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| Map of Scotland | Self Drive Vacations | Short Tours from Edinburgh | Escorted Tours | Scotland Travel Guide |
| Day Tours in Scotland in Edinburgh - Edinburgh Excursions Edinburgh Scotland Day Tours-  Hop on Hop Off Day Tour of
EdinburghOpen Top Tour offers you the complete Edinburgh experience.
The ideal way to view Edinburgh is from the top of an open-topped doubledecker
bus. It is the only sightseeing tour to offer you total choice and flexibility.
The Hop-on Hop-off service allows you to board any of our tour routes at
different stops with a commentary in English or a wide choice of other
languages. Our services are frequent and reliable with tours running daily,
every 20 minutes, allowing you to experience all the magical sights and sounds
of London in a comfortable and secure environment. Visit such places as The
National Gallery, Princes Street Gardens, Museum of Scotland, St. Gile's
Cathedral, John Knox House, Grey Friars Bobby (statue of a dog that guarded his
master''s grave for fourteen years), Scottish Parliament, Holyrood Palace, the
Burns Monument and many other landmarks.Edinburgh Nights The Capital's Premiere Scottish Cabaret Show "Don't miss the hottest new show in the city! The scene is set with great views across our historic capital city. Your internationally acclaimed host will guide you through some of our country's history and legend as you thrill to this unmissable showcase of Scotland's young talent! Pipe Major Andrew Coulter explains the compelling story of the bagpipes and unveils the unique history of his own set handed down to him by his great grandfather. Enjoy Robert Burns' traditional Address to the Haggis when it is ceremonially piped into the room. This traditional fare is then toasted by all with fine Scotch whisky! Enjoy the superb skills of our talented musicians as lively tunes and heartrending songs are deftly delivered. Marvel at the nimble footwork and grace of our classically trained dancers as they perform in the delightful Highland tradition. Why not be taught a few steps yourself? Our evening's entertainment will leave you satisfied and uplifted with a memory to cherish of Bonny Scotland! Lang May Yer Lum Reek!" Day tours from Edinburgh and 2, 3 & 5 day tours throughout Scotland We have a Scotland sightseeing tour every day of the week. We depart from both Edinburgh and Glasgow to the highlands, the islands, and more. The itineraries are flexible enough to fit into any vacation plan, and perfect if you are traveling on your own, and want to be part of a small group. How many people will be on the tour? Normally we restrict the number of people travelling on any multi-day tour to 16 persons. Our Coaches: your comfort is paramount as you travel in our eco-friendly, low emission, modern Mercedes mini-coaches, with big panoramic windows (3 out of 4 seats are window seats), stereo systems, full sized reclining seats (with seatbelts) and more leg room than your average coach. ACCOMMODATION ON TOURS BELOWWe’ve spent a lot of time selecting quality accommodation for you. After all, having somewhere pleasant to stay after an exciting day of discovery is an important part of your holiday experience. Our hotels are, without exception, first class. Alternatively you can select friendly superior quality B&B/guesthouses. All of our accommodation is regularly inspected to ensure that they meet our high standards. First Class HotelsAll of our hotels are centrally located, just a short walk from the shops, bars and restaurants. Tastefully decorated with en-suite bathrooms, television, tea and coffee making facilities and other amenities make this type of accommodation a real home from home. All our hotels have comfortable lounges where you can enjoy morning coffee, restaurants offering a wide selection of Scottish and international dishes and relaxing bars – some with evening entertainment. Friendly B&B/Guesthouses Our guesthouses are family run and conveniently located, just a short walk from the amenities of the city centre. You will find cosy accommodation in rooms with private bathrooms, tv and other facilities. Some of our guesthouses offer lounges where you can relax with other residents. The size of each house varies in size from two or three bedrooms to larger properties with ten rooms or more. If you are looking for the opportunity to meet local people then you will find selecting a guesthouse for your accommodation will add greatly to your vacation experience. What's included in our day and overnight tours from Edinburgh and Glasgow: INCLUDES:
Edinburgh departures from: 207 High Street, Edinburgh, Glasgow Departure Point Tourist Information Office, George Square, Glasgow G2 1DY Child rate applies ages 5-16. No children under 5, please. Child discount on multi day tours 20% Single supplement on multi day tours 20% Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands Day Tour .jpg) map
Travel north towards the Highlands along the “bonnie, bonnie” banks
of Loch Lomond. This is Scotland's largest loch and it takes its name from the
mountain Ben Lomond on the eastern shore. Crossing the ancient natural fault
line that runs across Scotland you travel into the majestic Highlands where the
scenery changes quickly and dramatically - the flat fertile plains of the
Lowlands give way to shimmering lochs, rugged mountain tops and forest-filled
glens. It's easy to forget that this was once thought of as a dangerous
frontier fought over by the fiercely territorial Highland clans such as the
MacGregors, made famous by the Highland folk hero, Rob Roy MacGregor.
