Winter Highland Fling

Itinerary Item 1

Name: Edinburgh to Oban

Short Description: We depart Edinburgh and make our way to the world’s largest equine sculptures, the Kelpies, located in Falkirk. Heading further north, we pass the city of Stirling with its stunning castle, catching mighty views of the towering Wallace Monument. Then it’s time to enter the rugged Scottish Highlands! We pass Doune Castle, a medieval stronghold that many will recognise as Castle Leoch from Outlander, or Winterfell from the first episode of Game of Thrones. Our adventure takes us to Glen Coe, one of Scotland’s most famous Highland valleys – describing Glen Coe as staggering at this time of year would be an understatement. Our home for the night is the pretty fishing town of Oban, a bustling hub for fresh seafood and Scottish live music. Time to grab a drink with your new travel buddies! (Overnight: Oban)

Description: We depart Edinburgh and make our way to the world’s largest equine sculptures, the Kelpies, located in Falkirk. Heading further north, we pass the city of Stirling with its stunning castle, catching mighty views of the towering Wallace Monument. Then it’s time to enter the rugged Scottish Highlands! We pass Doune Castle, a medieval stronghold that many will recognise as Castle Leoch from Outlander, or Winterfell from the first episode of Game of Thrones. Our adventure takes us to Glen Coe, one of Scotland’s most famous Highland valleys – describing Glen Coe as staggering at this time of year would be an understatement. Our home for the night is the pretty fishing town of Oban, a bustling hub for fresh seafood and Scottish live music. Time to grab a drink with your new travel buddies! (Overnight: Oban)

Highlights

• Kelpies (Kelpies)
• Glen Coe(GC)

Itinerary Item 2

Name: Oban to Isle of Skye

Short Description: This morning, we travel to the Isle of Skye through the Highlands, taking in epic mountains, lochs, and glens. Get ready to take the ultimate shot of the impressive Glenfinnan Viaduct, often referred to as the most beautiful railway in the world and used as a film setting for Harry Potters’ magical ride on the Hogwarts Express. Scotland in winter gives these landscapes an enchanted edge – misty, moody, and seriously epic. We pass the iconic Eilean Donan Castle and head towards the Isle of Skye, where we will be spending the night in the picturesque town Portree. (Overnight: Portree)

Description: This morning, we travel to the Isle of Skye through the Highlands, taking in epic mountains, lochs, and glens. Get ready to take the ultimate shot of the impressive Glenfinnan Viaduct, often referred to as the most beautiful railway in the world and used as a film setting for Harry Potters’ magical ride on the Hogwarts Express. Scotland in winter gives these landscapes an enchanted edge – misty, moody, and seriously epic. We pass the iconic Eilean Donan Castle and head towards the Isle of Skye, where we will be spending the night in the picturesque town Portree. (Overnight: Portree)

Highlights

• Glenfinnan Viaduct(Viaduct)
• Isle of Skye(Skye)

Itinerary Item 3

Name: Isle of Skye to Inverness

Short Description: Gear up for a morning exploring a wee bit more of the Isle of Skye's wild beauty! Breathe in the fresh air amidst windswept mountains and rugged coastlines, and witness legends come alive as you explore awe-inspiring sites like Kilt Rock and the Old Man of Storr. We head back to the mainland to catch a glimpse of Eilean Donan Castle, a true icon among Scotland’s many beautiful castles. Visit the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre*, where you'll learn about Scotland's ancient Caledonian Forest and the inspiring work of the charity Trees For Life, before settling into our hostel accommodation in Inverness for the next two nights. (Overnight: Inverness)

Description: Gear up for a morning exploring a wee bit more of the Isle of Skye's wild beauty! Breathe in the fresh air amidst windswept mountains and rugged coastlines, and witness legends come alive as you explore awe-inspiring sites like Kilt Rock and the Old Man of Storr. We head back to the mainland to catch a glimpse of Eilean Donan Castle, a true icon among Scotland’s many beautiful castles. Visit the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre*, where you'll learn about Scotland's ancient Caledonian Forest and the inspiring work of the charity Trees For Life, before settling into our hostel accommodation in Inverness for the next two nights. (Overnight: Inverness)

