Scenic Scotland - Classic Group
8 Days Starting in Glasgow, United Kingdom and ending in Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Visiting: Glasgow, Stirling, Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Isle of Mull, Isle of Iona, Dundreggan, Inverness, Blair Atholl, Edinburgh
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BSCOZN20
Specialist Group:
Family/Kids
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
20 - 40
Age range:
5-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Scenic Scotland - Classic Group" tour and immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of Scotland. This journey begins in Glasgow, where you'll explore grand public buildings and enjoy authentic Scottish hospitality. Traverse the breathtaking landscapes of the Isle of Mull and Iona, and delve into the history of Stirling Castle. Experience the magic of Loch Ness with a choice of a serene cruise or a visit to a sustainable whisky distillery. In Inverness, learn about rewilding efforts at Dundreggan, and in Edinburgh, discover the city's iconic sites, including the majestic Edinburgh Castle. This tour not only offers a deep dive into Scotland's history and natural beauty but also supports sustainable practices and local communities, making it a journey that matters. Enjoy luxury coach travel, insightful guided tours, and authentic dining experiences throughout this unforgettable Scottish adventure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Glasgow
Location: Glasgow
Accommodation: Voco Grand Central
Accommodation Name: Voco Grand Central, Glasgow
Meals Included: Dinner
Glasgow, the undisputed capital of Scottish culture, offers endless opportunities for the curious traveler. As Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow boasts more than 20 museums and art galleries that may tempt you upon arrival. After you meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers, celebrate your first night of your tour over dinner.
Day 2: Glasgow Sightseeing Relaxed Start
Location: Glasgow
Accommodation: Voco Grand Central
Accommodation Name: Voco Grand Central, Glasgow
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Embark on an orientation drive with your Travel Director who reveals Glasgow’s grand public buildings including George Square and St. Mungo’s Cathedral. The morning continues with a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Ardgowan House where Sir Ludovic Shaw Stewart welcomes you to his family castle set on a 10,000-acre coastal estate. Not only will you dine with a Baronet, your host will even be involved in the food preparation. Work up an appetite walking amid the beech trees while learning about the Shaw Stewart family. Then return to the castle for a sumptuous afternoon tea of finger sandwiches made with locally-sourced ingredients, freshly baked scones, cream, jam and cakes.
Day 3: Travel on to Glencoe Relaxed Start
Location: Stirling, Loch Lomond, Glencoe
Accommodation: Ballachulish Hotel, Glencoe., Isle of Glencoe Hotel & Leisure Center.
Accommodation Name: Ballachulish, Glencoe, Isle of Glencoe Hotel & Leisure Center
Meals Included: Dinner
Centuries old history and a massive structure rising above the River Forth – Stirling Castle, a symbol of Scottish national pride and once home to Scottish royals including Mary, Queen of Scots, awaits your discovery. Explore its halls, chapels and bedrooms, see the famous 'Stirling Heads' and admire the poignant Wallace Monument and battlefield of Stirling Bridge from its 16th-century walls. After a morning exploring the lives of royals, arrive in scenic Scotland’s Loch Lomond for an Optional Cruise on the ‘Queen of Scottish Lochs’ according to historian and novelist Sir Walter Scott. The evening finds you in Glencoe, a village located on the banks of Loch Leven.
Day 4: Isle of Mull
Location: Isle of Mull, Isle of Iona
Accommodation: Ballachulish Hotel, Glencoe., Isle of Glencoe Hotel & Leisure Center.
Accommodation Name: Ballachulish, Glencoe, Isle of Glencoe Hotel & Leisure Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Scenic Scotland conjures up images of green highlands and wind-whipped seas. Encounter them for yourself today on a ferry from Oban to Craignure, the main ferry port on the Isle of Mull, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Then make your way to the Isle of Iona for a visit to Iona Abbey. Your curiosity will be piqued on this tiny island that has been a vibrant center of Christian worship. It’s even rumoured that the Book of Kells was made at Iona Abbey. Before returning to the mainland, view Rèilig Odhrain, the final resting place of many Scottish kings.
Day 5: To the Highland Capital of Inverness Relaxed Start
Location: Dundreggan, Inverness
Accommodation: Dornoch Station Hotel, Pentahotel Inverness.
Accommodation Name: Hotel B&B, Inverness
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Take your Scotland tour to a deeper level at a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in Dundreggan, home to a pristine and fragile ecosystem, at Dundreggan Rewilding Center. Meet a conservation expert to learn about the ecology of the Highlands and the connection between nature and regenerating the Gaelic cultural heritage. After an illuminating morning, the afternoon finds you tailoring your time with Insight Choice. Choose between a relaxing Loch Ness Cruise and a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Uile-bheist Distillery, where sustainability and tradition come together in the craft of whisky and beer making.
