Tour Country Roads Of Scotland (Classic, Preview 2022, 9 Days) | Visit United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Transport

: Enjoy the comfort of Insight’s luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches. If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.

Accommodation

2 nights in Edinburgh 1 night in Inverness 2 nights in Thurso 1 night in the Isle of Skye 1 night in Glencoe 1 night in Glasgow

Others

Choose between two carefully selected activities Wick: Visit the highly rated Wick Heritage Museum to gain a full picture of this once thriving fishing community and how your visit helps keep the story of this town alive. The Wick Society is committed to preserving and promoting Wick’s proud heritage for the inspiration of future generations. They collect, collate and display the many artefacts that tell the history of Wick and their community ethos is one of welcome and sharing. Wick Heritage Museum advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities. Alternatively, visit the Old Pulteney Distillery to taste a wee dram of whisky. Wick: Whiskys are known for their distinctive flavours, often bursting with the power and subtlety of the sea. Share a wee dram with a master distiller who imparts the age-old techniques of whisky production at the Old Pulteney Distillery. : Our Well-Being Directors take a proactive approach to your welfare ensuring all well-being regulations are met (available on tours with 20 or more guests). : We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues. : Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day. : "One food I really love introducing my guests to is haggis because it’s surprisingly really nice and they love hearing about how it’s made. " : "Towering mountains, glittering lochs, beautiful forests, crumbling toothy ancient castles, rushing rivers, grand vistas, clear air... there’s nowhere else like the Highlands, in how it looks but also how it feels: strong, bright, impressive and light." : "It’s magical to see how a group of guests comes together over the course of our trip. I can always tell when that’s happening because suddenly the enthusiasm is palpable." Edinburgh: Your Local Expert walks with you inside the walls of the Edinburgh Castle to view the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny and Mons Meg. Edinburgh: Explore the city with your Local Expert as you travel along Princes Street to see the Scott Memorial, the neoclassical Adam facades of New Town and the official Scottish residence of the Queen, Palace of Holyroodhouse. St. Andrews: Visit the university town where the famous beach scene from ’Chariots of Fire’ was filmed and see the golf course where the sport was created. Pitlochry: Visit this town, famous for its salmon leap. Inverness: See the River Ness, Inverness Castle and beautiful scenery as you explore the history of this Highland city. Inverness: At the exciting Culloden Visitor Centre, discover why the Battle of Culloden lasted only an hour yet changed the Highland way of life forever. Loch Ness: Drive along the shores in search of the legendary monster. John o’ Groats: Visit Britain’s most northerly, yet tiny, mainland village. Isle of Skye: See the dramatic Cuillin Hills and stay in pretty Broadford. Eilean Donan: Stop for a photo of this gorgeous castle. Fort William: Enjoy an excellent view of Ben Nevis from the World War II Commando Memorial. Loch Lomond: Enjoy time to explore the beautiful ’Queen of Scottish Lochs’. Glasgow: See the grand public buildings, including George Square and St. Mungo’s Cathedral. Wick: Visit the highly rated Wick Heritage Museum to gain a full picture of this once thriving fishing community and how your visit helps keep the story of this town alive. The Wick Society is committed to preserving and promoting Wick’s proud heritage for the inspiration of future generations. They collect, collate and display the many artefacts that tell the history of Wick and their community ethos is one of welcome and sharing. Wick Heritage Museum advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities. Alternatively, visit the Old Pulteney Distillery to taste a wee dram of whisky. Orkney Islands: Cruise to the windswept Orkney Islands on a full day guided journey. Come face-to-face with relics spanning human history, from pagan stone circles to reminders of wartime tragedy. Join a Local Expert for a fascinating journey into the history of this remote part of the world. Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert’s fascinating commentary. We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door. Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you’ll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.

