West Europe – Scotland – 10N/11D

Day 1&2 : Explore Edinburgh, sightseeing and attractions

Edinburgh is a city of seven hills, just like Rome. Take time to explore some of the city’s incredible history, from the beautiful Edinburgh Castle to the impressive Royal Museum of Scotland. Walk the Royal Mile, home to the Old Town’s most impressive buildings, and hit the shops of George Street to explore New Town. Stop at the National Gallery of Scotland with its old-master paintings and great Scottish art. Go underground for ghosts – the Royal Exchange in 1753 was built over the Real Mary King’s Close, a medieval community and victims of the 1645 plague, who lived there apparently, haunt it.

Day 3 : Edinburgh – day trip to St. Andrews

Take a day trip across the Firth of Forth and journey into the Kingdom of Fife. Stop in the delightful village of Falkland and step back in time as you explore Falkland Palace, the country residence of the Stuart Kings and Queens. Arrive at St. Andrews, renowned as the home of Golf and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club. Walk around St. Andrews University and visit St.Andrew’s Castle that features a gruesome dungeon and secret tunnels. The Open Championship has taken place here on many occasions and you can learn more about the game and the important role that this community has played in its development at the British Golf Museum. See the picturesque fishing villages of the East Neuk of Fife as you meander back to Edinburgh.

Day 4 : Drive past Stirling Castle, on to Inverness

Travel to Stirling Castle where you can visit this imposing stronghold, the favourite residence of the Stuart kings, where Mary Queen of Scots was crowned. The castle overlooks the ancient city of Stirling and is one of the historic buildings that have come to symbolise the spirit of Scotland. Drive on to Inverness and stroll around the Old Town where there are a number of historic buildings, including the pink crenellated castle that is lavishly decorated with flowers. Inverness sits on the banks of the River Ness and the castle looms above the Gothic Town House in the High Street and dominates the horizon.

Day 5 : Cruise on Loch Ness, visit the Highlands, visit local Whisky brewery

Take a cruise on Loch Ness and see if you can spot the famous monster! Cawdor Castle is close by and is a spooky delight keeping with the eerie theme created by Nessie. For whisky lovers this is a fine base for visiting a distillery and the Glen Ord Distillery is one of the best. Located on the edge of the Black Isle in the Highlands, west of Inverness, it is a delight to both the eye and the palate. Watch the distillers at work creating a magical malt whisky and browse the shop that is well stocked with a wide variety of single malt whiskies. And take time to explore the Highlands, visiting the charming towns and villages such as Fort Augustus, Foyers, Cannich and Drumnadrochit, or just relax and enjoy the great outdoors.

Day 6 : Isle of Skye, sightseeing and attractions, outdoor activities

Take the stunning road through the hills, known as the ‘rest and be thankful’ to the handsome town of Inveraray on Loch Fyne where you can visit the amazing Inveraray Castle. Arrive in the bustling sea port of Oban, gateway to the Isles and spend an overnight stay in a traditional Scottish B&B.; Next day take the ferry to Oban and drive north along Loch Linnhe and arrive in Fort William that sits on the slopes of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. Take the stunning Glenfinnan Road to see the amazing Glenfinnan monument and viaduct – used in the Harry Potter films. Arrive in the small port of Mallaig and take a spectacular ferry journey through the Sound of Sleat to the Isle of Skye. Head north to see the wild mountains that dominate the island and head back to the capital of Skye, Portree, to see the Old Mann of Storr and Kilt Rock – a spectacular rock formation. Overnight in Portree.

Day 7 : Isle of Skye, sightseeing and attractions outdoor activities

Spend time exploring the island and see the spectacular mountains in Glen Brittle, or take a hike in the Cullins. Take in the raw landscape and the big, open horizons, the island has a mysterious atmosphere thanks to its unusual quality of light, mist and mountains. Spend time at Eilean Donan Castle before exploring striking rock formations and shopping for crafts that include pottery and jewellery, and knitwear in towns like Armadale and Portree.

Day 8 : Loch Lomond & Trossachs – outdoor activities

Loch Lomond and the glens of the Trossachs boast some of the most stunning scenery in the world – Loch Lomond is mainland UK’s largest body of water. There’s always more to explore here and activities to suit everyone, whether a sedate loch shore walk to calm your spirit, or a day of munro bagging, or a gentle cycle along a cycle path, or a high octane mountain bike experience, a comfortable canoe around the islands or a bracing open water swim. It’s all here.

Day 9 : Loch Lomond & Trossachs – Glengoyne distillery

A visit to the Glen Ord Distillery, on the edge of the Black Isle in the Highlands, is a delight to both the eye and the palate. Take a tour of the distillery and watch the distillers at work creating a magical malt whisky that is sweet, malty and dry on the palate. This distillery was founded in 1838, making it one of the oldest in Scotland. It continues to malt its own barley and to use the long fermentation and slow distillation methods that have been followed for generations.

Day 10 : Glasgow

Time to take a City Sightseeing tour of Glasgow and take in some of the city’s history and culture. There are 28 stops and you can hop on and off to visit a site or stay on for the full two-hour tour. Or why not try a tour with a difference with a Ghostly Glasgow tour that describes the city’s grim, gory and ghoulish past. Visit the Wellpark Brewery for a free pint of Scotland’s favourite lager, and learn about the brewing process from mashing to canning, along the way. Have afternoon tea at traditional Tea Rooms in Sauciehall Street, and take a river tour down the Clyde River that runs through the heart of the city.

