Country Roads of Scotland - Classic Group

Country Roads of Scotland - Classic Group

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9 Days From

$3995

$3596

Country Roads of Scotland - Classic Group

9 Days Starting in Edinburgh, Scotland and ending in Glasgow, Scotland

Visiting: Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, St. Andrews, Thurso, Orkney Islands, Skye, Glencoe, Glasgow

Tour operator:

Insight Vacations

Tour code:

B905N26

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Low

Tour operated in:

English
From: $3995 $3596 Operator discount: -$400

NB: Prices correct on 15-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Embark on the "Country Roads of Scotland - Classic Group" tour, a captivating journey through the heart of Scotland's breathtaking landscapes and rich history. Begin in Edinburgh, where you'll explore iconic sites like Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Experience the vibrant spectacle of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo on select departures. Travel through the picturesque Highlands, visiting St. Andrews, Inverness, and the legendary Loch Ness. Discover the ancient wonders of the Orkney Islands, including Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar. Enjoy authentic Scottish dining experiences, from afternoon tea at Atholl Palace to a Highland feast in Glencoe. With comfortable coach travel and charming accommodations, this tour offers a seamless blend of cultural exploration and natural beauty, culminating in the vibrant city of Glasgow. Choose from unique activities in Wick, supporting sustainable tourism, and savor the flavors of Scotland with a master distiller.

Highlights

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    Choice Highlights

    • Choose between two carefully selected activities
    • Wick: Visit the highly rated Wick Heritage Museum to gain a full picture of this once thriving fishing community and how your visit helps keep the story of this town alive. The Wick Society is committed to preserving and promoting Wick's proud heritage for the inspiration of future generations. They collect, collate and display the many artefacts that tell the history of Wick and their community ethos is one of welcome and sharing. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities.
    • Wick: Appreciate the distinctive flavours of a selection of whiskies as you share a wee dram with a master distiller.

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    Top Rated Highlights

    • Edinburgh: A hush descends and eyes turn to the castle. The skirl of the pipes rises and drums crack the night air as a tide of tunics and tartan flood from the drawbridge. For a limited time in August, witness the incredible spectacle of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
    • Edinburgh: Visit Edinburgh Castle to view the Scottish Crown Jewels, Mons Meg and other artefacts with your Local Expert.
    • Edinburgh: Explore the city with your Local Expert as you travel along Princes Street to see the Scott Memorial, the neoclassical Adam facades of New Town and the official Scottish residence of the King, Palace of Holyroodhouse.
    • St. Andrews: Visit the university town where the famous beach scene from 'Chariots of Fire' was filmed and see the golf course where the sport was created.
    • Inverness: See the River Ness, Inverness Castle and beautiful scenery as you explore the history of this Highland city.
    • Inverness: At the exciting Culloden Visitor Centre, discover why the Battle of Culloden lasted only an hour yet changed the Highland way of life forever.
    • Loch Ness: Drive along the shores in search of the legendary monster.
    • Orkney Islands: Cruise to the windswept Orkney Islands on a full day guided journey. Come face-to-face with relics spanning human history, from pagan stone circles to reminders of wartime tragedy. Visit the 5000-year-old village of Skara Brae.
    • Isle of Skye: See the dramatic Cuillin Hills and stay in pretty Broadford.
    • Eilean Donan: Stop for a photo of this gorgeous castle built on an island in the Loch.
    • Fort William: Enjoy an excellent view of Ben Nevis from the World War II Commando Memorial.
    • Glencoe: Your Travel Director will lead you on an orientation of this Highland village on Loch Leven.
    • Loch Lomond: Enjoy time to explore the beautiful 'Queen of Scottish Lochs'.
    • Glasgow: See the grand public buildings, including George Square and St. Mungo's Cathedral.

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    Make Travel Matter

    Glencoe: Join a ranger in the spectacular Valley of Glencoe, learn about the protection of this rare ecosystem and the important work reintroducing lost indigenous species to its flora and fauna. The Natural Reserve carries out important scientific research and conversation initiatives to protect the fragile biodiversity including rare alpine flowers, mosses, mountain hares, red deer and birdlife such as golden eagles. . Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.

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    Authentic Dining

    Edinburgh: Enjoy a relaxing dinner at a local restaurant and get to know your fellow travellers.

    Pitlochry: Atholl Palace, built as a Victorian Baronial retreat, is over 130 years old. The Palace plays host to your afternoon tea. You are welcomed into the banqueting room to enjoy a traditional afternoon tea accompanied by sandwiches, scones, Scottish shortbread and traditional Scottish tablet.

    Glencoe: Your adventure culminates with a wonderful evening enjoying the best Highland hospitality and market-fresh ingredients.

