CE and Land Tour

Though small in size, it most certainly is not lacking in extensive history, beautiful landscape, and vibrant culture. True to the Scots saying, “Guid gear comes in sma bouk!” which translates to “Good things come in small packages”, as one of the most visited travel destinations in the world, Scotland captivates even the most experienced traveller. Offering something for history buffs and first time travellers alike, Scotland’s numerous castles, lochs, and medieval cities are enough to please one’s exploratory palate. In addition to its natural landscape, which has been an inspiration to artists and writers for centuries, and its rich, unique history which dates back to Roman times, Scotland is also home to the bizarre albeit delicious haggis, known for its Angus beef, and the source of over one-hundred whisky distilleries. If you wish to dip your toes into one of its many lochs, delve into a glass of pure malt whisky, or stroll through medieval castles, Scotland will welcome you with open arms.

Sun, July 4th Edinburgh

Arrive Edinburgh and transfer to Kimpton Charlotte Square where you can relax and refresh before heading out on an early afternoon walking tour of the Royal Mile.

Welcome Dinner

Overnight at 5* Kimpton Charlotte Square

Meals—D

Mon. July 5th Edinburgh and CE

Breakfast at the hotel followed by a CE Lecture (3 hrs)

Afternoon at leisure to enjoy Edinburgh at your own pace

Dinner this evening is a traditional Scottish dinner, including a bagpiper, the “address to the haggis”, whiskey tasting, music and highland dancing at Winton Castle. The Setons built the first tower house; undeterred after Henry VIII ordered it to be burnt when Mary Queen of Scots turned down his son Edward. Their loyalty to James VI and I earned them an Earldom of Winton; all that went after the Jacobite Rebellion. Eventually purchased by the Ogilvy family where it has remained as private residence for the last five generations.

Overnight 5* Kimpton Charlotte Square

Meals—B, D

Tues, July 6th Highlands and Isle of Skye

Our drive today takes us through some of the most beautiful and dramatic landscape in the world, the Scottish Highlands. There's a moment, usually somewhere on a winding single-track road with nothing but mountains in every direction, where you realize you've never seen anywhere quite like it. The air is clean, the silence is real, and the scale of everything — the glens, the lochs, the open sky — makes you feel wonderfully small.

Picnic lunch in Glencoe

We end the day in the Isle of Skye. Skye hits differently to the
mainland. The geology is almost alien — black volcanic ridges, strange rock formations like the Old Man of Storr rising out of the mist, and coastline that feels carved by something ancient. Every corner of the island reveals another waterfall, another sea loch, another view that stops you in your tracks. Small, rugged, and endlessly surprising.

Overnight 4* Skeabost House

Meals—B, L

Wed, July 7th Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle

After breakfast at the hotel you will have a choice of activities:
* Morning Scottish Walk
* Walking Tour and Shopping in Portree

Late morning departure for Oban. After lunch we will make a stop at the picturesque Eilean Donan Castle before arriving at our hotel for the evening.

Overnight 5*Isle of Eriska Hotel

Meals—B, L, D

Thur, July 8th CE and Optional Activities

Breakfast at the hotel followed by a CE Lecture (3 hrs)

Choice of afternoon activities or time at leisure:
* Golf at Glencruitten (additional cost)
* Hotel Spa (additional cost)
* Coastal Walk

Overnight 5*Isle of Eriska Hotel

Meals—B, D

Fri, July 9th Inverary Castle and Whiskey Tasting

Breakfast at the hotel

We leave the Highlands and travel south towards Loch Lomond. Enroute we stop for a visit of Inverary Castle. Built in the mid-18th century, it's one of the earliest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in Britain, with its distinctive turrets, conical towers, and grey-green stone exterior giving it a fairytale appearance. It has been the ancestral seat of the Dukes of Argyll — chiefs of Clan Campbell — for centuries, and remains the private home of the current Duke to this day. The interior is equally impressive, housing an extraordinary collection of paintings, tapestries, Scottish armour, and ornate furnishings.

Lunch at Loch Fyne Oyster Bar

It’s time to taste some whiskey, although we will have had a fare bit along the way! Founded in 1833, Glengoyne is one of Scotland's older working distilleries and distinctive in several ways. No peat is used in drying the malted barley, resulting in a clean, fruity style of whisky, and it employs what is said to be the slowest distillation process in Scotland, contributing to its smooth, rich character. It also sits on the Highland/Lowland boundary — distilled in the Highlands but legally matured across the road in the Lowlands.

Overnight 5*Cameron House
Meals—B, L, D

Sat, JUly 10th CE and Golf or Stirling Castle

Breakfast at the hotel followed by a CE Lecture (3 hrs)

This afternoon you will have a choice of activities:
* Golf at Cameron House (additional cost)
* Stirling Castle and Pub Lunch

One of the most famous in all of Scotland, this medieval castle towers over the site of Stirling Bridge, the place of William Wallace’s victory over the English. From the castle, one can also gaze upon Bannockburn, where the English were again defeated in 1314 by Robert the Bruce. In its day, Stirling Castle was not only a strategic, military post due to its geographic location in the Highlands and at the epicenter of the wars of independence during the 13th and 14th centuries, but also the home to such important Scottish monarchs like King James VI and Mary, Queen of Scots.

Overnight 5* Cameron House

Meals - B, D

Sun, July 11th Fly Home

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Pricing $7800 Per Person

Based on Double Occupancy
For More Information Contact
Jodi Murphy 610 420-9364
agent@cruiseandtravelpartners.com

Scotland

Itinerary