Travelling north through Breadalbane (meaning the 'High Country of Scotland'),
you climb towards the wild desolation of Rannoch Moor. At an altitude of over
1000ft, covered by heather and peat-bogs and dotted with dozens of lochs, it's
a unique landscape. This contrasts with the spectacular mountain scenery as you
pass the majestic peak of Buachaille Etive Mor (meaning 'the great shepherd of
Etive') and down into Scotland's most famous valley, Glencoe. Stunningly
beautiful, with its dramatic cliff faces and steep slopes, Glencoe is infamous
as the site of the Glencoe massacre in 1692. Following orders from King
William, Scottish soldiers, under the leadership of Captain Robert Campbell,
slaughtered 38 men, women and children of the Macdonald clan. This was
especially shocking as the soldiers had been living with the people of Glencoe
for 2 weeks and killed them in their own homes. Noone was ever punished for
this crime, as the King himself had signed the order, but because it was murder
under trust, the Highlands would never be the same again. Beyond Glencoe you
will enter the Great Glen, a deep glacial valley which follows a geological
fault line. Passing through the town of Fort William you drive under Britain's
highest mountain, Ben Nevis before arriving at Fort Augustus on the southern
shore of Loch Ness. At 23 miles long and over 700ft deep it's the largest loch
by volume in Scotland and contains more water than every lake in England and
Wales combined! The loch is best known for the legendary sightings of the Loch
Ness Monster ("Nessie") and you can take the opportunity of a boat
cruise on the loch to go in search of the monster, or simply to enjoy the
beautiful scenery. Fort Augustus is a pretty little town in its own right, the
Caledonian Canal which links the lochs of the Great Glen dominates the town and
makes a great place to relax and watch the boats sail by. You will stop here
for nearly 2 hours to give you time for lunch and take in the scenery around
Scotland's most famous loch. From Loch Ness you return south again, making a
short stop in Spean Bridge, before heading through the mountains of the
Cairngorms National Park. Your route takes us alongside Loch Laggan (the
setting for the BBC series 'Monarch of the Glen'), over the Drumochter Pass
(1500ft above sea level) and past 13th century Blair Castle, ancestral home of
the Duke of Atholl. Your next stop is the Highland resort town of Pitlochry,
built on Victorian tourism and nestled amongst the mountains of Highland
Perthshire.STIRLING CASTLE & LOCH LOMOND NATIONAL PARK DAY TOUR map Travel northwest through the historic area of Linlithgowshire, close to the historic palace. The tragic Mary Queen of Scots was born at Linlithgow palace, and became Queen when she was only 6 days old. According to legend her father James V died of a broken heart when he discovered his wife had given birth to a daughter and not the son he was hoping for! Your route along the Forth Valley is one which has been used for thousands of years by invading armies, it was the northernmost frontier of the Roman empire and was later used by the English King Edward I as he marched proudly towards Stirling (only to be sent homewards to think again!). Nowadays it’s at the centre of one of Scotland’s most important industries with huge oil refineries dominating the area. As you approach Stirling the magnificent castle dominates your view and you make your way up towards the high volcanic rock where it imposes itself upon the surrounding land. Known as the ‘Key to Scotland’, for centuries this was the most important castle in Scotland and the views from the top make it easy to see why. To the north is the 220ft high tower of the National Wallace Monument commemorating Scotland’s great hero William Wallace, played by Mel Gibson in the Oscar-winning movie Braveheart. From the castle you can look down over the scene of Wallace’s greatest triumph, the battle of Stirling Bridge, where he defeated the English army in 1297. To the south is Bannockburn where, in 1314, the great Scottish warrior-king Robert the Bruce defeated the English army of Edward II. The battle was fought for possession of Stirling Castle but eventually led to a far greater prize for Scotland – the restoration of independence. It’s an area alive with history and you stop at the castle to give you time to soak up the history and heritage of this great site. From Stirling you head into the Highlands and an area known as the Trossachs. Known as ‘The Highlands in Miniature’, it marks the point where the Lowlands meet the Highlands and entering this beautifully picturesque