Country Roads of Scotland 8 Day tour from $1418   

an Insight Vacations luxury tour

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Tour Highlights

Hotels

This tour has a varied selection of hotels ranging from the traditional Royal  Terrace in the heart of Edinburgh to the attractive country location of the family run Highlander hotel in Newtonmore.

Fellow Passengers

Appeals particularly to those who have a Scottish background but also to travellers  who want to see the highlights of Scottish history & scenery in one week.

Highlights

The beautiful setting for the cruise on Loch Lomond, the delights of the Scottish  evening with haggis & bagpipes, the grandeur of Edinburgh and the overwhelming Highland landscape and hospitality.

Excursions & Sights

• See the ruined Jedburgh Abbey
• Visit Edinburgh Castle to see the  Honours of Scotland (Scottish Crown Jewels)
• Drive along the Royal Mile past St Giles' Cathedral to Holyroodhouse Palace
• See Edinburgh's 'New Town' and Sir Walter Scott Monument on Princes Street
• Visit St Andrews with its cathedral, long-established university & famous golf course
• Visit Caithness Glass Factory
• Visit a  whisky distillery and taste a 'wee dram'
• Visit Culloden where the Jacobite Army under Bonnie Prince Charlie was finally defeated
• Visit the Highland capital of Inverness and drive along Loch Ness to spot the monster
• Visit the fishing port of Ullapool & admire the scenery of the North West Highlands
• See the Isle of Skye's dramatic  Cuillin Hills and stay in its capital of Portree
• View pretty Eilean Donan Castle, set on an island in a loch & surrounded by mountains
• See the Second World War Commando Memorial and Ben Nevis, Britain's highest peak
• Travel through haunting Glencoe hearing tales of the MacDonalds & the Campbells
• Visit a woollen mill

Guided City Tours

In depth sightseeing tour in EdinburghOrientation tour in  Glasgow

Insight's First Class Services

• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Luxury air-conditioned coach with onboard toilet
• First Class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Free Airport transfers when booking our London hotel (ask for details)

Quality Dining

Traditional Highland dinner with Scottish entertainment

7  full breakfasts and 4 three course evening meals with choice, or buffets, plus tea or coffee.

Tour Itinerary

Tour Pace

Well paced tour with two night stays in the capital city of Edinburgh & the  Highland fishing town of Ullapool; plus overnights in Glasgow, Newtonmore and the  stunning Isle of Skye.

DAY 1 SAT - LONDON - EDINBURGH

Our journey from London today, takes us north through England's varied landscapes  to Scotland. We stop at Jedburgh with its 12th century ruined Abbey, before crossing the River Tweed to arrive in the beautiful city of Edinburgh for our two night stay. This evening we enjoy a Welcome Drink with our fellow travellers. (Tonight,  selected departures enjoy the spectacular Military Tattoo at Edinburgh castle.) Hotel: Royal Terrace.

DAY 2 SUN - EDINBURGH SIGHTSEEING

Today our local guide shows us the glory of the 'Athens of the North'. We drive  along Prince's Street to see the ornate Scott Memorial, then visit the 18th century  'New Town' with its classical Adam facades. Now into the Old Town, to visit the awesome Castle perched on its rock. We see the house where John Knox (leader of  the Protestant Reformation in Scotland) spent the last 10 years of his life, and  St Giles' Cathedral where he preached his fiery sermons. At the bottom of the Royal Mile we see the Palace of Holyroodhouse where Mary Queen of Scots lived - it is  still the official Scottish residence of the Queen. The rest of the day is at leisure. Perhaps research your family tartan in the Tartan Centre? Or visit the art treasures in the National Gallery? (B)

DAY 3 MON - EDINBURGH - NEWTONMORE

We cross the Firth of Forth into Fife, and make our way to St Andrews, where golf was born on the old course in the 15th century. After some time here we continue to Perth where we watch the Caithness glass-blowers at work. Now we visit a whisky distillery where the local water, best malt, and age old skills combine to produce a 'wee dram' which we will be able to taste! Now over the Grampian Mountains to our Highland hotel for our overnight stay. Tonight, we enjoy a highlight dinner with haggis and traditional Scottish entertainment. Hotel: Highlander. (B,HD)

DAY 4 TUE - NEWTONMORE - ULLAPOOL

This morning we travel along the sparkling Spey Valley, past the Scottish ski  resort of Aviemore, to the tragic battlefield of Culloden, where Bonnie Prince Charlie's  army and the pride of the Highland clans was finally crushed. We drive via the stately  town of Inverness, home of world famous Pringle knitwear, and along the scenic shores  of Loch Ness to search for the elusive monster! We then continue north-westwards  to the little fishing town of Ullapool. Hotel: Glenfield. (B,D)

DAY 5 WED - ULLAPOOL - NORTH WEST HIGHLANDS EXCURSION

This morning we head north from Ullapool for a day of breathtaking scenery of  the coastal lochs and mountains with magnificent photo opportunities. We follow the road to the little village of Tongue, then head inland passing by Loch Shin  before returning to our hotel. (B,D)

DAY 6 THU - ULLAPOOL - ISLE OF SKYE

An exciting day takes us past remote Eilean Donan Castle, then 'over the sea to Skye', hearing romantic tales of Flora MacDonald and her vain defence of the  Bonnie Prince. We see the island's most famous feature, the Cuillin Hills on our  way to our hotel in Skye's pleasant capital of Portree, situated on a sheltered bay. Hotel: Tongadale. (B,D)

DAY 7 FRI - ISLE OF SKYE - GLASGOW

A feast of scenic splendour today as we return to the mainland and head past Loch Garry into the Great Glen. We stop at the Commando Memorial from where we enjoy  views of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain. We then continue through Glencoe, its hills echoing with the ghastly cries of massacred clansmen, and on to Loch Lomond, where we embark on a highlight cruise. We stay tonight in the thriving commercial city of Glasgow. Hotel: Marriott. (B)

DAY 8 SAT - GLASGOW - LONDON

We drive through the Southern Uplands this morning, stopping at a woollen mill to shop for woollens before crossing back into England. Continuing south, we return to London where our tour comes to an end. (B)