Discover Scotland's Highlands from Glencoe to Culloden, the legacy of its clans, the stark beauty of the Isle of Skye, and the historic treasures of Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Select a Departure Date Select a Departure Date May 28 - Jun 8, 2022 (Available) Jul 30 - Aug 10, 2022 (Call to Inquire) Aug 13 - 24, 2022 (Call to Inquire) Aug 22 - Sep 2, 2022 (Available) Aug 29 - Sep 9, 2022 (Available) May 27 - Jun 7, 2023 (Available) Jul 29 - Aug 9, 2023 (Available) Aug 12 - 23, 2023 (Available) Aug 26 - Sep 6, 2023 (Available)
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Starting at: $6,296 * Includes airfare, taxes & all fees Make a Reservation Ask Us A Question or Call 855-330-1542
Scotland's Treasures
Featuring the Royal Military Tattoo*
12 days from $6,296 | includes airfare, taxes and all fees
departure Select a departure May 28 - Jun 8, 2022 (Available) Jul 30 - Aug 10, 2022 (Call to Inquire) Aug 13 - 24, 2022 (Call to Inquire) Aug 22 - Sep 2, 2022 (Available) Aug 29 - Sep 9, 2022 (Available) May 27 - Jun 7, 2023 (Available) Jul 29 - Aug 9, 2023 (Available) Aug 12 - 23, 2023 (Available) Aug 26 - Sep 6, 2023 (Available) passengers Number of Passengers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
TOUR BROCHURE
WHAT OUR TRAVELERS SAY
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- Craig M.
I felt that I received a very good picture of the country from North to South and East to West.
- Julie P.
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JOURNEYS DISPATCHES
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A Q&A with Expert Cassandra Potts Hannahs
A Q&A with Expert Ross King
A Q&A with Expert Grant Nel
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This tour is specially designed for a small group of 16 to 24 Smithsonian travelers and offers outstanding travel value. Prices include airfare, airline taxes, fuel surcharges, and departure fees.
Discover Scotland's enduring appeal as you enjoy the stunning natural beauty of the Highlands, learn about the legacy of its clans, and explore historic treasures of Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Highlights Include
Glasgow: Renowned for its museums and distinctive architectural style of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Glasgow is a unique gem. Discover this and more during a city tour. At Kelvingrove Art Gallery, view comprehensive collections focused on Scottish history and the arts, including furniture and decorative objects by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. You will also enjoy a curator-led tour of Pollok House, home of the Maxwell clan, and time at the Riverside Museum, featuring modern architecture by Zaha Hadid and exhibits on transport and travel.
The Highlands and Hebrides: Savor the enchanting landscape of Loch Lomond and learn about historic sites such as Glencoe and Glenfinnan Monument. Make a full-day excursion to the Isle of Skye, known for its strong Gaelic influence and breathtaking landscapes. Returning to the mainland, stop at fabled Loch Ness and explore the ruins of the 13th-century Urquhart Castle. Continue to Culloden Moor, site of the last battle of the Jacobite Rising in 1746, then travel farther north and visit the grand Dunrobin Castle and Gardens and attend a falconry demonstration.
Kincraig, Pitlochry, and St Andrews: Gain insight into Scottish traditions. Watch a sheepdog demonstration in Kincraig, located in Cairngorms National Park. Visit a small distillery in Pitlochry, where a unique single malt has been handcrafted for more than 150 years. And in St Andrews, explore the town renowned for Scotland's oldest university and as the home of golf.
Edinburgh: In stately Edinburgh explore "Old Town" in depth as you visit the castle and walk along the Royal Mile to Holyrood House. You'll also tour the 18th-century Georgian "New Town." Afternoons are at leisure to pursue individual interests, and guests on the July 30 and August 13, 2022 departures and the July 29 and August 12, 2023 departures* will enjoy an evening performance of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the spectacular annual pageant set in the floodlit esplanade of Edinburgh Castle.
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To see itinerary, please click on an option below.
