Scotland Tour 2

Itinerary

October 01: Holyrood Hotel, Edinburgh
Arrive early at Edinburgh Airport and avail of a private transfer to your centrally located hotel. We will request an early check-in for you so your hotel will make your rooms available as soon as possible.

If rooms are not available immediately you will be able to
leave your luggage at the hotel allowing you to do some exploring while you wait. Take the rest of the day to rest up and get on “Scottish Time”.

October 02: Corriegour Lodge Hotel, Fort William
Your Driver Guide will meet you at your hotel today. Get to know him as you depart Edinburgh and travel as far as Stirling. Stop to visit Stirling Castle before travelling along the scenic route past Loch Lomond and through the Trossachs National Park into
the Scottish Highlands.

Stop at the Visitor Centre in beautiful Glencoe and take in its stunning mountain scenery, which has been used in the filming of Harry Potter and James Bond movies. Drive through Fort William and about 9 miles (14kms) after Spean Bridge you will come to Corriegour Lodge, in the secluded heart of the Scottish Highlands.

The hotel enjoys outstanding views over Loch Lochy and is an ideal place for walking and photography enthusiasts. Approximate driving time today is 4.5 hours.

October 03: Corriegour Lodge Hotel, Fort William
Today head for Glen Nevis, one of Scotland’s most picturesque Highland glens. The glen is formed from the flank of Ben Nevis and two other mountains with the River Nevis flowing through it.

The movie Braveheart was filmed at the glen and you can find
out more at the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre. You might like to try one of the best short walks in Scotland here where the route heads through the dramatic and beautiful Nevis Gorge and leads to the awesome Steall Falls. It is a clear, well-walked path throughout,
but the path can be rough so good footwear and care is needed.

Another worth while stop is the Nevis Range mountain gondola, which allows you to enjoy the scenic ride whilst absorbing the stunning views and clear mountain air. It is the only mountain gondola of its kind in Britain and is built on the north face of Aonach Mor, the 8th highest mountain in Britain, on the outskirts of Fort William, originally as a way to transport skiers to the slopes. Approximate driving time today 2 hours.

October 04: Skeabost House Hotel , Isle of Skye
This morning take the ferry from Mallaig to Armadale on the Isle of Skye. Take in the expansive views of the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct before making your way to Skye where you can enjoy a great day’s touring. Perhaps visit Armadale Castle & Gardens
and the nearby Clan Donald Centre. At foot of the Black Cuillins near Glenbrittle are the Fairy Pools, beautifully crystal clear blue pools on the River Brittle.

These famous pools entice visitors from all over the world, as they make some great ‘Wild Swimming’ for those brave enough to enter the cold water. For the less adventurous these magical Fairy Pools make some fantastic photos. The walk to the pools uses the same route there and back. The complete return distance to the first main waterfall and pool is 1.5mls, with the average time to complete the walk being 40 minutes (with no stops).
Most people will spend some time working their way up the river from the first waterfall exploring the different pools. The walk is classed as ‘Short’ in length and ‘Medium’ in difficulty. Later, travel on to Portree and check in to your beautifully appointed hotel.
Approximate driving time today 4 hours and the ferry crossing from Mallaig to Armadale is 45 minutes.

October 05: Skeabost House Hotel , Isle of Skye
Today head towards Elgol. There is a good chance you have seen photos of Elgol’s famous mountain and seascape scenery. The village appears in postcards, Scottish books and even film scenes and television programmes – and for good reason! From
the larger Skye village of Broadford many visitors have ventured down the enchanting Elgol road completely unaware of the magnificent scenes that await them around almost every corner.

Your journey from Broadford to the village of Elgol will take your
breath away. This route is one of ever-changing vistas ranging from fjord-like sea lochs, picturesque crofting communities to the splendour of Blaven and the neighbouring Cuillin range. Add to this the area’s rich cultural and historical background and you have the perfect place to recharge and refresh. Approximate journey time today is 3 hours.

October 06: Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness
Today head back to the mainland and stop to visit the stunning 12th Century Urquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness. Take some time to wander the banks of the loch and try to get that elusive snap of the monster himself. At the head of Loch Ness you
will find Inverness, the capital of the Highlands nestled on the banks of the river Ness. This evening you will check in to your hotel in Inverness, the ‘Capital of the Highlands’.
Approximate driving time today 3 hours.

