HIGHLANDS TOUR - 7 DAYS FROM EDINBURGH

Day 1: Stirling Castle, William Wallace Tower, Killin, Kilchurn Castle & Oban

We start our journey by heading to the historic city of Stirling where we will visit its famous castle (entrance fee included). Within its walls some of the most important chapters of Scottish history were written.

On the way out, we will approach the hill opposite the castle where the William Wallace Monument tower stands and where we will learn about the wars of independence between the Scots and the English.

We continue on into the heart of the Highlands and stop for a break to recharge our batteries in a wonderful place. In Killin, next to the Docharts Waterfalls, we will have the opportunity to sample the local cuisine.

After lunch we continue north through magical Highland scenery to Kilchurn Castle. The castle ruins undoubtedly reflect the essence of the classic Highland landscape. Next to Loch Awe and with Ben Cruachan in the background, this place offers a scene worthy of the best postcards of Scotland.

After taking the best photographs, we head to Oban. This well-known fishing village on the west coast of Scotland has a very attractive spirit for the traveller. We will have the opportunity to explore its streets and find a place to sample the local cuisine.

Day 2: Glen Coe Valley - Glenfinnan - Fort William - Fort Augustus - Plockton

We get up to continue enjoying the fantastic nature that the Highlands have to offer and our first stop takes us to one of the most beautiful valleys in Scotland - the Glen Coe Valley.

This valley is renowned for its natural beauty as well as its historic past. The Three Sisters have always been witnesses to time and our guide will take you through every detail of history. We will also have time to walk around and make several stops along the valley.

We continue our journey and head towards the Glenfinnan Viaduct, famous for its specatcularity and the environment in which it is integrated. So beautiful is the scenery that this viaduct has been featured in the Harry Potter saga as the Hogwarts train makes its way to its destination.

We'll take a break and recharge our batteries at Fort William. A key place in the history of the Highlands.

We continue our journey northwards where our next destination takes us to the shores of Loch Ness. Fort Augustus is where we stop to take our first photos of this famous loch and also to discover the Caledonian Canal, an engineering feat dating back to 1822 and still active today.

The day goes by and our journey continues. We are getting closer and closer to our destination and the incredible Glenshiel Valley will lead us to it. It is a magnificent valley that captivates anyone who walks through it. We will make a few stops before reaching our final destination.

We will arrive in Plockton around 7pm.

DAY 3: Isle of Skye: Old Man of Storr - Kilt Rock - Valley of the Fairies - Quiraing - Portree

We will head to the ISLE OF SKYE where we will spend the day discovering the secret corners of the island.

The first stop is scheduled at the Old Man of Storr where we will make a 2 hour trek (suitable for all ages). This is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the trip. The views will surely be etched in our retinas forever.

After returning to the vehicle we continue our tour of the island and stop at Kilt Rock, a waterfall that cascades straight into the sea over the cliffs on the east coast of Skye.

We continue onwards and arrive at Quiraing. This place has earned the nickname "Balcony of Skye" for the incredible scenery that can be seen from the ridge of the mountain range.

The small village of Uig will be the place to stop for a break and sample the island's cuisine.

After lunch we will visit the Valley of the Fairies. The valley is known for its strange rock formations that give a touch of mysticism to the place. You will be enchanted.

In the middle of the afternoon we arrive in the capital of the island. Portree

DAY 4: Isle of Skye: Neist Point Lighthouse - Dunvegan Castle - Fairy Pools - Sligachan

After a hearty breakfast we set off for the most westerly point of the Isle of Skye, a magical spot where we will find Neist Point Lighthouse overlooking the Isles of Lewis & Harris. Visited by the most intrepid travellers, we will have the opportunity to appreciate the magic of the place and lose our gaze in the immensity of the ocean with the lighthouse as a witness. A unique moment.

This place certainly conveys the peace and tranquillity that can also be found in the wild nature of Skye. For more than an hour, we can discover this corner made up of mountains, waterfalls, beaches, cliffs, islands and more. An incomparable beauty.

The experience includes getting to know the native fauna of this area.

And who knows, with a bit of luck, we may even be surprised by dolphins!

We then move on to Dunvegan. Dunvegan is the largest town on the west side of the Isle of Skye and is known for the only castle still standing on the Isle of Skye and the beautiful gardens that surround it. We will have the opportunity to visit this fortress which has been in existence for over 800 years and is still owned by the Clan MacLeod. Ticket is included.

We will take the opportunity to have lunch in the area and try to see the marine fauna that can be seen from this side of the island.

After lunch we will visit the Fairy Pools, just at the foot of the Cuillins mountain range where waterfalls bring crystal clear water from the top of the mountains.

It is a popular place to visit because of the spectacular scenery surrounding the waterfalls. The more daring come here to bathe in the clear waters. Small pools form at the foot of the mountain known as "the fairy pools".

We will walk for 30 minutes enjoying the landscape until the end of the path where we will have the opportunity to contemplate this gift of nature. The trail is classified as easy.

