DAY 1 – Arrive Edinburgh

Arrive in Scotland’s capital of Edinburgh by air, road or train.  The city is well serviced by fast and modern trains departing regularly from London.  Check into your city centre hotel and begin to explore this magnificent city from the winding streets of the cobbled Old Town to the wide avenues of the opulent Georgian New Town. Stroll past the gothic Burns Monument and through Princes Street Gardens before climbing the Royal Mile to the city’s historic Old Town.  Visit the old market place of Grassmarket which is now bursting with independent shops, designers, bars and restaurants.  Be sure to try traditional haggis, neeps and tatties at a cosy Scottish pub, washed down with a wee dram!

Overnight: Edinburgh

DAY 2 – Explore Edinburgh City

Spend the day exploring Edinburgh’s history with a sightseeing pass which provides entrance to Edinburgh Castle, The Palace of Holyroodhouse, the King’s official Edinburgh residence and Royal Yacht Britannia at Leith Docks.  Included with the pass is a hop on, hop off bus tour of Edinburgh which also takes you to the included attractions.

Meals: Full Scottish Breakfast
Inclusions: Sightseeing pass
Overnight: Edinburgh

DAY 3 – Explore Edinburgh City

Today, continue to explore the city using your 48 hour sightseeing pass.  The hop-on, hop-off bus tours include destinations such as Royal Botanic Gardens, The Museum of Childhood, The National Museum of Scotland, Scottish Parliament and the Royal Mile.

Meals: Full Scottish Breakfast
Inclusions: Sightseeing pass
Overnight: Edinburgh

DAY 4 – Edinburgh to Oban

Your journey takes you from Edinburgh to the pretty harbour town of Oban using day 1 of your rail pass.  The train route travels via Glasgow and along the stunning West Highland Line past Loch Awe and 15th century Kilchurn Castle. After checking into your hotel why not take a walk to McCaig’s Tower, which is a perfect vantage point for viewing Oban and the nearby islands. Being the seafood capital of Scotland, be sure to try one of Oban’s local restaurants.

Meals: Full Scottish Breakfast
Inclusions: Rail Pass
Overnight: Oban

DAY 5 – Oban

Visit one of the Hebridean Islands of Mull, Iona or Kerrara via the numerous ferry services departing Oban harbour.  Stroll through the picture-postcard village of Tobermory with it’s brightly painted buildings and enjoy fish and chips on the pier.  The Isle of Mull and Iona have become premier destinations for wildlife watching with Golden and White-tailed Eagles, Otter and an abundance of other birds and mammals all calling the islands home.

Meals: Full Scottish Breakfast
Overnight: Oban

DAY 6 – Oban to Fort William

From Oban, head north by train via Crainlarich to Fort William which sits on the banks of Loch Linnhe and at the foot of Britain’s highest peak, Ben Nevis.  The town is home to the West Highland Museum which tells the story of the region and its history.  Being the Outdoor capital of Scotland, you will be spoilt for choice with cruises on the loch, paddleboarding and hiking.  Fresh seafood, straight from the waters around Lochaber are of the highest quality possible and feature in most local restaurants and hotels, or try venison and beef which the area is renowned for.

Meals: Full Scottish Breakfast
Inclusions: Rail Pass
Overnight: Fort William

DAY 7 – Fort William

The day is yours to explore the stunning surrounds of Fort William.  Take the Jacobite Train from Fort William station, described as the greatest railway journey in the world.  The train crosses the 21-arched Glenfinnan viaduct (a location made famous in the Harry Potter films) which overlooks Loch Shiel and the Jacobite monument.  Mallaig is the halfway point for return journeys from Fort William.  You have over an hour and a half to enjoy a walk round and take in the atmosphere of the busy fishing port.  There are plenty of fish and chips to be enjoyed during the lunchtime stopover.  Other options from Fort William include visiting Glen Coe, Ben Nevis, Neptune’s Staircase on the Caledonian Canal or local distilleries.

Meals: Full Scottish Breakfast
Overnight: Fort William

DAY 8 – Fort William to Glasgow

Board the southbound train for the stunning four hour journey to Glasgow, passing through the wild Rannoch Station, one of the most remote stations in the Britain Isles. Scotland’s largest centre of population, Glasgow is the home of modern Scottish culture. Explore the city from the elegant Victorian monuments and facades of George Square to the bustling Sauchiehall Street and the imposing Glasgow Cathedral and Necropolis. In the leafy West End you can visit the Kelvingrove Park and Museum set around the university quarter or head to the Merchant City to enjoy a host of modern Scottish bars and restaurants.  Spend three nights in Glasgow in a city centre location.

Meals: Full Scottish Breakfast
Inclusions: Rail Pass
Overnight: Glasgow

DAY 9 – Glasgow

After breakfast explore the city with your Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Tour ticket.  The 90 minute tour is jam-packed with information about the city’s history, architecture and places to visit. With 21 stops where you can hop on and off to visit some of the city’s leading attractions including Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Riverside Museum, Glasgow Cathedral and The Clydeside Distillery.

Meals: Full Scottish Breakfast
Inclusions: City Bus Tour
Overnight: Glasgow

DAY 10 – Loch Lomond, The Trossachs & Stirling Day Tour

After breakfast, join a small group tour taking you to the sights of Loch Lomond, the Trossachs National Park and Stirling, and introduces you to the land and legends of Scottish heroes William Wallace and Rob Roy. Enjoy an optional cruise across Loch Lomond and end the day with a memorable visit to Stirling, which is home to one of Scotland’s most historically important castles.

Meals: Full Scottish Breakfast
Inclusions: Full Day Tour
Overnight: Glasgow

DAY 11 – Highland Main Line to Inverness

A glorious rail journey awaits today on the next leg of the stunning Scottish tour. The route takes you along the Highland Main Line, and you will soon realise why it is regarded as one of the most scenic railway lines in the country.  Travel through the Cairngorms National Park, past beautiful villages of Pitlochry, Dalwhinnie, the highest railway station on the line, historic Carrbridge and charming Aviemore.  Your rail pass allows you to make a stop or two along the journey to explore these lovely towns.  Today’s journey ends in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands where you can settle in to your hotel for a three night stay.

Meals: Full Scottish Breakfast
Inclusions: Rail Pass
Overnight: Inverness

DAY 12 – Loch Ness day tour from Inverness

Spend a day exploring the natural beauty of the Highlands on a small group tour with a local guide. Spend a day Nessie-hunting, take a cruise on the mysterious loch, explore the village of Fort Augustus, visit the ruined loch-side Urquhart Castle, admire the Falls of Foyers and wander along Dores Beach on this fantastic one day Loch Ness tour from Inverness!

Meals: Full Scottish Breakfast
Inclusions: Full Day Tour
Overnight: Inverness

DAY 13 – Isle of Skye & Eilean Donan Castle day tour from Inverness

Portree, Isle of Skye

Join a small group tour which takes you to the the the magnificent Isle of Skye and one of Scotland’s most photographed castles, Eilean Donan Castle. The journey takes in some of the most dramatic and stunning landscapes Scotland has to offer! See Loch Ness, visit Eilean Donan Castle, Portree, Kilt Rock and much more.

Meals: Full Scottish Breakfast
Inclusions: Full Day Tour
Overnight: Inverness

DAY 14 – Rail to Edinburgh, Glasgow or London

This morning, a final rail journey south can take you to Edinburgh, Glasgow or beyond.  Your rail pass will allow a full day of travel on Britain’s National Rail Network.  Our office is happy to assist with onward travel arrangements if required.

Meals: Full Scottish Breakfast
Inclusions: Rail Pass