Meals

Edinburgh: Enjoy a relaxing Welcome Dinner with wine at a local restaurant and get to know your fellow travellers. Blair Atholl: Visit Blair Castle and Gardens, which has been home to the Atholl family for over seven centuries, and tour the ballroom to learn about the history of the estate. Relish a delicious afternoon sipping on freshly brewed coffee or tea and tasting homemade scones with berry jam and sweet cream. Wick: Whiskys are known for their distinctive flavours, often bursting with the power and subtlety of the sea. Share a wee dram with a master distiller who imparts the age-old techniques of whisky production at the Old Pulteney Distillery. Glencoe: Your adventure culminates with a wonderful Celebration Dinner. Enjoy the best Highland hospitality and market-fresh ingredients accompanied by delicious wine or beer. Dining Summary: 1 Afternoon Tea (AT), 8 Breakfast (B), and 6 Dinner with Wine (DW)

Hygieneprotocol

All guests travelling with Insight Vacations through December 31, 2022 are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which may include a booster shot to keep the vaccination status current and valid, depending on the travel destination. Children not eligible for vaccination and/or booster at the time of travel must provide a verifiable and negative Covid-19 test result, taken within 72 hours prior to the start of the tour (taking time zones into consideration) for all tours departing until December 31, 2022. While highly recommended, COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are no longer required for guests traveling with us from January 1, 2023 onward. It is your client’s responsibly to comply with specific vaccine and/or booster requirements imposed by airlines and/or authorities in the destinations visited, as well as requirements for accessing restaurants and venues, which may be more restrictive than the above. No refunds will be given if they are unable to undertake some or all of their vacation due to failure to comply with these requirements.

Guide

: Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19.All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols. Glencoe: Your Travel Director will lead you on an orientation of this Highland village on Loch Leven. Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas. From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.

Not included:

Optional

Other activities and services not included

Others

Other activities and services not included

Insurance

Insurance is not included

Flights

International flights are not included

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Day 1 Day 1: Welcome To Edinburgh
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Welcome To Edinburgh

Welcome to Scotland - land of legends and romance, from the great cultural cities in the south, to the dramatic mountains and misty lochs of the Highlands. On arrival at Edinburgh airport, transfers depart for your hotel at 09:00, 11:00 and 13:00. Then the rest of the day is yours to relax before joining your Travel Director at 17:30 for a Welcome Dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
Day 2 Day 2: Edinburgh, The Capital Of Culture
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Edinburgh, The Capital Of Culture

Join a Local Expert to see the highlights of the city. In the Old Town, see the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of the Queen. Drive along Princes Street to the ornate Scott Memorial, then see the 18th century New Town with its neoclassical Georgian facades. Venture up the Royal Mile to visit Edinburgh Castle, home of Mons Meg, the Stone of Destiny and Scotland’s Crown Jewels.The rest of the day is at leisure; why not visit the art treasures in the National Gallery?
Day 3 Day 3: To St. Andrews And The Highland Capital Of Inverness
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: To St. Andrews And The Highland Capital Of Inverness

Cross the Firth of Forth into Fife and journey to St. Andrews, passing the Old Course, home of golf since its creation in the 15th century. Enjoy free time to explore. Perhaps stroll to West Sands Beach where the famous ’Chariots of Fire’ scene was filmed? Alternatively, wander to St. Andrews University where the love story of Kate Middleton meeting her Prince Charming began. Cross the Tay and journey to the charming Victorian resort town of Pitlochry, famous for its salmon run. Continue via Blair Atholl and pass the Grampian Mountains on the way to the sparkling Spey Valley. Stop at Blair Castle and Gardens, which has been home to the Atholl family for over seven centuries. Tour the magnificent ballroom and learn about the history of the estate. During your visit relish a delicious cream tea. Continue to Inverness, where your luxury hotel is set within four acres of manicured grounds.
Day 4 Day 4: Culloden, Loch Ness And Onto Thurso
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Culloden, Loch Ness And Onto Thurso

