Beaches, Dolphins, Castles & Other Adventures

Programme

Day 1: Welcome to Scotland

Arrival in Edinburgh. You will head to your accommodation on the outskirts of Edinburgh in the picturesque seaside town of South Queensferry underneath the impressive Forth Rail Bridge – an UNESCO World Heritage site. Greeted by the salty air and the noise of the seagulls you can relax in one of the many cafés and beer gardens while the children play on the beach. Distance: 8 miles, Driving Time: about 15 min.  Accommodation: South Queensferry

Day 2: Adventures in Edinburgh

The train will take you in only 15 minutes into the centre of Edinburgh. The capital of Scotland, affectionately known as Auld Reekie (Scots for Old Smoke) is said to be built on seven hills giving rise to allusions to the seven hills of Rome. Take a walk through the Old and New Town, discover Holyrood Palace, the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle and enjoy the view from Carlton Hill. Visit the National Gallery or head to Leith where the Royal Yacht Britannia is moored. Children of all ages will love the interactive museums, the Edinburgh Dungeon and the Camera Obscura. Accommodation: South Queensferry

Day 3: Parks, Castles & the Cairngorms National Park

After a hearty breakfast you will cross one of the Forth bridges and head into Perthshire. The historic town Dunkeld lies close to the geological Highland Boundary Fault and is frequently described as “Gateway to the Highlands”. Visit Dunkeld Cathedral and take a walk along the River Tay before continuing your journey to the radiant Blair Castle, its history going back to the 13^th century. The park rangers offer a variety of activities for the children, including pony treks. Continue past heather covered upland plateaus through the Cairngorms National Park. The largest national park in the United Kingdom, The Cairngorms themselves are a spectacular landscape and provide a unique alpine tundra moorland habitat, home to many rare plants and animals. Watch a sheepdog demonstration in Kincraig, if you are lucky the children can even bottle feed the young lambs. In the afternoon you will reach the well-known winter ski town of Aviemore. Distance: 120 miles, Driving Time: about 2.5 hours. Accommodation: Aviemore

Day 4: Highland Wildlife Park

Take a walk on the wild side today by visiting the local Highland Wildlife Park. Here you will find Amur Tigers and Polar Bears as well as a variety of local wildlife like the elusive Scottish Wildcat and the capercaillie. Aviemore is famed for a wide variety of outdoor activities: walks and hikes for every level of fitness, bike treks, a sled dog farm and Britain’s only free-ranging herd of reindeer. In bad weather the local MacDonald Hotel complex offers soft play, pool and a Kids Activity Centre. For adults who would like to relax without their kids for a few hours: the hotel offers 3-hourly supervised play sessions. Accommodation: Aviemore

Day 5: Beaches, Dolphins & Cawdor Castle

In the morning you can enjoy Nairn’s white sandy beaches. If you are lucky you might spot some of the resident dolphins, the Moray Firth being home to the most northerly dolphin population in the world. Close by you can also visit Cawdor Castle, which is perhaps best known for its literary connection to William Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth. Or use the day to explore the Speyside whisky region where more than half of all Scottish whisky is produced. Accommodation: Aviemore

Day 6: Hunting for the Loch Ness monster

In the morning you will drive to Inverness and carry on to the iconic Loch Ness, one of the largest and deepest expanses of water in the UK and home to Scotland’s most elusive and beloved monster “Nessie”. On your way you will cross the Caledonian Canal, connecting the Scottish east coast at Inverness with the west coast near Fort William. Enjoy the view over the Loch from the ruins of Urquhart Castle From here the journey takes you through the Northwestern Highlands with their barren and wild beauty. Thinly covered mountains and moorland, calm lochs and deep fjords add to the feel of vastness and emptiness in one of Europe’s most sparsely populated regions. In the evening enjoy some typical Scottish dishes at the “Old Inn” in Gairloch. Distance: 110 miles, Driving Time: about 2.5-3 hours.  Accommodation: Gairloch

Day 7: Whales, Seals and the North West Highlands

Gairloch is a typical highland village with its own identity and a rich Gaelic heritage. The surrounding area offers a lot to discover: Gairloch bay, beaches, dunes and golf courses. You can go hiking, cycling, play golf or just relax and unwind. The area offers a multitude of walks for all abilities and experiences. Take a boat trip to look for dolphins and whales, watch playful seals and colourful puffins. Or join one of the local fishermen for a trip out to sea to catch lobster and crabs. Accommodation: Gairloch

 Day 8: Pony-Trekking and Inverewe Gardens

The local Gairloch Trekking Centre offers a variety of pony rides and treks for different abilities and interests. Further north blooms on the shores of Loch Ewe the prettiest and most northerly garden Scotland’s – Inverewe Gardens. Created from barren land in 1862 by Osgood Mackenzie, the garden boasts many exotic plants from all over the world which grow here thanks to the influence of the North Atlantic current. Inverewe has a noteworthy rhododendron collection and hosts an Erythronium festival in spring. Since 1952 the garden and estate are managed by the National Trust for Scotland. Children will love racing along the winding paths through jungle-like vegetation. Accommodation: Gairloch

