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  Adventure Travel > Bus Tours & Coach Excursions > Scottish Dream Tours > Tours > Fall Scottish Highlands & Islands featuring Mull, Iona, Skye, Harris and Lewis & The Orkneys

SCOTTISH DREAM TOURS

Cle Elum, Washington
United States
www.scottishdreamtours.com
Scottish Dream Tours - England, Scotland, Wales Luxury Bus Tour & Motor Coach Tour
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Fall Scottish Highlands & Islands featuring Mull, Iona, Skye, Harris and Lewis & The Orkneys

Nothing captures the romantic wonder of Scotland more than its highlands and islands. This tour focuses on castles, pubs, and the highlands and islands of Scotland along with the amazing culture, music and legends of this beautiful country.

Each tour is designed to accommodate only eight to ten people for a more personal experience that allows you to get the most of your Scottish holiday. Keeping the tour size small provides the opportunity to veer from the beaten track and to 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 guesthouse, a small country house hotel, a comfortable farmhouse and an old coaching inn all in the same visit. Scottish Dream Tours' 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 as little time will be spent on the minibus as possible.

Tour Details

Duration 16 Days
Location Highlands and Islands of Scotland
Season September 8-23
Tour Type Overnight
Nearest City Glasgow, Edinburgh
Physical Condition Required Good
Destination(s)  Scotland, United Kingdom
Guest Capacity 8-10 People
Accommodations Tour includes all accommodation in three or four-star Scottish Tourist Board Approved accommodations.
Activities Experiencing the amazing culture, music and legends of this beautiful country.
Dining Your dining experience may range from a coaching inn to tearooms, pubs, fine dining and traditional Scottish nights.
Rates
$4,195.00 per person Currency Converter
(Rates shown are in US Dollars. Rates and terms are subject to change.)
Additional Rate Info $4195 per person double occupancy. Sold Out!
$795 supplement per person single occupancy.

Single supplements for solo travelers: Scottish Dream Tours offers optional, limited, extra-cost single supplements on each of their tours if you would prefer a private room of your own (prices currently range from an additional $495-$995 depending upon the specific itinerary you select; refer to Scottish Dream Tours for the most up-to-date single supplement prices). Single supplements are refundable if cancelled at least 60 days prior to the tour departure. Single supplements cancelled less than 60 days prior to the tour departure will be forfeited.

Website www.scottishdreamtours.com

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Tour Itinerary

Day 1:
Depart for Glasgow, Scotland's largest city.

Day 2:
Arrive in 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 maybe you'll just want to relax before this evening's welcoming dinner at Two Fat Ladies Restaurant. Overnight Glasgow. (D)

Day 3:
This morning the itinerary heads towards the western highlands and islands. The drive will take you along the bonny banks of Loch Lomond. Stop for a cup of tea before heading northward to Loch Awe where St. Conan's Kirk is spectacularly sited overlooking the loch. It is unimaginable to venture through this area of Scotland without visiting this Romanesque church. After your visit, 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 in Oban. (B,D)

Day 4:
On today's agenda is a visit to 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 continuing 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 you returning to Oban where you may want to check out one of the several good pubs for dinner. Overnight in Oban. (B,L)

Day 5:
This morning, the group will journey on to Dunstaffnage Castle, just a short distance outside of Oban. Dunstaffnage was built 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 size. Stop for lunch before continuing 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 travel on to one of Scottish Dream Tours' 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 begins your 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. Continue the 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! Then, cross the Skye Bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh to Kyleakin on Isle of Skye where your first stop is Kinloch Lodge, the home of Lord and Lady MacDonald, for a traditional afternoon tea. Following tea, the journey continues past the lovely Cuillen Hills to your home for two nights. Dinner and Overnight North Skye. (B,L,D)

Day 7:
This morning you'll travel around the Trotternish Peninsula with its spectacular coastline. Stop at the gravesite of Flora MacDonald at Kilmuir. Flora is best known for her brave act in helping Bonnie Prince Charlie escape after the battle of Culloden. You will also visit The Quiraing, being one of the most exciting natural rock formations anywhere in Scotland. Then you 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 harbor village. Dinner is on your own tonight. Overnight in North Skye. (B,L)

Day 8:
It is off to Uig this morning to catch the ferry to the Isles of Harris and Lewis. Once on Harris you 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 it is older. On a headland overlooking part of a huge sea loch, 53 pale grey stones of Lewisian gneiss stand in a curious cruciform. You will also visit the Arnol Blackhouse Museum which tells the story of the original crofters native to this area of Scotland. Dinner and overnight in Stornoway. (B,D)

Day 9:
This morning a very early ferry crossing takes you to Ullapool once again on the mainland. Explore Ullapool for a short time before making your way northward to Thurso. 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 will be at the Elphin Tearoom at Elphin before continuing the journey. Dinner and overnight in 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 the group travels 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. The 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 with shorter visits at other times of the year. Enjoy lunch at La Mirage in Helmsdale on your 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. Then continue south to dinner and overnight near Inverness. (B,D)

Day 12:
This morning you 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 you at Blair Atholl and Blair Castle, set in extensive parklands, including the recently restored Hercules Garden and Diana's Grove. It has 725 years of history and over 30 rooms open to the public. The next stop is Pitlochry where dinner awaits. Following dinner it is off to the Pitlochry Festival Theatre for a live performance. Overnight Pitlochry. (B,D)

Day 13:
Today, following breakfast, the first stop is The Queen's View. This was 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 you'll visit Edradour Distillery, which is Scotland's smallest distillery. After a tour of the distillery you'll 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 is on your own in Pitlochry. Overnight in Pitlochry. (B,L)

Day 14:
Take a few hours to enjoy Pitlochry this morning, before your journey takes you south toward Edinburgh. On the way to Edinburgh a stop is made in Dunfermline to 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 are 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. 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 the group will gather for a farewell dinner and Scottish evening for this last night in Scotland. Overnight Edinburgh. (B,D)

Day 16:
This morning return to the Glasgow International Airport for the journey home. (B)


This Package Includes

  • A Full Scottish Breakfast Each Morning and All Meals as Indicated in Itinerary
  • All Accommodations
  • Guided Minibus Tour with Luggage Handling
  • All Sightseeing Including Any Entrance Fees
  • All Taxes and Service Charges

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