This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your tour includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.
✓ Travel with Collette Tours
✓ From its rugged sea-sprayed islands to its stately castles layered in history, Scotland awaits
✓ Learn how to play the bagpipes
✓ Enjoy dinner at the National Piping Centre’s farm-to-table restaurant
✓ Take a cruise on famed Loch Ness
✓ Visit a local family on their farm and meet their sheepdogs
✓ Marvel at the stunning Isle of Sky
✓ Explore the Orkney Islands’ ancient Skara Brae
✓ Visit Dunrobin Castle. Sample Scotch whisky on a distillery tour
✓ Stop in St. Andrews, home of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club
✓ Explore the regal city of Edinburgh
✓ Put a modern twist on Scottish cuisine during an interactive cooking class
✓ Discover a land of rolling green Highlands, friendly sheepdogs, and smooth Scotch whisky
✓ 8 Breakfasts, 6 Dinners
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.
Your tour opens in Glasgow, Scotland’s Victorian capital city. Start your Scottish adventure with a visit to the National Piping Centre. After a demonstration and lesson with a renowned piper, it’s your chance to give it a go! Then, join your fellow travelers for a lively welcome dinner at the Centre’s farm-to-table restaurant.
This morning, bid Glasgow farewell as you travel to one of Scotland’s renowned whisky distilleries. Taste and see for yourself why Highland malt whisky is considered the world’s finest. Continue on to the Highlands, making your way through the breathtaking scenery of Glencoe and Rannoch Moor. Admire the verdant green hills and mountainside waters as you arrive at your remote countryside hotel situated on lovely Loch Linnhe.
Take a stunning drive along the “Road to the Isles” and over the Skye Bridge to the legendary Isle of Skye, also known in poetry and song as Eilean a' Cheò (The Misty Isle). Enjoy dramatic views of the Sound of Sleat. Then, visit Armadale Castle & Gardens* and the Museum of the Isles to learn about island life and the history of Skye. Conclude your visit with views of the isle from yet another vantage point during a ferry crossing back to the mainland. Returning to Ballachulish along the same road, see Glenfinnan where Bonnie Prince Charlie rallied the clansmen for battle during the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion.
Today, enjoy stunning and unspoiled landscapes as you journey further into the Highlands. Travel through the Great Glen, famous for its many lochs (lakes). Visit the striking ruins of Urquhart Castle before enjoying a cruise on Loch Ness, one of Britain’s most scenic bodies of water. Keep your eyes open — you never know when Nessie will appear! Travel off the beaten path to Thurso, one of Scotland’s most remote towns on the North Coast. Embrace the rustic environment of the Scottish Highlands as you settle in for your 2-night stay.
Grab your windbreaker – it’s time for an adventure on the Orkney Islands.** Ferry to this former Viking stronghold off the northernmost coast of Scotland, where artists admire the ever-changing clouds rolling across the sky like a time-lapse at double speed. On the crossing, feel the wind in your hair as you view the abundant bird life and, if you are lucky, porpoises and seals. A local guide introduces this ethereal place that few visitors to Scotland get to experience. Visit Skara Brae and discover the remains of a Neolithic village built at the same time as the Great Pyramids in Egypt. Continue on toward the prehistoric Ring of Brodgar, reported to be older than Stonehenge. Make your way through the town of Viking Kirkwall before returning to the mainland.
As you make your way back from the northern coast, visit Culloden Battlefield. On this spot in April 1746, a half-hour battle changed the course of Scotland’s history. You’ll also stop at the majestic Dunrobin Castle*** which dates back to the 1300s. Take in the breathtaking views as you drive along the windswept cliffs of Scotland’s east coast. Enjoy an overnight stay in Inverness, capital of the Highlands.
Begin your day with a visit to a family-run farm set in the heart of the Highlands. See sheepdogs at work while surrounded by the mountain wilderness of Cairngorms National Park. Continue on to the vibrant Victorian town of Pitlochry for some time at leisure before traveling to St. Andrews, the beautiful town in the Kingdom of Fife that gave the world the game of golf. See the Royal and Ancient Clubhouse and the famous Old Course. End your day in Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh.
Today it’s your choice! Choose to get acquainted with this regal capital on a locally guided panoramic city tour, exploring both the Old and New towns before visiting the Palace at Holyroodhouse,**** the Queen’s official residence in Edinburgh and former home of Mary Queen of Scots -OR- for a different perspective you may join a local expert and explore the Old Town and Royal Mile on foot; descend into the city’s vast underground vaults and uncover a world unchanged since the 18th century. Both choices include a visit to Edinburgh Castle, home of the Scottish Crown Jewels. This evening, give traditional Scottish ingredients a modern twist. Enjoy a lively and interactive cooking experience at one of Scotland’s premier culinary institutions. With a “wee dram” in hand, toast the end of a wonderful journey.
Your tour of Scotland comes to a close today.
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
Booking On Request
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.
Single Supplement
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Triple Share
Not Available
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation including, e-tickets and hotel 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.
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