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Day 1 Depart Edinburgh at 09.00 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. The stunning views and spectacular landscapes of our own super (extinct) volcano and scene of the infamous massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692, where many of the Clan Macdonald were slaughtered. You stop in this imposing mountain Glen so you can enjoy the spectacular views. You continue north 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 18.30 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 is an early start, leaving behind the 'Capital of the Highlands', crossing over the Black Isle, and past Andrew Carnegie's Skibo Castle. From here you drive through the northeast Highland coastline, travelling into some of Scotland's most dramatic scenery, and enjoy amazing views of some of Europe's oldest landscapes and the chance to see wildlife such as Golden Eagles and red deer. Onwards through Scotland's most northerly mainland village, John o' Groats, and then to Gills Bay, where you board the ferry, crossing the Pentland Firth into the Orkney Archipelago. From here it is a short drive to the famous Italian Chapel where we stop for a visit before continuing to the Viking stronghold of Kirkwall, Capital of Orkney where you shall stay for 2 nights. Here you can visit Kirkwall's magnificent Viking Cathedral and its historic winding streets.
Day 3 is your chance to explore this fantastic, ancient island; a land of contrasts where fertile green pastures are fringed by shores of golden sands washed by waters of the North Sea and Atlantic ocean. You will visit the 5000 year old village of Skara Brae (older than the Pyramids of Egypt!), the mystical prehistoric stone circle at Brodgar and the Druidic standing stones of Stenness. You stop in Stromness - one of Scotland's most picturesque seaboard villages and then travel onto Maeshowe, where in the 12th century the Vikings left one of the largest collections of Norse runic inscriptions. Then its back to Kirkwall for your 2nd night after what is sure to be a memorable day.
Day 4 is a relaxed start to the day, as you leave Orkney and sail the Viking waters back to the mainland. From here you travel the old road right across the very top of Scotland, driving past the stunning Ben Loyal and Ben Hope mountains following the rocky cliffs and stunning golden sand beaches of our northern coastline. You then visit the far northwest highlands and the grandeur, expanse and wilderness of the mountains of Assynt before stopping to view the 15th century ruins of Ardvreck Castle. From here you travel to Ullapool, situated at the mouth of Loch Broom, a beautiful whitewashed fishing village where you spend your last night's stay on tour.
Day 5 Leaving Ullapool behind you, you take in the drama of the River Droma as it plunges 60m down into Corrieshalloch Gorge, before taking in the beautiful Loch Glascarnoch, on the way past the 'Capital of the Highlands' Inverness. You can then visit Culloden Moor, the site of The Battle of Culloden in 1746, one of the bloodiest events in our history and the last battle to have been fought on the British mainland, before taking a short drive to the ancient standing stones at Clava Cairns. This prehistoric and stunning Bronze Age burial ground is one of the oldest in Scotland. From here you travel through the ancient Caledonian Pine Forest, hugging the Cairngorm mountain range. Lunch will be spent in these beautiful surroundings before travelling through big tree country of Perthshire, through the Kingdom of Fife, and back to Edinburgh around 19.00.
Photography Credits: Visit Britain, Visit Scotland, Britainonview, Mike Hasted, Luke Sheppard, Ingrid Rasmussen, Pawel Libera, Tony Pleavin, Craig Easton, David Angel, Martin Brent, Bob Berry, Paul Watts |
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Posted by Heike Schulz on 04/05/2012
happy end......
Posted by Hanne Thoms on 02/09/2011
Brilliant! If there’s a Dr Who in Scotland, it’s without a doubt Michael. Our driver and guide took us on board of his Rabbie’s TARDIS bus for a fabulous and multi-faceted journey in space and time across Scotland. A travel from the green Glens and peaceful lochs, the beautiful sceneries of Scottish mounts, castles and Highland cows, to the northern islands of Orkney, their sandy beaches, their wildlife, their Shetland ponies and their cliffs, as well as beautiful waterfalls. A journey from the Neolithic past of Orkney, to the Viking Orkneyinga saga and the more recent past of Scotland. Many thanks to Michael, for the custom-tailored program, really suited to the various interests of the participants, for your amazing knowledge of the country, for your lively stories and anecdotes, and for your kindliness and good advice.
Posted by Michelet Geneviève on 21/08/2011
Best Ever Tour Rob and I have ever been on owing to our tour guide Chris He made the tour*( along with the scenery) just magic . what other tours are you doing Chris ? would like to sign uip ovet christmas rob Cheers Lois and
Posted by Lois Rob on 14/08/2011
My mom and I had a trip of a lifetime with George. He made our trip special from the moment we all got on the bus to the final goodbyes. I will always remember his special smile he had for everyone each morning and his wonderful storytelling. Because of George the whole group bonded and new friendships were made. When I look through my photos, it makes me anxious to schedule another trip back to your beautiful part of the world. That trip will be sure to include a Rabbie's tour. Thanks for a fabulous trip.
Posted by Shannon on 12/07/2011
As a first timer with Rabbies, I was very happy to have someone like Michael as our tour guide. Sincere, good sense of fun, and clearly invested in providing travelors with knowledge of Scottish history and natural history. The competition with George's bus was also fun!
Posted by Susan Goodfellow on 30/06/2011
George was the greatest driver and guide. Thanks Rabbie's for being such pros to Orkney. Loved it all.
