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Luxury Staycation – Scottish Highlands Tour

Cultural Tour
From£3,475

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    This tour is provided by

    Inspiring Travel Scotland

    Inspiring Travel specialise in offering Private Tours of Scotland for just you and your party.  You can book directly on our website or give us a call to talk things through, we would love to hear from you to help you create & book your dream trip to Scotland.

    • 7 Days
    • Private Tour
    • Scotland

    What better way to reconnect with family and loved ones than a luxury holiday within the UK?

    As restrictions ease and we adapt to the “new normal” of social distancing and trying to minimise contact with others, Inspiring Travel Scotland will be stepping in to help offer a holiday solution for you. A UK based luxury “staycation” to help you stay safe and reconnect with your family and loved ones and provide that sense of well-being and happiness that we all seek from a holiday and need now, more than ever.

    A tour of Scotland will be high on the agenda for lots of people throughout the UK as continued flight restrictions and quarantine rules make travel abroad difficult for many. Now is the time to book that tour of the Highlands you have always promised yourself but have never got round to.

    For our clients in England & Wales who want to be able to socially distance and travel responsibly, but also want a little bit of luxury, we are introducing the Luxury Staycation tour of Scotland, that departs from England.

    Everywhere we take you to on your Luxury Staycation, you’ll have your Driver/Guide at your side, helping you unravel the myths and legends of Scotland while taking in the breathtaking scenery safe in the knowledge you are travelling responsibly and not having to make any compromises on luxury, comfort or safety.

    Highlights

    Stay in the awe-inspiring island of Skye and visit ancient sites and see its rugged beauty.

    See the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

    Easy walk to discover where the legend of King Arthur and the Sword in the Stone was born

    Visit the site of the famous Battle of Bannockburn

    Visit majestic and atmospheric Glencoe and find out about the clan war between the Campbells and McDonalds

    Ride on a Steam Train over the Harry Potter Bridge

    Visit Inverness and see Loch Ness (Loch Ness Monster sighting cannot be guaranteed)

    See Stirling – visit the Castle and the Wallace Monument, separate the myths from the facts, learn about the great man and see his sword.

    Unique Heritage Accommodation – stay in Stately homes, Luxury Country Houses & Spa Hotels

    Optional Wildlife Boat trip – Golden Eagles, Sea Eagles, sometimes even Dolphins and Whales

    Visit an Ancient Coronation site going back 1500 years where you will be able to stand in the actual footprints of past Scottish Kings

    Visit a distillery and have a wee dram (or 2 or 3).

    See the site where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his Standard

    Explore the atmospheric site of the last land battle in the UK – Culloden

    Discover the beautiful Trossachs National park

    Travel to and from Scotland onboard the Caledonian Sleeper

    Stay in the home of Golf, namesake of the Patron Saint of Scotland – St Andrews

    Collected at the station platform on arrival

    Visit ancient Scone Palace – Where the Kings and Queens were crowned

    See Edinburgh Castle, Armadale Castle, not the mention the atmospheric Eilean Donan Castle

    Visit the beautiful village of Dunkeld, short and scenic walk there

    Visit the fantastic Culloden visitor centre for an immersive experience

    Stay in the Cairngorms National Park

    Jacobite Train from Fort William home of the highest Mountain in the UK – Ben Nevis

    Price Includes

    • Private Cabin(s) on the Caledonian Sleeper to and from Scotland
    • Collection and drop off from the platform on arrival & departure
    • Private Tour for your party only in A/C Vehicle with dedicated tour Driver/Guide
    • Scottish Tourism Badge Awarded Tour Guide Your Driver/Guide comes with a coveted award and all have graduated from a multi-year assessment course ran by the Scottish Tourist Guide Association, having trained to a rigorous standard in terms of knowledge & guiding skills, this essentially means they have the ability to make Scotland come alive for you are going to add significant value to your holiday here.
    • Trips and entrance fees to parks, museums, castles as indicated on detailed tour itinerary (any optional trips that can be undertaken at guests own expense are indicated on the Itinerary)
    • Accommodation Various Luxurious 4 & 5 star hotels & fantastic Heritage properties, price based on accommodation stayed in and/or assessed by a Director of Inspiring Travel.
    • Additional nights can be added if needed as can accommodation in the citieswe can also arrange additional airport transfers or pick up drop off somewhere else, essentially we can deliver a bespoke itinerary and it can be for almost any date & duration.
    • Breakfasts

    What to Expect

    After harking back to a bygone era of travel onboard the Caledonian Sleeper you will be collected at the platform, welcomed to Scotland and transferred to your hotel before the tour begins in earnest the following day.

