SMCPSRA Scotland Adventure with Cara Group Travel

Day 1 Glasgow: Welcome to Scotland

After passport control and collecting your luggage in Glasgow we will be met by the groups private coach, and Scottish tour director. We will go to your hotel where you can get settled before we start our journey with a panoramic tour of Glasgow. After our introduction to Scotland, we will go back to the hotel, and there will be some time to relax. Tonight, we will enjoy dinner and traditional Scottish music at a nearby restaurant and afterwards you are free for the rest of the evening. Overnight in Glasgow- dinner as group at local restaurant

Day 2 Glasgow 

This morning after breakfast you will journey away from Glasgow to Stirling Castle. Sitting on a volcanic crag Stirling is one of Scotland’s greatest stone castles. Inside you will find the largest banquet hall ever built, and 900 years of the castle’s ancient history. Next, we will journey to The Falkirk Kelpies. Standing at over 100 feet tall, the massive structures represent the lineage

of horses in Scottish history, and economy. After we will return to Glasgow. You will have time to relax or explore before we have dinner as a group at the hotel.

Dinner: at hotel

Day 3 Glasgow - Journey to Isle of Butte:

This morning after a hearty breakfast we will head to the picturesque Isle of Butte. Take in the lush, fertile, rolling hills of the island's heart to the craggy, heather-covered moorlands as well as delightful sandy beaches and views of the Isle of Arran. Next, you’ll have some free time for lunch and to explore the pretty town of Rothsay. After we’ll head out to Mount Stuart House, one of the most unique mansions in Scotland. The inside includes early innovations such as a Victorian elevator, early telephone system, and a spiral staircase to what is believed to be the world’s first domestic heated swimming pool. The blended Georgian and Victorian architecture are surrounded by 300 acres of stunning plant life, exotic flowers, a rock garden, and an arboretum with trees dating back to the estate’s beginning. We’ll then take the ferry to the mainland and

head back to Glasgow. Once we arrive there will be time to relax before we have dinner as a group at a local restaurant. Overnight in Glasgow- dinner as group

Day 4: Depart Glasgow for the Fort Williams

This morning, we bid farewell to Glasgow and journey towards Fort Williams. Our route will take us along the banks of Loch Lomond, Scotland’s largest Loch. Known for its unsurpassed beauty, Loch Lomond is filled with glens, rugged peaks, and diverse wildlife. As we journey through into the highlands we will passthrough picturesque Scottish villages, including a stop in famous Glencoe. Glencoe is situated in a deep valley with towering mountains that formed over millenniums of shifting glaciers and volcanic eruptions. Here we will have time to grab lunch before we continue to Ben Nevis, Britain’s

highest mountain. We will view Ben Nevis before we journey back to Fort Williams. When we arrive, you will have time to relax, or explore the town before having a group dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Fort Williams- Dinner at hotel

Day 5: Fort Williams to the Inverness- Day in Isle of Skye

This morning after a hearty breakfast we will depart from Fort Williams and head to the Isle of Skye. As we journey to the Isle of Skye we will make a stop in Glenfinnan, known for the start of the Jacobite Rising in 1745. The stunning scenery attracts visitors from around the world. In Glenfinnan we will stop at the Glenfinnan Viaduct, a steam train railway set with the backdrop of the magnificent highlands. After our tour of Glenfinnan, we will head towards the Isle of Skye, and the bustling port city Portree for lunch. Explore along the rows of brightly colored houses, and grab lunch before we continue the exploration of Skye. The Isle of Skye is a magnificent place filled with fairy glens, waterfalls, and mountain views. We will stop at various viewpoints through our journey including Eilean Donan Castle before we continue our journey across the highlands to Inverness. Once we check into our hotel, we will have dinner as a group here. Overnight in Inverness- dinner at hotel

Day 6 Inverness: Tour of Inverness

After a hearty breakfast, we will tour Inverness, known as the Gateway to the Highlands, it is a perfect jump-off point for exploration. We will stop at the historic Culloden Battlefield, where you’ll learn the true story of where the 1745 Jacobite Rising came to an end. We’ll continue, visiting the prehistoric site of Clava Cairns, the well-preserved Bronze Age cemetery dating back 4,000 years. We will have free time for lunch before stopping at Highland House of Fraser Kiltmakers and Visitor Center where you can shop for kilts, textiles, highland dress accessories, jewelry, and much more! After, we will head back to our hotel, there will be some free time before we have dinner as a group at a local restaurant. Overnight in Inverness- dinner as group

Day 7 Inverness: Tour of Loch Ness

Today after breakfast we will head to the famous Loch Ness. As we take our drive along the banks of the river make sure you look out for Nessie! The Loch Ness monster is one of Scotland’s greatest folk tales. Described as a large whale-like fish, with a long neck, the stories of Nessie date back to the 7th

century AD. We will stop at the Loch Ness Museum that sits across from Urquhart Castle. The museum tells the story of the Loch and how Nessie’s origin story. The stunning medieval ruins that sit across from the museum are known for the battles between clans and the English. We will continue our journey by taking a boat tour of Loch Ness! Enjoy the magnificent views from the Loch-Side. After we will journey back to Inverness. Tonight, we will have dinner as a group at the hotel. Overnight in Inverness- dinner at hotel

Day 8 Depart Inverness to Edinburgh:

Say farewell to Inverness while we ride south towards Scotland’s capital city of

Edinburgh. Enjoy the scenic route of the highlands with cascading meadows

surrounded by tall mountains. Make sure you look out for the famous highland cows! On our way we will stop in the town of Pitlochry for lunch. Pitlochry is in the heart of Scotland and known for its hospitality. While here we will take a tour of a nearby distillery learning the craft of Scottish whiskey. Afterwards, we will continue for Edinburgh. When we arrive at our hotel, the night will be yours

to explore, and get dinner. Overnight in Edinburgh- dinner at hotel

Day 9 Historic Edinburgh:

This morning after breakfast you will be taken on a city tour of Edinburgh. Scotland’s capital is rich with heritage and history. Full of cobblestone streets and outstanding architecture, there is so much to explore. You will see the Royal Mile which connects Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyrood house, the official residence of the King of Scotland. Learn about Edinburgh Castle, on top of Castle Hill, this UNESCO World heritage site looms over the city. Edinburgh Castle has a vibrant history of being used for royal residences, such as Mary Queen of Scots, a military fortress, and housing prisoners of war. We will see other historical landmarks such as Scott Monument, Princes Street and Charlotte Square. After our city tour, we will drive to Rosslyn’s Chapel. Founded by Sir William St Clair in the 15th century, the chapel displays detailed stonework by master craftsmen. Believing that Rosslyn Chapel was

“mysterious and magical” author of The Da Vinci Code Dan Brown based the finale of the story here. This evening, we will have an authentic Scottish Banquet in celebration of our final night! Overnight in Edinburgh- Scottish Banquet Dinner