Edinburgh, the Highlands and Islands

Your vacation begins today as you arrive in Edinburgh independently and check in to our hotel where you are greeted by the Tour Manager. Afterwards, you're at leisure to start exploring Scotland's capital.

The heart of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with the Old Town's Royal Mile and the New Town's award-winning Georgian architecture continuing the contrast between traditional and contemporary. As you admire the grand neoclassical buildings of the New Town or stroll up Calton Hill to view the National Monument of Scotland, modelled on the Greek Parthenon, it's easy to see why Edinburgh came to be regarded as the 'Athens of the North'. There are so many great sights to see in Edinburgh, from renowned museums to picturesque streets and the historic delights of the Royal Mile. Outside the National Museum of Scotland, you can find a small fountain commemorating Greyfriars Bobby, the terrier who guarded the grave of his owner for 14 years.

This evening, we gather at our central hotel for our first dinner together as a group.

• Dinner

Bidding farewell to Edinburgh after breakfast this morning, we make our way to the train station and travel by rail to Glasgow. From here, we join the scenic West Highland Line.

Traveling along the shores of Loch Lomond and crossing wild Rannoch Moor, we enjoy our first glimpse of breathtaking Scottish landscapes and isolated areas that other modes of transport can't reach. Enroute, we pass Corrour station, the highest and most remote mainline station in the UK. Despite being nearly 10 miles away from the nearest public road, it remains a popular drop-off point for hikers drawn to this gorgeous part of the world.

On arrival in Fort William, we transfer to our hotel. After check-in, we're joined by a guest speaker who entertains us with 'tales of the road to the isles'. Keeping alive the ancient art of storytelling that's been a way of life for centuries here, we're taken on an atmospheric journey through time before dinner tonight.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Traveling by motorcoach after breakfast, we enjoy a scenic drive along the shore of Loch Linnhe to the port of Oban. Here, we catch the ferry to the Isle of Mull, the second-largest island of the Inner Hebrides. Drifting through small islands and across the waters, the views are awe-inspiring. Rugged coastline, hills rising from the shores and jagged, exposed rock faces create the striking backdrop as we sail.

On a clear day, stunning views of Duart Castle welcome us before we dock at the port of Craignure where a coach transfers us to the island's main town, Tobermory. There's time at leisure to wander along the harbor, admiring the colorful houses gathered round the port or enjoy lunch in this town that is famed for its fresh fish. Alternatively, seek out its sheltered bay where, according to legend, one of the Spanish Armada ships sank in 1588 carrying a stash of gold.

After catching the ferry to Lochaline on the remote Morvern Peninsula, we travel by coach through scenic landscapes to our hotel for dinner this evening.

Please Note - For some departures Day 3 and Day 4 have swapped around

• Breakfast, Dinner

An exploration of the area by land and sea awaits today as we first visit Neptune's Staircase. Situated at the southern end of the Caledonian Canal this impressive sight is the longest staircase lock in Scotland, allowing vessels to overcome a height of 64 feet in one-and-a-half hours.

After time to admire the staircase and take photos, we continue to Loch Linnhe for a peaceful cruise. Live commentary from our ship's skipper adds fascinating insights into the panoramas surrounding us as we discover more about Ben Nevis, the Caledonian Canal and Black Rock - a protected area also known as 'Seal Island' because it's home to both common and Atlantic grey seals. Back on land, a coach transports us through atmospheric Glencoe, a breathtaking area where wild moorlands and small, gleaming lochs are encircled by dramatic mountains. One of Scotland's most evocative landscapes, Glencoe has a long history and has become a popular filming location, featuring in movies as varied as Braveheart and Skyfall.

At our hotel this evening, we enjoy a traditional whisky tasting after dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

A highlight of this Highland adventure awaits after breakfast this morning. Boarding the wonderful vintage cars of the Jacobite steam train, the 42-mile journey to Mallaig passes through some of the UK's best scenery. Pulling out of Fort William station, the highest mountain in the British Isles - Ben Nevis - passes the windows, before fishing boats and the seasonal colors of Scotland hone into view. Keep an eye out for local wildlife, such as red deer grazing on the hillside. The route is famous for its role in the Harry Potter movies, particularly the curved Glenfinnan Viaduct, which we cross. Continuing through charming Scottish villages and past historic landmarks, the Jacobite reaches journey's end in the coastal town of Mallaig. Spend free time exploring the charming streets or pop into a café or restaurant.

