From the northern English city of Manchester, head to the Scottish Highlands on this 4-day escorted tour, with a stop en route in the scenic Lake District. Spend some time in Glasgow and admire the view of Loch Lomond from Luss. Enjoy an included cruise on Loch Ness, see the Glenfinnan Viaduct of Harry Potter fame disocver the incredible views and morbid history of Glencoe. Spend two nights in coastal Oban, take in Stirling Castle and choose to end your tour in Scottish capital Edinburgh, or back in Manchester.
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Lake District, Glasgow & Oban
Manchester - Pooley Bridge - Glasgow (Scotland) - (Luss) - Oban. We depart Manchester early, heading north towards the Scottish border. But we've got one English gem to visit first, the Lake District village of Pooley Bridge. This area inspired Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth, and we're sure you'll love the tapestry of majestic landscapes just as much.
Crossing the border, we arrive in Glasgow, where there's free time to explore this Scottish metropolis. Known for its music scene and as a key shipping city, it's the most populous city in Scotland.
Our next stop is the small village of Luss, reached by a scenic drive through the Highlands. Luss is on the shore of Loch Lomond, and you'll have plenty of time to snap a photo and admire the view. We then make our way to Oban, stopping at sights of interest and places the guide thinks the group will like along the way. On arrival, the evening is free to explore this coastal town.
Accommodation: Kathmore, Altavona or similar.
Please note: Check-in closes at 07:45 on day 1 (tour departs at 08:00) - Coach Parking Bays, Manchester Piccadilly, Store Street (Broad Street intersection), Manchester, M1 2WD.
Overnight: Oban
Exploring the Highlands
Oban - Fort Augustus - Loch Ness - Glencoe - Oban. Today we're taking in the best of the Highlands. We start at Fort Augustus, on the shore of Loch Ness. There's an included 50-minute cruise on this famous loch, so keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready, should the legendary Loch Ness Monster choose this moment to surface!
We travel onwards to the jaw-dropping Glenfinnan Viaduct. Harry Potter fans will recognise it from the second movie, when harry and Ron attempt to catch up to the Hogwarts Express in a flying car. We cannot guarantee that the Jacobite Steam train that still operates here will cross the bridge during our visit, but the viaduct itself remains a wonderful viewpoint and feat of engineering.
Our final stop of the day is Glencoe, and the Three Sisters Viewpoint. Although offering sweeping views, there's a morbid tale to tell here. Legend has it that three sisters fell in love with three men from neighbouring clans, who they were forbidden to marry. Heartbroken, they threw themselves from these cliffs. After pondering this Scottish interpretation of Romeo and Juliet, we return to Oban.
Accommodation: Kathmore, Altavona or similar.
Overnight: Oban | Breakfast
Scottish castles
Oban - Kilchurn Castle - Stirling. Leaving Oban, our first stop today is Kilchurn Castle, one of the most photographed in Scotland, located on the shore of Loch Awe. Seat of the Campbells of Glenorchy, it's a truly impressive site. We then enjoy a quick stop for lunch in the pretty village of Killin, before continuing to Stirling.
There's time for an included visit to Stirling Castle, one of the most famous in Scotland. This 12th century masterpiece showcases the formidable power this region once held. Explore the Great Hall and take in the sweeping Royal Park before we head into Stirling itself, our base for the night.
Overnight: Stirling | Breakfast
End in Edinburgh or back to Manchester
Stirling - Edinburgh - Manchester (England). Say goodbye to Stirling as we drive to Edinburgh, the Scottish capital. You have several hours here to walk the hilly streets, explore Edinburgh castle or find somewhere for a Scottish whisky. You then have a choice to make - you can end your tour in Edinburgh and stay to explore independently. Or you can hop back in the minibus and continue with us back to Manchester, it's completely up to you!
Please note: This tour ends at 19:00 - Manchester Piccadilly (Store Street) Drop Off, Manchester Piccadilly Station, Store Street, Manchester, M1 2WD. Leaving us in Edinburgh? You can end your tour in Edinburgh if you wish to continue your travels with a drop off in the city centre at 13:30.
Breakfast
Prices & Dates
Departure dates are guaranteed with 2 travellers. 'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room.
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Bed & Breakfast, Oban
On this tour, you will stay in bed and breakfast properties (B&Bs). These are usually smaller residential properties, with just a handful of guest rooms. You’ll have a bedroom, bathroom and often, access to a communal dining room for breakfast. Rooms will always be clean and comfortable, with a private bathroom. Bathrooms are usually en-suite, but on rare occasions, access may be via a communal hallway. This means that the bathroom will still be private and only for your personal use, but it is not en-suite (located in the room). You will need to leave the room to use the bathroom.
Kathmore , Oban
This traditional family-run guesthouse is a 13-minute walk from the centre of Oban, 0.9 miles from McCaig's Tower, and 2.8 miles from the island of Kerrera. The bright and cosy rooms feature private bathrooms (some en suite), free Wi-Fi, and tea and coffee-making facilities. Guests can enjoy a complimentary full Scottish breakfast, as well as access to a guest lounge, free parking, and a garden patio.
Prices & Dates
Departure dates are guaranteed with 2 travellers. 'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room.
At a Glance
