Full Details & Itinerary Day 1 Depart Edinburgh at 0930 heading west towards Stirling, passing Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument. You also pass Doune Castle (set of Monty Python's "Holy Grail") before stopping in the small town of Callander for a refreshment stop. You now cross over the fault line into the magnificent Highlands taking in the splendour of Loch Luibnaig, Loch Earn, Glen Ogle and Glen Dochart, as you travel north over the wild and remote Rannoch Moor into Glencoe. This haunting glen was the scene of a great massacre in 1692 where many of the Clan Macdonald were slaughtered. You stop in this imposing mountain pass and take you for a walk so you can enjoy the spectacular views. You continue north and up the Great Glen to the mysterious beauty of Loch Ness, travelling the whole 23 miles of the famous Loch - plenty of time to try and spot "Nessie!" You arrive at your destination of Inverness at approx 1930 where you will be dropped off at your booked accommodation. The evening is free for you to explore the capital of the Highlands.
Day 2 You will be picked up from your accommodation between 0900 & 0930 in Inverness and head west towards glorious Glen Affric. This is a stunning area where the River Affric flows down through a dramatic gorge, surrounded on all sides by the beautiful Caledonian pine forest (one of the only remaining areas of Caledonian pine in Scotland, this has now been made into a nature reserve). You can spend some time here and enjoy a walk through the forest, alongside the River Affric. From Glen Affric, you go east to Drumnadrochit, stopping for photos of Urquhart Castle with its mighty ruins overlooking Loch Ness. You will spend your lunchtime on the southern shore of the Loch in the charming village of Fort Augustus. The Caledonian Canal, which links the lochs of the Great Glen, dominates the town and makes a great place to relax and watch the boats sail by. You then travel south towards Loch Laggan and into the Cairngorms National Park, a mountainous area of wild land, forests lochs and glens. You continue south past Blair Castle, stopping in the lovely town of Pitlochry before returning to Edinburgh, past Perth and over the Forth Road Bridge. Arrive approx. 19.00.
Return to Waverley Bridge opposite Waverley Train Station
Inclusions
Transportation by top of the range 16 seat Mercedes minicoach for a more personal experience. We believe a small group tour with a maximum of 16 passengers really does make a big difference to your trip. It allows us to give you a more personal service and remain the only 5 Star operator to offer this personal guarantee. Touring with a maximum of 16 passengers you get more for your money, more personal attention, more time with the locals, more time off the bus, more time on the back-roads and just more of an authentic, friendly experience. The smaller groups allow you to meet people from all over the world and make friends for life.
Forced air ventilation as standard.
Services of a professional Rabbie's driver/guide.
Rabbie's Discount Card - money off restaurants, shopping and attractions.
Exclusions
Lunch and refreshments.
Boat Trip on Loch Ness (Easter to October only)
Accommodation
The tour price does not include accommodation but this gives you an opportunity to choose your budget and the type of accommodation you wish to stay in and we will book it for you - Hostel, B&B or Hotel - please refer to the booking form on this web site for prices.
Please note that in the case of late bookings accommodation availability and choice may be restricted and we cannot guarantee to find your first choice. There is usually a supplement for single rooms. By giving you a choice of accommodation it allows you to choose your budget, stay in smaller places and get closer to the local people. This also means you help to sustain their communities in the long term. For more information click here
*NB On occasions, when villages we stay in have events on, accommodation can be scarce and expensive so we may use other locations for your accommodation on the tour. We will always inform you of this when this is necessary.
Discount Price
Students, Seniors over 60 and Children between 5 and 16
Important Information
Because we believe in time off the bus and give you opportunities to take nature walks we recommend you bring suitable clothing and footwear for your tour. Scotland can be a wet place!! Accommodation on this tour is dispersed around Inverness. If you have access problems or special requirements please let us know when booking.
