Compare Scotland’s Highlands: A Stay at the Aigas Field Center by Road Scholar vs Country Roads of Scotland - Classic Group by Insight Vacations

Day 1 In Transit to Program In Flight

Day 2 Arrive Glasgow, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner Glasgow

Hotel check-in from 2:00 p.m.

After clearing customs and passport control, walk 300 yards from the arrival terminal to the hotel. A program representative will be on hand in the hotel to provide any assistance you may need checking in. When you have your room, take some time to freshen up and relax.

Arrivals continue, with free time for those who have already arrived. 5:00 p.m. Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. Our Road Scholar Group Leader will accompany us while we are in Glasgow and during our transfers to and from Aigas, and will deal primarily with logistics. While we are at Aigas, the program is staffed with Aigas Rangers who will lecture, conduct field trips, and serve as an information resource on program-related topics. Travel and transportation for Aigas field trips will be via minibus unless noted otherwise. Sign-up sheets for visits to wildlife hides (known as blinds in America) on certain evenings are posted in a public area at Aigas, as space inside the hides is limited so it is necessary to visit in smaller groups. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. Evenings at leisure offer opportunities to make the program more meaningful and memorable through personal independent exploration, attending performances or other events on your own, or simply relaxing and making new friends among fellow Road Scholars. The Group Leader will always be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow participants, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

In the hotel dining room for those arriving by lunchtime, we’ll have a light lunch with coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

In the hotel dining room, we’ll have a plated and served meal with coffee, tea and water; other beverages available for purchase.

Day 3 Transfer to Aigas, Glencoe Aigas.

Getting on/off motorcoach; driving about 160 miles (257 kilometers), approximately 4 hours, with short rest stops at convenient and interesting places.

We’ll check out of the hotel, board a motorcoach, and depart Glasgow for Aigas. We'll travel through the Trossachs National Park, Loch Lomond, Glencoe, and Fort William, enjoying some of Scotland's finest views. Our onboard expert will provide commentary along the way.

Our journey continues through the spectacular Highland landscape, with arrival at Aigas Field Centre in time for afternoon tea, a British tradition. Then we’ll settle into our rooms and freshen up before a welcome meeting, where we'll meet Aigas family and staff and hear about procedures.

At leisure. You might like to find something in the extensively stocked library featuring human and natural history. You may also purchase drinks beside a roaring log fire.

In the hotel, the full Scottish breakfast buffet include choices such as eggs, bacon, sausages, hash browns, baked beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, yogurts, cereals, porridge, toast, jams and marmalade, milk, fruit juices, coffee, tea, and water.

At the Glencoe visitor center, we’ll have a light lunch of soup and sandwiches with coffee, tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase.

In the baronial hall, we’ll have a 3-course dinner amid family portraits and Victorian artifacts, with coffee, tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase.

Day 4 Balmorality, Aigas Estate & Grounds Aigas.

Walking about 2 miles, periods of standing. Woodland, stone and gravel paths, grass lawns. It is important to remain as quiet as possible in wildlife hides to avoid disturbing the animals.

We will gather for a presentation by Sir John Lister-Kaye — noted naturalist, conservationist, author, and owner of Aigas — on the history of the Highlands and its clans, which will provide the context for our explorations. “Balmorality” refers to an idealization of Scottish traditions and culture. We’ll learn the authentic story. We’ll then explore the Aigas grounds and loch (lake), where we will see infrastructure dating back to the mid-19th century, Bronze Age archaeological remains, Aigas restoration ecology projects, and an enchanting trail through woodland.

Lady Lucy Lister-Kaye will show us around her garden, a much-admired labor of love. The House of Aigas is set amid beautiful gardens, with rockeries, a large pond, and an extensive arboretum. Most of the trees were planted by the estate’s Victorian-era residents more than 100 years ago, including exotics such as giant sequoia and western red cedar that have now reached considerable heights, with some native trees dating even farther back. The garden is Lady Lister-Kaye's creation, a blaze of color throughout the year, hosting a rich array of species from miniature maples to azaleas and rhododendrons and the blooms of heathers, lilies, honeysuckle, and clematis.

At leisure. Those of us who have signed up for a visit to a wildlife hide this evening will walk to the hide with an Aigas ranger to observe the diverse fauna of the Aigas estate.

In the baronial hall, the breakfast buffet offers choices such as cereals, toast, marmalade, jams, fruit and pin-mill porridge as well as milk, juices, coffee, tea, water.

