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Ring of Brodgar
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4.8
Read 152 reviews

Explore Scotland's coasts and islands

Head a little off the beaten path on this tour of Scotland's rugged Highlands, coastal byways, and the archaeological treasures on Orkney and the Isle of Skye.

Trip details

Tour start Glasgow

trip-destination

Tour end Edinburgh

12 icon

Days

11 icon

Nights

18 icon

Meals

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Booking window

01 Apr 2025 - 30 Apr 2025

Group Discount

Repeat Guest Savings

Solo Traveler

Solo Travel

Highlights

Ring of Brodgar

This stone circle is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Heart of Neolithic Orkney.

Isle of Skye

Admire the rugged coastlines and ancient ruins of this Scottish island.

Orkney Islands

These islands encompass dramatic vistas, Neolithic sites, tall sandstone cliffs and seal colonies.

Inverewe Gardens

Enjoy a garden of Eden in the unlikeliest of places, with 2,000 exotic plant species from around the world, including towering California redwoods, a "Savage Garden" of carnivorous plants, and rhododendrons from China, India, and Nepal.

Loch Ness Cruise

Cruise across this lake known for sightings of the Loch Ness Monster, also known as "Nessie".

Skara Brae

Discover the ruins of a 5,000-year-old village, unearthed by the sea more than a century ago.

Mount Stuart House and Gardens
Mount Stuart House and Gardens

This innovative Victorian and Georgian building will enthrall you. With dazzling design inspired by astrology, art, and mythology, it features an early telephone system and a Victorian elevator.

Dunrobin Castle
Dunrobin Castle

Looking like it came out of a fairytale with its magnificent spires, Dunrobin Castle in the Highlands has been continuously inhabited for over 700 years.

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Our July 27th to August 12th departures get to enjoy the precision and performance of pipe and drum corps from around the world.

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Itinerary

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slide Day 1Glasgow Arrival
Depart from your hotel at 2:30 PM for a tour of Glasgow, famed for its Victorian and Art Nouveau architecture. Once a prosperous port city due to international trade and shipbuilding, today Glasgow is Scotland’s cultural hub. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group and dinner at your hotel. (D)
Take a ferry to the Isle of Bute for stunning island scenery and a guided tour of the 19th-century Mount Stuart House. Spend time in Rothesay, the main town on the island. Enjoy a free evening in Glasgow and dine independently. (B)
Travel along famous Loch Lomond, renowned for its unsurpassed beauty. Journey through Glencoe, one of Scotland’s most beautiful regions. Travel through Fort William and visit romantic Eilean Donan Castle, spectacularly situated on an island at the meeting of three lochs. (B, D)
Explore the Isle of Skye and its associations with Bonnie Prince Charlie. Tour Dunvegan Castle, the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland and former stronghold of the Chiefs of MacLeod. Enjoy photo opportunities including stunning Kilt Rock. Stop in picturesque Portree with its brightly painted houses clustered around the bay. Enjoy free time before dinner at your hotel. (B, D)
Take in the Highland scenery as you head to Inverewe Gardens, a colorful lochside garden filled with rare species of trees and flowers from around the globe, created in the wilderness by a father and daughter in the 19th century. You’ll likely see wildlife including deer, otters, seals, and golden eagles, as well as huge California redwoods towering into the sky. Continue on to your hotel in Gairloch, where you can relax in tranquil and scenic surroundings before dinner with your group. (B, D)
Spend time in the historic town of Dornoch before visiting grand Dunrobin Castle, in a fairytale setting with breathtaking coastal views. With 189 rooms, the stunning architecture and majestic gardens were inspired by the Palace of Versailles. Admire the amazing scenery of the Highlands as you continue on to Scrabster on the northern coast of Scotland. Take a ferry to the Orkney Islands, where you will spend the next two nights. (B)
Explore Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a scenic drive around the north of the main island, past the Earl’s Palace at Birsay. Visit Skara Brae to see this amazing 5,000-year-old village, the best-preserved Neolithic settlement in Western Europe. Explore 400 year-old Skaill House, filled with fascinating archeological items, art, and furniture collected by the twelve generations of Lairds of Breckness who once lived there. Travel on to the Ring of Brodgar, a ceremonial stone circle. Return to Kirkwall for a visit to St Magnus Cathedral. Your evening is free to explore the town and dine as you wish. (B)
Drive across the Churchill Barriers, causeways created during World War II to deter German submarines. Next explore the tiny Italian Chapel, a beautiful symbol of reconciliation built by Italian prisoners of war. Board a ferry back to the mainland, and travel south to Strathpeffer, an elegant Victorian spa town, where you’ll dine in your hotel. (B, D)
Embark on a scenic cruise along the historic Caledonian Canal, leading you to the legendary Loch Ness. Next, visit Culloden Battlefield, site of one of the most pivotal events in all of Scottish history. Visit a sheep farm to watch highly skilled sheepdogs demonstrate how they herd their flock. Dine at your hotel this evening. (B, D)
Visit The Glenturret Distillery, Scotland’s oldest working distillery, to discover the traditional art of whisky making and enjoy a tasting. Set in the beautiful Perthshire countryside, the Glenturret has been producing whisky since the 1700s. Then, it’s on to your Edinburgh hotel in the Grassmarket area of the old town. Relax before your festive Scottish evening, including a traditional dinner and lively entertainment. (July 26 – August 11 departures will enjoy an evening to explore and dine independently.) (B, D*)
Explore the wide streets and elegant mansions in Edinburgh’s Georgian “New Town” and the Royal Mile, the oldest part of the city. Tour the imposing Edinburgh Castle to see the Scottish Crown Jewels. Enjoy an evening to explore independently. July 26 – August 11 departures attend the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade. (B)
Your tour ends after breakfast. (B) B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner  >

