Towering mountains and enchanting lochs. Dramatic cliff-top castles and hideaway villages. Infamous battles and inexplicable legends. We journey up and down Scotland, from coastal cities to Hebridean Islands, seeking out one-of-a-kind landscapes, mesmerising history and undeniable charm.
THE BACK-ROADS DIFFERENCE
- Enjoy a private tour Scotland’s most enigmatic castles
- Enjoy an insightful whisky talk and tasting
- Become an islander with two nights on the stunning Isle of Skye and the striking Isle of Mull
Tour Inclusions
- 7 nights in boutique accommodation
- Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader
- Premium mini-coach transportation
- Ferry crossings
- Full Scottish breakfast daily (B), 1 seafood lunch (L), 4 evening meals (D)
- Entrance included to: St Andrews University, Cawdor castle, Clava Cairns, Culloden, Iona Abbey & Nunnery, Macquarie’s Mausoleum, Duart Castle and Stirling Castle
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Day 1
DAY 1 EDINBURGH – ST ANDREWS – BALLATER Old seafaring villages, mysterious ruins and a royal love story introduces us to Scotland. We begin by travelling through East Neuk fishing villages before we arrive in St Andrews, a tiny town with a big reputation for world-class golf and Scotland’s oldest university. To end our day, we meet with Ballater and enjoy a delicious welcome dinner together. (D) Accommodation: Loch Kinord Hotel
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Day 2
DAY 2 BALLATER – CAWDOR CASTLE – CULLODEN – INVERNESS Our day begins in a dramatic fashion as we travel on through the awe-inspiring scenery and arrive at the Cawdor Castle. After an insightful morning, we visit Clava Cairns and observe the historic tombs and the Culloden Visitor Centre before reaching our final destination, Inverness. (B,D) Accommodation: Waterside Hotel
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Day 3
DAY 3 INVERNESS We’ve had an exciting start to the week! This morning we embark on a walking tour around Inverness with your Back-Roads Tour Leader, then the rest of the day is at your leisure to enjoy. (B) Accommodation: Waterside Hotel
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Day 4
DAY 4 INVERNESS – LOCH NESS – PLOCKTON – ISLE OF SKYE We can’t come here and not dip our toes in the Loch Ness legend. While we may not spy the eponymous ‘Loch Ness Monster’, we will discover the staggering sight of a deep, mirror-like loch. Our pre-lunch entertainment offers a visit to Plockton, where painted cottages are clustered around a little harbour. With our appetites for the outdoors whetted, we sit down to a seafood lunch in Kyle of Lochalsh, Wester Ross. Today’s final drive is to the Isle of Skye, where we’ll be for two nights. (B,L) Accommodation: Eilean Iarmain Hotel
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Day 5
DAY 5 ISLE OF SKYE Sensational landscapes, rare wildlife and imagination-firing history – Skye delivers on every level. This is North Highland scenery on a grand scale and we immerse ourselves in its unique geology, including the extraordinary Quiraing, Kilt Rock and Old Man of Storr. Of course, no visit would be complete without a dram of island-made whisky, which we sip during a whisky talk and tasting at the hotel. (B,D) Accommodation: Eilean Iarmain Hotel
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Day 6
DAY 6 ISLE OF SKYE – FORT WILLIAM – ISLE OF MULL Continuing our journey through soul-stirring Scottish scenery, we visit Fort William – a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts. Next, there’s just a short ferry ride to the Isle of Mull. (B) Accommodation: Western Isles Hotel
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Day 7
DAY 7 ISLE OF MULL – ISLE OF IONA – ISLE OF MULL The best way to see the Hebrides is by island hopping, and today we do just that. From Mull’s little village of Fionnphort we sail to Iona, a gem of an island with exquisite natural beauty. It’s a serene spot for a wander, which takes us to Iona Abbey and Nunnery. When we return to Mull we’ll have our history hats on and visit the Macquarie’s Mausoleum and peek inside the Duart Castle which offers grand staterooms and empty dungeons. This craggy fortress, clinging to a coastal cliff is the oldest inhabited castle on the island. We then return to the warm welcome of our hotel and share a final group dinner together. (B,D) Accommodation: Western Isles Hotel
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Day 8
DAY 8 ISLE OF MULL – STIRLING – EDINBURGH Taking to the sea once again we return to the mainland. It’s been a tour delving deep in Scotland’s heritage, so it’s only right we finish with a stop via Stirling. A walk through the old town brings us to the magnificent hilltop castle. As one of Scotland’s most impressive and important monuments, it’s the perfect end to our tour before we arrive back in Edinburgh. (B)
