SAMPLE ITINERARY 2025

**portions are subject to change based 

***estimated pricing $4639 plus airfare per person  

Tour Inclusions:

• Transportation throughout by modern touring coach with a local driver and guide
• 10 nights accommodation in 3-4* hotels
• 10 full Scottish Breakfasts
• 5 evening meals in hotels
• Tour and tasting at a Kingsbarn Distillery (subject to availability)
• Cruise on Loch Ness
• Sheepdog display at Kincraig
• Dinner and entertainment at the National Piping Centre
• Harbour cruise in Ullapool – site of Ship Hector departure
• Entrance to Ullapool museum
• Farewell dinner and entertainment in Edinburgh (TBA)
• Entrance to:  National Piping Centre, Clava Cairns, Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, Urquhart Castle, Falkland Palace, Edinburgh Castle

May 5^th – Board flights to SCOTLAND

Day 1 – May 6^th , 2025           Glasgow 

You will be met on arrival at Edinburgh Airport by your local driver and guide before heading to Glasgow to undertake a panoramic tour of the city.  The remainder of the day at leisure so you can relax and unwind.  Early this evening you will visit the National Piping Centre, where you will enjoy a demonstration and lesson with a renowned piper, and the opportunity to try the bagpipes yourself.  Afterward you will join your fellow travellers for a delicious dinner in the Piping Centre’s restaurant.

Dinner/Overnight, The Novotel Hotel, Glasgow (4*) or similar

Day 2 – May 7^th , 2025                                   Stirling

After a leisurely breakfast we will depart for the town of Stirling and the home of one of Scotland’s grandest castles.  Stirling Castle towers over some of the most important battlefields of Scotland’s history including Stirling Bridge, the site of William Wallace’s victory over the English in 1297, and Bannockburn, where Robert the Bruce defeated the same foe in the summer of 1314.  Later we visit Doune Castle.  In addition to being featured in Outlander as Castle Leoch, Doune Castle was also featured in Monty Python and the Holy Grail and used for the castle known as Winterfell in the pilot of the award-winning TV series Game of Thrones. The remainder of the day you are free to explore Glasgow. This evening you may choose to dine at a local pub or restaurant.

Overnight, The Novotel Hotel, Glasgow (4*) or similar

Day 3 – May 8^th , 2025                                   Lochs and Inverness

After breakfast you will depart Glasgow for Inverness travelling along Scotland’s West Coast.  We will stop in Loch Lomond and board a cruise along the ‘bonnie banks’ before continuing our northward journey.  We will make a photo stop in dramatic Glencoe, followed by a visit to Urquhart Castle before arriving in Inverness.   This evening we will dine on traditional Scottish fayre in a local pub. 

Dinner/Overnight, Best Western Inverness Palace, Inverness (4*)

Day 4 – May 9^th , 2025                                   Culloden Moor

You will begin your day with a visit to the Clava Cairns, a well preserved, bronze-age cemetery that dates back nearly 4,000 years.  After, we travel to Culloden Moor, the site of Scotland’s bloodiest battle, the 1746 Battle of Culloden where Government forces faced the rebel Jacobite Army.  Tonight is a free night in Inverness.

Overnight, Best Western Inverness Palace, Inverness (4*)

Day 5 – May 10^th , 2025                     Ullapool and Hector Departure

Today we travel the scenic route to Ullapool, where, for the next two days we will visit the quaint town of Ullapool.  This was the departure port of the Ship Hector.  The Caledonian Hotel is ideally located in the centre of town, with views of the harbour and colourful fishing boats on Loch Broom.  This evening you may wish to venture out for a night on the town and enjoy dinner in a local pub or restaurant.

Overnight, Caledonian Hotel, Ullapool (3*)

Day 6 – May 11^th , 2025                     Day Free in Ullapool

After breakfast we visit Ullapool Museum where we learn about the social history of Lochbroom through displays on crofting, fishing, the “klondykers”, the ship Hector, Melville pistols, bi-centenary quilt and more. Ullapool Museum offers a Genealogy Research Service undertaken by Museum volunteers. There are hiking trails near by,  or maybe book a harbour cruise.

Dinner/Overnight— Caledonian Hotel, Ullapool (3*)

Day 7 – May 12^th , 2025                     Sheepdogs and Perthshire

This morning we depart for Kincraig, where we will be entertained by an impressive display of sheepdogs hard at work. We will stop in the pretty Highland town of Pitlochry where you can grab a bite to eat, shop for souvenirs or take a leisurely walk around the town and to the Pitlochry Dam and Salmon Ladder. Our hotel this evening is a lovely Highland Resort Hotel the Loch Rannoch Hotel, where we will be treated to a delicious meal.

Dinner/Overnight, Loch Rannoch Hotel, Perthshire (4*)   or similar

Day 8 – May 13^th , 2025                                 St. Andrews and Edinburgh

This morning we depart Perthshire for Edinburgh via the Kingdom of Fife. You will stop at St Andrews, home of Scotland’s oldest university and capital of golf.  We will also visit the family owned and operated Kingsbarns Distillery, for a tour and tasting of the ‘water of life.’  Our final visit of the day is the village of Falkland.  Here we will visit the village and the Palace, built by King James V in 1539.  It became a favourite retreat of the Stuart Dynasty including Mary Queen of Scots.

Dinner/Overnight— voco Edinburgh Haymarket Hotel, Edinburgh (4*) or similar

Day 9 – May 14^th , 2025                                 Edinburgh 

After an early breakfast at the hotel, you will enjoy a tour of Edinburgh Castle followed by a panoramic tour of the city.  The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to further explore this beautiful city. There are many Outlander locations fans of the series may wish to visit during this time, including The Signet Library, used as The Governor’s Jamaican mansion in season 3, The World’s End Pub, the establishment where Jamie secretly meets to keep his illegal smuggling business running, Tweeddale Court, a historic Edinburgh street used to represent the capital in the 1760s, and the Palace of Holyrood, where Jamie and Claire stayed with Bonnie Prince Charlie as his trusted supporters. Tonight you may wish to enjoy a night on the town, and dine at a fashionable restaurant or trendy bistro in Edinburgh. 

Overnight—voco Edinburgh Haymarket Hotel, Edinburgh (4*) or similar

Day 10 – May 15^th , 2025                               Edinburgh

Another free day in Scotland’s fabulous capital!  You may wish to visit some of the city’s most popular sights such as Arthur’s Seat, Holyrood House, The Royal Yacht Britannia and the Dean Village. Those who prefer to indulge in a little retail therapy may wish to visit some of the many fashionable shops that line Princes Street, or for something a little more luxurious George Street.   Speaking of indulging, why not treat yourself to high tea while you are here!  The Colonnades at the Signet Library, The Dome and The Balmoral are a few of the places we recommend.   This evening you will dine at a local venue, where you will enjoy an evening of traditional entertainment and dinner.

Dinner/Entertainment/Overnight—voco Edinburgh Haymarket Hotel, Edinburgh (4*) or similar

Day 11 – May 16^th , 2025                               Tour Ends

A group transfer will take you from the hotel to Airport.   

 Glasgow Airport for your flight home.