Majestic Scotland

Madainn mhath! While your Gaelic may be a little rusty, your visit to gritty Glasgow will be anything but. After checking in, resist the urge to recover from your journey and hit its edgy streets on your own exploration of the sights. Keep a brolly at hand so Glasgow’s notoriously unpredictable mochie doesn’t put a damp end to your sightseeing. And even if it does, there’s a cosy pub on every corner to warm your heart with a little local whisky. You’ll meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers later for a glimpse into what lies ahead, then spend a free evening perhaps with a wee dram or two at a favourite local.

Kick-start your day with a lesson in Glasgow’s industrial past and modern revival that have given the city its characteristic gallus strut. Your orientation tour of the city will include views of Glasgow Cathedral and George Square where many of Scotland’s famous sons are immortalised in stone. Enjoy views of the People's Palace, the Winter Gardens and the River Clyde, which for over 200 years was the centre of shipbuilding.

Channel your inner Highlander next, embarking on a journey north to the banks of Loch Lomond, where a cruise past Rob Roy's cave could be on the cards should you choose to join this Optional Experience. Continue through the 'Glen of Weeping' to see the volcanic ruins and precipitous mountains of Glencoe. Take a moment to remember the MacDonald clansmen who were massacred in 1692 fighting relentlessly for their beliefs. In Fort William, see the Commando Memorial and the peaks of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. Head to the heart of the Highlands and your home for the next two nights, where dinner is served at your hotel.

Your first stop today is the tragic battlefield of Culloden where you'll pay tribute to the brave men who lost their lives in the Jacobite Uprising. Continue your journey past Scotland's infamous Loch Ness keeping a keen eye out for Nessie. Admire the rugged beauty of Eilean Donan Castle at the heart of three great sea lochs and learn about its role in the 17th and 18th-century Jacobite risings which led to its destruction. Cross 'over the Sea to Skye' and embark on a scenic drive across the Sleat Peninsula against the backdrop of purple tufts of heather and dramatic peaks. Later, return to the mainland by ferry after a day of irresistible views. Tonight, dinner is at your Highland hotel.

Robert Burns once wrote of his beloved hills of the Highlands. Your scenic drive through its mystical landscapes will leave you similarly inspired as you venture to picturesque Pitlochry on the banks of the Tummel. There’s time to explore this salmon fishing centre on your own or perhaps join an Optional Experience to Blair Castle, home of the Duke of Atholl and Europe's last remaining private army. The fairways and greens of St. Andrews, the birthplace of golf, beckon and you’ll have an opportunity to snap a selfie against the backdrop of the famous 18th green. Continue to Edinburgh – the Scottish capital with a mystical air combining ancient heritage with the verve of a modern city. Time your visit to coincide with the rousing Edinburgh Tattoo with tickets included on certain departures.

The Georgian New Town, Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle all wait to be viewed in the company of your Local Specialist, so grab your camera and prepare for a memorable sightseeing tour revealing all the highlights of Auld Reekie. You’ll have plenty of time to explore on your own or consider joining an Optional Experience of an in-depth tour of Edinburgh Castle.

Tuck into a hearty Scottish breakfast with tattie scones and all the trimmings. You’ll want one final reminder of your epic encounter with Scotland before preparing to return home. Say a fond bye for noo to new friends, closing the curtain on a memorable journey through Scotland.