Scotland's Highlands, Islands and Cities

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OVERVIEW
This unforgettable trip through the Scottish Highlands travels into the far-reaches of Scotland’s rugged countryside. Keep your eyes peeled for Nessie, delve into the history of the kings and warriors and join the Wood family for a ceilidh and lunch in the ‘presence’ of Rob Roy.
EXPERIENCES
Edinburgh: Explore the city with your Local Specialist as you travel along Princes Street to see the Scott Memorial, the neoclassical Adam facades of New Town and the official Scottish residence of the King, Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Eilean Donan: Stop for a photo of this gorgeous castle.

Glamis: Visit Glamis Castle, and appreciate the building's illustrious history and picturesque setting.

Glasgow: See the grand public buildings of Glasgow, including George Square.

Glencoe: Drive through this Highland village on Loch Leven.

Glenfinnan Viaduct: See the Glenfinnan Viaduct, along which the Hogwart's Express once crossed in the Harry Potter series.

Golspie: Explore the grand castle and admire its magnificent gardens during your visit of Dunrobin Castle.

Inverness: At the exciting Culloden Visitor Centre, discover why the Battle of Culloden lasted only an hour yet changed the Highland way of life forever.

Isle of Mull: Explore the Scottish Highlands in depth as you travel to the Isles of Mull and Iona. Visit the Reilig Odhrain, sacred burial ground of 48 Scottish Kings.

Jedburgh: See the impressive 12th-century Jedburgh Abbey that dominates the centre of town.

Melrose: View the historic ruins of Melrose Abbey and appreciate its many carved decorative details.

Orkney Islands: Cruise to the windswept Orkney Islands. Come face-to-face with relics spanning human history, from pagan stone circles to reminders of wartime tragedy.

Scottish Highlands: Admire picturesque lochs and glens as you travel through the Scottish Highlands.

St. Andrews: Visit the university town where the famous beach scene from 'Chariots of Fire' was filmed and see the golf course where the sport was created.

Stirling: Visit Stirling and see its castle, once the seat of Scottish royalty.
DEPARTURE DATES AND PRICES
Tour
Departs		 Tour
Returns		 Starting From
(price per person)		 Definite Departure
What's this?		 Book Now!
07/07/2025 19/07/2025 £3,630 Book
21/07/2025 02/08/2025 £3,630 Book
28/07/2025 09/08/2025 £3,630 Book
04/08/2025 16/08/2025 £4,475 Book
30/08/2025 11/09/2025 £4,025 Book
01/09/2025 13/09/2025 £3,542 Book
06/09/2025 18/09/2025 £3,950 Book
04/10/2025 16/10/2025 £3,675 Book
27/04/2026 09/05/2026 £3,847 Book
04/05/2026 16/05/2026 £3,847 Book
11/05/2026 23/05/2026 £3,847 Book
18/05/2026 30/05/2026 £3,847 Book
25/05/2026 06/06/2026 £3,847 Book
01/06/2026 13/06/2026 £3,892 Book
08/06/2026 20/06/2026 £3,892 Book
15/06/2026 27/06/2026 £3,892 Book
22/06/2026 04/07/2026 £3,982 Book
06/07/2026 18/07/2026 £3,982 Book
13/07/2026 25/07/2026 £3,982 Book
20/07/2026 01/08/2026 £3,982 Book
27/07/2026 08/08/2026 £3,982 Book
01/08/2026 13/08/2026 £4,315 Book
03/08/2026 15/08/2026 £4,315 Book
08/08/2026 20/08/2026 £4,315 Book
10/08/2026 22/08/2026 £4,315 Book
15/08/2026 27/08/2026 £4,315 Book
17/08/2026 29/08/2026 £4,315 Book
24/08/2026 05/09/2026 £4,185 Book
31/08/2026 12/09/2026 £3,892 Book
05/09/2026 17/09/2026 £3,825 Book
12/09/2026 24/09/2026 £3,825 Book
19/09/2026 01/10/2026 £3,825 Book
26/09/2026 08/10/2026 £3,712 Book
28/09/2026 10/10/2026 £3,667 Book
03/10/2026 15/10/2026 £3,555 Book
ACCOMMODATION
DAY 1: Voco Haymarket, Novotel Centre, Delta by Marriott - Meals: Dinner
DAY 10: Royal - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 11: Leonardo Royal Glasgow, Hilton Garden Inn City Centre - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 12: Leonardo Royal Glasgow, Hilton Garden Inn City Centre - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 2: Voco Haymarket, Novotel Centre, Delta by Marriott - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3: Voco Haymarket, Novotel Centre, Delta by Marriott - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4: Apex City Quay, Leonardo Aberdeen - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5: Columba - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6: Pentland - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7: Pentland - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8: Kings Arms - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9: Royal - Meals: Breakfast
WHAT'S INCLUDED
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • Ferry from the Isle of Skye to Mallaig
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • Must-see sightseeing
  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised
  • Optional Experiences and free time
  • Return ferry to the Isle of Mull and Iona
  • Return ferry to the Orkney Isles
ITINERARY

Embrace the allure of Auld Reekie and explore its labyrinthine lanes, before joining your fellow travellers and Travel Director for dinner to kick-start your tour through an unimaginably beautiful part of the world.

