10 Days Scotland with Iona Island

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Day 1 – UNITED STATES TO GLASGOW

Depart your hometown on an overnight flight to Glasgow, via New York. Enjoy in flight entertainment and meals as you travel through the night.

Day 2 – GLASGOW ARRIVAL

Land in Glasgow and after you disembark, pass through customs and immigration checks at the airport. Your tours guide will meet you in the Arrivals Hall, welcome you to Scotland and transfer you to your hotel. In the afternoon take a drive around the prominent buildings and monuments throughout Glasgow city center. Visit the extensive Museum of Transport featuring many Scottish inventions. Chat with your guide and fellow travelers over a welcoming drink before dinner. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: HILTON GROSVENOR, GLASGOW

Day 3 – STIRLING CASTLE & TROSSACHS

Drive north to Stirling to visit Stirling Castle, one of Scotland's prominent castles around which many battles were fought, including the Battle of Stirling Bridge where "Braveheart" William Wallace won his great victory. Drive west through the picturesque Trossachs region, famous for its associations with Rob Roy Macgregor. Then cross the desolate Rannoch Moor before driving through the towering mountains of Glen Coe. This region is remembered for the Massacre of Glen Coe in 1692 when the Campbells slaughtered many of the Macdonald clan. Drive along the coastline of Loch Linnhe to Oban. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: CALEDONIAN HOTEL, OBAN

Day 4 – ISLES OF MULL & IONA

Today take a ferry ride from Oban to the Isle of Mull, which is one of the most beautiful of the Hebrides. After a scenic drive across the mountains of Mull take another short ferry ride to the peaceful Isle of Iona, the burial place of many Scottish kings, including Macbeth. Visit the Iona Abbey, a place of pilgrimage where St. Columba founded Scotland’s first Christian settlement in the 6th century. Then enjoy some free time to explore on your own before returning to Oban by coach and ferry. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: CALEDONIAN HOTEL, OBAN

Day 5 – LOCH NESS & HIGHLANDS

Drive along the shores of Loch Linnhe to Fort William, in the shadow of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest peak. At Fort Augustus see part of the Caledonian Canal, which connects Fort William to Inverness and the locks, which raise and lower water levels in the canal. Continue your journey alongside Loch Ness, to enjoy the delightful scenery and keep an eye out for "Nessie". Pass the romantic Urquhart Castle to view the ruins of what was once the largest castle in Scotland. The castle is situated on a scenic promontory where many sightings of the monster have been reported. Continue north to Inverness and check into your hotel. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: PALACE HOTEL, INVERNESS

Day 6 – BLAIR CASTLE & BLAIR ATHOL DISTILLERY

This morning drive south through the majestic scenery of the Highlands with many rugged peaks and past the Cairngorm Mountains and Aviemore, popular for winter sports. Stop at Blair Castle, home of the Duke of Atholl, the only British subject with a private army, the Atholl Highlanders. Tour the castle to see fine collections of furniture, portraits, china and armor. Then visit the Blair Athol Distillery where you can see the process of whisky production and sample the finished product at the end of the tour. Continue your drive south and away from the Highlands into the fertile countryside of Perthshire. Arrive at your hotel in Perth in good time for dinner. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: JARVIS HOTEL, PERTH

Day 7 – ST. ANDREWS

This morning drive to St. Andrews, internationally known as the home of golf and you can see the famous courses and the Royal and Ancient Clubhouse. St. Andrews is also home to the oldest university in Scotland and contains the ruins of a cathedral and a castle, dating from the 12th and 13th centuries. Enjoy some free time to explore the town and see some of the sights before returning to Perth for overnight. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: JARVIS HOTEL, PERTH

Day 8 – EDINBURGH OLD TOWN WEAVING MILL

This morning drive to Edinburgh. On arrival visit the Edinburgh Old Town Weaving Mill. Here you will have a guided tour of the Mill to see how the tartan cloth is made from sheep to shop. During the tour some members of the group may try their hand at carding the wool, weaving on a cottage loom, trying out the 60-year-old Hattersely “Domestic” pedal operated loom. Also try on a kilt and learn about how a “great plaid” becomes elegant attire. Check into your hotel, centrally located in the Old Town and enjoy some time at leisure to browse, shop and sightsee independently. This evening enjoy a traditional Scottish evening. The festive dinner of Scottish specialties is followed by Scottish entertainment including bagpipe music, highland dancing and some songs you may recognize. OVERNIGHT: ROXBURGHE HOTEL, EDINBURGH

Day 9 – EDINBURGH SIGHTSEEING

After a hearty Scottish breakfast, meet your city guide and take a tour of Scotland's capital city. Start your sightseeing with a drive through the heart of the city along Princes Street, famous for its shops on one side and gardens on the other. See the 18th century New Town with its broad streets, spacious squares and elegant town houses. Then drive along the Royal Mile to view the exterior of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of Her Majesty The Queen. Stop for a guided tour of the imposing Edinburgh Castle, perched high above the city on volcanic rock. The afternoon is spent at leisure for you to browse, shop and sightsee independently. This evening attend the spectacular Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a performance by many Scottish regiments and other armed forces from around the world, which takes place on the Castle Esplanade with the castle forming a dramatic backdrop. OVERNIGHT: ROXBURGHE HOTEL, EDINBURGH

Day 10 – DEPART FOR HOME

This morning pack up all of your luggage and check out of your hotel. Transfer to Glasgow Airport in good time to check in for your flight. In the duty free stores you can pick up some Scottish products before boarding your aircraft for the journey back home.