Country Roads of Scotland - Small Group
Country Roads of Scotland - Small Group
$5350
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating journey through the enchanting landscapes of Scotland with the "Country Roads of Scotland - Small Group" tour. This immersive experience takes you from the historic streets of Edinburgh to the vibrant city of Glasgow, with stops at iconic locations like the Isle of Skye, Loch Ness, and the Orkney Islands. Delight in the rich cultural heritage as you explore Edinburgh Castle, witness the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and savor authentic Scottish dining experiences. Choose between visiting the Wick Heritage Museum or enjoying a whisky tasting with a master distiller. Discover the natural beauty of the Highlands, the serene Loch Lomond, and the dramatic Cuillin Hills. With comfortable accommodations and expert guidance, this tour offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and breathtaking scenery. ...more ...less
Choice Highlights
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- 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 artefacts 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: Appreciate the distinctive flavors of a selection of whiskies as you share a wee dram with a master distiller.
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 artefacts with your Local Expert.
- Edinburgh: Explore the city with your Local Expert 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: At the exciting Culloden Visitor Center, 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.
- Orkney Islands: Cruise to the windswept Orkney Islands on a full day guided journey. Come face-to-face with relics spanning human history, from pagan stone circles to reminders of wartime tragedy. Visit the 5000-year-old village of Skara Brae.
- Isle of Skye: See the dramatic Cuillin Hills and stay in pretty 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: Your Travel Director will lead you on an orientation of 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.
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.
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.
Insight 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 artefacts 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: Appreciate the distinctive flavors of a selection of whiskies as you share a wee dram with a master distiller.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Edinburgh
Location: Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle
Accommodation: Malmaison Hotel Edinburgh.
Accommodation Name: Malmaison, Edinburgh
Meals Included: Dinner
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.
Day 2: Edinburgh, The Capital of Culture
Location: Edinburgh, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, Scott Memorial, Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, National Gallery, Edinburgh
Accommodation: Malmaison Hotel Edinburgh.
Accommodation Name: Malmaison, Edinburgh
Meals Included: Breakfast
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?
Day 3: To St. Andrews and the Highland Capital of Inverness
Location: St. Andrews, Blair Atholl, Grampian Mountains, Spey Valley, Inverness
Accommodation: Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness.
Accommodation Name: Kingsmills, Inverness
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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. Stop at Atholl Palace and Gardens for a delicious cream tea. Originally opened in Victorian times, the hotel retains many traditional features. Continue via Blair Atholl and pass the Grampian Mountains on the way to the sparkling Spey Valley.
Day 4: Culloden, Loch Ness and onto Thurso
Location: Culloden, Loch Ness, Wick, Thurso
Accommodation: The Pentland Hotel, Thurso., The Norseman Hotel, Wick.
Accommodation Name: The Pentland, Thurso
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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 Insight 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 highly rated Wick Heritage Museum and hear about the past of this once thriving fishing community.
Day 5: A Day in the Orkney Islands
Location: Orkney Islands, Skara Brae, Kirkwall, Ring of Brodgar, Italian Chapel
Accommodation: The Pentland Hotel, Thurso.
Accommodation Name: The Pentland, Thurso
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Start the day by boarding the ferry to the beautiful Orkney Islands where the countryside is breathtakingly majestic and the tranquillity 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 5000-year-old village of Skara Brae, the old Norse Town of Kirkwall, the mysterious Ring of Brodgar, Kirkwall and the small chapel built by Italian prisoners during World War II.
Day 6: Over the Sea to Skye
Location: Skye, Cuillin Hills
Accommodation: The Dunollie Hotel, Broadford.
Accommodation Name: The Dunollie, Broadford
Meals Included: 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.
Day 7: Through the Scottish Highlands to Glencoe Relaxed Start
Location: Kyle of Lochalsh, Eilean Donan Castle, Ben Nevis, Glencoe
Accommodation: Ballachulish Hotel, Glencoe.
Accommodation Name: Ballachulish, Glencoe
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning explore this wild and beautiful island on your own, 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'.
