Private Tour of Southern Hebrides - Arran, Islay, Jura and Bute
Private Tour
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Tour ID:1599
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Tour theme:Historic and Cultural Tours, Whisky Tours,
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Duration:7 Days / 6 Nights
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Starts from:Glasgow, Edinburgh
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Private Tour
Tour Description
Go Scotland Tours is offering this special be-spoke tour to the Southern Hebrides which goes to 4 islands and 2 penisulas. On this private guided tour we go to the isles of Arran, Islay, Jura and Bute. On the way we drive through the Cowan Penisula, Mull of Kintyre and Campbeltown. This is a customizable tour and can be tailor-made to you preference. This part of Scotland is full of natural beauty, castles and history. There are also quite a few well known distilleries so we could turn this into a whisky tour.
On the first day we take a journey down to Ardrossan to catch the ferry to Arran. Often called Scotland in Miniature it has a romantic hilly landscape and rugged coastline. Here we visit Machrie Moor Standing stones, Brodick Castle, Arran Distillery and Lochranza Castle. We will spend a couple of nights on the island in Brodick or Lamlash.
Today we take the Lochranza ferry to the Kintyre Pensula for a scenic drive. We then make a stop in Campbeltown where if time permits we can visit Springbank Distillery. In the late afternoon we then go to a second ferry of the day from Kenncraig to the Isle of Islay.
Welcome to the Whisky Island! We will spend a couple of days touring the island's distilleries. Such as Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Bunnahbain, Kilchoman and more. We can customize an itinerary that suits you. If you don't want to visit so many distilleries we can include some cultural and scenic sight such as Kildalton Cross, Loch Finlaggan, Woolen Mill and Machir's bay.
While on Islay you will also have the option to take a day trip to the neighbouring Isle of Jura. Known for its rugged landscape. It has more deer than people! Here we can also stop at the Jura Distillery.
In the morning we depart Islay and head to the picturesque Harbour Town of Tarbert. While here you will have a chance to visit the ruins of the historic Tarbert Castle. We then take another short ferry to the Cowal Pensula for a scenic drive around the Kyles of Bute. from Colintraive we take the final ferry of the day, only 5 minutes in duration.
Then finally we will explore the Isle of Bute, also known as the Jewel of the Clyde. In the moring we go to the 12th century Rothesay Castle, scene of many a bloody siege, and favoured residence of the Kings of Scotland. We then go to Mountstuart, an extraordinary Victorian Gothic, built by the 4th Marquess of Bute, at the time the richest man in Britain. After exploring its lavish interior we will take a scenic tour of Bute and take in some of its stunning beaches. Mid-afternoon we will take a ferry back to the mainland, drop off in Glasgow or Edinburgh.
Prices & Dates
What's Included
This is a private tour and prices and details are available upon request. The prices for this tour will depend on your group size and itinerary. We can cater to small groups of 1 to 7 people with a private driver guide. Transportation would either be in a family size sedan car or MB Vito 9 seater. Executive vehicles also available upon request. We are also happy to organise a tour for a larger group with a coach, driver and guide. For more details contact us now!
Departure & Map
Day 1
Pick up Glasgow Central at 12.12pm
1-2pm visit Dundonald Castle
drive to Adrossan (30min drive)
Check in Closes 14.50, Dep 15.20, arrive 16.15
Overnight Lamlash
Day 2
9am depart hotel
drive via Sliddery, Kildonan and Blackwaterfoot
10-10.15am break at Blackwaterfoot
10.30-12pm walk to Machrie Moor Standing stones (weather depending)
12-12.30pm drive the Stiring Road
12.30-2pm visit Brodick Castle and lunch break
2-5pm afternoon options to explore the north of the island
Overnight Lamlash
Day 3
08.30am Drive north
9.15-10.15am Visit Lochranza Castle
Ferry to Kintyre peninsula dep 10.45, arr 11.15
Ferry to Islay dep 13.00, arrive 15.00
Overnight Bowmore
Day 4
9.00am depart hotel
stop at Lagavulin to see the castle and views
10.30-11.30am Laphroaig Distillery
12-12.30pm Lunch Ardbeg Distillery
12.30-1.30pm go to Kildalton Cross and seal watching
2-2.30pm Islay Woolen Mill
3-3.30pm Machir Bay
4-4.30pm Port Charlotte and Islay Musuem (if time permits)
Overnight Bowmore
Day 5
9-9.30am drive across Islay to Port Askaig
dep 10.30, arr 10.35
10.35-11am drive to Jura Distillery
11-2pm Explore Jura Lowlandman's Bay, Small Isles Bay; Loch Tarbert; Inverlusa
dep 15.15, arr 15.20
option to visit Finlaggan and Islay Woolen Mill
Overnight Bowmore
Day 6
08.30am depart Bowmore
Morning ferry to Kennacraig 9.45am dep 12pm arr
12.15-1pm visit Tarbert Castle
Ferry from Tarbert to Port Vardie 1.45pm dep 2.30pm arr
drive accross Cowal Peninsula (1 hour approx)
Ferry from Colintraive to Bute 4pm dep 4.05pm arr
4.30-5pm St Ninian’s Bay (views of Inchmarnock)
5.30pm stop at Rothesay
Overnight Bute
Day 7
10-11am visit Rothesay Castle
11.15-12.30pm visit Mountstuart (guided tour at 11.30am)
1-2pm Kilchattan Bay, option for lunch at St Blane’s Hotel
3.30pm check into ferry
4-4.30pm ferry to Wymess Bay
6pm approx drop off Glasgow
Terms & Conditions
Terms and Conditions
NOTICE TO TRAVELLERS
You should be aware that Scotland has particular features which may or may not appeal to you, including weather, food, local customs, etc. There are different living standards and conditions with respect to the provision of utilities, services and accommodation. By buying the particular travel service you have selected, we assume that you have made all reasonable inquiries about the travel service.
