Scotland and Edinburgh (with option of Royal Military Tattoo)

On arrival meet with your professional tour guide for the journey to Edinburgh, capital of Scotland since the 15th century and one of the world's most attractive cities. Get your first views of  the medieval Old Town, The Royal Mile and the Georgian New Town, all overlooked by Edinburgh Castle. Overnight stay in Edinburgh.

This morning visit the medieval fortress that is Edinburgh Castle, built on an extinct volcano in the centre of Edinburgh. Within the Castle see collections of weapons and armour, visit the Royal apartments and the room where Mary, Queen of Scots gave birth to the boy who was to become King James VI of Scotland and James I of England. Take in the magnificent views across the old and new towns from the battlements and watch the traditional firing of the One O'clock Gun. This evening enjoy a traditional Scottish banquet to the accompaniment of Bagpipers, Ceilidh Dancers and a local Scottish band. Overnight stay in Edinburgh.

A tour of HMY Royal Yacht Britannia, permanently moored at Leith after decades of service to The Royal family, is on the agenda for today. Britannia sailed over one million miles, 968 official voyages, and accompanied the Royals on many of their most memorable state tours. In the afternoon visit Rosslyn Chapel, built in the 15th Century and well known for centuries for its carvings in particular but now perhaps more famous for its association with Dan Brown and his book The Da Vinci Code. Overnight stay in Edinburgh

Begin the day with a morning drive over the Firth of Forth and in to the ancient Kingdom of Fife to explore some of the stunning fishing villages before arriving in the attractive seaside town of St Andrews, well known for being "the home of golf". Visit the Golf Museum to learn about the story of golf from its origins in the Middle Ages through to the present day. Also see the university where the Prince and Princess of Wales first.  Return to Edinburgh for free time to explore the city at leisure. Overnight stay in Edinburgh.

Begin today with a pause in the town of Pitlochry - known as "The Gateway to The Highlands" - and take a guided tour of a working whisky distillery!! Also stop at Blair Castle, presiding over the Highlands near the village of Blair Atholl, and ancestral home of the Clan Murray. The clan chief, the Duke of Atholl, boasts his own private ceremonial army, the Atholl Highlanders!
The Highlands and Fort William await as we travel through upland moorland and heather, catching glimpses of Ben Nevis, The United Kingdom's highest mountain and hopefully some "hairy coo's" as the locals call The long haired Highland Cattle. Overnight stay in Fort William.

Travel the Road to the Isles and take a ferry over the sea to Skye for a full day excursion around the island, including Dunvegan Castle and some time in the small capital Portree. The rugged Cuillin Mountains need to be seen to be believed. The journey can be enhanced by a steam train ride on The Jacobite Express that journeys over the Glenfinnan Viaduct where Harry Potter fans may want to keep an eye out for a flying Ford Anglia!  Overnight stay in Fort William.

Today travel along The Great Glen and keep your eyes peeled for 'Nessie' as the route follows the shores of Loch Ness! so a view of Nessie is possible ? Visit the dramatic ruins of Urquhart Castle and take a cruise on the loch for iconic views of heather- clad mountains and sparkling streams. The loch is the largest in The United Kingdom and, aside from Nessie, is a good place to spot eagles, deer and maybe the elusive Scottish Wild Cat.  Overnight stay in Fort William. 

Leave Fort William and head south through the spectacular scenery of Glencoe, steeped in 5000 years of history and most famous for a tragic night in February 1692 - the Glencoe Massacre.  Visit Glencoe Village in Upper Carnoch to see the monument to the fallen MacDonald's before visiting the Glencoe Visitor Centre. Continue south, over bleak and beautiful Rannoch Moor, and around the base of Ben More to Loch Lomond. Enjoy a relaxing cruise from the "Bonnie, Bonnie, Banks" of the loch, before a late afternoon arrival in Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland. Overnight stay in Glasgow.

Start the day with a tour of Kelvingrove Museum, which for generations of Glaswegians has deep and personal significance. Time is then at leisure to visit the shops, Sauchiehall Street and the Buchanan Galleries to name but two areas, for those last purchases and souvenirs. A farewell dinner in a local Glasgow restaurant ends the day. Overnight stay in Glasgow.