Compare Scottish Escape by Globus vs Country Roads of Scotland - Small Group by Insight Vacations
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5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 7 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 1,299 | $ 4,713 |
| Price Per Day | $ 186 | $ 471 |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | No | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description | This off-season Scottish Escape tour is the perfect way to appreciate the beauty of Scotland’s rural landscapes, as well as the energy of its cities and iconic sites. Your escorted vacation begins in Scotland’s largest city—Glasgow. You’ll visit Stirling Castle—home to Scotland’s Kings and Queens—and explore the sights of Glasgow as well. Travel along the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond, and see awe-inspiring Rannoch Moor, Glen Coe, Loch Linnhe, and Fort William beneath Ben Nevis. Keep an eye out for the Loch Ness monster, and learn about historic conflicts between Scottish clans.Spend the night in the Scottish highland capital of Inverness, see the mountain resort of Pitlochry, and the legendary home of golf—St. Andrews. Cross the Forth Road Bridge to Edinburgh, to spend three nights to see the historic sites, such as Edinburgh Castle and stunning views. Make your escape to see the best of Scotland, while enjoying reduced crowds and prices on the off-season. You’ll enjoy your guided tour of Scotland all the more! | Set foot on the stomping grounds of the Military Tattoo in Edinburgh, see the grand Georgian architecture of Glasgow and sail across the sea to the Isle of Skye—the most beautiful island of the Inner Hebrides. Join Local Experts on this grand Gaelic tour as you pass Britain’s northernmost point at John O’Groats and board a ferry to the Orkney Islands. Enjoy a quieter pace of life on these tranquil isles as you explore the 5000-year-old village of Skara Brae and the mysterious Ring of Brodgar. In Wick, whet your whistle with a wee dram of whisky at the Old Pulteney Distillery or visit the fascinating Heritage Museum on this Insight Choice. After exploring the charming cobbled streets of St. Andrews, take afternoon tea at Blair Castle—the historic home of the Atholl family for over seven centuries. |
Day 1: ARRIVE IN GLASGOW, SCOTLAND
Welcome to Glasgow! Free time for the remainder of the day. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (Dinner)
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Day 2: GLASGOW. STIRLING EXCURSION
Bravehearts & City of Arts STIRLING Visit [LF] Stirling Castle.GLASGOW Orientation drive to see the 12th-century cathedral, university buildings, and Georgian squares. (Breakfast) 81 mi / 131 km
LOCAL FAVORITEHISTORIC SPOT "They may take away our lives, but they'll never take our freedom!" Explore Stirling Castle, a great symbol of Scottish national pride and the place Mel Gibson fought for in Braveheart. Through the centuries it was used as a royal residence for Scotland's Kings and Queens, a fortress, and a battlefield for independence. Now a museum, Stirling is one of the best-preserved, ornately decorated and furnished Renaissance castles in the UK.
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Day 3: GLASGOW–FORT WILLIAM–CULLODEN MOOR–INVERNESS
Bonnie Lands & Brave Lads Scenic drive along the banks of Loch Lomond. FORT WILLIAM See the gateway to Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak.CULLODEN MOOR Visit the Culloden battlefield site. (Breakfast,Dinner) 178 mi / 286 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORIC SPOT At Culloden moor, hear the story of the crushing Hanoverian victory over Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Scottish clans. On 16 April 1746, the two armies met. Over 1,500 Jacobites were killed or wounded, while British government forces lost about 100 soldiers. The last pitched battle fought on British soil lasted less than an hour.
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Day 4: INVERNESS–PITLOCHRY–ST. ANDREWS–EDINBURGH
Mountains & Mulligans PITLOCHRY Time in the Victorian mountain resort.ST. ANDREWS See the home of golf and famous university town. EDINBURGH Free time this evening. (Breakfast) 202 mi / 326 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHTICONIC FOOTSTEPS See the fairways and greens at the birthplace of golf, where legendary players of the Scottish game made history in the university town of St. Andrews.
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Day 5: EDINBURGH
Crown Jewels & Castle Views EDINBURGH Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the New Town and Old Town. Visit to Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Free time this afternoon. (Breakfast)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORIC SPOT Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important historical strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, rules with an 11,000-year history as “the most besieged place in Great Britain.” Here, you’ll find the royal regalia and Scotland’s Crown Jewels. The Castle also marks the starting point of the Royal Mile, the historic processional route and location of many of the city’s famous landmarks, including St. Giles’ Cathedral.
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Day 6: EDINBURGH
Celebrating Scotland EDINBURGH Free time before a farewell dinner this evening at your hotel. (Breakfast,Dinner)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTCITY SIGHTS Soak in the origins of traditional Georgian architecture on your free day in Edinburgh. Stroll by the ordered symmetrical grid of Neoclassical houses and private gardens. Experience the spirit of the Scottish Enlightenment as you admire elegant ironwork of the New Town streets and squares including Charlotte Square regarded as an architectural masterpiece.