Let your Local Specialist take you on an informative sightseeing tour of Edinburgh. See the regal Palace of Holyroodhouse, the new Scottish Parliament Building and the Royal Mile, delving into the heart of the city, before visiting Edinburgh Castle, perched atop Castle Rock. Stroll through the grand New Town with its Gothic façades enjoying the rest of the day at leisure. Tickets to The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that align with performance dates.

A scenic day's excursion brings you to the ruins of the 12th-century Augustinian Jedburgh Abbey, which you will have an opportunity to view. Continue to nearby Melrose Abbey, said to be the final resting place of the embalmed heart of Robert the Bruce. Take the scenic route back to Edinburgh this afternoon, following the lush green landscapes along the Tweed River.

This morning, cross the Firth of Forth to the celebrated home of golf - St. Andrews, to view its ancient university and famous golf course. Shakespeare's Macbeth takes centre stage as you visit Glamis Castle, once the home of the beloved Queen Mother and birthplace of Princess Margaret. Enjoy a guided tour of the castle and explore its beautiful gardens, before travelling to the waterfront city of Dundee, distinguished for its status as the first UNESCO City of Design, and the original home of marmalade.

Today, wind your way to the tragic battlefield and Visitor Centre at Culloden, past rugged landscapes and the imposing Cairngorms Mountains. Visit the site where Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite army was defeated. Your final stop for the night is Inverness, the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands.

The mystical haunt of Nessie is your first stop today en route to Dunrobin Castle. This stately home and its magnificent gardens, inspired by the Palace of Versailles, comes straight from the pages of a fairy tale. Spend your afternoon exploring its château-like structure and surrounds, once home to the Clan Sutherland. Dive Into Culture and learn about the local whisky industry at a distillery, including a tasting of Scotland's much-loved golden nectar. Arriving in Thurso, your home for the next two nights, enjoy dinner at your hotel.

After stopping at John o' Groats, board a ferry to South Ronaldsay in the Orkney Islands. Visit the ornate Italian Chapel, built by Italian prisoners of war. See the prehistoric free-standing stones of the Ring of Brodgar before visiting Skara Brae and delving into the stories of the Neolithic village. Stop at beautiful Kirkwall Cathedral for a photo opportunity before returning to your hotel for dinner.

Dramatic landscapes accompany your scenic drive along the rugged north-west coastline of the Scottish Highlands to remote Ullapool on the shores of Loch Broom. Journey to Eilean Donan Castle, built in the 13th century, perched on a tiny island, where three sea lochs meet, then continue to the Isle of Skye where you'll stay overnight and enjoy a delicious dinner in your hotel.

Upon return to the mainland, follow a beautiful route that takes you past the Glenfinnan Viaduct which Harry Potter's Hogwarts Express once crossed to his beloved school of magic. Pass Fort William on the shores of Loch Linnhe, renowned as the gateway to Ben Nevis, before continuing to Oban, your Highland home for the next two nights.

Set sail from Oban to the Isle of Mull, disembarking at Craignure. Cross the pretty island countryside to catch a ferry from Fionnphort to the island of Iona, which was once the home of a Gaelic monastic community in Iona Abbey. Before your journey back to Oban, you'll have the chance to view Rèilig Odhrain, the final resting place of many Scottish kings.

The beauty of Glencoe, scarred by the story of the MacDonald clan massacre, sets a dramatic scene en route from Oban to Glasgow. Visit St Mungo's Cathedral, a holy sacred place with deep historical significance the city of Glasgow is built upon. After an orientation of the city with your Travel Director, find a bite to eat for lunch with some free time. You may wish to take part in an Optional Experience to visit the towering Kelpies and the remarkable Falkirk Wheel. Later, enjoy a specially selected Optional Experience with your Travel Director—whether it’s an evening of Highland flair with dinner, bagpipes and a Highland dancer at The Corinthian, or a more relaxed night out featuring hearty food and a dram or two.

Venture to Bannockburn, where King Robert Bruce of Scotland defeated Edward II of England during the First War of Scottish Independence. Mary, Queen of Scots and several Scottish kings and queens have made Stirling Castle their home over the centuries. Enjoy a visit to its grounds and delve into the history of this royal residence and fortress, besieged by Bonnie Prince Charlie in the 18th century. Visit the Royal Palace of King James V and view the renowned Stirling Heads. Later, we Connect With Locals, joining the Wood family this afternoon for a memorable Be My Guest experience at their 15th-century farm, on the shores of Loch Ard, amidst tales of Rob Roy. In the afternoon, return to Glasgow. Join an expert guide to unlock Glasgow’s stories through its vibrant murals on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience before the rest of the evening is yours to explore or relax in this vibrant city.

Our epic journey across Scotland’s highlands, islands and cities has come to an end. It’s time to say a fond farewell to our travel companions and Travel Director as our memorable holiday comes to an end.
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