Fascinating Scotland

Programme

Day 1: Forth Bridges and Pitlochry

Individual arrival in Edinburgh. Your first leg of the journey will take you across the Firth of Forth with view of the iconic Fort Rail Bridge – a symbol of Scotland and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Perthshire you pass the historic town of Dunkeld, which lies close to the geological Highland Boundary Fault and is frequently described as the “Gateway to the Highlands”. Visit Dunkeld Cathedral and take a walk along the River Tay before continuing your journey to the pictoresque Victorian spa town of Pitlochry, which sits on the border of the Cairngorms National Park. This popular tourist resort offers a variety of hill-walking opportunities with mountains like Ben Vrackie and Schiehallion close by. Or take an easy stroll through the extensive parks along the river Tummel and visit the salmon ladder, the town’s main attraction. Distance: 70 miles, Driving Time: about 1.5 hrs, Accommodation: Pitlochry

Day 2: Pitlochry, Blair Castle and Edradour Distillery

Today you can visit Edradour Whisky Distillery, one of the smallest and most picturesque distilleries in Scotland. Immerse yourself in the secrets of „aqua vitae“, from the making to maturation techniques, followed by a dram full of character and flavours. In the neighbouring town resides the radiant Blair Castle, its history dating back to the 13^th century. Take a walk through Killiecrankie, a magnificent wooded river gorge where one of the goriest battles in Jacobite history took place. On the way back stop at Queen’s View, the place where Queen Victoria allegedly fell in love with Scotland, and enjoy the views over Schiehallion and Loch Tummel. Accommodation: Pitlochry

Day 3: Cairngorm National Park and Central Highlands

Today’s journey takes you through the heather-covered plateaus of the Cairngorms National Park. The largest national park in the United Kingdom boasts a spectacular landscape and provides a unique habitat, home to many rare plants and animals. The Pass of Drumochter is a main mountain pass in the Central Scottish Highlands and the only gap suitable for road traffic for almost 70 miles. You will pass Dalwhinnie, where Scotland’s highest distillery is situated, before stopping at the tranquil Loch an Eilean to enjoy the fresh, clean air and beautiful mountain panoramas. The area is home to the ancient Caledonian Forest with its Scots pines directly descended from the first pines to arrive in Scotland following the late Glacial about 7000 BC. In the afternoon you will reach Nairn, a quaint seaside resort on the Moray Firth. Distance: 90 miles, Driving Time: about 2 hrs, Accommodation: Nairn

Day 4: Speyside, Loch Ness and Shakespeare’s Cawdor Castle

In the morning you can enjoy Nairn’s white sandy beaches. If you’re lucky you might spot some of the resident dolphins, the Moray Firth being home to the most northerly dolphin population in the world. Use the day to explore the Speyside Whisky region where more than half of all Scottish whisky is produced. Alternatively, visit the world-famous Loch Ness. 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 before stopping off in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, on your way back. A short journey by car takes you to Cawdor Castle, which is perhaps best known for its literary connection to William Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth. Accommodation: Nairn

Day 5: Dunrobin Castle and the North of Scotland

Today you can look forward to visiting Dunrobin Castle. The home of the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland. Perched on a high terrace above walled gardens, Dunrobin Castle, with fairy tale spires and turrets, rises above the North Sea like an illustration from a storybook. 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 sense of vastness and emptiness in one of Europe’s most sparsely populated regions. On your way to Lochinver you will pass through the North West Highlands Geopark; at the Knockan Crag you can find out how the spectacular landscape of this region came in to being. The complex folded layers of the Moine Thrust with younger sediments lying on top of older ones was recognised as being caused by tectonic forces and is one of the oldest untouched and most complete geological records in the world. From the visitor centre you can follow a 1.25-mile-long trail up to the thrust with spectacular views over Assynt. Distance: 100 miles, Driving Time: about 2.5-3 hrs, Accommodation: Lochinver

Day 6: Inverpolly Nature Reserve and the North Coast

Today you can visit Inverpolly Nature Reserve. Founded in 1961, the remote area covers 11.000 hectares of moors, woodlands and mountains like Stac Polly and Suilven, only 731 meters high, but with its remarkable outline one of Scotland’s best known and most easily identified mountains. Or use today for a day trip to the Pentland Firth and the north coast. A breath-taking drive leads you past lochs, golden beaches and heather-clad countryside to Durness. Visit the Smoo Cave, a dramatic and spectacular sea and freshwater cave with a 66ft waterfall. The main attractions of this sparsely populated region are unspoiled beaches and cliffs, seabird colonies, seals, dolphins and mink whales. The Clo Mor Cliffs are the highest on the British mainland and a colony of puffins lives in the dunes north of Durness. At Loch Balnakeil, 1.5 miles south of Durness, a former RAF base has been transformed into a craft village, where eccentric characters sell their wares and where you can get the best hot chocolate in the country. Accommodation: Lochinver

