£2700 per person (based on 2 sharing)
Spaces: 6
Start Date: 2nd May 2019
Duration: 8 nights
Departing: Glasgow
9 Day Best of Scotland & Islay
A 9 day scenic adventure taking in the incredible landscapes of west coast islands and the Highlands, a blend of roads less travelled and Scotlands iconic attractions. We take in the rugged Isle of Skye, the beautiful and unexplored wild Atlantic coast of the Kintyre peninsula and the Isle of Islay, the 'Queen of the Hebrides', probably best known for its peaty, smoky whiskies which some say are the best in the world. Highlights include exploring both of our National Parks, haunting Glencoe, Isle of Islay, ferry to Skye, Culloden Moor, Loch Ness, Inveraray, highland Perthshire and Eilean Donan Castle.
Book nowDay 1
Loch Lomond & Wild Atlantic Coast
Day 1 is a fabulous introduction to the Scottish landscape, exploring the mountains, glens and lochs of Scotland’s first National Park and the beautiful lochside village of Inveraray with its famous castle. Later, we head south through Kintyre for some stunning west coast scenery. Overnight Kintyre.
Day 2
Isle of Islay
Day 2 we travel via ferry to Islay to explore the island known as the “Queen of the Hebrides”. We venture out to view Bowmore Round Church and the Port Charlotte Museum of Island Life and enjoy lunch at Ardbeg Distillery with the option to sample the heavy peat-smoked Islay malts. Overnight Kintyre
Day 3
Kilmartin Glen & Glencoe
Day 3 explores the west coast with a wonderful tour through Kilmartin Glen with standing stones and onwards to visit to Oban with a distillery tour of one of the oldest whisky distilleries in Scotland. Later we view the beautiful landscape of Glencoe. Overnight Glencoe
Day 4
Road to the Isles
Day 4 takes us west on the spectacular “Road to the Isles” providing wonderful views across the Sound of Arisaig to the Small Isles of Eigg and Rhum. Our journey takes us past Neptune’s Staircase on our way to take the ferry “Over the Sea to Skye”. Overnight nr Skye
Day 5
Isle of Skye
Day 5 is a tour of the Isle of Skye, passing through Broadford and on to the main settlement on the Island; Portree. Heading north we take in Uig, the Old Man of Storr and Kilt Rock Falls with other options a possibility. Overnight nr Skye
Day 6
Eilean Donan Castle & Loch Ness
Day 6 begins with a visit to Eilean Donan Castle before travelling through beautiful Glenshiel to the village of Fort Augustus on the shores of Loch Ness. Later, we travel further north to visit a whisky distillery for some much-needed whisky tasting. Overnight nr Inverness
Day 7
Cairngorms National Park
Day 7 we visit Culloden Battlefield which will provide a lasting image of Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite Army explores the Cairngorms National Park with towering mountain ranges. We tour south through Carrbridge and later visit the Highland Folk Museum. Overnight Pitlochry
Day 8
Perthshire & Stirling Castle
Day 8 allows time to enjoy highland Perthshire before we journey south via Dunkeld to explore Stirling Castle. An enjoyable visit to this royal court will reveal the castle's long and turbulent history with iconic figures such as Mary Queen of Scots, William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. Overnight Stirling
Day 9
Edinburgh Castle & Royal Mile
Day 9 we view the famous Forth Rail Bridge and then visit Rosslyn Chapel made famous by Dan Brown's book ‘The Da Vinci Code’. Later we visit Edinburgh Castle and enjoy a walk down the Royal Mile with its charming medieval architecture and the opportunity to do some speciality shopping.