Scotland's Highlands and Islands

DAY ONE - SATURDAY

You will land at Glasgow Airport where you will be met by your guide and transferred to our local base. The afternoon and evening are free for you to explore this interesting city with its famed art galleries and parks.

DAY TWO - SUNDAY

Departing from our Glasgow hotel, we head north to immediately breathe in the atmosphere by the shores of the celebrated Loch Lomond. Then we head to the royal city of Stirling. From the esplanade of Stirling Castle we can admire the surrounding countryside. For centuries this has been the gateway to the Highlands. No wonder numerous battles have been fought in this area, not least the great victory at Bannockburn, where the Scots trounced the English. We then continue our journey north into 'Braveheart' country passing through the picturesque market town of Crieff, long the site of one of Scotland great cattle 'Trysts'. We then head to our base for the night in the heart of the Trossachs via Lochearne, a lovely highland loch overlooked by mountains.

DAY THREE - MONDAY

We'll have time to visit the Rob Roy Visitor Centre in Callander and his grave at nearby Balquhidder before we head west through some stunning scenery as we drive through Glen Dochart and Glen Orchy. We'll visit Kilchurn Castle or Inveraray gaol/jail before continuing west. This afternoon's itinerary includes a visit to one of Argyll's woodland gardens. We'll have time to explore Dunstaffnage Castle before reaching our base for the next three nights.

DAY FOUR - TUESDAY

This morning is spent at leisure exploring Oban, the mainland port for the Hebridean Isles and full of local colour. After taking in a classic elevated view over the town, we make the short winding drive to Easdale Island. On the way we cross the only bridge over the Atlantic Ocean and pass the fascinatingly named Inn 'Tigh Na Troos' (House of the Trousers!). Once on Easdale Island we visit the local folk museum, where we learn about the life of the former slate mining community. This is probably one of the most photogenic fishing villages you'll find anywhere in the world.

DAY FIVE - WEDNESDAY

Time to take to the water, crossing the Firth of Lorne to the Inner Hebridean Isle of Mull. The ferry journey itself is a delight with fine views of mainland and island vistas. Before reaching Craignure, our first port of call, there's a grand view of Duart Castle, ancestral home of the McClean clan. Once on dry land we head across the open, untouched landscape to Fionnphort in the south. From here we take a very short ferry ride, as foot passengers, to the revered Island of Iona, home to St. Columba and early Christian missionaries 1400 years ago. Within the shadow of the cathedral, Scots kings until Macbeth's time were buried. There is a special atmosphere here aided by the almost total lack of motor cars. Returning to Mull we follow, time permitting, the rugged coastline to the west, with the possibility (depending on weather) of breathtaking views of the Outer Hebridean Islands offshore.

DAY SIX - THURSDAY

A day of glorious mountain scenery awaits us as we head north through the Grampian and North West Highland ranges. As we enter the splendid isolation of the pass of Glen Coe there's a real sense of majesty in the scenery. A visit to the Glencoe visitors’ centre gives us a chance to discover the real truth behind the tragic massacre of the MacDonalds. Arriving at the busy highland town of Fort William, there's an opportunity for the 'essentials' of life - eating, banking and shopping! Continuing our full day, we take in the Caledonian Canal - maybe there'll be yachts traversing the locking system to begin their voyage through Scotland's inland waterways. As we follow the canal, there are views of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, a haven for skiers and climbers alike. As we leave the canal, we encounter the imposing Glen Finnan Monument at the head of Loch Shiel. Winding around loch, brae and mountain, we cross by ferry to the Isle of Skye.

DAY SEVEN - FRIDAY

It's time to take a look around the misty Isle of Skye. Nowhere on this island is it possible to ignore the sea as it eats away at the coastline. It was from islands like this that thousands left in 'coffin' ships crossing the Atlantic to a new life. Amongst today's highlights are the island's 'capital', Portree, the 17th century ruined Duntulm Castle built by the MacDonalds on the site of a Celtic fort, the Old Man of Storr, a black basalt column 160ft tall and 40ft in diameter and the unique landscape of the 'quirang'.

