Compare Royal Scotland by Great Value Vacations vs Country Roads of Scotland - Small Group by Insight Vacations
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| Trip |
4 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 2,085 | $ 4,713 |
| Price Per Day | $ 261 | $ 471 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Self-guided tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Flights & Transport | NA | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description |
Ready, set, explore! This royal vacation is the total package. From magical city stays to drives through the picture-perfect Highlands, this trip is the perfect way to see Scotland at your own pace. From castles and palaces, to forts and yachts, prepare yourself for an unforgettable vacation rich with royal history. First, experience Scotland's charming capital city of Edinburgh. Stroll through winding stone streets lined with colorful pubs, castles, and cathedrals. Gawk at the city's incredible architecture and use your included Scotland Explorer Pass to check out Edinburgh's most raved-about sites and attractions! From Edinburgh, you'll pick up your rental car and hit the road! Enjoy postcard-worthy drives through rolling greenery, mountainous landscapes, and sparkling "lochs" (lakes). With stays at every end of the country, you'll experience Scotland front to back. Explore the western coast near Oban, visit the "capital of the Highlands" in Inverness, head up north near the Cairngorms to Aberdeenshire, soak up Scottish culture in Perthshire, and drench yourself in natural beauty near The Trossachs and Loch Lomond. |
Set foot on the stomping grounds of the Military Tattoo in Edinburgh, see the grand Georgian architecture of Glasgow and sail across the sea to the Isle of Skye—the most beautiful island of the Inner Hebrides. Join Local Experts on this grand Gaelic tour as you pass Britain’s northernmost point at John O’Groats and board a ferry to the Orkney Islands. Enjoy a quieter pace of life on these tranquil isles as you explore the 5000-year-old village of Skara Brae and the mysterious Ring of Brodgar. In Wick, whet your whistle with a wee dram of whisky at the Old Pulteney Distillery or visit the fascinating Heritage Museum on this Insight Choice. After exploring the charming cobbled streets of St. Andrews, take afternoon tea at Blair Castle—the historic home of the Atholl family for over seven centuries. |
Day 1 Welcome to Edinburgh!
Upon arrival in Scotland's medieval capital, enjoy a comfortable transfer to your luxurious hotel. Once you check in, the rest of the day is free for you to explore! With its stunning Georgian and Victorian architecture, it's easy to see why Edinburgh has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll through the city's winding colorful streets and treat yourself to a pint on the Royal Mile. Admire Edinburgh Castle, as it's perched atop the crags of an ancient volcano right in the center of the city! Be sure to activate your 7-Day Explorer Pass and take advantage of all its perks!
Day 2 Edinburgh
Recharge with a free day in Edinburgh, where you will begin your royal discoveries! Today, use your Scotland Explorer pass and consider visits to Holyrood Palace, the Royal Yacht Brittania, and of course, Edinburgh Castle. Holyrood Palace is the official residence of the Queen on her visits to Scotland, and the Royal Yacht Brittania has provided a home at sea to the Royal Family on their vacations. The yacht is berthed in Leith, and it gives a great peek into royal life!
Day 3 Edinburgh - Aberdeenshire
Fuel up with a scrumptious Scottish breakfast, then pick up your rental far and embark on the self-drive portion of your trip! Say "see ya" to Edinburgh and head over the Queensferry Crossing into the ancient Kingdom of Fife. From the bridge, you will enjoy views of the "Forth Rail Bridge." We recommend that you travel the coastal route to St Andrews, as it will take you through some of Scotland's most beautiful fishing villages. St Andrews has an ancient history - named after the patron saint of Scotland and said to be the final resting place of his remains. This beautiful town is also the birthplace of golf, and more recently, the location where the royal couple William and Kate met - at St Andrews University! You'll get to make a brief stop at this fascinating place before continuing on.
