Day 1: Sunday, August 16thDepart Toronto

Depart Toronto on Air Transat flight #TS244 at 7:15pm. Overnight flight in Economy Class.

Day 2: Monday, August 17thArrive Glasgow - Luss, Inveraray Castle

Arrive Glasgow at 6:50am and meet your guide, Stewart.

We will board the coach and travel to the beautiful village of Luss on Loch Lomond. Famous for its charming, flower-decked stone cottages.

On route to Inveraray Castle, we will stop at the “Rest and Be Thankful” scenic viewpoint. Be sure to have your camera ready!

When we arrive to Inveraray Castle, we will partake in a guided tour to learn more about the ancestral home of the Dukes of Argyll. This castle dates back to the 18th century with a unique blend of Gothic Revival and Baroque architecture. Time for lunch here.

Onward to Oban Bay Hotel for our 3-nights stay. Group welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)

Day 3: Tuesday, August 18thCruachan Visitor Centre, St Conan's Kirk, Green Welly, Glencoe

After breakfast we will visit Cruachan Visitor Centre. This is one of Britain’s most unique power stations because it’s built inside a mountain.

Our next visit is St Conan’s Kirk – a marvel of Scottish heritage, rich with history and bizarre, eclectic architecture. We will have a guided tour here to discover more. Be sure to see The Bruce Chapel, a memorial to King Robert The Bruce. It contains a fragment of bone which is to have belonged to the King.

On our way to Green Welly for lunch (not included), we will have a wee stop at Kilchurn Castle. Green Welly is a great place to stop and shop as well!

After lunch, we will travel through the beautiful, mountainous Glencoe region making our way back to our hotel for dinner. (B, D)

Day 4: Wednesday, August 19th Isle of Mull, Staffa, Fingal's Cave, Iona Abbey

Breakfast. Today we take the ferry to The Isle of Mull – special for its landscapes and wildlife.

We then take a boat cruise to Isle of Staffa and Fingal’s Cave. The hexagonal basalt columns and volcanic geology are breathtaking.  This tiny Scottish island is a National Nature Reserve. Keep watch for puffins!

We will return to Iona for a tour of Iona Abbey. Time for lunch here. Iona Abbey is Scotland’s spiritual heart, founded in 563 AD and became a vital center for spreading Christianity. It is a spiritual powerhouse!

After, we will take a ferry back to Oban. Dinner on your own tonight – Oban is known for their seafood! (B)

Day 5: Thursday, August 20th Jacobite Steam Train, Mallaig

After breakfast check out hotel.

Today we travel to Fort William to board the Jacobite Steam Train (also known as the Hogwarts Express). Our train journey will bring us to Mallaig where we will have time for lunch. 

Great seafood to be had here! We return to Fort William. Our coach will pick us up here.

We travel to Inverness to settle into our hotel for a 2-nights stay. Group dinner together. (B, D)

Day 6: Friday, August 21stInverness

Leisurely breakfast.

Today is a free day in Inverness. Your guide, Stewart, will give you lots of ideas including Culloden, Inverness Castle and Leakey’s Book Shop to name a few. (B)

Day 7: Saturday, August 22nd Cairngorm Mountain Railway, Edradour Distillery, Pitlochry Festival Theatre

Breakfast. Check out hotel.

We board the coach and travel down to Aviemore and take a ride on the amazing Cairngorm Mountain Railway. It is Scotland’s only Funicular Railway. The scenic journey takes you to over 1,000 meters above sea level. At the top station, you’ll reach the UK’s highest restaurant and bar. Great view points to take panoramic pictures.

Our next stop is Edradour Distillery where they produce a Highland Single Malt Whisky. We will learn how it is made. No trip to Scotland is complete without a wee dram!

Then it’s back down to Pitlochry to check into our hotel for a 2-nights stay.

This evening, group dinner and a show! We will see “A History of Paper” at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre. (B, D)

Day 8: Sunday, August 23rd Pitlochry

Leisurely breakfast.

Today is a flexible day in Pitlochry. Your guide, Stewart, will be with you.

We will have a group dinner together. (B, D)

Day 9: Monday, August 24th St Andrews, Forth Bridge Cruise

After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and travel to “The Home of Golf” – St Andrews.

Free time in St Andrews. Perhaps visit The Old Course or R&A World Golf Museum, stroll the beaches, do some shopping on Market Street, explore historic ruins like St Andrews Castle & Cathedral or stop in at a pub.

This afternoon we will relax on a Forth Bridge Cruise with afternoon tea.

Next onto Edinburgh to settle into our hotel for a 2-nights stay. Group dinner. (B, D, T)

Day 10: Tuesday, August 25thEdinburgh & The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Hearty breakfast.

Today we tour Edinburgh. Our step on guide will show up the city.

Our lunch stop will be at the Botanic Gardens.

Our city tour will commence at Edinburgh Castle for a self-guided tour to explore the grounds. Edinburgh Castle is one of the oldest fortified places in Europe immense with historical significance. The oldest surviving crown jewels in Britain can be found here.

We gather back at the hotel for dinner together and then go to The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The highlight of our tour! The tattoo is the world’s largest military music event. It is a spectacular blend of Scottish traditions, massive pipe and drum bands and of course, Scottish dancing. It is held inside the Edinburgh Castle – a spectacular venue for a spectacular show! (B, D)

Day 11: Wednesday, August 26th Kelpies, The Falkirk Wheel, Glasgow

Breakfast. Check out hotel.

Today we visit the Kelpies. The massive steel structures were built to represent Scotland’s industrial heritage. They symbolize the heavy horses that pulled barges and plows. There is also a reference to the mythological shape-shifting water spirits from folklore.

Next, we discover The Falkirk Wheel. The world’s only rotating boat lift. Be sure to explore the visitor center with its cafe/shop and exhibition on its history.

We will then make our way to Glasgow to see the city. We will have our final dinner together in Glasgow and then make our way to our airport hotel for final night rest. (B, D)

Day 12: Thursday, August 27thDepart - unless extending your stay...

Early morning – check out Holiday Inn Glasgow Airport hotel and walk to our terminal.

Depart on Air Transat, flight TS245 at 8:35am, arriving Toronto at 11:00am (economy class).

Please ask about extending your stay in Glasgow or choice city.