Highland Explorer Tour - Loch Ness & Skye (3 day)

Overview

Discover the Highlands and the magical Isle of Skye with its outstanding natural beauty, Viking history and ancient myths and legends. This is a journey packed with all of Scotland's most iconic sights and scenery including Glencoe, Loch Ness and world famous Eilean Donan Castle.
 

Highlights:

-  Loch Ness

-  Glencoe 
-  Eilean Donan Castle

-  Isle of Skye 
-  Culloden

-  Dunkeld Cathedral

Tour includes:

*  Two night's accommodation in a 3* B&B/Hotel - room with private facilities
*  Full Scottish breakfasts
*  Three full day excursions in an air conditioned midi-coach
*  Services of fully trained local guide throughout the trip
*  Return journey from Edinburgh
 

Tour excludes:

*  Lunches & evening meals

*  Admission to visitor attractions

Itinerary: 

DAY ONE: 

We head north to the ancient Scottish capital of Stirling and the site of the Battle of Stirling Bridge. Here there are stunning views towards the impressive Castle and towering Wallace Monument.  We enter the Trossachs, where the scenery changes dramatically and the Highlands begin.
 
Our journey takes us through wild Rannoch Moor and into brooding Glencoe, site of the massacre of 1692. It’s then further north into the Highlands passing the mighty Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. We enter the Great Glen and our home for the night at Fort Augustus, on the shores of Loch Ness.
 

DAY TWO:

The journey continues to the famous Isle of Skye but first we see Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland’s most famous icons. We cross the bridge and spend the day exploring the dramatic ‘winged isle’ with its amazing scenery, myths and legends. Hear tales of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s escape against the backdrop of the jagged Cuillin Mountains.

Highlights including the Quiraing with its spectacular cliffs and the mysterious rock formation of the Old Man of Storr. We return to the mainland for another night in the village of Fort Augustus.

 DAY THREE:

Our departure allows us to skirt the length of famous Loch Ness where you may be lucky to catch a glimpse of its famous resident. We have a quick stop at the impressive ruins of Urquhart Castle where the monster has been seen many times, before heading to Inverness, capital of the Highlands.

We explore the atmospheric Culloden Battlefield, scene of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s defeat and the end of the Jacobite Rebellion and then there’s the chance to try a dram of the ‘water of life’ with a visit to a Highland whisky distillery. 

Heading south into Perthshire, a land of forests, rivers and mountains, we stop at the quaint village of Dunkeld on the banks of the River Tay and visit its stunning historic cathedral. Finally, we return to Edinburgh with one last view of the Forth Bridge.