Scottish Clans & Castles | 11 Days

Discover the castles of Scotland and the influential families who built them as you explore history and heritage on this leisurely tour.

AUTHENTIC LOCAL EXPERIENCES

• Enjoy reserved seats for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on July 28, 2022 - August 18, 2022 departures.
• Go behind the scenes at one of Scotland’s famous distilleries for a tour and a tasting.
• Discover 800 years of history as you explore Dunvegan Castle – home to Clan MacLeod for 30 generations.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Brodie Castle
• Culloden Battlefield
• Dunvegan Castle
• Eilean Donan Castle
• Palace of Holyroodhouse
• Isle of Skye
• Sheepdog Demonstration
• Stirling Castle
• Scottish Evening*

HOTELS

• Novotel Glasgow Centre Hotel, Glasgow (2)
• Balmacara Hotel, near Kyle of Lochalsh (2)
• Glen Mhor Hotel, Inverness (3)
• DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh – Queensferry Crossing, near Edinburgh (3)

ITINERARY

Day 1: Glasgow Panoramic Tour & Welcome Drink

Your tour begins at 2:30 PM at your hotel. Take a panoramic tour of Glasgow, seeing sights like George Square, Kelvingrove Park, the cathedral and the university, all featured in the popular TV series “Outlander”. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group before dining at your hotel. (D)

Day 2: Whisky Distillery & Stirling Castle

Head to Glengoyne Distillery to learn about its two centuries of whisky-making and sample a dram. Next, visit Stirling Castle, a magnificent stronghold that was the childhood home of many Scottish kings and queens, including Mary, Queen of Scots. Return to Glasgow, where you will be free to explore and dine as you wish. (B)

Day 3: Glencoe & Eilean Donan Castle

Head into the majestic Highlands and journey by Loch Lomond, across Rannoch Moor and through Glencoe, one of Scotland’s most spectacular and beautiful places. Stop for photo opportunities along the route as you continue your journey to the romantic Eilean Donan Castle, before arriving at your hotel on the shore of Loch Alsh. (B, D)

Day 4: Isle of Skye, Dunvegan Castle, Portree, Kilt Rock & Kilmuir Graveyard

Explore the Isle of Skye and learn the history of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Travel to Dunvegan Castle, the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland. Admire the Trotternish Peninsula as you travel to Kilt Rock, a 200-foot-high sea cliff with huge, vertical basalt columns. Visit Flora MacDonald’s grave in Kilmuir Graveyard and stop in Portree for free time. (B, D)

Day 5: Strathpeffer, Hugh Miller’s Birthplace & Inverness

Begin a scenic drive across the beautiful mountainous landscape of the Highlands, stopping off for photos in Lochcarron, a pretty lakeside village of whitewashed cottages. Visit Strathpeffer for some free time to explore this leafy Victorian spa town with its distinctive architecture. Proceed to Hugh Miller’s Birthplace in Cromarty to discover one of Scotland’s most fascinating 19th-century figures; Miller was a fossil hunter, folklorist, stonemason, geologist, and newspaper editor. Arrive in Inverness, and dine in your hotel. (B, D)

Day 6: Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness Cruise & Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre

Photo opportunities await as you visit the picturesque ruins of Urquhart Castle, once Scotland’s largest castle, and embark on a cruise of Loch Ness. Stop at the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre to discover how British government forces defeated the army of Bonnie Prince Charlie, ending the Jacobite rising. Return to Inverness for a walking tour with your tour director before dinner at your hotel. (B, D)

Day 7: Elgin & Brodie Castle

­Visit Elgin, a picturesque town with cobblestone streets, rich in medieval heritage. Stop in to Johnstons of Elgin, a luxury woolen mill and shop that’s been in business since 1797. Head on to explore 16th-century Brodie Castle, with its fairytale towers and turrets set on spacious grounds. The house contains fine furnishings, a collection of paintings, and a library with over 6,000 volumes. Return to Inverness and enjoy a free evening and dinner on your own. (B)

Day 8: Sheepdog Demonstration & Culross Walking Tour

Immerse yourself in farm life and enjoy a demonstration of dogs obeying commands to round up sheep. In Pitlochry, explore and have lunch independently. Continue to Culross for a walking tour around the charming 16th-century town, recently used as a filming location for “Outlander.” Highlights include the Town House, Culross Palace, and the remains of Culross Abbey. Enjoy free time in Culross before going to your hotel near Edinburgh. Enjoy a free evening with time to explore and dine independently. (B)

Day 9: Edinburgh Panoramic Tour, Palace of Holyroodhouse & Scottish Evening*

In Edinburgh, see how the medieval townhouses along the Royal Mile in the heart of the Old Town stand in stark contrast to the Georgian mansions of the 200-year-old New Town. Tour the impressive Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of the Queen, and walk through the majestically furnished chambers. The rest of the day is free. Enjoy a Scottish evening with a farewell dinner and traditional entertainment. July 28, 2022 - August 18 2022 departures attend the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. (B, D*)

Day 10: Independent Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Tour of Edinburgh

Spend the day on an independent Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour of Edinburgh. You will receive a taxi voucher to travel from your hotel to the city center, as well as a voucher to visit Edinburgh Castle where you may explore the historic buildings with great views of the city. (B)

Day 11: Tour ends in Edinburgh

Your tour ends after breakfast. (B)

*Meal counts vary on Tattoo departures, as the Scottish Evening is replaced with the Tattoo and an independent dinner.