Day 1: Glasgow Tour & Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Your tour departs from your Glasgow hotel at 2:00 PM. Set out on a panoramic tour of central Glasgow’s highlights including red sandstone Victorian buildings, delightful parks, Glasgow Cathedral, and the River Clyde, once important for shipbuilding. Visit the extensive and varied art collections in Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Chat with your tour director and fellow travelers over a welcome drink. Your evening is free to dine independently.
Day 2: Loch Lomond Cruise & Inveraray Castle
Embark on a short cruise of Loch Lomond to appreciate the beauty of this famous loch and admire panoramic views. Browse around the town of Inveraray and have lunch on your own before taking a guided tour of Inveraray Castle, featured in “Downton Abbey”. Journey across Rannoch Moor and through Glencoe, often considered one of Scotland’s most spectacular and beautiful places. Continue to Ballachulish on the shore of Loch Leven. (B, D)
Day 3: Isle of Skye & Loch Ness
Travel on the scenic “Road to the Isles”, stopping for photos at the Glenfinnan Monument. Ferry to the Isle of Skye to visit Armadale Castle, a romantic ruin surrounded by magnificent gardens. Back on the mainland, travel along the shores of Loch Ness. End the day at your hotel in Nairn, a lovely manor house set on spacious grounds near the North Sea. (B, D)
Day 4: Culloden Battlefield & Sheepdog Trials
A short distance from Nairn is the Culloden Battlefield where the British government forces defeated the army of Prince Charles Edward Stuart, popularly known as Bonnie Prince Charlie. Walk around the battlefield and the visitor center. Continue through majestic Highland scenery to a local farm for a demonstration of trained dogs herding sheep. Travel through the high peaks of the Grampian Mountains to your gracious manor-style hotel near Pitlochry. (B, D)
Day 5: Blair Castle, Whisky Tasting & Pitlochry
Visit Blair Castle, home of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl. Delve into the history of Mary, Queen of Scots, Bonnie Prince Charlie, and how Queen Victoria’s famous stay led to the creation of Europe’s only private army, the Atholl Highlanders. Go behind the scenes at Blair Athol Distillery for a tour and sample of the finished product. Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring the hotel gardens and museum or shopping in Pitlochry. (B, D)
Day 6: Glamis Castle, St Andrews & Scottish Evening*
Travel through lush countryside to visit Glamis Castle, the legendary setting of “Macbeth” and childhood home of the late Queen Mother. This majestic building is filled with priceless artifacts and furnishings. Head to St Andrews, the “Home of Golf,” to see the famous Royal and Ancient Clubhouse and the Old Course. Enjoy free time to explore the medieval town. Head to your hotel near Edinburgh, where you will enjoy a Scottish evening with traditional food, music, and dancing. July 27 – August 18 departures enjoy an evening free to explore and dine independently. (B, D*)
Day 7: Edinburgh Panoramic Tour & Edinburgh Castle
Explore Edinburgh to compare and contrast the wide streets and elegant mansions of the Georgian 200-year-old “New Town” with the narrow lanes and medieval townhouses along the Royal Mile, the oldest part of the city. Tour the imposing Edinburgh Castle with its splendid views of the city. The rest of the day is free for independent exploring, shopping, and dining. July 27 – August 18 departures enjoy the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade. (B)
Day 8: Independent Tour of Edinburgh
Spend the day on an independent Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour of Edinburgh. You will receive a taxi voucher to bring you from your hotel to the city center. Explore and dine as you wish in this fascinating city. (B)
Day 9: Tour Ends in Edinburgh
9-day tour ends after breakfast. (B)
B: Breakfast; D: Dinner *Meal counts vary on Tattoo departures, as the Scottish Evening is replaced with the Tattoo and an independent dinner.
Authentic Local Experiences:
- Expect an unforgettable evening of music, ceremony, theatre and dance with reserved seats for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on July 27 – August 18 departures.
- Immerse yourself in farm life to see how a farmer works with highly-skilled dogs to herd sheep.
Trip Highlights:
- Blair Athol Distillery
- Blair Castle
- Culloden Battlefield
- Edinburgh Castle
- Cruise on Loch Lomond
- Inveraray Castle
- Isle of Skye Highlights
- St Andrews
- Scottish Evening*
*July 27 – August 18 departures.
Dining Experiences:
- 7 Breakfasts (B) and 5 Dinners*(D)
*Meal counts vary on Tattoo departures, as the Scottish Evening is replaced with the Tattoo and an independent dinner.
Hotels:
- Sandman Signature Glasgow Hotel | Glasgow (1)
- Ballachulish Hotel | Ballachulish (1)
- Muthu Newton Hotel | Nairn (1)
- Atholl Palace Hotel | Pitlochry (2)
- Norton House Hotel & Spa | near Edinburgh (3)