Blaven, Isle of Skye, Highland

Highlights: Beautiful castles and splendid sceneries are the highlights of this tour. Visit Linlithgow Palace, Stirling Castle, continue through Glencoe, Five Sisters of Kintail, Eilean Donan Castle, Portree, Quiraing, Kilt Rock, Dunvegan Castle, Cuillin Hills, Mam Ratagan mountain pass, Grampian Mountains, Blair Castle.

ITINERARY:
Tour Code: 2N SCT JAC15

Day 1    Edinburgh - West Coast - Skye
Depart Edinburgh at 09.00hrs and travel west passing Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots and Stirling with its imposing castle and views to the Wallace Monument. We pass Doune Castle, set of Monty Python's «Holy Grail» before stopping in Callander for refreshments. Into the Highlands now passing Loch Luibnaig, Loch Earn, Crianlarich and Tyndrum, stopping for lunch on the way. We continue north through Glencoe, scene of the great massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692, past Fort William and up to the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge with great views over Ben Nevis. Taking the «Road to the Isles» now through the splendour of the Five Sisters of Kintail, the mountains guarding the pass on the way to the Isle of Skye. We stop to visit the famous Eilean Donan Castle, used in the film «Highlander, set at the junction of 3 lochs as protection against Viking raiders. Crossing over the bridge to Skye, we head up to Portree stopping for dinner on the way. You are then dropped off at your accommodation in the early evening where you are free to go out and explore the town.

Day 2    Skye
This is a very flexible day on Skye. There are many possibilities depending on the weather and taking passengers preferences into account. For example: Travel north to the stunning Quiraing mountain pass and enjoy a spectacular walk through some of Skye's extraordinary geological scenery. Kilt Rock, composed of basalt columns (reminiscent of the pleats in a kilt) with its waterfall cascading over the cliffs and down into the sea below.
After lunch you can go over to Neist Point for a walk out to the lighthouse that is the furthest point west on Skye or go over to Dunvegan Castle, ancient ancestral seat of the Clan McLeod. Talisker Distillery is also here, as are the famous Cuillin Hills. We return you to your accommodation in Portree in the early evening for you to enjoy a free night in Portree.

Two walkers stand at a viewpoint looking over to Loch Duich and The Five Sisters of Kintail from Mam Ratagan (Ratagain)- a mountain pass leading from the foot of Glen Shiel to the foot of Glen More, Highland

Day 3    Skye - Edinburgh
You will be collected from your accommodation and travel south through the Cuillin Hills before returning to the mainland. After a relaxing coffee stop, we drive to the top of the Mam Ratagan mountain pass and stop for stunning views over Loch Duich and the Five Sisters of Kintail.
On to Loch Ness for lunch and the possibility of spotting «Nessie». There is a boat trip (Summer only) available here that will get you that bit closer!
Heading south now through the Grampian Mountains along Loch Laggan, before passing Dalwhinnie, home to Scotland's highest whisky Distillery, and onwards past Blair Castle to Pitlochry where we stop for refreshments before heading back to Edinburgh past Perth and over the Forth Road Bridge. Arriving at 19.30hrs approx.

Package Price	B&B ensuite	2 star/3 star
Per person in twin/double BB basis	£226	£290
July - August Supplement	NA	NA
Single Supplement	£54	£86
Child Rate (5 - 12 years) *No children under 5 permitted on tours*	£180	£232

Rates valid from 1st April to 31st October 2009

Price includes:
• 2 nights accommodation on the Isle of Skye in the above style of accommodation sharing a twin/double room with facilities inclusive of Scottish breakfast.
• Coach and guiding services
• Service & VAT

Important information
• Tour departs all year round on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays.
• All tours depart from 207 High Street (Royal Mile).
• No entrance fees or meals are included in the above prices.
• Child rate based on sharing a room with 2 adults.
• Clients should be at departure point 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.