TOUR INFORMATION
The outline of the itinerary must be taken as an indication of what each Group should accomplish and not as a contractual obligation on the part of Go Scotland Tours. Any changes in itinerary may be caused by local political conditions, delays, mechanical breakdown, weather, border restrictions, sickness or other unforeseeable circumstances. No refund will be given for services not fulfilled. It is a fundamental condition of joining the tour described in the itinerary that you accept this flexibility and acknowledge that delays and alterations with resulting consequences, comfort or disappointments are possible.
TOUR INSURANCE PROTECTION
To protect yourself against cancellation charges, we highly recommend that you purchase Travel & Medical Insurance for your added protection and convenience. We accept no responsibilities for these items.
REFUNDS AND CANCELLATIONS
Below are the standard terms of cancellations. For regular tours please refer to each tours individual terms when making the booking online. Be-spoke services terms may vary and change.
Be-spoke (Private) 1 Day Services; private services of only 1 day (tours, transfers, etc..) are non-refundable 1 week prior.
Be-spoke (Private) Multi-day Services; A 75% refund (25% of package price or £200 GBP if 10% of the price lower, the deposit is non-refundable) will be made if cancellations are received a minimum of 60 Days prior to the Tour departure. From 59 to 30 Days 50% of the tour cost is non-refundable. From 30 days prior to departure, 100% of the tour cost is non-refundable.
UNUSED SERVICES
In case of you are canceling any portion of the tour while en route, there are no refunds for pre-booked hotels, sightseeing tours or any other services or costs. Note: No refunds are made for any unused services including accommodations, sightseeing tours, transportation, etc. with or without notice and the above schedule lists cancellation penalties in effect from time of reservation on any tour or extension. Go Scotland Tours is not responsible for cancelations or delays caused by forces of nature or airlines or cruise line.
CHANGES OF BOOKING
Be-spoke services; Changes made 30 or more days prior of tour start date non-refundable fee of £85 GBP will be charged. Changes made within 30 of tour start date non-refundable fee of £115 GBP.
Regular tours; no charge for changes
Note; charges may vary then what is specified above. This will be discussed at time of change.
CHANGE OF ITINERARY
No changes can be made in the itinerary as set out in the itinerary once travel has commenced unless confirmed by the Tour organizers in accordance with the provisions listed here.
CHANGE OF HOTELS OR SERVICES
Go Scotland Tours. reserves the right to substitute hotels listed for others of a similar category. In the event of any program or hotel changes while you are on the tour, you will be immediately informed and booked in another hotel of the same category. Any costs incurred due to changes made by the tour participants or due to additional services requested will be borne by the tour participants.
RESPONSIBILITY
Go Scotland Tours., provide means of fully insured and licensed transportation, and act as agents contracting hotels, meals, or other services and receipts issued are subject to all terms and conditions under which such services are offered or provided. The acceptance of all such documents shall be deemed as consent. Further, Go Scotland Tours. shall assume no responsibility in any way for any injury, loss, accident, or delay that may be caused by either reason or default of any company, agent or person engaged in carrying our arrangements for the tour. Further no responsibility can be accepted for any additional expenses incurred by the passengers due to delays, omissions, rerouting, changes in the schedule of the airlines or other events resulting from improper documents carried by the passenger, or by any act of government or any authority, strikes, civil disturbances, political unrest, acts of God and any act or omission or event while the passengers are not aboard their conveyances. The passenger contract in use when issued by the airline/s concerned shall constitute the sole contract between the airline and the purchaser of this tour and/or other passengers.
ITINERARY, ACCOMMODATIONS AND PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
