Scotland's Highlands, Islands and Cities
Scotland's Highlands, Islands and Cities
Scotland's Highlands, Islands and Cities
13 Days Starting in Edinburgh and ending in Glasgow
Visiting: Edinburgh, Jedburgh, Dundee, Inverness, Loch Ness, Orkney Islands, Isle of Skye, Oban, Isle of Mull and Iona, Glasgow, Stirling
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BHLDZM19
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 54
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Gardens & Nature Tours, History, Ruins-Archaeology
Activities:
Tour Overview
This unforgettable trip through the Scottish Highlands travels into the far-reaches of Scotland’s rugged countryside. Keep your eyes peeled for Nessie, delve into the history of the kings and warriors and join the Wood family for a ceilidh and lunch in the ‘presence’ of Rob Roy.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Edinburgh
Location: Edinburgh
Accommodation: Hotel, Voco Haymarket Edinburgh Novotel Centre
Accommodation Name: Novotel Edinburgh Centre/Voco Hotel Haymarket Edinburgh/Delta Hotels by Marriott
Embrace the allure of Auld Reekie and explore its labyrinthine lanes, before joining your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception to kick-start your tour through an unimaginably beautiful part of the world.
Day 2: Discover Enchanting Edinburgh
Location: Edinburgh
Accommodation: Voco Hotel Haymarket Edinburgh, Novotel Centre
Accommodation Name: Novotel Edinburgh Centre/Voco Hotel Haymarket Edinburgh/Delta Hotels by Marriott
Meals Included: Breakfast
Let your Local Specialist take you on an informative sightseeing tour of Edinburgh. See the regal Palace of Holyroodhouse, the new Scottish Parliament Building and the Royal Mile, delving into the heart of the city, before visiting Edinburgh Castle, perched atop Castle Rock. Stroll through the grand New Town with its Gothic façades enjoying the rest of the day at leisure. Tickets to see the Edinburgh Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates.
Day 3: A Day Of Abbeys, Landscapes And History
Location: Jedburgh
Accommodation: Voco Hotel Haymarket Edinburgh, Novotel Centre
Accommodation Name: Novotel Edinburgh Centre/Voco Hotel Haymarket Edinburgh/Delta Hotels by Marriott
Meals Included: Breakfast
A scenic day's excursion brings us to the ruins of the 12th-century Augustinian Jedburgh Abbey, which we will have an opportunity to view. Continue to nearby Melrose Abbey, said to be the final resting place of the embalmed heart of Robert the Bruce. We take the scenic route back to Edinburgh this afternoon, following the lush green landscapes along the Tweed River.
Day 4: Explore Glamis Castle And On To Creative Dundee
Location: Dundee
Accommodation: Apex City Quay
Accommodation Name: Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, we cross the Firth of Forth to the celebrated home of golf - St. Andrews, to view its ancient university and famous golf course. Shakespeare's Macbeth takes centre stage as we visit Glamis Castle, once the home of the beloved Queen Mother and birthplace of Princess Margaret. Enjoy a guided tour of the castle and explore its beautiful gardens, before we travel to the waterfront city of Dundee, distinguished for its status as the first UNESCO City of Design, and the original home of marmalade.
Day 5 : Venture To Culloden And Inverness
Location: Inverness
Accommodation: Columba
Accommodation Name: Columba Hotel Inverness
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we wind our way to the tragic battlefield and Visitor Centre at Culloden, past rugged landscapes and the imposing Cairngorms Mountains. Visit the site where Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite army was defeated. Our final stop for the night is Inverness, the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands, where we’ll overnight.
Day 6: Journey To Loch Ness And Thurso
Location: Loch Ness
Accommodation: Pentland
Accommodation Name: Pentland Hotel Thurso/Norseman Hotel Wick
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
The mystical haunt of Nessie is our first stop today en route to Dunrobin Castle. This stately home and its magnificent gardens, inspired by the Palace of Versailles, comes straight from the pages of a fairy tale. Spend your afternoon exploring its château-like structure and surrounds, once home to the Clan Sutherland. Dive Into Culture and learn about the local whisky industry at a distillery, including a tasting of Scotland's much-loved golden nectar. Arriving in Thurso, our home for the next two nights, we enjoy dinner at our hotel.
Day 7: A Day On The Orkney Islands
Location: Orkney Islands
Accommodation: Pentland, Norseman
Accommodation Name: Pentland Hotel Thurso/Norseman Hotel Wick
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After stopping at John O'Groats, we board a ferry to South Ronaldsay in the Orkney Islands. Visit the ornate Italian Chapel, built by Italian prisoners of war. See the prehistoric free-standing stones of the Ring of Brodgar before visiting Skara Brae and delving into the stories of the Neolithic village. We stop at beautiful Kirkwall Cathedral for a photo opportunity before returning to our hotel for dinner.
Day 8: Over The Sea To Skye
Location: Isle of Skye
Accommodation: Kings Arms
Accommodation Name: The Kings Arms Hotel Kyleakin
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Dramatic landscapes accompany our scenic drive along the rugged north-west coastline of the Scottish Highlands to remote Ullapool on the shores of Loch Broom. We journey to Eilean Donan Castle, built in the 13th-century perched on a tiny island where three sea lochs meet, then continue to the Isle of Skye where we'll stay overnight and enjoy a delicious dinner in our hotel.
