12 Day Grand Tour of Scotland

Package Overview

This 12 day grand tour of Scotland will showcase the dramatic beauty of the West coast and the Western Isles, the magical Isle of Skye and the Neolithic magnificence of Orkney, visiting historic castles, pretty towns and villages and enjoying the best of Scottish hospitality along the way.

Tour Highlights
Oban
Iona
Glenfinnan Viaduct
Isle of Skye
Beaches of Harris
Orkney

Day wise Itinerary

• Day 1 : Day one highlights include

  the magnificent Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument before travelling through the beautiful Trossachs (Scotland’s Lakeland) stopping to visit Rob Roy’s Grave and the pretty village of Killin before heading to the attractive fishing port of Oban where you will spend the next two nights. Oban has a great selection of speciality shops, seafood restaurants and bars.
• Day 2 : The Isle of Mull

  Your journey continues to the Isle of Mull and then South through the island and on to the Isle of Iona with its stunning Abbey, a place of pilgrimage for over 1400 years. A boat trip to the stunning island of Staffa, to explore Fingal’s Cave and Puffin spotting can be added to the tour. We shall return to Oban, for the evening.
• Day 3 : Castle Stalker

  From Oban you will next visit the iconic Castle Stalker and the spectacular mountains of Glencoe before reaching Fort William and the magnificent Glenfinnan Viaduct, perhaps spotting the Jacobite Steam train (The Harry Potter Train) as it travels to Mallaig? From there you’ll follow the ‘Road to the Isles’ taking in the beaches at Morar and Arisaig with their unrivalled views of The Small Isles of Muck, Eigg, Rum and Canna. At Mallaig you will catch the short ferry ‘Over the sea to Skye’.
  Arriving on the island the first stop is the Talisker Distillery for a tour and a wee dram. (Alternatively, you can visit the fairy pools at glen brittle) before heading to the island capital Portree with its attractive harbour where you will spend the next two nights.
• Day 4 : Skye highlights will include

  The imposing Cuillin Mountain Range – visible from most parts of the island; The spectacular Trotternish Peninsula with wonderful views of dramatic pinnacles the ‘Old Man of Storr’, Kilt Rock and The Quirang, The Museum of Highland Life, and Flora MacDonalds Monument, the mysterious Fairy Glen and the impressive Dunvegan Castle 2’000 yr old Dun Beag Broch.
• Day 5 : Outer Hebrides

  Your journey now continues on to the Outer Hebrides and the contrasting islands of Harris and Lewis which share the same land mass but as you will see are dramatically different. Harris Highlights will include; – the dramatic lunar landscape, the finest unspoilt golden beaches in the world. An opportunity to learn about and buy beautiful Harris Tweed and the magnificent 16th-century Church of St Clement’s.Travelling north you will then head to the flatter and larger island of Lewis and the main town of Stornoway your base for the next two evenings. Be sure to visit Digby Chick, one of the best restaurants in the Outer Hebrides while you’re here. Booking is advised.
• Day 6 : Exploring Lewis

  Exploring Lewis, highlights will include; the 2,000 year old Carloway Broch and the 4,000 year old Neolithic Callanish Standing Stones – a real highlight of the tour, The Blackhouse village at Gearrannan and the Lighthouse at the Butt of Lewis, the most northerly point of the island.
• Day 7 : Ullapool

  From Lewis your journey continues by ferry (2hr 30min crossing) to the pretty fishing harbour of Ullapool, arriving late afternoon. You will spend the evening here. The village dates back hundreds of years and you will have plenty of time to explore the village view the many original houses and churches.
• Day 8 : Tongue

  From Ullapool, you will then head north to the remote wilderness of Wester Ross and on to Sutherland where you will visit the impressive Smoo Caves at Durness before heading to the small village of Tongue for the evening.
• Day 9 : Tongue

  From Ullapool, you will then head north to the remote wilderness of Wester Ross and on to Sutherland where you will visit the impressive Smoo Caves at Durness before heading to the small village of Tongue for the evening.
• Day 10 : Orkney

  Leaving the mainland behind this morning you will sail to Orkney and your base in the fishing port of Kirkwall where you will stay for two nights. Steeped in history, Orkney is and home to the greatest concentration of prehistoric archaeological sites in Europe. Highlights include:- The Tomb of the Eagles, The Churchill Barriers, Maeshowe one of the largest Neolithic Tombs in Europe, The Standing Stones O’ Stenness, the iconic Ring O’ Brodgar, The Italian Chapel, built during World War II by Italian prisoners of war, Skara Brae, Europe’s most complete Neolithic village and the magnificent 12th century St Magnus Cathedral.
• Day 11 : Orkney

  Returning by ferry to Gills Bay you will visit John O’ Groats, the most northeastern tip of Scotland before starting your journey south to Inverness, ‘capital’ of the Highlands, where you will stay this evening. There are a good selection of restaurants in the city but they can get busy and booking is essential. Your guide will be able to assist you.
• Day 12 : Continuing your journey south highlights will include

  A visit to the Culloden Battlefield where you can explore its fascinating story then a stop at Clava Cairns, a 3,500 year old burial site, before heading through the Cairngorm Mountain Range and in to Perthshire, stopping at the pretty Victorian town of Pitlochry, The Hermitage waterfall and Dunkeld Cathedral, before making our way back to your accommodation. Where we sadly say our fond fair wells.

Inclusions

• Hotel
• Sightseeing

Terms & Conditions

This Tour is Offered by

• Knightswood Glasgow Scotland G13 3JN, Glasgow, United Kingdom
• XXXXXX4624 View Contact
• XXXXXXXXXX@aboutscotland.net View Mail ID

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