Stunning Scotland: Highlands & IslandsItinerary

Day 1: En Route from U.S.
Saturday, August 9, 2025

Day 2: Arrive in Glasgow, Scotland
Sunday, August 10, 2025
Upon arrival to Glasgow Airport an Orbridge representative will be waiting to assist with your transfer to the hotel.

Tonight's highlight includes a proper Scottish welcome dinner and private after-hours tour at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Gather with fellow travel companions for convivial conversation during this delightful dining experience.
Overnight: Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow (D)

Day 3: Glasgow | New Lanark | Glasgow
Monday, August 11, 2025
Following a hearty Scottish breakfast take a guided tour of New Lanark, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This award-winning attraction, situated in a picturesque village near the Falls of Clyde, brings a socially progressive story to life through an amazing set of beautifully restored buildings. Learn about life in the village throughout the years and the visionary ideals that inspired its Utopian foundation.

Stop by New Lanark Mill Hotel for a traditional afternoon tea featuring a selection of finger sandwiches and scones with homemade preserves.

The remainder of the day is yours to explore Glasgow at leisure.
Overnight: Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow (B,L)

Day 4: Glasgow | Stirling | Glencoe
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
This morning journey north to Stirling—where the Lowlands meet the Highlands—for a self-guided tour of stately Stirling Castle and its lovely gardens. Known as one of Scotland’s grandest castles, it looms over many of the most important battlefields in Scottish history. View Stirling Bridge—the site of William Wallace's victory over the English in 1297. See Bannockburn, where Robert the Bruce defeated the same adversary in 1314.

In the village of Killin, stop at family-owned Falls of Dochart Smokehouse. Meet the proprietors and learn about their guiding principles: "to produce and to serve the finest whisky smoked salmon." Hear about the smoking process and the importance of salmon in local traditions followed by a whisky tasting with salmon canapés.

Continue to Glencoe National Nature Reserve for free time to admire the area's striking landscapes. Glencoe is not only a place of natural beauty but also of great historical and cultural importance, the most notable being the Massacre of Glencoe in 1692 where members of the MacDonald clan were killed by government forces. This tragic event is a significant part of Scottish history and is remembered and commemorated in the region. Gain insight into Glencoe's dramatic past and connect with nature while exploring the many footpaths.

Arriving to the hotel, take time to refresh and unpack, and perhaps stroll the beautiful hotel grounds before rejoining the group for dinner.
Overnight: Ballachulish Hotel (B,D)

Day 5: Glencoe | The Scottish Highlands
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Today visit Inverarary Castle located on the western edge of Loch Fyne in Argyll. Its gardens include approximately two acres of formal lawns and a stunning collection of flowers. The castle is a magnificent, towered mansion and the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll, Chief of the Clan Campbell. The structure houses many interesting and lavishly decorated rooms, with collections of tapestries and paintings, and superb displays of weapons. Rob Roy MacGregor’s sporran and dirk handle are on display.

Stop in the charming village of Luss for a brief walk, admiring its quaint slate cottages and panoramic views of Loch Lomond.

Continue to Loch Lomond for a relaxing boat cruise, taking advantage of opportunities to spot for local wildlife and photograph the stunning homes and castles dotting the shoreline.

Conclude the exciting day with a lovely dinner at the hotel followed by a restful evening.
Overnight: Ballachulish Hotel (B,D)

Day 6: Loch Ness | Inverness
Thursday, August 14, 2025
After breakfast head north to the Commando Memorial, which was unveiled in 1952 to honor the British Commandos who trained in the rugged terrain of the Scottish Highlands during World War II. These soldiers were part of elite units formed in 1940 to conduct highly specialized and often dangerous operations against Axis forces in Europe and beyond. Admire the bronze statues and stroll through the gardens adjacent to the memorial.

Continue farther north to famous Loch Ness for a tour of Urquhart Castle. Once regarded as one of the greatest in all of the Highlands, Urquhart Castle bore witness to some of Scotland’s most dramatic historical moments. Control over the medieval fortress passed back and forth between the Scots and the English during the Wars of Independence. As those forces departed, the last government troops who occupied the castle destroyed it during the Jacobite Risings, leaving behind the ruins that stand today. Peer into medieval life—learning of the area's history from nearly 1,000 years ago—while observing a full-size trebuchet and a prison cell that is thought to have held the Gaelic bard, Dòmhnall Donn.

Next embark upon a narrated cruise along the mysterious waters of Loch Ness—a body of water so deep it holds more fresh water than all of the lakes in England and Wales combined.

