Overview
13 Days
Glasgow
Edinburgh
Classic Tour
3 - 4 Star
Premium
8-99 Years
44
Fully Guided
SIA26
Itinerary
Depart from your hotel at 2:30 PM for a tour of Glasgow, famed for its Victorian and Art Nouveau architecture. Once a prosperous port city due to international trade and shipbuilding, today Glasgow is Scotland's cultural hub. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group and dinner at your hotel. (D)
Take a ferry to the Isle of Bute for stunning island scenery and a guided tour of the 19th-century Mount Stuart House. Spend time in Rothesay, the main town on the island. Enjoy a free evening in Glasgow and dine independently. (B)
Travel along famous Loch Lomond, renowned for its unsurpassed beauty. Journey through Glencoe, one of Scotland's most beautiful regions. Travel through Fort William and visit romantic Eilean Donan Castle, spectacularly situated on an island at the meeting of three lochs. (B/D)
Explore the Isle of Skye and its associations with Bonnie Prince Charlie. Tour Dunvegan Castle, the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland and former stronghold of the Chiefs of MacLeod. Enjoy photo opportunities including stunning Kilt Rock. Stop in picturesque Portree with its brightly painted houses clustered around the bay. Enjoy free time before dinner at your hotel. (B/D)
Take in the Highland scenery as you head to Inverewe Gardens, a colorful loch-side garden filled with rare species of trees and flowers from around the globe, created in the wilderness by a father and daughter in the 19th century. You'll likely see wildlife including deer, otters, seals, and golden eagles, as well as huge California redwoods towering into the sky.
Continue on to your hotel in Gairloch, where you can relax in tranquil and scenic surroundings before dinner with your group. (B/D)
Journey along Scotland's dramatic coastline on one of the world's most spectacular drives as you follow the North Coast 500 route, pausing for photos along the way. Visit the quaint harbor town of Ullapool, then have lunch near the iconic Kylesku Bridge, famed for its sweeping views and striking architecture.
Continue through wild Highland landscapes to an afternoon stop near the village of Tongue, where rugged mountains meet vast sea lochs. Travel on to Scrabster and the ferry to the Orkney Islands, where you'll spend the next two nights. (B/L)
Explore Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a scenic drive around the north of the main island, past the Earl's Palace at Birsay. Visit Skara Brae to see this amazing 5,000-year-old village, the best-preserved Neolithic settlement in Western Europe. Explore the 400-year-old Skaill House, filled with fascinating archaeological items, art, and furniture collected by the twelve generations of Lairds of Breckness who once lived there. Travel on to the Ring of Brodgar, a ceremonial stone circle.
Return to Kirkwall for a visit to St Magnus Cathedral. The afternoon is free; dinner is at the hotel tonight. (B/D)
Drive across the historic Churchill Barriers, causeways built during World War II to protect the British fleet from German submarines. Visit the tiny Italian Chapel, a moving symbol of hope and reconciliation created by Italian prisoners of war.
After returning to the mainland by ferry, continue to the grand Dunrobin Castle, set in a fairytale landscape with breathtaking coastal views. Explore its stunning architecture and majestic gardens, inspired by the Palace of Versailles. Travel south to Strathpeffer, an elegant Victorian spa town, where you'll enjoy dinner at your hotel. (B/D)
Embark on a scenic cruise along the historic Caledonian Canal, leading you to the legendary Loch Ness. Next, visit Culloden Battlefield, site of one of the most pivotal events in all of Scottish history. Visit a sheep farm to watch highly skilled sheepdogs demonstrate how they herd their flock. Dine at your hotel this evening. (B/D)
Visit the Glenturret Distillery, Scotland's oldest working distillery, to discover the traditional art of whisky making and enjoy a tasting. Set in the beautiful Perthshire countryside, the Glenturret has been producing whisky since the 1700s. Then, it's on to your Edinburgh hotel in the Grassmarket area of the old town. Relax before your festive Scottish evening, including a traditional dinner and lively entertainment. (Departures which include the Edinburgh Military Tattoo will enjoy an evening to explore and dine independently). (B/D)*
Explore the wide streets and elegant mansions in Edinburgh's Georgian “New Town” and the Royal Mile, the oldest part of the city. Tour the imposing Edinburgh Castle to see the Scottish Crown Jewels. Enjoy an evening to explore independently. Select departures attend the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade. (B)
Enjoy a day of independent sightseeing using the Hop-On, Hop-Off bus voucher. (B)
Your tour ends after breakfast. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo: Select departures get to enjoy the precision and performance of pipe and drum corps from around the world.
- Ring of Brodgar: This stone circle is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Heart of Neolithic Orkney.
- Isle of Skye: Admire the rugged coastlines and ancient ruins of this Scottish island.
- Orkney Islands: These islands encompass dramatic vistas, Neolithic sites, tall sandstone cliffs, and seal colonies.
- Inverewe Garden: Enjoy a garden of Eden in the unlikeliest of places, with 2,000 exotic plant species from around the world, including towering California redwoods, a "Savage Garden" of carnivorous plants, and rhododendrons from China, India, and Nepal.
- Loch Ness Cruise: Cruise across this lake known for sightings of the Loch Ness Monster, also known as "Nessie."
- Urquhart Castle: Admire the beautiful ruins of a Scottish icon by land and from the dark waters of Loch Ness.
- Skara Brae: Discover the ruins of a 5,000-year-old village, unearthed by the sea more than a century ago.
- Mount Stuart House and Gardens: This innovative Victorian and Georgian building will enthrall you. With dazzling design inspired by astrology, art, and mythology, it features an early telephone system and a Victorian elevator.
- 12 hot breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L) and 8 dinners (D)*
- Glasgow Grosvenor Hotel (4 Stars)
- Balmacara Hotel (3 Stars)
- Gairloch Hotel (3 Stars)
- Ayre Hotel (3 Stars)
- Highland Hotel ( Stars)
- Crieff Hydro Hotel (4 Stars)
- Novotel Edinburgh Centre Hotel (4 Stars)
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- *Meal counts vary on Tattoo departures, as the Scottish Evening is replaced with the Tattoo and an independent dinner.
Operator
Our outstanding local tour directors are ready to share their knowledge, stories, passion for their home places - they are our greatest assets. Many of our tours spend 2 nights in each location, and our flexible itineraries include a great balance of escorted and free time. We include full breakfasts, most dinners and some evening entertainment. No one has to worry about paying for optional extras on the trip. It’s all included, no hidden extras.
We know how much these trips mean to you and we want to ensure that this is a trip you will treasure forever.
Each of our vacations are stress-free, with no surprise hidden fees, and plenty of fun for all ages. Read more
CIE Tours could not exist without our great locally employed tour directors - they are the envy of the travel industry. Read more
CIE Tours uses three classes of hotels – first class, superior first class & deluxe properties. Read more
Dates & Pricing
USD
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by CIE Tours. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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