Day 6: Blair Castle and Edinburgh
Location: Blair Atholl, Edinburgh
Accommodation: Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
Accommodation Name: Virgin, Edinburgh
Meals Included: Breakfast
Full of curiosities, Blair Castle is a treasure trove of history and fine 18th century interiors. Join an Optional Experience to learn how it has been home to the Atholl family for over seven centuries with a history of both turbulent and peaceful times. Even the gardens surrounding Blair Castle, featuring a nine-acre walled garden, wooded grove, and extensive deer park, will have you reflecting on the castle’s past. Continue to Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city, where you could opt to experience the best of Scottish tradition at Ghillie Dhu Georgian hall for Scottish dining, and live music.
Day 7: Edinburgh Castle and Orientation
Location: Edinburgh
Accommodation: Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
Accommodation Name: Virgin, Edinburgh
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Edinburgh offers endless possibilities for the curious traveler. Discover the sights and insights of the city with your Local Expert as you travel along Princes Street to see the ornate Scott Memorial, the neoclassical Georgian facades of New Town and the official Scottish residence of the King, Palace of Holyroodhouse, in the Old Town. Your Local Expert then guides you inside the walls of Edinburgh Castle for the sights and insights into the lives of the royals. With the afternoon free, you are at leisure to continue exploring as you wish. Stroll past the charming buildings on the Edinburgh Mile or join an Optional Experience of Royal Edinburgh with a Local Expert who brings its ancient stories to life. In the evening, join your fellow travelers for dinner of delicious local cuisine and wine.
Day 8: End Edinburgh
Location: Edinburgh
Meals Included: Breakfast
It’s time to close the chapter on a memorable Scotland tour. We bid our newfound friends and Travel Director a fond farewell.
What's Included
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Choice Highlights
Choose between two carefully selected activities, including a Loch Ness cruise and a visit to a Scottish whisky distillery.
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Top Rated Highlights
Explore Glasgow, the Isle of Mull, and Edinburgh with guided tours and visits to iconic sites like Edinburgh Castle.
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Make Travel Matter
Participate in experiences that support sustainability and local communities, such as a tour of Ardgowan House and a visit to Dundreggan Rewilding Center.
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Transport
Transfers are available at scheduled times if your flights align with the itinerary start and end dates.
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Additional Included Highlights
Enjoy personal radio headsets, complimentary Wi-Fi, baggage handling, and included hotel and restaurant tips.
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Insight Experiences
Delve into the history of Stirling Castle and learn about its significance in Scottish history.
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Well-being
Travel in comfort with Insight's luxury, air-conditioned coach, equipped with onboard washroom and hand sanitizer.
What's Not Included
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International Airfare
Flights to and from the tour start and end points are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
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Optional Activities
Some optional excursions and activities, which will be highlighted during the tour, are not included and can be purchased separately.
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Personal Expenses
Items of a personal nature, including souvenirs, laundry, and additional drinks and meals, are not covered.
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Airport Transfers
Airport transfers outside the itinerary start and end dates, or if you have booked additional nights accommodation, are not included.
Mode of Transport
If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Accommodation
From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination. On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
Dining Summary
- 5 Dinner (D)
- 7 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Additional Included Highlights
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
Insight Experiences
- Stirling Castle: Delve into the insights of Stirling Castle, one of the largest and most important castles in Scotland dating back to the 13th century. Learn how the castle has endured eight sieges and has witnessed the crowning of Scottish Kings and Queens including Mary Queen of Scots.
Well-being
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxury, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with onboard washroom. Alternate vehicles without onboard washroom or 40 seats may be used on occasion. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches. ?
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experiences are included in the Scenic Scotland tour?
The tour includes unique experiences such as a cruise on Loch Ness, a visit to the Uile-bheist distillery to learn about whisky and beer making with a focus on sustainability, and a tour of Ardgowan House with Sir Ludovic, where you can enjoy a traditional Scottish tea.
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How does the tour support sustainability and local communities?
The tour supports sustainability and local communities through experiences like visiting the Dundreggan Rewilding Center to learn about rewilding efforts and native species reintroduction, and the Uile-bheist distillery, which is one of Scotland's lowest-carbon distilleries. Additionally, the visit to Ardgowan House helps support the estate's sustainability initiatives.
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What are some of the highlights of the tour in Edinburgh?
In Edinburgh, the tour includes exploring the city with a Local Expert, visiting Edinburgh Castle to view the Scottish Crown Jewels, and seeing landmarks such as the Scott Memorial and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. There is also an opportunity to enjoy modern Scottish cuisine in the heart of the city.
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What kind of dining experiences can I expect on this tour?
The tour offers authentic dining experiences such as a dinner of modern Scottish cuisine in Edinburgh and a traditional Scottish tea at Ardgowan House. In Glasgow, you will be greeted with genuine Scottish hospitality and enjoy a selection of local flavors and traditional delights.
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What is the significance of the visit to Stirling Castle?
Stirling Castle is one of the largest and most important castles in Scotland, dating back to the 13th century. It has endured eight sieges and witnessed the crowning of Scottish Kings and Queens, including Mary Queen of Scots. The visit provides insights into its historical significance and the lives of Scottish royals.
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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
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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
Enquire for Extra Savings
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