Highlights
Mountains
Lochs
Walks
Castles
Beaches
National Parks
Places you explore
Cairngorms National Park – Gaze in awe at Scotland’s most beautifully rounded peaks.
Loch Ness – This loch holds more fresh water than all of the lakes in England and Wales combined.
Ullapool and Assynt – Explore outstanding natural scenery and breathtaking views in these beautiful locations.
Applecross & Torridon – Looking for some serenity? This peaceful spot offers unblemished landscapes in their most natural state.
Eilean Donan Castle* – Located on its own little island, this famous castle is sure to be a favourite.
Glencoe – Famous for an ancient massacre, this beautiful spot offers intriguing tales and mystical views.
Five Sisters of Kintail – Gaze in awe at the powerful peaks and rising ridges of this impressive mountain chain.
Skye – The beauty of this island has inspired movie makers, poets and travellers from all round the world.
Your journey
Mountains, valleys, forests: we love all the wild places.
And there’s nothing we love more than sharing this passion with our passengers.
So on this trip we get you out exploring Scotland’s great wilderness. From the wind swept light house on the edge of Skye to the untouched beaches of the Northern Highlands.
But not everything on this trip is wild.
Because in the evenings we make sure you rest easy in Scotland’s calm and cosy little villages.
Students, seniors over 60, and children between 5 and 15 (unfortunately, we don’t carry children under 5 years old)
- Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
- Attraction tickets may need to be purchased in advance. More information is provided in your booking confirmation e-mail
- Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
- Air conditioning as standard
- The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
- Entry fees to visitor attractions
- Tour accommodation
Where does this tour stay overnight?
You stay two nights in Oban and two nights in Plockton*. Please note that during busy periods you stay in Portree instead of Plockton.
*If your tour departs on Saturday, you spend two nights in Portree instead of Plockton.
How does the accommodation work?
Your tour excludes accommodation; but when you book, you can ask us to reserve local accommodation for you, or you can choose to reserve your own accommodation in the overnight locations.
I want to book my accommodation, what happens now?
Once you’ve booked your tour, we’ll reserve all your accommodation, and your driver will drop you off with your hosts. You’ll pay your accommodation directly. Most don’t accept credit cards, so be prepared to pay cash.
What if I want to change my accommodation booking.
Plans can change, so we let you alter your accommodation choices for free within the first 48 hours of booking. After this time, amendments aren’t guaranteed and carry a surcharge.
I booked my own accommodation is there anything I need to do?
You’ll need to contact us with your accommodation details. Please only reserve accommodation within the overnight towns that your tour stops in. Your driver will drop you off at your chosen accommodation as long as it’s relatively central.
What if I cancel my tour at short notice?
You may be liable for the cost of your first nights’ accommodation for each separate accommodation booked. If you cancel less than three days before departure, you may be liable for all your accommodation costs.
What are the accommodation types?
We try to reserve accommodation that’s no more than a 20-minute walk from the town centre. We regularly check our accommodation suppliers to ensure they reach a certain standard. The prices below are for guidance only.
B&B (Bed and Breakfast) Standard
Please note, we’re unable to book B&B standard rooms for this tour in 2021. The availability of this option will be reviewed for 2022 depending on government guidance. You may still be able to book B&B standard accommodation yourself if you choose to find your own accommodation for you tour.
The toilet and showering facilities are shared with at least one other room in the house, and the price includes breakfast. The cost is £35 – £50 per person per night based on shared accommodation. A single standard room is £40 – £70 per night.
B&B En suite
The showering and toilet facilities are private, and breakfast is included in the price. The cost is £45 – £65 per person per night based on shared accommodation. A single en suite is £75 – £90 per night.
Hotels
Hotels have a bar or restaurant and provide evening meals. Breakfast is included in the price. The cost is £75 – £90 per person per night based on shared accommodation. A single is £90 – £150 per night.
Do you offer hotel pickups in the departure cities?
The UK and Ireland’s historic city centres are full of narrow streets and winding roads. So, to speed up your departure, we only pick up from our central meeting points. What’s more is leaving the city using the most direct route also reduces the carbon footprint of our tours.
Is there parking close to the departure point?
We don’t recommend bringing your car into the centre of our departure cities. It can be hard to find parking, and there are excellent public transportation services.
When should I get to the departure point?
Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, we can’t wait for you if you’re late.
What happens if I’m late or miss the tour?
If you’re late for your tour, our cancellation policy applies.
What are your cancellation policies?