On the way to Plockton, we will stop at the old Sligachan Bridge. No doubt this is another perfect place to keep taking pictures. The scenery of the mountain range with the river flowing down the valley and into the sea makes this place another obligatory stop on our way.

We return to our hotel in the fishing village of Plockton.

DAY 5: Eilean Donan Castle - Loch Ness Cruise + Urquhart Castle - Inverness

We bid farewell to the fishing village of Plockton for a day full of history and legends.

Our first stop will be at the famous Eilean Donan Castle. This castle is one of the most haunted by travellers and has been featured in numerous films. Its location on a small island and its charming stone bridge make this castle a must-see. We will have time to visit it and get the best pictures in and around the castle. The entrance fee is included.

We continue our daily adventure back through the Glenshiel Valley which will take us to the shores of the world's most famous loch, Loch Ness. Today we will spend enough time getting to know it and our first activity will be to embark on a cruise on the dark waters until we reach the most beautiful spot on Loch Ness. Urquhart Castle awaits us there.

Urquhart Castle is a fabulous fortress that houses many chapters of history that our guide will tell you about and that you will be able to discover inside. This is undoubtedly the most charming place on the lake. The combination of its ruins with the lake and the mountains in the background offers visitors a unique sight to be photographed and remembered. Both the cruise and the visit to the castle are included.

After the visit, we will head to the capital of the Highlands - the city of Inverness. Inverness is a small town with a charming town centre where the River Ness flows through. The rest of the day will be spent in the city where, after staying in the hotel, we will have the opportunity to eat out and see the sights as well as stroll through the city centre or along the river. We will have the opportunity to mingle with the locals, visit a pub, learn about their culture, enjoy their gastronomy or do some shopping for those who wish to do so.

DAY 6: Stonehaven - Dunnottar Cliffs - St Andrews - Dundee

We change of scenery and cross the Cairngorms National Park to reach the North Sea on the east coast.

There we will find the fishing village of Stonehaven where we will go up to the viewpoint to look out over the bay. One of the most photographed bays in Scotland.

Behind us starts a path that flies over the coastal cliffs. It's a 45 minute walk and will definitely stick in our minds. The path does not represent any danger and is classified as easy. It is a moment to enjoy the path contemplating the views that this magical place offers us.

But the reward comes at the end of the path. The trail ends at Dunnottar Castle. This castle is considered the most beautiful in Scotland by many guides and travellers. Situated in a unique location on a promontory set back from the mainland, its foundations rise out to sea on cliffs over 80 metres high.

The combination of all the elements makes it a delight for travellers who take advantage of the moment to take the perfect photo. We will have the opportunity to visit it inside (entrance included) and learn about the history of this castle and peculiar place.

We continue the day and follow the coast southwards until we reach the most important town in the country, Saint Andrews. The town is named after the patron saint of Scotland.

With the whole afternoon ahead of us, we will stop for lunch in the centre of St Andrews before heading out to explore the town. We will take a walking tour with our guide who will take us through the streets to explain and show us the most emblematic places. We will then enjoy some free time to explore the town on our own.

In the late afternoon we will reconvene for the drive to the modern city of Dundee.

DAY 7: Hermit's Wood - Whisky Distillery - Dunkeld - Queen's View - Kelpies

We leave the city of Dundee to travel to the heart of Scotland where we enter the Hermit's Wood.

A 45mins walk along the River Braan will take us to some beautiful waterfalls where with a bit of luck we can see the salmon rising upstream. The tallest trees in the UK will keep us company along the way.

We then make our way to the Victorian village of Pitlochry, a perfect example of Victorian architecture in honour of Queen Victoria. Here we will refuel before our cultural tour of the distillery.

The Blair Athol Distillery is one of the oldest and most beautiful distilleries in Scotland. It has been producing quality single malt since 1798. We will be guided by our guide who will explain in our own language all about the whisky culture in Scotland and the whisky making process. We'll have the opportunity to visit the fully operational facilities and have a tasting at the end of the tour (entrance fee included).

The Queen's Lookout will be another must-see in the Highlands. This place was made famous by Queen Victoria who, on her annual Highland holidays, established this site as her favourite place to set up camp.

After a busy morning, we drive to the charming village of Dunkeld. It is a fairytale town on the River Tay and is considered to be the first capital of Scotland. We will stop to get to know the town and taste its gastronomy.

But we still have a long day ahead of us and we travel to the bridges of the Forth. Three masterpieces of engineering corresponding to three different centuries where the railway bridge of the 19th century stands out and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

But our journey continues and we cross the estuary to reach the Kelpies. The Kelpies are two famous sculptures of stainless steel and 30 metres each, which are represented in the form of two giant horse heads. They are full of mythology and leave all travellers speechless.

We reach the final point of this exciting 7 day tour and only 45 minutes away is our departure point, the city of Edinburgh, where we will say goodbye to our guide who will take us to our accommodation.

**PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILED AND UP TO DATE INFORMATION**.