11 Days Scotland: Isles Of Lore & Legend - Old
✓ Walk in the footsteps of Scottish ancestors with a guided tour of a Highland farm township.
✓ Settle into a secluded luxury hotel along the waterfront in Islay.
✓ Taste the “water of life” at a local distillery.
✓ Steeped in lore and woven through royal heritage, experience the country’s isles as a true Scottish local.
✓ 17 Meals - 10 Breakfasts - 1 Lunch - 6 Dinners
✓ Superior twin share accommodation
✓ Sightseeing and transportation as per the itinerary
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Start your tour in Glasgow, a cultural trove for art, music, and history. Experience the culture at the National Piping Centre, where experts wield classic bagpipes. After a demonstration and lesson with a renowned piper, feel like a local when you try the instrument yourself. Toast to the start of your journey at a lively welcome dinner at the Centre’s farm-to-table restaurant.
Leave the city behind, traveling along sloping fields and rolling clouds. Enter into a land where clan legacy runs deep – a point of pride and ancestry for the locals. Stop in Inveraray, home to the Clan Campbell and current Duke of Argyll. Enjoy some free time to explore, perhaps visiting the castle and its gardens. In nearby Auchindrain, discover Scotland’s rural history during a guided tour of this well-preserved farm township and see how Scottish ancestors lived and worked. Ferry to the lands of the mystical Gaelic Kingdom of Dál Riata, shrouded in legend and serving as the inspiration of Celtic tales rivaling those of King Arthur. Stop at the Isle of Islay, the world capital of whisky, and enjoy dinner at your hotel along the waterfront.
Peek into Islay’s tempestuous whisky history on a coastal walking tour linking three well-known distilleries. Stop for a guided visit of Lagavulin Distillery and taste the peaty “water of life.” Later, it’s your choice! Meet the locals at the Columba Gaelic Centre and enjoy light snacks as you learn about the Gaelic language and listen to live folk music -OR- delve further into Islay’s whisky culture and visit another of the island’s renowned distilleries.
Visit a local mill that weaves traditional tartan and tweed, including costumes featured in Braveheart, Forrest Gump, and Rob Roy. Make your way to Finlaggan, the cradle of Clan Donald, and hike to the loch. Visit the ruins of the medieval chapel and burial grounds, stepping into another time where neighboring clans created pivotal alliances. Later, depart Islay via ferry to Oban, watching the sunshine dance along the waves as you travel past the mountainous Isle of Jura. Continue to Loch Melfort and settle into your hotel for the next three nights. Take in a stunning view of the ocean from your room before wandering the grounds, home to friendly Highland cows and neighboring the National Trust’s Arduaine Gardens.
Embark on a seafaring adventure* and be whisked away on an exciting RIB boat (covered, rigid-hull Zodiac). Your first destination of the day is Iona, an island that serves as one of the area’s oldest Christian religious centers. Ascend to the abbey on foot and enjoy free time to explore on your own. Hop back in your RIB boat and head to the nearby Isle of Staffa, home to the ethereal Fingal’s Cave. Serving as the inspiration for Wordsworth, Keats, Mendelssohn and countless others, the cave features hexagonal columns that seem beyond nature’s power. Peer into the cave from your boat before returning to Loch Melfort. Watch the clouds roll by as the sun fades into the horizon – the night is yours.
Begin your day with a walk in Kilmartin Glen, passing by mysterious standing stones, henges and cairns that dot the countryside. Perhaps you will make the most of free time in the afternoon with an optional exhilarating boat ride: this excursion takes you to the area of the powerful Corryvreckan Whirlpool** via RIB boat, giving you an intimate look at the local wildlife as you search for eagles, seals, and other marine life with an expert local guide.
