2021 Scottish Clans & Castles - 10 Days/9 Nights

Day 1: Glasgow Panoramic Tour | Welcome Drink
Your tour begins at 2:00 PM at your hotel. Take a panoramic tour of Glasgow, seeing sights like George Square, Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow University and Cathedral, all featured in the popular TV series “Outlander.” Enjoy a welcome drink with your group before dining at your hotel. (D)

Day 2: Stirling Castle | Whisky Distillery
Visit Stirling Castle, a magnificent stronghold that was the childhood home of many Scottish kings and queens, including Mary Queen of Scots. Next, head to Glengoyne Distillery; learn about its two centuries of whisky-making and sample a dram. Return to Glasgow, where you will be free to explore and dine as you wish
(B)

Day 3: Glencoe | Eilean Donan Castle
Head into the majestic Highlands and journey by Loch Lomond, across Rannoch Moor and through Glencoe, often considered one of Scotland's most spectacular and beautiful places. Stop for photo opportunities along the route as you continue your journey to the romantic Eilean Donan Castle, before arriving at your hotel on the shore of Loch Alsh
(B, D)

Day 4: Isle of Skye | Dunvegan Castle | Kilt Rock | Kilmuir Graveyard
Explore the Isle of Skye and learn the history of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Travel to Dunvegan Castle, the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland. Admire the Trotternish Peninsula as you travel to Kilt Rock, a 200-foot-high sea cliff with huge, vertical basalt columns. Visit Flora MacDonald's grave in Kilmuir Graveyard and stop in Portree for free time.
(B, D)

Day 5: Strathpeffer | Hugh Miller's Birthplace | Inverness
Begin a scenic drive across the beautiful mountainous landscape of the Highlands, stopping off for photos in Lochcarron, a pretty lakeside village of whitewashed cottages. Visit Strathpeffer for some free time to explore this leafy Victorian spa town with its distinctive architecture. Proceed to Hugh Miller's Birthplace in Cromarty to discover one of Scotland's most famous 19th century figures; Miller was a fossil hunter, folklorist, stonemason, geologist and newspaper editor. Arrive in Inverness, and dine in your hotel
(B, D)

Day 6: Urquhart Castle | Loch Ness Cruise | Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre
Photo opportunities await as you visit the picturesque ruins of Urquhart Castle, once Scotland's largest castle, and embark on a cruise of Loch Ness. Stop at the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre to discover how British Government forces defeated the army of Bonnie Prince Charlie, ending the Jacobite rising. Return to Inverness for a walking tour with your Tour Director before dinner at your hotel.
(B, D)

Day 7: Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere | Brodie Castle
Tour Johnstons of Elgin to discover the history and craftsmanship behind their fine woollens, then enjoy some free time. Explore 16th-century Brodie Castle, with its fairy-tale towers and turrets set on spacious grounds. The house contains fine furnishings, a collection of paintings, and a library with over 6,000 volumes. Return to Inverness and enjoy a free evening and dinner on your own.
(B)

Day 8: Sheepdogs Demonstration | Culross Walking Tour
Immerse yourself in farm life and enjoy a demonstration of dogs obeying commands to round up sheep. In Pitlochry, explore this Victorian town independently. Continue to Culross for a walking tour around the charming 16th-century town, recently used as a filming location for “Outlander.” Highlights include the Town House, Culross Palace, and the remains of Culross Abbey. Enjoy free time in Culross before heading to your hotel near Edinburgh. Enjoy a free evening with time to explore and dine independently.
(B)

Day 9: Edinburgh Panoramic Tour | Palace of Holyroodhouse & Scottish Evening*
In Edinburgh, see how the medieval townhouses along the Royal Mile in the heart of the Old Town are in stark contrast to the Georgian mansions of the 200-year-old New Town. Tour the impressive Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of the Queen, and walk through the majestically furnished chambers. The rest of the day is free. Enjoy a Scottish evening with farewell dinner and traditional entertainment, July 29 - August 19 departures attend the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
(B, D*)

Day 10: Tour Ends in Edinburgh
Your tour ends after breakfast.
(B)

B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner

Authentic Local Experiences:

• Expect an unforgettable evening of music, ceremony, theater, and dance with reserved seats for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on July 29 to August 19 departures.
• Go behind the scenes at one of Scotland's famous distilleries for a tour and a tasting.
• Discover 800 years of history as you explore Dunvegan Castle - home to Clan MacLeod for 30 generations.

Trip Highlights:

• Brodie Castle

  Brodie Castle

  Step back in time to the castle's glory days, when the Brodie family were one of Scotland's most prominent families.
• Culloden Battlefield Visitor centre

  Culloden Battlefield

  This is the site of the last land battle within the UK, in which King George II's troops defeated Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite supporters in 1746; around 1200 people were reputedly killed. The Visitor Centre, opened in 2008, includes exhibitions, restaurant, shop and a landscaped roof platform for views over the battlefield.
• Dunvegan Castle

  Doune Castle

  Doune Castle is a medieval stronghold near the village of Doune, in the Stirling district of central Scotland. The castle is sited on a wooded bend where the Ardoch Burn flows into the River Teith.
• Eilean Donan Castle

  Dunvegan Castle

  This oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland has been the stronghold of the Chiefs of MacLeod for nearly 800 years, surviving clan battles and profound social and political changes. Within Dunvegan's stately halls are priceless heirlooms, some of which have descended through the hands of the Chiefs of MacLeod since medieval times.
• Palace of Holyroodhouse

  Eilean Donan Castle

  This iconic castle is surrounded by majestic scenery. The first fortified castle was built in the mid 13th century and re-built through the centuries. Partially destroyed in a Jacobite uprising in 1719, Eilean Donan lay in ruins for the best part of 200 years. It took 20 years to restore from 1912 until its opening to the public in 1932.
• Isle of Skye

  Isle of Skye

  The Isle of Skye is the largest and most northerly island in Scotland's Inner Hebrides. The island is dominated by the Cuillin Hills and is often referred to as the “Misty Isle”. It is associated with Bonnie Prince Charlie who fled there after the Battle of Culloden.
• Sheepdog Demonstration
• Stirling Castle
• Scottish Evening*

  Stirling Castle

  Stirling Castle is a great symbol of Scottish independence and a source of national pride. The Castle's long, turbulent history is associated with great figures from Scotland's past such as “Braveheart” William Wallace & Mary Queen of Scots.

Dining Experiences:

•  9  breakfasts (B) and 6 dinners (D) 

*Meal counts vary on Tattoo departures, as the Scottish Evening is replaced with the Tattoo and an independent dinner. 

Hotels - 9 Nights:

• Novotel Glasgow Centre Hotel | Glasgow (2 nights)
• Balmacara Hotel | near Kyle of Lochalsh (2 nights)
• Glen Mhor Hotel  | Inverness (3 nights)
• DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh - Queensferry Crossing | near Edinburgh (2 nights)