Authentic Scotland Adventure – 16 Day Tour
Glasgow – Port Appin – Portree – Isle of Skye – Inverness – Edinburgh
Optional 4 Day Tour Add-On in London, England 
Scotland Tour Dates: September 17 – October 2, 2019
Add-On Dates: October 2 – 5, 2019
Nearest International Airport: Glasgow
Duration: 16 days / 15 nights with optional 4 Day Tour Add-On
Price: $3,799 CAD plus 5% GST per person (double occupancy)
Tour Add-On Price: $700 CAD plus 5% GST per person (double occupancy)
SOLD OUT!
*If you are interested in going on this trip for Fall 2019 or Spring 2020 we are organizing another adventure if there is enough demand. Email us at info@travelroots.ca to inquire.
Your Scotland Adventure
Scotland has so many incredible qualities crammed into its company territory…including their infamous big skies, ancient architecture, spectacular wildlife, superb seafood, and hospitable, down-to-earth people. Your 16 day journey will take you to what we consider to be many of Scotland’s highlights including some real hidden gems. It covers many of the most spectacular parts of Scotland including the dramatic and varying landscapes of the Central and North-West Highlands, the magical Isle of Skye, Assynt, Inverness-shire and the Cairngorm Mountain and then down to the lowlands and picturesque rolling agricultural of rural Perthsire. Your itinerary starts and ends in Glasgow.
We’ve teamed up with an amazing driver/guide that will allow you to get to know the real Scotland and to embrace the history and culture with an exciting balance between the traditional and the contemporary. Your local hosts have a wealth of local knowledge and contacts and a passion for showing the best of what Scotland has to offer. Your itinerary is loosely set allowing you to explore Scotland at your own pace while living room and flexibility for spontaneous activities throughout the experience.
Travel Details:
Getting There – Must fly to Glasgow International Airport and arrive on September 17, 2019. WestJet has great flight options into Glasgow – it is advised to book your flight early as they may go up in price. If arriving earlier or staying later, Travel Roots can provide assistance with arranging accommodations and activities if needed.
Program Fee Covers:
- Accommodation for 15 nights accommodations – “twin sharing basis”
- Breakfast is included throughout except at the Farm Stay
- All domestic transportation included throughout the experience
- Service of Tour Leader Mark/ Driver for the guided portions of the tour – please note Mark will provide guidance on what to see & do for your free days
- Pick up and drop offs to start the guided tours from your accommodations in Glasgow
Program Fee does not cover:
- International Airfare
- Airport pick-ups and drop-offs
- Travel Insurance
- Beverages, alcoholic beverages and meals not mentioned in itinerary
- Visitor attraction tickets
- Horseback Riding Experience – £50 per person for experienced riders – £36 per person for beginners!
- Entrance fees for historic monuments
- Expenses of a personal nature.
- Tips
- Any other services not specified above
- Explore the city of Glasgow
- Visit the countryside surrounding Glasgow including Lenzie & Cadder, Stirling Castle, the Wallace Monument, Flakirk Wheel, and The Kelpies
- Experience the beauty of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park
- Explore the coastal region near Port Appin including Glencoe
- Spend 3 nights on the beautiful and magical Isle of Skye
- Visit The Quirang, Kilt Rock, Trotternish Peninsula, The Storr, and Fairy Glen
- Spend 3 nights in Inverness - the Capital of the Highlands
- Spot dolphins on the Black Isle
- Go horseback riding on the Rosehaugh Estate
- Enjoy 3 nights on a farmstead just outside of Edinburgh
- Explore the rich culture of Edinburgh & visit the incredible Edinburgh Castle
Sept. 17 - DAY 01: ARRIVAL IN GLASGOW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – GLASGOW CITY
Arrive at the Glasgow airport where you will be greeted by your tour leader. Get a brief orientation to the city of Glasgow and retreat to your Hotel and have a relaxing evening to get accustomed into the Scottish time zone.
You’ll be staying at the Blythswood Square Hotel located next to a serene green garden square. Meals not included on this day.
Sept. 18 - DAY 02: EXPLORE GLASGOW: SELF-GUIDED
Sept. 19 - DAY 03: EXPLORE THE OUTSKIRTS OF GLASGOW
After breakfast you will embark on a journey to explore the surrounding region of Glasgow which includes visiting the Moss Cottage located in the village of Lenzie, followed by visits to Stirling Castle & Wallace Monument, the Falkirk Wheel, and the Kelpies.
A free day to get acquainted with Glasgow’s hospitality. Get a chance to explore the city at your own pace on a self-guided adventure. You’ll be given tips on where to go and what to experience from your local host.
Retreat back to your Hotel for overnight. Breakfast included.