Highlights

• Kilt Rock(Kilt)
• Old Man of Storr(Storr)
• Cuillin Mountains(Cuillin)
• Eilean Donan Castle(Eilean)
• Dundreggan Rewilding Centre(Dundreggan)

Itinerary Item 4

Name: Inverness

Short Description: This morning, we get the ultimate opportunity to search for the legendary Loch Ness monster on an optional boat cruise experience on Loch Ness. We head northwards to the lovely wee town of Beauly. Used as a filming location for Outlander, the ancient ruins of Beauly Priory date back to 1230AD. We complete our day with a visit to Culloden Battlefield where we learn about the bloody history and defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite’s in 1746. (Overnight: Inverness)

Description: This morning, we get the ultimate opportunity to search for the legendary Loch Ness monster on an optional boat cruise experience on Loch Ness. We head northwards to the lovely wee town of Beauly. Used as a filming location for Outlander, the ancient ruins of Beauly Priory date back to 1230AD. We complete our day with a visit to Culloden Battlefield where we learn about the bloody history and defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite’s in 1746. (Overnight: Inverness)

Highlights

• Loch Ness(LN)
• Beauly(Beauly)
• Culloden Battlefield(Culloden)
• Inverness(Inverness)

Itinerary Item 5

Name: Inverness to Edinburgh

Short Description: We kick off our final day with a visit to the mystical chamber cairns and standing stones of Clava Cairns, known to have inspired the incredible TV series Outlander. Then, we make our way to a local whisky distillery to sample our best-loved national drink during an immersive distillery tour before returning to Edinburgh early evening.

Description: We kick off our final day with a visit to the mystical chamber cairns and standing stones of Clava Cairns, known to have inspired the incredible TV series Outlander. Then, we make our way to a local whisky distillery to sample our best-loved national drink during an immersive distillery tour before returning to Edinburgh early evening.

Highlights

• Whisky Drinking (Whisky)
• Clava Cairns (CC)
• Picturesque Dunkeld(Dunkeld)

Inclusions

Item 1: 4 Nights Hostel Mixed-Gender Multi-Share Accommodation

Item 2: Small Group Tour

Item 3: Your Legendary Local HAGGiS Guide

Item 4: Whisky Distillery Tour

Item 5: Dundreggan Rewilding Centre (Make Travel Matter® Experience)

Item 6: All Transport

Highlight 1

Name: Small But Mighty

NameShort: Small But Mighty

Travelling in a wee group means more banter, more space, and plenty of laughs along the way. Cosy, right? Just a heads-up – while we usually travel in smaller vehicles, sometimes a larger bus might be used due to availability.

Travelling in a wee group means more banter, more space, and plenty of laughs along the way. Cosy, right? Just a heads-up – while we usually travel in smaller vehicles, sometimes a larger bus might be used due to availability.

Image Name: small group tours

Image Alt: small group tours

Highlight 2

Name: Loch Ness

NameShort: Loch Ness

It’s time to tick Loch Ness off your Scotland bucket list, as we go in search of the infamous Loch Ness Monster. We promise you’ll get cool photos of Loch Ness and the surrounding scenery. A glimpse of ‘Nessie’ in the background is just an extra bonus!

Loch Ness is not the biggest or the deepest loch in Scotland, but it is definitely the most well-known. For this, we can thank the legend of the Loch Ness Monster. The first sighting of ‘Nessie’ was in 565AD by St Columba, when the monster reared its ugly head and launched an attack on his man servant. Much later, the ‘Surgeons Photograph’ from 1934 was considered the best and most famous capture of the beast, until it was later revealed to be a fake.! Of all Scotland’s lochs, Loch Ness has the highest volume of water. Glaciers carved the crazy-deep cavity of the loch, which holds more water than all the lakes in England and Wales. The water is so full of peat from the surrounding hills, its depths are almost pitch-black. Perfect hiding place for a monster if you ask us!

