Scotland

Highlands Tour Itinerary

Day One
After landing in Manchester, we take the road North towards Edinburgh where we will be spending our first night. Our first stop is 20 minutes just outside of Edinburgh to visit the exquisite Rosslyn Chapel, whose enigmatic carvings, from the Green Man to the famous Apprentice Pillar, are steeped in stories of the Knights Templar and the Holy Grail. It's also garnered recent fame for it's mention in the popular Da Vinci Code. Leaving Rosslyn we make our final leg of the journey to Edinburgh's City Centre. Time permitting, there is a tour of Edinburgh Castle, and the traditional cannon blast to mark the 1 o'clock hour. After our Hotel check-in, we can ready ourselves for a night in Edinburgh, dinner and a late night mystery tour of the old town.

Day Two
We will be heading north towards Stirling Castle, Campbell Country and Rob Roy MacGregor Territory. After a quick stop at the William Wallace Monument we're heading West and onto Glen Coe with its spectacular landscapes. Our overnight stay is in the Central Highlands, where after dinner we'll spend some time listening to an Original Scots & Irish Folk band. 

Day Three
We're onto Fort William set in the shadow of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain. Passing through the deep glens and rugged coastline of the Western Highlands – a mountainous landscape made famous in the films Rob Roy and Braveheart. Passing the Glenfinnan Monument & Loch Shiel, we'll take the ‘Road to the Isles’ to the town of Mallaig to catch the ferry for our 30 minute crossing to the Isle of Skye. Continuing up the coast, we'll be staying the night at a traditional Coaching Inn in the Highlands. After dinner we'll settle in for a relaxing evening in the picturesque harbor town of Portree.

Day Four
We explore the ‘Misty Isle of Skye’ starting with a visit to Dunvegan Castle, home of the famous Fairy Flag and the ancient seat of the MacLeod clan. Then we take the road passing through an enchanted country of waterfalls, dazzling seascapes and fascinating rock formations like the Old Man of Storr. As we leave Skye for the mainland, we cross the breathtaking Skye Bridge. Then into the mountains guarding the pass on the way to the magnificent Five Sisters of Kintail, with a stop at Eilean Donan, known as the most romantic castle in Scotland. Then it's off to the central highlands and the Inverness area. We'll travel along the Caledonian Canal and the shores of Loch Lochy and Loch Ness. Time permitting we might try a stop at the nearby Clava Cairns, then settle in for an overnight stay in Inverness. That evening will be well spent with a trip to "Hootanany's" for some local music.

Day Five
It’s up early this morning, as we're heading to the far north through the heather-clad hills of Caithness, where we set forth on an unforgettable voyage to the Orkney Islands. The sun never really sets at this time of year and there is a glow over the land. The pace of life here is slow and the 21st century seems non-existent in a landscape still alive with the presence of the Old Ones. Since the Stone Age, Picts, Vikings, Celts and the modern-day Scots have left their signatures on Orkney in some of the richest archeological sites in the world.

After arriving in Stromness we'll meet with our guide, archeologist Caz Mamwell, an expert on local folklore, who will show us the perfectly preserved stone village of Skara Brae and The Ring of Brodgar, a hillside of stone rows once used ceremonially by a long-vanished. Next we're on to the extraordinary ritual landscapes of Maes Howe, a beautiful chambered mound with ancient carvings. These are the best-preserved Neolithic chambered cairns in the British Isles. Tonight, we relax in our comfortable hotel  in Stromness on Scotland’s most northerly shore.   

Day Six
We bid farewell to Orkney and head south back to the Inverness area and a boat tour of Loch Ness with a visit to Urquhart Castle, which dates back to the 12 century and was originally built to guard the route through the glen! Then a visit to the ruins of Invergarry Castle, adjacent to the castle is the Glengarry Castle Hotel. Since 1958 it has been a comfortable country house hotel with a jewel of a setting...on the shores of Loch Oich which lies between Loch Ness and Loch Lochy in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. After resting, we may enjoy a good old-fashioned Scottish afternoon tea, as they are a daily highlight.
The hotel enjoys a deserved reputation for Highland hospitality. The building is Victorian with detailing such as a pine-paneled reception hall and the library and lounge where mellow oil paintings reflect the glow of a welcoming log fire.

Day Seven
As we wind our way back to England, we take the opportunity to drive through Glasgow and then onto Dumfries to spend the night. This allows us to see Glasgow, the Scottish borders, Caerlaverock Castle, Sweetheart Abbey, Thornhill, and Drumlanrig Castle and Gardens. We'll be staying overnight in Dumfries.

Day Eight
Heading south into England, towards Manchester for our last evenings stay. We'll spend our last evening in the UK visiting some of the local sites.

Day Nine
An early morning wake-up, and final shuttle to the airport. Our journey comes full circle as we bid fond farewells to the Highlands.