My Heart is in the Highlands: A Journey to Scotland
4 day tour

Day 1

• Marvel at the Lake District, a landscape that inspired writers like Beatrix Potter 
• Whether you love history, food, music, or architecture, Glasgow has something for you 
• Gaze out over the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond 

An early start in Manchester but we promise it will be worth it. Our first stop is the charming village of Pooley Bridge in England’s stunning Lake District. It’s hard not to fall in love with this English tapestry of majestic landscapes, so make sure your camera is ready. You’ll likely be inspired to passion and creativity just like William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter were. 

Grab yourself a coffee or small treat and enjoy a peaceful stroll down to see the beautiful waters of Ullswater Lake.  

Now it’s time to say goodbye to England and head into the dramatic landscapes of bonnie Scotland. We head straight for the city of Glasgow where you’ll have a couple of hours to grab a bite to eat and explore this lively metropolis. Known for its music scene and beloved for its vibrancy, you’ll find plenty to keep you occupied. But I bet you didn’t know that Glasgow is also known for being a leader in the shipping industry. During the 18th and 19th centuries, Glasgow’s shipyards were among the most productive and innovative in the world and are in part responsible for the city we know and love today. 

In the afternoon, we head for the wee village of Luss in Argyll and Bute. Keep your camera handy on the journey, as we’ll be passing through stunning West Highland scenery. Sitting snugly on the west bank of Loch Lomond, no visit to Luss is complete without taking in the views of Ben Lomond and Loch Lomond from the end of the pier.  

What’s next will depend on the day, and your driver-guide will show off beautiful Scottish towns and landscapes depending on the weather, the route, and what they think the group might like best. But rest assured, still waters, stunning viewpoints, wee towns... there's almost too much to see in Scotland. 

As the day comes to an end, we make our way to the westerly town of Oban. Known as the Seafood Capital of Scotland, make sure you complete this overnight stay with a sampling or two.  

Day 2

• Cruise around Loch Ness and see if you can spot Nessie 
• Admire the beautiful viaduct that the ‘Hogwarts Express’ runs along 
• Be moved by the haunting beauty and tragic tales of Glen Coe 

Today you delve into the highlights of the Scottish Highlands. It was Scotland’s beloved poet Robert ‘Rabbie’ Burns who rightly put: ‘Wherever I wander, wherever I rove, the hills of the Highlands forever I'll love.’  

And we understand Rabbie’s obsession... why do you think our company exists in the first place? So you can share in our love, our passion, our obsession. 

We head to the town of Fort Augustus, situated on the banks of the world-famous Loch Ness. Time to find Nessie for yourself? Here you’ll have time to grab a quick bite to eat and jump on a cruise on the loch itself. Keep your cameras ready, just in case. But it’s not just Nessie that will intrigue you here. Something about the dark waters of Loch Ness, the possibility of what (else) might lurk beneath, the rules and restrictions around diving here... all of that will have you scratching your head... 

In the afternoon, we journey onwards to the jaw-dropping Glenfinnan Viaduct. Many know this bridge as the ‘Harry Potter bridge’, seen at the start of the second movie when Harry and Ron attempt to catch up to the Hogwarts Express Train by using a flying car. We all know how that turned out. While we cannot guarantee that the Jacobite Steam Train will pass over the bridge during our visit, it remains a wonderful viewpoint and incredible feat of engineering for you to enjoy and photograph. 

We then head towards the famous Scottish valley of Glen Coe. The sheer majesty of the surrounding mountain scenery will fill up your camera... and once we reach the Three Sister’s Viewpoint, you’ll feel certain that you’ve slipped into a dream. Perhaps you’ll dream of romance, just as the three sisters once did. Legend has it they fell in love with three brothers from a neighbouring clan, whom they were forbidden to marry. Desperate, devoted, and heartbroken, the sisters climbed high into the mountains and threw themselves from the cliffs. Supposedly, their spirits still wander the mountains to this day, searching for their lost loves.  

... Nobody ever said Scotland was a cheery place.  

We head back to Oban for the evening.  

Day 3

• Snap pictures of Kilchurn Castle and the mystic Loch Awe 
• No one can deny the impressive history and views at Stirling Castle 

We love starting our days off strong, and that’s why we head to Kilchurn Castle first thing this morning. This power base of the Campbells of Glenorchy looks out over the mystic Loch Awe. It’s all in the name really. It’s one of the most photographed castles in Scotland for a reason. 

As we continue our journey, we arrive in the village of Killin. While a popular destination for salmon fishing and watersports, you’ll be visiting today for a wee explore and a bite to eat.  

In the afternoon, you’ll be visiting one of Scotland’s most famous castles, the ‘Key to Scotland’. Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s greatest stone castles, a 12th- century masterpiece that is a testament to the history and power of this region. From the Great Hall to the majestic views of Royal Park, there’s plenty to see here. Alternatively, you could pop down the hill into the town of Stirling to explore the numerous shops and restaurants. Lucky for you, this is our overnight stay and tonight you’ll sleep under the shadow of this impressive castle.  

Day 4

• From the castle to Dean Village, Old Town to New, there’s ample to do in Scotland's capital of Edinburgh 

We’ll be saying goodbye to Scotland today but not before popping in for a visit at Scotland’s capital, the magical city of Edinburgh. There’s just something about Edinburgh. Maybe it’s the sound of cars driving on cobblestone streets. Perhaps it’s the way Edinburgh Castle watches over the city in quiet contemplation. Maybe it’s the peaceful beauty of Dean Village. Or maybe it’s the history-infused alleyways of the Old Town.  

Whichever part you fall in love with, you’ll have several hours here to explore and grab a bite to eat before an important decision must be made. Do you stay in Scotland or return to England? Because that part’s up to you. Perhaps you’ll linger in Edinburgh a while, like many of its ghosts have done, and explore bonnie Scotland a wee bit further. Or perhaps you’ll head back down south to England and the rest of the world...