Where you’ll stay

Novotel Glasgow Centre Hotel

Novotel Glasgow Centre Hotel Glasgow, Scotland

The 4-Star Novotel Glasgow Centre is conveniently located in the heart of the vibrant city. This...
Balmacara Hotel Exterior

Balmacara Hotel Scottish Highlands, Scotland

This traditional Highland hotel is beautifully located on scenic Loch Alsh, with views of the Isle...

Gairloch Hotel

Ayre Hotel

Ayre Hotel Kirkwall, Scotland

The Ayre Hotel is one of Orkney's finest hotels and is situated in the principal town of Kirkwall...

Highland Hotel Fort William, Scotland

The Highland Hotel is a charming chateau-style hotel nestled on peaceful grounds. Overlooking...

Crieff Hydro Hotel Perth, Scotland

Crieff Hydro Hotel is on a 900-acre estate with a Victorian spa, 18-hole golf course and over 60...

Novotel Edinburgh Centre Hotel Edinburgh, Scotland

5 minutes' walk from Grassmarket, Novotel Edinburgh Centre features a hot tub and swimming pool....
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Inclusive package with no hidden extras

What's included?

  • Full daily breakfast and many meals*
  • An evening of Scottish entertainment
  • Transportation (Buses, shuttles & ferries)
  • Welcome drinks with your group
  • Free Wi-Fi on luxury coaches
  • All entrance fees to attractions
  • Comprehensive travel itinerary

 

*Breakfast is not included on Day 1

Our welcome gift to you

  • A travel backpack
  • Travel adapter
  • Rain poncho
  • Luggage strap and tags
  • Water flask

From our travelers

Dunrobin Castle

This holiday tour of Scotland was the second time I traveled with CIE. The best by far! I wouldn’t contemplate booking with any other company. Our brilliant tour guide Graham was so friendly and knowledgeable.

Vanessa
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See what people are saying about this trip

4
Charles Yeaman Browder
3 years 6 months ago
Good tour, great tour director!

Learned more than I thought I was capable of learning at my age. Graham Bruce is a gifted teacher. Frequent toilet stops a plus. Some days a little long. Consider a half day to ourselves if in a nice little village. Very well organized tour.

5
CIE Tours Customer
3 years 6 months ago
A once in a lifetime trip!

Incredible tour, with a wide range of sights - gave us a true taste of the country

5
CIE Tours Customer
5 years 5 months ago

It was great

4
Kenneth F Haines Jr
5 years 6 months ago
Generally a Good Experience

We recently took the 12 day Scottish Isles and Glens tour. Some thoughts:

- Arrive a day before the tour starts at 3 pm. especially if traveling from the US or Canada. Most flights into Glasgow are red eye arriving late morning. You will be too wiped out to start the tour (a bus ride around the City and a stop at the bagpipe center).

- There is space in the hold of the bus for any carry on bags. The overhead bins on the bus are too small for anything bigger than the CIE backpack.

- Bring a facecloth as the hotels, except for the Apex Grassmarket, do not provide them.

- If you want to extend your stay at the end of the tour, contact the hotel directly yourself. We heard horror stories from other tour guests who got charged extraordinary rates by booking through other parties.

- A typical day means breakfast at 7:30 am and a tour start at 8:30 am. Return to the hotel around 5:30 pm generally.

- Hotels will not have A/C - will need to open windows to cool things off.

- Be prepared to climb into tubs that are much higher than those in US. Tough for those with mobility issues.

- Big plus in not handling baggage especially in the hotels which did not have a lift.

- Long days on bus. Wider and more comfortable seats would have been nice. On our tour, you were assigned a seat on day 1. the next day you moved two rows back and kept doing so until you reached back and then moved to other side of bus and worked way forward.

- Time at some stops was too quick - a common problem on tours

- At the welcome dinner, tour guide promised a drink. Turned out to be limited to beer (limited selection) and wine

5
Kenneth and Becky Johnson
5 years 6 months ago
Exceptional tour experience!

The tour was very good—good itinerary, great information delivered in a lively way with humor and music and treats for everyone on the bus! All the accommodations were satisfactory, however CIE should rethink starting the tour at Novitel in Glasgow. The room in which our welcome and orientation took place was noisy. (Another tour group was going through a buffet line right behind us .and we could hardly hear our tour director.)

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