Winner of the Inaugural Scottish Thistle Award for Sustainable Tourism October 2007.

Five days to enjoy four fantastic West Coast Islands including the tranquility of the islands of Mull, Iona and Staffa and the romantic beauty of the Isle of Skye.

Highlights also include Loch Lomond National Park, Eilean Donan Castle and Loch Ness for a fantastic sample of the best of Scotland.

This tour is seasonal and operates from March through to October only.

Schedule Details

Departure Dates:

Seasonal
March 23 to October 29, 2008
Monday

Departure Point:

207 High St, Edinburgh.

Departure Time:

9:00am

Return details:

Tour concludes at original point of departure at approximately 7:30pm (Day 5)

Hotel Pickup:

Hotel pick ups are not available, however please specify the name of your hotel and contact telephone number during your stay in Edinburgh.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Edinburgh - Oban

Today takes you west to Scotland's first National Park around Loch Lomond, stopping at the charming conservation village of Luss set on the loch's "bonny, bonny banks". Travel through the impressive mountains of the West Highlands through the magnificent white-washed 18th Century town of Inveraray, home to the Campbell Clan and the Duke of Argyll. The afternoon will be spent in the heart of Argyll exploring the ancient Kingdom of Dalriada and the standing stones of Kilmartin before arriving in the beautiful fishing harbor town of Oban, gateway to the islands, for the next two nights accommodation.

Day 2: Oban

Today is an early start crossing on the ferry to Mull and enjoying an island adventure exploring her dramatic coastlines and wild beauty, before taking the small ferry to the peace and tranquility of Iona - birthplace of Celtic Christianity and ancient burial ground of Scottish Kings. Here you are at leisure to visit the historic Abbey with its intricate carved crosses in the churchyard or explore the rocky headlands and sandy coves of this island gem. There is also an opportunity to take a small boat out to the island of Staffa and view the dramatic basalt columns immortalized by Mendelssohn in his Hebridean Overture "Fingal's Cave". Return on the ferry to Oban for your second night.

Day 3: Oban - Portree

Today takes you north along the west coast around Appin, passing the impregnable Castle Stalker, and Glencoe, scene of the infamous massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692. Pass through Fort William and up to the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge with great views over Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain. The tour then takes the "Road to the Isles" through the splendor of the 5 sisters of Kintail, the mountains guarding the pass on the way to the Isle of Skye. Stop to visit the famous stronghold Eilean Donan Castle, used in the film "Highlander", set at the junction of 3 lochs as protection against Viking raiders. Crossing over the sea to Skye, travel up to the picturesque harbor town of Portree. You will be dropped off at your accommodation in the early evening where you are free to go out and explore the town.

Day 4: Portree

Today is a very flexible day on Skye. There are many possibilities depending on the weather and the dynamics of the group. Your driver with his extensive knowledge will choose the best plan for the day. For example: travel north to the stunning Quiraing mountain pass and enjoy a spectacular walk through some of Skye's extraordinary geological scenery, visit Kilt Rock, composed of basalt columns (reminiscent of the pleats in a kilt) with it's waterfall cascading over the cliffs and down into the sea below. Or a walk out at the most westerly point on the island at Neist. Or go over to Dunvegan Castle, ancient ancestral seat of the Clan McLeod. Talisker Distillery is also located on the isle, as are the famous Cuillin Hills. Return to your accommodation in Portree in the early evening for you to enjoy your second night in Portree.

Day 5: Portree - Edinburgh

You will be collected from your accommodation and travel south passing by part of the magnificent Cuillin Hills, leaving the island via the Skye bridge. From here, will continue east through GlenSheil and Glen Moriston to Loch Ness, where you will stop in the small Highland village of Fort Augustus at the south end for your chance to try and spot the monster. There is a boat trip (summer only) available here that will get you that little bit closer! Continuing south now through the Grampian Mountains along Loch Laggan, made famous now as "Monarch of the Glen Country" before passing Dawhinnie, home to Scotland's highest whisky Distillery, and onwards into Highland Perthshire for a final walk and coffee break in the fresh air of the north. Continue south past Blair Castle, returning back to Edinburgh passing Perth and over the Forth Road Bridge. Arrive into Edinburgh in the early evening where the tour will conclude.

Additional Information

Inclusions:

• Daily breakfast
• Professional driver / guide
• All ferry crossings, except optional trip to Staffa
• Discount Card offering discounts off local restaurants, shopping and attractions
• Modern Mercedes minivan with forced air ventilation for a more personal service
• 4 nights accommodation with private facilities in either a Bed and Breakfast or 3/4 star hotel

Exclusions:

• Optional gratuities
• Hotel pick up and drop off
• Food and drinks, unless specified
• Entrance fees (discount card offers reductions)

Hotel list:

For accommodation a variety of superior class bed and breakfasts, guesthouses and hotels are used. These offer excellent value for money and allows the benefits of tourism wealth to be distributed amongst a number of rural businesses, rather than being concentrated into one area.

Additional Info:

• This tour must be booked at least 48 hours in advance of your travel date.
• Confirmation for this product will be received at the time of booking unless booking within 14 days of travel, in which case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability.
• Tour is operated in English unless otherwise stated.
• There are opportunities to take nature walks, it is recommended to bring suitable clothing and footwear. Scotland can be a wet place!
• The Scottish Highlands and Islands are Europe's last great wilderness! This personalized tour is as close as you can get to touring in your own car, with the added benefit of gaining intimate knowledge of Scotland. Traveling in a small group means you can take lots of stops and reach "out of the way" places, giving you more time off the bus to discover the real Scotland.
• The First Edinburgh tour operator to be awarded 5 star status by the Scottish Tourist Board.
• There is a maximum of 16 passengers on this tour.

Caring for the Environment:

The tour operator aims to leave the legacy of Scotland's beautiful landscape for future generations to enjoy. The tour is as close as you can get to touring in your own car, but with the added benefit of reducing your carbon footprint by 75% (based on 2 persons travelling the same distance in their own car). The operator's commitment to environmental excellence has been recognised with 2 top Gold awards from the Green Tourism scheme and Keep Edinburgh Clean awards.

Terms and Conditions:

Bookings canceled within 14 days of travel date incur 100% cancellation penalties.

Local Operator Information:

Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.

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