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Scotland

Scotland: A Land of Myth & Legend

 
Duration
10 days
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Tour code
VHS27
Mobility Rating 2
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Discover history and folktales of an ancient land on a magical tour of Scotland, exploring Edinburgh, the Scottish Highlands, the Isle of Skye and Glasgow

Embark on a one-of-a-kind vacation, delving into Scotland's legendary world of castles, kings, fairy folk and mythical monsters.

Hear evocative tales of stories of important clans and historic battles, and experience the wild beauty of the Highlands and mystical Isle of Skye. On this multi-center exploration, stay in Edinburgh and Glasgow, the island of Raasay, idyllic Oban, and on the banks of legendary Loch Ness.

Be entertained with ancient tales, passed down through generations, dine on traditional Scottish fare and sample authentic malt whisky.

Unforgettable Experiences

Uncovering ancient tales at the iconic Edinburgh Castle
Uncovering ancient tales at the iconic Edinburgh Castle
Follow in the footsteps of kings, queens and historic figures on a tour of one of Scotland’s most important castles. Perched on a mighty rock, 900-year-old Edinburgh Castle has been a royal residence, a prison and a fortress.
Seeking out Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster
Seeking out Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster
Stay on the legendary shores of Loch Ness, where you could solve the mystery of this famous monster, first spotted nearly 1,500 years ago. Scientists believe this dinosaur-like creature may be a myth – but could she be real?
Discovering the home of the MacLeods, Dunvegan Castle
Discovering the home of the MacLeods, Dunvegan Castle
Dating from the 13th century, the ancestral home of the clan McLeod is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland. Explore its dramatic location and evocative history, including the mystical fairy flag.
Hearing tales of mystery from traditional storytellers
Hearing tales of mystery from traditional storytellers
Immerse yourself in the stories, myths and legends of this brave nation during storytelling evenings that capture the timeless culture, customs and spirit of Scotland and its people.

What’s included on the tour?

Itinerary

DAY1Welcome to Edinburgh

Your vacation begins in the capital of Scotland, where you meet the Tour Manager at our hotel on Edinburgh's famous Royal Mile. This mile-long cobblestone street is the historic heart of the Old Town, leading from the iconic castle to the Palace of Holyrood House and Holyrood Park, where you could hike up to Arthur's Seat for fabulous views across the city. The hotel is also close to Edinburgh's favorite shopping area, Princes Street.

There's free time to explore the city, its museums or the Royal Botanic Garden before our first gathering this evening. Later, we walk with our group to the medieval Tollbooth Tavern nearby. First built to collect tolls from travelers, this historic building is now a traditional Scottish pub. During a three-course dinner, we are entertained by a musician performing Scottish folk music while we soak up the atmosphere. The tavern is reputedly one of the most haunted buildings in the city, so keep a watch out for ghosts while we sip a wee dram of whisky and look forward to the explorations ahead. Overnight Edinburgh.

Includes
  • Dinner
DAY2Touring Edinburgh and its iconic castle

One of Scotland's most important fortresses, Edinburgh Castle, is visited today. Perched high above the city on the craggy Castle Rock, this breathtaking 900-year-old castle brims with centuries of history, secrets and mysteries, and was the site of a royal treasury where jewels were kept.

Passing the statues of Robert the Bruce and William Wallace, we are following in the footsteps of kings, queens and other colorful characters, including Mary, Queen of Scots and Oliver Cromwell. On a guided tour, we are shown areas including St Margaret's Chapel, the Royal Palace and the Great Hall.

After time to find lunch independently, we regroup at the Mercat Cross in the heart of the Royal Mile for another guided tour - this time heading underground into the infamous Blair Street Vaults, which were created as Edinburgh expanded in the 18th century. Dark and damp, these atmospheric caverns have incredible stories to tell about the people who resided and did business here. The rest of the day is then free, and you can find a restaurant or pub to dine in this evening. Overnight Edinburgh.

