Compare Grand Tour of Scotland, England & Wales by Tours of Distinction vs West Highlands and the Isle of Skye (self-drive tour) by Audley Travel
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
|
5 | Excellent
|
| Duration | 10 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 4,300 | $ 2,995 |
| Price Per Day | $ 430 | $ 300 |
| Highlights |
|
|
| Trip Style | Small group tour | Self-guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
| Physical Level |
|
|
| Travel Themes |
|
|
| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
|
|
| Flights & Transport | Airfare included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
|
|
| Meals Included |
8 Breakfasts | 5 Dinners |
N/A |
| Description |
Scotland evokes images of bagpipes, the Loch Ness Monster, Edinburg’s vennels and wynds of Old Town, Glasgow’s Victorian grandeur, and the rugged beauty of the Highlands. Mystical Wales beckons with the breathtaking beauty of Snowdonia, walled cities, and Medieval Castles. More than 900 years of history awaits you at Windsor Castle, Her Majesty, The Queen’s favorite residence. An experience of a lifetime that is easy, inclusive and affordable awaits you on this guided tour of the United Kingdom. |
Our Scottish travel guides reflect the recent findings of our specialists who travel regularly to Scotland to seek out new places to stay and visit as well as imaginative ways of discovering the well-known highlights. The guides give tips on everything from Edinburgh for first timers to the culture and history of Scotland, so that you can get the most out of your time there. Our Scotland specialists can guide you along the way using personal experience and in-depth knowledge on pursuits from touring the region's whisky distilleries or its medieval castles, to exploring the Isle of Skye or hiking through untouched valley |
Day 1 - Depart for Glasgow, Scotland
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Glasgow, Scotland.
Day 2 - Arrive Glasgow - Pitlochry
Following arrival in Glasgow Airport, you will be met by your Local Irish Guide and escorted to your awaiting motor-coach. This morning, you will enjoy a tour of Glasgow City, often described as Britain’s finest Victorian City. In 1999, its architecture won it the accolade of ‘UK City of Architecture and Design’. Your city tour will also include a visit to Glasgow Cathedral, one of the most ancient and historic sites in the city. This afternoon, you will travel to Pitlochry known as the Gateway to the Highlands, where you will check into the beautiful Athol Palace Hotel for a two-night stay. This evening, you will enjoy dinner in your hotel. (D)
Day 3 - Scottish Highlands
Today, you head north to the Scottish Highlands. You travel through the breath-taking Cairngorms National Park to Culloden where the last major battle in Britain was fought on April 16th, 1746. This morning, you can relive the drama with a visit to Culloden Visitor Centre. You continue to Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, where you will have some free time for lunch. This afternoon, you will enjoy a guided cruise on Loch Ness, hear the historic intriguing tales surrounding a mysterious monster, and see the spectacular ruins of Urquhart Castle. From here, you return to Athol Palace and enjoy another delicious dinner. (B & D)
Day 4 - Blair Athol Distillery – St. Andrews – Edinburgh
After breakfast and before departing Pitlochry, you will visit the Blair Athol Distillery and enjoy a guided tour followed by a wee dram before departing. You continue to Dundee before crossing the Tay Bridge to St. Andrews. Not only is St. Andrews famed as the home of golf, it is also an ancient ecclesiastical capital and Scotland’s oldest university. You continue south traveling over the Forth Road Bridge to Edinburgh City for a two-night stay. (B)
Day 5 - Edinburgh
This morning, a tour of Edinburgh City awaits you. You will travel down Princess Street and the historic Royal Mile before visiting the Palace of Holyrood House - the official Scottish residence of her Majesty the Queen. Hear the tales of some truly intriguing characters - the Bodysnatchers, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Greyfriars Bobby. You will visit the majestic Edinburgh Castle and enjoy the breathtaking views of the city from the castle ramparts.
This evening, you will enjoy the Spirit of Scotland Show at the Jam House. This will be a traditional Scottish evening of song and dance accompanied by a great selection of quality Scottish food. (B & D)
Day 6 - English Lakes District – Caernarfon, Wales
This morning, you depart Edinburgh and travel south to the romantic town of Gretna Green for your first stop. You will have an opportunity to visit the Famous Blacksmiths Shop with over 260 years of history and heritage before departing. Your tour continues through England’s scenic Lake District, associated with the poet, William Wordsworth and children’s author, Beatrix Potter. You continue to Conwy where you will visit Conwy Castle regarded as one of the great fortresses of medieval Europe. From here, you travel to Caernarfon for a two-night stay. (B & D)
Day 7 - Snowdon Mountain Railway – National Slate Museum – Caernarfon Castle
Today, we travel a short distance to Llanberis and board Snowdon Mountain Railway. This Victorian railway climbs 1085m to the Summit of Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales, where one of the world’s greatest panoramas awaits. From the visitor center, you will get some spectacular views of the valleys below, and on a clear day you can see Ireland in the distance. Following this adventure, you travel to the National Slate Museum and learn the story of the Welsh slate industry. On returning to Caernarfon, you will visit Caernarfon Castle, one of the most impressive castles in Wales. The remainder of the evening is free. (B)
Day 8 - Windsor Castle – London, England
This morning, you depart Caernarfon and head south traveling by the foothills of Cotswold’s mountains before arriving in Windsor. Here, you will visit the impressive Windsor Castle, one of the Queen’s official residences. You will see the State Apartments and St. George’s Chapel where Prince Harry and Megan Markle were married. Following your visit, you travel to London City for a two-night stay. (B & D)
Day 9 - London
After breakfast, embark on a panoramic tour of the city. You will see many famous landmarks such as Westminster Abbey, Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Following your tour, the remainder of the afternoon is free to explore this wonderful city on your own. (B)
Day 10 - Depart London
Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to London Heathrow Airport for check-in for our flight home. On arrival back in the USA, transfer home. (B)
Day 1: Loch Lomond
Make your own way to Loch Lomond. From here, you’ll take a privately guided kayaking tour out onto the loch, surrounded by the Trossachs mountain range, known as the gateway to the Highlands. Tonight, stay in a picturesque lochside village.
