Sights of Scotland Tour

Sights of Scotland Tour

Tour Starts: Edinburgh, Scotland

Tour Ends: Glasgow, Scotland

Day 1

Depart for Edinburgh, Scotland:

Your journey begins on your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2

Arrive in Scotland:

If you purchased airline tickets from YMT Vacations, a friendly YMT representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel, where the rest of the day is yours to spend at your leisure. This evening you’ll get a chance to meet your YMT Tour Director and fellow travelers at the Welcome Dinner. (D)

Hotel Dakota Edinburgh or similar

Day 3

Edinburgh:

Your first full day in Scotland starts with a comprehensive tour of Edinburgh. The beautifully maintained capital city is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and tour highlights include the Royal Scottish Academy, The Georgian House, St. Giles Cathedral, The Scottish Parliament, Palace of Holyroodhouse and Greyfriars Bobby. Your final stop this morning is Edinburgh Castle, home to the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, and Edinburgh’s oldest building, St. Margaret’s Chapel. The guided portion of the day concludes at lunchtime, after which you are free to remain in the city and explore on your own, or to join our afternoon optional tour. (B)

Hotel Dakota Edinburgh or similar Britannia docked at Leith, Edinburgh’s official port. (B)

Day 4

Edinburgh to The Highlands:

After a delicious breakfast, we’ll head to one of the most historically significant places in all of Britain—the iconic Scone Palace in Perth. Scone Palace is the home of the Earl of Mansfield, and has been the seat of parliaments and the crowning place of the Kings of Scots since the 9th century. Robert the Bruce was crowned at Scone in 1306, and the last coronation was of Charles II in 1651. Continue to the Highlands to enjoy some free time. Before you reach your hotel, you’ll see Britain’s tallest mountain range in Cairngorms National Park. (B, D)

Highlander Hotel or similar

Day 5

Loch Ness & Inverness

Enjoy stunning views of Inverness and the Moray Firth as you make your way into the Great Glen, and Loch Ness. Up to 755 feet deep at places, the murky lake has plenty of hiding space for the mythical Loch Ness Monster, or “Nessie,” as she has been referred to locally since her first sighting in 1933. You’ll take a short scenic cruise across the loch to Urquhart Castle, where you will have time to explore the ruins dating back to the 13th century. Enjoy the afternoon at your own pace, taking in the sights of Inverness, the ancient capital of the Highlands, populated since 565 BC. (B)

Jurys Inn Inverness or similar

Day 6

The Highlands

Our first stop this morning is the historic site of the bloody Battle of Culloden Moor. This brutal battle in April 1746 saw thousands of casualties and marked the end of the 60-yearlong Jacobite Uprising against the English monarchy. Enjoy an innovative interactive exhibit about the battle, as well as area history at the Visitor Centre. Finally, no trip to Scotland would be complete without a lesson on its beautiful Scotch Whisky. Enjoy an informative distillery tour and tasting. (B, D)

Jurys Inn Inverness or similar

Day 7

Isle of Skye & Western Highlands:

Today you’ll visit one of the most ruggedly beautiful places in Scotland, the unforgettable Isle of Skye. Skye has been occupied since the Mesothelic era, and you will learn some of that history at the verdant Armadale Castle, Gardens and Museum. A short ferry crossing will then take you back to the mainland, where you will continue to Fort William to take in views of the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis (4,409 feet). (B)

The Esplanade Hotel or similar

Sights of Scotland

Tours Starts: Edinburgh, Scotland

Tours Ends: Glasgow, Scotland

Day 1

Depart for Scotland

Your journey begins on your overnight flight.

