4 Day Historic Castles, Highland Villages & East Neuk Mini Tour

Today is a fabulous introduction to the Scottish landscape and historic structures beginning with a visit to Doune Castle used as a film location for 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' as well as 'Game of Thrones' and 'Outlander'.  Next, we tour west and admire Loch Lomond in Scotland’s first National Park, stopping to explore on foot at the beautiful lochside village of Luss on the shores of the loch.  Touring north, we venture through the fabulous mountains of Glencoe, steeped in history with dramatic scenery and learn of the grim McDonald massacre of 1692.  Overnight nr Glencoe

This morning we take in the wonderful Highland town of Fort William, Scotland's largest Highland town, to view Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis.  Touring north, we travel through the 'Great Glen' to the charming village of Fort Augustus on the shores of Loch Ness.  After a relaxing walk along the Caledonian Canal to enjoy the atmosphere we now head further north to sample the 'Water of Life', or 'Uisge Beatha' in Gaelic, at the Whisky Distillery before heading to Inverness, the ‘Capital of the Highlands’.  Overnight Inverness

This morning we tour south to explore the Cairngorms National Park with towering mountain ranges and large tracts of the original Caledonian Pine Forest.  Heading south, we take in the village of Carrbridge, home to the oldest pack-horse bridge in the Highlands, and the Rothiemurchus Estate at the foot of the Cairngorms mountain range.  Enjoy a visit to Blair Castle & Gardens when we reach Highland Perthshire and a look around the Victorian town of Pitlochry in the heart of Scotland.  This charming town developed significantly after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited the area in 1842 and bought a highland estate at nearby Balmoral.  Overnight Pitlochry

The last day of the tour explores the charming East Neuk of Fife; Neuk being the Scots word for 'corner'.  We head into the historic town of St Andrews to explore the cobbled streets and alleyways of 'The Home of Golf'.  You may wish to visit some of the interesting shops, the ruins of St Andrews Castle, the Cathedral, or admire the Universuty campus that once hosted Prince William while he attended the University - one of the oldest in the world.  We head back to Edinburgh via the quaint East Neuk fishing village of Pittemweem that is currently the most active fishing port along this coast.