Eilean Donan Castle

Day 1 - Friday

First stop is the delightful village of Dunkeld with a history stretching back to the 9th Century. Time to explore the ancient cathedral grounds and take a walk through mature woodland alongside the mighty River Tay. We continue north to the Pass of Killiecrankie, Cairngorm National Park and Laggan, an area favoured by movie makers because of its wild mountain scenery and misty lochs.

We follow the Great Glen to Invergarry, stopping for a photo of Scotland’s highest mountain Ben Nevis.  After spectacular Highland scenery photos at Loch Garry we travel onwards through stunning Glen Shiel (Five Sisters of Kintail) to Eilean Donan Castle.

This castle is perhaps the most iconic image of Highland Scotland and has been used as the backdrop for countless famous movies. It is perfectly situated on an island, surrounded by water and awesome scenery. A ‘must-see’ Scottish castle!

Short stop in Kyle of Lochalsh - a chance to pick up some supplies if you are self catering.

There are great views from the Skye Bridge as we drive onto the island and under the shadow of the Cuillin Mountains to Minginish where you will be dropped off at your accommodation. Free time until Saturday morning.

Day 2 - Saturday

Scenic drive past the magnificent Cuillin Mountains - a range of rocky peaks which dominate Skye. We stop for a short walk at a 2000 year old roundhouse (Broch) at Dun Beag.

Depending on the weather and time of year we will visit Dunvegan Castle, the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland, or drive to the lighthouse at Neist Point (spectacular views to the Western Isles),  or maybe even a swim at the Coral Beaches.  Lunch is in Portree, the island capital.

Carbost Village – one of the places we stay on Skye

In the afternoon we continue to Trotternish with its unique and unusual rock architecture. Stops and photos at Kilt Rock, the Quiraing and Duntulm Castle. We may even have time to explore the Fairy Glen  - a bizarre and delightful miniature landscape (home of the ‘wee people’!).

Short stop before returning to accommodation.

Day 3 - Sunday

After returning to the mainland we drive past the Five Sisters of Kintail - a high mountain ridge rising steeply from Glen Shiel to a maximum height of 3,501 feet. The five distinctly pointed summits are a well known landmark.
Next stop is famous Loch Ness - Scotland’s legendary lake - best known for the alleged sightings of a monster.
We have lunch in Fort Augustus at the southerly tip of Loch Ness after which you will have the opportunity to walk by the shores of the loch or along the canal and lock system, built by Thomas Telford in the early 1800s.

Glencoe

We continue through Fort William to perhaps the most famous of all Scotland’s glens – Glencoe.  This narrow valley is where the bloody massacre of the Macdonalds took place in 1692 - one of the most notorious acts in Scotland’s long and violent history. Time for photos of the wild scenery before continuing to Tyndrum for a break.

As we approach the Lowlands and Stirling you will learn about Scotland’s great patriot William Wallace whose name has resounded through British history for 700 years. We stop at his National Monument, a fitting conclusion to a wonderful trip!