October 07: Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness
Today explore some of Scotland’s most famous sights which surround Inverness. Experience one of Scotland’s most evocative heritage sites; the eerie battlefield on the moors of Culloden where the interactive displays bring the Battle of Culloden to life.

This is where Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobites made their last stand and is also the site of the last pitched battle in Britain. If you wish to visit Bronze Age Clava Cairns this is about a 10 minute drive away. Then continue on to the 42-acre site that is the
imposing fortifications of Fort George, built in the wake of the Battle of Culloden as a secure base for King George II’s army and to defend against further Jacobite unrest.

Walk the grounds and see the superb collection of arms including bayoneted muskets, pikes, swords and ammunition pouches to provide a fascinating insight into 18th Century military life. Back in Inverness take a stroll to Inverness Castle, currently used
as a courthouse, and St Andrew’s Cathedral, which dominate the River Ness and one of the most beautiful riverside settings in Britain. Approximate driving time today 1.5 hours.

October 08: Norwood Hall, Aberdeen

Bid a fond farewell to Inverness and travel by the Moray Firth as you reach Nairn and Cawdor Castle. Discover the romantic Highland castle, the 14th century home of the Thanes of Cawdor famed for its literary connection to Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

According to legend, the castle is built around a thorn tree, dating from 1372, still visible today in the dungeon. It is also home to three beautiful gardens – the Walled, Flower and the Wild Garden. Carry on through Moray and onto Aberdeen where you will check
into your hotel.

Alternatively, you might prefer to travel via the Cairngorms, where a range of activities are on offer. Near Aviemore you will find Britain’s only free-ranging herd of reindeer, and you can make your way to Cairngorm Reindeer Centre if you would like to take a
guided walk among them. Or perhaps take a ride on Scotland’s only funicular railway.

At the top you will find the Ptarmigan Restaurant with its panoramic views from over 3,500ft.  Approximate driving time today 3.5 hours.

October 09: Norwood Hall, Aberdeen
Today, explore historic Aberdeenshire. With its magnificent blend of crumbling castles, historic towns and villages, fascinating museums and the beautiful Royal Deeside – an area with deep connections to the Royal Family and Queen Victoria – the history of Aberdeen City and Shire is a truly captivating one. See where the Royal Family have holidayed since the 19th century at Balmoral.

Delve into the region’s past and follow Scotland’s only dedicated Castle Trail which encompasses 17 of Aberdeenshire’s finest
castles. See everything from atmospheric cliff-top ruins to Jacobean tower houses and sumptuous Highland estates which have played host to a colourful cast of historic figures ranging from William Wallace to Queen Victoria.

You might like to visit the ruins of Slains Castle, where Bram Stoker is said to have stayed in 1895, and almost certainly where he got his inspiration for Dracula’s Castle. Also worth a visit are the dramatic 15th Century ruins of Dunottar Castle, which has huge historical significance to Scotland’s story. Find out its colourful story from the Jacobite Rising to Oliver Cromwell, and enjoy the amazing views of Old Hall Bay and the North Sea. Later,
return to Aberdeen and perhaps go for an evening stroll in Duthie Park. Approximate driving time today 5 hours to do the full Castle Trail or 3.5 hours to do a smaller loop.

October 10: Cringletie Estate, East Lothian
This morning visit the small city of Dundee. Here you can tour the HMS Frigate Unicorn, Scotland’s only example of a wooden warship built for the Royal Navy and launched in
1824. At Discovery Point, you can find about Captain Scott’s Antarctic adventures with a visit to RRS Discovery.

As you near Edinburgh Loch Leven is visible from the road.
On an island in this loch stands 14th century Loch Leven Castle which is where Mary Queen of Scots was held captive between 1567 and 1568. Stop by Falkland Palace and experience a day in the life of the Stuart monarchs. Falkland Palace was their
country residence for 200 years – and a favourite place of Mary, Queen of Scots. Later travel on to Cringletie to settle in to your fabulous Estate near the town of Peebles, just 40 minutes from Edinburgh Airport. Approximate driving time today is 4 hours.

October 11: Home
Your Private Transfer will get you to the Airport in plenty of time for your flight home. Your Vacation is over but the memories will stay with you forever. Haste ye back!