MUST-SEE INCLUSIONS
- See the ethereal hexagonal columns of Fingal's Cave from the water.
- In Kilmartin Glen, pass by mysterious stones and cairns dating back to the Neolithic and Bronze Ages.
- Visit a local mill that weaves traditional tartan and tweed, including costumes featured in blockbuster films.
CULINARY INCLUSIONS
- Sip the famous "water of life" in a local whisky distillery.
- Following a bagpiping lesson with an expert piper, enjoy a farm-to-table meal at the National Piping Centre.
CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
- Hit the waves and see a different side of the Scottish Isles via RIB boats.
- Tour the Old Course at St. Andrews - the world capital of golf.
HOTELS
- Hilton Glasgow, Glasgow
- The Machrie Hotel, Islay
- Loch Melfort Hotel, Arduaine, Oban
- Fisher's Hotel, Pitlochry
- Voco Hotel, Edinburgh
INCLUDED
- 12 Days
- 11 Nights
- 10 Breakfasts
- Lunches
- 6 Dinners
Overnight Flight
Rolling landscapes of green hills and rocky coastlines. Lively cities of friendly locals and the renowned “water of life.” Remote isles built upon mystical lore and stirring history. This is Scotland - where legends live long and storybook pages come to life.
Glasgow, Scotland - Tour Begins
Start your tour in Glasgow, a cultural trove for art, music, and history. Experience the culture at the National Piping Centre, where experts wield classic bagpipes. After a demonstration and lesson with a renowned piper, feel like a local when you try the instrument yourself. Toast to the start of your journey at a lively welcome dinner at the Centre’s farm-to-table restaurant.
Glasgow - Inveraray - Auchindrain - Ferry to Islay
Leave the city behind, traveling along sloping fields and rolling clouds. Enter into a land where clan legacy runs deep – a point of pride and ancestry for the locals. Stop in Inveraray, home to the Clan Campbell and current Duke of Argyll. Enjoy some free time to explore, perhaps visiting the castle and its gardens. In nearby Auchindrain, discover Scotland’s rural history during a guided tour of this well-preserved farm township and see how Scottish ancestors lived and worked. Ferry to the lands of the mystical Gaelic Kingdom of Dál Riata, shrouded in legend and serving as the inspiration of Celtic tales rivaling those of King Arthur. Stop at the Isle of Islay, the world capital of whisky, and enjoy dinner at your hotel along the waterfront.
Islay
Peek into Islay’s tempestuous whisky history today with a stop for a guided visit of Kilchoman Distillery and taste the peaty “water of life.” Later, after some free time on the island for lunch and self-exploration, meet the locals at the Columba Gaelic Centre and enjoy light snacks as you learn about the Gaelic language and listen to live folk music.
Islay - Loch Finlaggan - Ferry to Oban - Loch Melfort
Visit a local mill that weaves traditional tartan and tweed, including costumes featured in Braveheart, Forrest Gump, and Rob Roy. Make your way to Finlaggan, the cradle of Clan Donald, and hike to the loch. Visit the ruins of the medieval chapel and burial grounds, stepping into another time where neighboring clans created pivotal alliances. Later, depart Islay via ferry to Oban, watching the sunshine dance along the waves as you travel past the mountainous Isle of Jura. Continue to Loch Melfort and settle into your hotel for the next three nights. Take in a stunning view of the ocean from your room before wandering the grounds, home to friendly Highland cows and neighboring the National Trust’s Arduaine Gardens.
Loch Melfort - Isle of Iona - Isle of Staffa - Loch Melfort
Embark on a seafaring adventure* and be whisked away on an exciting RIB boat (covered, rigid-hull Zodiac). Your first destination of the day is Iona, an island that serves as one of the area’s oldest Christian religious centers. Ascend to the abbey on foot and enjoy free time to explore on your own. Hop back in your RIB boat and head to the nearby Isle of Staffa, home to the ethereal Fingal’s Cave. Serving as the inspiration for Wordsworth, Keats, Mendelssohn and countless others, the cave features hexagonal columns that seem beyond nature’s power. Peer into the cave from your boat before returning to Loch Melfort. Watch the clouds roll by as the sun fades into the horizon - the night is yours.
Loch Melfort - Kilmartin Glen - Loch Melfort
Begin your day with a walk in Kilmartin Glen, passing by mysterious standing stones, henges and cairns that dot the countryside. Perhaps you will make the most of free time in the afternoon with an optional exhilarating boat ride: this excursion takes you to the area of the powerful Corryvreckan Whirlpool** via RIB boat, giving you an intimate look at the local wildlife as you search for eagles, seals, and other marine life with an expert local guide.
Loch Melfort - Loch Lomond - Luss - Pitlochry
Journey to Loch Lomond, the largest lake in Great Britain. Visit a local farm that has been in the same family for generations, and has a spectacular setting with views over Loch Lomond. See border collies in action during a traditional sheepdog demonstration, and enjoy Scottish snacks. Visit Luss, a quaint village of stone cottages and bright flowers. Journey further into the Highlands, pausing at Queen’s View - the landscape beloved by Queen Victoria - for your first impression of the Cairngorms Mountains. Your night ends in Pitlochry, a small town from the 18th century.
Pitlochry - Balmoral Castle - Pitlochry
Take the rare opportunity to visit Balmoral Castle*** - the most elusive among the Royal residences. Roam the gardens, the stable area, and the largest room in the castle: the ballroom. Pass through Crathie Kirk, a small countryside church where the Royal Family occasionally attends service. This afternoon, it’s your choice! Take to the Highland landscape on a scenic hike along the stunning Queen’s Drive and River Clunie -OR- explore the picturesque village of Braemar at your own pace, perhaps visiting their Highland Games Center and Museum to find out more about caber (log) tossing and hammer throwing.
Pitlochry - St. Andrews - Edinburgh
Behold the iconic rolling hills of St. Andrews, the world-capital of golf. On a guided tour of the Old Course’s**** hallowed grounds, learn more about the origins of the clubs and caddies in the hometown of golf. Explore more of St. Andrews on your own before continuing to Edinburgh, Scotland’s historic capital.
Edinburgh
Start the morning with an impact moment and get a local’s perspective with a guide from Invisible Cities - a social enterprise that trains people affected by homelessness to become tour guides of their own city. After your tour, visit the Palace at Holyroodhouse,**** the official home of His Majesty The King in Scotland and former home of Mary, Queen of Scots. The rest of the day is yours. Perhaps you’ll take a stroll among the Georgian architecture of the New Town or journey to Leith for a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia. Gather in the evening for a farewell dinner and toast to your Scottish explorations.
Edinburgh - Tour Ends
Wish Scotland a fond farewell as you depart for home.
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