Scenic Scotland, a Women-Only Tour
Scenic Scotland, a Women-Only Tour
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Scenic Scotland, a Women-Only Tour" and immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes and rich history of Scotland. This unique journey begins in Glasgow, where you'll explore grand public buildings and enjoy authentic Scottish dining. Discover the majestic Stirling Castle and the serene beauty of Loch Lomond. Experience the enchanting Isles of Mull and Iona, and delve into the art of whisky making in the Scottish Highlands. In Inverness, learn about rewilding efforts at the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre. Conclude your adventure in Edinburgh, where you'll explore iconic landmarks like Edinburgh Castle and enjoy a bespoke handbag workshop. This tour not only offers cultural and historical insights but also supports sustainable practices, making it a meaningful travel experience. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Glasgow
Location: Glasgow
Accommodation: Voco Grand Central
Accommodation Name: Voco Grand Central, Glasgow
Meals Included: Dinner
Glasgow, the undisputed capital of Scottish culture, offers endless opportunities for the curious traveller. As Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow boasts more than 20 museums and art galleries that may tempt you upon arrival. After you meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers, celebrate your first night of your Scotland women-only tour over dinner.
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Day 2: Glasgow Sightseeing Relaxed Start
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Accommodation: Voco Grand Central
Accommodation Name: Voco Grand Central, Glasgow
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Embark on an orientation drive with your Travel Director who reveals Glasgow’s grand public buildings including George Square and St. Mungo’s Cathedral. The morning continues with a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Ardgowan House where Sir Ludovic Shaw Stewart welcomes you to his family castle set on a 10,000-acre coastal estate. Not only will you dine with a Baronet, your host will even be involved in the food preparation. Work up an appetite walking amid the beech trees while learning about the Shaw Stewart family. Then return to the castle for a sumptuous afternoon tea of finger sandwiches made with locally sourced ingredients, freshly baked scones, cream, jam and cakes.
Day 3: Travel On To Glencoe Relaxed Start
Location: Glencoe
Accommodation: Hotel, Ballachulish Glencoe. Isle of Glencoe & Leisure Centre.
Accommodation Name: Ballachulish, Glencoe, Isle of Glencoe Hotel & Leisure Centre
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Centuries old history and a massive structure rising above the River Forth – Stirling Castle, a symbol of Scottish national pride and once home to Scottish royals including Mary, Queen of Scots, awaits your discovery. Explore its halls, chapels and bedrooms, see the famous 'Stirling Heads' and admire the poignant Wallace Monument and battlefield of Stirling Bridge from its 16th-century walls. After a morning exploring the lives of royals, arrive in scenic Scotland’s Loch Lomond for an Optional Cruise and Lunch on the ‘Queen of Scottish Lochs’ according to historian and novelist Sir Walter Scott. The evening finds you in Glencoe, a village located on the banks of Loch Leven.
Day 4: Isle Of Mull
Location: Isle of Mull
Accommodation: Ballachulish Hotel, Glencoe., Isle of Glencoe Hotel & Leisure Centre.
Accommodation Name: Ballachulish, Glencoe, Isle of Glencoe Hotel & Leisure Centre
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Scenic Scotland conjures up images of green highlands and wind-whipped seas. Encounter them for yourself today on a ferry from Oban to Craignure, the main ferry port on the Isle of Mull, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Then make your way to the Isle of Iona for a visit to Iona Abbey. Your curiosity will be piqued on this tiny island that has been a vibrant centre of Christian worship. It’s even rumoured that the Book of Kells was made at Iona Abbey. Before returning to the mainland, view Rèilig Odhrain, the final resting place of many Scottish kings.
Day 5: To The Highland Capital Of Inverness Relaxed Start
Location: Inverness
Accommodation: Dornoch Station Hotel, Pentahotel Inverness.
Accommodation Name: Dornoch Station Hotel, Hotel B&B, Inverness
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Take your Scotland tour to a deeper level at a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in Dundreggan, home to a pristine and fragile ecosystem, at Dundreggan Rewilding Centre. Meet a conservation expert to learn about the ecology of the Highlands and the connection between nature and regenerating the Gaelic cultural heritage. After an illuminating morning, the afternoon finds you tailoring your time with an Insight Choice between a relaxing Loch Ness Cruise and a tour of Glen Ord Distillery.
Day 6: Blair Castle And Edinburgh
Location: Edinburgh
Accommodation: Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
Accommodation Name: Virgin, Edinburgh
Meals Included: Breakfast
Blair Castle is a treasure trove of history and fine 18th-century interiors. Join an Optional Experience to learn about its seven centuries as home to the Atholl family, through both turbulent and peaceful times. Even the gardens surrounding Blair Castle, featuring a nine-acre walled garden, wooded grove, gothic folly, kirk ruin and extensive deer park, will have you slowing your pace and reflecting on the castle’s past. Continue to Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city, where you could opt to experience the best of Scottish tradition at Ghillie Dhu Georgian hall for Scottish dining, live music and Ceilidhs, traditional Scottish Barn Dances.
Day 7: Edinburgh Castle And Orientation
Location: Edinburgh
Accommodation: Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
Accommodation Name: Virgin, Edinburgh
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Edinburgh offers endless possibilities for the curious traveller. Discover the sights and insights of the city with your Local Expert as you travel along Princes Street to see the ornate Scott Memorial, the neoclassical Georgian facades of New Town, and the official Scottish residence of the King, Palace of Holyroodhouse, in the Old Town. Your Local Expert then guides you inside the walls of Edinburgh Castle for sights and insights into the lives of the royals. Discover the local arts and culture over an Islander Edinburgh Handbag Workshop, making your own handbag. Before dinner enjoy a demonstration and bagpipe playing workshop by Louise the Piper, who piped for the Prince and Princess of Wales. To complete your Scotland trip, dine on an unforgettable dinner joined by sheepdog herding champion Julie Hill.
