| Scottish Dream Tours Presents Scottish Highlands and Islands featuring Mull, Iona, Skye, Harris and Lewis and The Orkneys September 8th -23rd, 2009 16 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, Road to the Isles, Glenfinnan, Caledonian Canal, Mallaig, Skye, Cuillins Mountains, Portree, Dunvegan Castle, Lewis, Harris, 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 just 8-10 people for a more personal experience 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 andbwe spend as little time on the bus as possible. Tour includes all accommodation in 3 or 4 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. $4195US per person double occupancy. Sold Out! $795US supplement per person single occupancy. $500 per person deposit to reserve your spot on the tour. Deposit By PayPal |
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Day 1 - September 8th, 2009 - Depart for Glasgow, Scotland's largest city.
Day 2 - Arrive Glasgow. Shortly after arrival you will tour the city aboard an Open Top Tour Bus complete with tour
guide. You may want to tour Glasgow Cathedral. The Cathedral is one of the few to escape destruction during the Scottish
Reformation and dates to the 13th century. You may also want to visit Glasgow's City Chambers Building or enjoy a few
hours of shopping on Sauchiehall Street or just relax before our Welcoming Dinner at Two Fat Ladies Restaurant.
Overnight Glasgow. (D)
Day 3 - This morning 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 dinner. Dinner and Overnight Oban. (B,D)
Day 4 - Today finds us visiting the largest of the Inner Hebridian Isles, Mull. Mull offers rough moorlands, rocky peaks
and splendid beaches as well as Duart Castle, home of the Mcleans. 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. The end of the day finds us returning to Oban where you may want to check
out one of the several good pubs for dinner. Overnight Oban. (B,L)
Day 5 - This morning we journey on to Dunstaffnage Castle just a short distance outside of Oban. Dunstaffnage was build
in the year 1275 in a strategic spot on the Firth of Lorn upon an immense rock and the shape of the wall was altered to
accommodate the odd shape. We will Stop for Lunch before we continue to 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. Dinner and Overnight near Fort William. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - This morning we will begin our journey to the Isle of Skye stopping at The Falls of Glomach first. The Falls of
Glomach (Glomach means gloomy) are 375 feet high and as such are the Highest Falls in the UK. We continue our journey
stopping at Loch Duich. On the banks of Loch Duich sits the most photographed castle in all of Scotland, Eileen Donan
Castle home to the Clan Macrae. The castle is connected to the land by a causeway and virtually sits out in the Loch! We
then cross the Skye Bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh to Kyleakin on Isle of Skye where our first stop is Kinloch Lodge,
the home of Lord and Lady MacDonald, for a Traditional Afternoon Tea. Following tea we continue our journey past
the lovely Cuillen Hills to our home for 2 nights. Overnight North Skye. (B,L)
Day 7 - 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. 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 8 - 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. Next stop is 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. We will also visit the Arnol Blackhouse Museum
which tells the story of the original crofters native to this area of Scotland. Dinner and Overnight Stornoway. (B,D)
Day 9 - This morning we have a very early Ferry Crossing to Ullapool once again on the Mainland. We will explore
Ullapool for a short time before we make our way northward to Thurso. 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. Lunch Stop at the Elphin Tearoom at Elphin before we continue our journey. Dinner and
Overnight Thurso. (B,L,D)
Day 10 - This morning finds us boarding the Ferry to the Orkneys. Our first stop once on the islands is 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 100 years ago. We will also visit 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 Royal Burrough of Kirkwall which is
the capitol of the Orkneys. We will take some time to investigate before we return by ferry to the mainland. Dinner on your
own in Thurso. Overnight Thurso. (B,L)
Day 11 - 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. 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. Lunch at La
Mirage in Helmsdale on our way south before stopping at Dunrobin Castle, seat of the Earls and Dukes of
Sutherland. This beautiful castle with a French influence sits looking out across the North Sea and is well worth a visit. With
189 rooms, it is the largest house in the Northern Highlands. We continue on our way south to Dinner and Overnight near
Inverness.(B,D)
Day 12- 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. This afternoon finds us at Blair
Atholl and Blair Castle, 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. Overnight Pitlochry.(B,D)
Day 13 - Today following breakfast 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
Edradour Distillery, which is Scotland's smallest distillery. After a Tour of the Distillery we return to Pitlochry for
Afternoon Tea at Atholl Palace. This afternoon you will want some free time to investigate Pitlochry which Queen
Victoria called the loveliest spa town in all of Europe! Dinner on your own in Pitlochry. Overnight Pitlochry.(B,L)
Day 14 - This morning we will take a few hours to enjoy Pitlochry before our journey takes us south toward Edinburgh. On
the way to Edinburgh we will stop in Dunfermline and visit Dunfermline Palace and Abbey. Dunfermline Abbey was
founded about 1070 by Queen Margaret, wife of Malcolm Canmore. Margaret was made a saint, and she and Malcolm
were buried here. Robert the Bruce's body (apart from his heart, which is at Melrose) is buried here as well. The rest of the
afternoon and evening free for shopping on Princes Street and the Royal Mile. Overnight Edinburgh.(B.L)
Day 15 - After breakfast you will take in the sights of Scotland's Capitol City aboard an Open Top Tour Bus where on your
way about the city you will see Holyrood Palace, Grey Friar's Bobby and Deacon Brodie' along with Edinburgh
Castle. Get on and off at your own pace. After an afternoon of taking in Princes Street we will gather for a Farewell
Dinner and Scottish Evening for our last night in Scotland. Overnight Edinburgh.(B,D)
Day 16 - This morning we return to the Glasgow International Airport for our journey home.(B)
Day 2 - Arrive Glasgow. Shortly after arrival you will tour the city aboard an Open Top Tour Bus complete with tour
guide. You may want to tour Glasgow Cathedral. The Cathedral is one of the few to escape destruction during the Scottish
Reformation and dates to the 13th century. You may also want to visit Glasgow's City Chambers Building or enjoy a few
hours of shopping on Sauchiehall Street or just relax before our Welcoming Dinner at Two Fat Ladies Restaurant.
