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Map of Highlights of Scotland including United Kingdom

Discover the highlights of the Highlands on this Scottish adventure

You only have to look around to see why Scotland is praised for its natural landscapes and historic buildings. Rolling hills, rocky cliffs and undulating valleys speckled in myriad colours, pristine lochs shimmering even on the coldest of days, and castles dotted throughout the countryside as if you’ve been transported back in time. With an 8-day exploration of Scotland’s Highlands, lochs and villages, you’ll experience the finest of nature with the warmest of hospitality. Discover the untouched Isle of Skye, the expansive landscapes of Cairngorms National Park, and hit both Scottish hubs of Glasgow and Edinburgh on your way through. With the right amount of small-group adventure, local knowledge and stunning scenery, let the Scottish Highlands enchant you.

Start
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Finish
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Destination
United Kingdom
Style
Original
Theme
Explorer
Code
BWSS
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Take one of the world’s most scenic train journeys as you travel to the Highlands on the world-famous West Highland Railway, crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct of Harry Potter fame.

  • Nothing beats getting to know a place on your own two feet, so get your walking shoes on for explorations of Portree Bay, Creag Bheag, and Fort William with views of the UK’s highest peak – Ben Nevis – in all its glory.

  • Take a ferry over the sea to the Isle of Skye, soak up the fresh sea air and mountain views and taste your way to an understanding of the local whisky.

  • Learn the legends of Loch Ness firsthand, then hike through the purple heather in Cairngorms National Park – smack bang in the Scottish Highlands.

  • On a walking tour of Edinburgh, you’ll not only get the insider insight of a specialist local guide, you’ll also help support a social enterprise that helps locals who have experienced homelessness become guides.

Is this trip right for you?

  • As this trip doesn’t spend much time in Glasgow and Edinburgh at the start and end of the trip, we recommend you arrive a day early and stay an additional night in either city before and after the trip. We are happy to organise additional accommodation for you, subject to availability.

  • This trip includes moderate hike on the Isle of Skye. This activity can be opted out from should you wish not to partake. Your leader will be at hand to facilitate alternative arrangements for you.

A group of hikers crossing a stream on the isle of Skye
The Royal Mile in Edinburgh, Scotland
The Old Man of Storr on the Isle of Skye in the Scotland
Fish and chips in Scotland
The lobby of your Hotel in Glasgow, Scotland

Itinerary
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Glasgow is a city full of character, history and flair, and has recently been designated a UNESCO Creative City of Music. Widely recognized as a major international musical centre it is the largest music economy in the UK after London. Meet with your group leader and fellow travellers at an important welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you do happen to arrive early, why not check out the Riverside Museum and get your hands on their interactive displays – these exhibitions highlight Glasgow’s transport history as being a major port city in the 18th and 19th centuries. Otherwise, have a stroll along the banks of the river Clyde and hang out at the Glasgow Green. After your important meeting, you could get your group together and become acquainted over dinner – Merchant City is a pretty cool area for a ‘fish supper’ or a pint tonight. Spend the night in Glasgow, before beginning your countryside travels tomorrow morning.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Glasgow - Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum - Free
  • Glasgow - City Centre Mural Trail - Free
  • Glasgow - Tennent's Brewery Tour - GBP12
  • Glasgow - Tenement House - GBP8
  • Glasgow - Britannia Panopticon - Free
  • Glasgow - Cathedral and Necropolis - Free
  • Glasgow - Hunterian Art Gallery - Free
  • Glasgow - Pollok House & Country Park - GBP8
  • Glasgow - Afternoon Tea at the Willow Tea Rooms (from) - GBP13
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. If you wish to spend more time in Glasgow, we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

Leave the city behind this morning as you take the train to Fort William. This is no ordinary ride so make sure you’ve got a good view out the window – the West Highland Line has some of the most beautiful scenery in Scotland. The urban landscape is quickly replaced with a windswept panorama of the untouched Highlands as the line skirts the edge of Loch Lomond and ascends from Crianlarich to Upper Tyndrum and wild Rannoch Moor. You’ll arrive in the early afternoon with time to explore the town with your leader. Fort William's namesake old fort has a part in the dark history of the 17th-century Glencoe Massacre. Visit nearby Old Inverlochy Castle, on the banks of the river that feeds the loch. This is on the site of possibly the oldest castle in Scotland. Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the Isles, looms in the distance, and you can take a gondola to the top of one of the smaller peaks in the Nevis Range for incredible elevated views of this wild region. Enjoy a free evening to enjoy Highland hospitality and be sure to try some great local produce for dinner.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Fort William - Old Inverlochy Castle
  • Fort William - West Highland Railway Line
Optional Activities
  • Fort William - Nevis Range Gondola - GBP22
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Complete your journey on the West Highland Line, one of the world’s most spectacular scenic railroad lines, soaking in the scenery as the train winds its way along the coastline and across the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct. The viaduct is one of the best-known in Scotland as it plays a part in the route of Harry Potter’s Hogwarts Express. The train line ends at the port town of Mallaig, and you’ll hop off the train and onto a ferry – as the Scottish song goes – over the sea to Skye. When you reach the isle – the largest island in the Inner Hebrides archipelago – you’ll take a private transfer along the winding roads past the Cuillin mountains to Portree, the capital of Skye that sits on the loch of the same name. Enjoy some free time to explore this colourful port, then join your leader in a local bar for a pre-dinner whisky tasting. You’ll get an inside insight into what makes this region the home of some of the best whisky in the world.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Isle of Skye - Leader-led Whisky Tasting at Local Pub
  • Glenfinnan - Railway Viaduct Crossing
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Please note that the train ride today is on a regular passenger service operated by Scotrail, not on the steam-hauled tourist train. It travels on the same route as the Jacobite train but you'll have the bonus of travelling the local way.

