A Taste of Scotland - Add On Tour

Day 1: On arrival in Edinburgh/Glasgow Airport, pick up self-drive car and start your journey. You will drive through the area known as the Trossachs in the heart of Scotland. Make a stop at Stirling Castle – Stirling has many reminders of the famous William Wallace, star of the film “Braveheart”. Continue around the scenic Loch Lomond and through the Argyll Forest one of the most beautiful areas of Scotland. Make a stop at Inveraray on the banks of Loch Fyne where you can visit Inveraray Castle or Inveraray Jail, which tells the tale of prison life in the 18^th & 19^th centuries. Continue north to the Oban area for overnight

Day 2: After breakfast explore Oban making a visit to McCaigs Tower from where you can see the island of Mull and beyond on a clear day. Departing Oban journey north to Fort William via Appin passing on your way Castle Stuart set on its own island. Fort William nestles at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland. Take a trip on the Anoch Mor Gondela and enjoy some magnificent views across to the West and East coasts of Scotland. From Fort William travel northeast through the Great Glen towards Inverness. En-route you will travel along the Caledonian Canal which links Fort William and Inverness and of which Loch Ness forms a part. Travel along the banks of this famous loch keeping an eye open for the famous monster “Nessie”. Overnight in the Inverness area.

Day 3: Start your day with a stop at Culloden Moor, site of the very last land battle on British soil when the Jacobites, lead by Bonnie Prince Charlie, were finally defeated by the English army. The excellent exhibition centre tells of the Jacobite rebellions in various languages and you can wander the Moor where you can still hear the battle cries of the Clans. Continue now into the heart of Speyside and whisky country.  There are a large number of whisky distilleries in the area and you can visit many of them. Glenfiddich, Glen Grant, Dallas Dhu and many others welcome visitors and are happy to give you a “wee dram”. Continue following the River Spey well known also for its salmon fishing. Travel down to Braemar in the heart of Royal Deeside. During May, June and July you can visit Balmoral Castle where the Royal Family spend their annual summer holiday. Alternatively visit Braemar Castle. Journey south over the “Spittal of Glenshee” a road affording dramatic views before continuing towards the Perth area for your overnight accommodation.

Day 4: Today, if time permits, visit St Andrew’s, named after Scotland's patron saint. Visit the impressive ruins of the cathedral, once the most magnificent in the country and St Andrews Castle where visitors can wander through damp, mossy tunnels to the dungeons. St Andrew's is also the famous home of golf, played on the Old Course since the 15th century. Continue along the coast via the small fishing villages of Elie and Pitenweem. Cross the Forth road bridge with its spectacular views of the Firth of Forth before returning your car to Edinburgh/Glasgow and joining your flight home.