The Cradle of Scotland Tour

Tour ID: 1081 Tour Theme: Historic and Cultural Tours This tour starts from: Edinburgh Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights This is a Private Tour
	Operated by: Go Scotland Tours

Tour Description:

Privately guided tour of West Scotland Highlands and Islands. Including Argyll, Mull and the ancient Islands of Iona.

Standing proud of the Moine Mhor, the ‘Great Moss’, at the southern end of the mysterious Kilmartin Glen is Dunadd Fort, seat of the Dark Age Scottish kings. It was here, over 1700 years ago that the Gaels, or Scots, established a toehold on the land that they would eventually give their name to. The kingdom was called Dalriada, the area Earra-Ghaidheal, the ‘coastline of the Gael’; the Land of Argyll. With a coastline longer than France, modern Argyll centres on the sea-loch fjord of Loch Fyne and stretches west to encompass the islands of Mull, Iona, Islay and Jura, south to the Mull of Kintyre, north to Glencoe and east to the Cowal Peninsular. In early times the land was contested between the Vikings and the Celtic Gaels, finally coming out in the 12th Century in favour of the native tribes, led by the hero warrior Somerled, who styled himself ‘king of Argyll’. From his stock rose the all-powerful MacDonald Lords of the Isles, who held sway in the west until the 15th Century, ruling from their base at Finlagan on Islay. On the mainland of Argyll power was held by another of Somerled’s descendants, the MacDougalls. The MacDougalls allied themselves against Robert the Bruce during the wars of independence and were defeated heavily in the Pass of Brander, forfeiting their extensive lands, most of which passed to the up and coming Clan Campbell. Descended from the MacDiarmids, the Campbells would become the richest and most powerful of all the Clans, and as Lords of Argyll and nearby Breadalbane they would come to dominate the whole area; and continue to do so.

Day by Day Itinerary:

Day 1: Edinburgh - Stirling - Doune - Glendochart - Kilchurn - Loch Etive - Oban

Depart Edinburgh and head west to Stirling, the great ‘Key of Scotland’ commanding the strategic crossing over the River Forth. The first stop will beStirling Castle, seat of Royal Power, and the most eagerly contested castle in the realm. Then it is a short walk to Argyll’s lodgings, a well preserved renaissance town house once belonging to the Campbell Dukes of Argyll. From Stirling the tour crosses the Forth and heads to Doune and Deanston distillery. Originally a cotton mill Deanston was converted in the 1960s into a distillery, and was bought over by Burn Stewart distillers in 1990. From Doune the tour heads north into the Scottish Highlands through the Pass of Leny, and on through Glenogle to Breadalbane (Braighd Alban - Heights of Scotland), once ruled with a fist of Iron by the powerful Campbell Earls of Breadalbane. From Glenogle the road descends into Glendochart, lands once held by the Clan MacNab, descended from the Abbots of Lismore (Mac an Aba) and on down to Dalmally and Kilchurn Castle. It was from here the mighty Clan Campbell rose to power in the 15th Century with Sir Duncan Campbell of Lochawe, from who grew both the mighty houses of Argyll and Breadalbane. From Kilchurn the tour passes through the narrow Pass of Brander where the MacDougalls suffered their great defeat at the hands of Robert the Bruce, and on past the Falls of Lora on Loch Etive to Oban.
Overnight - Oban


Day 2: Oban - Dunollie Castle - Oban distillery - Kilmartin Glen - Dunadd Fort - Inveraray - Ardchonnel - Oban

The morning begins with a brisk climb up to Dunollie Castle, ancient seat of the MacDougall Lords of Lorn, with spectacular views across Oban bay and over to the Isle of Mull. After the cobwebs have been blown away it is time to visit Oban distillery. Built over 200 years ago, the distillery is older than most of the town and sits right in the middle of it. It produces a lovely west coast malt. Then it is on south to Kilmartin Glen, and its array of standing stones and stone circles. Archaeologists tell us that they were all part of an elaborate ceremonial burial ground, with the valley sides creating a natural amphitheatre that would have housed hundreds if not thousands who would come to the important burials. All this over 4000 years ago. At the southern end is Dunadd Fort, which became the seat of Royal Power over 1700 years ago, and you can stand in the very footprint where ancient kings once literally ‘walked in the footsteps’ of their ancestors as they were crowned. Nearby is the beautiful and quiet Loch Crinan, where you can look over to Duntrune Castle, home of the Chief of the MacCallum Clan. Then it is on down to Loch Fyne and Inveraray. As well as walking around the quaint whitewashed town, you will also visit Inveraray Castle, seat and family home of His Grace the Duke of Argyll, Chief of all Clan Campbell. From Inveraray the tour heads north through Glenaray to Loch Awe, in the shadow of the high Ben Cruachan, before turning sharply south again along the inspiring coast of the Loch. At Ardchonnel, there is a lovely stop to see the island of Innischonnel, the so called ‘cradle of the Campbells’ and where they first lived. From Ford at the southern end of the Loch we head back to Oban.
Overnight - Oban

