Days of operation:
Wednesdays 16th May – 26th September 2012; Saturdays 19th May – 29th October 2012

Tour starts: 8:45am at 60 High Street, Edinburgh
Tour finishes: 8.30pm at 60 High Street, Edinburgh

• two nights accommodation in a 3* B&B/hotel - rooms with private facilities on the Isle of Skye

• full Scottish breakfast

• three full-day excursions in a state-of-the-art Mercedes midi-coach

• services of a fully trained local guide throughout the trip

• steam train trip on world-famous West Highland line

• ferry ‘across the sea’ from the Isle of Skye

• return journey from Edinburgh

Excludes:

• lunches & evening meals

• Loch Ness cruise and admission to visitor attractions

DAY ONE: Leaving Edinburgh, past stunning views of the Forth Bridge, we enter the Highlands through Perthshire, a land of forests, rivers and mountains. We visit the quaint village of Dunkeld with its historic cathedral sitting on the banks of the River Tay. It’s then further north and west deeper into the Highlands and its stunning scenery before we enter the Great Glen. At Fort Augustus, there is time to explore the shores of Loch Ness and maybe get a chance to spot our Nessie. The journey continues to the famous Isle of Skye but first we see Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland’s most famous icons. Our home for the night is Portree, capital of the ‘winged isle’ where you can walk on the harbour and have some seafood in one of the local restaurants.

DAY TWO: You will spend a full day exploring the dramatic Isle of Skye with its amazing scenery, myths and legends. Hear tales of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s escape against the backdrop of the jagged Cuillin Mountains. Our journey heads to the north of the island past the mysterious Trotternish Ridge. Highlights may include the Quiraing with its spectacular cliffs, the mysterious rock formation of the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock with its cascading waterfall and Dunvegan Castle. We return to Portree in time to relax after a day of exploration.

DAY THREE: In the morning we explore the south of the island, known as 'the Garden of Skye', before taking the ferry to the west coast fishing village of Mallaig. Then we board the Jacobite steam train to Fort William, one of the most spectacular railway journeys in the world. The train crosses the Glenfinnan viaduct made famous by the Harry Potter films and where a monument to Bonnie Prince Charlie’s campaign now stands. We head south through the dramatic scenery of Glencoe, wild Rannoch Moor then through the heart of Rob Roy country before arriving back in Edinburgh, early evening.