We'll also visit the memorial to Flora MacDonald, famed accomplice of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Close by lies a fine folk museum where a peat fire burns and heather lines the roof.

You may wish to consider taking an optional day's excursion to the isle of Orkney. Although this is a very long day (with a 06.00 start and a 21.00 finish) it is a fantastic opportunity to see the fabulous prehistoric sites on the Island.

For wildlife lovers there's another possible optional tour to see the puffins and seals way north in John O'Groats.

DAY TEN - MONDAY

The day begins at Clava Cairns burial site. Lying close to Inverness, these circles of stones from the dawn of human civilisation sit in a quiet sheltered spot of the Scottish countryside. Close by is Culloden Moor, site of the great battle of 1746 when the forces of King George II defeated the Jacobite rebels of Bonnie Prince Charlie. There is a fine exhibition and a stroll around the battlefield with its memorial stones provides a lasting memory. Heading north from Inverness to the Falls of Rogie, we are assured of fine pine forests, rushing rivers and, if our timing is right, the sight of the Atlantic salmon jumping impossible waterfalls. On our way home, we ponder the question of the siting of Macbeth's castle. Was it in the modern town of Inverness or perhaps nearby at Cawdor?

DAY ELEVEN - TUESDAY

As we start our journey south, we pick up the famous whisky trail. You can be sure of a visit to one of the many distilleries that can be found in the area. We'll pass through Grantown-on-Spey, a popular ski resort on our way to Braemar, scene of that most famous of Highland games attended by the Royals. If we have time, we'll visit Braemar Castle, built in 1628 and largely rebuilt as a residence in the 18th century. The Scottish home of the royal family can be found at nearby Balmoral. There's a chance to view the grounds and exhibition for departures in May, June or July. Finally, we wind our way to the attractive town of Ballater, our base for the night.

DAY TWELVE - WEDNESDAY

This morning we may take a short drive through the 'Granite City' of Aberdeen before picking up the coastal route south. We visit Dunnottar Castle ruins, said to be in the most romantic setting in Scotland. Cromwell's troops captured this Royalist stronghold after months of siege in 1652. As we continue south, we pass through the fishing town of Arbroath, home of the 'smokie' (a tasty smoked fish) and the site of an outstandingly beautiful 12th century abbey ruin. Dundee is our next port of call. Here we'll find Scott's 'Discovery' and the frigate 'Unicorn', the oldest British-built ship still afloat, now a museum for the Royal Navy. Rounding off our vist wil be a short spell in St Andrews. No time for a round of golf , we're sorry to say! (But at least we'll save you soem golf balls!). At the end of a full day, we cross the Firth of Tay to the Kingdom of Fife and our nightstop for the next two nights.

DAY THIRTEEN - THURSDAY

A relaxing day as we explore the charming coastline of the Kingdom of Fife. Anstruther itself is still a working fishing port and many of its neighbours continue to ply a similar trade. Winding our way up the coast we examine in detail the timeless beauty of Crail, another fishing village, once the centre of a major trading partnership with continental Europe. Next, the Royal Stwart Castle at Falkland before making our way to the fascinating town of Culross. This is the most complete example of a Scottish burgh of the 16th and 17th centuries. We'll take time to explore the visitor centre before driving through Dunfermline and south over the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh. NOTE: dinner is not included tonight to give more flexibility to explore Edinburgh.

DAY FOURTEEN - FRIDAY

Return airport transfer unless you elect to extend your stay and spend some time in this 'Athens of the North'. Please note, transfer from Edinburgh to Glasgow airport attract a cost supplement.

This tour can be combined with our North Country tour which departs from Glasgow and tours through the Lakes District, Isle of Man, Peaks and Cotswolds to London.