Compare Highlands, Skye and Northwest Scotland by Great Value Vacations
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| Trip |
4 | Great
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| Duration | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 3,144 |
| Price Per Day | $ 449 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | |
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Airfare included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
| Description |
This is an escorted tour. It’s perfect if you prefer not to do your own driving and want to see as many sights as you can during your vacation. Scotland is calling! Your adventure starts and ends in the vibrant capital city of Edinburgh, where you can visit castles that sit atop ancient volcanoes, as well as visit royal gardens, floating royal residences, and even an art gallery or two! You'll also embark on a 4-night guided tour, where you'll experience breathtaking views and fascinating places throughout the Highlands of Scotland. From the ancient forests of the Cairngorms, and vibrant Inverness (capital of the Highlands), to the majestic splendor of the mountains of Assynt, the romantic beauty of the Isle of Skye and the awe-inspiring Glencoe, you'll see it all. Important information regarding the guided tour portion of this vacation:Please Note: Lunches are not included during your guided tour. However the tour will either stop in small villages with a choice of lunch options, or at a local family establishment where there is a choice to suit all budgets. These places are always chosen for their charm and character - to give you the taste of local hospitality. Entrance fees to some visitor attractions are not included, to allow you greater flexibility to choose the sites that you would like to enter. Please check with your guide, as in some cases discounted admission has been arranged on behalf of tour participants. |
Day 1 Welcome to Edinburgh!
Arrive at Edinburgh Airport (EDI) and enjoy a private transfer to your Edinburgh accommodation. Spend the rest of the day exploring at leisure! Start your Scotland adventure by hiking up to Edinburgh Castle, which sits atop an ancient volcano; from here you can enjoy panoramic views of Scotland's capital city.
Day 2 Edinburgh - Ullapool
Leaving Edinburgh with your guide, the tour begins by taking you north over the Forth Road Bridge to the charming highland village of Dunkeld on the banks of the River Tay. From here you head into the Cairngorm National Park and the ancient pine forests of the Rothiemurchus Estate. If time allows, you'll take a short walk after lunch where you'll explore the ruins of Lach an Eilein Castle. Panoramic views of Loch Ness follow as you travel down to the banks of the famous loch and the village of Dores, where you can do some “Nessie” spotting! Then it’s on to the shores of Loch Broom where you spend two nights at Ullapool.
Day 3 Ullapool
Today starts with a visit to the far northwest highlands and the grandeur, expanse and wildness of the mountains of Assynt, with its abundance of wildlife. This area is historically famous as being the first crofting area to be bought by the local crofters, the Assynt Crofters’ Trust. You will be immersed in the history of the area and visit the 15th century ruins of Ardvreck Castle, once the stronghold of the MacLeods of Assynt. The day is full of amazing views of some of Europe’s oldest landscapes, from the stunning white sand beach at Achmelvich Bay to the traditional fishing village of Lochinver.
Day 4 Ullapool - Isle of Skye
This morning leave Ullapool, heading south to take in the drama of the River Droma as it plunges almost 200 feet down into the Corrieshalloch Gorge. From here you travel past the mountains of the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve, and along the picturesque coastline of Loch Torridon. The tranquil setting of Applecross is your destination for lunch before taking one of the highest roads in Scotland, Bealach na Bo (meaning the Cattle Pass), with its jaw-dropping views, hairpin bends and precipitous cliffs. In the afternoon you stop in “tropical” Plockton where you can see palm trees growing alongside Loch Carron, and take time to enjoy its sheltered serenity. Then it’s over the sea to Skye and the delightful harbor town of Portree, with its friendly welcome.
Day 5 Portree
Today is a very flexible day on Skye. There are many possibilities depending on the weather, and your driver/guide’s knowledge will come to the fore in planning the best day for you. For example you might travel north to the stunning Quiraing mountain pass and enjoy a spectacular walk through some of Skye's extraordinary geological scenery, or visit the Kilt Rock, composed of basalt columns (reminiscent of the pleats in a kilt) with its waterfall cascading over the cliffs and down into the sea below. After lunch you can travel to Neist Point for a walk out to the lighthouse at the most westerly point on Skye. Alternatively a visit to Dunvegan Castle, ancient ancestral seat of the Clan McLeod, may be possible. Return to the hotel in Portree in the late afternoon and enjoy a free evening in the village.
Day 6 Portree - Edinburgh
Leaving Portree, we’ll travel south from Skye stopping first at the famous stronghold Eilean Donan Castle, used in the film “Highlander,” set at the head of three lochs as protection against Viking raiders. Continuing east through the rugged mountains of Kintail, you drive down through Glen Garry past Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, then onto Fort William for lunch. In the afternoon you will explore spectacular Glencoe, scene of the infamous massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692. Your tour comes to an end as you arrive in Edinburgh, at approximately 7:00 pm.
Day 7 Depart Scotland
In accordance with your departure flight, enjoy one more private airport transfer to Edinburgh Airport.
