The Highlands and the Isle of Skye

Your journey begins with a drive through the Trossachs. Made up of mountains, forests, rivers and lochs, the Trossachs National Park is a miniature version of the Highlands with historical connections to Rob Roy. The Corbetts mountains are between 2,500 and 3,000 feet, erratically break the horizon. 

Drive the spectacular hilly West Coast roads, around inlets, passing Lochs and picturesque beaches. The western coast of Scotland is genuinely beautiful; the best way to explore is by car and boat.

Overnight: Western Highlands - Recommended Manor House Hotel: The Isle of Eriska Hotel.
Overnight: Western Highlands - Recommended Restaurant with Rooms Hotel: The Airds Hotel.

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Enjoy a Wildlife Boat Trip and see some of Scotland’s treasured wildlife. Expect to see dolphins, basking sharks and porpoise not to mention sea eagles, puffins and otters. The boat will circle the rocks allowing you to see the heart-warming seals lazing around. The Corryvreckan natural whirlpool is one of the most impressive in the world and feeling its pull on the vessel is a strange but enjoyable experience.

Stop for a light lunch on the coast and enjoy afternoon tea at the hotel. 

Overnight: Western Highlands - Recommended Manor House Hotel: The Isle of Eriska Hotel.
Overnight: Western Highlands - Recommended Restaurant with Rooms Hotel: The Airds Hotel.

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See Castle Stalker: In Gaelic, Stalker is 'stalcaire', which means hunter or falconer! On an island, surrounded by the water of Loch Laich, with a backdrop of the snow-capped Scottish hills, the castle is only reachable by foot at low tide. Otherwise, you need a boat! The four-storey castle is a real fortress, with 9 ft thick walls. No one has lived at the castle since the 18th-century, but the castle is still privately owned and as such runs limited tours, by appointment, throughout the year.

Take the scenic route to Fort William, stopping at Glen Coe, an iconic beauty spot, take a stroll to see the ‘meeting of the three waters’ a massive waterfall at the base of the Three Sister mountain, truly spectacular. 

Your driver-guide will transfer you to the railway Station and race the train to the next stop. Experience one of the greatest railway journeys in the world. The railway route boasts views of mighty Ben Nevis, the King of Britain's mountains. For the Harry Potter fans and muggles among us, crossing 21-arched Glenfinnan viaduct is simply the closest you can get to travelling on the Hogwarts Express back to school. You certainly do not need to be a Harry Potter fan to enjoy this railway journey. The Jacobite Express has always been a much loved piece of Scottish heritage and cherished by enthusiasts since the re-introduction of the steam-hauled service in 1984.

First Class Tickets: We highly recommend purchasing First Class tickets for this scenic railway journey. We will make all arrangements for you. 

From Mallaig, we take the ferry to Skye. Part of the Scottish Highlands, Isle of Skye has it all – ancient structures, natural miracles, unspoiled countryside and magnificent coastlines broken by lochs.  

Overnight: Skye - Recommended Hunting Lodge Style Hotel: Kinloch Lodge Hotel.
Overnight: Skye - Recommended Romantic Restaurant with Rooms: The Three Chimney's Restaurant.

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Tour the Isle of Skye; The Quaraing Rocks and Fairy Glen are genuinely enchanting, a series of landslides has exposed the inner volcanic bones of the mountain, revealing spikes and outlandish crags of stone. Walkers must see the thunderous Rha Waterfall and at low tide visit Spar Cave – a natural wonder made up of limestone. If you are stealthy, see Red deer, sea-eagles, seals, whales and dolphins.

Find the Fairy Pools at the base of the infamous Cuillin Mountains, a series of jagged peaks. See the crystal clear mountain waters; you are welcome to take the plunge (wetsuit provided) into the icy waters for a truly refreshing experience. The short walk from the main road to the pools makes you feel like you drawn to the water and then enveloped by the mysterious Cuillin mountains. 

The Quiraing is a sublime fantasy world beauty spot. The name Quiraing comes from Old Norse, which means 'Round Fold'. Within the fold in the hills, there is a hidden plateau. This concealed location used to keep cattle safe and to hide from attack.

