Day 01 Arrive Edinburgh
Arrival at London airport and transfer to hotel.
Overnight in Edinburgh
Day 02 Edinburgh
Proceed to enjoy a full day in the Scottish capital. You will visit Edinburgh Castle which dominates the city from its 400 foot rock where you will see the Scottish crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny, now back in Scotland where it belongs. You can also visit the private apartments of Mary Stuart and St Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest building in the city which dates back to the 11th century. Continuing down the Royal Mile, you will visit Saint Giles’ Cathedral. Founded in the 1100s, it is a triumph of 14th and 15th century architecture with a crown spire that has dominated the Edinburgh skyline for 500 years. It became the church of John Knox during the Reformation and contains memorials to many great Scots, including Robert Louis Stevenson and Robert Burns. Overnight in Edinburgh
Day 03 Edinburgh
Proceed to starting with Jedburgh Abbey, one of the border abbeys founded by David 1 in around 1138 for Augustinian canons. The church is mostly in the Romanesque and Gothic styles and is remarkably complete. Remains of the cloister buildings have recently been uncovered and finds from the excavations, including the 12th century ‘Jedburgh comb’ are on display in the award winning visitor centre. Travelling north from Jedburgh,
You will visit the ruins of the stunning, Melrose Abbey, a Cistercian abbey founded by King David I circa 1136. It was largely destroyed by an English army in 1385 but rebuilt in the early 15th century. It is now probably the most famous ruin in Scotland because of the elegant and elaborate stonework which remains. You will finish the day with a visit to Dryburgh Abbey. One of the four famous Borders, founded in the reign of David I. It is also the burial place of Field Marshall Earl Haig and Sir Walter Scott.
Overnight in Edinburgh
Day 04 Edinburgh- Fort William (By Road) ( 146 kms / 3 hrs 30 mins appx)
Proceed to you will drive through the area known as the Trossachs in the heart of Scotland, stopping by Loch Lomond, the largest stretch of inland water in Britain, and framed by lovely mountain scenery. The landscape of this area has played a significant part in the history and literature of Scotland. It was the inspiration and setting for Sir Walter Scott’s major work, “The Lady of the Lake”, inspiring the first tourists to venture to Highland Scotland. You will travel through the Argyll Forest one of the most beautiful areas in the country before continuing north through Glencoe with its spectacular landscape and on to Fort William which nestles beneath the highest mountain in Great Britain – Ben Nevis.
Overnight in Fort William.
Day 05 Fort William
Proceed to today you will journey towards Mallaig, visiting Glenfinnan Monument, the statue of a Highland Chieftain, which looks towards the Hills erected on the site where Bonnie Prince Charlie rallied the Highland Clans in preparation for the disastrous rebellion of 1745 fought at Culloden. You will see the breath-taking Glenfinnan Viaduct, a location made most popular in the Harry Potter films.
Overnight in Fort William.
Day 06 Fort William – Eilean Donan Castle (By Road) (65 kms/1 hrs 30 min)
Proceed to Kyleakin and enjoy a stop at Eilean Donan Castle, which stands on an islet connected by a causeway in Loch Duich. This picturesque and inhabited castle dates back to 1214 and was the magnificent setting of the film “Highlander”. Visit the Balmacara Estate, an area covering 2,550 hectares (6,330 acres) on the Lochalsh peninsula, this traditional Highland crofting estate is a diverse mix of Scotland’s most beautiful landscapes. It encompasses croft and farm land, woodland, moorland, villages, coastline, saltmarsh, lochs and offshore islands, and offers stunning views across the water to the mountains of Skye and Applecross.
Overnight in Eilean Donan Castle.
Day 07 Eilean Donan Castle-Isle of Skye-Loch Ness (By Road) (299 km/5 hrs)
Proceed to visit the Isle of Skye. You will cross the new ‘Skye Bridge’ enjoying sometime on the largest and most scenic of the Hebridean Islands before travelling via Loch Ness towards Inverness. Make a stop at Urquhart Castle, one of the largest castles in Scotland which fell into decay after 1689 and was blown up in 1692 to prevent it being occupied by Jacobites. Most of the existing remains date from the 16th century and include a tower. This is a very scenic spot and also the place where the most sightings of “Nessie” have been..
Overnight in Loch Ness.
Day 08 Loch Ness – Ballater (By Road) (135 kms / 2 hrs appx.)
Proceed to morning you will follow the whisky trail! The Speyside region houses some of the oldest and most established whisky distilleries in Scotland and you can visit one of these distilleries to experience the whisky making process and have a chance to taste the true “Water of life”. You then enter the Grampian region and take the road over the hills through the village of Tomintoul, the highest village in Scotland. Coming down from the hills, we arrive at Ballater in Royal Deeside the favourite region of the Royal family. You can visit Balmoral castle, the summer residence of the royal family and you will see the magnificent colours of this beautiful countryside.
Overnight in Ballater.
Day 09 Ballater – Dundee (By Road) (112 kms /1 hrs 40 min appx)
Proceed to the coast road south and cross the Firth of Tay at Dundee Bridge for an afternoon spent exploring this town, home of the oldest university in Scotland and capital of golf with its famous and prestigious Old Course. The remains of the 12th century cathedral, the largest in Scotland and the medieval layout of the town are still visible. You will also see the 13th century castle overlooking the North Sea, where, during the Reformation, many evil deeds took place in the “Bottle Dungeon”. You will enjoy the traditional small shops and the beautiful sea views.
Overnight in Dundee
Day 10 Dundee-Edinburgh (100 kms/1 hrs 30 min) / Dep. Edinburgh
Departure transfer to onward destination.
****************TOUR ENDS************
City | Nights | Hotels |
Edinburgh | 3 | The Scotsman Hotel |
Fort William | 2 | The Grange |
Eilean Donan Castle | 1 | Eilean Donan Cottage |
Loch Ness | 1 | Tigh Na Bruach |
Ballater | 1 | Grand Hilton Craigendarroch |
Dundee | 1 | The Hideaway Experience |
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Accommodation as per the program.
- Meal Plan – Half Board basis (i.e. breakfast & dinner).
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Entrance fees.
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Local English speaking guide.
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All transfers, sightseeing, excursions.
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All taxes.
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Personal Expenses.
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Camera / Video Camera Fees.
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Medical Aid.
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Tips.
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Travel Insurance.
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Visa (If any).
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– In Asia, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.