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- Day 1 Welcome to Edinburgh Arrive in Edinburgh to meet your Travel Director and small group over dinner at a local restaurant. It’s an easy, warm first evening with Scottish flavors and relaxed conversation. On select departures, your first night on tour includes the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, where performers sweep across the esplanade in a powerful mix of movement, music and color — a memorable introduction to Scotland’s capital. Locations Visited: Edinburgh GB.
- Day 2 Edinburgh, The Capital of Culture Join a Local Expert for a guided tour of Edinburgh. In the Old Town, see the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of the King. Drive along Princes Street to the Scott Monument, a Victorian Gothic tribute to Sir Walter Scott whose stories helped shape Scotland’s global image, then take in the 18th-century New Town with its neoclassical Georgian facades. Venture up the Royal Mile to visit Edinburgh Castle, home of Mons Meg and Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Later, enjoy a Highland bagpiping masterclass before time at leisure. Locations Visited: Edinburgh GB.
- Day 3 St Andrews and the Highland Capital of Inverness Cross the Firth of Forth into Fife and journey to St Andrews. You’ll pass by the Old Course — the home of golf since its creation in the 15th century. With some free time to explore, perhaps stroll to West Sands Beach where the famous Chariots of Fire scene was filmed. For a royal connection, wander to St Andrews University where the current Prince and Princess of Wales first met. Next, you’ll travel to Pitlochry and stop at Atholl Palace and Gardens for a delicious Victorian-style afternoon tea. Finally, you’ll continue through Blair Atholl and the shadow of the Grampian Mountains before the landscape opens into Spey Valley and the Highland capital of Inverness. Locations Visited: Edinburgh GB, St. Andrews GB, Inverness GB.
- Day 4 Culloden, Loch Ness and On to Thurso Follow the length of Loch Ness, keeping your eyes peeled for the monster, and watching dark water and steep hills roll past as your Travel Director shares the loch’s legends. At Culloden Battlefield, the Visitor Center will bring the final Jacobite uprising in 1746 into clear focus. Next, continue to Wick for a choice of activity — visit Old Pulteney Distillery for a coastal-style whisky tasting, or join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the Wick Heritage Museum to explore the stories of this once-thriving fishing port. End the day in Thurso for dinner with your fellow travelers by the northern coast. Locations Visited: Inverness GB, Culloden GB, Loch Ness GB, Wick GB, Thurso GB.
- Day 5 A Day in the Orkney Islands Start the day by boarding the ferry to the beautiful Orkney Islands, where open skies and green fields meet a slower rhythm of life. Here the hardy locals say they live ‘below the wind and above the water’. With your Travel Director, you’ll explore the Italian Chapel, built by WWII prisoners, then continue to Kirkwall for a look at its Norse heritage. Visit Skara Brae, a 5,000-year-old village, and walk among the standing stones of Brodgar. Finally, return to Thurso for dinner. Locations Visited: Thurso GB, Orkney Islands GB, Thurso GB.
- Day 6 Over the Sea to Skye Travel west along Scotland’s northern edge, where pale beaches give way to moorland, deep glens and winding rivers. Cross ‘Over the Sea to Skye’, where the island opens in a sweep of rugged slopes and quiet lochs. On the way to Broadford, hear the tale of Flora MacDonald and Bonnie Prince Charlie as the Cuillin Hills rise ahead, before settling in for a Highland evening. Locations Visited: Thurso GB, Skye GB.
- Day 7 Through the Scottish Highlands to Glencoe Start the morning at leisure on Skye before crossing back to the mainland. Pause for photos at Eilean Donan Castle, reflected perfectly in still water when the light is right. Next, you’ll continue to the WWII Commando Memorial, where bronze figures gaze towards Ben Nevis. Continue through Fort William to absorb the dramatic scenery of Glencoe, the Glen of the Weeping, where the dreadful massacre of the MacDonald clan took place in 1692. In the evening, get together with your newfound friends for a sumptuous Highland dinner made with market-fresh Scottish ingredients. Locations Visited: Skye GB, Glencoe GB.
- Day 8 Loch Lomond & Glasgow Spend time around Loch Lomond, ‘Queen of Scottish Lochs’ according to Sir Walter Scott, where wooded islands and quiet water create one of Scotland’s most peaceful scenes. If you choose, take an optional cruise to see the loch from the waterline. Continue to Glasgow for an orientation drive past its grand public buildings, George Square and St Mungo’s Cathedral. Enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure, exploring the city’s creative, confident character. Locations Visited: Glencoe GB, Loch Lomond GB, Glasgow GB.