    You will be met at the hotel by your friendly and knowledgeable Driver/Guide, who will take you on an immersive tour of Scotland that few others will get to experience. Your Driver/Guide will be able to answer any questions you have on any subjects throughout the tour and really bring it to life for you.  At Inspiring Travel we have little doubt you will arrive as a guest but go home as friends.

    As this is a Private Tour, the time is yours, the flexibility is part of the beauty.  Although we will have prepared a comprehensive tour that we hope you will enjoy, if one part isn’t floating your boat, feel free to tell your guide and move on to the next part, no dancing to anyone else’s tune.  Had enough sightseeing for today and want to chill out at the hotel, your guide will take you straight there.

    If you would prefer to extend your tour in order to have a wee dram and mull over all you have seen and learned over the course of the tour or perhaps you would like us to arrange a stay in one of Scotland’s cities before the tour commences,  we can Tailor this booking to suit you, simply call us and let us know.  We will then create your own Customised Private Tour to suit your needs. We would love to hear from you to help create your dream vacation to Scotland.

    Itinerary

    Day 1Pick up - Caledonian Sleeper

    In order to travel responsibly and in style, we have booked you into a Private Cabin onboard the Caledonian Sleeper. Why not enjoy a nightcap in the lounge before retiring to your cabin for the night. On arrival in Edinburgh you will be met at the station platform with a warm welcome to Scotland. From here you will be transferred to your hotel before your tour begins in earnest the following day.

    • Hark back to a bygone era of travel onboard a sleeper train
    • Private Cabin onboard the Caledonian Sleeper
    • Enjoy a nightcap in the lounge bar
    • Breakfast provided onboard
    • Travel responsibly and in style

    Day 2The Trossachs - West Highlands

    Morning pick up from your hotel – Today you will journey through one of the most beautiful National Parks in Scotland, the Trossachs. Following Loch Lomond, we will journey to an ancient coronation site that was once a Fort in the Iron Ages, over 2000 years ago.  More recently from 500 AD the site was a royal power centre of Gaelic Kings and possible coronation site that is believed give rise to some of the Mythology in the legend of King Arthur. Take an easy walk to the site where you can tread in the footprints of history, feel a connection with the ancient past as you stand in the actual footprints where ancient Gaelic Kings also planted there feet over 1 and half millennia ago. We will continue our journey through the West Highlands, before dropping you off at one of the finest hotels in the area.

    • Discover the beautiful Trossachs National Park
    • Visit an Ancient Coronation site going back 1500 years where you will be able to stand in the actual footprints of past Scottish Kings
    • See the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond
    • Luxurious hotel near Oban
    • Visit picturesque Oban – Gateway to the Hebrides

    Day 3Jacobite Steam Train - Skye

    After Breakfast we will continue our journey through the beautiful countryside from marshy Moors into the dramatic scenery of Glen Coe. Scene of the infamous tale of clan warfare and rivalry between the Campbells and McDonalds, the Glencoe Massacre. You will also see The Study and look out onto 3 mountains known as the 3 sisters, made famous in the TV program Outlander.  You will board the Jacobite Steam Train and take in arguably some of Scotland’s most dramatic scenery crossing the Harry Potter bridge, then ferry ‘over the sea to Skye’.

    The Isle of Skye is as steeped in history as it is ruggedly beautiful.  Every corner you turn and hill you climb the more it will strike you.  Check into your luxurious hotel in Skye, some rooms look out onto the harbour out to the sound of Raasay and onwards to the dramatic and atmospheric Cuillin Hills, at the hotel we like to recommend talking to the knowledgeable bar staff and ordering a flight of whiskies. If you haven’t found your favourite whisky yet this may be a good way to find out. (Breakfast Included)

    • Some of the most spectacular scenery Scotland has to offer
    • Visit majestic and atmospheric Glencoe and find out about the clan war between the Campbells and McDonalds
    • Jacobite Steam Train
    • See Ben Nevis – Scotland and the UK’s highest peak
    • Jacobite Train
    • Classic steam train over the Glenfinnan Viaduct
    • Beautiful Glenfinnan, Raasay and the Cuillins
    • Stay in fantastic accommodation on the Isle of Skye

    Day 4Raasay

    In the morning take an optional scenic wildlife watching boat trip out onto the sounds of Raasay, don’t sail too far due north as the next landfall would be the Arctic. Here you will be on the lookout for Golden Eagles as well as any visits from White Tailed Sea Eagles, at certain times of year you may be lucky enough to spot Dolphins or even Orca or Humpback Whale or other Cetaceans.

