Scotland's Highlands, Islands and Cities
From CAD $5,979 Was CAD $6,795
Guarantee
Group Tour
Easy
Rating
(10 reviews)
Experience Overview
This unforgettable trip through the Scottish Highlands travels into the far-reaches of Scotland’s rugged countryside. Keep your eyes peeled for Nessie, delve into the history of the kings and warriors and join the Wood family for a ceilidh and lunch in the ‘presence’ of Rob Roy.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 5 Dinner (D)
- 12 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Be My Guest
- Kinlochard: Join your hosts, the Wood family at their 15th-century farm on the shores of Loch Ard for a home-cooked Scottish lunch, amidst tales of Rob Roy and a few foot-tapping ceilidh tunes.
Dive into Culture
- Pitlochry: Warm your heart with a little Scottish whisky at a traditional distillery in the Scottish Highlands.
Iconic Experience
- Edinburgh: Explore the city with your Local Specialist as you travel along Princes Street to see the Scott Memorial, the neoclassical Adam facades of New Town and the official Scottish residence of the King, Palace of Holyroodhouse.
- Jedburgh: See the impressive 12th-century Jedburgh Abbey that dominates the center of town.
- Melrose: View the historic ruins of Melrose Abbey and appreciate its many carved decorative details.
- St. Andrews: Visit the university town where the famous beach scene from 'Chariots of Fire' was filmed and see the golf course where the sport was created.
- Glamis: Visit Glamis Castle, and appreciate the building's illustrious history and picturesque setting.
- Inverness: At the exciting Culloden Visitor Center, discover why the Battle of Culloden lasted only an hour yet changed the Highland way of life forever.
- Golspie: Explore the grand castle and admire its magnificent gardens during your visit of Dunrobin Castle.
- Orkney Islands: Cruise to the windswept Orkney Islands. Come face-to-face with relics spanning human history, from pagan stone circles to reminders of wartime tragedy.
- Scottish Highlands: Admire picturesque lochs and glens as you travel through the Scottish Highlands.
- Eilean Donan: Stop for a photo of this gorgeous castle.
- Glenfinnan Viaduct: See the Glenfinnan Viaduct, along which the Hogwart's Express once crossed in the Harry Potter series.
- Isle of Mull: Explore the Scottish Highlands in depth as you travel to the Isles of Mull and Iona. Visit the Reilig Odhrain, sacred burial ground of 48 Scottish Kings.
- Glasgow: See the grand public buildings of Glasgow, including George Square.
- Glencoe: Drive through this Highland village on Loch Leven.
- Stirling: Visit Stirling and see its castle, once the seat of Scottish royalty.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
- Glasgow: Explore Glasgow’s character through its striking street art on a walking tour with a Local Specialist. Discover stories of shipbuilding, comedy, creativity and community as you pass powerful murals across the city. End your walk at The Clutha, a much-loved pub supporting young people through the Clutha Trust. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 10 and 11: Reduced Inequalities and Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Must-see Highlights
- Explore Edinburgh
- Discover Dundee, Orkney Islands, Glasgow and Stirling
- Visit Edinburgh Castle, Glamis Castle, Pulteney Distillery in Wick, the battlefield and Visitor Center of Culloden, Dunrobin Castle in Golspie, John O'Groats, The Italian Chapel and Skara Brae on Orkney Islands, 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, Eilean Donan Castle and Glencoe
- See Loch Ness, Loch Lomond and the Battlefield at Bannockburn
- Tickets for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates
Trip Details
Product Code: 19117
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+
Tour Operator:
Trafalgar (CA)
Supplier Code: 613.1647A
Starts: Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Finishes: Glasgow, United Kingdom
Duration: 13 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Whats Included
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Return ferry to the Orkney Isles
- Ferry from the Isle of Skye to Mallaig
- Return ferry to the Isle of Mull and Iona
- Optional Experiences and free time
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $5,979 ($460 /day)
Itinerary
Embrace the allure of Auld Reekie and explore its labyrinthine lanes, before joining your fellow travelers and Travel Director for dinner to kick-start your tour through an unimaginably beautiful part of the world.
Accommodation: Voco Haymarket, Novotel Center, Delta by Marriott
Meals: Dinner
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 The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that align with performance dates.
Accommodation: Voco Haymarket, Novotel Center, Delta by Marriott
Meals: Breakfast
A scenic day's excursion brings you to the ruins of the 12th-century Augustinian Jedburgh Abbey, which you 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. Take the scenic route back to Edinburgh this afternoon, following the lush green landscapes along the Tweed River.