Day 11 : Depart

Day 1&2 : Explore Edinburgh, sightseeing and attractions

Edinburgh is a city of seven hills, just like Rome. Take time to explore some of the city’s incredible history, from the beautiful Edinburgh Castle to the impressive Royal Museum of Scotland. Walk the Royal Mile, home to the Old Town’s most impressive buildings, and hit the shops of George Street to explore New Town. Stop at the National Gallery of Scotland with its old-master paintings and great Scottish art. Go underground for ghosts – the Royal Exchange in 1753 was built over the Real Mary King’s Close, a medieval community and victims of the 1645 plague, who lived there apparently, haunt it.

Day 3 : Edinburgh – day trip to St. Andrews

Take a day trip across the Firth of Forth and journey into the Kingdom of Fife. Stop in the delightful village of Falkland and step back in time as you explore Falkland Palace, the country residence of the Stuart Kings and Queens. Arrive at St. Andrews, renowned as the home of Golf and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club. Walk around St. Andrews University and visit St.Andrew’s Castle that features a gruesome dungeon and secret tunnels. The Open Championship has taken place here on many occasions and you can learn more about the game and the important role that this community has played in its development at the British Golf Museum. See the picturesque fishing villages of the East Neuk of Fife as you meander back to Edinburgh.

Day 4 : Drive past Stirling Castle, on to Inverness

Travel to Stirling Castle where you can visit this imposing stronghold, the favourite residence of the Stuart kings, where Mary Queen of Scots was crowned. The castle overlooks the ancient city of Stirling and is one of the historic buildings that have come to symbolise the spirit of Scotland. Drive on to Inverness and stroll around the Old Town where there are a number of historic buildings, including the pink crenellated castle that is lavishly decorated with flowers. Inverness sits on the banks of the River Ness and the castle looms above the Gothic Town House in the High Street and dominates the horizon.

Day 5 : Cruise on Loch Ness, visit the Highlands, visit local Whisky brewery

Take a cruise on Loch Ness and see if you can spot the famous monster! Cawdor Castle is close by and is a spooky delight keeping with the eerie theme created by Nessie. For whisky lovers this is a fine base for visiting a distillery and the Glen Ord Distillery is one of the best. Located on the edge of the Black Isle in the Highlands, west of Inverness, it is a delight to both the eye and the palate. Watch the distillers at work creating a magical malt whisky and browse the shop that is well stocked with a wide variety of single malt whiskies. And take time to explore the Highlands, visiting the charming towns and villages such as Fort Augustus, Foyers, Cannich and Drumnadrochit, or just relax and enjoy the great outdoors.

Day 6 : Isle of Skye, sightseeing and attractions, outdoor activities

Take the stunning road through the hills, known as the ‘rest and be thankful’ to the handsome town of Inveraray on Loch Fyne where you can visit the amazing Inveraray Castle. Arrive in the bustling sea port of Oban, gateway to the Isles and spend an overnight stay in a traditional Scottish B&B.; Next day take the ferry to Oban and drive north along Loch Linnhe and arrive in Fort William that sits on the slopes of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. Take the stunning Glenfinnan Road to see the amazing Glenfinnan monument and viaduct – used in the Harry Potter films. Arrive in the small port of Mallaig and take a spectacular ferry journey through the Sound of Sleat to the Isle of Skye. Head north to see the wild mountains that dominate the island and head back to the capital of Skye, Portree, to see the Old Mann of Storr and Kilt Rock – a spectacular rock formation. Overnight in Portree.

Day 7 : Isle of Skye, sightseeing and attractions outdoor activities

Spend time exploring the island and see the spectacular mountains in Glen Brittle, or take a hike in the Cullins. Take in the raw landscape and the big, open horizons, the island has a mysterious atmosphere thanks to its unusual quality of light, mist and mountains. Spend time at Eilean Donan Castle before exploring striking rock formations and shopping for crafts that include pottery and jewellery, and knitwear in towns like Armadale and Portree.

Day 8 : Loch Lomond & Trossachs – outdoor activities

Loch Lomond and the glens of the Trossachs boast some of the most stunning scenery in the world – Loch Lomond is mainland UK’s largest body of water. There’s always more to explore here and activities to suit everyone, whether a sedate loch shore walk to calm your spirit, or a day of munro bagging, or a gentle cycle along a cycle path, or a high octane mountain bike experience, a comfortable canoe around the islands or a bracing open water swim. It’s all here.

Day 9 : Loch Lomond & Trossachs – Glengoyne distillery

A visit to the Glen Ord Distillery, on the edge of the Black Isle in the Highlands, is a delight to both the eye and the palate. Take a tour of the distillery and watch the distillers at work creating a magical malt whisky that is sweet, malty and dry on the palate. This distillery was founded in 1838, making it one of the oldest in Scotland. It continues to malt its own barley and to use the long fermentation and slow distillation methods that have been followed for generations.

Day 10 : Glasgow

Time to take a City Sightseeing tour of Glasgow and take in some of the city’s history and culture. There are 28 stops and you can hop on and off to visit a site or stay on for the full two-hour tour. Or why not try a tour with a difference with a Ghostly Glasgow tour that describes the city’s grim, gory and ghoulish past. Visit the Wellpark Brewery for a free pint of Scotland’s favourite lager, and learn about the brewing process from mashing to canning, along the way. Have afternoon tea at traditional Tea Rooms in Sauciehall Street, and take a river tour down the Clyde River that runs through the heart of the city.

Day 11 : Depart