INCLUDES: Four nights accommodation in rooms with private facilities; full Scottish breakfast; three full day excursions to Skye, John O’Groats and Wester Ross; excursion to Cromarty and the Black Isle; Transportation by air-conditioned luxury touring coach; services of a tour host; service charges and taxes.
From Edinburgh and Glasgow we will make our way via lonely Rannoch Moor to the beauty of Glen Coe. There is a stop in the heart of the Glen before heading for Fort William. Drive through the Great Glen to Loch Ness, where we make a stop at Urquhart Castle, for some monster spotting. Our tour is based in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands for the next four nights.
The stay in Inverness is un-escorted.
Day Two
Today we enjoy a full day excursion to the beautiful island of Skye. We will make a photo-stop at Eilean Donan Castle when you will marvel at the views of this most picturesque of castles. Soon we’ll be crossing “over the sea to Skye” and visiting the beautiful gardens of the Clan Donald Centre before enjoying the dramatic scenery of the famed Cuillin Mountains. Later we will have time for some beach combing before returning to Inverness.
Day Three
The emphasis is very much on nature today and we hope to see red deer, seals, puffins (until early August) and hairy Highland cows along the way. Our tour takes us to Golspie then through the lands of the Duke of Sutherland - when you’ll hear all about the notorious Highland Clearances. We will pass many stone-age sites before arriving in John O’Groats. We’ll make stops to enjoy the dramatic cliff scenery of the northen coastline before returning to Inverness.
Day Four
A day of scenic beauty as we discover Wester Ross. From Inverness we make our way towards Ullapool for our first visit to Corrieshalloch Gorge where we can see the torrent of water plunging 46m (150ft) over the Falls of Measach. Our next treat is the opportunity to visit lush Inverewe Gardens. In stark contrast to the remote surroundings a wide variety of exotic plants and shrubs survive here, thanks to the efforts of the Gulf Stream. From Inverewe we make our way to Gairloch and then along the banks of Loch Maree, said to be one of Scotland’s most scenic lakes. A drive through Glen Docherty will bring us to Achnaseen and then journey’s end in Inverness.
Day Five
There is an excursion to the scenic village of Cromarty followed by free time in Inverness before joining your motorcoach for our tour south. Our route will take us to the gentle Spey Valley then through the dramatic scenery of the Drumochter Pass. As we travel through Glen Garry look out for imposing Blair Castle. There's a stop for afternoon tea then the rolling Tayside countryside will guide us to Perth then homewards to journey’s end in Edinburgh or Glasgow.
Admission to Urquhart Castle and cruise are not included— payable locally.
1 Day Tours 