Grand Tour of Scotland

Grand Tour of Scotland

Ever fancied a tour in a luxury motorhome to take in the world-famous scenery of Scotland, its vibrant culture and spectacular heritage?

Visit Edinburgh castle sitting boldly on top of the city’s other extinct volcano. Then maybe try a shopping spree in Victoria Street for the finest selection of independent boutiques. The City of Inverness in the Highlands of Scotland and it’s most famous neighbour, Loch Ness, together present one of the most popular UK holiday destinations.

The Highlands really is the Scotland of your imagination, a beautiful and inspiring region of ancient landscapes with a fascinating history. Witness the amazing wildlife and take part in some thrilling outdoor pursuits. St Andrews is a place of history, learning and culture, a wonderful coastal resort and the world’s home of golf. Well worth a visit even if you’re not a golfer, it is a beautiful location right on the coast.

Day 1 MTA to Bowness-on-Windermere

Today you will collect the motorhome from Motorhome Travel Agency Limited

You will drive to Bowness-on-Windermere.

Things to Do

Sail n’ Dine

This is a sailing trip in a luxury yacht on Lake Windermere. You get either a wonderful brunch or evening meal with wine. It’s a fairly expensive treat but the reviews for this trip are amazing. Brunch is £45 per person and an evening meal is £60 per person. This is ideal if you really want to treat yourselves on your Grand Tour of Scotland

Windermere Lake Cruises

With this option you still get to experience the beauty of a boat trip on Lake Windermere in a much cheaper way. You can cruise on the lake for 90 minutes for £11.00 per adult and £6.60 per child.

The World of Beatrix Potter

Here you get to watch an introductory film before visiting Jemima Puddleduck’s woodland glade and Mr Tod’s underground home, Peter Rabbit’s garden, Mrs Tiggywinkle’s kitchen and Mr Jeremy Fisher on his lily pad. There is also a virtual walk around the beautiful Lake district countryside that inspired Beatrix Potter.

Electric Mountain Bike Hire

If you want to explore in your own time why not hire an electric mountain bike. You are advised to pre book if wanting to hire in peak season.

Telephone: 07407 422798
Email: info@electric-mountain.co.uk

Day 2 Bowness-on-Windermere to Glasgow

Today you will drive from Bowness-on-Windermere to Glasgow.

Things to Do

 Pollok Country Park

Trip advisor quote: “Oasis of country in the city”

Highland cows in the city! Great for dog walking, biking, kids play area, wandering through the gardens or along the riverside. Really is a fantastic break from the buzz of the city.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum houses one of Europe’s great art collections. It is amongst the top three free-to-enter visitor attractions in Scotland and one of the most visited museums in the United Kingdom outside of London

Glengoyne Distillery Tour

Take a tour of one of Glasgow’s distilleries where you will find out how the whisky is made and also receive a couple of tasters.

Buchanon Street

A great place for shopping, good shops and plenty of them. Also look out for the street entertainers who are very good.

Grand Tour of Scotland

Day 3 Glasgow to Isle of Arran

Today you will drive from Glasgow to the Isle of Arran.

Things to Do

Take a Ferry

Take a ferry from Ardrossan to the Isle of Arran. Experience the rugged northern half of the island which belongs to the highlands and the softer lowlands landscape of the south.

Visit the Isle of Arran Distillery, where you will find out how whiskey is distilled and sample some of the finished product.

Brodick Castle, Gardens and Country Park

Visit this attraction, a beautiful setting with well-maintained grounds and a great interior. The rooms all have a link to the modern generation as well as linking back to the 1500s. (This is a 30-minute taxi journey from the distillery).

Day 4 Isle of Arran to Loch Lomond

Today you will drive from the Isle of Arran to Loch Lomond.

What to Do

Loch Lomond

Travel alongside the famous Loch Lomond, renowned for its unsurpassed beauty. Travel through the deep valley of Glen Coe, notorious for the Campbell massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692. Continue through Fort William and stop at the Spean Bridge Woollen Mill, which offers a good selection of quality Scottish goods. Continue your drive north to visit the romantic Eilean Donan Castle. The first fortified castle was built in the 13th century, rebuilt several times and partially ruined in 1719.

If you wanted a change, you could visit:

Famous Falls of Dochart

Never the same twice. Even in the Summer it changes in the space of an hour sometimes depending on what is happening further up the Glen. The water level can change dramatically.

