Scottish Lochs & Castles Tour

Guided Family Vacation Option

Scotland is known for its lakes & castles and here you will explore the highlights with a Loch Ness cruise, a Scottish Highland train ride and a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia. Both kids and adults will enjoy the sheepdog demonstration and the treasure hunt at the Atholl Palace Hotel. You will also visit Stirling, Blair and Edinburgh Castles and the town of St. Andrews.

The 8 day Scottish Lochs and Castles Tour from CIE Tours brings the lakes and castles of Scotland to life as your journey takes you to some of the most desirable destinations in this amazing country. See the castles in all their glory as you encounter more photo opportunities than your social media profile could ever ask for. The 8 day Scottish Lochs and Castles Tour from CIE Tours is perfect for any traveler looking to take in the sights, sounds and history of Scotland.

8 Days • fr. $1,949

Tour Highlights & Offers

Tour Includes

Loch Ness Cruise
Royal Yacht Britannia
Sheepdog demonstration
St. Andrews
Stirling Castle History Hunters Tour
Urquhart, Edinburgh & Blair Castles
Treasure hunt at Atholl Palace Hotel
Garden tour to touch massive Redwood Tree
Dynamic Earth Natural History Museum
Hike to Arthurs Seat
Take a breathtaking journey on the Jacobite Steam Train featured in Harry Potter movies
Come face to face with Britain’s largest land mammal, the Red Deer, at Highland Safaris
Enjoy a fun, fast speedboat ride to see the famous landmarks with a unique perspective from Glasgow’s Clyde River and Tall Ship
Hear stories of the haunted side of Edinburgh and hear ghost stories on an evening tour
Reserved seats for Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on August departures
Handling of one piece of luggage per person is included in the cost of all coach tours. Size should not exceed 30 x 20 x 10 inches and weight should be under 50 lbs. Luggage is carried at owner's risk throughout the tour unless insured.

Not Included

Tips for personal services and to tour directors and drivers are not included in tour cost and left to your discretion.
All items of a personal nature (room service, beverages, telephone charges, laundry, special food requests, etc.) and meals not specified on the tour itinerary are not included and must be paid by the client.
All rates exclude airfare unless expressly noted.

Meal Inclusions

Full daily breakfasts (except Day 1)
3 Lunches and tea and cakes at St Andrews
7 dinners including a traditional Scottish evening in Edinburgh

Hotel Details

Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow (1 night)
Isles of Glencoe Hotel in Ballachulish (1 night)
Newton Hotel in Nairn (1 night)
Macdonald Holyrood Hotel in Edinburgh (2 nights)

Day 1

GLASGOW, SPEEDBOAT & TALL SHIP

Glasgow, United Kingdom

Tour begins 2:00 PM at your Glasgow hotel. Tour central Glasgow like never before to see famous landmarks with the wind blowing your hair on a speedboat tour along the River Clyde. See red sandstone Victorian buildings, delightful parks, and Glasgow Cathedral. Continue by stepping back in time as you board a Tall Ship with massive masts and sails. Enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director and fellow travelers before dinner at your hotel.

Dinner

Novotel Glasgow Centre

Day 2

STIRLING CASTLE & TROSSACHS

Stirling, United Kingdom

Drive to the historic Stirling Castle, once home to Mary, Queen of Scots, for a History Hunters Tour that brings the castle to life with many interactive displays for the whole family. Enjoy lunch at the castle before embarking on a scenic drive through Trossachs National Park and Glencoe.

Fort William, United Kingdom

Arrive at your hotel in Ballachulish. The remainder of the day is free to relax or enjoy the hotel facilities before dinner.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The Moorings Hotel

Day 3

HIGHLAND TRAIN RIDE & NAIRN

Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom

Travel along the scenic shores of Loch Linnhe. Board the Jacobite Steam Train for a ride through some of Scotland’s most picturesque scenery, including crossing the 21-arched Glenfinnan Viaduct, which was featured in some of the Harry Potter movies. Stop for free time in the fishing port of Mallaig.

Nairn, United Kingdom

Continue your drive along the banks of Loch Ness to Nairn and check into your hotel for dinner.

Breakfast, Dinner

Macdonald Highlands Hotel

Day 4

LOCH NESS CRUISE & SHEEPDOG DEMONSTRATION

Loch Ness, United Kingdom

Embark on a cruise on Loch Ness to admire enchanting scenic views and perhaps spot the famous monster before arriving at Urquhart Castle. Visit the ruins of what was once the largest castle in Scotland, then continue your journey through majestic Highland scenery to Aviemore.