area feels like going into a different country. With its shimmering lochs, rugged mountain tops and forest-filled glens it’s easy to forget that this was once thought of as a dangerous frontier fought over by the fiercely territorial Highland clans. You stop here for lunch in the village of Aberfoyle, made popular in Victorian times due to its great location. After lunch you ‘take the high road’ or back-road to Loch Lomond, Scotland’s largest lochs at over 22 miles long, passing Lochs Ard, Chon and Arklet along the way as you travel through the protected lands of Scotland’s first National Park. The route you take was described by the famous Scots comedian Billy Connolly as his favourite road in Scotland, and you can discover why – it’s stunning!! You stop at Inversnaid on the secluded north-east of the loch, making it the perfect place to enjoy a walk along the ‘bonny banks’, up to a viewpoint for a fantastic view of the loch and the mountain it’s named after, Ben Lomond. This tranquil setting was once the home of Scotland’s famous highland folk hero, Rob Roy MacGregor. Made popular by many books and films Rob Roy lived an incredible life as a soldier, businessman, cattle-rustler and outlaw. By spending time on the trails by the loch you will undoubtedly be walking in the footsteps of one of Scotland’s great legends. There is also an alternative option to take a boat cruise around the north of the loch (Summer only) or merely enjoy a drink at the local hotel and sample the views. Leaving Loch Lomond you return to Edinburgh passing Scotland’s only lake – the Lake of Mentieth (although we have around 3000 freshwater lochs!). The legend states that after William Wallace was betrayed by his great friend the Earl of Mentieth and executed in London the name was changed from the Loch of Mentieth to the Lake of Mentieth so that nobody would ever forget the traitorous part the Earl played in his death. WEST HIGHLAND LOCHS & CASTLES DAY TOUR 
map
Travel past Stirling castle to your first stop at Doune Castle. This area of
Scotland has certainly seen its fair share of fighting and warfare. Stirling
castle was once known as the 'Key to Scotland', and it was here that William
Wallace (immortalised by Mel Gibson in the film Braveheart) defeated the
English army in 1297. After William Wallace's death it was Robert the Bruce who
continued the fight for independence and you will pass the site of his most
famous victory in 1314 at the Battle of Bannockburn. Then you arrive at the
fantastic medieval stronghold of Doune castle. Built for Robert Stewart, the
Duke of Albany, over 600 years ago the castle is still in great condition and
you will have time for photos. You might even have seen the castle before, it
was made famous by the film 'Monty Python and The Holy Grail', with many scenes
filmed here. You then continue a little further on to Callander. After a short
coffee stop you cross the Highland boundary fault line leaving the rolling
farms for the wild mountains and forests of the Highlands. You will make a
short stop at Loch Luibnaig before you continue over the Braes of Balquhidder,
the final resting place of Highland outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor. Made famous by
Sir Walter Scott, Rob Roy was a sort of Highland Robin Hood, he stole from the
rich, but never quite got round to giving it to the poor. From Balquhidder the
tour winds its way through the tough knot of mountains known as Breadalbane
(meaning the 'high country of Scotland') before we stop for lunch in a small
West Highland village. Shortly after lunch you will see Kilchurn Castle, a
magnificent ruin situated in the middle of Loch Awe and former home of the
Campbells of Breadalbane. You will continue along the banks of Loch Awe through
Campbell country to the picturesque town of Inveraray on the shores of Loch
Fyne. Here you can visit the 18th-century castle and home of the Duke of
Argyll, chief of the Campbell clan. The town was built at the same time as the
castle and has the air of a classic 18th-century planned village with its
straight wide streets and dignified Georgian houses. You can take time to
explore the town and maybe call at the Old Jail or the maritime museum, the
Arctic Penguin. Leaving Inveraray, you take a drive up through the steep-sided
mountains known as the Arrochar Alps to the great viewpoint at 'Rest and Be
Thankful'. It was given its name in 1753 by the weary soldiers who had just
finished building the old military road up through Glen Croe. From here you
skirt around Loch Long and down to the Bonnie, Bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.