Sept. 20 - DAY 04: GLASGOW TO PORT APPIN
After an early breakfast you will depart Glasgow and head towards Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park. You will continue towards Port Appin with stops at Inveraray Castle & Gardens, Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe, Connel Bridge & Falls of Lora, and Castle Stalker.
You will be staying in the picturesque village of Port Appin at the Pierhouse Hotel with its award winning Seafood Restaurant nestled on the shores of Argyll’s Loch Linnhe.
Breakfast included.
Sept. 21 - DAY 05: FREE DAY IN APPIN – SELF-GUIDED
You’ll be given all the local tips on exploring what the Appin region has to offer. Your day may include sites such as Glencoe, Fort William, Ben Nevis, Glenfinnan Viaduct, Arisaig, Mallaig, Sleat Peninsula, and Cuillin Mountains.
Overnight in Port Appin. Breakfast included.
Sept. 22 - DAY 06: PORT APPIN TO PORTREE
After breakfast you will embark from Port Appin to the Isle of Skye with stops at Glencoe and Fort Willian and optional visits the Trotternish Peninsula, The Quirang, Kilt Rock, The Storr, Fairy Glen, Dunvegan Castle & Gardens, and the Talisker Distillery.
Overnight at the Marmalade Inn in Portree which boasts stunning views of the Scottish landscape and dates back to 1817.
Breakfast included.
Sept. 23 - DAY 7: ISLE OF SKYE
Enjoy the beauty of the Isle of Skye and visit Elgol with an optional boat ride with the Aquaexplore (boat ride not included).
Overnight at Marmalade. Breakfast included.
Sept. 24 - DAY 8: FREE DAY IN ISLE OF SKYE
Continue to take in the beauty of the Isle and have a free day to explore and rejuvenate. Overnight at Marmalade.
Breakfast included.
Sept. 25 - DAY 9: ISLE OF SKYE TO INVERNESS
After breakfast you will head to your next destination – Inverness. Along the way you will experience the Skye Bridge, Eilean Donan Castle, Glen Shiel, Invermoriston & Falls of Moriston, Loch Ness, and Urquhart Castle.
You will spend the next 3 nights at the Strathness Guest House, a family run guest house with an emphasis on personal service with a homely, highland touch. The B&B is overlooking the beautiful river Ness and Inverness Castle.
Breakfast included.
Sept. 26 - DAY 10: EXPLORE INVERNESS
Today you will explore what Inverness has to offer including The Black Isle, Chanonry Point for dolphin spotting, horseriding on Rosehaugh Estate (additional cost), and Cromarty.
The horseback riding experience will be based on your abilities. For competent riders it will be a 2 hour ride costing £50 per person. For beginners you will have a shorter ride with an instructor – one hour experience will be £36 per person.
Overnight in Inverness. Breakfast included.
Sept. 27 - DAY 11: FREE DAY IN INVERNESS
You will be given more local options of what to explore in the region or can take this day as a day to relax and take in the amazing highlands of Inverness.
Overnight in Inverness. Breakfast included.
Sept. 28 - DAY 12: INVERNESS TO EDINBURGH FARM STAY
After breakfast you will head towards your farm stay near Edinburgh. You will stop to see some of these sites along the way: Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns, Cairngorm National Park, Dalwhinnie Distillery, Highland Perthshire, Pitlochry, and Forth Bridges.
You will be spending the next 3 nights at the Swanson Farm on the outskirts of Edinburgh (20 minutes outside city). The cottages are self-catering cottages renovated from an old farm stead. The farm is set at the foot of Pentland Hills Regional Park on a 700 acre farm. Please note that this is a self-catered cottage. You will need to purchase food for breakfasts the following days – your driver will make a stop along the way.
Breakfast included.
Sept. 29 - DAY 13: EXPLORE EDINBURGH & SURROUNDING AREA
You will get a chance to explore the Rosslyn Chapel, Gullane and North Berwick this day. Head back to Swanson Farm for the evening.
Sept. 30 - DAY 14: EDINBURGH SELF-GUIDED
This will be your chance to explore Edinburgh and what this city has to offer. You will be given local tips on what to see and do. Transportation will be arranged to get in and out of the city. Overnight at Swanson Farm.
Oct. 1 - DAY 15: EDINBURGH TO GLASGOW
You will have time today to head back into Edinburgh to do some shopping and more site-seeing. When you’re ready you will be transferred back to your Hotel in Glasgow.
Overnight at Blythswood Square Hotel.
Oct. 2 - DAY 16: GLASGOW – DEPART FOR HOME
After breakfast you will be picked up and dropped off at the airport. You will head home or to London England for the optional add-on experience.
