Experience Overview
Not afraid of frocking up in a kilt and jumping on the bagpipes? Perhaps you've got some Scottish blood! And lucky you if you do. Home to mystical castles, glorious highlands and enough whisky to booze the Loch Ness Monster, you'll be head over heels with all things Scottish by the time your week of adventure with 35-45s is up.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 5 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Dinner (D)
FAQs
- London: Travelling to (and through) the UK & Northern Ireland? You’ll need Essential Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)From January 8, 2025, UK law means that if you’re entering/transiting through border control in the United Kingdom (UK) and Northern Ireland you’ll need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before you travel. Confused? Don’t be – just read on here.
- London: What does a modular trip mean? A modular trip means fellow travellers will join and leave at various locations. There’ll be some goodbyes, sure, but there’ll also be plenty of hellos with new like-minded travellers.
Included Experience
- St. Andrews: If you like golf, you’ll love St Andrews. But if you think it spoils a nice walk in the park, there’s also Swilcan Bridge.
- Loch Ness: Sit back, relax and cruise along the loch with your Contiki crew. But keep your eyes peeled and camera ready for mythical ‘Nessie’.
- Scottish Highlands: Ever wondered how native animal species - like the Scottish Red Squirrel, Lynx and Beavers - are reintroduced into the wild? Come learn about it all from an expert (who'll also tell you how the Caledonian pine forest is being reforested too!). Every penny you spend here will directly support Trees for Life, a TreadRight supported project.
- Stirling: Explore the sights of Stirling and get a selfie with the memorial to the iconic Scottish knight.
- Mallaig: We'll visit Helix Park, home to The Kelpies (horse statues, standing at 100ft tall & weighing more than 300 tonnes each). It's a wonder to behold. Plus, there's also an adventure play park with woodlands and boardwalks for some added fun.
Trip Details
Product Code: 34720
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles: Family, 55+, Luxury
Tour Operator: Contiki (CA)
Supplier Code: 697.2346A
Starts: Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Finishes: Glasgow, United Kingdom
Duration: 6 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating: Easy
Includes
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $1,623 ($270 /day)
Itinerary
Hey there, Contiki Alumni & friends!** Royal mile, old Castle, home of the brave, Edinburgh is going to turn it on from start to end. With days of adventure up ahead, we'll kick off with an optional traditional evening with the locals. Think plenty of Scottish tales, tunes and hearty food.**Please note this trip is available exclusively to Contiki Past Passengers, or those travelling with a Contiki Past Passenger, aged 35-45.
Accommodation: Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge (or similar)
Today is yours to roam free - but if you want to get the low down on the history of this city why not join our local guide for an optional tour of Edinburgh Castle (which is resting on an extinct volcano!!) to kickstart your love affair with this city. Or maybe you'll do a spot of tartan shopping on Princes Street or even choose to indulge in an whisky tasting experience.
Accommodation: Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
It's time to blaze a trail out of Edinburgh & head for the Scottish Highlands. On the way to the main affair of the day we'll stop by St. Andrews, the birthplace of golf, would you believe? As well as Scotland’s oldest university town. Already blown away by the beauty of the rugged mountain scenery en route, we'll arrive in the Scottish Highlands amped up for mystical tales and a chance to compete in some optional traditional Highland games.
Accommodation: Loch Ness Lodge Hotel Drumnadrochit (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
We might be coming down from a high (geographically speaking) this morning, but as we seek out the stunning Loch Ness, the mood will only be rising. We'll stop to see lovely Loch Ness and hop on board for a cruise of the most voluminous lake in the UK - containing more water than all the lakes of England and Wales combined! It's also rumoured to contain something else, something far more legendary which you're sure to have heard of... We'll arrive into Glasgow tonight, grab a bite to eat and then hit the hay ready for some more exploration in the am!
