Insight's First Class Services

• Escorted by a professional Tour Director Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet
• Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack
• Complimentary arrival transfer on Day 2 and departure transfer on Day 9

Quality Dining

• Traditional Highland dinner with Scottish entertainment (HD)
• 7 full Breakfasts (B) and 3 three-course Evening Meals with choice, or buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

9 Days ~ Scotland

Tour Pace
This tour is well paced with an initial two-night stay in Edinburgh followed by nights in the Highlands, Thurso, Ullapool, the stunning Isle of Skye and Glasgow. The driving days are of a comfortable length and have frequent stops.

DAY 1 – FRI – DEPART USA
Overnight flight to Edinburgh.

DAY 2 – SAT – EDINBURGH
Welcome to Scotland - land of legend and romance, from the two great cultural cities in the south, to the salmon-filled rivers, dramatic mountains and misty lochs of the Highlands! Arrive in the beautiful city of Edinburgh, where there are complimentary transfers to your tour hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax or start exploring. Perhaps take a stroll around the shops of Princes Street before joining your Tour Director and fellow passengers for a Welcome Drink.In the evening, selected departures attend the spectacular Military Tattoo - a colorful mix of pipes and drums, dance and display, set against the floodlit backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.
Hotel: Marriott.

DAY 3 – SUN – EDINBURGH SIGHTSEEING
Join a local guide to see the highlights of ‘Athens of the North’. Drive along Princes Street to see the ornate Scott Memorial, then visit the 18th century New Town with its classical Adam facades. Over in the Old Town, visit the awesome Castle, perched high on its rock. See the house where John Knox, leader of the Protestant Reformation in Scotland, spent the last 10 years of his life, and St Giles’ Cathedral, where he preached his fiery sermons. At the bottom of the Royal Mile, see the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where Mary Queen of Scots lived – it is still the official Scottish residence of the Queen. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city at leisure: perhaps research your family tartan in the Tartan Centre or visit the art treasures in the National Gallery. (B)

DAY 4 – MON – EDINBURGH – HIGHLANDS
Cross the Firth of Forth into Fife and make your way to St Andrews, where golf was born on the Old Course in the 15th century. After some time to explore, continue to Perth to watch the Caithness glass-blowers at work. Afterwards, visit a whisky distillery, where local water, the best malt and age-old skills combine to produce a ‘wee dram’ for you to taste. A short journey over the Grampian Mountains and you arrive at your Highland hotel for the night. This evening, enjoy a Highlight Dinner with haggis and traditional Scottish entertainment.
Hotel: Highlander. (B,HD)

DAY 5 – TUE – HIGHLANDS – THURSO
Travel to the tragic battlefield of Culloden, where in 1746 Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite army was finally crushed. Drive via the stately town of Inverness, home of world-famous Pringle knitwear, and along the scenic shores of Loch Ness to search for the elusive monster. Now follow the rugged coast north to John O’Groats, the most northerly town of mainland Britain. The coastal road to Thurso then offers splendid views out over the Pentland Firth.
Hotel: Royal. (B,D)

DAY 6 – WED – THURSO – ULLAPOOL
Through stunning and unspoilt landscapes along the northern coastline with its white sandy beaches, and further inland to misty valleys and glens, lochs and rushing waters. Arrive in the little fishing town of Ullapool on Loch Broom.
Hotel: Caledonian. (B,D)

DAY 7 – THU – ULLAPOOL – ISLE OF SKYE
An exciting day takes you past remote Eilean Donan Castle, which under a clear sky offers a perfect reflection in its loch. Then it’s over to Skye to hear romantic tales of Flora MacDonald and her daring rescue of the Bonnie Prince. See the island’s most famous feature, the Cuillin Hills on your way to Skye’s quaint capital, Portree, which is situated in a sheltered bay.
Hotel: Tongadale. (B,D)

DAY 8 – FRI – ISLE OF SKYE – GLASGOW
Enjoy a feast of scenic splendour as you return to the mainland and head past Loch Garry into the Great Glen. Stop along the way at the Second World War Commando Memorial which affords fine views of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. Your route continues past Fort William, along the shores of Loch Linnhe and through infamous Glencoe, its dramatic peaks still echoing with the ghastly cries of massacred clansmen.Your highlight for today is a cruise on the blue waters of Loch Lomond, the 'Queen of Scottish Lakes' and largest in Great Britain. It’s not far now to the Clyde Valley and the vibrant commercial cityof Glasgow.
Hotel: Marriott. (B)

DAY 9 – SAT – RETURN TO USA
The tour ends after breakfast with complimentary transfers to both Glasgow and Edinburgh airports. (B)

Hotels
Modern Marriott hotels in Edinburgh and Glasgow contrast with the hotels to be found in the Highlands, which are much simpler establishments although typical of the region, and often family run.

Fellow Passengers
This itinerary appeals to those who have a Scottish background, as well as those who want to see the country’s dramatic scenery while at the same time tasting Scottish history.

Highlights
The beautiful setting for the cruise on Loch Lomond, the delights of the Scottish evening with haggis and bagpipes, the grandeur of Edinburgh and the overwhelming Highland landscape and hospitality are all highlights.

Enjoy our Premium Highlights plus these extra tour features

Excursions & Sights

• See the Honours of Scotland (Scottish Crown Jewels) in Edinburgh
• Drive along the Royal Mile past St Giles’ Cathedral to Holyroodhouse Palace
• See Edinburgh’s ‘New Town’ and Sir Walter Scott Monument on Princes Street
• Visit St Andrews with its cathedral, long-established university & famous golf course
• Visit Caithness Glass Factory
• Visit a whisky distillery and taste a ‘wee dram’
• Visit Culloden where the Jacobite Army under Bonnie Prince Charlie was finally defeated
• Visit the Highland capital of Inverness and drive along Loch Ness to spot the monster
• Visit John O’Groats, the most northerly town of mainland Britain
• Visit the fishing port of Ullapool & admire the scenery of the North West Highlands
• See the Isle of Skye’s dramatic Cuillin Hills and stay in its capital of Portree
• View pretty Eilean Donan Castle, set on an island in a loch & surrounded by mountains
• See the Second World War Commando Memorial and Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest peak
• Travel through Glencoe
• Visit a woollen mill

Guided City Tours

• In-depth sightseeing tour in EdinburghOrientation tour in Glasgow

Insight's First Class Services

• Escorted by a professional Tour Director Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet
• Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack
• Complimentary arrival transfer on Day 2 and departure transfer on Day 9

Quality Dining

• Traditional Highland dinner with Scottish entertainment (HD)
• 7 full Breakfasts (B) and 3 three-course Evening Meals with choice, or buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)