Day 4 Aberdeenshire
This morning, you might want to pay a visit to Glamis Castle, childhood home of Queen Elizabeth! Later in the day, follow the road to Blairgowrie, through an area known as the "Royal Deeside." Feel the road climb as you drive through the skiing hills of Glenshee towards Braemar. You will pass Crathie, where you can stop to see the church where the Royal Family attends Sunday service when on holiday at Balmoral Castle. Consider a visit to Royal Lochnagar Distillery, just a mile or so along the banks of the River Dee from Balmoral Castle.
Day 5 Aberdeenshire - Inverness
Today, travel through the Grampian Mountains and pass Tomintoul, the highest village in Great Britain! Head onto Grantown on Spey, where you can visit one of the many whiskey distilleries in the area. Continue onto Nairn, a popular seaside resort area famous for its golf course and beautiful sandy beaches. Time permitting, you may wish to visit Cawdor Castle! Best known for its literary connections to William Shakespeare's Scottish play, Macbeth, as the title character of the play was made Thane of Cawdor. The castle itself, however, was built many years after the events of the play. In the afternoon, travel to the Inverness area for your overnight. Roam around the beautiful city and treat yourself to dinner at a pub!
Day 6 Inverness - Oban
Enjoy a lovely morning in Inverness, then drive south and follow the shores of Loch Ness - the most famous loch in Scotland! You may wish to stop at Urquhart Castle on the shores of the loch. In fact, the castle is where most sightings of the famous Loch Ness Monster "Nessie" have been reported! Continue along the Caledonian Canal to Fort Augustus. Just before Fort William, make a little detour to Glenfinnan and gawk at the Glenfinnan Monument, situated on the scenic "Road to the Isles." Set amid superb Highland scenery at the head of Loch Sheil, the monument was erected in 1815 in tribute to the clansmen who fought and died for the Jacobite cause. As you drive toward Oban, be sure to make some photo-stops. Check out Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain, and Loch Linnhe! Upon arrival in Oban, check into your hotel and enjoy a night at leisure.
Day 7 Oban - Trossachs Area
After breakfast, travel south from Oban through Kilmartin Glen, located between Oban and Lochgilphead. The glen is home to more than 350 ancient monuments, 150 of them being prehistoric! Spend some time at Lady Glassary Wood, a site of standing stones and the Temple Wood stone circle. Learn more about the area in the Kilmartin House Museum of Ancient Culture! South of the glen, you will find the remains of the fortress of Dunadd, marking the royal center of Dalriada, where ancient kings were crowned. Later, follow the shores of Loch Lomond, the largest and perhaps most beautiful of all Scottish lochs in the Trossachs region. Immerse yourself in the spectacular natural beauty of the region, and enjoy a stay in the Trossachs area tonight!
Day 8 Depart Scotland
Pack up all your souvenirs and head to Edinburgh airport! Be sure to leave yourself enough time to drive to the airport, return your rental car, and still arrive at your terminal the suggested 3 hours prior to your flight's departure. Spend your flight replaying wonderful memories and dreaming about your next adventure!
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 16:30 for a Welcome Dinner with wine at a local restaurant. On select departures, during your time in Edinburgh you will also attend The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo — a colourful mix of pipes and drums, dance and display, set against the floodlit backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.
Malmaison Hotel Edinburgh.
Dinner with Wine
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?
Malmaison Hotel Edinburgh.
Breakfast
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.
Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness.
Breakfast, Afternoon Tea, Dinner with Wine
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.
The Pentland Hotel, Thurso.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
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.
The Pentland Hotel, Thurso.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
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.
The Dunollie Hotel, Broadford.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
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. Enjoy spectacular scenery en route to the Valley of Glencoe. Join a ranger for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, learn about the protection of this rare ecosystem and the important work reintroducing lost indigenous species to its flora and fauna. 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'.
Ballachulish Hotel, Glencoe., Isle of Glencoe Hotel & Leisure Centre.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
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.
Holiday Inn Glasgow - City Centre Theatreland.
Breakfast
Day 9: Depart Glasgow
Your travels come to an end after breakfast. Departure transfers arrive at Glasgow airport at 06:30 and 09:00.
Breakfast
