SCOTLAND

Not afraid of frocking up in a kilt and jumping on the bagpipes? Perhaps you’ve got some Scottish blood! And lucky you if you do. Home to mystical castles, glorious highlands and enough whisky to booze the Loch Ness Monster, you’ll be head over heels with all things Scottish by the time your week of adventure here is up.

ITINERARY

DAY 1
START EDINBURGH
Edinburgh
Royal mile, old Castle, home of the brave, Edinburgh is going to turn it on from start to end. With days of good time ahead, go out in search of haggis, a whisky bar and join the jolly locals before meeting up with the crew tonight, in anticipation of the good times that are yet to come.
Hotel
Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City West (or similar)
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:
Scottish Evening –
With traditional bagpipes & a chance to try some haggis, tonight serves up an authentic Scottish experience. After feasting on some hearty local food, the piper will tell you a Scottish tale or two.
Adult: 47.00 GBP

DAY 2
EDINBURGH
Edinburgh
Today is yours to roam free – but if you want to get the low down on the history of this city why not join our local guide for an optional tour of Edinburgh Castle (which is resting on an extinct volcano!!) to kickstart your love affair with this city. Or maybe you’ll do a spot of tartan shopping on Princes Street or indulge in some whisky tasting.
Meals
Breakfast
Hotel
Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge (or similar)
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:
Edinburgh Castle Experience –
Peel back the historical layers with the help of our local expert. You’ll discover the most fascinating & blood-curdling stories hidden within walls of this amazing building – not to mention the best panoramic views of Edinburgh. By the end of your visit you’ll truly appreciate why this remains Scotland’s number one tourist attraction!
Adult: 25.00 GBP
Whisky Tastes and Tales –
Ignite your palate with a locally guided tasting of the national drink of Scotland. The Scots have traditionally called their whisky ‘aqua vitae’ quite literally translating to the ‘water of life’ & giving us an appreciation of the reverence in which whisky is held here. Here you will sample some of the finest local whiskies all while your local guide recounts the legendary takes of the people who helped to turn whisky from a locally produced drink into a national treasure.
Adult: 25.00 GBP

DAY 3
EDINBURGH TO SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS
Edinburgh
It’s time to blaze a trail out of Edinburgh & head for the Scottish Highlands.
St. Andrews
On the way to the main affair of the day we’ll stop by St. Andrews, the birthplace of golf, would you believe? As well as Scotland’s oldest university town.
Scottish Highlands
Already blown away by the beauty of the rugged mountain scenery en route, we’ll arrive in the Scottish Highlands amped up for mystical tales.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel
Columba Hotel Inverness (or similar)
Included Experiences
* Visit St Andrews
   If you like golf, you’ll love St Andrews. But if you think it spoils a nice walk in the park, there’s also Swilcan Bridge.

DAY 4
SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS VIA LOCH NESS AND AVIEMORE
Scottish Highlands
We might be coming down from a high (geographically speaking) this morning, but as we seek out the stunning Loch Ness, the mood will only be rising.
Loch Ness
We’ll stop to see lovely Loch Ness, the most voluminous lake in the UK – containing more water than all the lakes of England and Wales combined! It’s also rumoured to contain something else, something far more legendary which you’re sure to have heard of…
Aviemore
We’ll also check out Aviemore, a picturesque jewel in the Cairngorms’ crown – home to lochs, mountains trails and plenty of panoramic views.
Scottish Highlands
With breath-taking scenery still in mind, today’s sights will leave you more than content with your day’s discoveries.
Meals
Breakfast
Hotel
Columba Hotel Inverness (or similar)
Included Experiences
* Spot the Loch Ness Monster
   Sit back, relax and cruise along the loch with your Contiki crew. But keep your eyes peeled and camera ready for mythical ‘Nessie’.
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:
Highland Estate and Curling (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience) –
Welcome to Rothiemurchus, a living Highland estate where nature and humanity have coexisted for centuries. Here we’ll meet up with an expert ranger, who’ll teach us all about the wildlife, flora and fauna that call the 10,000-hectare haven home. We’ll also enjoy a delicious lunch made from local ingredients.
You’ll also get to experience the forest according to the season: during the winter, you’ll get to try curling (a traditional Scottish sport) and during the summer, you’ll experience the Highland Games.
Adult: 50.00 GBP
Highland Games (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience) –
What better way to celebrate Scottish and Celtic culture than the Highland Games? Against the backdrop of Scotland’s rugged natural beauty, we’ll watch on as athletes from far and wide compete in the caber toss, tug o’ war and much more.
Adult: 50.00 GBP

DAY 5
WEST HIGHLANDS TO GLASGOW
Scottish Highlands
After a few days of remote and rugged goodness, a change of pace in Scotland’s biggest city is sure to fire things up a notch.
Glenfinnan Viaduct
Feast your eyes on the railway viaduct – once a calling stop for the magical Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films and the breathtaking waters of Loch Shiel, which seems to stretch on endlessly.
Stirling
We make a stop in Stirling, known for its famous Castle nestled right on a hill, and the town where William Wallace took on the English and yelled “Freeeedom!”
Glasgow
Get involved with everything great about Glasgow. Live music on every corner, a gothic cathedral & plenty of quirky characters make this city unique.
Meals
Breakfast
Hotel
Ibis Glasgow City Centre Sauchiehall Street Hotel (or similar)
Included Experiences
* See the William Wallace Monument
   Explore the sights of Stirling and get a selfie with the memorial to the iconic Scottish knight.
* See Glenfinnan Viaduct
   Heads up ‘Pokerheads’. Keep your eyes peeled for the Hogwarts Express.
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES:
Eatwith Glasgow –
Glasgow was once called the “Second City of the Empire” due to its importance to industry & manufacturing. These days, instead of ships & textiles, Glasgow is building a famous food scene.
Tonight, you will get the opportunity to get off the beaten path & have a truly local Glaswegian experience. Your hosts use sustainably sourced local ingredients to prepare a delicious homecooked meal all the while local musicians regale with their tunes and melodies.
Adult: 42.00 GBP

DAY 6
END GLASGOW
Glasgow
Our trip ends this morning after breakfast. Say goodbye to your travel squad, and get started on planning the next big travel adventure.
Meals
Breakfast