Highlights and Islands of Scotland

Welcome to Scotland! Upon arrival at Edinburgh International Airport, you will make your own way to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure exploring the capital city of Scotland.


Overnight in Edinburgh

Today after breakfast, you will make your way to Edinburgh bus station as you escape from the city of Edinburgh and head straight for the Highlands. Your first stop of the day is in Trossachs National Park. Here, you can admire Scotlands scenic beauty and enjoy some local delicacies. Your driver-guide may regale you with tales from Scottish folklore as you travel through the mountainous landscapes of the Western Highlands to Oban. This port town was once the strategic heartland of great feuding clans but today, Oban is famous for seafood sourced fresh off the boats. It also boasts its distillery where you can sample whisky thats been perfected for 200 years. Here, you will have time to enjoy a dream and indulge in delicious local seafood for lunch. You then venture through Kilmartin Glen where you see standing stones and strongholds that are over 1,500 years old. At Kennacraig, you catch the evening ferry to Islay. The sail is around two hours; and if you peek out to the ocean, you may see the Paps of Jura. These mountains mark the way to Islay, Queen of the Hebrides. Once youve arrived on the island, you settle into your accommodation in Bowmore


Overnight in Bowmore



Check-in closes at 08:15 (tour departs at 08:30) - Edinburgh Bus Station Pick Up, Gate J and Gate K, inside Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ

Today you will start a captivating day of whisky exploration on Islay, you will have an ample amount of time for breakfast (not included) before you begin with a tour of Bowmore Distillery, one of Scotland's oldest, indulging in both the informative tour and a delightful whisky tasting. Next, your driver-guide takes you to Ardnahoe Distillery for a tour and a lunch of local treats. This modern distillery is the passion project of the Laings, a family who have loved whisky for generations. Today, you can admire their vision, craftsmanship and unique spirit. After trying local larder, you travel through the beautiful countryside to the third distillery of the day. On Thursday and Saturday, you visit Bruichladdich, the progressive distillery specializing in unpeated whisky. Thereafter you head back to Bowmore where you can either stumble back to your room for the night or relax and explore the village


Overnight in Bowmore

Today, you'll explore the southern side of the island, home to some of the most famous whiskies in all of Scotland: Laphroaig*, Lagavulin and Ardbeg. Start your journey at Ardbeg. You stay for a tour tasting and lunch at the restaurant, The restaurant here is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy fine Scottish produce as you sip upon delightful drams. Then you will visit Laphroaig. This 200-year-old whisky distiller is a favorite of the British royal family and bears the seal of the Prince of Wales to prove it. Throughout the day, your driver-guide takes you to historical spots such as the ruins of Kildalton church and Dunyvaig Castle. You can also stop at Lagavulin for some intensively flavored, rich and smoky whisky. Conclude your day by returning to Bowmore for the last evening in this Isle of Islay


Overnight in Bowmore



*Itinerary and distillery visits are subject to change.



 



*Itinerary and distillery visits are subject to change.

This morning, you will make your way to take the ferry back to the mainland and replace the intoxicating fumes of whisky with the replenishing fresh air of Scotlands West Highlands. Travel through coastal scenery to the beautiful village of Inveraray on the banks of Loch Fyne. The town is adorned with historic buildings, old boats and a great whisky shop. Here youll join a new bus for the continuation of your tour to Oban. Your guides will help you transfer your luggage and introduce you to your new guides. Once you arrive in Oban, you'll have a free evening to enjoy this bustling Highland town. You can absorb the atmosphere and visit the local pubs. Or, if you prefer to explore the area, hike uphill and admire the views from the most photographed structure in the west, McCaigs Tower. Built-in 1897 on instruction by a local banker, it resembles the Colosseum in Rome and provides magnificent vistas over the distant Firth of Lorne. You will stay in this glorious Highland town for two nights


Overnight in Oban

Today after breakfast, start your day early by crossing on the ferry to Mull for a chance to explore dramatic coastlines and wild beauty. You take the small ferry to Iona, the birthplace of Celtic Christianity and the ancient burial ground of Scottish Kings. Here you can visit the historic abbey with its intricate carved crosses in the churchyard or explore rocky headlands and sandy coves. Theres an opportunity to take a small boat for an optional trip to the island of Staffa and view the dramatic basalt columns immortalized by Mendelssohn in his Hebridean Overture \"Fingal's Cave\". You then return on the ferry to Oban for your second night