Day 8: Along the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond to Glasgow Relaxed Start
Location: Loch Lomond, Glasgow
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow.
Accommodation Name: Radisson Blu, Glasgow
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 tranquillity 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.
Day 9: Depart Glasgow
Location: Glasgow
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, bid farewell to your journey along the country roads of Scotland as you transfer to the airport.
What's Included
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Choice Highlights
Choose between two carefully selected activities in Wick: Visit the Wick Heritage Museum or appreciate the distinctive flavors of a selection of whiskies with a master distiller.
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Top Rated Highlights
Experience the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, visit Edinburgh Castle, explore St. Andrews, see Inverness Castle, drive along Loch Ness, cruise to the Orkney Islands, and visit the Isle of Skye.
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Make Travel Matter
Join a ranger in the Valley of Glencoe to learn about the protection of the ecosystem and the reintroduction of indigenous species.
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Transport
Travel through Scotland's stunning landscapes by coach, with scenic drives along the northern coast, ferry rides to the Orkney Islands, and visits to iconic locations such as Loch Ness and the Isle of Skye, ensuring a comfortable and picturesque journey.
What's Not Included
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Optional Activities
Optional activities such as a cruise on Loch Lomond are not included in the tour package.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and should be arranged separately.
Dining Summary
- 6 Dinner (D)
- 8 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Afternoon Tea (AT)
Mode of Transport
Travel through Scotland's stunning landscapes by coach, with scenic drives along the northern coast, ferry rides to the Orkney Islands, and visits to iconic locations such as Loch Ness and the Isle of Skye, ensuring a comfortable and picturesque journey.
Accommodation
Stay in charming accommodations throughout Scotland, including the Malmaison Hotel in Edinburgh, Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness, The Pentland Hotel in Thurso, The Dunollie Hotel in Broadford, and the Ballachulish Hotel in Glencoe, offering a blend of comfort and traditional Scottish hospitality.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a visit to the Wick Heritage Museum or a whisky tasting with a master distiller in Wick, a cruise to the Orkney Islands to explore ancient sites like Skara Brae, and a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in Glencoe to learn about ecosystem protection and species reintroduction. ...more ...less
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What kind of dining experiences can I expect on this tour?
You will enjoy a variety of dining experiences including a relaxing dinner in Edinburgh, afternoon tea at Atholl Palace, and a dinner featuring market-fresh Scottish ingredients in Glencoe. The tour includes a total of 6 dinners, 8 breakfasts, and 1 afternoon tea.
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What are some of the highlights of the tour in Edinburgh?
In Edinburgh, you will visit Edinburgh Castle to see the Scottish Crown Jewels, explore the city with a Local Expert, and have the opportunity to witness the Edinburgh Military Tattoo if your tour coincides with its limited run in August.
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What activities are available in the Orkney Islands?
During the visit to the Orkney Islands, you will explore the 5000-year-old village of Skara Brae, visit the old Norse town of Kirkwall, see the Ring of Brodgar, and visit a small chapel built by Italian prisoners during World War II.
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What is the focus of the MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in Glencoe?
The MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in Glencoe focuses on learning about the protection of the rare ecosystem in the Valley of Glencoe and the important work being done to reintroduce lost indigenous species to its flora and fauna.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
Saturday - Sunday
May 03, 2025 - May 11, 2025Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Country Roads of Scotland - Small Group
9 Days Starting in Edinburgh, Scotland and ending in Glasgow, Scotland
Visiting: Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, Scott Memorial, Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, National Gallery, Edinburgh, St. Andrews, Blair Atholl, Grampian Mountains, Spey Valley, Inverness, Culloden, Loch Ness, Wick, Thurso, Orkney Islands, Skara Brae, Kirkwall, Ring of Brodgar, Italian Chapel, Skye, Cuillin Hills, Kyle of Lochalsh, Eilean Donan Castle, Ben Nevis, Glencoe, Loch Lomond, Glasgow ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SB905ZN20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
