Scottish Isles & Glens
This 12-day adventurous and economical tour provides first-time visitors to Scotland and those returning to this beautiful country, the opportunity to discover coastal Scotland and spend two nights on Orkney, where you can explore its cultural and archaeological riches. Beginning in Glasgow and ending in Edinburgh, this trip covers lots of ground, making it a popular choice for travelers of all ages. Discover such wonders as the Ring of Brodgar, Skara Brae, Inverness Gardens, the Culloden Battlefields and Loch Lomond.
Highlights include medieval villages, Dunrobin, Dunvegan and Urquhart castles. See beautiful Inverewe Gardens, the Isle of Orkney, the Ring of Brodgar, John o’Groats and Mount Stuart House. Explore the northern Highlands, Inverness, Edinburgh and the Skye islands. Cruise on Loch Ness and Loch Katrine. Marvel at the prehistoric village of Skara Brae, enjoy a whiskey-tasting and local entertainment. Experience this affordable and unique vacation.
12 Days • fr. $4,095
Tour Includes
- Inverewe Gardens
- Isle of Orkney
- John o’Groats
- Kilt Rock
- Loch Ness Cruise
- Ring of Brodgar
- Skara Brae
- Urquhart Castle
- Enjoy dinner on board a ferry as you cruise to the Isles of Orkney.
- Board the classic and elegant steamship the Sir Walter Scott for a picturesque cruise of Loch Katrine.
- Expect an unforgettable evening of music, ceremony, theater and dance with reserved seats for Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on July 28 to August 13 departures
- Handling of one piece of luggage per person is included in the cost of all coach tours. Size should not exceed 30 x 20 x 10 inches and weight should be under 50 lbs. Luggage is carried at owner's risk throughout the tour unless insured.
Not Included
- Tips for personal services and to tour directors and drivers are not included in tour cost and left to your discretion.
- All items of a personal nature (room service, beverages, telephone charges, laundry, special food requests, etc.) and meals not specified on the tour itinerary are not included and must be paid by the client.
- All rates exclude airfare unless expressly noted.
Meal Inclusions
- Full daily breakfasts (except Day 1)
- 9 dinners including a festive Scottish evening in Edinburgh
Hotel Details
- The Winnock Hotel in Drymen, near Glasgow (2 nights)
- Balmacara Hotel near Kyle of Lochalsh (2 nights)
- The Royal Hotel in Ullapool (1 night)
- Ayre Hotel in Kirkwall (2 nights)
- Columba Hotel in Inverness (2 nights)
- Apex Grassmarket Hotel in Edinburgh (2 nights)
Day 1
Glasgow Arrival Location Information Description
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Tour begins 3:00 PM at your Glasgow hotel. Take a tour around the city. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group before dinner.
Dinner
Novotel Glasgow Centre Hotel
Day 2
Isle of Bute & Mount Stuart House Location Information Description
Rothesay, United Kingdom
Ferry to the Isle of Bute for stunning island scenery and a guided tour of the 19th-century Mount Stuart House. Spend some time in Rothesay, the main town on the island. Enjoy free time before dinner.
Location Information Description
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Overnight in Glasgow
Breakfast, Dinner
Novotel Glasgow Centre Hotel
Day 3
Loch Lomond & Eilean Donan Castle Location Information Description
Loch Lomond, United Kingdom
Travel along the famous Loch Lomond, renowned for its unsurpassed beauty. Journey through Glencoe, often considered one of Scotland’s most beautiful regions.
Location Information Description
Fort William, United Kingdom
Travel through Fort William and stop at a woollen mill for refreshments and shop for Scottish goods.
Location Information Description
Dornie, United Kingdom
Visit the romantic Eilean Donan Castle before heading to your hotel.
Location Information Description
Kyle of Lochalsh, United Kingdom
Overnight at Balmacara Hotel near Kyle of Lochalsh
Breakfast, Dinner
Balmacara Hotel
Day 4
Isle of Skye & Dunvegan Castle Location Information Description
Isle of Skye, United Kingdom
Explore the Isle of Skye and its associations with Bonnie Prince Charlie.
Location Information Description
Dunvegan, United Kingdom
Tour Dunvegan Castle, the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland and former stronghold of the Chiefs of MacLeod.
Location Information Description
Portree, United Kingdom
Stop in picturesque Portree with its brightly painted houses clustered around the bay. Enjoy a photo opportunity or two, featuring the spectacular Kilt Rock. Enjoy free time before dinner.
Location Information Description
Kyle of Lochalsh, United Kingdom
Overnight at Balmacara Hotel.
Breakfast, Dinner
Balmacara Hotel
Day 5
Inverewe Gardens & Ullapool Location Information Description
Inverewe Garden, United Kingdom
Take in the Highland scenery as you head to Inverewe Gardens, where a haven of tropical trees and shrubs has been created.
Location Information Description
Ullapool, United Kingdom
Continue to Ullapool, an active fishing and ferry port. Check in to your hotel near the harbor.