Day 8: Depart Edinburgh
Location: Edinburgh
Meals Included: Breakfast
It’s time to close the chapter on a memorable Scotland tour. We bid our newfound friends and Travel Director a fond farewell.
What's Included
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Choice Highlights
Choose between two carefully selected activities, including a Loch Ness cruise and a visit to a Scottish whisky distillery.
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Top Rated Highlights
Explore Glasgow, the Isle of Mull, and Edinburgh with guided tours and visits to historic sites like Iona Abbey and Edinburgh Castle.
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Make Travel Matter Experiences
Participate in sustainable tourism experiences at Ardgowan House and Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, supporting local communities and conservation efforts.
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Transport
Transfers are available at scheduled times if your flights align with the itinerary start and end dates.
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Personal Radio Headsets
Enjoy the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights without missing any commentary from your Local Expert.
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Complimentary Wi-Fi
Stay connected with complimentary Wi-Fi on the coach and in hotels where available.
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Baggage Handling
Your bags are carried for you and promptly delivered to your hotel door.
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Hotel and Restaurant Tips
All tips, taxes, and porterage charges at hotels are included.
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Well-being Measures
Travel in comfort with Insight's luxury, air-conditioned coach, equipped with hand sanitizer and maintained to high standards.
What's Not Included
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International Airfare
Flights to and from the tour start and end points are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended for all travelers but is not included in the tour package.
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Some Meals
Not all meals are covered.
Some dinners and lunches are to be purchased separately, offering the chance to explore local eateries. -
Optional Activities
Some activities mentioned are optional and may incur additional costs.
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Personal Expenses
Expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, and additional snacks or beverages are not included.
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Airport Transfers Outside Scheduled Times
If your flights are outside the itinerary start and end dates, transfers are not included and may require an additional fee or independent arrangement.
Mode of Transport
If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport. ...more ...less
Accommodation
From time to time, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.
Dining Summary
5 Dinner (D)7 Breakfast (B)1 Lunch (L)
Additional Included Highlights
If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised. ...more ...less
Insight Experiences
Stirling Castle: Delve into the insights of Stirling Castle, one of the largest and most important castles in Scotland dating back to the 13th century. Learn how the castle has endured eight sieges and has witnessed the crowning of Scottish Kings and Queens including Mary Queen of Scots.
Well-being
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxury, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with onboard washroom. Alternate vehicles without onboard washroom or 40 seats may be used on occasion. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches. ?Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day. ...more ...less
Women-Only
Edinburgh: Get up close and personal with the culture and crafts of Scotland over an Islander Edinburgh Handbag Workshop, creating your very own Islander Harris Tweed® Handbag. Embrace the spirit of Scotland step–by–step as you select the body colour of the bag, your favourite Harris Tweed® cloth lid and decorative strap. Once you’ve chosen the different components, construct your bag with a set of tools prepared for you. Take a piece of Edinburgh home with you in your very own bespoke Harris Tweed® Islander Handbag.Edinburgh: Full of curiosities, the world of sheepdog training will inspire the mind of any curious traveller. Meet Julie Hill, the first and only woman to have won the Supreme International Sheepdog Championships. Over dinner, learn how Julie trains Border Collies in some of the remotest and most rugged hill terrain in the UK, single-handedly tending to sheep that graze over 600 acres.Edinburgh: Meet Louise, Piper to the Lord Provost of Edinburgh since 2006. Louise has played for Queen Elizabeth II and the Pope, and many celebrities to events. She has performed on ITV This Morning, the Olympics, and even provided a bagpipe lesson to legendary Queen guitarist Dr. Brian May. Celebrate the heritage and sounds of Scotland over a demonstration and bagpipe workshop from "Scotland's National Piper." ...more ...less
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experiences are included in the Scenic Scotland tour?
The tour includes a variety of unique experiences such as a visit to Ardgowan House where you will be hosted by Sir Ludovic Shaw Stewart for a traditional Scottish tea, a rewilding experience at Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, and a workshop to create your own Islander Harris Tweed® Handbag in Edinburgh. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to learn about sheepdog training from Julie Hill and enjoy a bagpipe workshop with Louise, Scotland's National Piper. ...more ...less
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What activities are available on the Isle of Mull during the tour?
On the Isle of Mull, the tour includes a visit to Iona Abbey, a historic center of Christian worship, and a chance to view Rèilig Odhrain, the burial ground of many Scottish kings.
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What are the dining experiences like on this tour?
The tour offers a variety of dining experiences including a traditional Scottish tea at Ardgowan House, a dinner of modern Scottish cuisine in Edinburgh, and a culinary journey in Glasgow's vibrant city center. Additionally, there is an opportunity to dine with a Baronet at Ardgowan House. ...more ...less
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What is the focus of the Make Travel Matter experiences on this tour?
The Make Travel Matter experiences focus on sustainability and conservation. At Ardgowan House, the experience supports local sustainability initiatives and renewable projects. At Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, the focus is on reintroducing native tree and animal species to safeguard the local ecosystem. ...more ...less
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What options are available for exploring Loch Ness?
During the tour, you have the option to either enjoy a relaxing cruise on Loch Ness, where you can soak up the scenery and hear tales of Nessie, or visit Glen Ord Distillery to learn about Scottish whisky production.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Scenic Scotland, a Women-Only Tour
8 Days Starting in Glasgow, United Kingdom and ending in Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Visiting: Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, Glencoe, Isle of Mull, Inverness, Edinburgh
Tour operator:
Tour code:
XBSCOM20
Specialist Group:
Women Only
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
12 - 24
Age range:
5-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians