Scotlands Highlands Islands and Cities Summer 2018

13 days
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Group Tour
Scotland's arresting natural beauty and centuries-old heritage are the highlights of this adventure that will see you visit the isles of Skye and Mull, the Orkney Islands and the beauty of Loch Ness. View the remarkably intact ruins of Melrose Abbey, where the embalmed heart of Robert the Bruce is said to rest, and visit Glamis Castle, the setting for Shakesp...

Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • City tour in Edinburgh
    • Orientation of Dundee, Inverness, Orkney Islands, Stirling and Glasgow
    • See Loch Ness, Loch Lomond and the Battlefield at Bannockburn
    • View Jedburgh Abbey, the 18th green at St. Andrews, Eilean Donan Castle and Glencoe
    • Visit Edinburgh Castle, Glamis Castle, the battlefield and Visitor Centre of Culloden, Dunrobin Castle, John O'Groats, Skara Brae, Ullapool, Isle of Skye, Isle of Mull, Isle of Iona, St. Mungo's Cathedral in Glasgow and Stirling Castle

What's this trip about?

    Scotland's arresting natural beauty and centuries-old heritage are the highlights of this adventure that will see you visit the isles of Skye and Mull, the Orkney Islands and the beauty of Loch Ness. View the remarkably intact ruins of Melrose Abbey, where the embalmed heart of Robert the Bruce is said to rest, and visit Glamis Castle, the setting for Shakespeare's Macbeth.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityEdinburgh
End CityGlasgow

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural
  • Education / Learning
  • Local Immersion & Homestays

Destinations

  • Europe
  • England

Attractions

  • Edinburgh
  • Glamis Castle
  • Glasgow
  • Inverness
  • Loch Ness
  • Orkney Islands

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing
  • Homestays & Cultural Immersion

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Edinburgh (3 Nights)

Edinburgh's allure as one of the world's most beguiling capitals will captivate you as you ease into the charm of Auld Reekie and explore the labyrinthine lanes and grand façades of this fascinating city. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure before joining your fellow trav...

Day 2: Edinburgh Sightseeing

Let your Local Specialist take you on an informative sightseeing tour of Edinburgh, stopping to view the regal Palace of Holyroodhouse and nearby new Scottish Parliament Building. We ramble down the Royal Mile, delving into the heart of the city, before visiting Edinb...

Day 3: Excursion to The Borders

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 before admiring the ornate decorations that adorn the façades of nearby Melrose Abbey, said to be the final resting place of the e...

Day 4: Edinburgh – St. Andrews – Glamis Castle – Dundee

This morning we cross the Firth of Forth to the celebrated home of golf, St. Andrews, where we will view its ancient university and the course that golfing greats have clamoured to play for centuries. Shakespeare's Macbeth takes centre stage as we visit Glamis Castle ...

Day 5: Dundee – Pitlochry – Culloden – Inverness

Indulge in a Cultural Insight into local whisky production at a famous distillery, which includes a tasting of Scotland's much-loved golden nectar. Hearts and hands warmed, we wind our way to visit the tragic battlefield and Visitor Centre at Culloden past rugged land...

Day 6: Inverness – Loch Ness – Thurso (2 Nights)

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 façades ...

Day 7: Orkney Islands Excursion

Embrace the charming character of John O'Groats, the starting point for the famous 'End-to-End' journey to Lands End in England. We board a ferry across the Pentland Firth to South Ronaldsay in the Orkney Islands, viewing the 1.5 mile stretch of WWII causeways known a...

Day 8: Thurso – Ullapool – Isle of Skye

Dramatic landscapes accompany our scenic drive along the rugged north-west coastline of the Scottish Highlands until we reach the remote village of Ullapool on the shores of Loch Broom. We journey to the magical setting that is the 13th century Eilean Donan Castle, pe...

