Compare Bonnie Scotland by Globus vs Wild Scotland by Culture Trip
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 2,339 | $ 3,149 |
| Price Per Day | $ 334 | $ 450 |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | No | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
6 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch & 2 Dinners |
| Description | Rolling hills and rugged coastlines, mythical creatures, and elusive monsters, quiet fairways, and boisterous bagpipes, this tour of Scotland is a study in stark contrasts among the most beautiful of classrooms. Hitting the highpoints of the Highlands from Glasgow to Edinburgh, you’ll cruise on beautiful Loch Lomond, ferry to the dramatic Isle of Skye, and visit the home of golf, St. Andrews. More lush landscapes await as you search for the mysterious Nessie along the banks of Loch Ness, stand before the famous Glenfinnan viaduct featured in the Harry Potter films, and swoon over the 13th-century Eilean Donan Castle nestled on a tidal island and featured in numerous films. If green means go, you have the go-ahead to pack your tams, tartans, and knickers for vibrant and verdant Scotland. |
Explore a wilderness of white-sand beaches and clear turquoise waters on the northwest coast of Scotland. You’ll venture far from the mainland to discover what it’s like to live on the remote Hebridean islands of Skye, Harris and Lewis. Few visitors make it as far as these isolated isles, so you’ll be able to kayak through secluded inlets and explore nature spots – such as the Fairy Pools on Skye – with hardly another soul in sight. To warm the cockles, there’ll be Scottish whisky tastings, plus a visit to an ancient stone circle, adding another magical layer to this tranquil, Tolkien-esque landscape that feels a million miles from the rest of the UK. |
Day 1: ARRIVE IN GLASGOW, SCOTLAND
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. (Dinner)
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Day 2: GLASGOW. EXCURSION TO LOCH LOMOND & STIRLING
Keys to Scottish Lochs LOCH LOMOND [LF] Enjoy a scenic cruise on the lake.STIRLING Visit Stirling Castle. [LF] Join a guided tour of a whisky distillery.GLASGOW Orientation drive to see Glasgow’s landmarks, including the 12th-century cathedral, university buildings, and Georgian squares. (Breakfast) 81 mi / 131 km
LOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES They can take the low road, but we’ll take the high road to Loch Lomond for a stunningly scenic cruise. We’ll raise a wee dram of malt whisky at an historic distillery, distilling in slow Scottish style in the highlands for many years. Slàinte Mhath!
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Day 3: GLASGOW–FORT WILLIAM–GLENFINNAN–ISLE OF SKYE–INVERNESS
Spectacular in Scotland Take a scenic drive past Rannoch Moor and Glen Coe.FORT WILLIAM See the gateway to Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak.GLENFINNAN See the monument to fallen Jacobite clansmen and the famous viaduct.ISLE OF SKYE Take a scenic drive across the Inner Hebridean island.EILEAN DONAN Drive past a picturesque castle on the small tidal island.LOCH NESS Stop at the lake.INVERNESS Free time in the evening. (Breakfast) 251 mi / 404 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT LEGENDS & LORE Survey the shores of famed Loch Ness for the chance to catch a glimpse of its mysterious Nessie. Hear of the folklore and firm believers in the legend of the Loch Ness Monster, which is said to swim in the shimmering waters.
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Day 4: INVERNESS–CULLODEN MOOR–TOMINTOUL–ABERDEEN
Noble Warriors & Natural Wonders CULLODEN MOOR Visit the Culloden battlefield site and visitor center. Take a scenic drive through the Cairngorms National Park.TOMINTOUL Stop at the highest village in the Scottish Highlands. (Breakfast,Dinner) 111 mi / 178 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHTPICTURE PERFECT From wild mountain peaks to the heathered moors to idyllic forests and farms, Cairngorms National Park is a Highlands paradise of breathtaking vistas, rivers, and wetlands that offer a haven to rare and endangered species that thrive here. Watch for eagles on the wing for a thrilling photo opportunity.
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Day 5: ABERDEEN–PERTH–ST. ANDREWS–EDINBURGH
Tees & Drinks with Jam & Bread PERTH Enjoy coffee with shortbread and take a guided visit at Scone Palace, the stately home of the Earls of Mansfield for over 400 years. ST. ANDREWS See the home of golf and [LF] practice on the golf range. EDINBURGH Free time. THE ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO Attend the world-renowned Tattoo performance. (Departures July 28 through August 18 only). (Breakfast) 172 mi / 277 km
LOCAL FAVORITE 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.
