Overview

A first class eight day leisurely tour highlighting the best of Scotland

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

Day 1 Saturday
Arrive Glasgow
Arrive at Glasgow Airport, meet your coach and guide and depart for a Panoramic city tour of Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland. Here the legacy of centuries of wealth and achievement comes vividly to life in an architectural heritage recognized and celebrated worldwide. Check into your hotel where you will enjoy a welcome drink.
Overnight - Menzies Hotel, Glasgow

Day 2 Sunday
Stirling and the Trossachs Depart for a day trip to Stirling and the Trossachs. Stirling, the ancient capital of Scotland, lies at the heart of the nation's history - its strategic position being recognised by many a friend and foe. The new town offers superb shopping options with many pubs, restaurants and cafes. You will visit Stirling Castle magnificent both in its situation and in its architecture. Of outstanding interest are the Great Hall and the Gatehouse of James IV, the wonderful palace of James V, the Chapel Royal remodelled by James VI, and the artillery fortifications of the 16th and 18th centuries. The castle was a favourite royal residence and the birthplace of James II in 1430. Continue through the Trossachs area, home to the Scottish legend Rob Roy, to Callander, where you will have some time to explore the town. You will have the chance to visit the Kilmahog Woollen Mill, a 250 year old mill from Scotland's textile and industrial heritage. Along with the textiles heritage you will find a wonderful selection of the most up to date Scottish knitwear, fashions and textiles.
Dinner/Overnight - Menzies Hotel, Glasgow

Day 3 Monday
Glasgow, West Coast, Loch Ness and Inverness
Depart Glasgow for Inverness Area travelling via the West Coast and Loch Ness. You will enjoy a short stop at Loch Lomond, the largest stretch of inland water in Britain, and framed by lovely mountain scenery. You will also drive through Glencoe, the dramatic and historic glen (valley), scene of the 1692 massacre of part of the MacDonald clan by soldiers of King William. Its steep sided mountains offer superb walking and climbing. Your journey will continue via Loch Ness a striking 38.5 km long loch in the Great Glen (Southwest of Inverness) and forms part of the Caledonian Canal, which links Inverness with Fort William. Famous worldwide for its mysterious inhabitant, the Loch Ness Monster, it is also ideal for cruising and sailing. On the banks of the loch you will visit Urquhart Castle, one of the largest castles in Scotland which fell into decay after 1689 and was blown up in 1692 to prevent it being occupied by Jacobites. Most of the existing remains date from the 16th century and include a tower.
Dinner/Overnight - Palace Hotel and Spa, Inverness

Day 4 Tuesday
Isle of Skye
Depart Inverness Area for a day trip to the Isle of Skye, one of the most beautiful and romantic islands in the Scottish Highlands. You will enjoy a photostop at Eilean Donan Castle, which stands on an islet connected by a causeway in Loch Duich. This picturesque and inhabited castle dates back to 1214 and has been the setting for many adverts and movies, such as Highlander. In 1719, it was garrisoned by Jacobites troops and was blown up by the English. Now completely restored it displays fine furniture and paintings. You will cross the new Skye Bridge to the Isle of Skye. Continue your journey northwards through the imposing Cuillin Hills to the small fishing town of Portree, before returning to Inverness.
Overnight - Palace Hotel and Spa, Inverness

Day 5 Wednesday
Culloden, Speyside & Perthshire
Today you will depart Inverness for Perthshire. You will visit Culloden Moor, the site of the battle on 16 April 1746, when the forces of Bonnie Prince Charlie were defeated by English government army. You visit the new visitor centre, which includes an exciting, interpretive exhibition. Included within the exhibition is the battle immersion theatre where you'll be able to experience first hand what it was like to be in the middle of the action at Culloden. Continue to Speyside, which is famous for its whisky distilleries. You will visit Glenlivet Distillery (or similar) where you will tour the distillery and bottling hall after an audio-visual introduction. Before you leave, you will have the opportunity to taste a sample.
Dinner/Overnight - Dunblane Hydro, Perthshire

Day 6 Thursday
Perthshire, St Andrews, and Edinburgh
Depart Perthshire for Edinburgh via the Kingdom of Fife. You will visit St Andrews, the home of the oldest university in Scotland and capital of golf with its famous and prestigious Old Course. You will have time to explore this charming picturesque royal burgh which retains many important and historical sites. It has also preserved the medieval layout of it's town centre including an intricate network of streets and lanes around the university. Today St. Andrews is a vibrant place of social history, culture and entertainment, with a theatre, museums and a wide range of restaurants. You can also visit St. Andrew's Castle, where many evil deeds took place during the reformation, or St. Andrew's Cathedral, which was built in the early 12th century. Continue to Edinburgh, where you will have some free time to familiarize yourself with the capital city of Scotland.
Overnight - Roxburghe Hotel, Edinburgh

Day 7 Friday
Edinburgh
Depart for a Panoramic city tour of Edinburgh where you will appreciate the contrast between the 18th century Georgian "New Town" with its wide, tree lined streets and elegant squares and the medieval "Old Town". The Royal Mile is the backbone of the old quarter, running from the Palace of Holyrood House to Edinburgh Castle. You will visit Edinburgh Castle, one of the most famous castles in the world, housing the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny. You can also visit the private apartments of Mary Stuart; St Margaret's Chapel, the oldest building in the city which dates back to the 11th century and the 15th century gun Mons Meg. The rest of the day is free for your leisure. This evening you will attend a traditional Scottish Evening which is sure to be a highlight of the tour.
Dinner/Overnight - Roxburghe Hotel, Edinburgh

Day 8 Saturday
Tour Ends. Transfer from Edinburgh to Glasgow Airport for your return flight home.

Airport Transfers included for passengers booking flights with Royal Scottish Tours in conjunction with this tour.

Dates and Prices