Day 9: Isle of Skye – Ballachulish (2 Nights)

The breathtaking scenery of the Isle of Skye behind us, we travel back to the mainland following a beautiful route that takes us past the Glenfinnan Viaduct along which Harry Potter's Hogwarts Express would journey to his beloved school of magic. We pass Fort William,...

Day 10: Mull and Iona Excursion

Set sail from the resort town of Oban to the holiday retreat that is the Isle of Mull, where we disembark at Craignure. We cross the pretty countryside of this small island to catch a ferry from Fionnphort to the island of Iona, once the home of a Gaelic monastic comm...

Day 11: Ballachulish – Glasgow (2 Nights)

A solemn reminder of the MacDonald clansmen who were massacred at the Glen of the Weeping in 1692 marks our morning meander south to Glasgow. We follow the banks of picturesque Loch Lomond - its tranquil waters set against the backdrop of Ben Lomond, before arriving i...

Day 12: Stirling Castle and Bannockburn Excursion

Mary Queen of Scots and several Scottish kings and queens have made Stirling Castle their home over the centuries. Enjoy a visit of its grounds to delve into the history of this royal residence and fortress that was besieged by Bonnie Prince Charlie in the 18th centur...

Day 13: Depart Glasgow

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. Airport transfers are available. Conditions apply. Full Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,395
Price per day$261
Last Updated: 7/25/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Trafalgar.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Trafalgar Reviews & Ratings

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I saw many fewer animals than I thought I would. I thought I would come home with great animal photos. I was greatly disappointed. The trip was over-hyped in terms o...

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Tour Operator

Trafalgar

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At Trafalgar, we passionately believe in the power of travel to broaden the mind and build bridges between people. By sharing with you the hidden places not mentioned in guidebooks, the local people you wouldn’t otherwise meet, and the traditions you may not have experienced by yourself, we ensure that you get the ‘insider’ view, an authentic and enhanced experience you simply could not have had on your own.

It is this dedication to taking our guests beyond the obvious sights that has helped us grow over the past 65 years into one of the most trusted and successful international guided vacation/holiday companies in the world. From Europe to the United States, South America to South Africa, and with the recent addition of Asia, we pride ourselves on uncovering the hidden gems, cultural highlights and not-to-be-missed attractions of the places you visit. We’ll help you delve deep into the heart of each city and capture the true essence of each new destination.

We are committed to establishing lasting relationships with our guests by exceeding their expectations the first time and every time, through consistently outstanding quality of service, experience and value.

We're proud to be the most globally awarded guided travel company. Every year, we win some of the most prestigious travel accolades around the world – from the Travel Globes to the Agents' Choice Awards. We've collected 46 major travel awards over the last five years alone, as well as the Gold Trusted Merchant Award from independent reviews provider Feefo.

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About the company:

As the world’s most awarded and loved travel company, Trafalgar unlocks the best of the world for every traveller. From the iconic sites to breaking bread with locals at private Be My Guest experiences, guests can be assured of a dream holiday without the stress of 'what ifs'. Committed to Make Travel Matter, Trafalgar aims to make a positive impact on locals, communities and wildlife visited, and the planet we call home. With tried and tested tours, created by local travel experts in destination and enjoyed by more than 5million happy guests, Trafalgar’s proud to be recognised by its Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award.

Trafalgar is part of the family-owned and run The Travel Corporation (TTC), driven by service for over one hundred years.

 

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Tours and experiences that include everything from the iconic sites to breaking bread with locals, guided by expert travel directors.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Holiday Inn Theatreland/Novotel Centre,
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
  • 12 full breakfasts
  • 5 dinners
  • 1 lunch
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
  • Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • Daily breakfast and an average of 50% of evening meals
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • Ferry to the Orkney Isles and return
  • Ferry to the Isle of Mull and Iona
  • Ferry from Skye to Mallaig
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • Hand-picked Insider Experiences
  • Optional Experiences and free time
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
  • An expert Travel Director and separate Driver
  • Tickets are included for the world-famous Tattoo during the Edinburgh Festival
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • VIP entry to many sights
Trip ID
trafalgar-BHLDN13

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