Tour Description:
Explore the extremes of north-west Europe’s last great wilderness - 12 days to enjoy 5 fantastic west coast islands including Islay, Iona, Mull, Staffa and Skye and the prehistoric beauty and history of the northern Orkney islands.
Tour highlights include the whisky island Islay “Queen of the Isles”, the rolling splendor of the island of Mull, the peace and spirituality of Columba’s Iona, with an optional visit to the breathtaking and musical island of Staffa, followed by the dramatic beauty of our most famous of Islands, Skye. Let the ‘misty island’ enchant you with her incredible bounty before heading to the Orkney archipelago, rich in its archaeological treasures. Your tour will return along the northern coastline of Scotland to Ullapool and homeward from there.
DAY 1: EDINBURGH - GLASGOW - LOCH LOMOND - INVERARY - CAMPBELTOWN - BOWMORE
Leaving Edinburgh you will head west through Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow along Loch Lomond then west through the mountains to the beautiful little village of Inveraray on the banks of Loch Fyne. Here you can visit the local micro brewery and then sample some of the local seafood. Or perhaps just explore the historic town itself. After lunch you will travel down the Kintyre peninsula to Campbeltown for a visit to Springbank Distillery, one of the last distilleries producing everything by hand. Nearby are the impressive seacliffs of the Mull of Kintyre and the superb beach at Machrihanish. From here it is a short drive to catch the early evening ferry to Islay, before travelling to Bowmore for your 3 night stay.
DAY 2: BOWMORE - EXPLORE ISLAY
A full day exploring Islay. The itinerary today is quite flexible with a mixture of beautiful scenery, white sand beaches, short walks and of course the famous Islay whiskies - renowned for their strong peaty flavours and nurtured by the salty sea air. In the morning we will take the short drive to the west of the island via Saligo Bay for a visit to Kilchoman Distillery (the newest and smallest on the island) with the option of a coastal walk to Machair Bay for any non-whisky lovers. After lunch here you will travel to the tiny harbour village of Portnahaven (look out for seals) then take the back roads along the west coast with its lovely sandy bays. In the afternoon you will stop at the privately owned Bruichladdich Distillery for a tour and tasting followed by a short visit to the Islay Museum or a drink in a local pub before returning to Bowmore.
DAY 3: BOWMORE - EXPLORE ISLAY
Another day in paradise! Today you will explore the southern side of the island, home to the smokiest and peatiest of all whiskies – Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg. We will make photo stops at the first two then visit Ardbeg for a tour, tasting and lunch. The restaurant here is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy local produce as well as some unique whisky. While in the area we will visit the ruins of Kildalton church with its famous 8th Century Celtic cross. In the afternoon there will be the option to spend some free time in Bowmore village. Here you can visit the famous Round Church, Bowmore Distillery itself (June – Aug) or just relax with a quiet drink looking out over the water. Alternatively you could continue with the tour to Bridgend where we will visit the community craft producers (and brewery!) at Islay House Square or take a walk through the woods along the nearby River Sorn.
DAY 4: BOWMORE - KILMARTIN - OBAN
This morning you take the ferry back to the mainland then travel through Argyll and the ancient Kingdom of Dalriada. There are more than 350 prehistoric monuments within a six-mile radius of the village of Kilmartin. We will stop here for lunch and a chance to visit the mysterious stone circles and the local community museum. From Kilmartin it is a short drive to Oban – the main ferry port for the islands, and known locally as the ‘charing cross’ of the north.
You will have a free afternoon in Oban to enjoy this bustling and busy highland town. For those who are partial to some retail therapy, there are numerous shopping possibilities, or for those who wish to continue their thirst for Scottish whisky, Oban distillery is nicely situated in the heart of the town. A hike uphill will bring its own rewards with stunning views from the most photographed structure in the west, McCaig’s folly. The folly built on instruction by a local banker in 1897 resembles the coliseum in Rome, and provides magnificent vistas over the distant Firth of Lorne. You will stay in this glorious highland town for 2 nights. .
DAY 5: OBAN - MULL - IONA - STAFFA - OBAN
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 can 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 (except Saturday departures in September) and view the dramatic basalt columns immortalised by Mendelssohn in his Hebridean Overture "Fingal's Cave". You then return on the ferry to Oban for your second night.
DAY 6: OBAN - GLENCOE - FORT WILLIAM - EILEAN DONAN CASTLE - POTREE (SKYE)
We go 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. You then pass through Fort William and up to the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge with great views over Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain. Your tour now takes the "Road to the Isles" through the splendour of the Five Sisters of Kintail, the mountains guarding the pass on the way to the Isle of Skye. You 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, you travel up to the picturesque harbour town of Portree. You are then dropped off at your accommodation in the early evening, where you are free to go out and explore the town.
