Scottish Highlands & Islands

Welcome to Glasgow! Free time the remainder of the day. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

FALKIRK: See The Kelpies, the largest equine sculptures in the world.

ROYAL BURGH OF CULROSS: Take a walking tour with a Local Guide.

LINLITHGOW: See Linlithgow Palace ruins, birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, and a filming location for the Outlander TV series.

EDINBURGH: Free time. (B) 74 mi / 119 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - CULTURE & TRADITION: The Royal Burgh of Culross is considered one of Scotland's most picturesque examples of life in the 17th and 18th centuries. No wonder it is the filming location for many film and television productions, as well an inspiring destination for history lovers. Its well-preserved buildings with red-tiled roofs line steep cobblestone streets from the market cross to the hilltop abbey.

EDINBURGH: Walking tour with a Local Guide includes Royal Mile, a visit to St. Giles' Cathedral, and Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland's Crown Jewels. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - HISTORIC SPOT: Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important historical strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, rules 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 also marks the starting point of the Royal Mile, the historic processional route and location of many of the city's famous landmarks, including St. Giles' Cathedral.

ABBOTSFORD: Take a guided tour of Sir Walter Scott's Abbotsford House.

EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO: Attend the world-renowned Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo performance. (Departures August 5 through August 19 only). (B) 80 mi / 129 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - LEGENDARY LIVES: The 19th century comes alive with echoes of triumph and tragedy at Abbotsford House, where Scottish legend Sir Walter Scott became the biggest-selling author of his day and the fashion for Scots baronial architecture began. Learn how the "Great Scott" popularised tartan, saved the Scottish banknote, and reclaimed his country's Crown Jewels.

ST. ANDREWS: See the home of golf and famous university town then drive across the Firth of Tay via Dundee to Pitlochry.

PITLOCHRY: Walk through the Victorian mountain resort and visit a whisky distillery. Take a scenic drive through the Grampian Mountains and Cairngorms National Park en route to Inverness. (B/D) 200 mi / 325 km

LOCAL FAVOURITE - LOCAL TASTES: Feel your heart skip a beat in the heart of Scotland. Pitlochry fills the senses with spectacular scenery and warm hospitality. Raise a dram of whisky at an historic, local distillery whilst you learn all about Scotland's favourite spirit.

THE HIGHLANDS: Visit the Bronze-Age chamber tomb site of Clava Cairns. See the Culloden battlefield site and visitor centre. Visit Cawdor Castle.

INVERNESS: Free time the remainder of the day. (B) 45 mi / 70 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - LITERATURE & ARCHITECTURE: In The Bard's words, 'This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air nimbly and sweetly recommends itself unto our gentle senses.' Walk through history in the dramatic countryside of the Scottish Highlands to visit Cawdor Castle, the ancestral home of the Campbells of Cawdor. Discover the castle's literary connection to The Scottish Play by William Shakespeare - also known as Macbeth.

DUNROBIN: Visit the castle and gardens.

THURSO: Free time this afternoon. (B/D) 109 mi / 176 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - HISTORIC SPOT: Perched in the Northern Highlands overlooking the Moray Firth is Dunrobin Castle, the historic home of the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland. One of the oldest continuously inhabited "Scottish great houses," the castle evokes images of a French chateau with towering spires and grand gardens inspired by the Palace of Versailles.

JOHN O'GROATS: Ferry crossing to the Orkney Islands.

ORKNEY ISLANDS: Sightseeing includes the four Churchill Barriers, Scapa Flow, Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, and Kirkwall. Enjoy a guided tour of The Orkney Brewery with a light lunch at the brewery's Tasting Hall cafe and visit Skaill House. Return to the mainland by ferry in the late afternoon. (B/L/D) 119 mi / 191 km

LOCAL FAVOURITE - LEGENDS & LORE: 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. ?Join a guided tour of the brewery and learn the traditions of beer making and a long, long history of brewing quality ales.

ULLAPOOL: Visit the fishing port and enjoy a traditional fish & chips lunch at a local restaurant. (B/L/D) 219 mi / 353 km

LOCAL FAVOURITE - LOCAL TASTES: Walk along the whitewashed cottages with views of lovely Loch Broom in the charming harbour town of Ullapool. Feast on traditional fish and chips, a Scottish specialty that never fails to satisfy.

ISLE OF SKYE: Drive across the Inner Hebridean island; visit the Museum of Island Life; stop in the picturesque island capital of Portree and take in the views of the Cuillin Hills. (B/D) 100 mi / 161 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - NATURAL WONDERS: Magic abounds on the Isle of Skye, home to some of Scotland's most iconic landscapes to 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 island adventure.

ISLE OF SKYE: Visit Museum of the Isles. Ferry crossing on the Sound of Sleat to mainland.

GLENFINNAN: See the monument to fallen Jacobite clansmen and the famous Glennfinnan Viaduct.

FORT WILLIAM: See the gateway to Ben Nevis, the UK's highest peak.

GLEN COE: Scenic drive en route to Oban. (B/D) 109 mi / 175 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - HISTORIC SPOT: Long before it was made famous by the Harry Potter films, the Glenfinnan Viaduct was hailed one of the most visually stunning railways in Scotland. Flanked by rolling green hills that are home to the iconic Scottish red deer, the elevated curves of the longest concrete railway in Scotland traverses through a world of adventure and history.

OBAN: Ferry crossing to the Isle of Mull.

ISLE OF MULL: Take a scenic drive across the island.

ISLE OF IONA: Continue to Iona with a ferry to the island and visit the centre of Celtic Christianity before returning to mainland. (B/D) 97 mi / 156 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.

INVERARAY: Take a scenic drive over the mountainous Pass of Brander.

LOCH LOMOND: Stop for photos.

GLASGOW: Enjoy an orientation drive to see Glasgow's landmarks, including the 12th-century cathedral, university buildings, and Georgian squares. Free time this evening. (B/D) 108 mi / 174 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - ART & ARCHITECTURE: Spanning both banks of the River Clyde in Scotland's western Lowlands, Glasgow gives art and architecture lovers a grand time. From its Victorian and art nouveau architecture to its beautiful Georgian-style squares and the medieval grandeur of its cathedral, Glasgow is brimming with historic and artistic sights to savour during an orientation drive through this national cultural hub, home to the Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet, and National Theatre of Scotland.

Safe travels until we meet again! Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)