Day 2

Arrive in Edinburgh, Scotland

If you purchased airline tickets from YMT, a representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to spend at your leisure until the included welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)

Hampton by Hilton Edinburgh Airport or similar

Day 3

Edinburgh

Your first full day in Scotland starts with a comprehensive tour of Edinburgh. The beautifully maintained capital city is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and tour highlights include the Royal Scottish Academy, The Georgian House, St. Giles Cathedral, The Scottish Parliament, and Greyfriars Bobby. Your final stop this morning is Edinburgh Castle, home to the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, and Edinburgh’s oldest building, St. Margaret’s Chapel. Admission to the castle is included for you to enjoy a self-guided tour. The guided portion of the day concludes at lunchtime, after which you are free to remain in the city and explore on your own, or to join our afternoon optional tour. (B)

Hampton by Hilton Edinburgh Airport or similar

Day 4

Edinburgh to The Highlands

After a delicious breakfast, we’ll head to one of the most historically significant places in all of Britain—the iconic Scone Palace in Perth. Scone Palace is the home of the Earl of Mansfield, and has been the seat of parliaments and the crowning place of the Kings of Scots since the 9th century. Robert the Bruce was crowned at Scone in 1306, and the last coronation was of Charles II in 1651. Continue to the Highlands to enjoy some free time. Today also includes a visit to the Leault Working Sheepdogs Farm for a 45-minute demonstration of up to eight dogs working as a team to herd sheep and responding to their own personalized commands and individualized whistles. Meet the collie pups, see the orphan lambs and perhaps take part in shearing a sheep. Before you reach your hotel, you’ll see Britain’s tallest mountain range in Cairngorms National Park. (B, D)

Highlander Hotel or similar

Day 5

Loch Ness & Inverness

Enjoy stunning views of Inverness and the Moray Firth as you make your way into the Great Glen, and Loch Ness. Up to 755 feet deep at places, the murky lake has plenty of hiding space for the mythical Loch Ness Monster, or “Nessie,” as she has been referred to locally since her first sighting in 1933. You’ll take a short scenic cruise across the loch to Urquhart Castle, where you will have time to explore the ruins dating back to the 13th century. Enjoy the afternoon at your own pace, taking in the sights of Inverness, the ancient capital of the Highlands, populated since 565 BC. (B)

Jurys Inn Inverness or similar

Day 6

The Highlands

Our first stop this morning is the historic battlefield site of the bloody Battle of Culloden Moor. This brutal battle in April 1746 saw thousands of casualties and marked the end of the 60-year-long Jacobite Uprising against the English monarchy. Enjoy an innovative interactive exhibit about the battle, as well as area history at the Visitor Centre. Continue to Cawdor Castle, an ancient medieval fortress with three very different and extraordinary gardens. Explore the grounds on a guided tour before continuing to Glen Ord Whisky Distillery for an informative tour and tasting of beautiful Scotch Whisky—no trip to Scotland would be complete without it! (B, D)

Jurys Inn Inverness or similar

Day 7

Isle of Skye & Western Highlands

Today you’ll visit one of the most ruggedly beautiful places in Scotland, the unforgettable Isle of Skye. This magical island has been occupied since the Mesothelic era, and its history is something you will learn about during your stop today at the verdant Armadale Castle, Gardens and Museum. The Highland estate features romantic ruins, historic gardens, and an award-winning museum all for you to enjoy during your visit today. (B)

Royal Hotel or similar

Day 8

Argyll & Glasgow

Today’s itinerary takes you farther south along the rugged shoreline into Argyll. First, you will visit Inveraray Castle, built in 1743 in the Gothic Revival style. You’ll enjoy seeing the extensive collection of pikes, muskets and other weaponry. There will also be a short break on the banks of Loch Lomond, the largest lake in the country. After leaving the tranquility of the Highlands, your trip takes you into Glasgow, the biggest city in Scotland. (B)

Alana Hotel or similar

Day 9

Glasgow

During a panoramic morning city tour, you will see the remnants of the monastery at Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis, an ancient cemetery in the middle of the city. You will also visit George Square, named after King George III and the de facto center of Glasgow. The rest of the afternoon is yours until our final sit-down Farewell Dinner (B, D)

Alana Hotel or similar

Day 10

Depart for Home

Bid farewell to Scotland and depart for home. On certain tour dates, you may choose to combine our Scotland and Ireland tours. If you are joining us for our Ultimate Scotland & Ireland tour, you will fly to Dublin on day 10 to join our Best of Ireland itinerary. (B)

Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations. By their nature, all tours vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights.