| Day 1 - September 4th, 2013 - You will be met at Glasgow International Airport this morning before we make our way towards the Western Highlands and Islands. Our drive will take us along the bonny banks of Loch Lomond. We'll stop for a cup of tea before heading northward to Loch Awe where St. Conan's Kirk is spectacularly sited overlooking the loch. I could not imagine venturing through this area of Scotland without visiting this romanesque church. After our visit we continue on to Oban, which is known at the Gateway to the Isles. You will have some time to explore Oban before a Welcoming Dinner on the Waterfront. Overnight Oban. (L,D) Day 2 - Today finds us visiting the largest of the Inner Hebridian Isles, Mull. We take a short ferry ride to Mull which offers rough moorlands, rocky peaks and splendid beaches as well as Duart Castle, home of the Macleans. Standing proudly on a clifftop guarding the Sound of Mull, Duart enjoys one of the most spectacular and unique positions on the West Coast of Scotland. For over 400 years this has been the base of the Clan Maclean's sea-borne power. You may want to visit the castle tearoom before we continue on to the small and very beautiful island of Iona. St Columba began his crusade here in the year 563 and 48 Scottish Kings are buried in the abbey graveyard. You will want to visit the 800 year old Abbey as well as the Nunnery and St. Oran's Chapel. The end of the day finds us returning to Oban for a local Pub Dinner. Overnight Oban. (B,D) Day 3 - Our first stop this morning is Glencoe, which was the site of the 1692 Massacre of the McDonalds. Against a backdrop of craggy peaks and the tumbling River Coe, the Glen offers some of Scotland's most spectacular scenery. Then on to one of my favorite Highland villages, Fort William. Nestled snuggly on the shores of Loch Linnhe, Fort William is always a favorite stop. After some time to look around, we will have lunch before continuing in to Isle of Skye. Our journey will take us through some spectacular scenery and several lochs including Lochy, Garry and Cluanie. When we finally reach Loch Duich we find Scotland's most photographed castle, Eilean Donan. Originally built in 1220 by Alexander II as a defence against the Vikings, it subsequently became a stronghold of the Mackenzies of Kintail who installed the MacRaes as hereditary keepers. After our visit we cross the Skye Bridge as we continue our journey past the lovely Cuillen Hills to our home for 2 nights on Skye. Overnight North Skye. (B,L) Day 4 - This morning we journey round the Trotternish Peninsula with its spectacular coastline. We will stop at the grave site of Flora MacDonald at Kilmuir. Flora is best known for her brave act in helping Bonnie Prince Charlie escape after the battle of Culloden, We will also visit The Quiraing being one of the most exciting natural rock formations anywhere in Scotland. We then stop for Lunch at the Stein Inn. Then we are off to visit Dunvegan Castle which has been the stronghold of the Chiefs of MacLeod for nearly 800 years and it remains their home. Built on a Rock once surrounded entirely by salt water, it is unique in Scotland as the only house of such antiquity to have retained its family and its roof throughout the centuries. Next on the agenda is Skye's metropolis, Portree, meaning port of the king. Enjoy an afternoon free to explore this delightful harbour village. Dinner and Overnight North Skye. (B,L,D) Day 5 - It is off to Uig this morning to catch the Ferry to the Isles of Harris and Lewis. Once on Harris we will stop in Tarbert and visit the Harris Tweed Shop. After exploring Tarbert for a while we will have some time to find lunch before we cross the almost unnoticeable land bridge to Lewis this morning with our first stop being the Callanish Standing Stones. Dating back over 4000 years, Callanish ranks second in terms of importance only to Stonehenge and is older. On a headland overlooking part of a huge sea loch, 53 pale grey stones of Lewisian Gneiss stand in a curious cruciform. This afternoon we visit the Arnol Blackhouse Museum which tells the story of the original crofters native to this area of Scotland. Dinner and Overnight Isle of Harris. (B,D) Day 6 - We are up very early this morning where at Stornoway we take the ferry to Ullapool. We will take some time to enjoy Ullapool before we start our drive north to Thurso. I love the drive through the Assynt Mountains and Loch Assynt with its spectacular viewpoint. We continue through the mountains before we travel the Scenic Coastal Route to Thurso with some of the most spectacular scenery to be found anywhere in Scotland. Have your cameras ready as there will be several wonderful photo ops. On this coastline you will see some of the most amazing Beaches and Cliffs you have ever seen! We will find a cozy place to Stop for Lunch along the way. Much of the