Overnight Glasgow. (D)
Day 3 - This morning 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 dinner. Dinner and Overnight Oban. (B,D)
Day 4 - Today finds us visiting the largest of the Inner Hebridian Isles, Mull. Mull offers rough moorlands, rocky peaks
and splendid beaches as well as Duart Castle, home of the Mcleans. 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. The end of the day finds us returning to Oban where you may want to check
out one of the several good pubs for dinner. Overnight Oban. (B,L)
Day 5 - This morning we journey on to Dunstaffnage Castle just a short distance outside of Oban. Dunstaffnage was build
in the year 1275 in a strategic spot on the Firth of Lorn upon an immense rock and the shape of the wall was altered to
accommodate the odd shape. We will Stop for Lunch before we continue to 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. Dinner and Overnight near Fort William. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - This morning we will begin our journey to the Isle of Skye stopping at The Falls of Glomach first. The Falls of
Glomach (Glomach means gloomy) are 375 feet high and as such are the Highest Falls in the UK. We continue our journey
stopping at Loch Duich. On the banks of Loch Duich sits the most photographed castle in all of Scotland, Eileen Donan
Castle home to the Clan Macrae. The castle is connected to the land by a causeway and virtually sits out in the Loch! We
then cross the Skye Bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh to Kyleakin on Isle of Skye where our first stop is Kinloch Lodge,
the home of Lord and Lady MacDonald, for a Traditional Afternoon Tea. Following tea we continue our journey past
the lovely Cuillen Hills to our home for 2 nights. Overnight North Skye. (B,L)
Day 7 - 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. 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 8 - 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. Next stop is 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. We will also visit the Arnol Blackhouse Museum
which tells the story of the original crofters native to this area of Scotland. Dinner and Overnight Stornoway. (B,D)
Day 9 - This morning we have a very early Ferry Crossing to Ullapool once again on the Mainland. We will explore
Ullapool for a short time before we make our way northward to Thurso. 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. Lunch Stop at the Elphin Tearoom at Elphin before we continue our journey. Dinner and
Overnight Thurso. (B,L,D)
Day 10 - This morning finds us boarding the Ferry to the Orkneys. Our first stop once on the islands is 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 100 years ago. We will also visit 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 Royal Burrough of Kirkwall which is
the capitol of the Orkneys. We will take some time to investigate before we return by ferry to the mainland. Dinner on your
own in Thurso. Overnight Thurso. (B,L)
Day 11 - 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. 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. Lunch at La
Mirage in Helmsdale on our way south before stopping at Dunrobin Castle, seat of the Earls and Dukes of
Sutherland. This beautiful castle with a French influence sits looking out across the North Sea and is well worth a visit. With
189 rooms, it is the largest house in the Northern Highlands. We continue on our way south to Dinner and Overnight near
Inverness.(B,D)
Day 12- 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. This afternoon finds us at Blair
Atholl and Blair Castle, 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. Overnight Pitlochry.(B,D)
Day 13 - Today following breakfast 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
Edradour Distillery, which is Scotland's smallest distillery. After a Tour of the Distillery we return to Pitlochry for
Afternoon Tea at Atholl Palace. This afternoon you will want some free time to investigate Pitlochry which Queen
Victoria called the loveliest spa town in all of Europe! Dinner on your own in Pitlochry. Overnight Pitlochry.(B,L)
Day 14 - This morning we will take a few hours to enjoy Pitlochry before our journey takes us south toward Edinburgh. On
the way to Edinburgh we will stop in Dunfermline and visit Dunfermline Palace and Abbey. Dunfermline Abbey was
founded about 1070 by Queen Margaret, wife of Malcolm Canmore. Margaret was made a saint, and she and Malcolm
were buried here. Robert the Bruce's body (apart from his heart, which is at Melrose) is buried here as well. The rest of the
afternoon and evening free for shopping on Princes Street and the Royal Mile. Overnight Edinburgh.(B.L)
Day 15 - After breakfast you will take in the sights of Scotland's Capitol City aboard an Open Top Tour Bus where on your
way about the city you will see Holyrood Palace, Grey Friar's Bobby and Deacon Brodie' along with Edinburgh
Castle. Get on and off at your own pace. After an afternoon of taking in Princes Street we will gather for a Farewell
Dinner and Scottish Evening for our last night in Scotland. Overnight Edinburgh.(B,D)
Day 16 - This morning we return to the Glasgow International Airport for our journey home.(B)
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