Grand Tour of Scotland
Immerse yourself in the culture and majesty of the Scottish Highlands
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The Award Winning Leader in Escorted Worldwide Rail Tours
Immerse yourself in the culture and majesty of the Scottish Highlands. You take in the rugged landscapes on two of the UK's most famous train lines; the West Highland Line and the Jacobite. You also visit Loch Ness and castles that transport you through the history of this region.
Today you arrive in Edinburgh to meet your Tour Manager and fellow travellers in your hotel, the Radisson Blu Hotel. This evening we enjoy dinner together at the hotel.
This morning, we visit the majestic Royal Yacht Britannia, once the official yacht of the Royal Family. We enjoy a guided tour here ahead of an afternoon at leisure.
Our excursion today takes us to the wonderful Stirling Castle, a 12th century castle and one of the most historically important castles in Britain. Notably. this has previously been the site of many coronations of Scottish monarchs, including the infamous Mary, Queen of Scots, throughout the ages and remains a vital part of Scottish history. Like Edinburgh castle, this fortress is also located overlooking Stirling in a marvellous defensive position on top of Castle Hill. We enjoy a guided tour here before transferring by coach to our hotel in the Trossachs National Park.
Today we begin by travelling from Crianlarich to Fort William on the famed West Highland Line on a scheduled Scotrail service (Standard Class). From Fort William we join the Jacobite Steam Train to Mallaig (First Class). After disembarking the train, we take a ferry to Skye and continue to our hotel, the Skeabost, where we stay for two nights.
Please note: For Departure SHP1903 our Jacobite journey is in Standard Class.
Our first stop today is Dunvegan Castle. We take a tour of this history-rich building and its gardens. There's also some time here for lunch before we transfer to Armadale Castle and Gardens, home to the Clan Donald Centre.
Today we visit another spectacular Scottish castle, the Eilean Donan. Set on a tiny island in Loch Duich, joined to the mainland by a small, elegant bridge. The island was part of the Macrae Clan's territory and in the 13th century they built Eilean Donan Castle, which occupies almost all of the land space. It was initially designed to defend the clan's land from invading Vikings, who had previously seen the site - at the meeting point of three sea lochs - as a weak spot. Eventually the castle saw more battles between the warring Scottish clans. Later we take a ride on the historic Kyle Line, first laid down in 1870 and taking twenty-seven years to complete.
Please note: For Departure SHP1903 we stay at the Ness Walk Hotel.
Today, discover mysterious Loch Ness, famous for its prehistoric resident, the Loch Ness Monster. We enjoy a cruise across this shimmering expanse of water, the deepest freshwater lake in the U.K., before visiting the atmospheric ruins of Urqhart Castle that overlooks the loch. We have some time here to discover the Castle before we coach to Glen Ord, a distillery that produces one of Scotland's most favoured drinks - whisky. After enjoying a wee dram, we return to our hotel.
We travel by rail to Perth where we change to coach for the short transfer to St Andrews today, on arrival we check in to our 5-Star hotel, the Fairmont.
Please note: For Departure SHP1903 we stay at the Macdonald Russacks Hotel in St Andrews.
Glamis Castle is our main stop today, this beautiful castle was the former childhood home of the Queen Mother and proves to be an enjoyable visit with history and fine architecture in abundance. Later you have time to explore St Andrews under your own steam.
Following breakfast, we transfer to Dundee for our rail service to Edinburgh where the tour concludes, and your Tour Manager bids you farewell.
We recommend that for this tour you arrange flights to and from Edinburgh Airport, which is approximately 8 miles from your base in Edinburgh.
It is your responsibility to check and fulfil the passport, visa, health and immigration requirements applicable to your itinerary. We do not accept any responsibility if you cannot travel, or incur any other loss because you have not complied with any passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities. You agree to reimburse us in relation to any fines or other losses which we incur as a result of your failure to comply with any passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities.
You may check in at the first hotel on your itinerary anytime after 14:00; your Tour Manager will be available between 16:00 and 18:00. However, if you are arriving later, you can meet your Tour Manager before dinner from 19:00.
An escorted experience
Comfortable accommodation in your destination
Delicious meals included
Exciting excursions and free time to explore
Not Included
Immerse yourself in the culture and majesty of the Scottish Highlands
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Enquire