This is Scotland's largest loch and it takes its name from the mountain Ben
Lomond on the eastern shore. You make a short stop at the conservation village
of Luss, with its quaint houses and stunning views across the loch.HIGHLAND LOCHS, GLENS & WHISKY DAY TOUR Map Travel north over the Forth Road Bridge, passing one of Scotland's great engineering wonders - the Forth Rail Bridge. Continuing north into the Kingdom of Fife you pass Loch Leven castle where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned in 1567 and forced to abdicate from the throne. Further on you will also pass Perth, the medieval capital of Scotland, before crossing the Highland Boundary Fault line, and the point where the scenery changes from the rolling farmland of the Lowlands to the forested hills and mountains of the Scottish Highlands. Surrounded by this beautiful scenery and on the banks of the River Tay is the Cathedral town of Dunkeld, your first stop of the day. Dunkeld was for many centuries the capital of the Christian Celtic Church, and its 13th century Cathedral reflects the once great importance of this quaint Highland village. From Dunkeld it's a short drive to the Hermitage, a fantastic woodland walk leading up to the Black Linn Falls where the River Braan cascades into a narrow gorge. Surrounded by some of Scotland's tallest trees and changing spectacularly in appearance throughout the seasons it's a great place at any time of year. You may even have the chance to see the spectacular sight of Salmon attempting to leap up the falls and on towards their spawning grounds. Leaving the Hermitage you follow the wide valley of the River Tay towards the Victorian resort town of Pitlochry. You will spend around 1 hour here and you can visit the many great shops and restaurants or maybe even take a walk down towards Loch Faskally. After lunch you take a scenic drive through the mountains of Highland Perthshire, first crossing over the Pass of Killiecrankie before a short stop at the Queen's View overlooking Loch Tummel. On a clear day the view here is stunning, looking over to the unmistakable peak of Schiehallion and beyond to the mountains of Glencoe. Continuing alongside Loch Tummel you then head over the hills and past the spectacular sixteenth century Castle Menzies towards the town of Aberfeldy and Dewars Whisky distillery*, where you can discover the secret of how Scotland's national drink is made. No visit to Scotland is complete without sampling a 'wee dram' and you will get the chance to taste some of the finished product. Known in the Gaelic as Uisge Beatha (or 'water of life') whisky has been produced for centuries in Scotland and the art is now close to perfection. Later you travel West into the ancient lands of Breadalbane, or the ‘High Country’ surrounding Loch Tay and make your way along the loch towards Killin. The small town is situated on the edge of the River Dochart and has the fantastic Falls of Dochart at its heart, flowing under the old bridge and past the ancient burial ground of the Clan MacNab who once dominated the area. After Killin you take a drive over the Braes of Balquhidder, the resting place of Highland outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor before passing Stirling Castle and Linlithgow Palace. ST ANDREWS & THE FISHING VILLAGES OF FIFE DAY TOUR Map Travel north to South Queensferry. The town is named after the 11th century Queen Margaret who dedicated her life to changing the social welfare of the people, particularly the church, earning her the title 'Saint Margaret of Scotland'. North of Edinburgh there were two very important churches - St Andrews and Dunfermline, but getting from Edinburgh across the wide Firth of Forth was difficult, so Queen Margaret provided a free ferry for pilgrims, hence 'Queen's Ferry'. The ferry remained in existence until the opening of the Forth Road Bridge in 1964 by the present Queen. From Queensferry we drive up and onto the Forth Road Bridge, giving us a great view across to one of Scotland's greatest man-made landmarks - the Forth Rail Bridge. At over a mile and a half (2300m) long, the bridge was completed in 1890, and until recently was the longest Cantilever bridge in the world. It is a true testament of Scottish engineering. Once over the bridge we enter the Kingdom of Fife. Bounded to the south by the wide Firth of Forth, to the north by the Firth of Tay and to the east by the North Sea the area was once a sub-kingdom of the old Pictish realm, a natural peninsula almost cut off from the rest of Scotland, and so remained semi-independent for longer than other parts. Central Fife used to be very poor, until the discovery of coal, while the towns and villages along its coastline were rich from all the trade across the North sea, causing King James VI to describe the area