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kate@specialgrouptours.com

SCOTLAND - HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS
Trossachs, Oban, Iona, Inverness, Aberdeenshire & Fife

14 day tour inc. arrival/departure days

Scotland is a land of outstanding beauty. 'Will ye no come back again?' asks the traditional folksong? And it would be hard to say 'no' having experienced the heather coloured highlands, the breathtaking lochs, the rugged beauty of the mountains, the rich history marked by fortresses and castles, the quaintness of hidden coastal towns and fishing villages, the lovely, and often unexpected gardens, the golf courses, the tranquillity of the Western Isles and the unique Celtic culture of whisky, tartan, highland games and haggis!

   Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd Scotland tour has proven a popular one. Our itinerary is designed to give you a balanced introduction to the country in a leisurely and unhurried way. As ever, you can expect to stay in a wide variety of attractive accommodations, each with its own charm. You can also expect a traditional warm welcome.

Available at any date for private groups of 2 – 15 people. Price available upon application.

Rates are based upon vehicle and guide hire per day; groups of 7 - 15 would have a per person rate same/similar to one of our scheduled tours of the same length.

Please note, this is a suggested itinerary. It may be revised to suit your individual group needs.

If you do not have a group of traveling companions and are still interested in this custom tour itinerary, you are welcomed to join a waitlist…

We record who is looking for travel companions to make up a tour with them. We need between 6 and 8 persons minimum to operate a tour without it being uneconomic for us or too expensive for you. Back-Roads Touring Co Ltd will be happy to run the occasional special departure IF there is sufficient interest.

If you would like to check on or join a waitlist for this itinerary, please email us for full information: kate@specialgrouptours.com

TENTATIVE ITINERARY

DAY ONE

You will land at Glasgow Airport where you will be met by your Back-Roads Representative and transferred to our local base. The afternoon and evening are free for you to explore this interesting city with its famed art galleries and parks.

NIGHTSTOP Glasgow

DAY TWO

Departing from our Glasgow hotel, we head north to immediately breathe in the atmosphere by the shores of the celebrated Loch Lomond. Then we head to the royal city of Stirling. From the esplanade of Stirling Castle we can admire the surrounding countryside. For centuries this has been the gateway to the Highlands. No wonder numerous battles have been fought in this area, not least the great victory at Bannockburn, where the Scots trounced the English. We then continue our journey north into 'Braveheart' country passing through the picturesque market town of Crieff, long the site of one of Scotland great cattle 'Trysts'.  We then head to our base for the night in the heart of the Trossachs via Lochearne, a lovely highland loch overlooked by mountains.

NIGHTSTOP Aberfoyle

DAY THREE

 We'll have time to visit the Rob Roy Visitor Centre in Callander and his grave at nearby Balquhidder before we head west through some stunning scenery as we drive through Glen Dochart and Glen Orchy.  We'll visit Kilchurn Castle or Inveraray gaol/jail before continuing west. This afternoon's itinerary includes a visit to one of Argyll's woodland gardens. We'll have time to explore Dunstaffnage Castle before reaching our base for the next three nights.

NIGHTSTOP Oban

DAY FOUR

This morning is spent at leisure exploring Oban, the mainland port for the Hebridean Isles and full of local colour.  After taking in a classic elevated view over the town, we make the short winding drive to Easdale Island. On the way we cross the only bridge over the Atlantic Ocean and pass the fascinatingly named Inn 'Tigh Na Troos' (House of the Trousers!).  Once on Easdale Island we visit the local folk museum, where we learn about the life of the former slate mining community.  This is probably one of the most photogenic fishing villages you'll find anywhere in the world.

NIGHTSTOP Oban

DAY FIVE

Time to take to the water, crossing the Firth of Lorne to the Inner Hebridean Isle of Mull. The ferry journey itself is a delight with fine views of mainland and island vistas. Before reaching Craignure, our first port of call, there's a grand view of Duart Castle, ancestral home of the McClean clan. Once on dry land we head across the open, untouched landscape to Fionnphort in the south. From here we take a very short ferry ride, as foot passengers, to the revered Island of Iona, home to St. Columba and early Christian missionaries 1400 years ago. Within the shadow of the cathedral, Scots kings until Macbeth's time were buried. There is a special atmosphere here aided by the almost total lack of motor cars. Returning to Mull we follow, time permitting, the rugged coastline to the west, with the possibility (depending on weather) of breathtaking views of the Outer Hebridean Islands offshore.

NIGHTSTOP Oban

DAY SIX

A day of glorious mountain scenery awaits us as we head north through the Grampian and North West Highland ranges. As we enter the splendid isolation of the pass of Glen Coe there's a real sense of majesty in the scenery. A visit to the Glencoe visitors’ centre gives us a chance to discover the real truth behind the tragic massacre of the MacDonalds. Arriving at the busy highland town of Fort William, there's an opportunity for the 'essentials' of life - eating, banking and shopping! Continuing our full day, we take in the Caledonian Canal - maybe there'll be yachts traversing the locking system to begin their voyage through Scotland's inland waterways. As we follow the canal, there are views of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, a haven for skiers and climbers alike. As we leave the canal, we encounter the imposing Glen Finnan Monument at the head of Loch Shiel. Winding around loch, brae and mountain, we cross by ferry to the Isle of Skye.