This morning, it’s time to get exploring the Isle of Skye, beginning with a hike around Portree Bay with your leader – there are few better ways to wake yourself up after an evening of whisky tasting than fresh sea air and mountain views. Then the rest of the day is yours to use as you like. We also wouldn’t blame you if you just wanted to find the perfect pub to hole up in and chat with the locals.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Isle of Skye - Hike around Portree Bay
Optional Activities
  • Isle of Skye - Sound of Raasay Boat Trip - GBP25
  • Isle of Skye - Portree Bay Boat Trip - GBP20
  • Isle of Skye - Dunvegan Castle & Gardens - GBP14
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s hike around Portree Bay is 3.5 km (1-2 hours). If you wish to opt out of this activity your leader will be at hand with alternative suggestions. Some of this afternoon's optional activities are accessible by local bus, whereby for other private transport is required. Your leader will be able to help you organise this.

This morning, travel from Portree to the famous Loch Ness, crossing the Skye Bridge to return to the mainland. On the way you’ll stop by the memorable sight of Eilean Donan Castle. This castle, first inhabited in the 6th century, is perched on an island where the three great sea lochs meet and is an iconic Scottish image. You’ll also stop in Fort Augustus on the shores of Loch Ness to check out the fantastic valley, and head out on an included boat cruise. There are few better ways to take in the legends of the famous long loch, and you’ll see Cherry Island, Fort Augustus Abbey and, maybe if the conditions are right (hint: they never are) the famous resident monster. Continue on to Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, and your base for the next two nights.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Fort Augustus - Loch Ness Boat Cruise
  • Eilean Donan - Castle Photo Stop
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Please note that today's included excursion on Loch Ness is a public cruise and you will share the boat with other travellers.

This morning, start the day by hopping on a local bus to nearby Culloden Battlefield, located on the outskirts of Inverness. It was here, in April 1746, that the last great battle on British soil was fought; and Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite rebellion came to a bloody end. The battlefield is fascinating to walk around, and exudes a sombreness even today. Back in the city centre, we take a walk alongside the River Ness. This local’s favourite follows a trail which weaves over some small islands in the river, before crossing a graceful pedestrian suspension bridge to complete the loop, finishing close to a local arts centre, looking up at Inverness Castle. The rest of the day is free to explore - visit a local whisky store, catch a local gig, do some souvenir shopping, or even hop on a train to nearby Cairngorms National Park to explore the village of Aviemore.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Inverness - Culloden Battlefield visit
  • Inverness - River Ness walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today, you’ll board a local train to head from Kingussie to the Scottish capital, Edinburgh. The journey will take around 3 hours and you will possibly cross the iconic Forth Bridge (not all trains take that particular route!), a UNESCO World Heritage listed cantilever structure completed in 1890, crossing the Firth of Forth. Edinburgh is a compact hilly city full of charm and character, with the imposing Castle guarding from above. Edinburgh is designated a UNESCO Creative City of Literature, being the birthplace and home to world-famous writers, poets and playwrights including Arthur Conan Doyle, Walter Scott, and JK Rowling. This afternoon, set off on a walking tour with an Edinburgh local. Your guide has been trained by Invisible Cities, an inspiring social enterprise who support and train locals who have experienced homelessness to become tour guides. See the top sights from a different angle, including the Scottish Parliament buildings, the Royal Mile and Canongate Cemetery, and give back to the community at the same time. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure, so perhaps stroll around the Old Town, get acquainted with the fairy-tale Dean Village neighbourhood, or head out to portside Leith for eclectic shopping and some great restaurants. In the evening, why not get your group together for some dinner and spend the night sharing stories and memories of your adventures. Edinburgh knows how to have a good time, and a fun thing to do is begin in the Old Town, then cross North Bridge to party in the New Town.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Edinburgh - Invisible Cities guided walking tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today's walking tour of Edinburgh is run in partnership with Invisible Cities, an NGO that trains people who have experienced homelessness to become walking tour guides in their own city. 100% of the tour net proceeds will be reinvested in developing the guides further with education or new opportunities. Money from your tour will help Invisible Cities organise high quality training for guides, who have all experienced homelessness, and organise events for the homeless community.

With no activities planned for today, you are free to leave any time after breakfast. If you wish to spend more time in enigmatic Edinburgh, we don’t blame you – with a history of over 10,000 years, there’s so much to see and do. We’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Optional Activities
  • Edinburgh - Castle Visit - GBP20
  • Edinburgh - National Museum of Scotland - Free
  • Edinburgh - The Scotch Whisky Experience Tour - GBP16
  • Edinburgh - Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh - GBP7
  • Edinburgh - Palace of Holyroodhouse - GBP15
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

7 breakfasts

Transport

Train, Private vehicle, Ferry, On foot

Accommodation

Hotel (4 nights), Guesthouse (3 nights)

Included activities

  • Fort William - Old Inverlochy Castle
  • Fort William - West Highland Railway Line
  • Isle of Skye - Leader-led Whisky Tasting at Local Pub
  • Glenfinnan - Railway Viaduct Crossing
  • Isle of Skye - Hike around Portree Bay
  • Fort Augustus - Loch Ness Boat Cruise
  • Eilean Donan - Castle Photo Stop
  • Inverness - Culloden Battlefield visit
  • Inverness - River Ness walk
  • Edinburgh - Invisible Cities guided walking tour

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Highlights of Scotland trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1.A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Essential trip information

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