Boarding a coach, we pause enroute at Glenfinnan viewing point. From this stunning vantage point, it's possible to see the Jacobite train glide across the iconic viaduct. Reaching our Inverness hotel, we check in and enjoy dinner this evening.

On early/late season departures the Jacobite Steam Train excursion is replaced by the scheduled Scotrail service.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Remember your cameras for a cruise on Loch Ness this morning because evidence of its famous mythical monster, Nessie, is said to be worth around $1.25million.

This huge loch - the UK's largest by volume - is also blessed with some of Scotland's most breathtaking scenery. Surrounded by mountains, we glide by fairytale forests before visiting Urquhart Castle, a 13th-century castle perched on the banks of the loch. These atmospheric ruins are a delight to explore and house a historic collection of weaponry including a working trebuchet. There's also plenty of time to make the most of the panoramic views over Loch Ness before heading back to our hotel.

You're at leisure in Inverness for the rest of the day and could enjoy a beautiful riverside stroll, delighting in the babbling river, verdant forests and local wildlife. Alternatively, visit the stunning Inverness Castle whose most famous resident, King Mac Bethad mac Findláech, was the inspiration for Shakespeare's Macbeth. With no scheduled dinner, tonight is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a meal at one of the city's many appealing pubs or restaurants.

* Please note: On certain departure dates, we stay at the Drumossie or the Clansman Hotel outside Inverness. Therefore, we have dinner at the hotel on this evening.

• Breakfast

Spectacular views are revealed this morning as we ride on the Kyle Line, one of Scotland's most scenic railroads. After passing the birdwatching hotspot of Beauly Firth, the route skirts alongside lochs and through wild landscapes with views of cascading waterfalls and undulating hills rolling by the windows. At the end of this sensational route is Kyle of Lochalsh, a picturesque coastal village that looks out across the waters to the Isle of Skye and its mountainous landscape, which we also see during a short stop at the Skye Bridge viewpoint.

From here, we are given a guided tour of Eilean Donan Castle, one of the most striking castles in Scotland. Perched atop a tiny island at the confluence of Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh, this iconic fortress was formerly a stronghold for the clans Mackenzie and Macrae. There is time to uncover the castle's history and admire views of the fjord-like lochs before returning to our hotel by coach. After dinner we are treated to a wee dram to hear tales of myth, legend and monsters from a Highlands storyteller.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we say goodbye to Inverness and head back to Edinburgh by rail. Traveling south through the Cairngorms, captivating scenes of mountain peaks, winding rivers and rushing waterfalls drift by the train windows, occasionally interrupted by historic towns and villages.

Settling into our new hotel in Edinburgh, we enjoy our last evening in Scotland in style. The grand Radisson Blu sits at the heart of the Royal Mile - and it is in this luxury hotel's Great Scots Hall that we sit down for a wonderful Scottish banquet. The hall features traditional furnishings, latticed sandstone ceiling, painted panels and an open fire. It is an ideal setting for a fine feast accompanied by traditional Scottish entertainment of pipers and dancers. This time-honored celebration of Scottish culture is the perfect farewell evening to our amazing vacation.

• Breakfast, Dinner

It's time to say goodbye our Tour Manager and fellow travelers after breakfast as our time in stunning Scotland comes to an end. You are free to make your way home or continue exploring beautiful Edinburgh on your own.

As you leave, you can look back on the wonderful new memories we have created. We have enjoyed journeys on some of the UK's most scenic railroads, including the West Highland and Kyle lines, as well as a stunning trip on the Jacobite from Fort William to Mallaig. Sailing to the Isle of Mull, we spent time among the pastel-hued buildings lining the harbor at Tobermory, while we viewed Ben Nevis during a peaceful cruise on Loch Linnhe and took to the water of Loch Ness to look for its famous monster. The romantic castles at Urquhart and Eilean Donan added charm to this enchanting vacation that was concluded in incredible style during a banquet with pipers and dancers in Edinburgh's Great Scots Hall.

• Breakfast