Eilean Donan Castle

Highlights of Scotland

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Overview

Suggested Itinerary

What's Included?

Accommodation & Prices

Car Hire

Overview

Self-Drive Holidays

10 Nights

Fully customisable itinerary
Prices from: £1575 per person
Best time to go: April - October
Transport: Rental car included (optional)

Highlights

Edinburgh

Charming and vibrant, Edinburgh is Scotland’s ancient capital city and a hub for culture and creativity. Attractions include historic Edinburgh Castle, the picturesque Royal Mile and the Palace of Holyroodhouse: the home of Scottish royal history.

Historic castles

On the West Coast, Urquhart Castle overlooks mysterious Loch Ness and on the shores of Loch Duich, Eilean Donan must be Scotland’s most beautiful and photogenic castle.

Isle of Skye

The Isle of Skye is popular for its stunning and dramatic volcanic scenery, including the Cuillin Mountain Range, the iconic Storr and spectacular Quiraing. Portree is its colourful capital.

Inverness

Situated at the edge of the Great Glen, Inverness is known as the Capital of the Highlands. Nearby you will find Culloden Battlefield, the site of the last battle of the Jacobite Rising, and mysterious Loch Ness.

Whisky paradise

Speyside is home to the world famous 70-mile Malt Whisky Trail. This area is the heart of the whisky industry, and concentrated within a few miles are more distilleries than any other area in Scotland.

Loch Lomond

In the heart of the Trossachs, the beautiful Scottish Lakeland, lies the world’s most famous loch. Loch Lomond is surrounded by numerous scenic drives to enjoy and lovely villages to explore.

A Perfect Introduction to Scotland

This self-drive tour of Scotland includes a selection of the country’s highlights and finest mountain, coastal and loch-side scenery, and is a wonderful introduction to our country. With everything from dynamic city centres to tranquil island villages, it ticks all the boxes.

Beginning in Scotland’s vibrant capital city, you have the chance to explore the many attractions, including St Giles’ Cathedral, the National Gallery, Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street, the New Town and Royal Mile. Walk up Arthur’s Seat and enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the city. In the evening, you are spoilt for choice, Edinburgh is gastronomic heaven.

From Edinburgh, this self-drive itinerary travels to the beautiful Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, where the stunning banks of Loch Lomond provide endless scenic drives and walks. Continuing on to the magnificent west coast of Scotland, you will venture into the heart of the Highlands, visiting Glencoe, the magical Isle of Skye and mystical Loch Ness.

Explore Speyside, where Scotland’s whisky industry comes to life. Dotted around this beautiful region is the Malt Whisky Trail, where you can sample a dram in some of the most famous whisky distilleries in the world, including Glenfiddich, Glenlivet and Macallan. Finally, end your tour in the beautiful Scottish Lakeland.

Suggested Itinerary

The holiday ideas on our website are just examples of the amazing trips we offer. Think of this itinerary as a starting point which can be tailored into something completely unique to you by our award-winning specialists.

We love the opportunity to use our first-hand knowledge and experience to design and deliver the perfect, bespoke holiday experience for you.

Day 1: Arrive in Edinburgh

Arrive in Edinburgh, Scotland’s majestic capital city. Edinburgh is a great place to wander – narrow alleys, flights of stairs and hidden courtyards tempt you off the main streets at every turn and for a spectacular view of the city take a walk up Arthur’s Seat.
Overnight – Edinburgh

Day 2: Edinburgh Sightseeing

Enjoy a visit to Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and explore the many attractions of this enchanting city.
Overnight – Edinburgh

Day 3: Edinburgh to the West Coast

Travel west to the beautiful banks of Loch Lomond, before a wonderfully scenic journey takes you to the picture postcard village of Inveraray. On the way, have lunch at a famous Oyster Bar before exploring 18th century Inveraray Castle, the home of the Duke of Argyll.

