Elegant Scotland - Highland Delight

Arrive at Edinburgh/Glasgow Airport and pick up your self-drive car. Depart for the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh. As one of Europe’s must see destinations Edinburgh offers much for the visitor, great museums and art galleries, fantastic shopping, great restaurants and bars and one of the most unforgettable skylines overlooking Princes Street Gardens.

Overnight - Hilton Edinburgh Carlton, Edinburgh

After your Full Scottish Breakfast, depart Edinburgh heading north crossing the Forth Road Bridge with its dramatic views of the Victorian feet of engineering the Forth Railway Bridge. En route, you can visit Falkland Palace built by the King James V in 1539. It became a favourite retreat of the Stuart Dynasty including Mary Queen of Scots. The gardens contain the original Royal Tennis Court and the oldest in Britain. You will take the very scenic & dramatic road over the Drummochter Pass one of the highest roads in Scotland. Descend into Speyside an area of Scotland famous for its whisky producing tradition. Follow the Whisky Trail & visit one of the many famous distilleries in the area. You can visit Glenfiddich, McCallums, Grants, Cardhu and many more. Each gives an audio-visual show and then a guided tour of the distillery to learn of the processes and for many the highlight is a tasting at the end of the tour. The choice of what to see and do in the Speyside area is huge – there are castles – Brodie, Cawdor (made famous by the Shakespeare’s Macbeth), and Ballindalloch. Visit Culloden Moor, site of the last land battle on British soil. Continue onto Inverness Area for overnight.

Overnight - Rocpool Reserve Hotel, Inverness (NEW for 2020)

Enjoy a day visiting the West Coast of Scotland. You can stop at Corrieshalloch Gorge, one of Britain’s finest examples of a box canyon. This dramatic mile-long gorge is 200 feet deep. The river, which carved out the gorge descends 150 feet at the Falls of Measach. A suspension bridge a short way downstream from the falls was created by John Fowler (1817-98), best known as joint designer of the Forth Railway Bridge. Journey across to Ullapool, a quaint fishing village before visiting the beautiful Inverewe Gardens, run by the National Trust. These magnificent gardens have a famous rhododendron collection and who would expect to find palm trees in Scotland. Return through the magnificent scenery of the Torridon area and past Loch Maree. Return to the Inverness area for overnight.

Overnight - Rocpool Reserve Hotel, Inverness (NEW for 2020)

Today travel south again going via Loch Ness. Loch Ness forms part of the Caledonian Canal a feat of some great engineering by Thomas Telford linking East Scotland with West by using a series of lochs linked by a canal system. Stop at the Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition and learn more about the story of Loch Ness, Its mystery and everything else you can’t see by looking at it. After that, enjoy a cruise on Loch Ness while you can also make a stop at Urquhart Castle, one of the largest castles in Scotland which fell into decay after 1689 and was blown up in 1692 to prevent it being occupied by Jacobites. Most of the existing remains date from the 16th century and include a tower. This is a very scenic spot and also the place where the most sightings of “Nessie” have been.

Before crossing onto the Isle, visit the Balmacara Estate, an area covering 2,550 hectares (6,330 acres) on the Lochalsh peninsula, this traditional Highland crofting estate is a diverse mix of Scotland’s most beautiful landscapes. It encompasses croft and farm land, woodland, moorland, villages, coastline, saltmarsh, lochs and offshore islands, and offers stunning views across the water to the mountains of Skye and Applecross.

Overnight - Duisdale House Hotel, Isle of Skye

Enjoy a full day on the Isle of Skye. Head south towards the Cuillin Hills, the island's best-known feature. Though their tops are places only for experienced climbers, there are many viewpoints and island locations where excellent panoramas can be enjoyed. Head back to your accommodation via Glenbrittle and the famous Fairy Pools - beautifully crystal clear blue pools on the River Brittle, these make for some fabulous photos.

Overnight - Duisdale House Hotel, Isle of Skye

After breakfast, travel towards Fort William, which nestles beneath the highest mountain in Great Britain – Ben Nevis. Journeying towards Mallaig, you will see the Glenfinnan Monument, the statue of a Highland Chieftain, which looks towards the Hills erected on the site where Bonnie Prince Charlie rallied the Highland Clans in preparation for the disastrous rebellion of 1745 fought at Culloden.

Overnight - Knipoch House Hotel, Oban

After breakfast, travel south into the heart of the Trossachs, the ‘gateway to the Highlands’. You will drive along the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, the largest stretch of inland water in Britain, and framed by lovely mountain scenery. The landscape of this area has played a significant part in the history and literature of Scotland. It was the inspiration and setting for Sir Walter Scott’s major work, “The Lady of the Lake”, inspiring the first tourists to venture to Highland Scotland.  Discover the truth behind the remarkable life of notorious outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor in an exciting exhibition at the Rob Roy and the Trossachs Visitor Centre. The visitor centre includes a replica black house and the opportunity to dress as a highlander. Overnight close to Glasgow Area.

Overnight - Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort, Glasgow area (NEW for 2020)

After your final Scottish breakfast, your tour is complete.  Return your hire car and commence your onward journey.