Later arrive to the idyllic city of Inverness on Scotland’s northeast coast for brief leisure time in town. Many know Inverness as the capital of the Highlands, though it doesn't officially hold this title. Inverness has only been considered a city since 2000.
Overnight: Kingsmills Hotel (B,D)

Day 7: Inverness | Aberdeen
Friday, August 15, 2025
This morning see Culloden Battlefield—the site of the final Jacobite Rising. One of the most harrowing battles in Scottish history, the Battle of Culloden only lasted an hour but would change Scotland and Highland culture forever. Inside the Culloden Visitor Centre, learn more about the conflict from both sides through interactive displays and artifacts before walking the actual battlefield. Reflect on this rebellious event while viewing the headstones of clansmen who gave their lives for the Jacobite cause. 

Following lunch stop at Clava Cairns, an exceptionally well-preserved Bronze Age cemetery complex that offers a fascinating glimpse into prehistoric burial practices. Excavations and studies have revealed the sophisticated construction methods used to build the cairns, including careful alignment of stones and passages highlighting the advanced skills of the ancient builders.

Next visit a Scottish distillery for an informative tour and tasting. Later retreat to the hotel for dinner.
Overnight: Norwood Hall Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 8: Aberdeen | St. Andrews | Edinburgh
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Today visit Glamis Castle—a living, breathing monument to Scottish heritage—for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour. First enjoy welcome refreshments in the castle's 16th-century kitchen. Your guide will escort you through this stunning architectural treasure highlighting remarkable paintings and unique furniture pieces. This castle was gifted by Robert the Bruce to the Bowes-Lyon family in 1372 and was originally a royal hunting lodge. It's perhaps best known as the childhood home of the Queen Mother, the birthplace of Princess Margaret, and the setting of Shakespeare's Macbeth. The estate comprises more than 13,500 acres and is accompanied by mysterious and ghostly lore including tales of secret chambers.

Later, at pastoral St. Andrews, drive by the Old Course and explore local cafés and boutique shops during leisure time. Admire the medieval architecture of the university and marvel at the perfectly manicured golf courses here, at what is considered to be the birthplace of golf. Gazing towards the water, notice an iconic piece of Scottish landscape—the West Sands—famous for the opening sequence of Chariots of Fire

This evening prepare for an unforgettable performance of the iconic Edinburgh Military Tattoo—as the sun sets against the backdrop of Edinburgh's grand castle. This event celebrates the skills of military bands and display teams from the British Armed Forces, the Commonwealth, and military teams throughout the world. Flaming torches, flying flags, an impressive light display, dancing, colorful uniforms and intricate marching formations complete the emotionally stirring pageantry. Be sure to dress in layers for the outdoors as the seating in the esplanade is uncovered.
Overnight: Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel (B)

Day 9: Edinburgh 
Sunday, August 17, 2025
After breakfast join a guided panoramic city tour of Edinburgh—Scotland's beloved capital since the 15th century—through its Old and New Towns. This UNESCO World Heritage Site teems with remarkable architecture, medieval fixtures and Georgian-inspired buildings, all converging at Princes Street with a unique view of Edinburgh Castle.

Then visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse—the previous residence of Mary, Queen of Scots—that was founded as a monastery in 1128. This property once hosted other royalty including the Bonnie Prince Charlie and the late Queen of England, Elizabeth II. Tour the 14 historic state apartments and imagine life of yesteryear while marveling at the intricate drapery, old wood paneling and ornately designed ceilings. The Queen's Gallery at the Palace of Holyroodhouse hosts a program of changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection. Behold the natural beauty of the palace gardens' rolling lush green pastures, vibrant flowers and Wentworth Elm trees, which were previously thought to have been extinct.

Enjoy free time to shop and sightsee before this grand adventure concludes with a special farewell dinner to reminisce over the past week's adventures and bid soraidh ("farewell" in Gaelic) to Scotland.
Overnight: Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel (B,D)

Day 10: Edinburgh | Depart for U.S.
Monday, August 18, 2025
After breakfast guests departing during the suggested times take the complimentary transfer to Edinburgh Airport for flights home. (B)

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Tour days tend to be long, flow at a consistent pace and may include long periods of travel. Guests should be prepared to walk longer distances, climb stairs and tolerate periods of standing, for example on city walks, sightseeing stops or ship excursions, on sometimes uneven surfaces including cobblestones or unpaved pathways and trails. Some destinations may have variations in altitude and/or temperature. Daily pace and timing may vary significantly between longer and shorter travel days, with additional activities possibly occurring in the early morning or evening. Guests are expected to board transportation without assistance. Elevators are not always available at accommodations or sites visited.

• Historic areas are usually more accessible by foot than by vehicle. It may not always be possible for the motor coach to drop guests off at site entrances.