Loch Lomond & the Scottish Highlands

Your holiday begins today in Scotland's largest city, Glasgow. Make your way to our hotel in Glasgow, where you meet the Tour Manager and your fellow travellers this afternoon. With check-in available from 3pm, you can head out and start exploring before our first dinner as a group this evening. Glasgow is situated on the River Clyde and has a welcoming atmosphere with art, culture, music and attractions to interest every visitor.

Stroll through the West End, admiring the architecture of the University of Glasgow and exploring Kelvingrove Park. Alternatively, you could admire the 22 galleries on display at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, which has free entry. If the weather is pleasant, enjoy a leisurely walk along the River Clyde, soaking up the city's rich history and culture.

• Dinner

After breakfast, enjoy time at leisure to discover more of Glasgow. Early this afternoon, we gather at the train station for a scenic rail journey on the West Highland Line to Crianlarich in Glen Strathfillan. As we leave Glasgow, we are quickly surrounded by the wild and windswept Scottish Highlands as we travel through landscapes of mountains, steep-sided lochs and heather moors. Sit back and take in the rugged beauty that passes by our windows.

After checking in to our hotel on arrival, there's time to relax or take a leisurely stroll before our dinner this evening. The quaint village of Crianlarich is the perfect base to explore the Highlands, with its cosy pubs, welcoming locals and rich history dating back centuries. Meander through Glenbruar House Gardens, enjoy a serene stroll along the River Fillan, and marvel at the picturesque views of the surrounding mountains.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we travel by coach to Tarbet for a cruise on Loch Lomond. Enjoy your lunch on board while surrounded by the impressive scenery. As we travel, our guide's live commentary shares tales from the loch and provides fascinating insights into its history and geological wonders.

After soaking up the beauty of Loch Lomond, we head to Inveraray, a town on the western shore of Loch Fyne. With time at leisure here, you could visit Inveraray Castle, a unique castle with Baroque, Palladian and Gothic-style architecture, surrounded by glorious gardens. For a different side of the past, you could explore Inveraray Jail. This 19th-century prison and courthouse is now a 'living museum' recreating the history of the era. Returning to our hotel later this afternoon, there's time to relax before dinner this evening.

Please Note - For departure 21st June, Days 3 & 4 have been swapped around.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We experience more of the Scottish Highlands by rail after breakfast. Heading for Oban, a charming coastal town, our train makes its way westward, and we experience striking views of the Glen Ogle viaduct and the tranquil waters of Loch Awe. After the scenic journey, we board the ferry in Oban and set sail for the Isle of Mull.

Arriving at Craignure, our coach drives us to Duart Castle, the ancient home and seat of the Clan Maclean. We enjoy a guided tour of the imposing 13th-century estate, built on the end of a peninsula jutting into the Sound of Mull. Explore the medieval architecture, wander the grounds, and absorb tales of clan warfare and Highland culture.

Our next destination is Tobermory, the capital of the Isle of Mull. After our coach journey here, there is time at leisure to explore. This fishing port is famous for its brightly coloured houses, and you could wander by them enroute to its sheltered bay. Later, we catch the ferry back to Oban from Craignure, where our coach takes us back to our hotel in time for dinner this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 One of the world's most iconic rail journeys awaits after breakfast this morning as we embark on a return journey along the West Highland Line.

A highlight of the route is crossing the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, a marvel of engineering with 21 arches that you may recognise from the Harry Potter films. As the train continues towards the coast, wild and wonderful views across the vast Scottish countryside unfold outside your window. After passing through Arisaig, the line descends towards Mallaig, a quaint fishing port that looks over the Isle of Skye. With time at leisure here, you can wander along the picturesque harbour, soaking up the atmosphere of a thriving fishing port, and discover the traditional Scottish pubs that serve a range of local seafood dishes, where you may choose to enjoy a relaxing lunch before our return journey.

Transferring back to our hotel in Crianlarich, we gather this evening for our final dinner in the Highlands.

*Please note that journeys are steam-hauled where possible - some departures may use the ScotRail scheduled service.

For departure 20th September our journey back to the hotel this afternoon will be via coach.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 The beauty of the Scottish Highlands is unending, and this journey provided a memorable glimpse at its cultural destinations and colourful landscapes. We sailed across the majestic Loch Lomond to explore historic Inveraray and discovered Highland history at Duart Castle before soaking up the charm of Tobermory. The ideal ending to this holiday came with a scenic rail journey from Fort William to Mallaig, admiring some of Scotland's most beautiful landscapes. 

As your holiday comes to a close after breakfast this morning, it's time to bid farewell to Crianlarich. We head back to Glasgow by train, where you can continue exploring on your own or make your way home.

• Breakfast