Please note: Due to the current Coronavirus Pandemic, things can change quickly and without warning therefore it may not be possible to complete the whole i nerary and any planned ac vi es. However we will endeavour to complete everything we can, or include equally interes ng alterna ves.
Short Descrip on, Dura on
Scotland Explorer, 8 Days
Trip Overview
Join us in beau ful and historic Edinburgh on this 8 day Sco sh Adventure before heading out and taking in Glen Coe, Fort William, The Isle of Skye and of course the world famous Loch Ness. Expect stunning scenery, iconic loca ons and plenty of opportuni es to really soak up the Sco sh hospitality before returning to Edinburgh with great memories and no doubt new friends.
Trip Highlights
Boat trip on Loch Lomond Glen Coe and Fort William (with the opportunity to hike Ben Nevis) 3 nights on the Isle of Skye Loch Ness Eilean Donan Castle A scenic sec on of the North Coast 500 Hike in the Cairngorms Whiskey and chocolate tas ng
I nerary
Please note: The trip will leave from a designated hotel in Edinburgh – details will be advised closer to the me of departure. We intend to leave first thing in the morning on Day 1, and we therefore recommend you arrive the night before departure and join our pre departure mee ng.
Day 1
Loch Lomond, Glen Coe and Fort William
Our first stop will be along the stunning shoreline of Loch Lomond. There will be me to take photographs, have a short walk, take a look around Balloch Castle and of course have a much needed morning coffee.
We board the waterbus across Loch Lomond to Luss, where our vehicle will meet us. A er lunch we con nue northwards to Glencoe.
Glencoe is an area of outstanding beauty and we take me out to learn about and explore the area before our arrival in to Fort William.
Meals Included: Picnic lunch
Included Excursions: Waterbus on Loch Lomond
Day 2
Fort William
The day is free to either explore the town, climb the mighty Ben Nevis or explore the Glen Nevis valley to Steall Waterfall.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 3
Banavie and Glenfinnan Monument, Mallaig and ferry to Skye
Neptune's Staircase, the 19th Century locks at Banavie, are our first stop. We've all seen Hogwart's express pass over a huge viaduct in the Harry Po er movies, and it's me to see the real life set at Glenfinnan! The area is also famous for where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard on Loch Shiel.
We have the op on of enjoying a fish lunch in Mallaig before boarding our ferry to the Isle of Skye.
The scenery on Skye is outstanding and even as we head towards our lodgings, we hope to do some sightseeing.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Included Excursions: Entrance to Glenfinnan Visitors Centre, Ferry to Skye.
Day 4
Explore Skye
Taking our transport, we aim to see the highlights of the Island from the Old Man of Storr to amazing views of the Quiraing. We also take to our feet and complete some short hikes to really enjoy the area.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Included Excursions: Tour of the Island's highlights
Day 5
More of Skye
The west coast is a perfect area to explore on foot and our hike takes in stunning views of the coastline and we also learn about the history of the cro ers who worked the land in this area in mes gone by.
Meals Included: Breakfast, picnic lunch
Day 6
To Aviemore via part of the NC500 - Eilean Donan Castle & Loch Ness
We head back on to the mainland and take a tour of Eilean Donan Castle, seen in many great movies including Highlander and Bond. The North Coast 500 has become a famous route in Scotland and we take in our favourite area as we head across to the East Coast. No trip to Scotland would be complete without a stop off to try to spot Nessie at Loch Ness! We end our day in Aviemore with a backdrop of the Cairngorm Mountain Range.
Meals Included: Breakfast, picnic lunch
Included Excursions: Eilean Donan Castle Entrance
Day 7
Cairngorms to Edinburgh
We're out early today and enjoy a hike up in to the Cairngorms, hopeful for views back across this vast land to Skye.
On our way South to Edinburgh we stop off at Dalwhinnie Dis llery and take a tour. For those whiskey lovers, there will be 4 single malts to try. Don't worry if whiskey isn't your pple, as there is also chocolate on the menu!
We con nue to Edinburgh, crossing the new Queensferry bridge.
Tonight we head out for dinner to remember our travels and share a few tears and beers before saying goodbye in the morning.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Included Excursions: Dis llery tour and tas ng
Day 8
Your trip ends a er breakfast
Meals Included: Breakfast
Country Informa on
For much of the me we will be in 'wilds of Scotland' and away from towns, ci es and quite o en, people! However it must be said like in any country, you should be aware of confidence tricksters and pickpockets and we recommend safety in numbers and le ng your Tour Leader or other members of the group know if you plan to go off and explore on your own, especially in a city at night.
