Travel with us on this cost effective, but world class
budget tour of Scotland and see many of the key highlights of this
fascinating country.
Day
1 Fri.
BOARD
YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT
Day 2 Sat. ARRIVAL IN
LONDON, ENGLAND
Check into your hotel. In the afternoon there’s time to rest or explore
the lively British capital; uniformed Hosts are available to help you
make the most of your day.
Day 3 Sun. LONDON-EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND
Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and depart at 8 a.m.
for a day of northbound travel heading for the Scottish border and
capital city of Edinburgh. Dinner is included tonight at your hotel.
(B,D)
Day 4 Mon. EDINBURGH
A full day to enjoy this “Prince of Cities.” Morning sightseeing with a
Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town” and famous
scientists, inventors, and novelists. In the “Old Town,” drive up the
narrow Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle to admire Scotland’s Crown
Jewels. Afternoon at leisure. Don’t miss our optional Scottish night
out featuring Highland dancers, bagpipers, and, of course, the Ceremony
of the Haggis. For departure numbers 0803, 0810, and 0817, tickets are
included for tonight’s performance of the world-renowned Military
Tattoo, a vast spectacle of massed Scottish pipe bands which takes
place in an arena on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. (FB)
Day 5 Tue. EDINBURGH-AVIEMORE
A day of memorable sightseeing: St. Andrews, whose Royal and Ancient
Golf Club has given us the rules of golfing; Braemar, home of the Royal
Highland Games for over 900 years; and Royal Deeside, where the Queen
is an annual visitor. At a whisky distillery, let your guide explain
the ancient art of converting barley, water, and yeast into a
heart-warming liquor. Spend the night at Aviemore in the Cairngorm
Mountains. (FB,D)
Day 6 Wed. AVIEMORE-ISLE OF SKYE-OBAN
Cross the battlefield of Culloden Moor, then pause in the Highland
capital of Inverness before tracing the shores of Loch Ness, looking
out for the mysterious monster. More heather-clad moors as you drive
through the western Highlands to take your photos of picture-perfect
Eilean Donan Castle before crossing the bridge from Lochalsh onto the
Inner Hebridean Isle of Skye. The route back to the mainland is by
ferry across the Sound of Sleat to Mallaig. Follow the “Road to the
Isles,” pausing at Glenfinnan, the site where Bonnie Prince Charlie’s
standard was raised in 1745, and Fort William, then skirt the shores of
lovely Loch Linnhe on the way to the pretty fishing port of Oban. (FB,D)
Day 7 Thu. OBAN. EXCURSION TO THE ISLES
OF MULL AND IONA
Take the ferry to the Isle of Mull. Land at Craignure and enjoy the
scenic drive to the departure point of the passenger ferry across to
the beautiful and fascinating Isle of Iona. This is the burial place of
many Scottish kings and chiefs, including Macbeth. And it is here that
in 563 A.D. St. Columba established one of the first Christian
monasteries in the British Isles. Time to visit the cathedral and
explore the religious settlement before returning to Oban. Your Tour
Director will have dining suggestions for this evening. (FB)
Day 8 Fri. OBAN-GLASGOW
Cross the spectacular Pass of Brander, and from Inveraray take the road
known as “Rest and Be Thankful” to the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond,
the most famous loch of all. In Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, your
orientation city tour takes in the fine 12th-century cathedral,
imposing university buildings, and elegant Georgian squares built by
the wealthy tobacco barons. Time for last-minute shopping before
bidding farewell to your traveling companions over dinner at your
hotel. (FB,D)
Day 9 Sat.
YOUR
HOMEBOUND FLIGHT FROM GLASGOW ARRIVES THE SAME DAY (FB)
INCLUDED FEATURES
Visits to Edinburgh Castle,
tickets for Edinburgh Military Tattoo (departure numbers 0803, 0810,
0817), St. Andrews, Braemar, Culloden Moor, Inverness, Fort William,
Oban, the Centre of Celtic Christianity on the Isle of Iona, Inveraray,
Glasgow
SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS
Royal Deeside, Cairngorm
Mountains, Loch Ness, Eilean Donan Castle, Isle of Skye, the “Road to
the Isles,” Glenfinnan, Loch Linnhe, Isles of Mull and Iona, Loch Lomond
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special
features are shown in the description, including admission charges when
applicable.
MEALS
1 buffet breakfast (B); 6 full
English breakfasts (FB); 4 three-course dinners (D) with choice of
menus and coffee
SUPERIOR HOTELS
Listed below or equivalent.
Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and
service charges LONDON Kensington Close (ST), EDINBURGH Learmonth (ST),
AVIEMORE Aviemore Inn (ST), OBAN Regent (ST), GLASGOW Quality (ST)
Departure Dates:
May - September
Prices:
Land price from approx $1,220 US per person double occupancy