Accommodation: Ibis Budget Glasgow (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Wakey wakey everyone. We're up bright and early this morning. Next stop, Stirling! We'll make a stop in Stirling, the town where William Wallace took on the English and yelled "Freeedom!" (and also known for its famous hill-top Castle). Today, we'll also check out the epic engineering feat called the 'The Kelpies' in Helix Park. Get involved with everything great about Glasgow. Live music on every corner, a gothic cathedral & plenty of quirky characters make this city unique. Plus, you've got the option to celebrate our final night in Scotland with a local meal accompanied by a live, traditional music.
Accommodation: Ibis Budget Glasgow (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Our trip ends this morning after breakfast. Say goodbye to your travel squad, and get started on planning the next big travel adventure.
Meals: Breakfast
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Contiki (CA)
Contiki is a New Zealand-based tour company that caters to 18 to 35-year-olds, offering over 350 different tours in over 75 countries in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, North America, South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.[1] It is a subsidiary of The Travel Corporation. Its tours historically had a reputation for partying;[2][3] however, it also operates wellness trips culturally immersive experiences that focus less on alcohol, which are more popular with Generation Z.[4] The company owns lodging facilities in Europe, including the Chateau De Cruix, a 16th century castle in the Beaujolais wine region, and the Gasthof Schoneck in the Austrian Tyrol. The name "Contiki" comes from the portmanteau 'Con' from the word 'Continent' and 'Tiki'; from the Māori referring to the first man, often symbolised as a pendant known as hei-tiki. It can also be attributed to the New Zealand slang 'Tiki-tour' describing taking a longer route to a destination in order to explore.[5]
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Harry - Traveled, December 2024
I really enjoyed my trip to Scotland with Contiki! Everything was well organised and planned out, there was plenty of activities to do, met loads of new friends along the way, hotels were very good for value, included meals could have had better portions.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/31/2024
Sid - Traveled, December 2024
I was unsure of signing up for only a week, however this trip was a blast. We visited multiple places, including lesser known spots - galleries, museums, mountains, lakes, farms.. I just wish I could’ve gone for a longer trip to explore the entire UK. You’ll make lifelong memories with great friends on the tour! Easy to book, got all itinerary set up through Contiki.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2024
Chandler - Traveled, November 2024
This was my third trip with Contiki and my husband’s first - I ended it feeling the same as I always have; I absolutely love Contiki and the people they hire to guide these trips. My husband already wants to go on another one! We appreciate so much how seamless, fun, and educational they make these trips! It’s not just some boring old tour or a boring old tour guide. Our tour guide and coach driver, made our trip so much fun and always tried their best to include as many extra things for us as possible! Not only is getting to see a new country so exciting, but you also get to meet so many great people from all over the world and have so many stories to tell. If you’re considering booking a trip, I 12/10 recommend you do it, you won’t regret it! Booking was so easy and we actually had to change our plans last second and everyone we interacted with was super helpful!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/24/2024
Abagail - Traveled, October 2024
I would prefer more detailed information sooner than available.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/28/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2024
It was so fun to meet new people!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/27/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, May 2024
Scotland is a beautiful country! The Contiki trip is a great way to see much of the nature and history.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/27/2024
Pagan - Traveled, September 2024
The trip was eye opening, amazing fun and a perfect taste of Scotland. I really enjoyed our day in Edinburgh, the FTA’s in Inverness and the way our Trip Manager Tess and Driver Tim went out of their way to make sure we had the best experience possible! Even when the street party for Hogmanay was cancelled, they still found other ways for us to celebrate.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/26/2024
Zara - Traveled, August 2024
My tour guide was great! He knew a lot of great spots to recommend whenever we had free time. He also made the longer bus rides so much fun with games and fun facts! Booking was super easy. I had credit from a previously cancelled trip from CoVid era and they/you honored the credit! I was very thankful as I don’t have the funds to spend that kind of money twice.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/25/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, June 2024
I loved scotland as it was my 2nd place I have wanted to travel to the most.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/24/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, April 2024
Loved the trip, wish we spent a night in Stirling.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/22/2024
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