Breakfast, Dinner
The Royal Hotel
Day 6
Highland Scenery & Orkney Location Information Description
Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom
Admire the rugged mountains, coastline, and vast areas of open land of the sparsely populated northernmost section of the Highlands. Learn about the Highland Clearances, a tragic period of history when many peasants were forced off the land and emigrated to the United States, Australia, and other countries. Take advantage of the many photo opportunities at Kylesku.
Location Information Description
Orkney Islands, United Kingdom
Continue to Scrabster on the northern coast of Scotland and take a ferry to the Orkney, enjoying dinner on board.
Location Information Description
Kirkwall, United Kingdom
Overnight at the Ayre Hotel in Kirkwall.
Breakfast, Dinner
Ayre Hotel
Day 7
Orkney Sights & Skara Brae Location Information Description
Orkney Islands, United Kingdom
Discover Orkney, starting with a drive across the Churchill Barriers, created during World War II to deter German submarines. Next, explore the tiny Italian Chapel, with its elaborate paintings. Travel on to the Ring of Brodgar, a Neolithic henge and stone circle that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit Skara Brae to see the well-preserved 5,000-year-old village dwellings.
Location Information Description
Kirkwall, United Kingdom
Return to Kirkwall to see St. Magnus Cathedral. Enjoy free time in the afternoon and evening to browse around the town and dine independently.
Breakfast
Ayre Hotel
Day 8
Dunrobin Castle & Inverness Location Information Description
Golspie, United Kingdom
Board a ferry back to the mainland and head to Dunrobin Castle, dating to 1275 and renovated in the mid-1800s. With 189 rooms, this is the largest castle in northern Scotland.
Location Information Description
Inverness, United Kingdom
Stop for photo opportunities amidst its scenic hills. Continue south to Inverness, the principal town in the Highlands.
Breakfast, Dinner
Columba Hotel
Day 9
Urquhart Castle & Culloden Battlefield Location Information Description
Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom
Keep your camera handy as you visit the picturesque ruins of Urquhart Castle and cruise on Loch Ness. Stop at the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre to learn about the conflict that led to the end of the clan system in Scotland. Walk around the moor and see monuments to the various regiments who lost men. Stop at Clava Cairns, a prehistoric burial place with a circle of standing stones that inspired the “Outlander” books.
Location Information Description
Inverness, United Kingdom
Return to Inverness with time to relax, shop, or walk alongside the river.
Breakfast, Dinner
Columba Hotel
Day 10
Location Information Description
Pitlochry, United Kingdom
Immerse yourself in farm life and watch as skilled dogs round up sheep. Enjoy lunch on your own in the Victorian town of Pitlochry.
Location Information Description
Blair Atholl, United Kingdom
Visit Blair Athol Distillery to see how whisky is produced and enjoy a tasting.
Location Information Description
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Enjoy the evening at your leisure in Edinburgh.
Breakfast
Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Day 11
Edinburgh Castle & Traditional Scottish Dinner Location Information Description
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Discover Edinburgh’s highlights including the wide streets and elegant mansions of the 200-year-old Georgian “New Town” and the Royal Mile, the oldest part of the city. Tour the imposing Edinburgh Castle to see the Stone of Scone and the Scottish Crown Jewels.
Enjoy a festive Scottish dinner with lively, traditional entertainment to follow. The July 27 to August 12 departures watch the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade.
Breakfast, Dinner
Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Day 12
Tour ends In Edinburgh Location Information Description
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Your tour ends after breakfast.
Breakfast
Important information:
Important Information
Cancellation Policy
- 70 days or more prior to departure: Forfeiture of deposit
- 69 - 16 days prior to departure: 30% per person
- 15 - 8 days prior to departure: 50% per person
- 7 - 1 days prior to departure: 90% per person
- On day of departure: 100% per person
- All cancellations must be received in writing prior to tour departure. The cancellation policy will apply according to the date that the cancellation notification is received. The MINIMUM cancellation penalty is the deposit amount.
- The purchase to trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.
Terms and Conditions
- Land only “from price” is per person based on two people sharing a room together.
- All prices are in US Dollars.
- A non-refundable land deposit of $250 per person is required for coach tours. Deposits are required within 5 days of making the reservation. Early booking discounts require higher deposits.
- The final payment must be made by credit card no later than 80 days prior to departure date. If payment is not received as scheduled, the reservation will automatically cancel and deposit payment become forfeit.
- Once confirmed any revision to land tours will incur a $50 handling fee per booking. If clients cancel from one tour and rebook on another tour or another date, a cancellation fee may apply. Revisions are not permitted within 14 days of departure or once documents have been issued.
- Documents will be shipped by U.P.S. ground service approximately 21 days prior to departure provided full payment has been received. If documents are required earlier, sufficient notice id required to arrange for early delivery by regular service. Late bookings will incur an express service delivery charge.