    Enjoy a leisurely drive around the rest of the island taking in all the beauty and majesty of your surroundings before you take in a tour of the unique and famous Talisker Whisky Distillery to enjoy a wee dram, or 2, or 3.   (Breakfast Included)

    • Spend the entire day exploring the rugged and immensely beautiful Isle of Skye and taking in all the majestic sights
    • Visit Talisker Distillery at the end of the day
    •  Enjoy a few drams
    • Optional Scenic wildlife Boat trip (at own expense)

    Day 5Eilean Donan Castle - Inverness

    After Breakfast say goodbye to beautiful Isle of Skye, feeling suitably relaxed after your island break, you will cross back onto the mainland, stopping to view the astounding  Eilean Donan Castle, after which continue onto Inverness and a boat trip on Loch Ness home of the Loch Ness Monster or Nessie as she is affectionately known.  From here the next stop will be the site of the final land battle in Scotland and the UK, Culloden.  The end of the Jacobite rebellion and the beginning a brutal repression of the highland culture and way of life. The atmospheric battle site is sure to leave an impression.

    Once you have seen enough you will continue on to your stay in a remote country house in the Cairngorms National Park. (Breakfast Included)

    • Visit the atmospheric Culloden Battlefield
    • Visit Inverness
    • Boat trip Loch Ness
    • Eilean Donan Castle – arguably the most dramatic looking Castle in Scotland
    • and the modern and interesting visitors centre
    • Stay in a beautiful luxury Country House in spectacular Cairngorms National Park
    • Sightings of Nessie are never guaranteed

    Day 6Cairngorms - St Andrews

    Travel through the Cairngorms taking in the majestic scenery and stop in the picturesque village of Dunkeld where you will have the opportunity to go on a short and easy but magical woodland walk.  With the river tumbling past, you reach Ossian’s hut go through the door and get taken aback by the roar of the waterfall, you could almost find yourself transported to another time.  You will also visit Dunkeld Cathedral, a 750-year-old church set on the banks of the beautiful River Tay.

    Next you will travel on to Scone, where Kings of Scotland were crowned for nearly 1000 years and originally the home of the Stone of Scone, here you will visit the Palace of Scone a place of immense historical significance.  The next stop is St Andrews the home of Golf where you will spend the night at the Fairmont Hotel (if you want to play the old course we advise adding another night in St Andrews – please call so we may amend this itinerary for you). (Breakfast Included)

    • Visit picturesque village of Dunkeld
    • Leisurely Walk to Ossian’s Hut taking in the wonderful views as you go
    • Visit Dunkeld Cathedral
    • See Scone Palace – Coronation site of Kings and Queens
    • See River Tay
    • Stay in St Andrews – The Home of Golf
    • Accommodated at the Fairmont in St Andrews
    • Make time for a Spa if not for Golf

    Day 7Stirling - Bannockburn

    Leave behind the Spa and the Greens of St Andrews and venture on towards the gateway of the highlands, the key historically strategic town of Stirling. Visit the castle which dates to the early 12th Century.  Stirling Castle has withstood as many as 8 sieges with several of these during the Wars of Independence, with the latest by 1746.  Spend some time walking the ramparts to take in the views as well as visiting viewing the halls and armouries with your guide, but make sure to leave enough time for the rest of this busy day.  A wee pit stop in the picturesque village of Bridge of Allan before moving on to the Wallace Monument to learn more about  Scottish hero Sir William Wallace, where you can also view the sword allegedly wielded by the great man himself and separate some Braveheart myths from the facts before you also visit Bannockburn.

    Once the tour finishes you will be dropped off at a hotel where you will have access to a room, later you will be collected and transferred to the station platform to board the Caledonian Sleeper Train for your onward journey home. (Breakfast Included)

    If you would prefer to extend your tour in order to have a wee dram and mull over all you have seen and learned over the course of the tour or perhaps you would like us to arrange a stay in one of Scotland’s cities before the tour commences,  we can Tailor this booking to suit you, simply call us and let us know.  We will then create your own Customised Private Tour to suit your needs. We would love to hear from you to help create your dream vacation to Scotland.

    • Visit Stirling Castle
    • Lunch in picturesque Bridge of Allan
    • Visit Wallace Monument
    • Visit Bannockburn battlefield
    • Spend the evening relaxing at your hotel
    • Transferred from hotel to station platform
    • Private Cabin onboard the Caledonian Sleeper
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