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Day 7: EDINBURGH
Safe Travles Until We Meet Again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
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Day 1: Welcome to Edinburgh
Welcome to Scotland - land of legends and romance, from the great cultural cities in the south, to the dramatic mountains and misty lochs of the Highlands. On arrival at Edinburgh airport, transfers depart for your hotel at 09:00, 11:00 and 13:00. Then the rest of the day is yours to relax before joining your Travel Director at 16:30 for a Welcome Dinner with wine at a local restaurant. On select departures, during your time in Edinburgh you will also attend The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo — a colourful mix of pipes and drums, dance and display, set against the floodlit backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.
Malmaison Hotel Edinburgh.
Dinner with Wine
Day 2: Edinburgh, The Capital of Culture
Join a Local Expert to see the highlights of the city. In the Old Town, see the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of the Queen. Drive along Princes Street to the ornate Scott Memorial, then see the 18th century New Town with its neoclassical Georgian facades. Venture up the Royal Mile to visit Edinburgh Castle, home of Mons Meg, the Stone of Destiny and Scotland’s Crown Jewels.The rest of the day is at leisure; why not visit the art treasures in the National Gallery?
Malmaison Hotel Edinburgh.
Breakfast
Day 3: To St. Andrews and the Highland Capital of Inverness
Cross the Firth of Forth into Fife and journey to St. Andrews, passing the Old Course, home of golf since its creation in the 15th century. Enjoy free time to explore. Perhaps stroll to West Sands Beach where the famous 'Chariots of Fire' scene was filmed? Alternatively, wander to St. Andrews University where the love story of Kate Middleton meeting her Prince Charming began. Cross the Tay and journey to the charming Victorian resort town of Pitlochry, famous for its salmon run. Continue via Blair Atholl and pass the Grampian Mountains on the way to the sparkling Spey Valley. Stop at Blair Castle and Gardens, which has been home to the Atholl family for over seven centuries. Tour the magnificent ballroom and learn about the history of the estate. During your visit relish a delicious cream tea. Continue to Inverness, where your luxury hotel is set within four acres of manicured grounds.
Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness.
Breakfast, Afternoon Tea, Dinner with Wine
Day 4: Culloden, Loch Ness and onto Thurso
See Culloden Moor in the morning, where Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite army was crushed in 1746. Visit the Culloden Visitor Centre before continuing along the shores of Loch Ness. Keep your eyes peeled for the legendary monster! Next, follow the rugged coast north to the fishing port of Wick. Explore Wick with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the Old Pulteney Distillery to taste a wee dram of its award-winning whiskeys. Alternatively, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with a visit to the highly rated Wick Heritage Museum and hear about the past of this once thriving fishing community.
The Pentland Hotel, Thurso.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 5: A Day in the Orkney Islands
Start the day by driving to the most northern point of the British mainland, John O’Groats. Board the ferry to the beautiful Orkney Islands where the countryside is breathtakingly majestic and the tranquillity supports a quieter pace of life. Here the hardy locals say they live ‘below the wind and above the water.’ Your Local Expert accompanies you as you visit the 5,000-year-old village of Skara Brae, the mysterious Ring of Brodgar, Kirkwall and the small chapel built by Italian prisoners during World War II.
The Pentland Hotel, Thurso.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 6: Over the Sea to Skye
Travel through stunning, pristine landscapes along the northern coast with its white sandy beaches, and further inland to misty valleys and glens, lochs and rushing waters. Then it’s ‘Over the Sea to Skye,’ the largest and most beautiful island of the Inner Hebrides. On the way to Broadford, hear romantic tales of how young Flora MacDonald helped rescue Bonnie Prince Charlie and see the dramatic Cuillin Hills.
The Dunollie Hotel, Broadford.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 7: Through the Scottish Highlands to Glencoe Relaxed Start
Explore this wild and beautiful island on your own, before crossing to the Kyle of Lochalsh. Stop for a photo at remote Eilean Donan Castle, which under a clear sky offers a perfect reflection in its loch. Move on to the WWII Commando Memorial where there is a fine view of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. Enjoy spectacular scenery en route to the Valley of Glencoe. Join a ranger for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, learn about the protection of this rare ecosystem and the important work reintroducing lost indigenous species to its flora and fauna. In the evening, enjoy market-fresh Scottish ingredients and wine, as you get together with your newfound friends for a sumptuous Celebration Dinner. Don't be surprised if, by the end of the evening, you're 'Toasting to the Lassies' or singing 'Auld Lang Syne'.
Ballachulish Hotel, Glencoe., Isle of Glencoe Hotel & Leisure Centre.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 8: Along the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond to Glasgow Relaxed Start
Spend time around peaceful Loch Lomond, ‘Queen of Scottish Lochs’ according to Sir Walter Scott and the largest in Great Britain. Perhaps experience the beauty and tranquillity of the loch with an optional cruise before continuing to Glasgow? An orientation drive through the city will show you the grand public buildings, including George Square and St. Mungo’s Cathedral. Then the rest of the afternoon is at your leisure.
Holiday Inn Glasgow - City Centre Theatreland.
Breakfast
Day 9: Depart Glasgow
Your travels come to an end after breakfast. Departure transfers arrive at Glasgow airport at 06:30 and 09:00.
Breakfast
