The third of four hiking tours departs in just
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[13 days with 11 nights in Scotland!]
2025: APR 1-13 & APR 15-27
[Prices after $100 deposit]
FULL PKG $3,737 D/O (Double Occupancy)
FULL PKG $4,875 S/O (Single Occupancy)
GRND PKG $2,337 D/O (no airfare)
GRND PKG $3,455 S/O (no airfare)
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~Trip Cancellation and/or Health Supplement Insurance.
~Get fired up about Scotland!
DAY 1 TUESDAY, Travel
We will leave the SMC Niles campus (NOT Dowagiac) at 11:45PM for Chicago on a Royal Excursion luxury coach to O'Hara International airport. Trips 3 & 4 have different flights to Edinburgh and will arrive Wednesday morning.
Fire Up for this Scotland adventure!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Coach will have his dining suggestions.
Use the link below to check out the many options along the Royal Mile.
7:00am Hotel Breakfast
" Wake up to Lavazza coffee, our cooked breakfast items from the grill, pastries from the bakery, plant based delights and lots more. "
Coach will have his dining suggestions.
Use the links below to check out dining options near your hotel.
7:00am Hotel Breakfast
7:30pm Hotel Dinner
RESTAURANTS NEAR YOUR HOTEL
Coast Rest. (250' E)
Waterfront Fishouse Rest. (3 blocks S)
The Lorne Bar (3 blocks S)
The Olive Garden (3 blocks S)
Oban Fish and Chips (350' E)
Argyll At the Pier (4 blocks S)
Oban Seafood Hut (4 blocks S)
EE-USK (1 block W)
Kaina Italian Kitchen (3 blocks S)
Cuan Mor (500')
Corryvreckan (3 blocks S)
Chicken Cottage (2 blocks S)
7:00am Hotel Breakfast, Dining Room, Noon-9:30PM
RIVER NESS RESTAURANTS NEAR YOUR HOTEL
Playback Bar & Restaurant (450')
Cayote Burger (1 block)
Torrish Rest. (9 blocks)
Contrast Brassier (6 blocks)
Rocpool Rest. (8 blocks)
The Auctioneers (1 block)
The Castle Tavern (4 blocks)
Urquhart's Rest. (4 blocks)
Encore (4 blocks)
Nar Mediterranean Rest. (3 blocks)
Riverhouse Rest. (2 blocks)
McBains By The River (1 block)
The Waterside (6 blocks)
Eden Court (6 blocks)
Coach will have his suggestions for dining in Stirling.
7:00am Hotel Breakfast
RESTARUANTS NEAR YOUR HOTEL
Pizza Hut (1 block)
Green Gates Indian (1 block)
Portcullis (5 blocks W)
Mediterranea (1 block W)
Smokey's@17 (2 blocks S)
Rishis Indian Aroma (3 blocks S)
McDonalds (3 blocks S)
Brea Scottish Rest. (3 blocks S)
New Chinese Takeaway (3 blocks N)
Coach Gunn has dubbed our hikers Thistle Trekkers.
The thistle is the flower of Scotland and one of its most recognizable symbols. Since King Alexander III, it has been Scotland's national emblem. Mysterious origins: One legend has it a sleeping party of Scots warriors were saved from ambush by an invading Norse army when one of the enemies trod on the spiky plant. His anguished cry roused the slumbering warriors who duly vanquished the invader and adopted the thistle as their national symbol.
The Outlander series (historic, romantic, adventure novels) have captivated many of our Cairn Stone vets who recommend it as a wonderful way of learning the history and cultural flavor of the Scottish clans in preparation for our visit.
[Thom is a fan! Books 1 & 2 (Outlander, Dragonfly In Amber) are richest in clan history, culture & language of 18th century Scotland.] Also available on Kindle & audio books.]
Scottish traditions are steeped in history and the majority of Scotland's customs and traditions have been around for centuries.
Every Cairn Stone hiking adventure is also a culinary adventure!
The food and drink of Scotland.
Gaelic is spoken today by only about 1% of Scotts yet has a rich place in the culture and history of Scotland. Use the button below to learn more about this Germanic language that diverged from Middle English many centuries ago.
History of the Gunn Clan in Scotland.
Gunn Clan Motto: Aut Pax Aut Bellum (Either peace or war)
We'll have time to sample this popular beer fresh brewed and served in 1/2 L tankard in the pubs. Slàinte Mhath! (Pronounced Slanj-a-va)
In Gaelic whiskey is called uisce beatha (water of life) - the Scots take their whiskey seriously.
" When most people think of Scotland, the first things that come to mind are its lush countryside, rolling hills, and dramatic coastline. However, Scotland is also famous for many things that make it unique and special for both locals and travelers. "
Video clips with historic and cultural information about the land and people of Scotland.
FLIGHT DETAILS
UNITED
DEPARTURE 01APR, ARR 02APR
Chicago-Newark: UA1165 DEP 2:45PM
Newark-Edinburgh: UA36 DEP 8:00PM ARR 8:05AM
LUFTHANSA
RETURN 13APR, ARR 13APR
Edinburgh-Frankfort: LH963 DEP 12:50PM
Frankfort-Chicago LH432 5:20PM ARR 7:55PM
Ground Package: It is your responsibility to meet the group and not disrupt the itinerary. Ideally you will use the same flight(s) as our group.
FLIGHT DETAILS
BRITISH AIRWAYS
DEPARTURE 15APR, ARR 16APR
Chicago-London: BA294 DEP 4:45PM
London-Edinburgh: BA1434 DEP 7:55AM ARR 9:20AM
BRITISH AIRWAYS
RETURN 27APR, ARR 27APR
Edinburgh-London: BA1443 DEP 12:55PM
London-Chicago BA297 3:35PM ARR 6:15PM
Ground Package: It is your responsibility to meet the group and not disrupt the itinerary. Ideally you will use the same flight(s) as our group.
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