as a 'Beggar's mantle fringed with gold'. The golden fringe he referred to was the East Neuk (or nook, meaning corner), Fife's easternmost stretch of coastline and home to a string of picturesque villages each with its own distinctive character and charm. One of these, Lower Largo, is best known as the birthplace of Alexander Selkirk the real-life Robinson Crusoe and inspiration for Daniel Defoe's novel whilst neighbouring Earlsferry is said to be where MacDuff hid from Shakespeare's Macbeth. We stop in the traditional fishing village of Anstruther (known as 'Enster' locally) where you can check out its old cobbled streets and network of little alleyways and wynds or take a walk along the seafront to the harbour. From Anstruther we continue north to the medieval town of St Andrews. St Andrew is the patron Saint of Scotland, and according to legend his remains were washed up on the Fife coast. The shrine became a place of worship for Christian pilgrims from far and wide and the town developed into the religious capital of Scotland complete with a huge Norman Cathedral, the largest in all of Scotland. Founded in 1160 the Cathedral was devastated first by fire and later by zealous religious reformers but the ruins provide a fascinating insight into what it once must have been like. Today St Andrews attracts another type of pilgrim, being famous world-wide as the home of golf and the Mecca for all golfers - the 'Old Course'. The course, founded in 1754, is in beautiful condition and its emerald green grass contrasts with the golden sands of the beach nearby. St Andrews is also home to the oldest University in Scotland, at nearly 600 years old, and the third oldest in Britain behind Oxford and Cambridge. Also dating from this period is the town's once mighty castle which, perched on a rocky headland overhanging the sea, is a ruin with a violent and murderous past. Every street, every building is surrounded with history and we give you almost 3 hours to explore this amazing town. From St Andrews we take a pleasant drive through the rolling countryside of central Fife, with its small villages and patchwork of farms, to Falkland. Falkland Palace dominates this old village, and was one of the main residences of the old Royal family of Scotland, the Stewarts (Stuarts). Aside from the palace the village is simply one of the most beautiful in Scotland with an array of old cottages and narrow winding streets. You can take time to wander around the picturesque village or enjoy a drink in one of the villages traditional pubs or tearooms. Leaving Falkland we return to Edinburgh, passing Loch Leven, where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned by her Protestant nobility. ROSSLYN CHAPEL & THE SCOTTISH BORDERS DAY TOUR Map Your tour takes you south to the world famous Scott’s View, with stunning views over the Tweed Valley and the Eildon Hills. You will also get the opportunity to visit the original Wallace Monument. From here you travel to Melrose with the opportunity to explore its great Border Abbey, founded by the Cistercians in the 12th Century. The Cistercian monks had very close connections with the Knights Templar and Melrose Abbey is the burial place of Robert the Bruce's heart, brought back from the crusades in Moorish Spain. Following lunch in Melrose you will make your way to the stunning 15th century Rosslyn Chapel, immortalised in Dan Brown’s “Da Vinci Code” and you can find out more about the myths and legends surrounding the whereabouts of the “Holy Grail”. Alnwick Castle, Berwick and the Borders Monday, Tuesday, Saturday Departs 09.30 Returns 18.30  A day spent in the Borderlands of Scotland
and England. Our tour follows the ancient Roman Dere Street that connected
Scottish Caledonia with Roman Britannia through the Scottish Borders. Stopping
at Melrose, home to the remains of the Cistercian Abbey and the burial place of
the heart of Scottish King Robert the Bruce who lived and fought in the area
that we are travelling through today. Continuing South we cross the border and
travel onto imposing Alnwick Castle, one of the great castles of Northumberland
that has stood for nearly a millenium. Originally built to protect the north of
England from Scottish border reivers and invaders, more recently Alnwick Castle
and its perfectly manicured gardens have found fame as one of the settings for
the fictional Hogwarts school in the Harry Potter movie series. After almost 3
hours to explore Alnwick Castle we head towards the ancient gateway town of
Berwick Upon Tweed, a strategic walled town at the estuary of the River Tweed,
that has swung between Scottish and English control over many centuries. There
is time to explore the city walls or visit the Georgian army barracks before
returning to Edinburgh along the rugged coast of Berwickshire and East