- Day 9 Depart Glasgow Today, bid farewell to your journey along the country roads of Scotland as you transfer to the airport. Locations Visited: Glasgow GB.
Name: Country Roads of Scotland - Small Group
Brand: Insight
Quality: First Class
Tour Type: Escorted
Start City: Edinburgh
End City: Glasgow
Location Summary: Edinburgh, GB
St. Andrews, GB
Inverness, GB
Culloden, GB
Loch Ness, GB
Wick, GB
Thurso, GB
Orkney Islands, GB
Skye, GB
Glencoe, GB
Loch Lomond, GB
Glasgow, GB
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Highlights
- Dining Summary - 6 Dinner (D). 8 Breakfast (B). 1 Afternoon Tea (AT).
- Authentic Dining - Edinburgh: Enjoy a relaxing dinner at a local restaurant and get to know your fellow travelers. . Pitlochry: Atholl Palace, built as a Victorian Baronial retreat over 130 years ago, hosts your afternoon tea. You’ll be welcomed into the banqueting room to enjoy a traditional afternoon tea accompanied by sandwiches, scones, Scottish shortbread and traditional Scottish tablet.. Glencoe: Your adventure culminates with a wonderful evening enjoying the best Highland hospitality and market-fresh ingredients..
- Top Rated Highlights - Edinburgh: A hush descends, and eyes turn to the castle. The skirl of the pipes rises and drums crack the night air as a tide of tunics and tartan flood from the drawbridge. For a limited time in August, witness the incredible spectacle of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.. Edinburgh: Explore Edinburgh Castle with your Local Expert to see the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Mons Meg up close.. 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 King, Palace of Holyroodhouse.. St. Andrews: Spend time in St Andrews, a coastal university town shaped by old quadrangles, sea air and open links. Walk to the stretch of West Sands Beach where Chariots of Fire filmed its iconic scene, then look across the Old Course, regarded as the birthplace of modern golf.. Inverness: With your Travel Director, see the River Ness, Inverness Castle and beautiful scenery as you explore the history of this Highland city.. Inverness: At the Culloden Visitor Center, you’ll discover why the Battle of Culloden lasted only an hour yet changed the Highland way of life forever.. Loch Ness: Travel along the shores of Loch Ness, taking in wide views and hearing stories of the legendary creature said to lurk beneath its dark water.. Orkney Islands: Visit the Italian Chapel, Kirkwall, the prehistoric homes of Skara Brae and the stone circle of Brodgar on a full day across the islands.. Isle of Skye: Take in Scotland’s wild beauty, from the jagged Cuillin Hills to the harbor village of Broadford.. Fort William: Stop at the World War II Commando Memorial near Fort William, where bronze figures stand against a sweep of Highland landscape. From this quiet hillside, you get one of the clearest views of Ben Nevis, its ridges rising sharply above the glen.. Glencoe: Join your Travel Director for a gentle introduction to Glencoe, a Highland village set on the edge of Loch Leven. As you walk, mountain ridges rise on all sides and the stories of the glen help you understand the landscape that shaped them.. Loch Lomond: Spend time along the shores of Loch Lomond, where wooded islands, mirrored water and soft Highland light earn it the title ‘Queen of Scottish Lochs’. Wander the lakeside paths, take in the mountain views or simply pause to enjoy the stillness that settles over this iconic landscape.. Glasgow: Led by your Travel Director, take an easy orientation through Glasgow, where broad streets and bold Victorian architecture set the tone. Pause in George Square to take in its statues and grand civic buildings before continuing to St Mungo’s Cathedral, its dark stone and soaring interior hinting at the city’s medieval roots..
- Insight Experiences - Edinburgh: Step up to Scotland’s stirring musical tradition in a hands-on masterclass with Roddy the Piper or one of his expert musicians. Practise fingerwork and ornamentation on a practice chanter, then have a go on the Highland bagpipes. Finish by coming together as a mini pipe band, recording a group video as you play a tune in unison..
- Insight Choice - 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 artifacts that tell the history of Wick and their community ethos is one of welcome and sharing. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities. . Wick: Share a wee dram with a master distiller during a whisky tasting..
- Make Travel Matter - Glencoe: Join a ranger in the spectacular Valley of Glencoe, learn about the protection of this rare ecosystem and the important work reintroducing lost indigenous species to its flora and fauna. The Natural Reserve carries out important scientific research and conversation initiatives to protect the fragile biodiversity including rare alpine flowers, mosses, mountain hares, red deer and birdlife such as golden eagles. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land..
- Choice Highlights - 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 artifacts that tell the history of Wick and their community ethos is one of welcome and sharing. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities. . Wick: Share a wee dram with a master distiller during a whisky tasting..