Day 3: Oban - Mull - Iona - Staffa - Tobermory distillery - Oban

The day starts by catching the ferry across to the Isle of Mull, landing at the small harbour of Craignure. Nearby is the seat of the Clan MacLean, Duart Castle. The MacLeans and the Campbells fought viciously for control of Mull, with the MacLeans finally coming out on top. Although the MacLeans did their fair share inter-fighting and there are many ghost stories about headless chiefs and lost maidens in this part of the island. From Duart the tour follows the narrow road to the Ross of Mull and Fionnphort where you catch the small foot ferry to the sacred Isle of Iona. It was here over 1400 years ago that Colm Cille (St Columba) established a monastic community that would shine like a beacon in Dark Age Europe. A member of the Ruling house of Ireland and descended from the legendary Niall of the Nine Hostages he left Ireland in self-imposed exile following a battle he blamed himself for starting, and landed on Iona. This holy island became the final resting place of the kings of Scotland, including Macbeth, and of some Irish, Norwegian and Manx kings. The road of the dead has over 50 kings buried along its route. Iona is a great island to explore and time should be taken to see the amazing aquamarine beaches of the west. There is also an opportunity to take a boat trip to the uninhabited island of Staffa, and the gaping jaws of Fingle’s Cave. From Iona return to Mull and head north to Tobermory past the island of Ulva, childhood home of Lachlan MacQuarie, father of Australia. Tobermory distillery is the next stop and it produces a fine, light to medium malt, briny with a wave of smoke followed by an explosion of spice. After the distillery a pint has to be had in the famous Mishnish bar. Then it is back to Craignure and the ferry to Oban.
Overnight - Oban

Day 4: Oban - Appin - Castle Stalker - Lettermore - Glencoe - Loch Lomond

From Oban the tour heads north into Appin, Clan territory of the fiercely proud Stewart of Appin Clan. This tiny corner of Argyll withstood both MacDougall and Campbell pressure from all sides retaining its resolute independence right up until the Jacobite rising of 1745 - 46. The ancestral seat of the clan was the impressive and picturesque Castle Stalker, but by the ’45 the castle had been forfeited to the government and handed to the Campbells to administer as part of the Redcoat ‘Fortress Scotland’. In 1688 the King, James VII and II, was forced into exile by the English government and replaced by his nephew/son in law William of Orange, and a year later the Scottish Parliament did the same. This prompted a rebellion led by John Graham of Claverhouse (Bonnie Dundee) and many Highland Clans, including the Stewarts of Appin followed his Jacobite standard (from the Latin for James, Jacobus). For the next 60 years these clans would fight for the restoration of James and his descendants including Prince Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie). At the battle of Culloden in 1746 the Jacobites were crushed and the cause broken, the Government and his allies, including the Campbells would exact a terrible price from the ‘loyal’ Clans, and the Appin Stewarts were broken. In 1908 Charles Stewart of Achara bought the castle back from the Campbells and it remains so to this day. You will get the chance to visit the castle. Nearby is Lettermore wood where the infamous Appin Murder took place in 1752. You will get the chance to try and solve the killing of the Red Fox (Colin Campbell of Glenure) the Government Agent in the forfeited lands of Appin. The story was made famous by Robert Louis Stevenson in his book kidnapped. From Appin the road takes you though the dramatic scenery ofGlencoe, site of the infamous Massacre of Glencoe in 1692 when the MacDonalds of Glencoe were butchered by their Redcoat guests as part of the backlash from the Jacobite risings. Then it is on over wild Rannoch Moor and back into the lands of Campbell of Breadalbane, before heading down to beautifulLoch Lomond. The rest of the day is free for walking or simply resting
Overnight – Loch Lomondside


Day 5: Loch Lomond - Glengoyne distillery - Edinburgh

From Loch Lomond the tour heads south to Glengoyne distillery, which produces a fine, smooth heather laden malt, with a long bittersweet finish. It has one of the best distillery tours in Scotland (and a range of tours with varying degrees of tastings and personalised service). And from here we make our way back to Edinburgh.

For more details go to the "Prices, Dates, and What's Included" section...

West Scotland Tour: Argyll, Mull and Iona!

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