NIGHTSTOP Isle of Skye

DAY SEVEN

It's time to take a look around the misty Isle of Skye. Nowhere on this island is it possible to ignore the sea as it eats away at the coastline. It was from islands like this that thousands left in 'coffin' ships crossing the Atlantic to a new life. Amongst today's highlights are the island's 'capital', Portree, the 17th century ruined Duntulm Castle built by the MacDonalds on the site of a Celtic fort, the Old Man of Storr, a black basalt column 160ft tall and 40ft in diameter and the unique landscape of the 'quirang'.

We'll also visit the memorial to Flora MacDonald, famed accomplice of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Close by lies a fine folk museum where a peat fire burns and heather lines the roof.

NIGHTSTOP Isle of Skye

DAY EIGHT 

Grab your binoculars and telephoto lenses because today's the day we go monster hunting! Not just any monster either but the most famous wee beastie in the whole world! Loch Ness is a long, deep, dark and mysterious body of water. On our way there, we'll encounter the Caledonian Canal again. It is at Fort Augustus that the Canal enters Loch Ness via six locks. On Loch Ness itself is Urquhart Castle, a ruin that has become a favourite place for Nessie spotting - some folk believe she lives underneath the structure itself. In Drumnadrochit there's a chance to take in the documented evidence of one of the Loch Ness monster exhibitions. Maybe after this the doubters will be more convinced! Onward to Inverness, the busy 'capital' of the Highlands and our base for the next three nights.

NIGHTSTOP Inverness

DAY NINE

We'll rest awhile, as they say here, and enjoy a pleasant day exploring this Highland capital at leisure on foot and by public tranport.

You may wish to consider taking an optional day's excursion to the isle of Orkney. Although this is a very long day (with a 06.00 start and a 21.00 finish) it is a fantastic opportunity to see the fabulous prehistoric sites on the Island.

For wildlife lovers there's another possible optional tour to see the puffins and seals way north in John O'Groats.

NIGHTSTOP Inverness

DAY TEN

The day begins at Clava Cairns burial site. Lying close to Inverness, these circles of stones from the dawn of human civilisation sit in a quiet sheltered spot of the Scottish countryside. Close by is Culloden Moor, site of the great battle of 1746 when the forces of King George II defeated the Jacobite rebels of Bonnie Prince Charlie. There is a fine exhibition and a stroll around the battlefield with its memorial stones provides a lasting memory. Heading north from Inverness to the Falls of Rogie, we are assured of fine pine forests, rushing rivers and, if our timing is right, the sight of the Atlantic salmon jumping impossible waterfalls. On our way home, we ponder the question of the siting of Macbeth's castle. Was it in the modern town of Inverness or perhaps nearby at Cawdor?

NIGHTSTOP Inverness

DAY ELEVEN

As we start our journey south, we pick up the famous whisky trail. You can be sure of a visit to one of the many distilleries that can be found in the area. We'll pass through Grantown-on-Spey, a popular ski resort on our way to Braemar, scene of that most famous of Highland games attended by the Royals. If we have time, we'll visit Braemar Castle, built in 1628 and largely rebuilt as a residence in the 18th century. The Scottish home of the royal family can be found at nearby Balmoral. There's a chance to view the grounds and exhibition for departures in May, June or July. Finally, we wind our way to the attractive town of Ballater, our base for the night.

NIGHTSTOP Banchory

DAY TWELVE

This morning we may take a short drive through the 'Granite City' of Aberdeen before picking up the coastal route south. We visit Dunnottar Castle ruins, said to be in the most romantic setting in Scotland. Cromwell's troops captured this Royalist stronghold after months of siege in 1652. As we continue south, we pass through the fishing town of Arbroath, home of the 'smokie' (a tasty smoked fish) and the site of an outstandingly beautiful 12th century abbey ruin.    Dundee is our next port of call. Here we'll find Scott's 'Discovery' and the frigate 'Unicorn', the oldest British-built ship still afloat, now a museum for the Royal Navy. Rounding off our vist wil be a short spell in St Andrews. No time for a round of golf , we're sorry to say! (But at least we'll save you soem golf balls!). At the end of a full day, we cross the Firth of Tay to the Kingdom of Fife and our nightstop for the next two nights.

NIGHTSTOP Fife

DAY THIRTEEN

A relaxing day as we explore the charming coastline of the Kingdom of Fife. Anstruther itself is still a working fishing port and many of its neighbours continue to ply a similar trade. Winding our way up the coast we examine in detail the timeless beauty of Crail, another fishing village, once the centre of a major trading partnership with continental Europe. Next, the Royal Stwart Castle at Falkland before making our way to the fascinating town of Culross. This is the most complete example of a Scottish burgh of the 16th and 17th centuries. We'll take time to explore the visitor centre before driving through Dunfermline and south over the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh. NOTE: dinner is not included tonight to give more flexibility to explore Edinburgh. Visit www.edinburgh.org

NIGHTSTOP Edinburgh

DAY FOURTEEN

Return airport transfer unless you elect to extend your stay and spend some time in this 'Athens of the North'. Please note, transfer from Edinburgh to Glasgow airport attract a cost supplement.

NOTE: 

Many of the sites we visit are administered by Historic Scotland organization.  Why not visit their site to see some of the delights we have in store for you? www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

This tour is operated by Back-Roads Touring Co Ltd