OPTIONAL LONDON ADD-ON
DAY 16: ARRIVE IN LONDON, ENGLAND
Arrive in the City of London. Get dropped off at your Hotel where you will be staying for the next 3 nights. Accommodations in Central London at the Park Avenue J Hotel or similar.
DAY 17: LONDON CITY TOUR
After breakfast at your Hotel, meet your tour guide for a guided experience of the city. Your local guide will take you on a journey to explore London’s major landmarks. This will give you a good idea of the history, culture & legends of Europe’s best-loved city. You will head through Green Park to Buckingham Palace, where you'll watch the world-famous Changing of the Guard ceremony (only Mon, Wed, Fri & Sun). After witnessing this traditional ritual, you'll head to Westminster. Sights you'll see along the way include Downing Street, Westminster Abbey, Parliament Square, Horse Guard Parade, Big Ben (sadly covered up), and the Houses of Parliament. Your last stop in Westminster before heading underground on the tube is the start of Westminster Bridge where you will be able to see the Eye and other sights. Then you'll go to the London Bridge area, you'll see Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, The Clink Prison, London Bridge, The old warehouse district, Borough Market, The Shard, views of the Square Mile, HMS Belfast, Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London. Plus a few Harry Potter filming locations... The afternoon tour is in reverse, you will start at London Bridge and then head to Westminster. You'll only see the horse guard change on the pm tour
DAY 18: FREE DAY IN LONDON
Continue to explore, shop and site-see what this vibrant, historic city has to offer on a self-guided experience.
DAY 19: DEPART FOR HOME
Get picked up from your Hotel and dropped off at the airport. Depart for home.
Scotland Tour Inclusions:
- Accommodation for 15 nights accommodations – "twin sharing basis" - Breakfast is included throughout except at the Farm Stay
- All domestic transportation included throughout the experience
- Service of Tour Leader Mark / Driver for the guided portions of the tour – please note Mark will provide guidance on what to see & do for your free days
- Pick up and drop offs to start the guided tours from your accommodations in Glasgow
London, England Add-On Inclusions:
- Accommodation for 3 nights accommodations – twin sharing basis" Breakfast is included throughout.
- Guided City Tour
Tour Exclusions:
- International Airfare
- Airport Pick-up & Drop-offs
- Travel Insurance
- Beverages, alcoholic beverages and meals not mentioned in itinerary
- Visitor attraction tickets
- Horseback Riding Experience - £50 per person for experienced riders - £36 per person for beginners!
- Entrance fees for historic monuments
- Expenses of a personal nature.
- Tips
- Any other services not specified above.
You'll be staying in 3-4 Star Accommodations throughout your stay. The price is based on sharing a room with one other person of the same sex. Please note that accommodations in the UK are a bit different than North American Standards - expect smaller rooms and smaller bathrooms.
Blythswood Square Hotel, Glasgow x 4 nights (3 at start and one to end)
This 5-star luxury spa hotel in the centre of Glasgow is located next a serene green garden square. A huge and sympathetic conversion of the historic building that was once home to the RAC Club, there is a motoring theme throughout. The restaurant has a good buzz to it, the upstairs salon bar is a civilised rendezvous for cocktails and afternoon tea. There is also a spa area if you want a swim or some treatments.
Pierhouse, Port Appin x 3 nights
The Pierhouse Hotel and award-winning Seafood Restaurant is nestled on the shores of Argyll’s Loch Linnhe in the picturesque village of Port Appin. With breath-taking views to the island of Lismore, Mull and Moidart, The Pierhouse’s personal and informal atmosphere isperfect for a relaxing break.
Marmalade, Portree x 3 nights
Boasting a restaurant and bar with stunning views of the Scottish landscape, Marmalade isgrade “B” listed building, dating back to 1817. The spacious rooms overlook the landscapedgarden, Portree Bay, and the outline of Cuillin Hills.
Strathness Guest House, Inverness x 3 nights
Strathness House is a family run guest house with emphasis is on a personal service with a homely, Highland touch. You will be well looked after by your hosts Joan and Javed. The B&B is well located in the centre of Inverness overlooking the beautiful river Ness and Inverness Castle, and a great base from which to explore Inverness and the surrounding area.
Swanson Farm, Edinburgh x 2 nights
Swanston Farm Holiday Cottages were skilfully renovated from an old farm steading into six beautiful cottages in 2001. Set at the foot of the Pentland Hills Regional Park on our 700 acre farm, our self-catering holiday cottages boast stunning countryside views yet are only within a 20 minute drive from Edinburgh Castle, the city centre shops and attractions and Edinburgh Airport. Framing one side of a traditional stone courtyard, each benefit from free parking, a private entrance and south-facing gardens. The cottages were awarded a 4 Star (Excellent) grade by the Scottish Tourist Board Quality Assurance Scheme (now VisitScotland).