coastline is composed of sea lochs and kyles and including Loch Laxford, Kyle of Durness, Loch Eriboil, Loch Hope and the Kyle of Tongue. Our journey will eventually end up near the town of Thurso where we find dinner waiting. Dinner and Overnight near Thurso. (L,D) Day 7 - Today we will make our way to Dunnet Head, the most northerly point on mainland Britain and on a clear day it commands some of the most extensive views you are likely to find anywhere in northern Scotland. We will also visit Mary Ann's Cottage, a window on the crofting past, showing how successive generations of a crofting family lived and worked over 150 years. The cottage was the home of Mary-Anne Calder until she was 93 in 1990. It is now maintained as it was when she left, a farming croft in continuous occupation since it was built by her grandfather in the first half of the 19th Century. Our next stop is the Castle of Mey, the most northerly inhabited castle on the British mainland. The Queen Mother renovated and restored it and for almost half a century she spent many happy summers here and shorter visits at other times of the year. We then take some time to wander around Thurso, mainland Scotland's most northerly town. Dinner on your own and Overnight Thurso. (B,L) Day 8 - This morning finds us boarding the Ferry to the Orkneys. Our first stop once on the islands is the Standing Stones of Stenness dating from 3,100 BC making the stones complex one of the earliest stone circles in Britain. We will also visit the Ring of Brodgar, a stone ring built in a true circle originally containing 60 megaliths. Skara Brae a neolithic village dating from 2,500 BC which has been hidden under sand dunes, perfectly preserved, for thousands of years and was only rediscovered 150 years ago. We will also visit the Broch of Gurness, one of the most outstanding surviving examples of a later prehistoric settlement that is unique to northern Scotland. The Vikings who settled in Orkney from around 800 often used the mounds of earlier settlement sites as burial places, and this was the case at Gurness. We then make our way to Kirkwall, our home for the next 2 nights. Dinner and Overnight Kirkwall, Orkney. (B,D) Day 9 - We will take some time to enjoy the Royal Burrough of Kirkwall this morning before we start our day. You will want to visit St. Magnus Cathedral. Begun in 1137 this cathedral built from alternating bands of local red and yellow sandstone is one of the finest and best preserved medieval cathedrals in Scotland.. Next stop is Maeshowe, the finest chambered tomb in Western Europe. Built before 2700 BC, it was raided by the Vikings in the mid-12th century and plundered of its 'treasures'. Maeshowe is interesting because of the various runic inscriptions carved into the walls. This is one of the best known collections and includes the Maeshowe Dragon - a very well known Orkney icon. After finding some lunch, we will visit the Rennibister Earth House, an oval chamber measuring 12 x 18 feet with five recesses built into the dry stone walls. When the chamber was discovered in 1926, the remains of 6 adults and 12 children were found. We then return to Kirkwall where you will have the evening free. Overnight Kirkwall, Orkney. (B,L) Day 10 - This morning we return by ferry to the mainland. Our first stop is Scotland's most northerly mainland distillery, Old Pulteney in Wick. Since 1826, the Pulteney Distillery has crafted a Single Malt Scotch Whisky that is the very essence of it’s remarkable location. By Wick’s historic harbour, the quietly maturing spirit lies in hand-selected oak casks, slowly capturing the unique character of this stunning landscape with it’s long seafaring history. We will Lunch at Bistro No 1 in Wick before we continue south. Next, a must stop is Glenmorangie Distillery at Tain. Since 1843 the distillery has been producing its famous malt on the shores of the Dornoch Firth. Glenmorangie is still handcrafted to this day by the Sixteen Men of Tain using tried and tested methods that have been passed down from generation to generation. We then continue on our way south to Dinner and Overnight near Inverness. (B,L,D) Day 11 - This morning we will visit Culloden Battlefield, the site of the last battle to be fought on British soil on 16th April 1746 when Bonnie Prince Charles Edward Stewart made his last bid for the Monarchy. The battlefield itself is now restored to as close as possible that two side marched on that fateful day. We will find out why this battle that lasted only one hour changed the way of life of the Highlands and Islands forever. Our next stop is Speyside Heather Centre. This family run business is a well established attraction for both tourists and locals and we will want to find some lunch at the Clootie Dumpling Cafe before heading south to Blair Athol and Blair Castle. Blair Castle is set in extensive