Pitlochry, United Kingdom

Visit Leault Farm for a demonstration of trained dogs herding sheep. Travel past the high peaks of the Grampian Mountains to your gracious manor-style hotel near Pitlochry. Enjoy a Treasure Hunt on the historic grounds of Atholl Palace Hotel, and spend some free time before a BBQ dinner at the hotel.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Atholl Palace Hotel

Day 5

BLAIR CASTLE & HIGHLAND SAFARIS

Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom

An interactive nature experience with Highland Safaris will introduce you to the local wildlife and habitat of the region. At the Red Deer Encounter learn about Britain’s largest native land mammal. You will have an opportunity to pet, feed, and photograph the experience and take a trail into the forest with a ranger.

Pitlochry, United Kingdom

After lunch encounter 700 years of history at Blair Castle, the only castle in Britain with a private army. Take a garden tour with the hotel gardener and touch a massive Redwood Tree before dining at your hotel this evening.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Atholl Palace Hotel

Day 6

ST ANDREWS & ROYAL YACHT BRITANNIA

St. Andrews, United Kingdom

Tour the medieval town of St Andrews, the “Home of Golf” and see the famous Royal and Ancient Clubhouse and the Old Course, then savour a traditional Scottish morning tea, cakes and sandwiches.

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Continue to Edinburgh and visit the Royal Yacht Britannia, a former floating home of The Queen. Learn about the history of Royal Yachts and see exhibits and photographs of Britannia’s intriguing history. Enjoy a Scottish evening with dinner, haggis, bagpipes, kilts, and Highland dancing.

Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel Indigo York Place

Day 7

EDINBURGH CASTLE & CITY TOUR

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Explore Edinburgh on a panoramic sightseeing tour. Compare and contrast the wide streets and elegant mansions of the 200-year-old Georgian “New Town” with the narrow lanes and medieval townhouses along the Royal Mile, the oldest part of the city. Tour the imposing Edinburgh Castle with its splendid views of Edinburgh. This afternoon is all about choice: discover the city independently, take a guided hike up to Arthurs Seat for stunning views of the capital city and surrounding countryside, or experience Dynamic Earth Natural History Museum to learn the story of our planet.

After dinner in a local restaurant, enjoy a walking ghost tour to explore spooky hidden courtyards and gardens that bring Edinburgh’s glorious past to life. The August departures watch the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade.

Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel Indigo York Place

Day 8

TOUR ENDS IN EDINBURGH

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Your tour ends after breakfast.

Breakfast

Departure Date

Price

Fri, Apr 19, 2019

$1,949.00

SELECT

Wed, May 22, 2019

$2,649.00

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Fri, Jun 14, 2019

$2,449.00

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Wed, Jul 10, 2019

$2,949.00

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Fri, Aug 02, 2019

$2,689.00

SELECT

Fri, Aug 16, 2019

$2,689.00

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Fri, Aug 30, 2019

$2,989.00

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Fri, Sep 20, 2019

$2,559.00

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Wed, Oct 16, 2019

$2,959.00

SELECT

Important information:

All rates listed are per person based on double occupancy and are subject to change without notice. Your land package pricing will be confirmed and guaranteed once your deposit is received and applied to the booking, except where price increases may result from increases in government taxes or fees. Room configurations are subject to availability. Guests added to your party after the booking are priced at the prevailing rate at the time they are added.

Cancellation Policy

70 days or more prior to departure: Forfeiture of deposit
69 - 46 days prior to departure: 25% per person
45 - 8 days prior to departure: 35% per person
7 - 1 days prior to departure: 50% per person
On day of departure: 100% per person
All cancellations must be received in writing prior to tour departure. The cancellation policy will apply according to the date that the cancellation notification is received. The MINIMUM cancellation penalty is the deposit amount.
The purchase to trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.

Terms and Conditions

Land only “from price” is per person based on two people sharing a room together.
All prices are in US Dollars.
A non-refundable land deposit of $250 per person is required for coach tours. Deposits are required within 5 days of making the reservation. Early booking discounts require higher deposits.
The final payment must be made by credit card no later than 80 days prior to departure date. If payment is not received as scheduled, the reservation will automatically cancel and deposit payment become forfeit.
Once confirmed any revision to land tours will incur a $50 handling fee per booking. If clients cancel from one tour and rebook on another tour or another date, a cancellation fee may apply. Revisions are not permitted within 14 days of departure or once documents have been issued.
Documents will be shipped by U.P.S. ground service approximately 21 days prior to departure provided full payment has been received. If documents are required earlier, sufficient notice id required to arrange for early delivery by regular service. Late bookings will incur an express service delivery charge.