Scotland
featuring Edinburgh and the Highlands

June 30 - July 9, 2009

Scotland's capital, Edinburgh, is a city of extraordinary heritage whose streets are steeped in history. Crossing Princes Street and glimpsing Edinburgh Castle towering over the town is like passing through a time warp to the late 1700s.  The beauty of its setting and its predominantly stone buildings, have earned it the title of "Athens of the North".  Our travels will take us to Fort William and surrounding areas in the Scottish Highlands.  Fort William is the largest town in the West Highlands and is an area renowned for magnificent scenery with the highest mountain in the UK - Ben Nevis, and the deepest loch - Loch Morar.  We will visit the most romantic castle in Scotland - Eilean Donan Castle, the "Pink City" of Inverness and the Isle of Skye.  If images of bagpipes, castles, family clan tartans and "Nessie" come to mind at the mere mention of Scotland, you'll want to join us for this special trip to Scotland.

(See tentative itinerary below)

We are currently in the process of planning this trip.
Once we have all the activities, hotels and other details confirmed,
and the price finalized, we will remove this information and post
a completed itinerary with the price.

If you are interested in learning more about this trip,
make a pre-reservation.
It is very important to make a no-obligation pre-reservation.
Those who have made a pre-reservation will be notified first
when the full itinerary and pricing is posted.

 Make a Pre-Reservation

A pre-reservation does not require any money.
Once the tour is finalized and a tour price available, those who have pre-reserved
a space will be contacted via email and asked to decide if they
want to make a deposit. If you are not interested, you don't have to do anything.

 
Tentative Itinerary

Thursday, June 30 - Arrive Edinburgh, Welcome Dinner

Arrive in Edinburgh at your convenience.  If you arrive early in the day, your WTT tour leader will have suggestions of things to see and do.  We will gather in the evening for a welcome dinner.  (D)

Friday, July 1 - Edinburgh City Tour, Edinburgh Castle

Today we take a tour of one of the most visited and loved capitals in Europe - Edinburgh.  It is essentially Georgian in architecture, but has “borrowed” enough Greek style to gain the title of “Athens of the North”.  Famous names such as Robbie Burns, Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson and John Knox have all laid their steps before you as you explore the “Royal Mile” and one of the longest streets in Britain - Princes Street.   Included in our trip will be a guided tour of Edinburgh Castle that dominates the Edinburgh skyline, where you will see the Scottish Crown Jewels, Stone of Destiny, Great Hall, Military Prison and Castle Museums.   The evening is free to find a special place for dinner.  (B)

Saturday, July 2 - Free Day, Scottish Dinner and Entertainment

A free day to explore at will--“Shop ‘til you drop” or just ”people watch.”   This evening we have a “Scottish night out” with dinner and entertainment.  You may choose to try (or not) the national dish of Scotland - Haggis.  It is traditionally served with "neeps and tatties" (turnips and potatoes) and a "dram" (i.e. a glass) of Scotch whisky. (B,D)

Sunday, July 3 - Callander, Rob Roy Center, Fort William

Heading northwest, we leave Edinburgh for the Highlands and Fort William via the lovely town of Callander.  This is Rob Roy country where we take a break to visit the Rob Roy Centre and you can decide for yourself whether this Scottish “Robin Hood” was a hero or villain.   After lunch, we continue on to beautiful Loch Awe and Connel where we start winding our way along the banks of shimmering Loch Linnhe to Fort William.  We will have dinner together tonight.  (B,D)

Monday, July 4 - Fort William and Glen Nevis Tour, Glengarry Highland Games

This morning we take a tour of Fort William and the Glen Nevis area where films such as “Braveheart”, “Rob Roy” and “Highlander” were made.  After lunch we have a very special “Scottish” afternoon at the Glengarry Highland Games.  What better way to celebrate the 4th July?  (B)

Tuesday, July 5 - Glengarry, Glenshiel, Isle of Skye, Eilean Donan Castle

Our drive today takes us to a spectacular region of the Western Highlands through the stunning scenery of Glengarry and Glenshiel, and the Isle of Skye.  We will visit the most photographed castle in Scotland - the romantic Eilean Donan Castle on the edge of Loch Duich, home to the Chief of the Clan McRae.  (B)

Wednesday, July 6 - Loch Ness, Inverness

Heading north through Ft. Augustus, we come to Loch Ness where, who knows, we may catch a glimpse of the world’s most famous monster, “Nessie”, catching a glimpse of us!  Continuing our drive north, we come to Britain’s northernmost city – the “Pink City” of Inverness, where there will plenty of time for exploring and shopping. (B)

Thursday, July 7 - Glenfinnan, Mallaig

Today we head west to Glenfinnan where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised the Stuart Standard to start the Jacobite Rebellion in 1745, and on through spectacular scenery to the fishing port of Mallaig. (B)

Friday, July 8 - Inveraray, Inveraray Castle, Glasgow, Farewell Dinner

We leave Ft. William behind as we drive through the majestic Glencoe Mountains, where in 1692 the infamous Massacre of the MacDonalds by the Campbells took place, leaving their ghosts to wander through the mists of time, seeking revenge.   We continue on to Inveraray where an unusual visit awaits us today at Inveraray Jail. Voted best Scottish attraction of the decade, this “living” 19th century Jail gives you the opportunity to talk to “prisoners” and their “guards” as they go about their everyday tasks.  After lunch we visit the ancestral home of the Dukes of Argyll - the fascinating 18th Century Inveraray Castle, with its famous armory collection, French tapestries and a wealth of fine works of art, plus some of Rob Roy’s personal belongings.   Later we drive along Scotland’s longest Loch – Loch Lomond, to our overnight airport hotel in Glasgow. (B, D)

Saturday, July 9 - Return Home from Glasgow

All previous information has been superseded.