Lothian.LOCH NESS & INVERNESS HIGHLAND 2 DAY TOUR Map Day 1 Depart Edinburgh at 0930 heading west towards Stirling, passing Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument. You also pass Doune Castle (set of Monty Python's "Holy Grail") before stopping in the small town of Callander for a refreshment stop. You now cross over the fault line into the magnificent Highlands taking in the splendour of Loch Luibnaig, Loch Earn, Glen Ogle and Glen Dochart, as you travel north over the wild and remote Rannoch Moor into Glencoe. This haunting glen was the scene of a great massacre in 1692 where many of the Clan Macdonald were slaughtered. You stop in this imposing mountain pass and take you for a walk so you can enjoy the spectacular views. You continue north and up the Great Glen to the mysterious beauty of Loch Ness, travelling the whole 23 miles of the famous Loch - plenty of time to try and spot "Nessie!" You arrive at your destination of Inverness at approx 1930 where you will be dropped off at your booked accommodation. The evening is free for you to explore the capital of the Highlands. Day 2 You will be picked up from your accommodation between 0900 & 0930 in Inverness and head west towards glorious Glen Affric. This is a stunning area where the River Affric flows down through a dramatic gorge, surrounded on all sides by the beautiful Caledonian pine forest (one of the only remaining areas of Caledonian pine in Scotland, this has now been made into a nature reserve). You can spend some time here and enjoy a walk through the forest, alongside the River Affric. From Glen Affric, you go east to Drumnadrochit, stopping for photos of Urquhart Castle with its mighty ruins overlooking Loch Ness. You will spend your lunchtime on the southern shore of the Loch in the charming village of Fort Augustus. The Caledonian Canal, which links the lochs of the Great Glen, dominates the town and makes a great place to relax and watch the boats sail by. You then travel south towards Loch Laggan and into the Cairngorms National Park, a mountainous area of wild land, forests lochs and glens. You continue south past Blair Castle, stopping in the lovely town of Pitlochry. ISLE OF SKYE & THE HIGHLANDS 3 DAY TOUR Map Day 1 Depart Edinburgh at 09.00 and travel west passing Linlithgow Palace and Stirling with its imposing castle and views of the Wallace Monument. You pass Doune Castle, set of Monty Python's "Holy Grail" before stopping in Callander for refreshments. Crossing into the Highlands you head north towards the glorious scenery surrounding Loch Luibnaig then through Breadalbane (meaning the ‘high country of Scotland’) and up to the wild desolation of Rannoch Moor. You continue through the spectacular mountain pass of Glencoe, scene of the great massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692. Leaving Fort William after lunch you drive past Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, and into the Great Glen. Travelling west on the "Road to the Isles" you head through the splendour of the Five Sisters of Kintail, the mountains guarding the pass on the way to the Isle of Skye. You stop to visit the famous Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland’s most photographed castles, set at the junction of 3 lochs and completely surrounded by water. Crossing over the bridge to Skye, you follow the dramatic coastline north towards the island’s capital, Portree. You are then dropped off at your accommodation in the early evening where you are free to go out and explore the town. Day 2 is a very flexible day on Skye. There are many possibilities depending on the weather and your driver/guide's knowledge will come to the fore in developing the best day out for you on that particular day. North of Portree is the Trotternish ridge with its spectacular cliffs and rock formations, such as the famous landmark – the Old Man of Storr, the impressive sea cliff, Kilt Rock and the stunning mountain pass of the Quiraing. Amazing natural scenery, which is best enjoyed away from the bus by taking a walk through this unique landscape. Further west the scenery changes again with the emerald green valley of Glendale, the dramatic sea-cliffs of Neist Point (the most westerly point on the island, where you might get lucky and spot some whales or sharks!), and the 13th-century home of the Clan Macleod, Dunvegan Castle. You return to Portree in the evening. Day 3 You will be collected from your accommodation and travel south through the Cuillin Hills and back over to the mainland for stunning views over Loch Duich and the 5 Sisters of Kintail. Onto Loch Ness for lunch and the possibility of spotting "Nessie". There is a boat trip (Summer only) available here that will get you that bit closer! Heading south now through the Grampian mountains along Loch