Overnight in Oban

In the morning after breakfast, you ramble north along the west coast around Appin, passing the impregnable Castle Stalker. Next, you head to the gorgeous Glencoe, one of the most famous natural landmarks in all of Scotland. This beautiful area boasts steep slopes and photogenic peaks. Your driver-guide may reveal to you the tragic tale thats haunted this valley for over 300 years. You then venture through Fort William and under the shadow of Ben Nevis, which at 1,344 meters is the highest mountain in the British Isles. We continue through the Great Glen, a natural fault in the earths crust that runs through Scotland. From here, you travel north to the picturesque fishing village of Plockton. Youre dropped off at your accommodation in the early evening. You may enjoy your evening at leisure exploring the picturesque village


Overnight in Plockton

Enjoy your breakfast. Today offers a high degree of flexibility on the Skye. There are many possibilities depending on the weather and your driver-guide will use their local knowledge to decide on the best day out for the group. You may ascend the Quiraing along Trotternish Ridge and be rewarded with spectacular views. Alternatively, you could drink in the scenery at Loch Corruisk or drive through the dramatic Red Cuillin to the little hamlet of Elgol. You will return to Plockton in the late afternoon for you to enjoy a free evening in the village


Overnight in Plockton

After breakfast, you'll be picked up for a short drive to Eilean Donan Castle. Then, you'll travel east for stunning views over Loch Duich and the Five Sisters of Kintail. Lunch at Loch Ness offers the chance to spot \"Nessie.\" Continuing on, you'll transfer to a new bus in Spean Bridge for the journey to Orkney, with guides helping with luggage and introductions. The trip north along the Great Glen ends in Inverness, where you'll be dropped off at your accommodation, leaving the evening free to explore the 'Capital of the Highlands'.


Overnight in Inverness

After breakfast, depart early from the 'Capital of the Highlands', crossing the Black Isle and passing Dunrobin Castle. Drive along the stunning northeast Highland coastline, reaching John o' Groats before boarding a ferry at Gills Bay to the Orkney Archipelago. Visit the iconic Italian Chapel and continue to Kirkwall, Orkney's Viking capital, where you can explore its historic streets and magnificent cathedral in the evening.


Overnight in Kirkwall

After breakfast, seize the day to explore the lush landscapes of this archipelago, bordered by golden sandy shores and embraced by the waters of the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Your itinerary includes visits to the ancient village of Skara Brae, the mystical stone circle at Brodgar, and the Druidic standing stones of Stenness. Pause in Stromness before continuing your journey to Maeshowe, where the Vikings etched one of the largest collections of Norse runic inscriptions in the 12th century. Conclude your day with a return to Kirkwall for a second night, certain to be filled with lasting memories.


Overnight in Kirkwall

After a hearty breakfast, you depart Orkney and sail back to the mainland through Viking waters. Following the old road across Scotland's northern tip, you pass by the striking Ben Loyal and Ben Hope mountains, scenic cliffs, and golden sand beaches. Exploring the remote northwest Highlands, you visit the mountainous Assynt region and the ancient ruins of Ardvreck Castle. Finally, you reach Ullapool, a picturesque fishing village on the shores of Loch Broom.


Overnight in Ullapool.

After a delicious breakfast, you leave Ullapool and marvel at the River Droma's dramatic plunge into Corrieshalloch Gorge. Passing by Loch Glascarnoch and Inverness, you can explore Culloden Moor, Clava Cairns, and the ancient Caledonian Pine Forest. Enjoy lunch amidst stunning scenery before journeying through Perthshire's Big Tree country and the Kingdom of Fife, ultimately returning to Edinburgh.


Overnight in Edinburgh.



Finishes (approx.)

19:00 - Edinburgh Bus Station Drop Off, Gate J and Gate K, Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ

Today after breakfast, you will make your own way to Edinburgh International Airport for your flight home.