Includes
  • Breakfast
DAY3By rail into the Highlands via the Culloden Battlefield

Scotland's horizons widen today as we travel by rail from Edinburgh Waverley, across the UNESCO-listed Forth Rail Bridge, and onwards across rugged landscapes to Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands.

On arrival, we visit one of the most famous battlefield sites in Scotland - Culloden. Here, we join an expert guide who regales us with tales of Jacobite rebellions in which Bonnie Prince Charlie sought to restore the Stuarts to the British throne. As we tour the site of the final gruesome battle of the Jacobite Uprising of 1746, we uncover the story of the last pitched battle on British soil, where the government's army swiftly and brutally defeated the Jacobites.

We continue to our hotel on the shores of Loch Ness, where we spend the next two nights. After dinner this evening, we sip on a wee dram of whisky and are joined by a local storyteller, who entertains us through tales and yarns about the folklore and history of this very special place. Overnight Loch Ness.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY4Visiting legendary Loch Ness, an evening of folklore tales

After a hearty Scottish breakfast, our next adventure is to explore the loch itself. Remember your camera before we board a cruise boat right outside the hotel and set sail across the legendary loch, looking out for Nessie, the mythical monster. We glide by fairytale forests as we cross the scenic loch before mooring at the breathtaking Urquhart Castle where, with entrance included, you are free to look around the 13th century ruins and read soul-stirring accounts of the dramatic events which took place there.

Back on land, we drive to the nearby village of Drumnadrochit, where you are free to browse the delightful shops and maybe find lunch in the Ness Deli or Fiddler's restaurant. We continue by coach to the Loch Ness Visitors Centre for a fun and interactive multimedia journey delving into the stories behind the monster.

Back at our hotel, there's time to relax before our evening meal. Later, we sip on a wee dram of whisky and are joined by Mr Loch Ness himself, Willie Cameron, who tells us tales, spin us yarns and entertains us with the folklore of this extraordinary place.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY5Through the Highlands to the Isle of Skye

After breakfast, we leave the shores of Loch Ness and drive through the picturesque heart of the Scottish Highlands. Passing mountain scenery, lochs and tiny villages, our journey takes us to spectacular Eilean Donan for a guided tour of 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 once a stronghold for the clans Mackenzie and Macrae. After uncovering the castle's history, there is time to admire views of the fjord-like lochs and find lunch.

Continuing, our coach takes across the bridge and on to Skye for a scenic drive to the port of Sconser. From here, we board the ferry across to the Isle of Raasay and our hotel for the next two nights. Originally home to the MacLeod clan, the property was burnt to the ground after the Battle of Culloden. A year later, construction started on the house we see today. We have free time to wonder the extensive grounds, walled garden and ruined chapel before our dinner. Overnight Raasay.

*Please note: on our July and August departures, the visit to Eilean Donan Castle is not guided and we will explore independently.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY6Uncovering chieftain history at Dunvegan Castle

Returning by boat to Skye, we enjoy a coach tour of the island, beginning with a visit to Dunvegan Castle, the ancestral home of the clan McLeod.

With a dramatic backdrop of forest, sky and sea, Dunvegan is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland, with a history stretching back 800 years. On our tour, we see the fairy flag, a small square of ancient silk thought to have supernatural origins. Its powerful magic is believed to have protected the clan for centuries and is the stuff of legend, which we learn more about from our guide. Afterward, explore the beautifully manicured grounds as you wander through the water, walled and round gardens.

From here, we continue by coach past many more highlights of picturesque Skye, including the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock waterfall and the pretty fishing town of Portree, filled with colorful pastel buildings. Later, we head back to Raasay for a three-course dinner this evening. Overnight Raasay.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY7Scenic drive to Oban for a whisky tasting

This morning, we bid farewell to Raasay and Skye as we return to the mainland to continue our journey. From Mallaig, we enjoy a scenic drive past Glenfinnan and along the shores of Loch Linnhe to our next port of call.

