Tuesday July 24th, Depart on overnight flight from the USA to Glasgow Scotland.
Tuesday September 11th, Depart on overnight flight from the USA to Glasgow Scotland, but departure doesn't include tickets to the Edinburgh Tattoo, that is only available on the August tour.
Wednesday July 25th, Arrive at Glasgow airport and you are met by tour director and coach/driver. Head north from Glasgow to Balloch where we visit Loch Lomond Shores, where we have a chance to watch a video of the history behind the song Loch Lomond and see some beautiful views over the area. We continue on to Luss where we have lunch at a local tea room and can explore the historical church from the video. We then head over the back roads towards the Rest and Be Thankful, where we stop of a photo opportunity. Continue on to the town of Inveraray where we have some time to visit this quaint town before we head to our hotel for the evening. Overnight Taychreggan Country House Hotel. Dinner inc.
Thursday July 26th, Day trip to south to the historical hill for of Dunadd, then we see some of the standing stones of the haunted valley of Kilmartin Glen, with a visit to the museum and the history of the area. We then continue north to Oban where we tour the local Single Malt Distillery and then have some free time to shop, explore or take a short boat ride to Seal Island (not inc). Early Dinner in town, return to Taychreggan.
Friday July 27th, After breakfast we head North to Castle Stalker view, where we stop at a quaint shop which has commanding views over Castle Stalker, sitting out on an islet on its own small island. Then we continue on past Glencoe , followed by a short stop at Neptune’s staircase. We continue on through the beautiful scenery to the small fishing village of Mallaig. We have time for lunch, (not inc) in one of the great little restaurants or pubs in town, before taking the mid afternoon ferry to Skye. When we get to the Isle of Skye, we stop for a visit to Clan Donald center before we head north to Portree and on to the northern end of the island to our hotel Duntulm castle Hotel. Dinner on own.
Saturday July 28th, Day to tour Skye with local guide, visit the main town of Portree, Dunvegan Castle, home of the Clan McLeod’s and site of the Fairy Flag, drive past the Old Man of Storr and Kilt Rock, while stopping at quaint artisan shops along the way, and hearing the story of the island and its Bonnie Prince Charlie connections.Overnight at Duntulm Castle Hotel. Dinner on own.
Sunday July 29th, A day to rest and relax in the beautiful island location, time to explore the ruins of Duntulm castle, just enjoy the stunning scenery, or go hill walking in some of the most amazing scenery on earth. Late afternoon we take a drive down to one of the quaint pubs in Uig where we can hang out with the locals. Dinner on own at local pub. Return to Duntulm.
Monday July 30th, After breakfast we will say goodbye to our new friends at Duntulm Castle and stop for a visit to the Highland Life Museum, a variety of quaint thatched roof cottages showing life on the island, we take a drive through the awesome rock scenery of The Quairang, before we stop at Uig and visit the Skye Brewery and have time for lunch before we catch the 2pm ferry *TBA* to the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides. We stop for a visit to see a tweed weaver in action, making the famous Harris Tweed, then we drive south through the beautiful scenery of the island and visit the Seallam visitor centre, the foremost genealogy centre for the Western Isles before we head to our various guest houses for the evening. Dinner inc. at Rodel Hotel.
Tuesday July 31st, After breakfast we get together and head north on the island to the neighboring Island of Lewis, where we visit the world famous Callanais standing stones, and have a chance to soak in the wonderful atmosphere of this ancient stone circle, then we continue on to the Blackhouse village of Gearrannan were we have another view of life as it used to be on these remote islands. We then continue on into Stornoway the largest town in the Outer Hebrides, possibly stopping to see some Peat stacks along the way. Overnight Stornoway. Dinner on own.
Wednesday August 1st, Morning to explore the town before we meet for the 12.40 Caledonian McBrayne ferry back to the mainland, to the port of Ullapool, on the northern west coast of Scotland, where we will head north for an hours drive, through some truly stunning scenery to our small hotel at Scourie for the evening. Dinner inc.
Thursday August 2nd, After breakfast we head north to Durness where we stop at Smoo Caves, for a visit to these very interesting caves on the very northern coast of Scotland, with some gorgeous scenery and stops for photo opps along the way. We will have lunch (not inc) in a small quaint pub, before we continue on to Bettyhill to visit the Strathnaver Museum which inc. a Clan McKay room. Continue on to Thurso for overnight in this port town. Dinner on own.
Friday August 3rd, We head south down the eastern side of the most northerly coast of Scotland, and stop at the Clan Gunn museum, a small intimate museum with some very historically significant monuments about the early history of Scotland. We have a picnic lunch before continuing south to Inverness, with a visit to Dunrobin Castle at Golspie, home of the Duke of Sutherland, before we continue on to Dornoch with some time to explore the town known for its famous golf course. Then we head south to Inverness where we check into Culloden House Hotel. Dinner Inc. We have a visit from the Culloden Ghost tonight!!!!!
Saturday August 4th, Day tour around Inverness, with a short drive to Johnstones Woollen Mill at Elgin for a tour of this real working woollen mill, a visit to Clava Cairns, the standing stones and burial carins made famous in the Outlander Series of books by Diana Gabaldon, a visit to Culloden Battlefield, where Bonnie Prince Charlie led the last land battle on British soil and was defeated in 1746. Follow this with a visit to a Kiltmakers in Inverness. Some free time in the afternoon to explore the town. Overnight Culloden House. Dinner on own.
Sunday August 5th, After our good Scottish Breakfast, we drive down south towards St Andrews, where we have some free time to explore this historical Home of Golf, before we head to the Old Course Practice range (subject to availability) and have fun hitting balls at the range, with the views of the Old Course 18th Hole in the distance. Then we contine south to Edinburgh, where we arrive mid afternoon and check into our hotel for the next two nights, Free time in this exciting capitol city. Dinner on your own before we meet at 8.30 as Tonight we have tickets to the World Famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo @ 9pm.
Monday August 6th, After breakfast you have a free day to explore the city, visit Edinburgh castle, Holyrood Palace or the new Parliament buildings, take an underground haunted tour of Mary Kings Close, or do some shopping on Princes Street or George Street. (No coach available today). Dinner on own. We are planning a surprise visitor tonight if possible, with a famous Scottish Author. (TBA) Overnight Edinburgh.
Tuesday August 7th, Morning drive south to visit the Scottish Mining Museum, and learn the history of this heavily mined area, then we continue on south to Rosslyn Chapel were we tour this beautiful historical chapel made even more famous by the book The Da Vinci Code, We have lunch in a quaint pub in the village of Roslin (not inc) before we continue over The Pentland hills and head over towards Glasgow to our Castle home for the evening, Shieldhill Castle at Quothquam. Final night dinner inc.
Wednesday August 8th, After breakfast, Morning transfer back to Glasgow airport for flights home.