See Culloden Moor in the morning, where Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite army was crushed in 1746. Visit the Culloden Visitor Centre before continuing along the shores of Loch Ness. Keep your eyes peeled for the legendary monster! Next, follow the rugged coast north to the fishing port of Wick. Explore Wick with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the Old Pulteney Distillery to taste a wee dram of its award-winning whiskeys. Alternatively, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with a visit to the highly rated Wick Heritage Museum and hear about the past of this once thriving fishing community.
Day 5 Day 5: A Day In The Orkney Islands
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: A Day In The Orkney Islands

Start the day by driving to the most northern point of the British mainland, John O’Groats. Board the ferry to the beautiful Orkney Islands where the countryside is breathtakingly majestic and the tranquillity supports a quieter pace of life. Here the hardy locals say they live ‘below the wind and above the water.’ Your Local Expert accompanies you as you visit the 5,000-year-old village of Skara Brae, the mysterious Ring of Brodgar, Kirkwall and the small chapel built by Italian prisoners during World War II.
Day 6 Day 6: Over The Sea To Skye
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Over The Sea To Skye

Travel through stunning, pristine landscapes along the northern coast with its white sandy beaches, and further inland to misty valleys and glens, lochs and rushing waters. Then it’s ‘Over the Sea to Skye,’ the largest and most beautiful island of the Inner Hebrides. On the way to Broadford, hear romantic tales of how young Flora MacDonald helped rescue Bonnie Prince Charlie and see the dramatic Cuillin Hills.
Day 7 Day 7: Through The Scottish Highlands To Glencoe Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Through The Scottish Highlands To Glencoe Relaxed Start

Explore this wild and beautiful island on your own, before crossing to the Kyle of Lochalsh. Stop for a photo at remote Eilean Donan Castle, which under a clear sky offers a perfect reflection in its loch. Move on to the WWII Commando Memorial where there is a fine view of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. You’ll enjoy spectacular scenery en route to the Valley of Glencoe. Site of the notorious 1962 Glencoe Massacre, its dramatic peaks are said to be echo with the ghastly cries of the McDonald clansmen, slaughtered by soldiers of the Scottish revolutionary leader, Archibald Campbell. In the evening, enjoy market-fresh Scottish ingredients and wine, as you get together with your newfound friends for a sumptuous Celebration Dinner. Don’t be surprised if, by the end of the evening, you’re ’Toasting to the Lassies’ or singing ’Auld Lang Syne’.
Day 8 Day 8: Along The Bonnie Banks Of Loch Lomond To Glasgow Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Along The Bonnie Banks Of Loch Lomond To Glasgow Relaxed Start

Spend time around peaceful Loch Lomond, ‘Queen of Scottish Lochs’ according to Sir Walter Scott and the largest in Great Britain. Perhaps experience the beauty and tranquillity of the loch with an optional cruise before continuing to Glasgow? An orientation drive through the city will show you the grand public buildings, including George Square and St. Mungo’s Cathedral. Then the rest of the afternoon is at your leisure to explore as you wish.
Day 9 Day 9: Depart Glasgow
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Depart Glasgow

Your travels come to an end after breakfast. Departure transfers arrive at Glasgow airport at 06:30 and 09:00.

9 days tour

Country Roads Of Scotland (Classic, Preview 2022, 9 Days)

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Itinerary of your trip Country Roads Of Scotland (Classic, Preview 2022, 9 Days)

Day 1: Welcome To Edinburgh

Day 2: Edinburgh, The Capital Of Culture

Day 3: To St. Andrews And The Highland Capital Of Inverness

Day 4: Culloden, Loch Ness And Onto Thurso

Day 5: A Day In The Orkney Islands

Day 6: Over The Sea To Skye

Day 7: Through The Scottish Highlands To Glencoe Relaxed Start

Day 8: Along The Bonnie Banks Of Loch Lomond To Glasgow Relaxed Start

Day 9: Depart Glasgow

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