Oban is a fishing town which, thanks to the Gulf Stream, has a mild climate and rugged natural beauty. Our first stop is the Oban Distillery, one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland. When the founder of the distillery, brothers Hugh and John Stevenson, arrived at this west-coast frontier in 1793, they found little more than a natural harbor and a windswept view. Here, they opened the Oban Brewing Company and began distilling whisky the following year. On our expert guided tour, we see the process that goes into making whisky with behind-the-scenes access and tastings of three whiskies.

After checking in at our hotel, you are at leisure to explore and dine independently at one of the many excellent restaurants in this port town, known as Scotland's seafood capital. Overnight Oban.

Includes
  • Breakfast
DAY8Free time in the west Highlands

A day at leisure provides the opportunity to explore the town of Oban and the surrounding area.

You could take a ferry to one of the Inner Hebrides (booking in advance is recommended). Discover the Isle of Mull, from the imposing Duart Castle to the town of Tobermory, with colorful buildings huddled around its harbor. Remote Iona is an island of great spirituality, known for its 6th-century abbey founded by St. Columba, who it is believed wrote the first account of the Loch Ness Monster. Alternatively, book a trip to the intriguing Fingal's Cave, a sea cave on the uninhabited island of Staffa. This natural wonder has spectacular acoustics and is similar in structure to Northern Ireland's Giant's Causeway. Staying in Oban, you might like to wander around the War & Peace Museum, book a nature-spotting boat trip, or walk up to the historic landmark McCaig's Tower on Battery Hill, a peaceful retreat overlooking the town below.

After dinner this evening, we are joined by a renowned Scottish storyteller who takes us on a journey of folklore, myth and legend. Overnight Oban.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY9Along the bonny banks of Loch Lomond to Glasgow

After breakfast today, we leave Oban and head by motorcoach to Scotland's largest city, Glasgow. The scenery continues to wow as we travel through the spectacular landscapes of Scotland's first national park - the Trossachs - an area of rugged hills and mountains, islands and lochs including famous Loch Lomond.

Pausing our journey here, we take a two-hour cruise on the loch with live commentary provided by the skipper. Among striking mountains, we can see the mighty Ben Lomond, Scotland's most southerly Munro - a peak at least 3,000-feet-tall - as we enjoy a light lunch onboard.

Our drive continues into the very center of Glasgow, where we check in to our prestigious and historic hotel, beside Glasgow Central railway station. Situated on the River Clyde, Glasgow is renowned for its shipbuilding heritage and has a welcoming atmosphere with centuries of art, culture, and musical history to explore. The rest of the afternoon is yours to get to know the city, before we gather this evening for our final dinner together. Overnight Glasgow.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY10Traveling home

This unique vacation has introduced us to the history, mysteries, and culture of Scotland's great cities, and to the long-held traditions of its Highlands, lochs and islands. During visits to castles, battlefields and famous lochs, and over traditional dinners, we have heard Scotland's countless stories, passed down by generations. From the cobbled streets of Edinburgh, steeped in centuries of significant history, to the wild landscapes of the Highlands and the ancient mythology of the Hebridean islands, we have explored it all.

Today marks the end of your exp and, after a final breakfast at our grand Glaswegian hotel, you are free to make your way homewards.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Hotels

Loch Ness Clansman Hotel, Drumnadrochit
Loch Ness Clansman Hotel, Drumnadrochit
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Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh
Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh
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Voco Grand Central, Glasgow
Voco Grand Central, Glasgow
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Raasay House Hotel, Raasay
Raasay House Hotel, Raasay
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Knipoch House Hotel, Oban
Knipoch House Hotel, Oban
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Enhance your holiday

Extend your stay

Many of our guests choose to spend additional nights before or after their trip. Vacations By Rail would be happy to make hotel arrangements for you.