Image Name: Loch Ness

Image Alt: Loch Ness tour

Highlight 3

Name: Glen Coe

NameShort: Glen Coe

As far as Scottish scenery goes, you don’t get more dramatic than the mighty Glencoe. ‘Glen’ is Gaelic for valley, and this jaw-dropper was deeply carved into the landscape during the Ice Age. From the sprawling peaks to crystal-clear rivers, Glencoe is guaranteed to blow your wee socks off.

Glencoe translates as the ‘weeping glen’, and it certainly lives up to its name. Waterfalls run from misty peaks through the glen’s gorges and creases, and are particularly dramatic after a downpour of “liquid sunshine”. Glencoe’s name also reflects the sad history of the clan who once lived there. In 1692, the government redcoats murdered Clan MacDonald in their beds, as punishment for their Jacobite allegiance. This bloody and brutal betrayal of Highland hospitality is remembered in history as the Massacre of Glencoe. Glencoe is dominated by majestic mountains which completely contrast the vast and flat expanse of its neighbouring Rannoch Moor. Buachaille Etive Mòr, which overlooks the moor, is a bonnie brute of a mountain, and a fond favourite with photographers. We think that Glencoe is the most photogenic when the weather is moody and atmospheric.

Image Name: Glen Coe

Image Alt: Glen Coe

Highlight 4

Name: Eilean Donan Castle

NameShort: Eilean Donan Castle

Don’t believe in love at first sight? Eilean Donan Castle will soon change that. A picturesque stone bridge winds out to the stunning structure. Set upon a wee tidal island, against a backdrop of mountains and lochs, it is undoubtedly one of the most iconic and romantic sights in Scotland.

Eilean Donan Castle is perfectly formed and instantly recognisable. From every angle the castle boasts a bonnie backdrop, from misty or snow-sprinkled peaks, to glassy-still lochs which mirror the sun and clouds. The castle sits in a unique position, at a point where three sea lochs meet. This was a deliberate defence strategy to protect the area from Viking raids, when the castle was fortified in the 13th century. Later in history, the castle was used as a garrison for Spanish troops, who supported the Jacobite cause during the 1719 uprising. They arrived with over 300 barrels of gunpowder, which they never got the chance to use. Instead, their military opponents gained access to the castle, and used the gunpowder to blow it up from the inside-out. Oh, the irony! The castle lay as a romantic ruin until it was restored to its former glory and reopened in 1932.

Link to Highlight resource:

Eilean Donan Castle)

Image Name: Eilean Donan Castle

Image Alt: Eilean Donan Castle

Highlight 5

Name: Isle of Skye

NameShort: Isle of Skye

The Isle of Skye is every bit as magical as it sounds. Our journey takes you around the coast and through the mists of time. In the shadow of the mighty mountains, we search for waterfalls, mischievous wee fairies, and remnants of a land long ago.

Skye is Scotland’s most popular isle, and you’ll quickly understand why. The iconic Skye Bridge transports you from the mainland into a whole new world of insane geology, beguiling mythology, and picturesque settlements; the colourful facades of pretty Portree make the perfect postcard. Rainbows plunge into peaty lochs, like waterfalls from the dramatic cliff tops. The Cuillin Mountains are an epic scale of awesome, carved by ancient volcanos and glaciers; for our viewing pleasure, of course. Skye has a rich cultural heritage, with a history coloured by rival clans, Viking settlers, and a fugitive Prince. Ruined castles hold secrets of the past, while Norse place names ensure that we don’t forget it. Even dinosaurs roamed the land, leaving footprints on the beach. Try a local beer or Talisker whisky, and don’t forget to toast the faeries! Skye is where the magic happens.

Image Name: The Isle of Skye

Image Alt: Isle of Skye tour

Highlight 6

Name: Inverness

NameShort: Inverness

Inverness, known as the Capital of the Highlands, sits on the River Ness and is surrounded by wild landscapes. Discover the city’s connections to the Outlander series, and experience Highland hospitality like no other in the local pubs.

