Scotlands Highlands Islands and Cities

13 days
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Group Tour
This unforgettable Scottish Highlands trip 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.
19%
$4,954
From$4,028
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

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 Centre 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
    • 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 centre 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.

What's this trip about?

    This unforgettable Scottish Highlands trip 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.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeGroup - max of 40 people
Age range6 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityEdinburgh
End CityGlasgow

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Education / Learning

Destinations

  • Europe
  • United Kingdom
  • Scotland

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing
  • Homestays & Cultural Immersion

Trip includes

    • 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.

Itinerary

Travel Map

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 a Welcome Dinner to kick-start your tour through an unimaginably beautiful part of the world.

Voco Hotel Haymarket Edinburgh, Novotel Center, Delta Hotels by Marriott.

Dinner

Day 2: Discover Enchanting 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 Castl...

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 sceni...

Day 4: Explore Glamis Castle and on to Creative 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 center stage as we visit Glamis Castle, once the home of the beloved Queen Mother and birthplace ...

Day 5: Venture to Culloden and Inverness Dive Into Culture

Today we wind our 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. Our final stop for the night is Inverness, the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands, where we’ll overnight.

Columba

Breakfast

Day 6: Journey to Loch Ness and Thurso

The mystical haunt of Nessie is our 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 struct...

Day 7: A Day on the Orkney Islands

After stopping at John o' Groats, we 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...

Day 8: Over the Sea to 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 Eilean Donan Castle, built in the 13th-century perched on a tiny island where three sea lochs m...

Day 9: Onwards to 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.

Royal

Breakfast

Day 10: Sail to the Isles of Mull and Iona

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.

Royal

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11: Off to Glasgow Make Travel Matter

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.

Leonardo Glasgow., Courtyard by Marriott SEC.

Breakfast

Day 12: Uncover Stirling Castle’s Secrets Connect with Locals

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 t...

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.

Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,028
Price per day$310
Last Updated: 4/15/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Double
Single
Availability
06 May 2024
18 May 2024
$4,725
$7,748
onRequest
13 May 2024
25 May 2024
$4,725
$8,264
available
20 May 2024
01 Jun 2024
$4,750
$6,790
closed
03 Jun 2024
15 Jun 2024
$4,795
$6,835
closed
10 Jun 2024
22 Jun 2024
$4,316
$6,356
available
17 Jun 2024
29 Jun 2024
$4,795
$6,835
available
24 Jun 2024
06 Jul 2024
$4,388
$6,448
available
08 Jul 2024
20 Jul 2024
$4,875
$6,995
onRequest
22 Jul 2024
03 Aug 2024
$4,875
$6,995
onRequest
29 Jul 2024
10 Aug 2024
$4,388
$5,848
available

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Brendan Vacations.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Barbara

Jul 2018

had a wonderful time

We just went on Iconic Ireland and Ashford Castle and had a wonderful time. This was our first bus tour and we didn't know quite what to expect, however, we couldn't...

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Jo LaFalce

Jul 2018

it was fabulous!

My husband and I recently went to Ireland on a Brendan Vacations tour...first tour we've even been on...and it was fabulous! From start to finish everything about th...

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Mark

Aug 2022

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Tour Operator

Brendan Vacations

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Brendan Vacations is the premier Ireland and Scotland destination expert, backed by more than 50 years of planning authentic Celtic travel experiences from its office in the heart of Dublin. Guided by its mantra ‘taking you personally,’ Brendan Vacations is passionate about delivering deeply immersive, tailor-made experiences across five travel styles: fully Guided Tour packages, independent Private Chauffeur, Lux Self-Drive, Self-Drive and Locally Hosted Rail vacations. Through the warmth of Brendan Vacations’ highly personalized service, guests will stay in hand-selected accommodations - including castles and B&Bs, explore the iconic landscapes of Scotland and Ireland, and meet local people passionate about sharing their stories. Brendan Vacations is a proud member of The Travel Corporation family of brands.

Why we love this operator
They have a high level of personalized attention and curated itineraries for Ireland & Scotland.
What they’re known for
Experience the best of Ireland & Scotland travel handcrafted by local experts.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Voco Hotel Haymarket Edinburgh, Novotel Center, Delta Hotels by Marriott. Apex City Quay Columba Pentland, Norseman Kings Arms Royal Leonardo Glasgow., Courtyard by Marriott SEC.,
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
  • 5 Dinner (D)
  • 12 Breakfast (B)
  • 1 Lunch (L)
Age Requirements
6 years and up
Additional Information
Trip ID
brendanvacations-BHLDZN19

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