IN GLASGOW, SCOTLAND
Day1
Check into your hotel. In the afternoon, there’s time to rest or discover Scotland’s great cultural city. This evening, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for dinner at the hotel.
Meals included:
- Dinner
GLASGOW–THE TROSSACHS–STIRLING–EDINBURGH.
Day2
Start your day with an orientation drive taking in the fine 12th-century cathedral, imposing university buildings, and elegant Georgian squares. Then, head into The Trossachs National Park and enjoy views of rugged hills and beautiful lochs. Pause in Aberfoyle before continuing on to Stirling where you will have time to admire the castle, a great symbol of Scottish independence and favored residence of Scotland’s kings and queens. After arrival in Edinburgh, why not join an optional excursion: a traditional Scottish night out with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and of course, the Ceremony of the Haggis?
Today’s Distance: 82 mi/ 131 km
Meals included:
- Breakfast
EDINBURGH
Day3
A full day to enjoy the Scottish capital. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town", home to famous scientists, inventors, and novelists. In the “Old Town", visit EDINBURGH CASTLE to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Afternoon at leisure. Later, a unique optional experience: board the former Royal Yacht Britannia. Tour five decks and see how the Royal Family and crew of 240 lived and worked on board. Dinner rounds out this optional evening. For departure numbers August 9, 16, and 23 tickets are included for tonight’s performance of the world-renowned MILITARY TATTOO, a vast spectacle of massed Scottish pipe bands that takes place in an arena on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
EDINBURGH–ST. ANDREWS–PITLOCHRY–CULLODEN MOOR–INVERNESS–STRATHPEFFER
Day4
A day of memorable sightseeing. Take the elegant Forth Road Bridge to St. Andrews, whose Royal and Ancient Golf Club has given us the rules of golfing, then cross the Firth of Tay and head into the Highlands, with a stop in the Victorian mountain resort of Pitlochry. Cross the battlefield of Culloden Moor with its memories of Bonnie Prince Charlie, then via Inverness, proceed to your Highland destination.
Today’s Distance: 221 mi/ 355 km
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
STRATHPEFFER. WEST COAST EXCURSION
Day5
More spectacular Scottish scenery: Dornoch Firth, the Kyle of Sutherland, the Falls of Shin, the Mountains of Assynt, and Knockan Crag. Then, follow Strath Oykel for a visit to Ullapool, a remote fishing harbor on Loch Broom, before returning along Loch Glascarnoch. Our recommendation for this afternoon: join the optional Loch Ness Experience, which includes a cruise, followed by supper.
Today’s Distance: 123 mi/ 198 km
Meals included:
- Breakfast
STRATHPEFFER–ISLE OF SKYE–GLENFINNAN–FORT WILLIAM–GLASGOW
Day6
More heather-clad moors as you drive through the western Highlands to Lochalsh and the Inner Hebridean Isle of Skye. The route back to the mainland is by FERRY across the Sound of Sleat to Mallaig. Pause at Glenfinnan to see the monument to fallen Jacobite clansmen and the famous viaduct well known to Harry Potter fans before reaching Fort William beneath Ben Nevis. Glen Coe, where the MacDonald Clan was massacred in 1692, and a drive along the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond are scenic highlights on the way back to Glasgow.
Today’s Distance: 234 mi/ 377 km
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
GLASGOW
Day7
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
Hotels
It may occasionally be necessary to use alternative hotels of a similar standard to those shown.
Leonardo Inn Glasgow West End
First-Class
Multistory Hotel set in prestigious West End, 4 miles from city center.
Location
Shelley Road 2-4, Glasgow, United Kingdom
Hotel Facilities
- Free WiFi
- Fitness Room
- ATM
- Parking/Valet
- Bar/Lounge
- Pool
- Laundry Available
- Hot Tub
- Concierge desk
- Restaurant On-Site
- Business Center
- Currency Exchange
Room Facilities
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Disabled Access / Rooms
- Room Service
- Cable/Satellite
- Hair Dryer
- Television
- Internet Access
- Coffee Maker
- In-Room Safe
- Air Conditioning
- Iron/Ironing Board
- Desk
- Phone
- Complimentary Newspaper
Kings Manor Hotel
Superior Tourist-Class
Family-run Hotel housed in an 18th-century residence once used as a convent.
Location
100 Milton Road East, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Hotel Facilities
- Hot Tub
- Free WiFi
- Business Center
- Fitness Room
- Parking/Valet
- Concierge desk
- Laundry Available
- Pool
- Restaurant On-Site
- Spa Services
- Currency Exchange
- Bar/Lounge
- Luggage Storage
Room Facilities
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Room Service
- Air Conditioning
- Coffee Maker
- Phone
- Disabled Access / Rooms
- Cable/Satellite
- Iron/Ironing Board
- Television
- Complimentary Newspaper
- Internet Access
Ben Wyvis Hotel
Superior Tourist-Class
Scottish Highland hotel is an idyllic setting for weddings, functions and conferences, offering spectacular views of Ben Wyvis.
Location
, Strathpeffer-Rossshire, United Kingdom
Hotel Facilities
- Bar/Lounge
- Elevator
- Restaurant On-Site
- Currency Exchange
- Business Center
- Luggage Storage
- Gift Shop
- Laundry Available
- Parking/Valet
Room Facilities
- Room Service
- Iron/Ironing Board
- Desk
- Internet Access
- Phone
- Disabled Access / Rooms
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Alarm Clock
- Television
- Coffee Maker
- Hair Dryer