Posted by patsywood on 25/06/2011
This was my first time to Scotland traveling with 3 friends we decided to take a tour as part of our trip. We were all very happy we selected this tour and was very happy to have Richard as our tour guide/driver. I really liked all parts of the trip but I think my favorite were the Highlands around Inverness and the Northwest regions by Ullapool. He was great! He was organized, patient, knowledgeable and friendly. Everything you would want in a guide. Not only did we get the facts about Scotland but also a sense of Scottish people today. I would recommend Rabbie's to anyone traveling in Scotland. Thanks!
Posted by Danielle H on 10/06/2011
Back home for a week and already terribly missing Scotland. And in two days back to work!…but looking forward to Christmas holidays and Scotland…!! My weeks in Scotland were GREAT thanks to Rabbie’s and its guides. You uprooted me from reality in order to immerse me in a world out of time and space, where the authentic soul of Scotland revealed itself to me. So, I could deeply soak up a dizzy atmosphere and vertiginous scenery. All of you three, Richard, Liam and Roland, were excellent and unrivalled drivers and guides, each one fascinating and Scottish in his own way: Richard, patient and interesting storyteller. (In the photos I uploaded, there is also a group photo of the Orkney tour 6-10 Aug ’10 in case you were interested in it) Liam, knowledgeable, calm, tactful, nice, smart, enthusiastic, humorous and reliable. Roland, charming, enchanting and delightful teller, bright and considerate. (what about your plans as a traveller and fellow teacher?) Rabbie’s is beyond comparison. I tried other tour companies (don’t ask me why!) and they were a daylight nightmare!! Rabbie’s is definitely the best! Thank you again! See you. Luisa P.S. I uploaded some photos of my different tours
Posted by Luisa Ferrari on 04/06/2011
It was our second trip with Rabbie.And it was awsome.Has any body got the any picture of the tour on blog ?
Posted by Raj on 18/05/2011
Every part was enjoyable: both the quiet seclusion of Orkney and the unbeatable beauty of north west Scotland.
Posted by Luisa Ferrari on 08/10/2010
Orkney is a wonderful destination! We loved Brough of Birsay, Ring of Brodgar, Skara Brae
Posted by John Harwell on 30/08/2010
We visited some beautiful places but for me the highlight was the drive across the top of Scotland from Orkney to Ullapool. George was great, very friendly and with a knack of getting the bus talking to each other, which was good for me as a single traveller. I thoroughly enjoyed this part of my tour and Orkney is really interesting.
Posted by Phillipa Valentine on 19/08/2010
Richard really knew his history, and that is why we selected this tour. He told the stories well, and he prepared us for each stop.We were very comfortable with him, and appreciated his professionalism/love of Scotland. Great asset to your company.
Posted by COMBO Mark Minor on 30/06/2010
I like the small tour group size, the opportunity for different levels of accommodation. As well our tour guide - Andrew - was great. Friendly, knowledgable and with a sense of humour.
Posted by Karen Argall on 15/10/2009
Our driver/guide, Karen, aka Bo Peep, was marvelous. A few of her outstanding qualities are: KNOWLEDGE, HELPFULNESS, CONSIDERATION, and A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR.
Posted by Alice on 17/09/2009
We enjoyed the fact that it was a small group; that accommodation was available for every budget; that we could eat where we wanted. Our guide was Karen and she was an incredible resource about Scottish history and the countryside through which we travelled. She was lively, entertaining and sensitive to peoples' needs and wants. If all your guides provide as excellent service as she does, you are certainly blessed! Please let her know this and that it is from Ruth & Bruce, the Canadians.
Posted by on 10/09/2009
Got to see parts of Scotland I've never seen before and probably wouldn't have seen had I been doing the trip solo. Very informative guide.
Posted by Deborah Wood on 25/08/2009
Our guide Andrew gets a 10 = "WOW" for his performance during the tour. He has a vast knowledge of ancient and modern history, he gave us very interersting information about our destinations, he knows etymology and a lot of other subjetcts, and he was perfectly balanced as to when to talk, when to be silent and when to play Scottish music. His humor is also an asset.He was despite his Scottish accent very easy to understand for us Swedes who are trained exclusively in the English accent. It was he who made the tour so very interesting. Give him a raise so you won't lose him to another company!
Posted by Goran Grip on 24/08/2009
We enjoyed everything, scottish countryside was amazing especially the really remote areas.
Posted by Diana stewart on 01/08/2009
The scenery was spectacular of course and our guide, Andrew, made the tour a very easy and happy time. Having a lot of time to walk and see things up close was wonderful, we never felt rushed. The drive along the north of Scotland was perfect.
Posted by Alex, Tim and Gill Armstrong-Crews on 29/07/2009
The friendly, lively and enthusiastic guide is very essential and make the trip a perfect and enjoyable tour. Also Scotland's natural scenery is the most memorable part - i enjoyed taking photos during the tour end glad we were allowed to stop for pictures.
Posted by Kit-Ying Ng on 17/06/2009
all of the tour was wonderful full of fun and information agrand time was had I feel by all.
Posted by p.l.KIff on 02/06/2009
I think the tour along the northern coastline was amazing. The same day the group ate together and I thought that was very nice too. For me that was the best day.
Posted by Joke Lenderink-Braakman on 01/06/2009