A 7 Day Scottish Journey - An Escorted Coach Tour depart Glasgow

From vibrant Glasgow and refined Edinburgh to the gentle rolling hills, dramatic coasts, towering mountains, breathtaking lochs and heather covered highlands all richly peppered with ancient castles, villages, and abbeys telling the tale of Scotland ’s often turbulent history.

Tour Highlights: Glasgow, Paisley, Loch Lomond, Luss, Inveraray, Kilmartin, Oban, Islands of Mull and Iona, Iona Abbey, Rannoch Moor, Glen Coe, Fort William, Glen Garry, Isle of Skye, Portree, Dunvegan Castle, Loch Ness, Inverness, Culloden Moor, The Whisky Trail, Speyside Cooperage, Malt Whisky Distillery with tasting, Royal Deeside, Crathie Kirk, Dundee, St Andrews, Edinburgh

Day One - Glasgow to Oban (2 nights)

From Glasgow we make our way first 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 pass through 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” pass. The scenery is breathtaking as we make our way to Inveraray 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 coastal accommodation in Oban.

Overnight: Queen"s Hotel, Oban (or similar)

Day Two  - Mull and Iona

A day of discovery starts with a ferry crossing of 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, conditions permitting, be able to enjoy breathtaking views of the Outer Hebridean islands before heading back to Oban.

Day Three  - Oban - Glen Coe - Skye (2 nights)

This morning 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 should be able to see Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, and have time to reflect on the Commandos Memorial near Spean Bridge before making our way to Glen Garry and then “Over the Sea to Skye”, our home for the next 2 nights.

Overnight: Mackinnon Country House Hotel (or similar)

Day Four
Discovering Skye

Today we explore the stunning Isle of Skye and make our way first to Portree, the island’s main town and a bustling port and thriving cultural centre. From here we pass through some amazing landscapes, and we might even spot some sea eagles as we go. We will see many highlights along the way including the Old Man of Storr with its weirdly-shaped rock pinnacles, the Kilt Waterfall as it tumbles from the lough over the precipitous cliff edge and the Quiraing, one of a great series of landslips which came to form the Trotternish Ridge. We call in at the Museum of Island Life, a preserved township of thatched cottages which shows how life was lived on Skye more than 100 years ago. From here we make our way to Dunvegan Castle, built on a rock in a stunning loch-side setting. The ancestral home of the MacLeod clan chiefs for 800 years, it is the oldest inhabited castle in Scotland and it boasts many treasures including the Fairy Flag, which is supposed to have miraculous powers and guarantee certain victory to the MacLeods in battle. We also pass through the attractive village of Carbost, home to the Talisker Distillery, before making our way back to our accommodation and dinner.

Day Five 
The Whisky Trail and Royal Deeside

It’s farewell to the Isle of Skye and, if the weather permits, we take the ferry from Glenelg to the mainland. Then we head for Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, passing by Loch Ness, famed for its elusive monster! We make a short stop in Inverness before moving on to the site of the Battle of Culloden, where Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite troops were defeated by the Government army and where there is an excellent museum which brings the battle vividly to life. Then we pick up the famous “whisky trail” as we travel through Speyside the home of the few remaining independent distilleries and stop at one for a tasting. In the region also lies Speyside Cooperage, the only working one of its kind in the UK and where it is possible to see where the American Oak casks are produced in the traditional method. And on into the stunning Cairngorms National Park on our way to Braemar, the highest and most mountainous parish in Britain and famous for its annual Highland Games attended by the Queen. This popular event was reputedly founded as long ago as the 11th century. 

Overnight: Ballater/Braemar

Day Six
St Andrews

Start the day with a drive past Balmoral Estate (May- Jul), the Scottish home of the Royal Family since it was purchased by Queen Victoria in 1848, who called it “my dear paradise in the Highlands”. We have time to make a short stop at nearby Crathie Church, where the Royal Family attends Sunday service when in residence. It was here that Princess Anne was married and Queen Victoria’s loyal servant John Brown is buried. Spot the mysterious Pictish Stones dotted on the landscape as we travel to the City of Dundee and over the Tay Bridge to St Andrews. This attractive town is a pilgrimage for golf lovers from amateurs to professionals alike. We drive past the famed Old Course, glimpse the famous Clubhouse and see the holes where history has been made over the years. Close by is the British Golf Museum which traces the story of the game both in Britain and abroad, and whose exhibitions and hands-on displays bring the game to life. Tonight we arrive in Fife ready for our Scottish meal.

Overnight: The Spindrift Hotel, Anstruther (or similar)

Day Seven
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 at 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 past Bannockburn - the site of Bruce’s decisive win against the English in 1314. This famous victory resonates in the Scottish psyche to this day. A few miles to the north we reach Stirling, the scene of William Wallace’s 1297 victory at Stirling Bridge. We visit the historic Castle, Scotland’s symbol of independence and once the home of Mary Queen of Scots and William Wallace. Explore its gardens, the Chapel Royal, Forework Gate, Grand Battery, Palace Gates and the Stirling Heads. We sadly reach the end of our Scottish journey as our tour concludes in Edinburgh.

What"s Included

The tour includes:

• • 6 nights accommodation in twin rooms with private bath/shower
  • Full Scottish breakfast (days 2 to 7)
  • 4 x table d’hote dinners
  • Excursions as detailed in itinerary
  • Admission to Iona Abbey, Dunvegan Castle, Museum of Island Life, Culloden Museum, Speyside Cooperage, Whisky tasting and Stirling Castle
  • Transportation by luxury minicoach
  • Ferry charges to the Islands of Mull and Iona
  • Services of a tour host
  • Service charges and taxes

What"s NOT included

• Admission charges unless otherwise stated in the itinerary
• Meals, snacks or items of a personal nature
• Gratuity to your tour host

Departure Information

From Glasgow
Check in: 08:15 hrs
Departure: 08:30 hrs
From Carlton George Hotel, 44 West George Street, Glasgow, G2 1DH

Tour returns to the Royal Terrace Hotel, Edinburgh at: 17:30 hrs (day 7)

Departure Dates

Wednesdays
18 April, 2012
2, 16 & 30 May 2012
6, 13, 20 & 27 June 2012
11 & 25 July 2012
8 & 22 August 2012
5, 12 and 19 September 2012

Cancellation Policy

For cancellations more than 30 days prior to departure date - 90% refund. 30 to 15 days - 50% of tour cost will be refunded. 14 days or less - no refund.
Full payment is required at the time of booking. We strongly recommend that you take out appropriate travel insurance to cover any need to cancel.

Rates

• Prices are quoted per person per tour
• Customers must provide a valid credit card number.
• Limited availability : advanced booking required.
• Any booking is subject to our Booking Terms.
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