Laggan, famous now as "Monarch of the Glen Country" before passing Dalwhinnie, home to Scotland's highest whisky Distillery, and onwards past Blair Castle stopping for refreshments before heading back . IONA, MULL & THE ISLE OF SKYE 5 DAY TOUR - 4 ISLAND MAGIC Map 5 Days 4 Islands - Scotland At Its Best!! Enjoy the magic, ancient history and the undisturbed tranquility of the islands of Mull, Iona and Staffa and the romantic beauty of the Isle of Skye. Day 1Stirling -Loch Lomond - Argyll - Oban You travel north past Stirling castle, and then west to Scotland's first National Park around Loch Lomond,and the bonny banks". You will travel through the impressive mountains of the West Highlands through the magnificent white-washed 18th Century town of Inveraray, home to the Campbell Clan and the Duke of Argyll. The afternoon will be spent in the heart of Argyll exploring the area close to the ancient Kingdom of Dalriada before arriving in bustling town of Oban, the gateway to the islands, for your 2 night stay. Day 2 Isle of Mull and Isle of Ionais an early start crossing on the ferry to Mull and enjoying an island adventure exploring her dramatic coastlines and wild beauty, before taking the small ferry to the peace and tranquility of Iona - birthplace of Celtic Christianity and ancient burial ground of Scottish Kings. Here you can visit the historic abbey with its intricate carved crosses in the churchyard or explore the rocky headlands and sandy coves of this island gem. There is also an opportunity to take a small boat out to the island of Staffa (except Saturday departures in September) and view the dramatic basalt columns immortalised by Mendelssohn in his Hebridean Overture "Fingal's Cave". You then return on the ferry to Oban for your second night. Day 3 Castle Stalker - Glencoe - Isle of Skye takes you north along the west coast around Appin, passing the impregnable Castle Stalker, and Glencoe, scene of the infamous massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692. You then pass through Fort William and up to the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge with great views over Ben Nevis, Britain's highest montain. Your tour now takes the "Road to the Isles" through the splendour of the Five Sisters of Kintail, the mountains guarding the pass on the way to the Isle of Skye. You stop to visit the famous stronghold Eilean Donan Castle, used in the film "Highlander", set at the junction of 3 lochs as protection against Viking raiders. Crossing over the sea to Skye, you travel up to the picturesque harbour town of Portree. You are then dropped off at your accommodation in the early evening, where you are free to go out and explore the town. Day 4 Isle of Skye is a very flexible day on Skye. There are many possibilities depending on the weather and we take passengers preferences into account. For example : Travel north to the stunning Quiraing mountain pass and enjoy a spectacular walk through some of Skye's extraordinary geological scenery, visit Kilt Rock, composed of basalt columns (reminiscent of the pleats in a kilt) with it's waterfall cascading over the cliffs and down into the sea below. After lunch you can go over to Neist Point for a walk out to the lighthouse that is the furthest point west on Skye. Or go over to Dunvegan Castle, ancient ancestral seat of the Clan McLeod. Talisker Distillery is also here, as are the famous Cuillin Hills. We return you to your accommodation in Portree in the early evening for you to enjoy your second free night in Portree. Day 5 Loch Ness - Edinburgh You will be collected from your accommodation and travel south through the Cuillin Hills and back over to the mainland for stunning views over Loch Duich and the 5 Sisters of Kintail. Onto Loch Ness for lunch and the possibility of spotting "Nessie". There is a boat trip (Summer only) available here that will get you that bit closer! Heading south now through the Grampian mountains along Loch Laggan, made famous now as "Monarch of the Glen Country" before passing Dawhinnie, home to Scotland's highest whisky Distillery, and onwards into Perthshire where we stop for refreshments, ending in Edinburgh.  