Days 1 & 2 — Depart the U.S. for Glasgow, Scotland
Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Late this afternoon gather for a briefing on the journey ahead. Then enjoy a welcome dinner at the National Piping Center or the well-appointed Corinthian Club. (D)
Grand Central Hotel
Day 3 — Glasgow
This morning's city tour highlights "Glasgow Style," the city's distinct architecture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Among the stand-out buildings are the Glasgow Central Station, the Royal Exchange, Glasgow City Chambers, and Glasgow School of Art by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Also visit Sir John W. Simpson's immensely popular Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Following the city tour visit Pollok House, ancestral home of the Maxwell clan and now a museum with superb Spanish art. Also take a private curator-guided tour of the Edwardian country house and enjoy lunch in the award-winning restaurant. Explore the new Zaha Hadid-designed Riverside Museum before returning to your hotel. (B,L)
Day 4 — Loch Lomond, Glencoe, and Fort William
Leave Glasgow this morning bound for the scenic Highlands, Scotland's sparsely populated historic northern region. Stop at the banks of Loch Lomond, Great Britain's largest lake and part of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Sir Walter Scott's description of The Trossachs still rings true today: "So wondrous wild, the whole might seem/the scenery of a fairy dream." Enjoy a brief cruise on the island-dotted loch before continuing to Glencoe. With deep valleys flanked by steep-sided mountains, rushing rivers, and dramatic waterfalls, Glencoe attracts both artists and adventurers to admire and enjoy its natural beauty. It also offers a stark lesson in Highlands history as site of the Glencoe Massacre in 1692, when some 38 members of the Clan MacDonald of Glencoe were killed over questions about their loyalty to the Protestant king, William III. Then travel to Fort William, the Highlands' second largest settlement, arriving late this afternoon. Dinner tonight is at the hotel. (B,D)
Nevis Bank Hotel
Day 5 — Isle of Skye
Embark on a full-day excursion to the Isle of Skye, the largest of Scotland's Inner Hebrides known for its vivid history and stunning scenery. En route, visit Glenfinnan Monument honoring "Bonnie Prince Charlie" for his leadership in leading the Jacobite Rising in 1745. Board a ferry for Armadale on the southern tip of Isle of Skye, then set out on a scenic drive through the imposing Cuillin Hills (or "Black Cuillin") to the fishing town of Portree. Enjoy lunch at a local pub then continue your tour of the island known for its strong Gaelic influence. Return to the mainland via the Skye Bridge. stop to visit iconic Eilean Donn Castle. Dine tonight at the hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 6 — Loch Ness, Culloden Moor, and Brora
Depart today for the northern Highlands, stopping en route at fabled Loch Ness. Drive the full 23-mile length of the lake best known for the other-worldly creature alleged to live in its deep waters, and visit the ruins of lakeside Urquhart Castle, one of Scotland's most popular attractions. Dating to at least the 13th century, the castle sits surrounded by water on three sides, giving it a formidable advantage in battle. Then travel to Culloden Moor, site of the last battle of the Jacobite Rising in 1746. Learn about the battle, and its aftermath, on your private tour of the hallowed grounds. Early this evening arrive in Brora, a quaint Highlands village. (B,D)
Royal Marine Hotel
Day 7 — Brora and Highlands
Encounter more of the Highlands today, as you travel along the Pictish Trail, sites connected with the late Iron Age/early medieval Celtic people who once lived here. Learn about the ancient Picts at the acclaimed Tarbat Discovery Center, featuring excavated relics from the region. Then visit striking Dunrobin Castle and Gardens, where you see a falconry demonstration. Drive along the scenic coastal road flanked by small farms with sheep, cows, and Shetland ponies. Late afternoon return to your hotel, where you dine tonight. (B,D)
Day 8 — Kincraig, Pitlochry, and St. Andrews
Today's first stop is Kincraig, where you watch a sheepdog demonstration with working Border Collies, known for their herding abilities. Travel on to the holiday town of Pitlochry in the heart of Scotland, where you enjoy some free time before this afternoon's visit to a small local distillery where a unique single malt is handcrafted – just as it has been made for 150 years. Reach legendary St. Andrews, home of Scotland's oldest university and renowned as the home of golf, late this afternoon. Dinner tonight is on your own in this charming town. (B)
Old Course Hotel
Day 9 — St. Andrews and Edinburgh
This morning, embark on a walking tour of the medieval seaside town of St. Andrews, followed by a traditional pub lunch. Enjoy some free time here, then later this afternoon continue to Edinburgh. Dinner tonight is on your own in the Scottish capital, which boasts a robust culinary scene. (B,L)
Day 10 — Edinburgh
A morning tour of this stately city includes the 18th-century Georgian "New Town" and the medieval "Old Town," where you visit Edinburgh Castle, symbolic heart of the country. This afternoon is at leisure to discover Edinburgh as you wish; museums, galleries, and shops abound. Guests in Edinburgh during the July 30 and August 13, 2022 departures and the July 29 and August 12, 2023 departures will enjoy an evening performance of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the spectacular annual pageant set in the floodlit esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. (B)
Explore the Royal Mile, the historic boulevard connecting Edinburgh Castle with the Palace of Holyrood House. Tour Holyrood and see where British royalty schemed and slept as you tour the State Apartments. The remainder of the day is free for independent exploration. Tonight celebrate your sojourn over a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
Day 12 — Depart for the U.S.
Transfer this morning to the airport for return flights to the U.S. (B)
Included meals are denoted as follows: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Reception (R), Dinner (D)
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