The Ultimate Scottish Adventure
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Scotland
July 31 – August 07, 2022
08 days / 07 nights
6 – 12 guestsThe absolutely best time to see Scotland is in summer during the Highland Games. Enjoy getting underneath the skin of this mystical land during our 8-day luxury tour for women and wander through some of the most stunning parts of Scotland. Explore the UNESCO site of Edinburgh with its incredible history, spend time meandering through extensive gardens on the west coast and enjoy visiting some iconic sites on the Isle of Skye with its 400 miles of jagged coastline. The dramatic light of the Outer Hebridean Islands will sweep you away. Attend the Highland Games near Dornach a summer tradition dating back to 1835. Our experienced and knowledgeable guide will bring the Scottish scenery to life with tales of clans, battles, medieval folklore, magic, fairies and even witchcraft which will leave you wanting to return very soon.
On arrival in Edinburgh you will be greeted by your private transfer and taken to your hotel, just a stone’s throw away from the Old Town and that offers incredible views of the Edinburgh skyline.
This afternoon you are free to explore some of the city or simply relax at the hotel after your journey. Your guide will meet you in the bar for some pre dinner drinks and a full trip briefing before you enjoy a delicious welcome dinner.
Overnight: Kimpton Charlotte Square, or similar
Meals included: Dinner
Dinner Venue: Monteiths
Your guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel this morning and you will head out to start exploring this vibrant city. Take a walk along the famous royal mile, stopping to admire the iconic landmarks such as St Giles’ Cathedral and the Palace of Holyrood. At the end of the Royal Mile Edinburgh Castle stands looking over the city, explore the castle’s Great Hall, the Royal Palace, St Margaret’s Chapel and Mons Meg the six ton siege gun.
Your guide will also take you off the beaten track to find some of the hidden gems that feel miles away from the hustle and bustle of the main street. After a cafe lunch, you will head to the port of Leith and take a tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia, HRH Queen Elizabeth’s floating palace that took her all around the world. See her bedchamber and where state functions used to take place as well as the kitchens and deep into the heart of this magnificent ship. This evening is free for you to enjoy one of the many eateries that the city has to offer and your guide will help you make reservations, or snuggle up and enjoy room service in your room.
Overnight: Kimpton Charlotte Square, or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch
Lunch Venue: Grain Store Restaurant
Through the rolling hills of Perthshire and into the Highlands you will head west this morning to the fabled Isle of Skye. Your journey will take you through some stunning scenery including mountains, lochs and waterfalls. After a revitalising lunch in a local deli, you will visit the studio of a local female artist Cath Waters who takes a lot of her inspiration from the dramatic light of the Outer Hebridean Islands and the west coast. Hear about her travels around Scotland in her camper van and enjoy seeing some of her latest work. Afterwards we may enjoy a walk along the beach at Talisker Bay on the West Coast of the island. Your accommodation this evening is right on the shore of Loch Snizort, and your rooms will offer fantastic views across the loch and to the hills beyond.
Overnight: Skeabost House Hotel, Skye, or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lunch Venue: Deli Gasta
Dinner Venue: At the hotel
Skye is home to some wonderful rock formations that scatter the landscape of the Trotternish Peninsula. The most famous of these is the Old Man of Storr, a towering rock that stands apart from the other fallen rocks, remnants of ancient landslides. Enjoy a walk to the base of this iconic feature and admire the views across to the islands of Raasay and Rona. Your next stop will be at the beach of Staffin, where you can search for the dinosaur footprints that appear here at low tide, they are harder to find that you think! In the afternoon you will enjoy some time in the pretty harbour town of Portree, bolstered by some delicious coffee and cake at the famous Skye Bakery. A wonderful end to a day of exploration!
Overnight: Skeabost House Hotel, Skye, or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lunch Venue: Bag lunch from a local deli.
Coffee and cake in the Skye Bakery on return to Portree
Dinner Venue: At the hotel
Heading back to the mainland of Scotland you will stop this morning at the impossibly quaint fishing village of Plockton where you can spend some time exploring or simply enjoying a coffee at a local cafe and watch the world go by. Your next stop as you head north is at the gorgeous Attadale Gardens, which has been constantly reinvented since the house was built in 1755. Spend time exploring the different gardens, such as the sunken garden with its giant sundial, or the japanese garden, which incorporates the five traditional elements of Japanese garden design. Your final destination today is the seaside town of Dornoch, famous for its golf courses and its white sandy beach.
Overnight: Dornoch Castle Hotel, Dornoch, or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lunch Venue: Plockton Inn
Dinner Venue: At the hotel
Highland Games were first invented as a way of testing who was the strongest and bravest of the clan. Musicians and dancers were also encouraged to showcase their talents so they could be a great credit to their clan. Today the format has been taken from Victorians times, with many athletes coming from all over the world to compete in the Heavy events such as Tossing the Caber or Stone put. Each Highland Games event is overseen by one clan who generally march as one onto the games field with the clan chief opening the games. Enjoy a wonderful day watching the events, admiring the dancers and enjoying the music of this traditional Scottish day out.
Overnight: Dornoch Castle Hotel, Dornoch, or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Lunch: Clients can buy their own lunch today as there are lots of food stands at the Highland Games
Dinner on your own or at the hotel (not included)
It is time to start heading south as your adventure is coming to an end. Enjoy the scenery as you pass through the Cairngorms National Park with its impressive mountains and epic views. On the way to your final accommodation, we visit Blair Castle, home to Europe’s only private army. After lunch at a working water mill you will have some free time at the House of Bruar, a country store famous for its cashmere and woollen wear. Spend time exploring everything that this wonderful treasure trove has to offer. If shopping isn’t your thing, then take a walk up to see the tumbling Falls of Bruar with your guide.
Your final accommodation this evening is a quaint hotel on the banks of the babbling River Tay, that offers incredible food and a lovely wee bar where you can raise a glass to your vacation and the memories that will linger long after you leave these mystical lands.
Overnight: Grandtully Hotel, Grandtully, or similar
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lunch Venue: Blair Atholl Watermill & Tea Room
Dinner Venue: At the hotel
Your guide will take you back to Edinburgh airport this morning in time for onward connections. If there is time you may be able to enjoy a last gentle walk to see a magnificent waterfall from a georgian folly that is set underneath towering Scots pines – a lovely way to end your time in Scotland.
Meals included: Breakfast
GG2P always reserves the right to alter the itinerary based on weather or availability as well as exciting opportunities that might crop up!
NOTE -> Not to worry – Vegetarians will be well fed in all cafés and restaurants as well as those allergic to seafood or gluten. Options are plentiful.
Trip Cost: 5,835 GBP*
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If you’d like to come, press the Reserve Now button above. You will be prompted to complete a form with your pertinent details, put down a refundable $250 deposit, and . schedule a time to speak with a GG2P representative. We like to speak with everyone before they embark on their first trip with Girls’ Guide to Paris & Beyond. This allows you to ask any questions or voice any concerns you may have. These are intimate, small group trips; a quick yet personal conversation allows you to get to know how our trips work and make sure it’s right for you. If it’s not, we’ll immediately refund your $250 deposit.
If it’s a Go! after your call, we’ll bill you for a non-refundable deposit, usually 35% of the trip’s cost (less the $250 place-holder deposit, if you already paid it) and your place is reserved. At this point, you’re committed to the trip, so we recommend that you purchase Travel Insurance to protect you in case your plans change unexpectedly. The balance will be due approximately 2 months before the trip.
Our cancellation policy is here.
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