HIGHLAND EXPLORER - SKYE & THE FAR NORTH 5 DAY TOUR map A grand round-tour of breathtaking views and fascinating places throughout the Highlands of Scotland, from the ancient forests of the Cairngorms, vibrant Inverness - capital of the Highlands, to the majestic splendour of the mountains of Assynt, the romantic beauty of the Isle of Skye and the awe inspiring Glen Coe. Day 1 takes you north over the Forth Road Bridge to the charming highland village of Dunkeld on the banks of the river Tay. From here you head into the Cairngorm national park and the ancient pine forests of the Rothiemurchus estate. Lunchtime will be spent on the beautiful shores of Loch Insh before a short forest walk takes you to the ruins of Loch an Eilean castle. Panoramic views of Loch Ness follow as you travel down to the banks of the famous loch and the village of Dores where you can do some “Nessie” spotting! Then it’s on to the “Capital of the Highlands”, Inverness, where you will spend two nights. Day 2 visits the far northwest highlands and the grandeur, expanse and wildness of the mountains of Assynt. Leaving Inverness you take in the drama of the River Droma as it plunges 60m down into the Corrieshalloch Gorge followed by a visit to the fishing village of Ullapool. With visits to the 15th century ruins of Ardvreck Castle, amazing views of some of Europe’s oldest landscapes and the chance of seeing wildlife such as whales and red deer this is sure to be a memorable day. Day 3 leaves Inverness heading west past the mountains of the Beinn Eighe national nature reserve and along the picturesque coastline of Loch Torridon. The tranquil setting of Applecross is your destination for lunch before taking one of the highest roads in Scotland, Bealach nam Bo (meaning the Cattle Pass), with its jaw-dropping views, hairpin bends and precipitous cliffs. In the afternoon you stop in “tropical” Plockton where you can see palm trees growing alongside Loch Carron and take time to enjoy its sheltered serenity. Then it’s over the sea to Skye and the delightful harbour town of Portree with its friendly welcome. Day 4 is a very flexible day on Skye. There are many possibilities depending on the weather and your driver/guide's knowledge will come to the fore in developing the best day out for you. For example: travel north to the stunning Quiraing mountain pass and enjoy a spectacular walk through some of Skye's extraordinary geological scenery. Kilt Rock, composed of basalt columns (reminiscent of the pleats in a kilt) with its waterfall cascading over the cliffs and down into the sea below. After lunch you can travel to Neist Point for a walk out to the lighthouse that is the furthest point west on Skye. Or a visit to Dunvegan Castle, ancient ancestral seat of the Clan McLeod. Talisker Distillery is also on Skye, as are the famous Cuillin Hills. We return you to your accommodation in Portree in the early evening for you to enjoy a free evening in the village. Day 5 takes us south from Skye stopping first at the famous stronghold Eilean Donan Castle, used in the film “Highlander”, set at the head of 3 lochs as protection against Viking raiders. Continuing east through the rugged mountains of Kintail including the splendour of the Five Sisters, you drive down through Glen Garry past Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, then onto Fort William for lunch. In the afternoon you will explore spectacular Glencoe, scene of the infamous massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692, before stopping in Killin for refreshments beside the Falls of Dochart. LEWIS AND HARRIS Get away from it all with this magnificent adventure to the Outer Hebridean Islands of Lewis and Harris, home to pre-historic stone circles of Callanish and the famous white sandy beaches of Harris. Your tour will also include magical Ullapool and Skye. Please phone us if date you want to travel is unavailable to book online. Day 1 Highlights include Dunkeld for a short forest walk to the Hermitage waterfalls, lunch in the Spey Valley overlooked by the Cairngorm Mountains, Loch Ness, Inverness and the Corrieshalloch Gorge. Your overnight stop is the west coast fishing port of Ullapool. Day 2 Your ferry will take you past the Summer Isles to the Isle of Lewis with opportunities to see dolphins, whales and seabirds. You are on the north west edge of Europe now and your afternoon is spent exploring historic blackhouses, crofting townships and the Butt of Lewis. 2 nights in Stornoway, capital of the Western Isles. Day 3 Highlights include the pre-historic stone broch at Dun Carloway, Gearrannan blackhouse village, the famous Callanish stone circles and the remote beaches and communities of Great Bernera or Uig. This is the wilderness of the Western Isles at its finest. Day 4 Today you explore the Isle of Harris, famous for its locally produced Harris Tweed, and home to the highest mountains in the Outer Hebrides and the stunning white sands of Luskentyre. Following a visit to the historic 16th century church at Rodel and lunch in nearby Leverburgh you travel over the sea to Skye, for your overnight stay in the picturesque town of Portree. Day 5 Your return to Edinburgh has many highlights – the Cuillin Mountains of Skye, a visit to Eilean Donan Castle, Fort William, the dramatic scenery and dark history of Glencoe and and the Falls of Dochart at Killin. An adventure to remember forever.
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