Grand Tour of Scotland

Day 5 Loch Lomond to Isle of Skye

Today you will drive from Loch Lomond to t the Isle of Skye.

What to Do

Explore the Isle of Skye with your motorhome.

Skye Museum of Island Life

Well worth a visit if you enjoy local and social history as here are lots of exhibits, information boards, displays, videos and audio. Staff are very helpful and friendly making for a relaxed, enjoyable visit.

Isle of Skye Brewery

If you are a fan of ale, visit this small brewery where you will find out about how beer is brewed, taste a few different ones that they will recommend to you and maybe purchase some to take home with you.

Dunvegan Castle

This is a must see when visiting the Isle of Skye. Here you will find a wealth of history. The castle is built on a rocky outcrop on the shores of Loch Dunvegan and it was once completely encircled by the sea. It is the oldest continually inhabited castle in Scotland. It has been home to the chiefs of Clan MacLeod for 800 years.

Today’s visitors can enjoy a boat trip on the Loch to see the seal colony, charter one of its traditionally built clinker boats for a fishing trip or Loch cruise, enjoy a meal at the MacLeod Tables Café or browse in one of its four shops.

Day 6 Isle of Skye to Ullapool

Today you will drive from the Isle of Skye to Ullapool.

What to Do

Knockan Crag

If you love walking, History, Geology and beautiful scenery, then this is for you. Walking paths cater for all abilities.

Summer Isles Cruise

Take a cruise and listen to fascinating information and stories while taking in great views of the hills and crags. There will be wildlife to look at too, with dolphins putting in an appearance if you’re lucky as well as porpoises, seals and plenty of sea birds.

The Bone Caves

A lovely stroll that takes around 90 minutes. The scenery is beautiful, the caves are fun to explore with waterfalls and there are streams throughout the whole walk.

Corrieshalloch Gorge

This is well worth stopping to see. The gorge itself is spectacular and you must make sure that you see it from both the suspension bridge and the overhanging view point to appreciate the waterfall and gorge in all its glory.

Grand Tour of Scotland

Day 7 Ullapool to John O’Groats

Today you will drive from Ullapool to John O’Groats.

What to Do

Ducansby Head

Walk from John O’Groats, towards the stacks via the coast and lighthouse, otherwise you really miss out on the views that you will find at Ducansby Head.

Highlights Day Tour of Orkney

If you leave Ullapool very early in the morning, you could take a ferry from John O’Groats to Orkney for this guided trip to see the highlights.

Wildlife Cruise, John O’Groats Ferries

You could choose to book a Wildlife Cruise, where you are likely to see Puffins and Auks.

Day 8 John O’Groats to Inverness

Today you will drive from John O’Groats to Inverness.

What to Do

A walk along the River Ness

The River Ness is fed by the famous Loch Ness which is about 12 miles from Inverness (Inverness translates to “Mouth of the Ness”). In the city of Inverness, there are several parks and scenic walkways on both sides of the small, shallow and tranquil river. The river has small pebble bottom (versus mud) and is nice to splash and paddle in.

Tomatin Distillery

You can book a tour to learn how this award winning whiskey is produced. The tour will tell you about the unique legacy of Tomatin which started in 1897. The tour finishes with samples of three Tomatin single malts which will reveal why it is known as the softer side.

You can also choose to fill your own bottle of cask strength distillery exclusive whisky and take it home as an extra special memento of your Tomatin experience.

Fort George

Fort George will surprise you – even if you’re not a history buff, the location is stunning, offering some of the best views in the area. Basically, it’s an 18th century military time capsule with plenty to see, including a fascinating military museum.

Grand Tour of Scotland

Day 9 Culloden

Today you will visit Culloden Battlefield.

What to Do

Visit the Visitor Centre at Culloden Battlefield

Here you can listen to accounts from genuine characters who were involved in the Battle of Culloden. You watch a 360 degree film that relives to horror of the battle. There is a roof top viewing area where you can see a complete view of the battlefield. After this you can walk the battlefield which is now restored to how it appeared to opposing forces on 16th April 1746.

Day 10 Culloden to St Andrews

What to Do

St Andrews Golf Courses

If you are a golfer, then of course you will probably want to book a tee time and sample one of these beautiful courses. Even if golf isn’t your thing it is still very impressive to have a stroll around the area from the pavements and paths alongside just to look at the perfection of the courses and enjoy the stunning location.