Day 9: Onwards To Oban
Location: Oban
Accommodation: Royal
Accommodation Name: Royal Hotel Oban
Meals Included: Breakfast
We return to the mainland following a beautiful route that takes us past the Glenfinnan Viaduct, along which Harry Potter's Hogwarts Express once crossed to his beloved school of magic. We pass Fort William on the shores of Loch Linnhe, renowned as the gateway to Ben Nevis, before continuing to Oban, our Highland home for the next two nights.
Day 10: Sail To The Isles Of Mull And Iona
Location: Isle of Mull and Iona
Accommodation: Royal
Accommodation Name: Royal Hotel Oban
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Set sail from Oban to the Isle of Mull, disembarking at Craignure. Cross the pretty island countryside to catch a ferry from Fionnphort to the island of Iona, which was once the home of a Gaelic monastic community in Iona Abbey. Before our journey back to Oban, we'll have the chance to view Rèilig Odhrain, the final resting place of many Scottish kings.
Day 11: Off To Glasgow Make Travel Matter
Location: Glasgow
Accommodation: Ibis Styles Glasgow Central
Accommodation Name: Leonardo Glasgow/Courtyard by Marriott SEC
Meals Included: Breakfast
A solemn reminder of the MacDonald clansmen, who were massacred at the 'Glen of Weeping', marks our morning journey south to Glasgow. Enjoy an orientation tour viewing St. Mungo’s Cathedral and George Square with its statues of Britain's famous sons and daughters.
Day 12: Uncover Stirling Castle’S Secrets Connect With Locals
Location: Stirling
Accommodation: Ibis Styles Glasgow Central
Accommodation Name: Leonardo Glasgow/Courtyard by Marriott SEC
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Venture to Bannockburn, where King Robert Bruce of Scotland defeated Edward II of England during the First War of Scottish Independence. Mary, Queen of Scots and several Scottish kings and queens have made Stirling Castle their home over the centuries. Enjoy a visit to its grounds and delve into the history of this royal residence and fortress, besieged by Bonnie Prince Charlie in the 18th century. We'll visit the splendidly decorated Royal Palace of King James V and view the renowned Stirling Heads. Later, we Connect With Locals, joining the Wood family this afternoon for a memorable Be My Guest experience at their 15th-century farm, on the shores of Loch Ard, amidst tales of Rob Roy. This evening, we return to Glasgow for time at leisure to enjoy true Scottish hospitality.
Day 13: Farewell Glasgow
Location: Glasgow
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our epic journey across Scotland’s highlands, islands and cities has come to an end. It’s time to say a fond farewell to our travel companions and Travel Director as our memorable holiday comes to an end.
What's Included
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
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Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
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Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
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Return ferry to the Orkney Isles
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Ferry from the Isle of Skye to Mallaig
What's Not Included
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International Airfare
International airfare to and from the start and end points of the tour is not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
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Some Meals
Not all meals are covered.
Some lunches and dinners will be at your own expense. -
Optional Experience Costs
Costs for optional experiences beyond those included in the tour package are not covered.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, mini-bar, and room service are not included.
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Visa Fees
Any applicable visa fees are not included.
Mode of Transport
Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Accommodation
Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
Check out our Q&As
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What are the highlights of the Scotland's Highlands, Islands and Cities tour?
The highlights of the tour include exploring Edinburgh with a Local Specialist, discovering Dundee, Orkney Islands, Stirling, and Glasgow, visiting Edinburgh Castle, Glamis Castle, Blair Athol whisky distillery in Pitlochry, the battlefield and Visitor Centre of Culloden, Dunrobin Castle, John O'Groats, The Italian Chapel in Orkney Islands, Skara Brae, Ullapool, Isle of Skye, Isle of Mull, Isle of Iona, St. Mungo's Cathedral in Glasgow and Stirling Castle, viewing Jedburgh Abbey, the 18th green at St. Andrews, Inverness Castle, Eilean Donan Castle and Glencoe, and seeing Loch Ness, Loch Lomond and the Battlefield at Bannockburn. Tickets for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates.
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What type of transportation is provided on the Scotland's Highlands, Islands and Cities tour?
The tour provides luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys).
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What type of accommodation is provided on the tour?
The tour includes cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted.
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Are meals included in the Scotland's Highlands, Islands and Cities tour?
Yes, breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals are included in the tour.
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What are the exclusions of the tour?
The exclusions of the tour include international airfare to and from the start and end points of the tour, travel insurance, some meals, costs for optional experiences beyond those included in the tour package, personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, mini-bar, and room service, and any applicable visa fees.
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What is the starting location of the tour?
The tour starts in Edinburgh.
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What is the ending location of the tour?
The tour ends in Glasgow.
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Are there any ferry rides included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes return ferry to the Orkney Isles, ferry from the Isle of Skye to Mallaig, and return ferry to the Isle of Mull and Iona.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1947
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
Trafalgar 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.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar 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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Terms and Conditions