Collette > Discover Scotland

Discover Scotland
10 Days starting from $1,549

Countries Visited:
Scotland

 

Length: 10 Days
Type: First Class Tour
Category: Europe Tour
Operator: Collette
Tour Code: 3386
   
 
 
About This Tour


A pastoral wonderland, Scotland abounds with rolling green hills, sea-sprayed islands, and stately ancient castles. Begin your tour in the beautiful city of Edinburgh where you'll see the famous Edinburgh Castle, home of the Scottish crown jewels. History buffs and golfers alike will enjoy a visit to St. Andrews, the birthplace of golf, to see the Royal and Ancient Clubhouse and the famous Old Course. In Pitlochry, a vibrant Victorian town surrounded by the most glorious mountain scenery in Europe, visit the smallest distillery in Scotland and enjoy a tasting of Highland malt whisky. Travel along the beautiful coast to Dunrobin Castle, built in 1275, where you can visit the formal gardens overlooking the North Sea and enjoy a spectacular falconry display. During a ferry ride to the Orkney Islands look out for porpoises, seals, and the adorable otters that live in Gill's Bay! You'll also see the remains of a Neolithic village which was built at the same time as Cheops Pyramid in Egypt. Revel in the beauty and legend of Loch Ness, one of Britain's most scenic bodies of water; and learn about Scottish farming during a delightful sheep dog demonstration.
 
  • What's Included
  • Itinerary
  • Dates & Prices
  • Sightseeing
  • Details

Enjoy the services of a professional tour manager who accompanies you throughout your trip.

Meals
8 Breakfast(s), 7 Dinner(s)

Hotel Accommodation:
Listed below or equivalent. Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges

EDINBURGH Mt. Royal Ramada Jarvis Hotel or The Point Hotel or Paramount Carlton Hotel AVIEMORE Aviemore Highland Resort
THURSORoyal HotelBALLACHULISHBallachulish Hotel or Isles of Glencoe Hotel FALKIRK Macdonald Inchyra Grange Hotel. Some dates alternate hotels may be used

Complimentary hotel-to-hotel baggage handling.

Private transportation via a deluxe, climate-controlled motorcoach
Day 1
Overnight Flight
An overnight flight transports you to a country of stunning landscapes, lively cities, stirring history and distinct myths and stories!

Day 2
Edinburgh, Scotland - Tour Begins
Cead Mile Failte - One Hundred Thousand Welcomes. Your tour begins in Edinburgh. Tonight, meet your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner.

Day 3
Edinburgh
During a morning tour of the regal city of Edinburgh enjoy a visit to the famous Edinburgh Castle, perched high above the city and home of the Scottish crown jewels. Also enjoy a visit to the Palace of Holyroodhouse*, the Queen''s official residence in Edinburgh and the former home of Mary, Queen of Scots. After the tour you will have free time to explore the museums, shop for a kilt, or strike up conversations with the locals to hear stories told in their distinctive brogue.

Day 4
Edinburgh - St. Andrews - Aviemore
This morning you travel to St. Andrews, the beautiful town in the Kingdom of Fife that gave the world the game of golf. See the Royal and Ancient Clubhouse and the famous Old Course. Your next stop is at Pitlochry, a vibrant Victorian town surrounded by the most glorious mountain scenery in Europe. There is time to explore before visiting the Edradour Whisky Distillery, the smallest distillery in Scotland. Taste and see for yourself why Highland malt whisky is considered the world’s finest. Continue to Aviemore, Scotland’s premiere highland resort.

Day 5
Aviemore - Thurso
Stop at Culloden Battlefield where, in April 1746, a half-hour battle changed the course of history and the lives of the Highland people. Next, visit the majestic Dunrobin Castle*, built in 1275. Enjoy a fascinating falconry display in the beautiful formal gardens overlooking the North Sea. This afternoon, a scenic coastal drive brings you to Thurso, the gateway to the Orkney Islands.

Day 6
Thurso - Orkney Islands - Thurso
A full-day of adventure awaits in the Orkney Islands. Traveling to Gill’s Bay, you''ll board a ferry for the short trip to St. Margaret''s Hope. On the crossing you will see seabirds, perhaps porpoises and seals, and if you are very lucky, the family of otters that live in Gill’s Bay! Visit the Italian Chapel and Skara Brae, where you will discover the remains of a Neolithic village which was built at the same time as Cheops Pyramid in Egypt. Next, pass the prehistoric Ring of Brodgar, reported to be older than Stonehenge. Visit the town of Viking Kirkwall before returning to the mainland.

Day 7
Thurso - Loch Ness - Oban
Today, enjoy stunning and unspoiled landscapes as you travel through Inverness, known for people who delight in the craic - Gaelic for “light hearted chat.” Take in the panorama of Loch Ness, one of Britain’s most scenic bodies of water, where you will enjoy a visit to Urquhart Castle. Keep your eyes open - you never know when Nessie will appear! Travel through the Great Glens, famous for its many lochs (lakes), and the charming waterside town of Fort William before continuing to Oban, a charming port town known as the “Gateway to the Western Isles.”

