Five Day Highland Explorer - Isle of Skye, Inverness and the Highlands

Enjoy 4 nights based in Inverness as you explore the beautiful scenery of the Scottish Highlands. You will enjoy five days of breathtaking scenery while viewing the best Scotland has to offer.

You will stay in first class accommodation, superbly chosen for convenient locations close to the main sights and shopping areas. Enjoy a hearty Scottish breakfast to start things off on day two, three, four and five. Your dinner arrangements have been kept free so that you can dine as the mood takes you.

A popular feature of this tour is the extended free time available in your destination for individual sightseeing or shopping. Now you can relax in the highland surroundings without feeling rushed, following your own interests at your own pace.

Schedule Details Departs: Seasonal
May 31 to September 28, 2008
Daily, except Monday Departure Point: Tour departs from Platform 17, Edinburgh Bus Station Departure Time: 8:00am Return details: Tour concludes at the original point of departure at 8:40pm (Day 5) Hotel Pickup: Hotel pick up not available Itinerary:

Day 01: Edinburgh - Glen Coe - Inverness

Travel to lonely Rannoch Moor and into Glen Coe, Scotland's most famous glen and the scene of the terrible massacre in 1692. You will make a stop in the midst of this awe-inspiring scenery where you can enjoy the magic of this special place. From Fort William the striking scenery of the Great Glen unfolds ahead of you: first Loch Lochy, then Loch Oich and finally Loch Ness. You will travel to the attractive village of Fort Augustus then drive the entire length of the loch Ness. You will stop at Urquhart Castle where you can visit the castle and enjoy a cruise on the loch. Shortly you will arrive in Inverness.

The stay in Inverness is unescorted.

Day 02: Isle of Skye - Inverness

Today you will enjoy a full day excursion to the beautiful Isle of Skye by mini-coach. You will make a photo-stop at Eilean Donan Castle, perched
on its island at the head of Loch Duich, and marvel at the views at this most picturesque of castles. Soon you will be crossing "over the sea to Skye" and visiting the beautiful gardens of the Clan Donald Center before enjoying the dramatic scenery of the famed Cuillin Mountains. Later you will have time for some beach combing before returning to Inverness.

Day 03: Highland Clearances - John O'Groats:

The emphasis is very much on nature today and you may see red deer, seals, puffins (until early August) and hairy Highland cows along the way. The tour takes you to Golspie then through the lands of the Duke of Sutherland - where you'll hear all about the notorious Highland Clearances. You will pass many stone-age sites before arriving in John O'Groats, where several stops will be made to enjoy the dramatic cliff scenery of the northern coastline, before returning to Inverness.

Day 04: Applecross Peninsula - Bealach nam Bo

Your journey commences with a drive to the village of Achnasheen. Then the dramatic climb over the "Bealach nam Bo", which means the Pass of the Cattle, in Gaelic. The Pass is the third highest road in Scotland and climbs to over 2,000 feet! There will be plenty of free time in Applecross to enjoy the scenic surroundings. There are several walks to discover, an excellent heritage center to visit and an abundance of wildlife to enjoy.

Day 05: Culloden Moor, Spey Valley - Pitlochry - Edinburgh

There is an excursion to nearby Culloden Moor followed by free-time in Inverness before joining your motorcoach for our tour south. The route will take you to the gentle Spey Valley with views of the Cairngorm Mountains then through the dramatic scenery of the Drumochter Pass. There will be a brief stop in the popular Victorian resort town of Pitlochry, nestling on the banks of the River Tummel. The rolling Tayside countryside then guide you to Perth and homewards to journey's end

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