Compare Sights of Scotland Tour by YMT Vacations vs Highlights of Scotland by G Adventures
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
4 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 10 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 1,199 | $ 2,159 |
| Price Per Day | $ 120 | $ 308 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small ship cruise | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A | 6 breakfasts |
| Description |
You’ll find Scotland is a country with a fantastic mix of stunning landscapes, wildlife, wonderful local produce and of course its people, combined with a colorful history and epic battles. YMT’s Sights of Scotland tour is a great way to see and experience it all. Over 10 days you will see Edinburgh, the capital with its Royal connections, the Highlands including the Cairngorm Mountains, Loch Ness and Inverness, the Isle of Skye, Fort William and the UK’s highest mountain Ben Nevis, and finally Glasgow. Along the way we’ve included visits to palaces and castles, museums and historic sites where you’ll get a real insight into this lands’ Celtic roots and no visit to Scotland would be complete without visiting a Scotch Whiskey distillery, so we’ve included one of those too. Check out our Travel Blog for more tips and ideas for your Sights of Scotland Tour! |
Classic folklore and stunning landscapes make Scotland a compelling destination for historians, those looking to explore their Scottish roots, and pop culture fiends who follow famous TV shows that film here. This seven-day tour takes you through all the best cultural highlights with visits to important Jacobite sites in Inverness like Culloden Moor and picturesque spots (like the Glenfinnan Viaduct) along with moments to soak in the country's natural beauty in Cairngorms National Park. In between, you'll have the opportunity to try traditional Scottish fare (yes, we're talking about haggis!) and learn about how whisky is made with a tour and tasting. It's the best way to satiate your inner history and whisky aficionado, in equal measure. |
Day 1
Depart for Edinburgh, Scotland:
Your vacation begins as you depart on your transatlantic flight. Overnight in flight.
Day 2
Arrive in Scotland:
If you purchased airline tickets from YMT Vacations, a YMT representative will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel where the balance of the day is at leisure. This evening you’ll get a chance to meet all your fellow travelers and your YMT Tour Director at a welcome dinner. (D)
✦Best Western Plus Keavil House, Dunfermline or similar
Day 3
Edinburgh:
This morning we take the short drive to Edinburgh for an included panoramic tour of Scotland’s capital city which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sights will include the Royal Scottish Academy, The Georgian House, St. Giles Cathedral, The Scottish Parliament, Palace of Holyroodhouse and Greyfriars Bobby. The highlight and finale of this morning’s tour is the included entrance to Edinburgh Castle where you will see the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny as well as Edinburgh’s oldest building, St. Margaret’s Chapel. Once the tour ends around lunch time, you are free to remain in the city and explore on your own or you may wish to join our afternoon optional tour to visit the Royal Yacht Britannia docked at Leith, Edinburgh’s official port. (B)
✦Best Western Plus Keavil House, Dunfermline or similar
Day 4
Edinburgh to The Highlands:
First stop at the iconic Scone Palace in the city of Perth. Scone Palace is the home of the Earl of Mansfield and it has been the seat of parliaments and the crowning place of the Kings of Scots. Robert the Bruce was crowned here in 1306 and the last coronation was of Charles II in 1651. Continue to the Victorian spa town of Pitlochry, known as a gateway to the Highlands where you’ll enjoy some free time. Before you reach your hotel, the scenic drive will take you into and through Cairngorms National Park, home to Britain’s highest and most massive mountain range. (B, D)
✦Hotel Nethybridge or similar
Day 5
The Highlands:
In the morning you will visit the historic site of the Battle of Culloden Moor just minutes away from Inverness. Here the scene was set for the big defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Scottish Clans in the spring of 1746. At the Visitor Center enjoy an innovative and interactive exhibit about the battle and the area’s history. No trip to Scotland would be complete without learning about Scotch Whiskey. After an informative tour of a distillery, you will also be able to taste the final product. (B, D)
