- Total of four nights accommodation (2 nights in Inverness and 2 nights in Portree, Isle of Skye). Choose from 3* or 4* Guest House/B&B/Hotel Accommodation

- Transportation by top of the range Mercedes minicoach
- Services of a professional Rabbie's driver/guide
- Rabbie's Discount Card - money off restaurants, shopping and attractions.

2011 Edinburgh Departures

Saturday 10 March - 3 November 2012 and Wednesday 2 May - 26 September 2012 except 9 May and 23 May 2012

- Departs 9am Saturdays from 207 High St, Edinburgh

- Return at 7pm

Day 1 takes you north over the Forth Road Bridge to the charming highland village of Dunkeld on the banks of the river Tay. From here we head into the Cairngorm national park and the ancient pine forests of the Rothiemurchus estate. Lunchtime will be spent on the beautiful shores of Loch Insh before a short forest walk takes us to the ruins of Loch an Eilean castle. Panoramic views of Loch Ness follow as we travel down to the banks of the famous loch and the village of Dores where you can do some "Nessie" spotting! Then it's on to the "Capital of the Highlands", Inverness, where we will spend two nights.

Day 2 visits the far northwest highlands and the grandeur, expanse and wildness of the mountains of Assynt. Leaving Inverness we take in the drama of the River Droma as it plunges 60m down into the Corrieshalloch Gorge followed by a visit to the fishing village of Ullapool. Lunch will be taken by Loch Glencoul from where an optional boat trip can be taken to see Eas a' Chual Aluinn, the highest waterfall in Britain at 200m high! With visits to the 15th century ruins of Ardvreck Castle, amazing views of some of Europe's oldest landscapes and the chance of seeing wildlife such as whales and red deer this is sure to be a memorable day.

Day 3 leaves Inverness heading west past the mountains of the Beinn Eighe national nature reserve and along the picturesque coastline of Loch Torridon. The tranquil setting of Applecross is our destination for lunch before taking one of the highest roads in Scotland, Bealach nam Bo (meaning the Pass of the Cattle), with fabulous views across Loch Kishorn. In the afternoon we stop in "tropical" Plockton where you can see palm trees growing alongside Loch Carron and take time to enjoy its sheltered serenity. Then it's over the sea to Skye and the delightful harbour town of Portree with its friendly welcome.

Day 4 is a very flexible day on Skye. There are many possibilities depending on the weather and your driver/guide's knowledge will come to the fore in developing the best itinerary for you that particular day. For example: travel north to the stunning Quiraing mountain pass and enjoy a spectacular walk through some of Skye's extraordinary geological scenery. Kilt Rock, composed of basalt columns (reminiscent of the pleats in a kilt) with its 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 on Skye, as are the famous Cuillin Hills. We return you to your accommodation in Portree in the early evening for you to enjoy a free night in Portree.

Day 5 takes us south from Skye stopping first at the famous stronghold Eilean Donan Castle, used in the film "Highlander", set at the head of 3 lochs as protection against Viking raiders. Continuing east through the rugged mountains of Kintail including the splendour of the Five Sisters, we drive down through Glen Garry past Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, then onto Fort William for lunch. In the afternoon we will explore spectacular Glencoe, scene of the infamous massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692, before stopping in Killin for refreshments beside the Falls of Dochart, arriving into Edinburgh at 19.30 approx.

- Lunch, dinner and refreshments
- Entrances to all visitor attractions
- All items of a personal nature: telephone calls etc

NB:
Because we believe in time off the bus and give you opportunities to take nature walks we recommend you bring suitable clothing and footwear for your tour. Scotland can be a wet place!!