What's Included
- Your own tour co-ordinator
- 3 star handpicked accommodation
- All rooms en-suite
- Full Scottish breakfast each morning
- All evening meals
- Entry into all named attractions
- A luxury touring vehicle
- Your own driver/tour guide
- Maximum of 8 people per vehicle
7 Day Scottish Borders, Arran & Galloway Forest Park
Visit the forgotten corners of Scotland, often overlooked by visitors for the grandeur of the Highlands. The Cheviot Hills in the Scottish Borders, along with the River Tweed, mark the border with England in the south. On the banks of the winding River Tweed you'll find lovely villages such as Peebles and Melrose. Dumfries & Galloway is one of the most picturesque regions in Scotland, featuring a diverse coastline with both rugged rock formations and inviting sandy beaches. Inland, the landscape is adorned with extensive forests and lush green spaces, offering a serene and captivating environment. Explore the stunning scenery and wildlife of Galloway Forest Park, the largest forest in the UK and often referred to as 'the Highlands of the Lowlands'. Visit Caerlaverock Castle and discover one of Scotland’s great medieval fortresses, the UK's only triangular castle. Later in this tour you'll take the ferry over to the Isle of Arran, affectionately known as 'Scotland in miniature,' which showcases a remarkable variety of landscapes. In the southern part of the island, you'll find fertile valleys, lush meadows, and intriguing prehistoric ruins. The north, in stark contrast, features towering mountains and deep valleys, where deer rule the terrain.
Customize this tourDay 1
Scottish Borders
Your tour begins with a scenic tour south to the Scottish Borders via the beautiful panorama at “Scott’s View”. We stop to visit pretty Melrose Town to enjoy the independent shops and cafes before and take a tour of the ruins of Melrose Abbey where Bruce’s heart is buried. Later, we tour to Jedburgh town to visit Mary Queen of Scots’ House. This 16th century towerhouse tells the story of Scotland’s tragic queen in an engaging way and reveals her final thoughts before her execution. Overnight Borders.
Day 2
Abbottsford House & Weaving Mill
Today we visit Abbotsford House, where Sir Walter Scott became the biggest-selling author of his day and the fashion for Scottish Baronial architecture began. Beyond the walls of his house are the beautiful formal Regency gardens. We move on to Lochcarron Weavers Mill in Selkirk to take a guided tour of the authentic weaving mill for a truly unique experience. Follow the story of the manufacturing process from yarn to woven fabric and visit the shop for Scottish-made gifts, clothing and accessories before we tour south. Overnight Dumfries.
Day 3
Dumfries & Galloway
This morning, explore Caerlaverock medieval castle that has a twin-towered gatehouse, lofty battlements and a wide moat. Learn all about its turbulent history as a castle caught up in border conflicts. Next, we tour along the coast to admire Sweetheart Abbey still doing its best to inspire and overawe 700 years on. We stop for a walk on the sands at Mersehead Sands before visiting the town of Kirkcudbright with its lively fishing port. The town has housed generations of creative artists that have led to it being called “The Artists’ Town“. Overnight Dumfries.
Day 4
Galloway Forest Park
After breakfast, we journey through the Galloway Forest Park often referred to as ‘the Highlands of the Lowlands’ and home to dramatic ancient woodland, magnificent scenery and an astonishing range of local wildlife. We visit Wigtown known as Scotland's National Booktown before visiting Castle Kennedy Gardens which have been lovingly restored and preserved for nearly three centuries. Radiating from the iconic ruins, they are described as "one of the showpieces of Galloway". Overnight Ayr.
Day 5
Culzean Castle and Country Park
This morning allows for a leisurely visit to Culzean Castle and Country Park on the Ayrshire cliffs. In 1777 the 10th Earl of Cassillis reconstructed his basic structure into a country home that was worthy of an Earl. Little did the Earl know that he would create one of the most beautiful castles in Scotland. Later, we tour further north into ‘Robert Burns Country’, to see The Birthplace of Scotland’s National Poet and head for the ferry port and cross the Firth of Clyde to the Isle of Arran for the evening. Overnight Isle of Arran.
Day 6
Isle of Arran
Today we explore the Isle Arran. The history of this island is fascinating as Arran has been continuously inhabited since the early Neolithic period. Numerous prehistoric remains have been found and we stop to visit Machrie Moor Standing Stones that date to between 3500 and 1500 BC. Often referred to as “Scotland in miniature”, Arran is a flat and fertile island in the south with mountainous terrain to the north. We tour the whole island and end the day with a visit to Brodick Castle & Country Park, a grand baronial castle teeming with history. Overnight Isle of Arran.
Day 7
Kintyre, Inveraray & Loch Lomond
After breakfast, we head out for the north of the island and enjoy a pleasant ferry crossing back to the mainland. Arriving in Kintyre we tour through to the charming fishing harbour of Tarbert for a look around this quite village. Next, we move on to Inveraray Town for lunch in Scotland’s first planned town. When we are ready, we tour through to Loch Lomond, Scotland’s largest expanse of fresh water, where we pause to explore the village of Luss with fine views over the loch. We now travel to Edinburgh which marks the end of the tour.