Accommodation While the itinerary price reflects the suggested accommodation, this itinerary is 100% tailor-made, and a specialist can help you select the option best suited to your tastes and budget.
Day 2: Glencoe
Leave Loch Lomond and drive further north to Glencoe, where you'll meet your private guide for the next three days. You’ll then head into the heart of Glencoe for a short but fairly steep hike to the Lost Valley, where the MacDonald clan used to hide their rustled cattle. A picnic lunch is included.
Accommodation options While the itinerary price reflects the suggested accommodation, this itinerary is 100% tailor-made, and a specialist can help you select the option best suited to your tastes and budget.
Day 3: Glencoe
Spend most of the day hiking. You’ll head up and over the highest pass of the West Highland Way. Weather allowing, you'll have fantastic views across the surrounding mountains, including toward Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK. A picnic lunch is included. On reaching a small village at the head of Loch Leven, you'll be collected and driven back toward your hotel. En route, stop at a climbers' inn to meet a local storyteller, who'll regale you with tales about Glencoe.
Accommodation options While the itinerary price reflects the suggested accommodation, this itinerary is 100% tailor-made, and a specialist can help you select the option best suited to your tastes and budget.
Day 4: Glencoe
Enjoy another day of hiking, deciding for yourself on the length and difficulty of your route, which will also depend on the weather. You could aim to hike one of Glencoe's summits to finish your three-day walking trip on a literal high. A picnic lunch is included.
Accommodation options While the itinerary price reflects the suggested accommodation, this itinerary is 100% tailor-made, and a specialist can help you select the option best suited to your tastes and budget.
Day 5: Glencoe
Make your way to Fort William today to board the Jacobite Steam Train, better known as the Hogwarts Express! You'll cross over the Glenfinnan Viaduct while taking in impressive views. The roundtrip journey will return you to Fort William and you will make your way back to your hotel in Glencoe.
Accommodation options While the itinerary price reflects the suggested accommodation, this itinerary is 100% tailor-made, and a specialist can help you select the option best suited to your tastes and budget.
Day 6: Isleornsay
Leave Glencoe and drive on the 'road to the Isles' out to Mallaig this morning, to board the ferry across to Skye. Once you've checked into your waterfront hotel, which has views across to the mountains, you have the rest of the day to begin exploring the island by yourself. Portree, the main town on Skye, isn't far away, or you could head into the Cuillin Hills for some hiking.
Accommodation While the itinerary price reflects the suggested accommodation, this itinerary is 100% tailor-made, and a specialist can help you select the option best suited to your tastes and budget.
Day 7: Isleornsay
Explore Skye’s northern peninsula, which has some of the island's most eye-catching rock formations and best views. Following the area’s extensive trails, you'll pass the distinctive rocky outcrops of Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing, which are popular filming locations, and see a waterfall cascading directly into the sea, as well as a beach where dinosaur footprints are visible at low tide. As you round the north of the peninsula, make your way to Dunvegan Castle. Here, you can take a short boat trip out to spot seals and take in views of the castle from the water, as invaders would once have done. Back on land, explore the castle and its gardens and meet the estate manager for a wee dram of whisky in the Great Hall.
Accommodation While the itinerary price reflects the suggested accommodation, this itinerary is 100% tailor-made, and a specialist can help you select the option best suited to your tastes and budget.
Day 8: Isleornsay
Meet your private guide this morning for a hike through Skye's spectacular landscapes. In the afternoon, meet the Eilean Donan's master distiller to learn about the art and process of gin distilling, before returning to label your own bottle.
Accommodation While the itinerary price reflects the suggested accommodation, this itinerary is 100% tailor-made, and a specialist can help you select the option best suited to your tastes and budget.
Day 9: Methven
Drive across the Skye Bridge this morning to the waterside village of Plockton. Here, you’ll meet your private kayaking guide and head out into the bay to explore the surrounding coves and beaches, with a backdrop of islands and mountains across the water. Later, drive through the central Highlands to Methven Castle, your home for the night. Dinner is included tonight.
Accommodation While the itinerary price reflects the suggested accommodation, this itinerary is 100% tailor-made, and a specialist can help you select the option best suited to your tastes and budget.
Day 10: Return home
Leave Methven and make your way home.