In the baronial hall, we’ll have a 2-course buffet lunch with coffee, tea, water included, other beverages available for purchase.

Plated baronial hall meal.

Day 5 Clava Cairns, Culloden Battlefield, Brodie Castle Aigas.

Getting on/off a minibus; driving about 90 miles, approximately 3.5 hours. Walking approximately 3 miles, periods of standing. Paved and gravel paths, some uneven grassy areas; carpeted floors, steep steps within Brodie Castle. It is important to remain as quiet as possible in wildlife hides to avoid disturbing the animals.

Our focus today is on archaeology and history. We’ll begin with an introductory talk on the importance of the Bronze Age and the Picts. We’ll then set out by minibus to see aspects of the long history of the Highlands dating back to the Neolithic age, when an ancient burial site at Clava Cairns was built. The Clava Cairns are about 4,000 years old. What we see today is only part of what was once a larger complex. As we explore, an Aigas ranger will provide expert insights. We’ll then explore Culloden Battlefield and the new and immersive Culloden Battlefield Interpretation Centre. Culloden was the last pitched battle fought on British soil, between forces of the British crown — the recently installed Hanoverians — and Jacobites— those seeking to restore the Stuart dynasty. It divided families and set clan against clan. On April 16, 1746, British forces routed the Jacobites. It was a short but bloody fight, leaving some 1,500 dead.

Our field trip continues as we proceed by minibus to historic Brodie Castle. The original castle was constructed by Clan Brodie in 1567, and was rebuilt in 1645 after destruction during inter-clan feuding. The castle remained home to the Brodie family until 2003, and is a particularly well-preserved example of Scottish Z-Plan castle architecture, with distinctive Scots Baronial additions from the 19th century. Within the grounds of the castle, there are extensive gardens and an ancient Pictish monument. With our expert Aigas Ranger, we’ll explore its stately rooms, as well as its verdant grounds. We’ll return to Aigas late afternoon.

At leisure. Those of us who have signed up for a visit to a wildlife hide this evening will walk to the hide with an Aigas ranger to observe the diverse fauna of the Aigas estate.

Baronial hall buffet.

At Culloden battlefield, we’ll have packed lunches including sandwiches and snacks provided by Aigas, with coffee, tea, water included.

Plated baronial hall meal.

Day 6 Caledonian Forest Aigas.

Getting on/off a minibus; driving about 45 miles, approximately 2 hours. Walking about 3 miles, periods of standing. Varied terrain including woodland paths, uneven grassy areas. It is important to remain as quiet as possible in wildlife hides to avoid disturbing the animals.

Today we’ll focus on history of the ancient Caledonian Forest, beginning at Aigas with an introductory talk on crofting and Caledonian pinewoods. We’ll then board the minibus for a field trip led by an Aigas ranger, visiting some of the most scenic glens in Scotland — with landscapes redolent of the last Ice Age — and take a short walk to the spectacular Plodda Falls.

Our next field trip is to Guisachan, the ruins of a huge country house where Winston Churchill learned to drive and the first golden retriever was bred. We’ll return to Aigas by minibus, with the remainder of the afternoon is free time.

At leisure. Those of us who have signed up for a visit to a wildlife hide this evening will walk to the hide with an Aigas ranger to observe the diverse fauna of the Aigas estate.

Baronial hall buffet.

At Plodda Falls, we’ll have packed lunches including sandwiches and snacks provided by Aigas, with coffee, tea, water included.

Plated baronial hall meal.

Day 7 The West Coast Aigas.

Getting on/off a minibus; driving about 150 miles, approximately 5 hours. Walking about 1 mile, periods of standing; varied terrain including uneven grassy areas, pebble and sandy beaches, gravel paths. Extent of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

We’ll take a scenic drive to the dramatic west coast of Scotland, where towering mountains drop to convoluted coastlines with ribbons of settlement along the shore. These crofting communities are unique in Britain and a special part of Highland heritage. The west is wild, dramatic and stunning — an iconic highlight of Scotland.

Our exploration of the West Coast continues, with time for independent exploration along the beach. We’ll return to Aigas with time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

We’ll be joined by a local expert on whisky who will lead a tasting. When done, we’ll also know why Scots call it simply whisky and not Scotch.

Baronial hall buffet.