Day 8
Oban - Isle of Skye - Oban
This morning, take the stunningly beautiful ride along the “Road to the Isles” and over the Skye Bridge to the legendary Isle of Skye, also known in poetry and song as Eilean a'' Cheò (The Misty Isle). Enjoy dramatic views of the Cuillin Hills. Then, visit Armadale Castle Gardens and the Museum of the Isles*, where you will learn about island life and the history of Skye. Conclude your visit taking in views of the isle from yet another vantage point during a ferry crossing back to the mainland. On your return to Oban, stop at Glenfinnan where Bonnie Prince Charlie rallied the clansmen for battle during the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion.

Day 9
Oban - Stirling
Your first stop this morning features a delightful sheep dog demonstration and the opportunity to learn about Scottish farming at the Scottish Wool Centre in Aberfoyle. Continue on to Stirling Castle, first erected 900 years ago and formerly used as a royal residence for the House of Stewart - this is where Mary, Queen of Scots, was crowned in 1543. Overnight in Stirling, known for its eventful history and for producing many historical figures such as Robert the Bruce, William Wallace and Mary, Queen of Scots.

Day 10
Stirling - Edinburgh
This morning, return to Edinburgh where the day is free to explore independently. You may plan to check out the Dynamic Earth Exhibition where visitors are taken on an exciting journey encountering the various dynamic forces that formed our planet or, the Museum of Scotland, where a stunning series of galleries takes you through the history of Scotland.

Day 11
Edinburgh - Tour Ends
This morning your tour of Scotland comes to a close in Edinburgh.


To speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301.

Airfare Disclaimer
A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link.

Documents
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.
         
Touring Date
Land Only
Land + Air
Single
(Land Only)
Single
(Land + Air)
9/15/2008 - 9/24/2008
$1,849
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9/22/2008 - 10/1/2008
$1,849
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9/29/2008 - 10/8/2008
$1,849
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10/6/2008 - 10/15/2008
$1,649
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10/20/2008 - 10/29/2008
$1,649
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3/21/2009 - 3/30/2009
$1,549
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3/28/2009 - 4/6/2009
$1,649
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4/14/2009 - 4/23/2009
$1,649
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4/25/2009 - 5/4/2009
$1,649
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5/11/2009 - 5/20/2009
$1,799
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6/8/2009 - 6/17/2009
$1,849
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7/13/2009 - 7/22/2009
$1,999
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8/22/2009 - 8/31/2009
$2,149
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9/14/2009 - 9/23/2009
$1,899
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10/8/2009 - 10/17/2009
$1,749
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10/26/2009 - 11/4/2009
$1,649
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3/15/2010 - 3/24/2010
$1,649
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4/12/2010 - 4/21/2010
$1,749
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Package Notes:
*When Dunrobin Castle is closed you will visit Fort George or similar. The Falconry display is available only when Dunrobin Castle is available.
Armadale Castle and Gardens is open from April to October. On other dates a visit to Dunvegan Castle will be substituted.
*The Palace of Holyroodhouse may occasionally be closed when the Queen is in residence or for official state functions.
Single accommodations are limited and are available on a first come, first served basis.
Due to itinerary scheduling, arrival flights should arrive prior to 5:00 PM. You may require a very early morning departure from the hotel on the last day. Return flights should not be booked prior to 9:00 AM.
Passengers arriving in Edinburgh between August 1 - 23, 2008 will receive tickets to Edinburgh's famous Military Tattoo show.
Days and features are interchangeable.
If you have not purchased air through the tour operator and wish to purchase transfers, you must transfer at our pre-scheduled times.
Air passengers that bought air from the tour operator will arrive into Edinburgh, Scotland airport and depart from the Glasgow, Scotland airport. All transfers from the tour operator will depart from/return to these corresponding airports.

Highlights:
See the magnificent Edinburgh Castle, a stone fortress perched high above the city.
Search for the infamous Loch Ness Monster from the beautiful shores of Loch Ness.
Search for the infamous Loch Ness Monster from the beautiful shores of Loch Ness.
Learn the art of producing Scotch whisky during a distillery tour and tasting.
Experience the Orkney Islands during a full-day guided excursion.
Witness the remarkable skills of working Scottish sheep dogs.
Travel to St. Andrews, the beautiful town in the Kingdom of Fife that gave the world the game of golf. See the Royal and Ancient Clubhouse and the famous Old Course.
Then, visit Armadale Castle Gardens and the Museum of the Isles, where you will learn about island life and the history of Skye.
Visit the majestic Dunbrobin Castle. You'll tour some of the 200 rooms filled with impressive collections of furniture, art, and family memorabilia.

Package Notes:
*When Dunrobin Castle is closed you will visit Fort George or similar. The Falconry display is available only when Dunrobin Castle is available.
Armadale Castle and Gardens is open from April to October. On other dates a visit to Dunvegan Castle will be substituted.
*The Palace of Holyroodhouse may occasionally be closed when the Queen is in residence or for official state functions.
Single accommodations are limited and are available on a first come, first served basis.
Due to itinerary scheduling, arrival flights should arrive prior to 5:00 PM. You may require a very early morning departure from the hotel on the last day. Return flights should not be booked prior to 9:00 AM.
Passengers arriving in Edinburgh between August 1 - 23, 2008 will receive tickets to Edinburgh's famous Military Tattoo show.
Days and features are interchangeable.
If you have not purchased air through the tour operator and wish to purchase transfers, you must transfer at our pre-scheduled times.
Air passengers that bought air from the tour operator will arrive into Edinburgh, Scotland airport and depart from the Glasgow, Scotland airport. All transfers from the tour operator will depart from/return to these corresponding airports.
   
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