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14 Days Scottish Highlands Islands & Cities Tour Package
Duration: 14 Days / 13 Nights
Priced From: $2,599 pp dbl. occ.
Dates: Apr - Sep
From Jedburgh to the Orkney Islands, explore Scotland's picturesque castles, grand cities, quaint villages and dramatic landscapes. Sample Scottish whisky and watch the tradition of "piping in the haggis".
Tour Itinerary
Day 1- Depart USA
Overnight flight to Edinburgh.
Day 2 - Arrive Edinburgh (3 nights)
After hotel check-in, time to relax before we get together with our Tour Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Novotel Edinburgh Centre (3 nights)
Day 3 - Edinburgh sightseeing & at leisure
Our morning sightseeing tour visits Princes Street, the New Town and the Royal Mile plus a trip to the castle for a guided visit of the apartments and views of Holyrood House, former residence of Mary Queen of Scots, as well as Arthur’s Seat. You may wish to join in an excursion to visit the Rosslyn Chapel – made famous by the ‘Da Vinci Code’. During the Edinburgh Festival, tickets for the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo are included. (Full breakfast)
Day 4 - Edinburgh – Excursion to the Borders
First along the coast to the seaside resort of North Berwick which is popular for its beaches and golf courses. Then to Jedburgh with its impressive 12th century ruined abbey. We have the chance to visit the woollen mills before continuing to Melrose where we see the abbey which is said to contain the casket wherein lies the heart of Robert the Bruce. Finally, we follow the valley of the River Tweed back to Edinburgh. (Full breakfast)
Day 5 - Edinburgh – St. Andrews – Glamis Castle – Aberdeen
Our Tour Director will reveal a Hidden Treasure to us today! But first we cross the Forth Bridge to St. Andrews’ famous golf course. We take a picture at the 18th hole before continuing via Dundee to visit Glamis Castle – childhood home of the late Queen Mother. Then we head to our hotel at Aberdeen with a late afternoon arrival. This evening, we will enjoy a dinner in our hotel. (Full breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Thistle Aberdeen Altens
Day 6 - Aberdeen – Scottish Highlands (Laggan)
Today’s drive takes us through classic Scottish landscapes along the valley of the River Dee. From here we drive past Ballater and along Royal Deeside then through the rugged Cairngorm Mountains to Speyside. This area around the River Spey in Moray, Badenoch and Strathspey is renowned for the production of some of the best-selling malt whiskies in the world. Next we head to our hotel in the heart of the Scottish Highlands where we enjoy a traditional Highlight Dinner including ‘piping in the haggis’! (Full breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Hotel: Macdonald Highland Resort
Day 7 - Scottish Highlands (Laggan) – Thurso (2 nights)
This morning we’re off to Culloden battlefield, scene of the 1746 defeat of the Stuarts. Then via Inverness we drive along the shores of Loch Ness before heading north to Dunrobin Castle, ancestral home of the Dukes of Sutherland. Time to stroll in the formal gardens before heading to our hotel in Thurso for dinner. (Full breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Royal (2 nights)
Day 8 - Orkney Islands Excursion
We board a ferry today, weather permitting, from John O’Groats to South Ronaldsay where we overlook Scapa Flow and visit the Italian Chapel. We move on to Scara Brae to see the remains of a Neolithic village before passing the pre-historic Ring of Brodgar to Viking Kirkwall. Late afternoon, we reboard our ferry back to the mainland and Thurso. (Full breakfast / Dinner)
Day 9 - Thurso – Isle of Skye
We enjoy a drive through stunning and unspoilt landscapes along the northern coastline with its sandy beaches. Then further inland to misty valleys and glens, lochs and rushing waters before our arrival in Ullapool on Loch Broom. More scenic wonders as we head to the Kyle of Lochalsh where we cross over the sea to Skye. (Full breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Tongadale
Day 10 - Isle of Skye – Eilean Donan Castle – Loch Ness – Ballachulish (2 nights)
We have some leisure time in Portree before driving past Eilean Donan castle, through Glen Sheil and along the shores of Loch Cluanie. Over the mountains to view Loch Garry on the way to Fort William glimpsing Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. Next to beautiful Ballachulish. (Full breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Ballachulish (2 nights)
Day 11 - Mull & Iona Excursion
After a short drive this morning we will board our ferry at Oban and cruise across the mouth of Loch Linnhe to Craignure on the Isle of Mull. This island is the fourth largest Scottish island with a population of 2,667 and the capital is the town of Tobermory. From here we drive to Fionnphort for a short sea crossing to the island of Iona. On arrival we visit the abbey before returning to Ballachulish. (Full breakfast / Dinner)
Day 12 - Ballachulish – Glasgow (2 nights)
Today we travel through stunning Glencoe, site of the infamous 1692 massacre and on via Tyndrum to the beautiful scenery of Loch Lomond. Here there’s time for a picture stop or maybe take a cruise on the Loch. Later we arrive in Glasgow for two nights. We enjoy an orientation tour of the largest Scottish city including George Square, the impressive City Chambers and a visit to St. Mungo’s Cathedral. Then time for leisure or shopping. (Full breakfast)
Hotel: Jurys Inn (2 nights)
Day 13 - Robert Burns Excursion
Today we head into Robbie Burns country to visit Culzean Castle and enjoy its beautiful grounds. Next on to Alloway to view the Burns Monument and Burns Cottage before returning to Glasgow. Tonight, we enjoy a Farewell Dinner together with our Tour Director. (Full breakfast / Farewell Dinner)
Day 14 - Glasgow – USA
Time to bid a fond farewell to Scotland and its isles and our Tour Director and new-found friends as our tour comes to an end. (Full Breakfast)
Highlights:
Edinburgh
North Berwick
Jedburgh
St. Andrews
Glamis Castle
Culloden
Dunrobin Castle
Orkney Islands
John O' Groats
South Ronaldsay
Scara Brae
Ullapool
Isle of Skye
Kyle of Lochalsh
Glencoe
Iona
Culzean Castle
Alloway
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Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252
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