Highlands & Isle of Skye

Depart Glasgow for Inverness travelling along Scotland’s West Coast and Loch Ness. Highlights of the day include Loch Lomond, dramatic Glencoe, a visit to Urquhart Castle and a cruise on Loch Ness in search of Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster.

Dinner/Overnight — Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness
Located just one mile from Inverness city centre and the River Ness the Kingsmills is set in four acres of carefully kept gardens and manicured lawns. All rooms feature luxurious ensuite  bathrooms with separate baths and showers, wi-fi, iPod docks, satellite television, goose-down quilts and cotton sheets. The hotel also has fully equipped leisure facilities and spa that guests can take advantage of during their stay.

Today a day trip to the Isle of Skye, one of Scotland’s most beautiful islands. First stop is Portree, capital of the island. You can enjoy some free time here, exploring the multicoloured harbour, or warming up by a real coal fire in a local pub. On our return to Inverness, you will visit Eilean Donan Castle.

Dinner/Overnight — Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness

Today we head to Perthshire via Culloden Moor, site of the 1746 Battle of Culloden. Before leaving Speyside, stop at Kincraig for an impressive display from the Working Sheepdogs. On arrival at your hotel, you will be welcomed with “wee dram!”

Dinner/Overnight — Doubletree by Hilton Dunblane Hydro
Located within 10 acres of landscaped grounds, the Victorian-style Doubletree by Hilton Dunblane Hydro Hotel offers breathtaking views of the Trossachs. The hotel features a leisure centre and stylish restaurant. LivingWell leisure club features an indoor swimming pool and fully-equipped gym. Guests can relax in the steam room, bubble pool, or sauna. The Kailyard by Nick Nairn Restaurant serves traditional Scottish cuisine in elegant surroundings. Guests can enjoy fresh coffees and drinks in the 2 lounges, and there is also a cocktail bar. The luxury rooms each have a 32-inch LED TV. All rooms feature a designer bed and WiFi access, and some have wonderful views of the Perthshire countryside.

Enroute you will stop for a distillery visit at Kingsbarns Distillery. This tour is the perfect introduction to Scotch whisky. You will visit the exhibition space, go on a guided tour of the distillery, and then be led up to one of the tasting rooms for some sampling.  A shop and café await you at the end of the tour.  After the distillery tour, we will travel to St. Andrews, home of Scotland’s oldest university and capital of golf. Leaving St. Andrews, we head to Falkland to visit the village and the Palace, built by King James V in 1539. It became a favourite retreat of the Stuart Dynasty including Mary Queen of Scots.
Return to Intercontinental Edinburgh The George Hotel for 5:00pm. Tour ends.