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Day 6: EDINBURGH
Crown Jewels & Castle Views EDINBURGH Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the New Town, the Old Town, and a visit to Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Visit the former Royal Yacht Britannia. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (Breakfast,Dinner)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTMUSIC & 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 Tattoo, an extravaganza of bagpipes and drums performed en masse in August each year.
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Day 7: EDINBURGH
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
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Day 1: Arrive in Inverness
Accommodation: Glenmoriston Townhouse Hotel
Activities Included: Welcome dinner
Arrive in Inverness and checkin to your hotel. If you have time, take a short stroll to the compact city to explore before heading back for welcome drinks at 6pm, followed by dinner and a briefing from our Local Insider, who will accompany the group throughout the trip. Get an early night before your journey to the Isle of Skye tomorrow.
Day 2: Stunning scenery on the Isle of Skye
Accommodation: The Rosedale Hotel
Activities Included: Guided hike to Fairy Pools
Your journey to the west begins. Look out for Nessie as you skirt the edge of Loch Ness, glimpse the mighty Ben Nevis and spy the 21-arched Glenfinnan viaduct (a location made famous in the Harry Potter films) above Loch Shiel. Cross over from the mainland via a bridge to the Isle of Skye, in the heart of the primeval landscape of the Cuillin mountains. Hike from your hotel past a series of waterfalls to the tranquil Fairy Pools. It’s a tempting spot for a wild swim and, framed by dark, menacing peaks, there’s a showstopper of a view.
Day 3: Marine life around Raasay island and hiking the Trotternish hills
Accommodation: The Rosedale Hotel
Activities Included: Guided hike to Quiraing
Optional Activities: Raasay Island boat trip
Take your pick this morning. There's a boat ride on offer around the Raasay, an island off Skye known for its distinctive flat-top summit, winding trails and views towards the Cuillins. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins. Alternatively, explore the pretty harbour town of Portree, where you’ll be staying. Cameras at the ready this afternoon. You’ll hike across one of the most spectacular landscapes in Britain – the Trotternish hills. The great ridge that forms its backbone is home to the Quiraing, a vast landslip that has created jagged pinnacles, grassy plateaus and pyramidal peaks.
Day 4: Whisky tasting on the Isle of Harris
Accommodation: Royal Hotel
Activities Included: Isle of Harris Distillery tour,Harris beach tour
Island-hop from Skye to Harris today as you board the ferry from Uig to Tarbert. Visit the Isle of Harris Distillery, where you’ll learn how whisky is made from the local spring water, as well as sample some yourself. After a local lunch, get ready for a tour of the renowned wild beaches on Harris. With miles of pristine, white sand and turquoise sea, this shoreline is worthy of any bucket list. Afterwards, journey to your hotel in Stornoway.
Day 5: Wandering wild beaches on the Isle of Lewis
Accommodation: Royal Hotel
Activities Included: Lewis beaches exploration
Optional Activities: Sea kayaking
Get ready for a highlight today: exploring the beaches of the Isle of Lewis. Sweeping golden crescents of sand are backed by rolling moorland, looking out towards the North Sea. Favourites include Dalmor, a remote windswept spot on the north coast. Alternatively, choose an optional sea-kayaking excursion around the clear waters. In the afternoon, head back to your hotel – you have the afternoon to explore Stornoway at leisure. Walk through the grounds of Lews Castle, built in the mid 19th century, or take a stroll around the harbour – you might even spot a seal, if you’re lucky.
Day 6: Hebridean heritage on the isles of Harris and Lewis
Accommodation: Glenmoriston Townhouse Hotel
Activities Included: Carloway Mill tour, Calanais Standing Stones visit, Farewell dinner
For your final full day, you’ll get a glimpse of Hebridean heritage at the Carloway Mill, a non-profit enterprise maintaining the tradition of Harris Tweed on the island. Here, you’ll meet skilled weavers working with traditional machinery. Afterwards, you’ll head south to visit one of the most complete stone circles in Europe, the 5,000-year-old Calanais Standing Stones on the west coast. In the afternoon, climb aboard the return ferry to Inverness, where you’ll enjoy a farewell dinner and a wee dram before one last sleep.
Day 7: Leave Inverness
Wake to a traditional Scottish breakfast before saying your goodbyes and leaving Inverness at 10am.