parklands, including the recently restored Hercules Garden and Diana's Grove, and with 725 years of history and over 30 rooms open to the public. Our next stop is Pitlochry where Dinner awaits us. Following dinner we are off to the Pitlochry Festival Theatre for a live performance. Dinner and Overnight Pitlochry. (B,D) Day 12 - Today our first stop is The Queen's View named after Robert The Bruce's wife Isabel but made popular by Queen Victoria. This is one of the most breathtaking sights in Scotland and will become a favorite of yours. You can't stop here without Visiting the Tearoom and having a piece of millionaires shortbread! Next we visit Blair Athol Distillery, which is one of Scotland's oldest working distilleries. From the water of the Allt Dour Burn comes a 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky, with a mellow deep-toned aroma. After a Wee Taste and a Tour of the Distillery we return to Pitlochry for Afternoon Tea at Hetties on the High Street. This afternoon you will have plenty of time to visit my favorite Highland village before Dinner on your own in Pitlochry. Overnight Pitlochry. (B,L) Day 13 - On the way to Glasgow today we stop in Perth to visit Scone Palace, the home of the Earls of Mansfield. Once the crowning place of Scottish Kings, Scone Palace occupies a unique position in Scotland’s history. A breathtakingly beautiful place of power and mystery and the rightful home of the celebrated Stone of Scone, Scone Palace is regarded as a national treasure and is revered as the historic jewel in Scotland’s crown. Our next stop is Stirling and Stirling Castle for a guided tour. Stirling Castle is one of the finest examples of Renaissance architecture in Scotland. Mary Queen of Scots was crowned here and the Great Hall and Chapel Royal are wonderful highlights. Once in Glasgow, enjoy a few hours of shopping on Sauchiehall Street or just relaxing before finding some dinner. Overnight Glasgow. (B,L) Day 14 - After breakfast you will Tour the City aboard an Open Top Tour Bus complete with tour guide. Highlights of the tour will be Glasgow's amazing architecture, University of Glasgow, George Square and The River Clyde. This afternoon you may want to visit Glasgow's City Chambers Building. The City Chambers is truly and architectural delight built in the grandest Victorian Style and the tour is not to be missed. You will also want to visit Glasgow Cathedral. The Cathedral is one of the few to escape destruction during the Scottish Reformation and dates to the 13th century. This evening it is out to a Farewell Dinner at Two Fat Ladies followed by a visit to the Kings Theatre. Overnight Glasgow. (B,D) Day 15 - September 18th - This morning we return to Glasgow International Airport for our journey home. (B) |
| Scottish Dream Tours Presents Scottish Highlands and Islands featuring Mull, Iona, Skye, Harris and Lewis and The Orkneys September 4th - 18th, 2013 15 days of Castles, Pubs, Spectacular Scenery and Picturesque Villages. Featuring: Glasgow and Glasgow Cathedral, Loch Lomond, Loch Awe, Mull, Iona, Duart Castle, Oban, Dunstaffnage Castle, Glencoe, Loch Linnhe, Fort William, Caledonian Canal, Eilean Donan Castle, Skye, Cuillin Mountains, Portree, Dunvegan Castle, Lewis, Harris, Harris Tweed Shop, Callanish Standing Stones, Arnol Blackhouse, Standing Stones of Stenness, Ullapool, Orkney Islands, Dunrobin Castle, Culloden Battlefield, Pitlochry, Blair Atholl and Blair Castle and more! Nothing captures the Romantic wonder of Scotland more than the Highlands and Islands. This tour is designed to accommodate only 12 people for a more personal experience to allow you to get the most of your Scottish holiday. Keeping the tour size small gives us the opportunity to veer from the beaten path and take advantage of accommodations, restaurants and sightseeing venues that would not be available to larger groups. You may find yourself staying in a delightful city guest house, a small country house hotel, a comfortable farmhouse and an old coaching Inn all in the same visit. Our goal is to show you the real Scots people and some of the wonderful sights to be seen all over this beautiful country. You will not be rushed from venue to venue and we spend as little time on the bus as possible. Tour includes all accommodation in 3, 4 and 5 star Scottish Tourist Board Approved accommodations. Full Scottish breakfast each morning, all meals listed in itinerary. Porterage of one suitcase per person. Minibus travel including tour guide. Knowledgeable guide for all tourist venues. All sightseeing as indicated in itinerary including any entrance fees. All taxes and service charges. $5195US per person double occupancy. $500 per person deposit to reserve your spot on the tour. $995 single supplement with limited spaces. Click here to make your deposit. |
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