What's Included
Boat trip / waterbus on Loch Lomond Glenfinnan Visitor Centre Entrance Fee Ferry from Mallaig to the Isle of Skye Eilean Donan Castle Entrance Whiskey & Chocolate Tas ng All transport as per the i nerary 7 Breakfasts & 3 Picnic Lunches
Budge ng & What to Pack
Knowing what to take, both in equipment and monetary terms can be tricky. This is why we've put together a few Insider ps to help you decide what to bring.
Pack lightly and bring layers as a general rule. The weather can do anything in Scotland and you may well see 4 seasons in one day! and you definitely need to come prepared for rain! A so bag or small wheelie up to 40 litres in size for your gear is ideal. Space in our vehicle is limited so we cannot accept large solid suitcases or large bags.
Here are some items worth considering:
Equipment: Small daypack / backpack (20 to 30 litres) Refillable water bo le USB charging cable for phones & cameras Ba ery pack for recharging on the go Sun glasses Torch (a head torch can be useful) Camera with plenty of memory cards for the journey Small journal Document wallet or money belt
Clothing: One pair of comfortable shoes or boots (with a waterproof layer if possible, for hiking) One pair of sandals / flip flops Hat or cap (for sun protec on) A set of smart casual clothes Waterproof / windproof jacket Waterproof over trousers for hiking A warm layer - fleece or jumper T shirts (always good for extra layers) Underwear & socks Shorts / skirts Swimwear Sleep wear
Toiletries: Toothbrush & toothpaste Razor & shaving cream Soap or shower gel Contact lenses & solu on Sanitary protec on An bacterial hand-wash
Health & Medical: Small first aid kit Immodium & rehydra on salts Sunblock & lip balm Painkillers, cold & flu medicine Personal medica on (with prescrip on)
Documents: Passport (and visas if necessary) Vaccina on cer ficates Travel insurance documents Cash / cards / travel money cards E- cket or flight details Guidebook / kindle / reading book
Money: We all work to different budgets, but from previous traveller feedback we es mate an average daily budget of £30 GBP will allow you a few snacks, coffees, so drinks, a light bite for lunch and a sensible evening meal. Please allow more for alcoholic drinks, souvenirs and personal items. If you are coming from overseas, it may be worthwhile considering a cash card that you can top up and use to withdraw cash - these are o en cheaper than the high street banks. We suggest bringing a small amount of cash, so you have enough for snacks and drinks on arrival. ATM's are widely available in Edinburgh, Fort William and Aviemore, but are not so easily found in the other areas we visit.
Transport, Accommoda on & Meals
Our transport will generally be onboard a comfortable 9 to 12 seater minibus with air condi oning. We are fair with the sea ng arrangements and everyone gets to move around or sit up front.
For general accommoda on we prefer a hotel that is close to the ac on rather than something bou que. It will always be comfortable, have en-suite facili es and have access to town (either by foot or local transport). Tea & Coffee making facili es are not always common place so you may wish to consider a small water boiling element if you need that extra cuppa in a morning!
Due to the very nature of this trip and the fact that at mes we will be out hiking, we include 3 picnics along the way. We can't always guarantee a fabulous view, but we will ensure a tasty lunch for all. Tea & Coffee will also be available in our vehicle.
Experience has shown us that for dinner, most travellers like to mix things up and go their own way. However, our guide will always be available to point you in the right direc on, for any budget.
We always try to give a flavour of the area we are visi ng and for those who wish to a end, our guide will also arrange meals out in our special choice of restaurants.
Essen al Informa on
Due to the very nature of the trip, some me will have to be spent in our vehicle ge ng from place to place. However, there will be tea and coffee to hand and we ensure our routes are a great mix of sightseeing with photo and food stops along the way. Just driving along in Scotland will reveal some of the most scenic areas you have ever seen!
On any road trip, things don't always go to plan, delays happen and routes have to be adjusted. Travellers should come along with a flexible approach, knowing that Insider Adventures has got you covered. Our experience will take us through the greatest of challenges.
The trip leaves Edinburgh on Day 1, and you therefore may wish to consider spending some addi onal me either before or a er your tour, to see the City.
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