  • content:

    Insight Choice

    Wick: Visit the highly rated Wick Heritage Museum to gain a full picture of this once thriving fishing community and how your visit helps keep the story of this town alive. The Wick Society is committed to preserving and promoting Wick's proud heritage for the inspiration of future generations. They collect, collate and display the many artefacts that tell the history of Wick and their community ethos is one of welcome and sharing. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities.

    Wick: Appreciate the distinctive flavours of a selection of whiskies as you share a wee dram with a master distiller.

Places You'll See

Country Roads Of Scotland - Classic Group

Country Roads Of Scotland - Classic Group

Country Roads Of Scotland - Classic Group

Country Roads Of Scotland - Classic Group

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Welcome To Edinburgh

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Location: Edinburgh

Accommodation Name: Malmaison, Edinburgh

Meals Included: Dinner

Join your Travel Director for dinner at a local restaurant. On select departures, during your time in Edinburgh you will also attend The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo — a colourful mix of pipes and drums, dance and display, set against the floodlit backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.

Day 2: Edinburgh, The Capital Of Culture

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

Accommodation Name: Malmaison, Edinburgh

Meals Included: Breakfast

Join a Local Expert to see the highlights of the city. In the Old Town, see the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of the King. Drive along Princes Street to the ornate Scott Memorial, then see the 18th century New Town with its neoclassical Georgian facades. Venture up the Royal Mile to visit Edinburgh Castle, home of Mons Meg and Scotland’s Crown Jewels. The rest of the day is at leisure; why not visit the art treasures in the National Gallery?

Day 3: To St. Andrews And The Highland Capital Of Inverness

Location: St. Andrews

Accommodation Name: Kingsmills, Inverness

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Cross the Firth of Forth into Fife and journey to St. Andrews, passing the Old Course, home of golf since its creation in the 15th century. Enjoy free time to explore. Perhaps stroll to West Sands Beach where the famous 'Chariots of Fire' scene was filmed? Alternatively, wander to St. Andrews University where the love story of Kate Middleton meeting her Prince Charming began. Stop at Atholl Palace and Gardens for a delicious cream tea. Originally opened in Victorian times, the hotel retains many traditional features. Continue via Blair Atholl and pass the Grampian Mountains on the way to the sparkling Spey Valley.

Day 4: Culloden, Loch Ness And Onto Thurso

Location: Thurso

Accommodation Name: The Pentland, Thurso

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Keep your eyes peeled for the Loch Ness monster this morning during a scenic drive along the legendary lake. See Culloden Battlefield in the morning, where Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite army was crushed in 1746. Visit the Culloden Visitor Centre. Next, with Insight Choice discover the fishing port of Wick. Choose to visit the Old Pulteney Distillery to taste a wee dram of its award-winning whiskies. Alternatively, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with a visit to the highly rated Wick Heritage Museum and hear about the past of this once thriving fishing community.

Day 5: A Day In The Orkney Islands

Location: Orkney Islands

Accommodation Name: The Pentland, Thurso

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Start the day by boarding the ferry to the beautiful Orkney Islands where the countryside is breathtakingly majestic and the tranquillity supports a quieter pace of life. Here the hardy locals say they live ‘below the wind and above the water.’ Your Travel Director accompanies you as you visit the 5000-year-old village of Skara Brae, the old Norse Town of Kirkwall, the mysterious Ring of Brodgar, Kirkwall and the small chapel built by Italian prisoners during World War II.

Day 6: Over The Sea To Skye

Location: Skye

Accommodation Name: The Dunollie, Broadford

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Travel through stunning, pristine landscapes along the northern coast with its white sandy beaches, and further inland to misty valleys and glens, lochs and rushing waters. Then it’s ‘Over the Sea to Skye,’ the largest and most beautiful island of the Inner Hebrides. On the way to Broadford, hear romantic tales of how young Flora MacDonald helped rescue Bonnie Prince Charlie and see the dramatic Cuillin Hills.

Day 7: Through The Scottish Highlands To Glencoe Relaxed Start

Location: Glencoe

Accommodation Name: Ballachulish, Glencoe

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning explore this wild and beautiful island on your own, before crossing to the Kyle of Lochalsh. Stop for a photo at remote Eilean Donan Castle, which under a clear sky offers a perfect reflection in its loch. Move on to the WWII Commando Memorial where there is a fine view of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. Enjoy spectacular scenery en route to the Valley of Glencoe. Join a ranger for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, learn about the protection of this rare ecosystem and the important work reintroducing lost indigenous species to its flora and fauna. In the evening, enjoy market-fresh Scottish ingredients and wine, as you get together with your newfound friends for a sumptuous dinner. Don't be surprised if, by the end of the evening, you're 'Toasting to the Lassies' or singing 'Auld Lang Syne'.