DAY 7: A DAY TRAVELLING AROUND SKYE
A very flexible day on Skye. There are many possibilities depending on the weather and we take passengers preferences into account. 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. After lunch you can go over to Neist Point for a walk out to the lighthouse that is the furthest point west on Skye. Or go over to Dunvegan Castle, ancient ancestral seat of the Clan McLeod. Talisker Distillery is also here, as are the famous Cuillin Hills. We return you to your accommodation in Portree in the early evening for you to enjoy your second free night in Portree.
DAY 8: POTREE - LOCH NESS - INVERNESS
You will be collected from your accommodation and travel south through the Cuillin Hills and back over to the mainland for stunning views over Loch Duich and the 5 Sisters of Kintail. Onto Loch Ness for lunch and the possibility of spotting "Nessie". There is a boat trip (Summer only) available here that will get you that bit closer! At Loch Ness you will join up with the tour travelling to Orkney and the Far North. With your new crew you will continue north following the Great Glen travelling the entire 23 miles of the famous Loch passing by Urquhart castle. You can expect to arrive in Inverness, the Highland capital, and the place of our overnight stay at approx 18.30 where you will be dropped off at your pre booked accommodation .
DAY 9: INVERNESS - BLACK ISLE - JOHN O'GROATS - KIRKWALL
Today is an early start, leaving behind the 'Capital of the Highlands', crossing over the Black Isle, and past Andrew Carnegie's Skibo Castle. From here you drive through the northeast Highland coastline, travelling into some of Scotland's most dramatic scenery, and enjoy amazing views of some of Europe's oldest landscapes and the chance to see wildlife such as Golden Eagles and red deer. Onwards through Scotland's most northerly mainland village, John o' Groats, and then to Gills Bay, where you board the ferry, crossing the Pentland Firth into the Orkney Archipelago. From here you have a short drive to the Viking stronghold of Kirkwall, Capital of Orkney, where you can visit Kirkwall's magnificent Viking Cathedral, and where you shall stay for 2 nights.
DAY 10: KIRKWALL - SKARA BRAE - BRODGAR - STENNESS - STROMNESS - MAESHOWE - KIRKWALL
A chance to explore this fantastic, ancient island; a land of contrasts where fertile green pastures are fringed by shores of golden sands washed by waters of the North Sea and Atlantic ocean. You will visit the 5000 year old village of Skara Brae (older than the Pyramids of Egypt!), the mystical prehistoric stone circle at Brodgar and the Druidic standing stones of Stenness. We stop in Stromness - one of Scotland's most picturesque seaboard villages and then travel onto Maeshowe, where in the 12th century the Vikings left one of the largest collections of Norse runic inscriptions. Then its back to Kirkwall for our 2nd night after what is sure to be a memorable day.
DAY 11: KIRKWALL - JOHN O'GROATS - ARDVRECK CASTLE - ULLAPOOL
A relaxed start to the day, as you leave Orkney and sail the Viking waters back to the mainland. From here you travel the old road right across the very top of Scotland, driving past the stunning Ben Loyal and Ben Hope mountains following the rocky cliffs and stunning golden sand beaches of our northern coastline. We then visit the far northwest highlands and the grandeur, expanse and wilderness of the mountains of Assynt before stopping to view the 15th century ruins of Ardvreck Castle. From here we travel to Ullapool, situated at the mouth of Loch Broom, a beautiful whitewashed fishing village where we spent our last night's stay on tour.
DAY 12: ULLAPOOL
Leaving Ullapool behind you, you take in the drama of the River Droma as it plunges 60m down into Corrieshalloch Gorge, before taking in the beautiful Loch Glascarnoch, on the way past the 'Capital of the Highlands' Inverness. You can then visit Culloden Moor, the site of The Battle of Culloden in 1746, one of the bloodiest events in our history and the last battle to have been fought on the British mainland, before taking a short drive to the ancient standing stones at Clava Cairns. This prehistoric and stunning Bronze Age burial ground is one of the oldest in Scotland. From here you travel through the ancient Caledonian Pine Forest, hugging the Cairngorm mountain range. Lunch will be spent in these beautiful surroundings before travelling through big tree country of Perthshire, through the Kingdom of Fife, and back to Edinburgh around 19.00.
For departure details refer to the "Prices, Dates, and What's Included" Section...
SCOTTISH ISLAND HIGHLIGHTS 12 DAY TOUR!!
Prices, Dates & What's Included:
Departs: Fridays 4/May/2012, 18/May/2012, 1/Jun/2012, 15/Jun/2012, 29/Jun/2012, 13/Jul/2012, 27/Jul/2012, 10/Aug/2012, 24/Aug/2012, 7/Sep/2012
Departs 08:30 Returns 19:00 approx.
Tour Price:
B&B Double/Twin Room Price £ 1,345 (GBP)
B&B Single Room Price £ 1,590 (GBP)
Hotel Double/Twin Room Price £ 1,580 (GBP)
Hotel Single Room Price £ 1,925 (GBP)
