Experience Overview
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. Enjoy a quieter pace of life on the tranquil Orkney islands as you explore the 1000-year-old Norse Town of Kirkwall 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. 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.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 6 Dinner (D)
- 8 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Afternoon Tea (AT)
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.
Additional Included Highlights
- Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- 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.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- 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 us, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
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, is over 130 years old. The Palace plays host to your afternoon tea. You are 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.
Brendan 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.
Brendan Experiences
- Orkney Islands: Cruise to the windswept Orkney Islands. Come face-to-face with relics spanning human history, from pagan stone circles to reminders of wartime tragedy.
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.
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: Visit Edinburgh Castle to view the Scottish Crown Jewels, Mons Meg and other artifacts with your Local Expert.
- Edinburgh: Explore the city with your Local Specialist 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: 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.
- Inverness: See the River Ness, Inverness Castle and beautiful scenery as you explore the history of this Highland city.
- Inverness: 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.
- Isle of Skye: Take in the wild beauty, from the jagged Cuillin Hills to the harbor village of Broadford.
- Eilean Donan: Stop for a photo of this gorgeous castle built on an island in the Loch.
- Fort William: Enjoy an excellent view of Ben Nevis from the World War II Commando Memorial.
- Glencoe: Drive through this Highland village on Loch Leven.
- 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.
Well-being
- Enjoy the comfort of the 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.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Trip Details
Product Code: 20895
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles: Family, 55+, Luxury
Supplier Code: 41.85A
Starts: Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Finishes: Glasgow, United Kingdom
Duration: 9 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating: Easy
Includes
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $5485 (CAD $609 /day)
Itinerary
Join your Travel Director for dinner at a local restaurant. On select departures, during your time in Edinburgh you will also attend The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo — a colorful mix of pipes and drums, dance and display, set against the floodlit backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.
Accommodation: Malmaison Hotel Edinburgh Leith
Meals: Dinner
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 King. 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 and Scotland’s Crown Jewels. The rest of the day is at leisure; why not visit the art treasures in the National Gallery?
Accommodation: Malmaison Hotel Edinburgh Leith
Meals: Breakfast
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. Continue via Blair Atholl and pass the Grampian Mountains on the way to the sparkling Spey Valley. Stop at Atholl Palace and Gardens for a delicious cream tea. Originally opened in Victorian times, the hotel retains many traditional features.
Accommodation: Kingsmills, Inverness
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner, Afternoon Tea
Keep your eyes peeled for the Loch Ness monster this morning during a scenic drive along the legendary lake. See Culloden Battlefield in the morning, where Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite army was crushed in 1746. Visit the Culloden Visitor Center. Next, with Brendan Choice discover the fishing port of Wick. Choose to visit the Old Pulteney Distillery to taste a wee dram of its award-winning whiskies. Alternatively, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with a visit to the Wick Heritage Museum and hear about the past of this once thriving fishing community.
Accommodation: The Pentland, Thurso
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Start the day by boarding the ferry to the beautiful Orkney Islands where the countryside is breathtakingly majestic and the tranquility supports a quieter pace of life. Here the hardy locals say they live ‘below the wind and above the water’. Your Travel Director accompanies you as you visit the small chapel built by Italian prisoners during World War II, the old Norse Town of Kirkwall, 5000-year-old village of Skara Brae and the mysterious Ring of Brodgar.
Accommodation: The Pentland, Thurso
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Accommodation: The Dunollie, Broadford
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Take in this wild and beautiful landscape 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 dinner. Don't be surprised if, by the end of the evening, you're 'Toasting to the Lassies' or singing 'Auld Lang Syne'.
Accommodation: Ballachulish, Glencoe
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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 tranquility 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.
Accommodation: Radisson Blu, Glasgow
Meals: Breakfast
Today, bid farewell to your journey along the country roads of Scotland as you transfer to the airport.
Meals: Breakfast
Similar Experiences
Tour Operator
Brendan Vacations (CA)
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Ellen - Traveled, June 2024
The tour with the sites that we visited was great. Alison, out tour director, was wonderful, very knowledgeable. Arthur, our bus driver was also great. Our one day tour guide and bus driver, Ann, was also great. I was not so impressed with the breakfast menu of cooked food. It was the same at every hotel. They need to change up the menu.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/10/2024
Geneviève - Traveled, August 2023
We had a fantastic and thorough tour experience of Country Roads of Scotland with our Tour Director Greg Colgin. He gave us a holiday to always look back on with very fond memories. In nine days on the road we saw more and did more than expected. The Optional Experiences amped up the energy required but thank good goodness we bought in. Greg has a strong knowledge of Scotland's history, other points of interest and proudly talked about the stunning countryside. We appreciated hearing about Scotland's music artists and movie and book titles we might find later. Greg has a nice manner, is very energized and engages easily with others. Les our coach driver was very responsible behind the wheel and the coach vehicle was extremely comfortable. Would do it again!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/10/2023
Perry - Traveled, August 2023
It was really enjoyable.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/13/2023
Anne - Traveled, August 2023
This is a great tour for people who have not visited Scotland before and want a good overview of the whole country. It has a fast but comfortable pace, allowing us to experience both large and small cities, and many historical sites along the way. We took all of the optional excursions, but a person could also have a good experience by doing some exploring on their own. Our tour included tickets to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, an amazing performance by both military and civilian performers. It was a real high point of the trip! We are already thinking about a return trip to beautiful Scotland, and based on what we learned from this trip there are several places we would like to focus on in greater depth. I highly recommend this tour.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/01/2023
Nancy - Traveled, August 2023
What a wonderful trip I had with my tour guide, Greg Colgin. He made the country and its heritage come alive. It was fun and it was educational. I have traveled many places, but Never had such an exceptional guide. He was very personable and really cared about us all. Loved all the local treats as well. Nancy Wood My roommate, Debbie Ross and I signed up with GET, but was included with Insight.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/31/2023
Sheila - Traveled, August 2023
The tour around Scotland exceeded all expectations. The Tour Director kept us entertained with the history, myths and songs of the region as we were driven through the beautiful countryside. Highlights were the Edinburgh Tattoo and the Isle of Skye - such a beautiful experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/31/2023
Nancy - Traveled, August 2023
Absolutely fantastic. Educational along with such fun. Highly recommended.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/30/2023
Fiona - Traveled, May 2023
The tour by Insight Vacations, Country Roads of Scotland, surpassed our expectations. Hosts at hotels did everything to ensure a smooth and quick check-in and a comfortable stay (knowing in advance that the rooms might be smaller than some travelers are used to was helpful). The food was good overall with lots of choices and variety. The coach was very roomy, lots of space and very comfortable. Peter (tour director) and Steve (driver) worked together as a great team and were always available to assist, answer questions or provide insights.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/12/2023
RamonaValadka - Traveled, September 2022
Very well organized tour. Seamless travel with all details managed perfectly. Greg has endless, interesting and entertaining information to share while we travel in comfort or stop for the many picturesque and historic sites. Thanks for all the extra Scottish treats. Thanks for your sense of humour and professionalism! Well done!!!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/14/2022
David - Traveled, August 2022
Well organized. Terrific Tour Director (Dani) We’ll Being Director (Anne Marie) and Driver (Michael) were wonderful.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/06/2022
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