St Andrews Cathedral

The ruins of this cathedral are all that’s left of one of Britain’s most magnificent medieval buildings. You can appreciate the scale and majesty of the edifice from the small sections that remain standing..

St Andrew’s supposed bones lie under the altar; until the cathedral was built, they had been enshrined in the nearby Church of St Regulus (or Rule). All that remains of this church is St Rule’s Tower, worth the climb for the view across St Andrews. There’s also a museum with a collection of Celtic crosses and gravestones found on the site. The entrance fee only applies for the tower and museum. You can wander freely around the atmospheric ruins, a fine picnic spot.

British Golf Museum

This museum provides an extraordinarily comprehensive overview of the history and development of the game and the role of St Andrews in it. Interactive panels allow you to relive former British Opens (watch Paul Azinger snapping his putter in frustration), and there’s a large collection of memorabilia from Open winners both male and female. Opposite the museum is the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, which stands proudly at the head of the Old Course. Beside it stretches magnificent West Sands beach, made famous by the film Chariots of Fire.

St Andrews Castle

The town’s castle is mainly in ruins, but the site itself is evocative and has dramatic coastline views. It was founded around 1200 as a fortified home for the bishop of St Andrews. After the execution of Protestant reformers in 1545, other reformers retaliated by murdering Cardinal Beaton and taking over the castle. They spent almost a year holed up, during which they and their attackers dug a complex of siege tunnels: you can walk (or stoop) along their damp mossy lengths.

The visitor centre gives a good audiovisual introduction and has a small collection of Pictish stones.

Grand Tour of Scotland

Day 11 St Andrews to Edinburgh

Today you will drive from St Andrews to Edinburgh.

Days 11 and 12 Edinburgh

What to Do

Edinburgh Bus Tour

The foot of the Scott Monument, on Waverley Bridge, is the departure point for the many Edinburgh Bus Tour. A guided bus tour is a great way to see some of the best places to visit and learn about the city’s main tourist attractions. Make sure that you keep your ticket as some of the tours offer a hop on and hop off service if there’s a particular area you wish to spend some more time in.

St Giles’ Cathedral

Open all year round, this magnificent crown-spired cathedral on the High Street contains memorials to around 200 distinguished Scots, as well as some incredible stained glass windows. Parts of the structure date back to the 12th century and you’ll also find Scotland’s chivalric company of Knights, the Chapel of the Order of the Thistle, located here too. You can enjoy a welcome rest and light bite in the Cathedral’s café. Entry is free.

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh’s most popular and famous attraction, Edinburgh Castle, dominates the city skyline from the peak of an extinct volcano. An ancient stronghold, it has been home to royalty for hundreds of years including Queen Margaret, Mary Queen of Scots and James VI. A must for visitors are the Crown Jewels, Stone of Destiny and an opportunity to explore the castle’s ancient dungeons. Crowds gather at 1pm for the shooting of the One o’clock Gun, a tradition dating back to 1861 and takes place every day except Sundays.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse

Visit The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Her Majesty The Queen’s official residence in Scotland. Standing at the end of Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile, this fine palace is the home of Scottish royal history.

At the Palace of Holyroodhouse, you can explore 14 magnificent historic and State Apartments, the romantic ruins of the 12th-century Holyrood Abbey and remarkable royal gardens, all with a complimentary audio tour. Best known as the home of Mary, Queen of Scots, the Palace was the setting for many dramatic episodes in her short reign. Today, the State Apartments are used regularly by The Queen for State ceremonies and official entertaining.

Princes Street Gardens

Take a gentle stroll in Princes Street Gardens. Resting at the foot of Edinburgh Castle this splendid public park divides the Old and the New Town. Take your time and explore the gardens with their seasonal floral displays, monuments and statues. A welcome place to relax and play, it is a hive of activity in the warm Summer months where you can bring a picnic, lie in the sunshine with your favourite book or enjoy a snack or refreshing drink from the outdoor café.

George Street

Home to some of Edinburgh’s trendiest, shops, bars and restaurants, George Street is the perfect spot to indulge in some retail therapy.

Day 13 Edinburgh to Broadway

Today you will drive from Edinburgh to Broadway.

Day 14 Broadway to MTA

Today you will drive from Broadway to MTA and return the motorhome to Motorhome Travel Agency Limited

Grand Tour of Scotland

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