BEST OF SCOTLAND II

DAY 2 WEDNESDAY, Edinburgh

 After clearing customs we will be shuttled to our hotel in the heart of the city – the Travelodge Edinburgh Central   An enchanting, vibrant, and medieval city awaits us. We will spend the remainder of the day exploring this wonderful medieval city before retiring early to rest. 

[TIP: An Edinburgh Castle Tour Flexie Ticket is good anytime for a week.]

TOP ATTRACTIONS

DINING

DAY 3 THURSDAY, Edinburgh

 After our hotel breakfast we will do the fabulous Edinburgh city hike. It is about 8.5 miles and will take a good part of the day.  Highlights include  Princess  Gardens, Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, the Grassmarket, the Cowgate, Holyrood Castle, Scottish Parliament, Holyrood Park and the breathtaking trail up to Arthur’s Seat, Calton Hill, and back to the theatre district for dinner.

Holyrood Park - Self Guided Tours

DAY 4 FRIDAY, Tyndrum

 9:00AM  After our hotel breakfast we will check out then board our bus for the scenic ride to the hike up Conic Hill (6.5) for an unforgettable view of Loch Lomand.  We will arrive to Tyndrum and our beautiful hotel Muthu Ben Doran and a wonderful dinner on me. 

DAY 5 SATURDAY, Tyndrum

 9:00AM  After our hotel breakfast it's a 90 minute scenic ride to Pitlochy village for a great hike up to Ben Vrackie (5.7) and then enjoy a late lunch and shopping in this charming village.  This is my daughter Emily's favorite hike.  Dinner is again on me. 

DAY 6 SUNDAY, Oban 

 9:00AM  After our hotel breakfast we'll check out and take the 60 minute ride to the beautiful west coastal village of Oban where we will hike along Oban Bay on the Atlantic Ocean (8.0).  Our hotel is the Muthu Oban Regent overlooking the bay.  This would be a great time to visit the Oban Distillery (make reservations now). 

DAY 7 MONDAY, Oban

 8:00AM  After our hotel breakfast we'll leave early for our doubleheader hike at Steall Waterfall (3.0) and then to our West Highland Way point to point course (11.0) in beautiful Glencoe.  Expect some Highland Cows on our way to the second highest falls in Scotland.  Tonight dinner is again on me at our hotel. 

Kingshouse to Kinlochleven

ALL TRAILS

DAY 8 TUESDAY, Portree

 8:00AM  After our hotel breakfast we will check out of our hotel and travel 4 hours to Portree on the magical Isle of Skye.  We will do the fabulous Quiraing Trail hike (7.0) before arriving at our hotels in Portree; The Skye, Royal and Rosedale. 

ALL TRAILS

Hiking the Quiraing

DAY 9 WEDNESDAY, Portree

 9:00AM   After our hotel breakfast we will do another doubleheader on Skye, the Sea Eagle (6.0) and the Old Man of Storr (3.4) before enjoying this ocean village and it's dining and shopping. 

DAY 10 THURSDAY, Inverness

 Inverness 9:00AM  After our hotel breakfast we check out then travel 2.5 hours to an amazing hike at Beine Eighe (6.1) overlooking the most beautiful loch in Scotland -  Loch Maree.  This is my son Jake's favorite hike.  Then it's on to our next lodging in Inverness, the beautiful capital of the Highlands.  We are well located to dine at one of several neat places along the River Ness.

 Historic Inverness.

Exploring Inverness

DAY 11 FRIDAY, Stirling

 9:00AM   After our hotel breakfast we will checkout and travel 3 hours to Stirling.  We will stop en route for a short hike (4.0) at  Urguhart Castle.  Then it's on to the historical city for another neat hike in Braveheart territory.  Our final lodging is the 

Travelodge City Centre,  conveniently located in the heart of Stirling.  My favorite restaurant is The Portcullis (6 blocks).

DINING IN STIRLING

AT OUR HOTEL

DAY 12 SATURDAY, Stirling

 9:00AM   After our hotel breakfast we will depart for the 90 minute ride to the Kingdom of Fife and historic St. Andrews.   You'll have a beautiful  trek including the ruins of Scotland’s biggest cathedral, the Old Town Gate, Scotland’s oldest university,  the Old Course (the birthplace of golf) and the West Sands Beach where the movie Chariots of Fire was filmed.  There will be time for shopping and dining in this really cool city before we return to Stirling. 

DAY 13 SUNDAY, TRAVEL

 8:00AM   Relaxed travel day: After our hotel breakfast we'll checkout and head to the airport for our return flight.  Our flight leaves Edinburgh late morning and arrives in Chicago in the evening where we catch our shuttle back to Niles.   There's no extra charge for the many memories you will carry home with you.