Day 9: Eilean Donan Castle & Fort William

Today you will follow the road along the west coast to Eilean Donan Castle. Being one of the most photographed castles in the world, the site has also been used as setting in a variety of movies, most famously the 1986 film “Highlander”. Situated on an island at the point where three great sea lochs meet, the castle is only accessible via a small stone bridge and is one of the most visited and important attraction in the Scottish Highlands. Through the beautiful Glen Garry and past the majestic mountain rage of the „Fife Sisters of Kintail“ you will reach Fort William, the hiking capital of Scotland at the base of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Great Britain. Take the gondola up the mountain or take a short walk to Glen Nevis. You can watch seals on a local boat trip or visit the Ben Nevis Distillery. Distance: 130 miles, Driving Time: about 3 hours. Accommodation: Fort William

Day 10: Day Trip on the „Harry Potter“ train

Not just Harry Potter fans will be delighted by a train journey with the famous Jacobite Steam Train to Mallaig. Considered by many to be the most scenic rail journey in the world, you will head over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous by the Braveheart movie and Harry Potter franchise. The Glenfinnan Monument marks the spot where in 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard on the shores of Loch Shiel and the Jacobite rising began. The “Iron Road to the Isles“, captivates everyone with its rugged landscape, wild lochs, jagged fjords and breath-taking views over the islands off the west coast. Accommodation: Fort William

Day 11: Glencoe and the Trossachs National Park

Today another highlight of the West Highlands is waiting for you, the spectacular Glencoe, one of Scotland’s most scenic and most historic glens. Made famous by the bloody massacre at the MacDonald clan in 1692, Glencoe is a place of towering mountains and deep valleys shaped by violent volcanic eruptions and sculpted by massive glaciers. Beyond the glen the countryside suddenly gets desolate. One of the last remaining wildernesses in Europe, the Great Moor of Rannoch is a vast expanse of boggy moorland, lochans, rivers and rocky outcrops. When you are heading south on the only road through this empty stretch of land watch out for the stags and red deer on the hills. You continue into the picturesque Trossachs National Park and to your last stop in the quaint town of Callander. The small town offers lovely parks and a large adventure playground as well as a wide choice of local walks. Distance: 82 miles, Driving Time: about 2 hours. Accommodation: Callander

Day 12: Loch Katrine & Adventure Park

Enjoy the romantic landscape of the Trossachs National Park. Past lonely lochs, woods and fantastic views you will reach picturesque Loch Katrine. Hire a bike and go for a cycle along the shores or take a boat trip. Follow Duke’s Pass, one of the highest mountain passes in Scotland to Aberfoyle, where you can visit The Scottish Wool Centre. Thrill seekers can visit the Go Ape Adventure Park. Home to two of the longest zip wires in the UK you will be flying over trees and waterfalls with breath-taking views of the hills, valleys and Highlands. Or visit Blair Drummond Safari Park, one of Scotland’s top family attractions. Accommodation: Callander

Day 13: Departure

Today you have to say goodbye to a wonderful welcoming country and an impressive tour. After one hours drive you will reach Edinburgh airport where you return your hire car and continue your homeward journey. Distance: 45 miles, Driving Time: about 1 hour

Services

Tour includes

• 12 overnight stays in 3-4* B&B or hotel accommodation (en-suite)
• Scottish breakfast
• hire car for 13 days from/to airport including including insurance and Sat Nav
• Scotland road map
• comprehensive info pack including leisure and restaurant recommendations
• 24/7 emergency hotline

Not included

• flights
• lunch and dinner
• fuel
• admissions
• additional driver

Optional add-ons

• £69 pp additional night in Edinburgh/Glasgow B&B, based on 2 people sharing (£41 single supplement)
• £89 pp additional night in Edinburgh/Glasgow hotel, based on 2 people sharing (£61 single supplement)
• from £55 pp Royal Military Tattoo tickets (subject to availability)

Additional Information

Duration: 13 days
Participants: from 2 adults (1 adult on request)
Start: Edinburgh/Glasgow Airport
Finish: Edinburgh/Glasgow Airport

This tour can also be done as a walking holiday and/or by public transport, as an alternative to driving.

When deciding on your travel dates, please bear in mind that we require at least 6 weeks to prepare. Every trip is meticulously planned and organised, the information pack compiled with great care and attention. We also have to allow time for post delivery (on average 4 weeks in Europe). If you do want to travel at short notice, please contact us by email. Thank you for your cooperation!

Dates & Prices

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