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5 Days 4 Islands - Scotland At Its Best!! Enjoy
the magic, ancient history and the undisturbed
tranquility of the islands of Mull, Iona and Staffa
and the romantic beauty of the Isle of Skye.
Day 1 takes you west to Scotland's first National
Park around Loch Lomond, stopping at the charming
conservation village of Luss set on the loch's
"bonny, bonny banks". You will travel
through the impressive mountains of the West Highlands
through the magnificent white-washed 18th Century
town of Inveraray, home to the Campbell Clan and
the Duke of Argyll. The afternoon will be spent
in the heart of Argyll exploring the ancient Kingdom
of Dalriada and the standing stones of Kilmartin
before arriving in the beautiful fishing harbour
town of Oban, gateway to the islands, for your
2 nights accommodation.
Day 2 is an early start crossing on the ferry
to Mull and enjoying an island adventure exploring
her dramatic coastlines and wild beauty, before
taking the small ferry to the peace and tranquility
of Iona - birthplace of Celtic Christianity and
ancient burial ground of Scottish Kings. Here
you can visit the historic abbey with its intricate
carved crosses in the churchyard or explore the
rocky headlands and sandy coves of this island
gem. There is also an opportunity to take a small
boat out to the island of Staffa and view the
dramatic basalt columns immortalised by Mendelssohn
in his Hebridean Overture "Fingal's Cave".
You then return on the ferry to Oban for your
second night.
Day 3 takes you north along the west coast around
Appin, passing the impregnable Castle Stalker,
and Glencoe, scene of the infamous massacre of
the Clan Macdonald in 1692. You then pass through
Fort William and up to the Commando Memorial at
Spean Bridge with great views over Ben Nevis,
Britain's highest montain. Your tour now takes
the "Road to the Isles" through the
splendour of the 5 sisters of Kintail, the mountains
guarding the pass on the way to the Isle of Skye.
You stop to visit the famous stronghold Eilean
Donan Castle, used in the film "Highlander",
set at the junction of 3 lochs as protection against
Viking raiders. Crossing over the sea to Skye,
you travel up to the picturesque harbour town
of Portree stopping for dinner on the way. You
are then dropped off at your accommodation in
the early evening where you are free to go out
and explore the town.
Day 4 is a very flexible day on Skye. There are
many possibilities depending on the weather and
we take passengers preferences into account. For
example : Travel north to the stunning Quiraing
mountain pass and enjoy a spectacular walk through
some of Skye's extraordinary geological scenery,
visit Kilt Rock, composed of basalt columns (reminiscent
of the pleats in a kilt) with it's waterfall cascading
over the cliffs and down into the sea below. After
lunch you can go over to Neist Point for a walk
out to the lighthouse that is the furthest point
west on Skye. Or go over to Dunvegan Castle, ancient
ancestral seat of the Clan McLeod. Talisker Distillery
is also here, as are the famous Cuillin Hills.
We return you to your accommodation in Portree
in the early evening for you to enjoy your second
free night in Portree.
Day 5 You will be collected from your accommodation
and travel south through the Cuillin Hills and
down the old drovers road to catch the small ferry
(summer only) over to Glenelg on the mainland.
This is a magical journey with seals often seen
in the water. It's also where Gavin Maxwell (Ring
of Bright Water) lived with his otters. After
a relaxing coffee stop, we drive to the top of
the Mam Ratagan mountain pass and stop for stunning
views over Loch Duich and the 5 Sisters of Kintail.
Onto Loch Ness for lunch and the possibility of
spotting "Nessie". There is a boat trip
(Summer only) available here that will get you
that bit closer! Heading south now through the
Grampian mountains along Loch Laggan, made famous
now as "Monarch of the Glen Country"
before passing Dawhinnie, home to Scotland's highest
whisky Distillery, and onwards past Blair Castle
to Pitlochry where we stop for refreshments before
heading back to Edinburgh past Perth and over
the Forth Road Bridge. Arriving at 1930 approx.
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5
Day Tour
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