Overnight: Skye - Recommended Hunting Lodge Style Hotel: Kinloch Lodge Hotel.
Overnight: Skye - Recommended Romantic Restaurant with Rooms: The Three Chimney's Restaurant.

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Part of the Scottish Highlands, Isle of Skye has it all – ancient structures, natural miracles, unspoiled countryside and magnificent coastlines broken by lochs. Portree is the main town on Skye and a working harbour, a great place to sit and eat fish and chips.

See the *Cuillin mountains which visitors are welcome to climb. The Trotternish peninsula is a ridge of hills which includes ‘The Old Man of Storr’ a spectacular rock formation, walking to the base of the 160 ft monolith takes approximately 1 hour, depending on your fitness levels. It is a spooky, but rewarding experience. the views from the Old Old Man of Storr take your breath away. 

Skye locations appear in films such as Stardust, Highlander and Maid of Honour.  Within fiction, the ‘Pride of Portree’ Quidditch team in Harry Potter come from the Isle of Skye.

We advise using a local mountain guide when hiking the *Cuillin Mountains. 

Overnight: Skye - Recommended Hunting Lodge Style Hotel: Kinloch Lodge Hotel.
Overnight: Skye - Recommended Romantic Restaurant with Rooms: The Three Chimney's Restaurant.

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We cross the Skye bridge back to the mainland. One of Scotland’s iconic and therefore most photographed castles. The construction you see today is enchantingly deceptive, appearing every bit the medieval Castle, built in the 1920s and 30s! If you were to ‘google’ pictures of Eilean Donan Castle in the 19th-century, you would see a ruin. The castle that had been blown to smithereens by the British Navy during the Jacobite uprising. There has been a castle here, at the point where three sea lochs meet, since the 13th-century — built to defend the lands of Kintail, a sea-kingdom from foes, including the Vikings.

The finding of the castle is shrouded in highland legend in the form of a mysterious warrior who could speak to birds, yes; you read that correctly. If you are to drink from the skull of a raven, be blessed with magical ability. Unearth the mysteries with your guide and create beautiful memories of one of the most romantic views in Scotland!

The final drive is truly spectacular, through the very heart of the Highlands, stop for photographs, and take in the views before arriving at Pitlochry. 

Overnight: Perthshire - Recommended Five Star Resort Hotel: Gleneagles.
Overnight: Perthshire - Recommended Boutique Castle Hotel: Fonab Castle.
Overnight: Stirling - Recommended Boutique Country Hotel: Cromlix.

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Back in 1933, the first photograph of a mysterious creature astounded the world. Thousands of sightings and unexplained evidence has intrigued visitors. See for yourself, take a boat trip and go Nessie spotting. Loch Ness is a stunning location, deep and dark, surrounded by foreboding peaks.  

We take a drive-through the Whisky trail, stopping for tastings and shopping. We can take a tour of your favourite distillery, along with stopping for lunch. Then it’s off to the 19th-century town of Pitlochry, the heart of Scotland. The warming drink of whisky is the best way to warm the heart, and Edradour Distillery, with its handmade single malt whisky, is up to the task. Discover the smallest traditional distillery in Scotland, and the last surviving farmhouse distillery, it has been handcrafting single malt since 1825.

Alternatively, explore the Whisky Trail in more detail on a full-day tasting and touring distilleries. Include a stop at your favourite whisky producer and have our Tour Designers book a private tour. 

Overnight: Glasgow - Recommended Classic Castle Hotel: Crossbasket Castle.
Overnight: Glasgow - Recommended Luxury Townhouse Hotel: One Devonshire Gardens.

Overnight: Edinburgh - Recommended Five Star Hotel: The Caledonian Hotel.
Overnight: Edinburgh - Recommended Luxury Townhouse Hotel: Kimpton Charlotte Square.

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Your chauffeur will be with you 15 minutes before you need to depart. He or she will assist with luggage and listen for any final requests.