Journey to Loch Lomond, the largest lake in Great Britain. Meet your personal kilted guide and hop into an off-road vehicle for an adventure through the land of Clan McGregor. Ascend the hill and hear the rustling of the wind, admiring an unparalleled vantage point of Loch Lomond and its numerous islands. For those feeling a little adventurous, take the wheel yourself and drive under the guidance of an expert instructor. After a picnic lunch, visit Luss, a quaint village of stone cottages and bright flowers. Journey further into the Highlands, pausing at Queen’s View – the landscape beloved by Queen Victoria – for your first impression of the Cairngorms Mountains. Your night ends in Pitlochry, a small town from the 18th century.
Take the rare opportunity to visit Balmoral Castle*** - the most elusive among the Royal residences. Roam the gardens, the stable area, and the largest room in the castle: the ballroom. Pass through Crathie Kirk, a small countryside church where the Royal Family occasionally attends service. This afternoon, it’s your choice! Take to the Highland landscape on a scenic hike along the stunning Queen’s Drive and River Clunie -OR- explore the picturesque village of Braemar at your own pace, perhaps visiting their Highland Games Center and Museum to find out more about caber (log) tossing and hammer throwing.
Behold the iconic rolling hills of St. Andrews, the world-capital of golf. On a guided tour of the Old Course’s**** hallowed grounds, learn more about the origins of the clubs and caddies in the hometown of golf. Explore more of St. Andrews on your own before continuing to Edinburgh, Scotland’s historic capital.
Start the morning with an impact moment and get a local’s perspective with a guide from Invisible Cities - a social enterprise that trains people affected by homelessness to become tour guides of their own city. After your tour, visit the Palace at Holyroodhouse****, the Queen’s official residence in Edinburgh and former home of Mary, Queen of Scots. The rest of the day is yours. Perhaps you’ll take a stroll among the Georgian architecture of the New Town or journey to Leith for a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia. Gather in the evening for a farewell dinner and toast to your Scottish explorations.
Wish Scotland a fond farewell as you depart for home.
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Booking Process
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We are proudly 100% Australian owned and operated, with our head office located in Melbourne, Victoria. When you make your booking, you will receive dedicated and ongoing support from our team of travel professionals throughout your booking, up until you are due to depart.
Flexible Date Change Option
Book now, change later with our Flexible Date Change option. You may select this $99pp option at time of purchase, giving travellers the flexibility to change your date without penalty (subject to availability, less third party costs incurred, plus any applicable surcharges for the new date selected).
Date change must be requested prior to 65 days before your original selected departure date*. Once inside 65 days of departure, date changes are not permitted. *some packages may have a varied period in which you can request a date change due to limitations with the third-party provider.
Please refer to our 'Book with Confidence' section for terms and conditions.
The Flexible Date Change option does not cover cost incurred for components not fulfilled by Inspiring Vacations or in the event extra services have been booked with Inspiring Vacations outside of the standard package, including but not limited to airfares, pre/post accommodation or insurance.
Cooling off period
If you change your mind within 7 days of making your booking online, you can request a refund of your initial deposit payment as part of our cooling off period. Once your purchase date falls outside of the 7 day period, our standard terms and conditions will apply.
Please ensure that any request to cancel your booking is received via email to [email protected], including the reason for cancellation.
COVID-19
Due to COVID there maybe disruptions to standard operating schedules of particular components of this itinerary. Should a component be effected a substitute will be confirmed prior to departure.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity.
These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers. As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only and subject to availability. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
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Triple Share
Not Available
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Tour Documentation
Final documentation including, e-tickets and cruise details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
Group size varies from package to package. Depending on the services provided, the group size might range from private 2 person experiences up to coaches of 50 people depending on your selected holiday.
Tour Type - Independant
On these packages you will travel from city to city on your own, exploring at your own pace. We have arranged transportation in most cases and day tours for you to see the destination. Enjoy the time and flexibility to linger longer or pick up the pace and see as much as possible. The choice is yours.
Children
Children must share a room with parents at all times and are charged the same price as adults.
Scotland: Isles of Lore and Legend Tour Gratuities $244 pp
Corryvrekkan Wildlife RIB Boat Trip $99 pp
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