Day 8: Along The Bonnie Banks Of Loch Lomond To Glasgow Relaxed Start

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Location: Glasgow

Accommodation Name: Radisson Blu, Glasgow

Meals Included: Breakfast

Spend time around peaceful Loch Lomond, ‘Queen of Scottish Lochs’ according to Sir Walter Scott and the largest in Great Britain. Perhaps experience the beauty and tranquillity of the loch with an optional cruise before continuing to Glasgow? An orientation drive through the city will show you the grand public buildings, including George Square and St. Mungo’s Cathedral. Then the rest of the afternoon is at your leisure.

Day 9: Depart Glasgow

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Location: Glasgow

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today, bid farewell to your journey along the country roads of Scotland as you transfer to the airport.

What's Included

  • Meals

    6 Dinners (D), 8 Breakfasts (B), and 1 Afternoon Tea (AT) are included.

  • Activities

    Choose between two carefully selected activities in Wick: Visit the Wick Heritage Museum or appreciate the distinctive flavors of a selection of whiskies with a master distiller.

  • Edinburgh Military Tattoo

    On select departures, attend The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a colorful mix of pipes and drums, dance, and display, set against the floodlit backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.

  • Local Expert Tours

    Join a Local Expert to see the highlights of Edinburgh, including the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Scott Memorial, New Town, and Edinburgh Castle.

  • Visits to Historical Sites

    Visit various historical sites including Edinburgh Castle, St. Andrews, Culloden Battlefield, Skara Brae, and the Ring of Brodgar.

  • Scenic Drives

    Enjoy scenic drives along Loch Ness, the northern coast, and the Valley of Glencoe.

  • Ferry to Orkney Islands

    Board the ferry to the Orkney Islands and visit Skara Brae, Kirkwall, and the Italian Chapel.

  • Accommodation

    Stay at various accommodations including Malmaison in Edinburgh, Kingsmills in Inverness, The Pentland in Thurso, The Dunollie in Broadford, Ballachulish in Glencoe, and Radisson Blu in Glasgow.

  • MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences

    Participate in experiences that support sustainable tourism, such as visiting the Wick Heritage Museum and learning about the protection of the ecosystem in Glencoe.

  • Transport

    Travel through Scotland's stunning landscapes by comfortable coach, with ferry crossings to the Orkney Islands and the Isle of Skye, ensuring a seamless and scenic journey.

What's Not Included

  • Optional Activities

    Optional activities such as a cruise on Loch Lomond are not included.

  • Personal Expenses

    Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance is not included and should be purchased separately.

  • Flights

    International and domestic flights to and from the tour starting and ending points are not included.

  • Gratuities

    Gratuities for guides, drivers, and other service providers are not included.

Dining Summary

  • 6 Dinner (D)
  • 8 Breakfast (B)
  • 1 Afternoon Tea (AT)

Check out our Q&As

  • What unique experiences are included in the tour?

    The tour includes unique experiences such as attending The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on select departures, visiting the 5000-year-old village of Skara Brae in the Orkney Islands, and participating in MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences like learning about the protection of the ecosystem in Glencoe.

  • What are the options for activities in Wick?

    In Wick, you can choose between visiting the Wick Heritage Museum to learn about the town's fishing history or appreciating the distinctive flavors of whiskies with a master distiller.

  • What kind of dining experiences can I expect on this tour?

    The tour offers a variety of dining experiences including a relaxing dinner at a local restaurant in Edinburgh, afternoon tea at Atholl Palace in Pitlochry, and a wonderful evening enjoying Highland hospitality in Glencoe.

  • How does the tour support sustainable tourism?

    The tour supports sustainable tourism through MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences, such as visiting the Wick Heritage Museum, which supports the preservation of local heritage, and learning about conservation efforts in the Valley of Glencoe.

  • What historical sites will be visited during the tour?

    The tour includes visits to several historical sites such as Edinburgh Castle, St. Andrews, Culloden Battlefield, Skara Brae, and the Ring of Brodgar.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1978.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

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Country Roads of Southern Italy and Sicily is a delightful trip and our travel guides and driver, Enzo, Chris and Greg were amazing and made the trip very memorable. We saw so many places and had great experiences along the way! Thanks to them for such a wonderful vacation.!

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Great itinerary, good pace, tour director was friendly and very knowledgeable and organised. Bus was very spacious and driver was great. Yes would recommend insight to friends and families

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08-Nov-2021

The trip was fantastic. Everything was well planned and exceeded my expectations. All insight personal were courteous helpful and professional Ann Manual and Kevin were a topnotch team There was attention to every detail and at all times felt safe and always a personal touch to the trip. The motor coach was clean and roomy and there was multiple wipe downs during the day All hotels were top notch and all staff at the hotels and restaurants were helpful and courteous I would recommend this trip as it gave you a fantastic view of the natural wonders of the the West.

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Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.

    Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.

    At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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