Day 7: Ullapool and Inverewe Gardens

In the morning visit the seaside town Ullapool, where whitewashed cottages hug the coastline around Loch Broom and the small fishing harbour designed by Thomas Telford. Despite its small size it is the largest settlement for many miles around and an important port and tourist destination. Ferries sail to Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides. The village is known for its lively folk music scene and is a centre for Gaelic music, art and language. Further south, on the shores of Loch Ewe, blooms the prettiest and most northerly botanic 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. Since 1952 the garden and estate are managed by the National Trust for Scotland. Distance: 95 miles, Driving Time: about 2.5 hrs, Accommodation: Gairloch

Day 8: Beaches, Dolphins and the Northwestern Highlands

Gairloch is a typical highland village with its own identity and a rich Gaelic heritage. The surrounding area has a lot to discover: Gairloch bay, stunning beaches, sand 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. In the evening enjoy some typical Scottish dishes at the “Old Inn” in Gairloch. Accommodation: Gairloch

Day 9: Applecross and Eilean Donan Castle

Today you will pass the fantastic Applecross Peninsula, home to just a couple of hundred people and accessed by only two roads. The area offers a real escape from the noise and stress of modern-day life and is one of the last insider tips on the Westcoast. Over the Bealach na Bà pass at 2054ft, with the steepest ascent of any road climb in the UK, you carry on 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”. After a short stop in Plockton, a small Highland village with stunning views overlooking Loch Carron and popular with local artists you will reach the Isle of Skye, the largest and best known of the Inner Hebrides. Distance: 95 miles, Driving Time: about 3-4 hrs, Accommodation: Isle of Skye

Day 10: The Isle of Skye

Explore the magical Isle of Skye, its mountainous interior often draped in mist and clouds! The Cuillin mountain range, picturesque fishing villages, waterfalls and thatched cottages – every view is a great view! The basalt columns of the famous Kilt Rock sea cliff resemble a kilt, here the Mealt Waterfall plunges 200 feet into the sea. Visit the truly spectacular Quiraing Massive, with its distinctive landscape an icon of Scotland. The landslip on the north eastern side of the Trotternish Ridge is still moving today. Rock formations like The Needle, The Table and The Prison in ever-changing lightin conditions provide superb motives to be captured with your camera. In the afternoon step back in time at the “Museum of Island Life” in the north of the island. Here, traditional thatched blackhouses have been restored and offer visitors a unique experience and a true insight into island life 100 years ago. Or visit the Talisker distillery, which produces the famous island whisky. Accommodation: Isle of Skye

Day 11: Fife Sisters of Kintail and Fort William

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 foot 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. Not just Harry Potter fans will be delighted by a train journey with the famous Jacobite Steam Train to Mallaig. You will stop at 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. Distance: 110 miles, Driving Time: about 3 hrs, Accommodation: Fort William

Day 12: Glencoe and the Trossachs National Park

Today another highlight of the West Highlands is awaiting you – the spectacular Glencoe, one of Scotland’s most scenic and most historic valleys. 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 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 surrounding hills. You continue through the picturesque Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park and finally reach Edinburgh.  Distance: 135 miles, Driving Time: about 3 hrs, Accommodation: Edinburgh

Day 13: The capital Edinburgh

The capital of Scotland, is said to be built on seven hills, in an allusion to the seven hills of Rome. Take a walk through the Old and New Town (UNESCO World Heritage Sites), discover Holyrood Palace, the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle, and enjoy the view over town from Carlton Hill. In the evening fantastic restaurants and cosy pubs invite you to linger and soak in the lively atmosphere. If you’re brave enough you can join one of the many ghost tours through to discover Edinburgh’s dark past. Accommodation: Edinburgh

Day 14: Departure 

Today you have to say goodbye to a wonderful, welcoming country. Take a last stroll through the streets of Edinburgh, buy a few last souvenirs or visit one of the many galleries and museums before starting your journey home.

Services

Tour includes

• 13 overnight stays in 3-4* B&B or hotel accommodation (en-suite)
• Scottish breakfast
• hire car for 14 days from/to airport 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 £50 per day car hire extension
• from £40 pp Royal Military Tattoo tickets (subject to availability)

Additional Information

Duration: 14 days
Participants: from 2 pax
Start: Edinburgh/Glasgow Airport
Finish: Edinburgh/Glasgow Airport

This tour can also be done 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, and the information pack is compiled with great care and attention. We also have to allow time for the information pack to be delivered (postal delivery can take 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!

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