Scotlands Highlands Islands and Cities Summer 2019

13 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
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USTOA

Group Tour
Visit the isles of Skye and Mull, the Orkney Islands and witness the beauty of Loch Ness. View the ruins of Melrose Abbey and visit Glamis Castle, the setting for Shakespeare's Macbeth.

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, Orkney Islands, Stirling and Glasgow
    • VISIT Edinburgh Castle, Glamis Castle, the battlefield and Visitor Centre of Culloden, Dunrobin Castle, John O'Groats, The Italian Chapel in Orkney Islands, Skara Brae, Ullapool, Isle of Skye, Isle of Mull, Isle of Iona, St. Mungo's Cathedral in Glasgow and Stirling Castle
    • VIEW Jedburgh Abbey, the 18th green at St. Andrews, Inverness Castle, Eilean Donan Castle and Glencoe
    • SEE Loch Ness, Loch Lomond and the Battlefield at Bannockburn

What's this trip about?

    Visit the isles of Skye and Mull, the Orkney Islands and witness the beauty of Loch Ness. View the ruins of Melrose Abbey and visit Glamis Castle, the setting for Shakespeare's Macbeth.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeOperator does not provide
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
  • Loch Ness
  • Orkney Islands
  • Scottish Highlands

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing
  • Homestays & Cultural Immersion

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Edinburgh (3 Nights)

Embrace the allure of Auld Reekie and explore its labyrinthine lanes, before joining your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception to kick-start your turas through an unimaginably beautiful part of the world.

Day 2: Edinburgh Sightseeing and Free Time

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

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. Continue to nearby Melrose Abbey, said to be the final resting place of the embalmed heart of Robert the Bruce. We take the scenic route back to Edinburgh this afternoon, following the lush green landscapes along the Tweed River.

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

This morning, we cross the Firth of Forth to the celebrated home of golf - St. Andrews, to view its ancient university and famous golf course. Shakespeare's Macbeth takes centre stage as we visit Glamis Castle, once the home of the beloved Queen Mother and birthplace ...

Day 5: Dundee – Pitlochry – Culloden – Scottish Highlands

'Dive Into Culture' and learn about the local whisky industry at a famous distillery, including a tasting of Scotland's much-loved golden nectar. Hearts and hands warmed, we wind our way to the tragic battlefield and Visitor Centre at Culloden, past rugged landscapes ...

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

The mystical haunt of Nessie is our first stop today before passing through Inverness 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 ...

Day 7: Orkney Islands Excursion

We board a ferry to South Ronaldsay in the Orkney Islands, viewing the stretch of WWII causeways known as the Churchill Barriers. Visit the ornate Italian Chapel, built by Italian prisoners of war. Visit Skara Brae and see the prehistoric free-standing stones of the R...

Day 8: Thurso – Ullapool – Isle of Skye

Dramatic landscapes accompany our scenic drive along the rugged north-west coastline of the Scottish Highlands to remote Ullapool on the shores of Loch Broom. We journey to the 13th-century Eilean Donan Castle, perched on a tiny island where three sea lochs meet, then continue to the Isle of Skye where we'll stay overnight and enjoy a delicious dinner in our hotel.

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

We return to the mainland following a beautiful route that takes us past the Glenfinnan Viaduct, along which Harry Potter's Hogwarts Express once crossed to his beloved school of magic. We pass Fort William on the shores of Loch Linnhe, renowned as the gateway to Ben Nevis, before continuing to Ballachulish, our Highland home for the next two nights.

Day 10: Mull and Iona Excursion

Set sail from Oban to the Isle of Mull, disembarking at Craignure. Cross the pretty island countryside to catch a ferry from Fionnphort to the island of Iona, which was once the home of a Gaelic monastic community which lived in Iona Abbey. Before our journey back to Ballachulish, we'll have the chance to view Rèilig Odhrain, the final resting place of many of Scottish kings.

Day 11: Ballachulish – Glasgow (2 Nights)

A solemn reminder of the MacDonald clansmen, who were massacred at the Glen of the Weeping, marks our morning journey south to Glasgow. We follow the banks of Loch Lomond, then enjoy an orientation tour that will see you view St. Mungo's Cathedral and George Square with its statues of Britain's famous sons and daughters.

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 to its grounds and delve into the history of this royal residence and fortress, besieged by Bonnie Prince Charlie in the 18th century. We'l...

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.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,525
Price per day$271
Last Updated: 9/6/2019

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.

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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.

 

Why we love this operator
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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,
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
  • 1 lunch
  • 5 dinners
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 Trip Highlights
  • Optional Experiences and free time
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
  • An expert Travel Director and a professional 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-BHLDN14

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