Accommodation: Voco Haymarket, Novotel Center, Delta by Marriott
Meals: Breakfast
This morning, 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 center stage as you 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 traveling to the waterfront city of Dundee, distinguished for its status as the first UNESCO City of Design, and the original home of marmalade.
Accommodation: Apex City Quay, Leonardo Aberdeen
Meals: Breakfast
Today, wind your way to the tragic battlefield and Visitor Center at Culloden, past rugged landscapes and the imposing Cairngorms Mountains. Visit the site where Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite army was defeated. Your final stop for the night is Inverness, the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands.
Accommodation: Columba
Meals: Breakfast
The mystical haunt of Nessie is your first stop today 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. Dive Into Culture and learn about the local whisky industry at a distillery, including a tasting of Scotland's much-loved golden nectar. Arriving in Thurso, your home for the next two nights, enjoy dinner at your hotel.
Accommodation: Pentland
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
After stopping at John o' Groats, board a ferry to South Ronaldsay in the Orkney Islands. 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. Stop at beautiful Kirkwall Cathedral for a photo opportunity before returning to your hotel for dinner.
Accommodation: Pentland
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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. Journey to Eilean Donan Castle, built in the 13th century, perched on a tiny island, where three sea lochs meet, then continue to the Isle of Skye where you'll stay overnight and enjoy a delicious dinner in your hotel.
Accommodation: Kings Arms
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Upon return to the mainland, follow a beautiful route that takes you past the Glenfinnan Viaduct which Harry Potter's Hogwarts Express once crossed to his beloved school of magic. Pass Fort William on the shores of Loch Linnhe, renowned as the gateway to Ben Nevis, before continuing to Oban, your Highland home for the next two nights.
Accommodation: Royal
Meals: Breakfast
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 your journey back to Oban, you'll have the chance to view Rèilig Odhrain, the final resting place of many Scottish kings.
Accommodation: Royal
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
The beauty of Glencoe, scarred by the story of the MacDonald clan massacre, sets a dramatic scene en route from Oban to Glasgow. Visit St Mungo's Cathedral, a holy sacred place with deep historical significance the city of Glasgow is built upon. After an orientation of the city with your Travel Director, find a bite to eat for lunch with some free time. You may wish to take part in an Optional Experience to visit the towering Kelpies and the remarkable Falkirk Wheel. Later, enjoy a specially selected Optional Experience with your Travel Director—whether it’s an evening of Highland flair with dinner, bagpipes and a Highland dancer at The Corinthian, or a more relaxed night out featuring hearty food and a dram or two.
Accommodation: Leonardo Royal Glasgow, Hilton Garden Inn City Center
Meals: Breakfast
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 afternoon, we return to Glasgow. Join an expert guide to unlock Glasgow’s stories through its vibrant murals on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience before the rest of the evening is yours to explore or relax in this vibrant city.
Accommodation: Leonardo Royal Glasgow, Hilton Garden Inn City Center
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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.
Meals: Breakfast
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Tour Operator
Trafalgar (CA)
Family owned and run since 1920, The Travel Corporation (TTC) is the world leader in immersive travel experiences across an extensive range of travel categories. Each year TTC's 40 award winning hospitality and travel brands connect over 1 million happy travellers to the world. We give you access to the 12 DMC’s behind these brands, so you can build your business by capitalizing on the extensive experience, local expertise, and financial assurance of TTC. LOCAL EXPERTISE The world leaders in travel for over 100 years, we offer unparalleled local expertise with a global footprint. Our 12 DMCs, led by experienced in-destination teams, deliver experience rich travel solutions in more than 80 countries. Additionally, our market based teams are on hand to support across our 40 offices worldwide
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Margaret Princep - Traveled, May 2024
Staff review! Could not have had a better tour guide in *Personal information removed by Feefo*, who was informative, caring and fun. Our driver *Personal information removed by Feefo* was amazing. He kept the coach immaculately clean and tidy on a daily basis, and even cleaned parts during our stops. His driving was commendable. Very impressed with the alternative driver we had (*Personal information removed by Feefo*) for our one day on the Orkneys. Really good way to see a lot of Scotland in a short period. Well put together itinerary. Good hotels. Outstanding tour director (*Personal information removed by Feefo*) and driver (*Personal information removed by Feefo*).
