FRI (Trossachs, Loch Lomond & Inveraray)
Join the coach for the first day of your Grand Tour of Scotland. Travel through the Trossachs National Park by the banks of Loch Lomond and Arrochar before spending time in the historic town of Inveraray on the banks of Loch Fyne. The jail here has some very interesting facts about the towns' history, as does the magnificent Inveraray Castle. We then travel the rest of journey and arrive in Oban and our Royal Hotel for the first of two nights. Enjoy a delicious 3-course evening meal in the hotel restaurant this evening. The hotel is situated right in the heart of the town, with easy access to explore Oban on foot this evening at your leisure.
SAT (Mull & Iona)
Today after breakfast in the hotel we travel on the morning ferry from Oban over to the Isles of Mull & Iona. Landing at Craignure, the coach will travel to Fionnphort, the most westerly point of the island, where you take the short ferry crossing on foot to the small and magical Island of Iona. Explore the island’s most valued treasures including the Abbey founded by St Columba in 563, the Augustine nunnery and Rèilig Odhrain; burial ground of many early Scottish Kings. The coach will travel back across the beautiful Isle of Mull for the ferry crossing to the mainland late afternoon. (ferry times subject to change & weather)
SUN (West Highland Line & Glencoe)
After a hearty Scottish breakfast we say goodbye to Oban as we travel north towards Fort William through the stunning backdrop of Glencoe & Rannoch Moor before arriving into the town. Time to explore before the coach takes you to Glenfinnan Viaduct where you can view the symbolic monument in honour of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Travel on to the fishing village Mallaig where you board the diesel train for the famous West Highland Line journey, through the most stunning mountains and seascapes back towards Fort William. Then check into our Ben Nevis Hotel for your first of two nights stay here. The Ben Nevis Hotel has fabulous leisure facilities and is based 1 mile outside Fort William, making it a quieter retreat for your holiday.
MON (Fort William)
After a full Scottish breakfast in the hotel, enjoy a leisure day in Fort William and use of the onsite leisure facilities which include steam room, sauna heated indoor pool and jacuzzi hottub. Spend your leisure day exploring the local history at the West Highland Museum or watching boats touring along the length of Loch Linnhe, or visit the nearby Ben Nevis Disillery to see the whisky making process first-hand, or take a short stroll to the Highland Soap Company Visitor Centre & shop. The day is yours to explore or simply relax.
TUES (Eilean Donan Castle & Isle of Skye)
After a full Scottish breakfast we depart Fort William and journey along the banks of Loch Lochy, Loch Duich & Loch Long where you will stop for a short time to enjoy the magnificent views at Eilean Donan Castle and enjoy a tour inside the famous stronghold, before a stop at the town of Portree on the Isle of Skye with time for you to get lunch and explore. You travel through some of the most spectacular scenery on the way to Strathpeffer - up through Strathcarron, Achnasheen and along the banks of Loch Garve. Arrive at the Ben Wyvis Hotel in Strathpeffer early evening and enjoy your 3 course evening dinner in the hotel's restaurant this evening. The Ben Wyvis Hotel is situated in the heart of the village, where you can explore at leisure this evening on-foot.
WED (North Coast 500 & Thurso)
After a full-cooked breakfast this morning, we depart the hotel in Strathpeffer and begin our journey along the famous & scenic North Coast 500 Route. The breathtaking coastal scenery is the highlight of our tour, and we have stops at viewpoints along the way including Ullapool, Ardvreck Castle and Kylesku Bridge before arriving at the tip of the North Coast and Durness. Enjoy time here for lunch (packed lunch provided) then journey along the stunning twists and turns of the North Coast through Tongue & by Strathy Beach until we reach Thurso, Britain’s most Northerly town and rich in Viking heritage. We check into the Castletown Hotel for the first of our two nights stay and enjoy our 3 course evening meal in the restaurant. The Castletown Hotel is in a small village just outside Thurso, and the welcome here will be warm with plenty of Highland hospitality on offer.
THURS (John O'Groats & Caithness Tour)
This morning after a full Scottish breakfast join the coach and travel through the coastal scenery of the Far North Coast of Scotland where we visit the Stannergill Whisky Distillery - a renovated mill now distillery and shop. We then travel along the sandy bay of Dunnet with a stop at Britain's most Northerly point Dunnet Head. This is a natural haven for birdlife and has scenic views across to Orkney. Next stop is John O'Groats where there are shops, beach walks and the famous signpost. Travelling on through the wild Caithness landscapes we visit the Norse settlement of Wick and the ruins of Castle Sinclair & Girnigoe. We return along the rugged coastal route by Whaligoe & Latheron, by the peatlands of Westerdale and Halkirk before arriving back to the Castletown Hotel for your delicious 3 course dinner this evening.
FRI (return home)
After breakfast this morning, join the coach for your return journey back home after this spectacular Grand Tour of Scotland.