Inverness, known as the Capital of the Highlands, sits on the River Ness and is surrounded by wild landscapes. Discover the city’s connections to the Outlander series, and experience Highland hospitality like no other in the local pubs.

Image Name: Inverness

Image Alt: Inverness

Highlight 7

Name: Old Man of Storr

NameShort: Old Man of Storr

When it comes to cool geology, this natural wonder is the absolute pinnacle. Standing tall on Skye’s ancient landslip, the Old Man of Storr is such a poser. Sometimes hidden by mist, this is a popular hangout for mischievous fairies!

When it comes to cool geology, this natural wonder is the absolute pinnacle. Standing tall on Skye’s ancient landslip, the Old Man of Storr is such a poser. Sometimes hidden by mist, this is a popular hangout for mischievous fairies!

Image Name: Old Man of Storr

Image Alt: Old Man of Storr

Highlight 8

Name: Kilt Rock

NameShort: Kilt Rock

Absolutely nothing to see here, it’s just a crinkle-cut sea cliff and an epic waterfall. No filters are required to make Kilt Rock look cool. Learn about how this insane coastline was formed. Geology or giants? You decide!

Absolutely nothing to see here, it’s just a crinkle-cut sea cliff and an epic waterfall. No filters are required to make Kilt Rock look cool. Learn about how this insane coastline was formed. Geology or giants? You decide!

Image Name: Kilt Rock

Image Alt: Kilt Rock

Highlight 9

Name: Picturesque Dunkeld

NameShort: Picturesque Dunkeld

Dunkeld is a wee charmer! This pretty Perthshire town sits on the River Tay at the gateway to the Scottish Highlands. Rows of quaint 18th century houses lead towards Dunkeld Cathedral; a striking partial ruin with a history spanning hundreds of years.

Dunkeld is a wee charmer! This pretty Perthshire town sits on the River Tay at the gateway to the Scottish Highlands. Rows of quaint 18th century houses lead towards Dunkeld Cathedral; a striking partial ruin with a history spanning hundreds of years.

Image Name: Dunkeld

Image Alt: Dunkeld

Highlight 10

Name: Oban

NameShort: Oban

Oban is a bustling seaside town on Scotland’s west coast. Whether it’s fresh sea air or local seafood you’re craving, Oban’s got you covered. Watch ferries depart for the Hebrides, look up at Oban’s answer to the Colosseum, and dance the night away in The View Ceilidh House.

Oban is the gateway to Scottish adventures, and you can feel the buzz in the air. The busy port has numerous ferry connections to the islands, while the touristy town itself is a popular pit-stop on west coast road trips. Overlooking the harbour and distant islands is Oban’s most famous landmark, McCaig’s Tower. The structure, which resembles the Colosseum in Rome, was commissioned by a local banker, John McCaig; the purpose was to provide employment for the local stonemasons during the winter, and to build a monument to his family. McCaig died before the work was complete, and today the tower’s pretty gardens and viewing platform is a popular escape from the busy town. The best way to enjoy an evening in Oban is with fresh fish and chips or ice-cream by the harbour, followed by traditional tunes and dancing at The View Ceilidh House.

Image Name: Oban

Image Alt: Oban

Highlight 11

Name: Dundreggan Rewilding Centre

NameShort: Dundreggan Rewilding Centre

Did you know that today, only 1% of Scotland's native forests remain? At Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, you'll learn about Trees for Life's thrilling mission to rewild the Scottish Highlands. You'll not only meet lively experts who talk you through the secrets of the forest, but also witness their rewilding success during a lovely woodland walk.

Did you know that today, only 1% of Scotland's native forests remain? At Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, you'll learn about Trees for Life's thrilling mission to rewild the Scottish Highlands. You'll not only meet lively experts who talk you through the secrets of the forest, but also witness their rewilding success during a lovely woodland walk.

Image Name: Dundreggan Rewilding Centre

Image Alt: Dundreggan Rewilding Centre