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Scenery

Scotland's Highlands, Islands and Cities

Everyday Price From

$4,268

$4,850

13 days

No Countries

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.

Locations Visited

Edinburgh, Jedburgh, Melrose, St. Andrews, Glamis, Dundee, Pitlochry, Culloden, Inverness, Thurso, Orkney Islands, Ullapool, Isle of Skye, Fort William, Oban, Isle of Mull, Iona, Glencoe, Glasgow, Stirling

Countries Visited

Scotland

Travel Style

Guided Vacation

Accommodations

12 nights included

Age Requirements

Minimum age 5

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Itinerary

COLLAPSE ALL EXPAND ALL

Day 1

Welcome to Edinburgh

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 Hotel Haymarket Edinburgh, Novotel Edinburgh Center, Delta Hotels 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 Hotel Haymarket Edinburgh, Novotel Edinburgh Center, Delta Hotels 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 Hotel Haymarket Edinburgh, Novotel Edinburgh Center, Delta Hotels 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 Hotel & Spa, 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 Hotel Oban


  • 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 Hotel Oban


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

A solemn reminder of the MacDonald clansmen, who were massacred at the 'Glen of Weeping', marks our morning journey south to Glasgow. Join an expert guide to unlock Glasgow’s sustainable secrets on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.

  • Accommodation

    Leonardo Royal Glasgow, Hilton Garden Inn Glasgow 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 evening, we return to Glasgow for time at leisure to enjoy true Scottish hospitality.

  • Accommodation

    Leonardo Royal Glasgow, Hilton Garden Inn Glasgow 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

Highlights

Dining Summary

  • 5 Dinner (D)
  • 12 Breakfast (B)
  • 1 Lunch (L)

Be My Guest

  • 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.

Brendan Experiences

  • Cruise to the windswept Orkney Islands. Come face-to-face with relics spanning human history, from pagan stone circles to reminders of wartime tragedy.

Dive Into Culture

  • Warm your heart with a little Scottish whisky at a traditional distillery in the Scottish Highlands.

Iconic Experience

  • 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.
  • Glamis

    Visit Glamis Castle, and appreciate the building's illustrious history and picturesque setting.
  • Golspie

    Explore the grand castle and admire its magnificent gardens during your visit of Dunrobin Castle.
  • Scottish Highlands

    Admire picturesque lochs and glens as you travel through the Scottish Highlands.
  • Glenfinnan Viaduct

    See the Glenfinnan Viaduct, along which the Hogwart's Express once crossed in the Harry Potter series.
  • Isle of Mull

    Embark on a day trip to the Isles of Mull and Iona, an ideal way to explore the sights and insights of the Scottish Highlands. At Iona Abbey, your Travel Director reveals its history, beginning with Columba’s monastery until the end of the 12th century followed by a Benedictine abbey. Iona Abbey Museum also houses Scotland’s finest collection of early medieval carved stones and crosses. Then visit the Reilig Odhrain, a sacred burial ground of 48 Scottish Kings
  • Glasgow

    See the grand public buildings of Glasgow, including George Square.
  • Stirling

    Visit Stirling and see its castle, once the seat of Scottish royalty.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

  • From wind powered murals to historic sites, tenements to the Clyde - discover the real impact of climate change on Glasgow, and learn more about Scotland's role in the climate crisis on this fun and educative guided tour. This experience advances SDG 13

Must-see Highlights

  • Explore Edinburgh with a Local Specialist
  • Discover Dundee, Orkney Islands, Stirling and Glasgow
  • Visit Edinburgh Castle, Glamis Castle, Blair Athol whisky distillery in Pitlochry, the battlefield and Visitor Center of Culloden, Dunrobin Castle, John O'Groats, The Italian Chapel in Orkney Islands, Skara Brae, 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, Inverness Castle, 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

Top Rated Highlights

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • At the exciting Culloden Visitor Center, discover why the Battle of Culloden lasted only an hour yet changed the Highland way of life forever.
  • Stop for a photo of this gorgeous castle built on an island in the Loch.
  • Drive through this Highland village on Loch Leven.

What's 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.
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Special Offers

Airfare is not included, but can be added to quote upon request.

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Terms & Conditions

Trip Notes:

  • ​International Air: Please note that airfares are not included. We will quote you the lowest possible airfare available on the day you book.
  • ​Travel to Europe often requires an overnight flight. Please arrange flights to arrive on or before Day 1 of itinerary.

Terms & Conditions:

  • ​Prices listed are per person, land only and based on double occupancy. Single room supplements are available. 
  • Guided Vacations: ​'Price with Current Deals' reflects current applicable 'Early Payment Discounts' or 'Last Minute Deals.' Early Payment Discounts (land only) savings vary by itinerary, are not valid on all vacations/departure dates and are subject to availability; not valid with all other promotional offers. Last Minute Deals are available on select departures only and only available to travelers departing from the United States; not combinable with Early Payment Discounts or any other promotional offers; full payment due at time of booking. All discounts are for new bookings only, subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Call or request a quote for complete details.
  • ​'Exclusive Costco Member Price' is available upon member login. 
  • For 'Costco Vacations of a Lifetime: Private Chauffeur Ireland itinerary, price shown is the final base price, exclusive to Costco members and already reflective of any special member savings.
  • Please see all separate Vacations of a Lifetime Private Chauffeur Ireland Terms & Conditions.
  • ​​​Trip prices and information are correct at the time of the trips going live online, however are subject to confirmation - please confirm all details at time of quote and booking.
  • For full details, please refer to our Terms & Conditions page.
  • Other conditions may apply. CST#2084503-20