5D/4N - 2020 Iona, Mull and the Isle of Skye small group tour

day 01 Edinburgh-Loch Lomond-Inveraray-Argyll-Oban

Independent arrival to Edinburgh and own arrangement to the departure point. This tour departs at 09.00 and it takes you north past Stirling castle, and then west to Scotland’s first National Park around Loch Lomond, and the bonny banks”. You will travel through the impressive mountains of the West Highlands through the magnificent white-washed 18th Century town of Inveraray, home to the Campbell Clan and the Duke of Argyll. The afternoon will be spent in the heart of Argyll exploring the area close to the ancient Kingdom of Dalriada before arriving in bustling town of Oban, the gateway to the islands, for your 2 night stay.

day 02 Oban-Mull-Staffa-Oban

Is an early start crossing on the ferry to Mull and enjoying an island adventure exploring her dramatic coastlines and wild beauty, before taking the small ferry to the peace and tranquillity of Iona - birthplace of Celtic Christianity and ancient burial ground of Scottish Kings. Here you can visit the historic abbey with its intricate carved crosses in the churchyard or explore the rocky headlands and sandy coves of this island gem.

There is also an opportunity to take a small boat out to the island of Staffa (except Saturday departures in September) and view the dramatic basalt columns immortalised by Mendelssohn in his Hebridean Overture “Fingal’s Cave”. You then return on the ferry to Oban for your second night.

day 03 Oban-Glencoe-Glenfinnan-Plockton

Today you will head north along the west coast around Appin, passing the impregnable Castle Stalker, and Glencoe, scene of the infamous massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692. You then pass through Fort William nestling in the shadow of Ben Nevis which at 1344 meters is the highest mountain in the British Isles. We continue through the Great Glen a natural fault in the earth’s crust that runs through Scotland and on through Ireland. From here you travel north to the picturesque fishing village of Plockton. You are then dropped off at your accommodation in the early evening.

day 04 Isle of Skye-Plockton

Today is a very flexible day on Skye. There are many possibilities depending on the weather, and your driver-guide will use their local knowledge to decide on the best day out for the group. You may ascend the Quiraing along Trotternish Ridge and be rewarded with spectacular views. Alternatively, you could drink in the scenery at Loch Corruisk or drive through the dramatic Red Cuillin to the little hamlet of Elgol. We return you to your accommodation in Plockton in the late afternoon for a free evening to explore the village
day 05 Loch Ness-Perthshire-Edinburgh
You’re collected from your accommodation for the short drive to the famous stronghold of Eilean Donan Castle. Then, you travel east taking in the stunning views over Loch Duich and the Five Sisters of Kintail. You continue on to Loch Ness for lunch and the possibility of spotting "Nessie’. Your tour moves through the Grampian Mountains and along Loch Laggan, before passing Dalwhinnie, home to Scotland's highest whisky distillery. In Perthshire, you stop for refreshments before heading back to Edinburgh past Perth and over the Firth of Forth. Arrival back to Edinburgh approx. 19.00

Inclusions: twin share B&B or 3* hotel, breakfast daily, accommodation with private facilities, mini-coach transportation with maximum capacity of 16 seats, professional Irish driver-guide, local taxes and service charges.

Note: itinerary is subject to change