Itinerary Details
Scottish Highland Fling
Day 1 ARRIVE IN EDINBURGH, SCOTLANDWelcome to Edinburgh! Free time this afternoon. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Day 2 EDINBURGHDrummers, Pipes & Precious Jewels EDINBURGH Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the New Town and the Old Town and a visit to Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Free time this afternoon.
EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO Attend the world-renowned Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo performance. (Departures July 31 through August 21 only). (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
MUSIC & MASTERPIECES Ascend to Castle Rock to explore Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important historical strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, with an 11,000-year history as “the most besieged place in Great Britain.” Here, you’ll find the royal regalia and Scotland’s Crown Jewels. The Castle forms the background of the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, an extravaganza of bagpipes and drums performed en masse in August each year.
Day 3 EDINBURGH–ST. ANDREWS–PITLOCHRY–INVERNESSMulligans & Mountains ST. ANDREWS See the home of golf and famous university town.
PITLOCHRY Walk through the Victorian mountain resort then drive through the scenic Grampian Mountains and Cairngorms National Park.
201 mi / 323 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ICONIC FOOTSTEPS See the fairways and greens at the birthplace of golf, where legendary players of the Scottish game made history in the university town of St. Andrews.
Day 4 INVERNESS–CULLODEN MOOR–DUNROBIN–THURSOBrave Lads & Bonnie Lands CULLODEN MOOR Visit the Culloden battlefield site and visitor center.
DUNROBIN Visit the castle and walled gardens. (B,D)
120 mi / 193 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT At Culloden moor, hear the story of the crushing Hanoverian victory over Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Scottish clans. On 16 April 1746, the two armies met. Over 1,500 Jacobites were killed or wounded, while British government forces lost about 100 soldiers. The last pitched battle fought on British soil lasted less than an hour.
Day 5 THURSO. EXCURSION TO THE ORKNEY ISLANDSAn Ancient Archipelago THURSO Drive to John O’Groats to board a ferry for a scenic crossing to the Orkney Islands.
ORKNEY ISLANDS Sightseeing includes Scapa Flow, Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, and Kirkwall. [LF] Join a guided tour of The Orkney Brewery, have a light lunch at the Tasting Hall café and then visit Skaill House. Return to the mainland by ferry in the late afternoon. (B,L,D)
90 mi / 145 km
LOCAL FAVORITE
HISTORY & TRADITION
Orcadian water, the best malt, hops, and yeast are the only four ingredients of hand-crafted ales such as Orkney Dark Island, Northern Light and the world-famous Skull Splitter named after a vicious Orkney Earl. Enjoy a guided tour of the brewery and learn the traditions of beer making and a long, long history of brewing quality ales.
Day 6 THURSO–DURNESS–ULLAPOOL–GAIRLOCHSpectacular Sights & A Scottish Chippy THURSO Take a scenic drive along the spectacular North Coast 500 route via Durness and Scourie.
ULLAPOOL Visit to the fishing port includes [LF] a traditional fish & chips lunch at a local restaurant. (B,L,D)
194 mi / 312 km
LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES Walk along the whitewashed cottages with views of lovely Loch Broom in the charming seaport town of Ullapool. Feast on traditional fish and chips, a Scottish favourite that never fails to satisfy.
Day 7 GAIRLOCH–ISLE OF SKYE–FORT WILLIAM–GLENCOESea & Skye ISLE OF SKYE Drive across the Inner Hebridean island. Return to the mainland by ferry across the Sound of Sleat to Mallaig.
GLENFINNAN See the monument to fallen Jacobite clansmen and the famous viaduct.
FORT WILLIAM See the gateway to Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak. (B,D)
190 mi / 306 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Magic abounds on the Isle of Skye, home to some of Scotland's most iconic landscapes which enchant the senses. With magnificent mountain ranges, miles of captivating coastline, and heroic history, Skye casts a spell with its breathtaking beauty and sense of highland adventure.
Day 8 GLENCOE. EXCURSION TO THE ISLES OF MULL AND IONAIsland Dreams & Scottish Kings OBAN Ferry crossing to the Isle of Mull.
ISLE OF MULL Take a scenic drive across the island.
ISLE OF IONA See the burial place of many Scottish kings and chiefs. Visit one of the first Christian monasteries in the British Isles. (B,D)
166 mi / 268 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
PICTURE PERFECT Called “Eagle Island” by wildlife watchers, the Isle of Mull is a paradise for birds of prey keeping a watchful eye on the wonderful wild landscapes below. Watch for Scottish red deer, iconic Highland cattle, and rolling hills that paint a picture of quintessential Scotland. The medieval abbey on the Isle of Iona is the resting place of many Scottish monarchs and chiefs.
Day 9 GLENCOE–LOCH LOMOND–GLASGOWGlasgow Gems & Gorgeous Glens GLENCOE Depart for a scenic drive through Glen Coe and The Trossachs National Park.
LOCH LOMOND Visit the lake.
GLASGOW [LF] Guided tour of a whisky distillery. Enjoy an orientation drive to see the 12th-century cathedral, university buildings, and Georgian squares. Free time this afternoon before a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
96 mi / 155 km
LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES Raise a dram of whisky for Scotland’s proud heritage at an historic, local distillery whilst you learn all about Scotland’s favorite spirit.
Day 10 GLASGOWSafe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