Travel onwards to Oban, the beautiful hub of the Southern Hebrides, and the seafood capital of Scotland.
Overnight – Oban area

Day 4: West Coast Sightseeing

Take a day trip over to the magical Isles of Mull, Iona & Kerrera, or enjoy a host of activities around Fort William – the outdoor capital of the UK.
Overnight – Oban area

Day 5: The West Coast to the Isle of Skye

Your tour continues on the magnificent Road to the Isles and then by ferry over the sea to the Isle of Skye. The short sailing across the Sound of Sleat provides great views of Skye and back across to the west coast, before arriving on one of the most spectacular islands in the world.
Overnight – Isle of Skye

Day 6: Isle of Skye Sightseeing

A full day on Skye where the sightseeing opportunities are almost endless. You could visit romantic Dunvegan Castle, sample some fine island whiskies, enjoy a great day’s walking, or take a fabulous boat cruise into the heart of the Cuillin Mountains.
Overnight – Isle of Skye

Day 7: Isle of Skye to Speyside

Depart Skye & travel past the most famous of Scotland’s castles, Eilean Donan. Your route takes you by the shores of brooding Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle and on to the ‘Capital of the Highlands.’

Your destination is Speyside – the heart of Scotland’s malt whisky industry.
Overnight – Speyside

Day 8: Speyside & Inverness Sightseeing

A full day to explore Speyside – one of the loveliest areas of Scotland, with its mountains, pristine pine forests and sparkling lochs. This is whisky country and a great opportunity to tour the whisky trail and visit some of the most famous distilleries, including Glenfiddich, Glenlivet and Macallan.

Alternatively explore Inverness, visit 14th century Cawdor Castle, or experience the weight of history at Culloden Battlefield and its state-of-the-art visitor centre.
Overnight – Speyside

Day 9: Speyside to the Trossachs

Travel from the Highlands to your final destination in the Trossachs, the beautiful Scottish Lakeland. En-route visit Blair Castle, The House of Bruar or Dalwhinnie Distillery.
Overnight – The Trossachs

Day 10: The Trossachs Sightseeing

The outstanding natural beauty of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park provides wonderful walking opportunities. There are numerous scenic drives to enjoy and lovely villages to explore, or take a leisurely trip on the famous steamship, Sir Walter Scott, on Loch Katrine.
Overnight – The Trossachs

Day 11: Depart Edinburgh

After breakfast, it is approximately a one hour journey to Edinburgh, where your tour of the Highlights of Scotland will come to an end.

What's Included?

Your holiday includes:

Carefully selected en-suite accommodation for 10 nights including traditional Scottish breakfast
Comprehensive information pack
Personalised itinerary with our recommendations for the best places to eat and drink and sightseeing suggestions
Map of Scotland with our recommended driving route
9 days rental of an Economy car (other vehicle categories available) including comprehensive insurance
Tickets for the Edinburgh City Sightseeing Tour
All ferry crossings (as per your itinerary)
24-hour emergency contact number
Full financial protection

Your holiday doesn't include:

Travel insurance
Flights
Lunches and evening meals

Accommodation & Prices

Special Places to Stay

Premium

Standard

We know that after a busy day of sightseeing an exceptional place to stay makes all the difference. That’s why all of the accommodation we select is hand-picked using our first-hand knowledge of the best places to stay.

Our discerning team has a wealth of experience, and we extensively research and regularly review all of the accommodation we select for our clients.

Please choose from one of our accommodation categories below. If you wish to combine these categories or perhaps upgrade for a special occasion let us know in your enquiry.

Car Hire

Our packages include car rental and comprehensive insurance for the duration of your holiday. Absolute Escapes has an excellent relationship with a number of car hire operators and we are able to offer quality vehicles and great value for money.

If you plan to bring your own vehicle, we are also able to offer this itinerary without a rental car.

All our packages include:

Collision Damage Waiver
Super Damage Excess Waiver
Third Party Insurance
Theft Waiver
Tax

Economy

Vauxhall Corsa or similar

Good for 2 people
Maximum of 4 passengers
2 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Compact

Ford Focus or similar

Good for 2 – 4 people
Maximum of 5 passengers
2 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Intermediate

Volkswagen Passat or similar

Good for up to 4 people
Maximum of 5 passengers
3 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Fullsize

VW Sharan or similar

Good for 5 people
Maximum of 7 passengers
3 – 4 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

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