Scenic Scotia

Welcome to Scotland! Meet your tour guide at your designated pickup point before undertaking a panoramic tour of Glasgow. You will see Glasgow's highlights including red sandstone Victorian buildings, delightful parks, and the River Clyde, once important for shipbuilding.  We will visit Glasgow Cathedral, one of Scotland's most magnificent medieval buildings, Glasgow Cathedral is the only one on the Scottish mainland to survive the Reformation of 1560 intact. There will also be time to visit the extensive and varied art collections in Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Afterward we check into our hotel where we spend our first two nights.

Dinner/Overnight — Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow or similar
 

Depart for Rabbie Burns Country, where the first stop of the day is Burns National Heritage Park. The museum is the focal point of this beautifully landscaped park where visitors can cross the Brig o’Doon and visit the poet’s birthplace. 
Later, continue to Culzean Castle in Ayrshire. Culzean is surrounded by surging seas, lush forests, and secret gardens.

Overnight — Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow or similar

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 multi-coloured 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. Continue onto Perthshire, where on arrival at your hotel, you will be welcomed with “wee dram!”

Dinner/Overnight — Hotel Indigo Dundee, Dundee
Poised between Dundee’s waterfront and the heart of its shopping district, Hotel Indigo® Dundee reflects the fascinating heritage of this proud city. Indeed, a stay at this iconic hotel invites you to become part of a story spanning nearly 200 years! We also offer a fully-equipped gym, as well as a bar and a restaurant, perfect for experiencing Scotland’s finest produce and handcrafted bespoke cocktails, wines and coffees.

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.

Overnight — InterContinental Edinburgh The George
The InterContinental Edinburgh The George has been welcoming hotel guests since 1881. At its heart are five listed Georgian townhouses, built in 1775 as homes for Edinburgh’s most  prosperous citizens.  Winner of Luxury Brand Hotel of the Year at the 2019 Scottish Hotel Awards, The InterContinental Edinburgh The George is an ideal base from which to explore the city. The sensitive, multi-million-pound restoration and refurbishment combines luxurious natural materials such as oak, marble and leather with a palette of colours inspired by the great 19th-century Scottish landscape painters. The Printing Press Bar & Kitchen was once home to acclaimed novelist Susan Ferrier whilst Burr & Co. is a lovely coffee shop with a devoted local  following. The hotel also has a newly equipped gym.

After an early breakfast in the hotel, you will enjoy an exclusive, pre-opening tour of Edinburgh Castle. You will then enjoy a panoramic city tour of Edinburgh which features the “New” and the “Old” towns. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore the city further. Tonight, you will attend the Spirit of Scotland Show, an evening of traditional entertainment and dinner at The Royal College of Surgeons.

Dinner/Overnight — InterContinental Edinburgh The George

Meet your driver at Edinburgh airport and travel to Inverness where you meet your Tour Manager, to begin this exciting journey along Scotland’s wild north coast and Islands. We enjoy a walking tour of Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, after you have free time to explore, be sure to visit the Victorian Market and meander along the River Ness path. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner.

Dinner/ Overnight – Columba Hotel or Highland Hotel, Inverness  

Today we start along the NC500! We travel along the Pictish Trail, as we make our way to our first stop, Royal Dornoch, here you will have free time to meander through the village and explore the Cathedral. Next, we visit Dunrobin Castle, Scotland’s most northernly great house dating back to the early 1300s, home to the Earls and later, the Dukes of Sutherland. You will have the opportunity to enjoy the falconry demonstration set in the formal gardens.  Later we arrive in Wick, where we spend the next 2 nights.

Dinner/ Overnight – Mackays Hotel, Wick

A day spent discovering the Orkney Islands. We sail from John O’ Groates, crossing the Pentland Firth for a fascinating day exploring Orkney. Here we hop across the Churchill barriers, visiting 5 Orkney Islands, experiencing all the main attractions, the Italian Chapel, Ring of Brodgar, Scapa Flow, Skara Brae, and Kirkwall. A simply outstanding day! Tonight, we enjoy Scottish entertainment at our hotel.

Dinner/ Overnight – Mackays Hotel, Wick

This morning, we explore the North Coast, our first stop is one of the most northern distilleries on the mainland, for a tour and tasting! We continue, taking in the wild and rugged landscape, stopping to take in the dramatic scenery and sandy deserted beaches. We stop in Durness to visit Smoo Caves, for those who feel energetic, you can walk down to see inside this spectacular sea cave set into the limestone cliffs. Later we arrive in the picturesque fishing harbour, Ullapool. You will have free time before we board the ferry for our evening sail to Stornoway. We arrive in the evening and check in to our hotel, where we spend the next 3 nights.

Overnight – Cabarfeidh Hotel, Stornoway

We start of Hebridean Adventure, a full day on Lewis, the largest island. We discover the rich history, strong Gaelic traditions and diverse landscape. Our visits include, Callanish Neolithic Standing Stones, Carloway Broch, Gearrannan Blackhouse Village and Butt of Lewis lighthouse. We enjoy dinner at the hotel tonight, followed by an evening of Gaelic Culture.

Dinner / Overnight – Cabarfeidh Hotel, Stornoway

Harris, with rich traditions, stunning scenery, and strong sense of community, today we have a unique introduction to life on Harris. We travel along North and South Harris, visiting Carloway Mill, where they maintain the tradition of Harris Tweed weaving. We will also visit Harris Gin, Hargabost Beach (with crystal green blue water and pristine sands), our final stop will be as we approach Stornoway to a butcher who specializes in the famous Stornoway Black Pudding. You will have free time in town and dinner tonight is on your own to explore the many eating options and maybe take in an evening of Gaelic music!

Overnight – Cabarfeidh Hotel, Stornoway

An early start as we say Beannachd leat (Good Bye) to the Outer Hebrides and sail back to the mainland. Out first stop is the Corrieshalloch Gorge, one of the most spectacular Gorge’s in Britain. Next we visit Inverewe Gardens, discover a world of wonderful botanicals in the award-winning Inverewe Garden. Lose yourself in the lush setting and enjoy a riot of colours and scents. We then jump back on onto the Pictish Trail with stops in Strathpheffer and Beauly. Later we arrive at our 19^th century country house hotel. Tonight, our farewell dinner is hosted, in our scrumptious hotel, by a local company providing delicious food and drink accompanied by fascinating stories from around Scotland, a memorable end to a memorable tour!

Dinner/ Overnight – Coul House Hotel, Contin nr Beaul

Your tour ends after a hearty Scottish breakfast. Please inquire about departure transfers.