Explore Scotland's rugged countryside in depth

Please note the following itinerary is subject to change without notice.

Day 1 - Welcome to Edinburgh

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.

Hotel - Apex Haymarket (3 nights)

Included Meals - Welcome Reception

Day 2 - Edinburgh

Let your Local Specialist take you on an informative sightseeing tour of Edinburgh. See the regal Palace of Holyroodhouse, the new Scottish Parliament Building and the Royal Mile, delving into the heart of the city, before visiting Edinburgh Castle, perched atop Castle Rock. Stroll through the grand New Town with its Gothic façades enjoying the rest of the day at leisure. Tickets to see the Edinburgh Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates.

Included Meals - Breakfast

Optional Experience:

• Dinner & Drive to Historic Torphichen
• Rosslyn Chapel
• Royal Yacht Britannia
• Scottish Show with Dinner

Day 3 - A Day of Abbeys, Landscapes and History

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.

Included Meals - Breakfast

Optional Experience:

• Dinner & Ghost Walk

Day 4 - 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 of Princess Margaret. Enjoy a guided tour of the castle and explore its beautiful gardens, before we travel to the waterfront city of Dundee, distinguished for its status as the first UNESCO City of Design, and the original home of marmalade.

Hotel - Apex City Quay

Included Meals - Breakfast

Day 5 - Venture to Culloden and the 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 and the imposing Cairngorms Mountains. Visit the site where Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite army was defeated. Our final stop for the night is Inverness, the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands, where we’ll overnight.

Hotel - Columba

Included Meals - Breakfast

Optional Experience:

• Highland Farm Experience
• Dawdor Dinner Evening

Day 6 - Loch Ness

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 exploring its château-like structure and surrounds, once home to the Clan Sutherland. Arriving in Thurso, our home for the next two nights, we enjoy dinner at our hotel.

Hotel - Pentland (2 nights)

Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

Optional Experience:

• Lock Ness Cruise

Day 7 - Orkney Islands

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. See the prehistoric free-standing stones of the Ring of Brodgar before visiting Skara Brae and delving into the stories of the Neolithic village. We stop at beautiful Kirkwall Cathedral for a photo opportunity before returning to our hotel for dinner.

Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 - 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.

Hotel - Kings Arms

Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9 - Oban

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 Oban, our Highland home for the next two nights.

Hotel - The Royal (2 nights)

Included Meals - Breakfast

Optional Experience:

• Isle of Skye Drive
• Scenic Drive and Dinner

Day 10 - Isles of Mull

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 in Iona Abbey. Before our journey back to Oban, we'll have the chance to view Rèilig Odhrain, the final resting place of many Scottish kings.

Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11 - Glasgow

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

Hotel - Holiday Inn Theatreland (2 nights)

Included Meals - Breakfast

Optional Experience:

• Glasgow City Evening
• Doune Castle

Day 12 - Uncover Stirling Castle’s Secrets

Venture to Bannockburn, where King Robert Bruce of Scotland defeated Edward II of England during the First War of Scottish Independence. 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'll visit the splendidly decorated Royal Palace of King James V and view the renowned Stirling Heads. Later, we Connect With Locals, joining the Wood family this afternoon for a memorable Be My Guest experience at their 15th-century farm on the shores of Loch Ard, amidst tales of Rob Roy. This evening, we return to Glasgow for time at leisure to enjoy true Scottish hospitality.

Included Meals - Breakfast, Be My Guest

Day 13 - Farewell 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.

Included Meals - Breakfast

All Optional experiences for this trip are bookable with the Travel Director when you travel.

Our experienced consultants can also happily help with flights, pre/post-tour accommodation and travel insurance. Call 1300 414 198 to find out more and receive a quote.

Please note prices are subject to availability at time of booking and prices may change without notice.

Twin share from $4,883 per person
Single traveller from $5,593

• 30 Sep - 12 Oct 2023
• 07 - 19 Oct 2023

T​win share from $5,486 per person
Single traveller from $6,256

• 0​5 - 17 Aug 2023
• 2​1 Aug - 02 Sep 2023

Multiple departure dates are available in 2023- call our experienced Travel Advisor for details 1300 414 198.

12 nights accommodation included on this tour.

• Apex Haymarket (3 nights)
• Apex City Quay
• Columba
• Pentland (2 nights)
• Kings Arms
• The Royal (2 nights)
• Holiday Inn Theatreland (2 nights)

Travel Wellbeing protocols and peace of mind to enjoy your trip.

The operators of this tour have collaborated with the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) to align and create global protocols and procedures to produce enhanced on-trip standards to assure the health and happiness of all guests travelling.

Authentic COVID-19 vaccination certificate (electronic or paper showing date and time of vaccination(s)) with final or booster dose given at least 15 days before departing is required for this trip.