On a beach along the way, we’ll have packed lunches including sandwiches and snacks provided by Aigas, with coffee, tea, water included.

Plated baronial hall meal.

Day 8 Field Trips near Aigas, Wildcat Conservation Aigas.

Walking about 1 mile, standing. Woodland, gravel paths. Erchless Motte: getting on/off minibus; driving about 8 miles, approximately 1/2 hour; walking about 1 mile, standing; woodland paths with steep sections. Distillery: getting on/off minibus; driving about 18 miles, approximately 1 hour; walking about 1 mile, periods of standing; paved paths, concrete floors. Iron Age hillfort: walking about 2 miles, standing; varied terrain including woodland, moorland paths, some steep, uneven sections.

We’ll have a choice of three field trips led by Aigas rangers. At a local whisky distillery, we’ll learn about its processes and sample its delights. A field trip to Erchless Motte considers the theories surrounding this medieval earthwork located in woodlands near Aigas, which is likely to have been part of a small castle-like fortification and has been used as a cemetery in more recent centuries. A more challenging walk along nature trails on the Aigas estate leads to an Iron Age hillfort, where we’ll gain a sense of the area’s fascinating prehistory.

We’ll begin the afternoon with a talk by an Aigas ranger on the Scottish wildcat conservation project. Aigas has been involved since 2011 in a national effort to rescue the Scottish wildcat, often known as the “Tiger of the Highlands,” from near-extinction. This talk will teach us more about the goals and methods of the project — which was the subject of a 2017 web series — and we’ll visit the wildcat enclosure with rangers after the lecture.

We’ll enjoy a traditional ceilidh—a Gaelic folk dance and musical performance.

Baronial hall buffet.

Baronial hall buffet.

Plated baronial hall meal.

Day 9 The Black Isle Aigas.

Getting on/off a minibus; driving about 75 miles, approximately 2.5 hours. Walking about 1.5 miles, periods of standing; varied terrain including paved streets, gravel paths, grass lawns.

We’ll take a field trip by minibus to key sites on the Black Isle, a large fertile peninsula close to Aigas that protrudes into the North Sea. The Black Isle is rich in medieval monastic history, which we’ll explore while visiting the remains of two important Christian sites during our field trip led by an Aigas ranger. The first, Beauly Priory, was founded in the 13th century by French monks of the comparatively little known Valliscaulian Order. The priory became Cistercian in 1510 after Pope Julius II suppressed the Valliscaulian Order, but its foundation remains reflected in Beauly’s name, derived from the French “beau lieu” meaning “beautiful place.” We’ll continue to Fortrose Cathedral, which was constructed at a similar time to Beauly Priory and served as the seat of the medieval diocese of Ross until the Scottish Reformation in the 16th century. At Fortrose, we’ll learn more about the ways in which Scotland’s religious landscape changed during this period of upheaval. We’ll return to Aigas by minibus after our field trip.

We’ll return to the Black Isle for a field trip to a family-run bee garden at Old Allangrange. When we return to Aigas, the remainder of the afternoon will be free.

We’ll enjoy a “Book at Bedtime” — a literary reading with our host, Sir John Lister-Kaye. Then prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

Baronial hall buffet.

Baronial hall buffet.

In the baronial hall, we’ll enjoy our last dinner together in these special surroundings.

Day 10 Transfer to Glasgow, Dunkeld Glasgow

Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 200 miles, approximately 4.5 hours. Extent of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

We’ll check out and depart Aigas. En route to Glasgow we’ll stop at Dunkeld, one of the best-preserved historic towns in Scotland. Dunkeld cathedral dominates the skyline and is over 1,400 years old, dating from a time when Celtic monks set up the base for a mission at the confluence of two rivers. Since then it has seen many changes and turbulent times, eventually becoming the beautiful, peaceful place of worship it is today. Our Group Leader will introduce the cathedral and town, after which we’ll have some time for independent exploration.

We’ll continue our transfer to Glasgow and check into our hotel with time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

Baronial hall buffet.

At Dunkeld, we’ll have packed lunches including sandwiches and snacks provided by Aigas, with coffee, tea, water included.

At the hotel, we’ll have our plated and served 3-course farewell dinner and recount our favorite experiences of the program with our new Road Scholar friends.

Day 11 Program Concludes In Flight

Hotel check out by 11:00 a.m. Walk 300 yards to Glasgow Airport.

If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Hotel buffet. This concludes our program.

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