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/30/2024
Margaret Kane - Traveled, May 2024
Trafalgar best in the business. Our guide in *Personal information removed by Feefo*, was very good in smoothing things out. His knowledge was excellent. Had a sense of humour. Was very good in remembering all our names which is very important. Our driver kept the coach spotless. It was a great trip. The weather was very kind to us.David our driver was great too. *Personal information removed by Feefo* our guide was very knowledgeable and had a great handle on everything. I personally didn’t think much of St.Andrew’s area. We have better golf links in Australia. The hotel in Thurso was very ordinary. No lift,older people had to walk up four flights of stairs. TV reception was poor. Due to unexpected circumstances we couldn’t spend more time on Iona. A couple of days we squashed in a lot of bus time and kilometres.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/25/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, April 2024
Wonderful Visit to Scotland! Trafalgar was easy to book and kept us up to date before departing for our trip. Our tour director, *Personal information removed by Feefo* was from Scotland and she was excellent. She provided entertainment and treats on the bus and kept us on schedule. She always treated everyone with dignity and a smile. Our bus driver *Personal information removed by Feefo* was amazing with his driving skills on many narrow roads. He was always courteous and professional. Great overview of Scotland, taking in many sites. The itinerary was full with many optional experiences. At times, I wanted to spend more time in some places but overall a wonderful experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/22/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, February 2024
Thank you Trafalgar for two wonderful tours! Great company to deal with. High standard of tour directors and drivers. Tour directors and drivers make you feel looked after and make you feel like part of a community. Tour director (Fiona) and driver (Carl) were both outstanding. Some highlight experiences (e.g. Skara Brae) needed more time, while some lunch/coffee stops could be shorter. The included dinners on this tour were excellent. This tour gives you a very thorough overview of Scotland.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/26/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, March 2024
Our guide *Personal information removed by Feefo* was wonderful and so was our driver. They made a great trip far better! Most everything about the trip was well worth doing. The islands were a long-awaited trip for me and I saw sights and learned things I had not imagined about Scotland. Really wonderful time, great tour guide and driver. I could not be more pleased about the whole experience!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/13/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, March 2024
The itinerary was fabulous, and our tour host *Personal information removed by Feefo* and driver *Personal information removed by Feefo* were the best!!!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/15/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, April 2024
Excellent! Excellent trip with tour guide *Personal information removed by Feefo* and driver *Personal information removed by Feefo* top notch
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/18/2024
Marjorie Smith - Traveled, May 2024
Just what we hoped for. Great guides, driver and tour director. Customer service was very helpful when our travel agent made mistakes and I had to call. Most of the hotels were comfortable, but if you use anything that needs to be plugged in next to the bed, you might need an extension cord. The trip was really good and I would do it again. *Personal information removed by Feefo* is a great tour director and *Personal information removed by Feefo* and excellent and helpful driver. The pace was as I like it. Some time to ourselves, but mostly busy. Convenient stops along the way to stretch your legs and use the facilities. What we visited was interesting and the length of time we spent at each one was just right. There was one hotel that was below par, but the rest were comfortable and all were in convenient locations. The local guides were also top-notch. The brochure is a little misleading in a couple of places. We drove by the Glenfinnan Aqueduct, but couldn't see it. I was sorry not to see any puffins in Orkney, but the season is short and they are small. Highland cows (Coos) are few and far between, but our driver did find a place to stop so that we could see some. We learned a lot of the history and culture on the trip. I chose this trip because it was the only one I found that included Orkney and Skara Brae. Well worth it.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/19/2024
Carla Bitterman - Traveled, June 2024
Loved our guide, site selections and overall friendliness of Scotland! Excellent handling of baggage from place to place. Comfortable bus. Greatly appreciated daily updates from our tour guide *Personal information removed by Feefo*. Wonderful guide (*Personal information removed by Feefo*) and driver (*Personal information removed by Feefo*)! Both were entertaining and genuinely nice people to be around while exploring beautiful Scotland. Tour was a bit rushed at times, with limited time at sites. But great choice of experiences. We chose almost all the extra activities and enjoyed them all. My only complaint is that many of the hotels were drab and lacked air conditioning. Maybe upgrade hotels and raise the package price? We would have been willing to spend more for better accommodations.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/27/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, May 2024
Beautiful Scotland from the borders to Orkney and Edinburgh to Skye. Everything about the trip was well organized and allowed us to see the beautiful country that Scotland is. The tour director, *Personal information removed by Feefo* and driver, *Personal information removed by Feefo* were the best! The entire trip was well organized and we were taken care of everywhere we went. The restaurant choices were appropriate and top notch. Ian even made arrangements so we could see the castle in Kilmarnock that my ancestors were from. Scotland is a beautiful country and we were glad we could see so much of it. From the borders to the Orkney Islands and Edinburgh to the Isle of Skye, it was all stunning.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/17/2024
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