Time to take to the water, crossing the Firth of Lorne to the Inner Hebridean Isle of Mull. The ferry journey itself is a delight with fine views of mainland and island vistas. Before reaching Craignure, our first port of call, there's a grand view of Duart Castle, ancestral home of the McClean clan. Once on dry land we head across the open, untouched landscape to Fionnphort in the south. From here we take a very short ferry ride, as foot passengers, to the revered Island of Iona, home to St. Columba and early Christian missionaries 1400 years ago. Within the shadow of the cathedral, Scots kings until Macbeth's time were buried. There is a special atmosphere here aided by the almost total lack of motor cars. Returning to Mull we follow, time permitting, the rugged coastline to the west, with the possibility (depending on weather) of breathtaking views of the Outer Hebridean Islands offshore.

A day of glorious mountain scenery awaits us as we head north through the Grampian and North West Highland ranges. As we enter the splendid isolation of the pass of Glen Coe there's a real sense of majesty in the scenery. A visit to the Glencoe visitors’ centre gives us a chance to discover the real truth behind the tragic massacre of the MacDonalds. Arriving at the busy highland town of Fort William, there's an opportunity for the 'essentials' of life - eating, banking and shopping! Continuing our day, we follow the Caledonian Canal - Scotland's inland waterway -  with views of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis en route to Fort Augustus.  Next, we hunt for the monster as we drive alongside Loch Ness to Inverness!

We’ve a stunning day for your pleasure today. Our day see us taking a circular route from Inverness through stunning west Highland scenery and the villages Our mid-point destination is the fabled Isle of Skye and the coastal harbours of Kyle of Lochalsh and Plockton, and crossing the famed Skye Bridge, setting foot firmly on Skye itself. Our circular routing see us retuning to Inverness the scenery having been likened to a symphony in three parts: pastoral, mountain and sea. For rail travel enthusiasts, it may be possible to take an optional train voyage over this section of our route, rejoining the coach in Dingwall.

Today, we have a day of choices. Primarily, this is an ‘Organised Independence Day’. Your guide briefs you thoroughly about what you can see and do and then you’re free to explore Inverness, Capital of the Highlands, at leisure.  Alternatively, you can join us on an optional day tour to the Orkneys with a local operator. It’s a long day but worth it to see both John O’Groats and visit the Orkneys.

Dinner is not included tonight to afford you maximum flexibility in planning your day.

Tour participants joining our shorter ‘Royal Castles’ short section of this tour make their way to Inverness by today to be able to join the tour tomorrow.

A relaxing day as we explore the charming coastline of the Kingdom of Fife. Anstruther, which we’ll visit first, is still a working fishing port and many of its neighbours continue to ply a similar trade. Winding our way up the coast we examine in detail the timeless beauty of Crail, another fishing village, once the centre of a major trading partnership with continental Europe. A fresh crab lunch might be tempting here? The Royal Stewart Castle of Falkland Palace will be today’s royal highlight. It was here that tennis was first played. The palace was beautifully restored in the late 19th century. Rounding off our day (excuse the pun!)  will be St Andrews. No time for a round of golf, we're sorry to say (but at least we'll save you some golf balls!).
 

The royal city of Stirling begins our day. From the esplanade of Stirling Castle we can admire the surrounding countryside. For centuries this has been the gateway to the Highlands. No wonder numerous battles have been fought in this area, not least the great victory at Bannockburn, where the Scots trounced the English. Next to Culross.  Culross. This is the most complete example of a Scottish burgh of the 16th and 17th centuries. We'll take time to explore the visitor centre before driving through Dunfermline, where Robert the Bruce (partially!) lies) and thence south over the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh. We're currectly awaiting to see if the new interactive Carnegie Museum will be open.

Tour participants may either remain in Edinburgh, or return with our tour coach to Glasgow. Accommodation tonight is not included in your tour but can be reserved on your behalf at one of our recommended hotels.  This tour can be combined with our 3-day Borders tour, making it the perfect Scotland experience!