Itinerary Details
Scottish Highlands & Islands
Day 1 ARRIVE IN GLASGOW, SCOTLANDWelcome to Glasgow! Free time the remainder of the day. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
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Day 2 GLASGOW–FALKIRK–ROYAL BURGH OF CULROSS–LINLITHGOW–EDINBURGHSculpted Horses & Scottish Heroines ROYAL BURGH OF CULROSS Take a walking tour with a Local Guide.
FALKIRK See The Kelpies, the largest equine sculpture in the world.
STIRLING Visit [LF] a whisky distillery
LINLITHGOW See Linlithgow Palace ruins, birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, and a filming location for the Outlander TV series. (B)
102 mi / 164 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION The Royal Burgh of Culross is considered one of Scotland’s most picturesque examples of life in the 17th and 18th centuries. No wonder it is the filming location for many film and television productions, as well an inspiring destination for history lovers. Its well-preserved buildings with red-tiled roofs line steep cobblestone streets from the market cross to the hilltop abbey.
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Day 3 EDINBURGHTraditions & Treasures EDINBURGH City sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the New Town, the Old Town and a visit to Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland’s Crown Jewels. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important historical strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, rules with a 1,100-year history as “the most besieged place in Great Britain.” Here, you’ll find the royal regalia and Scotland’s Crown Jewels.
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Day 4 EDINBURGH. EXCURSION TO ABBOTSFORDRegal Manors & Royal Music ABBOTSFORD Take a guided tour of Sir Walter Scott’s Abbotsford House.
(B)
80 mi / 129 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
THE ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO Unpack your plaid! Edinburgh Military Tattoo performances included on departures August 2, 9 and 16.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDARY LIVES The 19th century comes alive with echoes of triumph and tragedy at Abbotsford House, where Scottish legend Sir Walter Scott became the biggest-selling author of his day and the fashion for Scots baronial architecture began. Learn how the “Great Scott” popularized tartan, saved the Scottish banknote, and reclaimed his country’s Crown Jewels.
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Day 5 EDINBURGH–ST. ANDREWS–PITLOCHRY–INVERNESSScottish Highlands & Scenic Drives ST. ANDREWS See the home of golf and famous university town then drive across the Firth of Tay via Dundee to Pitlochry.
PITLOCHRY Walk through the Victorian mountain resort. Take a scenic drive through the Grampian Mountains and Cairngorms National Park en route to Inverness. (B,D)
200 mi / 325 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ICONIC FOOTSTEPS See the fairways and greens at the birthplace of golf, where legendary players of the Scottish game made history in the university town of St. Andrews.
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Day 6 INVERNESS. HIGHLANDS EXCURSIONThe Bronze Age & Brave Battles THE HIGHLANDS Visit the Bronze-Age chamber tomb site of Clava Cairns. See the Culloden battlefield site and visitor center. Visit Cawdor Castle.
INVERNESS Free time the remainder of the day. (B)
45 mi / 70 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LITERATURE & ARCHITECTURE In The Bard’s words, ‘This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air nimbly and sweetly recommends itself unto our gentle senses.’ Walk through history in the dramatic countryside of the Scottish Highlands to visit Cawdor Castle, the ancestral home of the Campbells of Cawdor. Discover the castle’s literary connection to The Scottish Play by William Shakespeare - also known as Macbeth.
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Day 7 INVERNESS–THURSOGardens & Grandeur DUNROBIN Visit the castle and gardens.
THURSO Free time this afternoon. (B,D)
109 mi / 176 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Perched in the Northern Highlands overlooking the Moray Firth is Dunrobin Castle, the historic home of the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland. One of the oldest continuously inhabited “Scottish great houses,” the castle evokes images of a French chteau with towering spires and grand gardens inspired by the Palace of Versailles.
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Day 8 THURSO. EXCURSION TO THE ORKNEY ISLANDSBreathtaking Views & Brews SCRABSTER Ferry crossing to the Orkney Islands.
ORKNEY ISLANDS Sightseeing includes Old Man of Hoy, Skara Brae and Skaill House, the Ring of Brodgar, and Kirkwall. [LF] Enjoy a guided tour of The Orkney Brewery with a light lunch at the brewery’s Tasting Hall café. Return to the mainland by ferry in the late afternoon. (B,L,D)
47 mi / 76 km
LOCAL FAVORITE
LEGENDS & LORE Orcadian water, the best malt, hops, and yeast are the only four ingredients of hand-crafted ales such as Orkney Dark Island, Northern Light and the world-famous Skull Splitter named after a vicious Orkney Earl. Join a guided tour of the brewery and learn the traditions of beer making and a long, long history of brewing quality ales.
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Day 9 THURSO–ULLAPOOL–ISLE OF SKYEScottish Fish Stories ULLAPOOL Visit the fishing port and enjoy [LF] a traditional fish & chips lunch at a local restaurant. (B,L,D)
219 mi / 353 km
LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES Walk along the whitewashed cottages with views of lovely Loch Broom in the charming harbor town of Ullapool. Feast on traditional fish and chips, a Scottish specialty that never fails to satisfy.
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Day 10 ISLE OF SKYESea & Skye ISLE OF SKYE Drive across the Inner Hebridean island; visit the Museum of Island Life; stop in the picturesque island capital of Portree and take in the views of the Cuillin Hills. (B,D)
100 mi / 161 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Magic abounds on the Isle of Skye, home to some of Scotland's most iconic landscapes to enchant the senses. With magnificent mountain ranges, miles of captivating coastline, and heroic history, Skye casts a spell with its breathtaking beauty and sense of island adventure.
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Day 11 ISLE OF SKYE–GLENFINNAN–FORT WILLIAM-OBAN Brave Lads & Bonnie Lands ISLE OF SKYE Visit Museum of the Isles. Ferry crossing on the Sound of Sleat to mainland.
GLENFINNAN See the monument to fallen Jacobite clansmen and the famous Glennfinnan Viaduct.
FORT WILLIAM See the gateway to Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak.
GLEN COE Scenic drive en route to Oban. (B,D)
109 mi / 175 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Long before it was made famous by the Harry Potter films, the Glenfinnan Viaduct was hailed one of the most visually stunning railways in Scotland. Flanked by rolling green hills that are home to the iconic Scottish red deer, the elevated curves of the longest concrete railway in Scotland traverses through a world of adventure and history.
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Day 12 OBAN. EXCURSION TO ISLES OF MULL AND IONA Highland Isles & Miles OBAN Ferry crossing to the Isle of Mull.
ISLE OF MULL Take a scenic drive across the island.
ISLE OF IONA Continue to Iona with a ferry to the island and visit the center of Celtic Christianity before returning to mainland. (B,D)
75 mi / 121 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
PICTURE PERFECT Called “Eagle Island” by wildlife watchers, the Isle of Mull is a paradise for birds of prey keeping a watchful eye on the wonderful wild landscapes below. Watch for Scottish red deer, iconic Highland cattle, and rolling hills that paint a picture of quintessential Scotland.
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Day 13 OBAN –INVERARAY–GLASGOW Glasgow Sights & Grand Heights INVERARAY Take a scenic drive over the mountainous Pass of Brander.
LOCH LOMOND Stop for photos.
GLASGOW Enjoy an orientation drive to see Glasgow’s landmarks, including the 12th-century cathedral, university buildings, and Georgian squares. Free time this evening. (B,D)
108 mi / 174 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOTS In Scotland’s most populous city, Glasgow’s uniquely rich architectural heritage ranges from 19th-century masterpieces to the modern designs of the unique style of Glasgow-born Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Discover exciting experiences around every corner!
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Day 14 GLASGOWSafe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
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