We have a cancellation period of 48 hours for our one day tours, 15 days for two to nine day tours, and 21 days for 10+ day tours. If cancelled outside this period, we’ll give you a full refund minus a 10% admin charge. If you cancel inside this period, refunds are at our discretion.
Can Itineraries change?
Your tour will always follow the itinerary as closely as possible. While there are ongoing coronavirus restrictions throughout the UK and Ireland, itineraries are more likely to change than usual as opening hours and capacities at many visitor attractions are reduced and subject to change. Your driver-guide will keep you up to up to date on the road, and we’ll try to get in touch about any large changes prior to your departure.
What is a guaranteed departure?
It’s simple: you book, you go. This means we’ll never cancel your tour because of a minimum numbers policy.
Can I pre-book a specific seat?
Due to logistical reasons, we’re unable to let you pre-book a seat on the bus. But our comfortable 16-seat mini-coaches have huge windows. So, you’ll always get a good view.
Are there toilets on the bus?
Unfortunately, we have no on-board toilet facilities, but you’ll have regular comfort breaks.
How do you cater for people with accessibility needs?
We aim to accommodate everyone.
We regret we don’t carry children under the age of five on our scheduled tours.
You can ask us about the tours we recommend for younger children. And if your child is less than 1.35m tall, you should let us know, so we can provide them with a suitable booster seat.
How much time do I get off the bus?
We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.
Why do you exclude visitor attractions?
We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.
Do we need to bring our own lunch?
You don’t need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.
Should I tip the driver-guide?
Let’s be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it’s up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.
What about travel insurance?
We advise you take out travel insurance.
- Wander around the beautiful village of Dunkeld
- Try your best to spot the Loch Ness Monster
You head north over the Firth of Forth to the charming highland village of Dunkeld.
From here, you head into the Cairngorms National Park and the ancient pine forests of the Rothiemurchus estate.
If time allows, you’ll take a short forest walk after lunch where you’ll explore the ruins of Loch an Eilein castle.
You enjoy panoramic views of Loch Ness as you travel down to the banks of the famous loch, and the village of Dores where you can do some “Nessie” spotting!
Then it’s onto the shores of Loch Broom where you spend two nights at Ullapool*.
- Visit the crumbling ruins of Ardvreck Castle
- Admire the pristine beach of Achmelvich Bay
Today, you explore the far northwest Highlands and the mountains of Assynt. This area is famous as being the first crofting area to be bought by the local crofters, the Assynt Crofters’ Trust.
You’re immersed in the history of the area and visit the 15th century ruins of Ardvreck Castle, once the stronghold of the MacLeods of Assynt.
The day is full of amazing views of some of Europe’s oldest landscapes, the stunning white sand beach at Achmelvich Bay, and the traditional fishing village of Lochinver.
You spend the night in the picturesque fishing village of Ullapool.
- Find out how palm trees arrived in the village of Plockton
- Take the Bealach na Ba road, one of Scotland’s most beautiful routes.
You head south to take in the drama of the River Droma’s 60m plunge into the Corrieshalloch Gorge.
From here, you travel past the mountains of the Beinn Eighe nature reserve and along the picturesque coastline of Loch Torridon.
After your lunch stop in Applecross, you take one of the highest and most exhilarating roads in Scotland, Bealach na Ba.
In the afternoon, you stop in “tropical” Plockton, where you can see palm trees growing alongside Loch Carron and take time to enjoy its sheltered serenity. Then it’s over the sea to Skye and the delightful harbour town of Portree.
- Learn about Skye’s heroic landscapes
- Spend an evening in the delightful town of Portree
Today is a flexible day on Skye; and your driver-guide ensures you take a unique route that suits the weather, the local events, and your group’s interests.
You can travel north to the Trotternish Ridge and beyond. Here you find the geological wonders like Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, and the stunning mountain pass of the Quiraing. Or your guide may take you back in time and teach you about the legends and clan culture surrounding the 13th-century home of the Clan MacLeod, Dunvegan Castle.
You return from to Portree in the evening.
- Take a picture of Scotland’s ‘most photographed castle’, Eilean Donan Castle
- Travel through the mysterious landscape of Glencoe
Travel south from Skye and visit the famous stronghold, Eilean Donan Castle*.
Continuing east through the rugged mountains of Kintail, you drive down through Glen Garry past Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, and onto Fort William for lunch.
In the afternoon, you explore spectacular Glencoe, scene of the infamous massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692.
You then start your journey towards Edinburgh.
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