✦Hotel Nethybridge or similar
Day 6
Loch Ness and Inverness
Enjoy stunning views of Inverness and the Moray Firth as you make your way into the Great Glen, world famous as the setting for Loch Ness. At up to 755 feet, the lake has plenty of hiding space for the mythical Loch Ness Monster, or “Nessie” as she is referred to locally. You’ll take a short scenic cruise on the loch which finishes at Urquhart Castle, where you will have time to explore the ruins dating back to the 13th century. In the afternoon, you will have time to explore the capital of the Highlands, Inverness. (B)
✦Hotel Nethybridge or similar
Day 7
Isle of Skye & Western Highlands:
Your tour takes you to the Isle of Skye, one of the Inner Hebrides islands. You will visit the Clan Donald Centre, a heritage center for what used to be the biggest clan in Scotland, ruling the western part of the country and the islands. A short ferry crossing will then take you back to the mainland and you continue to Fort William, near the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis (4,409 feet). (B)
✦Hotel Ben Nevis or similar
Day 8
Argyll and Glasgow:
The itinerary takes you farther south along the rugged shoreline and into Argyll. First, you will visit Inveraray Castle, home to the Duke of Argyll, the head of Clan Campbell. An Inveraray Castle has been standing on the shores of Loch Fyne since the 1400’s, although the buildings we see today were rebuilt after a fire in 1877. En route, there will be a short break on the banks of Loch Lomond (the largest loch in Scotland). After leaving the tranquility of the Loch Lomond area, your trip takes you into Glasgow, the biggest city in Scotland. (B)
✦Holiday Inn Express Riverside or similar
Day 9
Glasgow:
During a panoramic morning city tour, you will see the remnants of the monastery at Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis, an ancient cemetery in the middle of the city. The tour will also take you to the most popular park in town, the Glasgow Green. You will also visit George Square, named after King George III and the de facto center of Glasgow. Enjoy a free afternoon in this city. This evening there is an included farewell dinner. (B, D)
✦Holiday Inn Express Riverside or similar
Day 10
(Friday) Glasgow
Bid farewell to Scotland and depart for home. On certain tour dates, you may choose to combine our Scotland and Ireland tours. If you choose that option, on your last day you will fly to Dublin to join our Best of Ireland tour. (B)
Important Note: Accommodations used throughout this tour are commonly situated in rural, scenic areas and local amenities may be limited. Any hotels situated outside towns and cities will always have an on-site restaurant.
Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations. By their nature, all tours vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights.
Day 1 Edinburgh
Arrive at any time.
We recommend arriving a few days early to explore Scotland's compact, hilly capital.
Day 2 Edinburgh/Inverness
This morning enjoy a panoramic view of Edinburgh before departing the city for the Highlands. Visit Cairgorms National Park and enjoy a CEO-led hike in Glenmore Forest. Later, spot some reindeer in the local paddocks.
Day 3 Inverness
In the morning, visit Culloden Moor and the Culloden Moor visitor center, famous for the Jacobite rising of 1745. After lunch, board a cruise towards Loch Ness. Experience the infamous "loch" by boat and learn about the history (and legend) surrounding its mysterious lake creature. Explore Urquhart Castle before returning to Inverness.
Day 4 Inverness/Fort William
Discover the beautiful Isle of Skye. Enjoy a scenic drive to the Isle, stopping at the iconic Eilean Castle while en route for a snap of the old fortress. Once on the Isle, visit Sligachan, where you can spot the Black Cullin mountains in the background. Watch for the old man's face on the Old Man of Storr hike and in the evening, take a Ferry from Armadale to Mallaig.
Day 5 Fort William
Visit the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct made famous by Harry Potter. Settle back at the viewpoint in time to see the Jacobite Steam train cross over the viaduct. Afterwards, stretch your legs with a forest walk in Ben Nevis followed by a distillery tour and whisky tasting at Ben Nevis Distillery.
Day 6 Fort William/Glasgow City
Head south towards Glasgow. Enjoy some free time to explore Scotland's largest city. Take time to explore this port city by visiting its museums, joining a brewery tour or jumping on a bike tour of the city.
Day 7 Glasgow City
Depart at any time.
