DAYS 1 & 2

Upon your arrival in Glasgow on Day 2 you will be met at the airport and transferred directly to your luxury boutique hotel. Get ready to explore a land that will captivate you with its unique blend of history, folklore and legend. You’ll be tantalized by dramatic castles and ancient fortresses.

Hotel du Vin at One Devonshire Gardens, Glasgow

DAYS 3 & 4

This morning you will drive out of Glasgow, headed for Fort William. Beautiful pastoral views unfold at every hilltop before reaching Loch Lomond, where you will enjoy a boat cruise on the Queen of the Scottish Lochs. Then travel north to the popular town of Fort William, lying at the foot of the Ben Nevis mountain range. Nestled within the woods and fields that lie in the shadow of the mighty Ben Nevis, the beauty and tranquility of Inverlochy Castle’s setting is remarkable. You will spend three glorious nights at the Inverlochy Castle Hotel, renowned as being the finest country house hotel in Scotland. 

Travel to beautiful Loch Ness, the infamous home of a legendary creature that resides in the lake. We stop along the lake to explore the remains of Urquhart Castle. Take a trip on the Nevis Gondola, Britain’s only gondola mountain chairlift, for spectacular views over the region.

Inverlochy Castle, Fort William

DAY 5

After a short ferry ride, arrive on the Isle of Skye and spend the day exploring this, the largest of the Inner Hebridean Islands. Stroll through the historic fishing village of Portree. Continue on to visit Eilean Donan Castle, one of the most photographed castles in Scotland.

Inverlochy Castle, Fort William

DAY 6

Today, visit the imposing castle which has dominated much of Scotland’s turbulent history. Stirling Castle is without doubt one of the grandest of all Scottish castles, both in its situation on a commanding rock outcrop and in its architecture.

Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh

DAY 7

Enjoy the morning at leisure to stroll through Edinburgh. Its magnificent architecture shifts from the lofty buildings of medieval Old Town lining the Royal Mile, to the grace of the Georgian New Town. The Royal Scotsman departs Edinburgh and heads west through Linlithgow to Stirling, and then past Gleneagles on your way to Perth, the “Fair City.” Later, disembark and visit Dalwhinnie Distillery and have the opportunity to sample the “Gentle Spirit” of the glen.

The Royal Scotsman

DAYS 8 & 9

Spend the morning at the beautiful Rothiemurchus Estate in the Scottish Highlands. On Day 9 return to Edinburgh and enjoy a short orientation tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia. This evening is a highlight of your trip — the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Scotland’s military musical extravaganza.

Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh

DAYS 10 & 11

In the morning visit the imposing and majestic Edinburgh Castle, which dates back to the 12th century, and The Royal Mile, connecting Edinburgh Castle with the Palace of Holyroodhouse. On Day 11 you will be taken to the Edinburgh airport for your flight home or on to your next destination.

Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh

Package price is per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement applies. Intra-tour air pricing is subject to change. International airfare is additional. Other restrictions may apply. Contact us for complete journey details.

Hotel du Vin at One Devonshire Gardens
Glasgow, Scotland

This luxury 5-star boutique hotel is renowned for its comfort and individuality. The public areas of the hotel reflect the grandeur of a bygone era, with large comfortable sofas, soft lighting and a roaring fire. There are five fine dining restaurants.

The bedrooms have been individually designed and equipped to provide every possible feature of a first class hotel. Each bedroom has satellite TV, direct dial telephone, mini bar, fresh tea & coffee and a luxury bath with a bathrobe and full selection of toiletries.

Inverlochy Castle
Fort William, Scotland

The 5-star Inverlochy Castle Hotel is Scotlandʹs finest hotel and restaurant, uniquely nestled among the glens, lochs and mountains of the West Highlands of Scotland. It was built in 1863 by the first Lord Abinger, near the site of the original 13th-century fortress. In September 1873, Queen Victoria spent a week at Inverlochy sketching and painting, where she wrote in her diaries “I never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot.” The hotel offers various activities and services including tennis, fishing on the “loch,” and clay pigeon shooting.

Dinner at Inverlochy is an experience to savor in any of the three dining rooms, each decorated with period and elaborate furniture presented as gifts to Inverlochy Castle from the King of Norway. The menu features modern British cuisine, which is internationally recognized and awarded a Michelin Star.

Inverlochy had been a private residence for over a hundred years until 1969, when it was converted from a family home to Scotland’s finest country house hotel. In its unique atmosphere of 17 very individual rooms, each is decorated differently. All rooms feature amenities including 30-inch TVs, internet access, an in-room safe, hairdryer, deep tubs and bathrobes.

The Balmoral
Edinburgh, Scotland

The 5-star Balmoral offers stunning views towards Edinburgh Castle, the Old Town or the internal courtyard. Centrally located near the leading luxury department stores and next to Waverley Station, The Balmoral is the ideal accommodation from which to enjoy many events held in Edinburgh, including the Military Tattoo.

The Balmoral has many culinary delights on offer: Michelin-starred number one restaurant with outstanding cuisine; Hadrianʹs for informal dining; Palm Court for cocktails or traditional afternoon tea; NB’s Bar for drinks with live entertainment. There is also the Balmoral Spa, an exclusive retreat in the heart of the city.

The 168 guest bedrooms and 20 suites have been individually designed. Each has its own characteristics, borrowed from Scottish heritage. Each room has individually controlled air conditioning, spacious marble and ceramic bathrooms with fluffy towels, robes and luxury amenities, two telephone lines and independent data port connection, fax machine and printer, interactive national and satellite televisions and in-room refreshment facilities.

The Royal Scotsman Train
Edinburgh to Rothiemurchus to Edinburgh, Scotland

The Edwardian splendor of The Observation Car provides the perfect backdrop to enjoy the exclusivity of The Royal Scotsman. Its many windows give a panoramic view of the constantly changing scenery, which may be enjoyed from the comfort of the interior or from the exhilarating open verandah. Comfortable sofas and armchairs provide seating for all 36 guests and conviviality and conversation are assured. After dinner, the country house party ambience is enhanced by entertainment that creates a distinctly Scottish mood.

Dining on The Royal Scotsman is an exquisite experience. The fixed menus reflect the seasonal changes and are consistently regarded as the best in any hotel in the world. The extensive cellar provides a range of fine wines to accompany lunch and dinners, and a fine range of liqueurs and malt whiskies is offered. The choice of a full Scottish cooked breakfast or a Continental breakfast is available every morning.

Both Dining Cars are beautifully decorated with rich mahogany paneling and luxurious fabrics. Victory provides 16 elegant settings grouped in two or four, while Raven has larger tables for six or eight. This offers you the chance to make new friends with your fellow guests or simply enjoy the company of your travelling companions.

The Sleeping Cars provide 16 twin and four single State Cabins, beautifully fitted out in rich marquetry. All cabins have lower beds, dressing table, full-length wardrobe, hairdryer, individually controlled heating, cooling ceiling fans, opening windows and cabin service call button. Each cabin has its own private bathroom with shower, wash basin and toilet, constant hot water, high quality toiletries and fresh fluffy, white towels. With the train stabled at night in a quiet siding or station, you are assured a good night’s sleep.

John Wootton

After years spent aboard ships and traveling in South Africa, John joined the Travcoa family. He has been leading our journeys for 30 years, in which time he has traveled on most itineraries, covering all seven continents.

Travel Dates: August 14, 2012