10 Day Grand Tour incl. Jacobite Steam Train

Day 1 begins with a leisurely visit to Rosslyn Chapel, made famous by Dan Brown's book The Da Vinci Code, before we head to the Scottish borders for a relaxing wander around the ruins of Dryburgh Abbey and take in the panorama at “Scott’s View”. Overnight Edinburgh.

Day 2 is a fabulous introduction to the Scottish west coast landscape, exploring the mountains, glens, lochs and rivers of the Trossachs National Park and the village of Luss on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. Later we head into the rugged Argyll Forest Park. Overnight Colintraive

Day 3 takes in the wonderful lochside village of Inveraray and its famous Castle, a visit to Oban, Gateway to the Isles, and an incredible archaeological treat to see Kilmartin Glen, often referred to as the birthplace of Scotland. Overnight Glencoe

Day 4 takes us aboard the Jacobite steam train, now famous as the Harry Potter Hogwarts Express. The train journey provides wonderful views across the Sound of Arisaig to the Small Isles of Eigg and Rhum. After lunch in the fishing port of Mallaig we take the ferry “Over the Sea to Skye”. Overnight nr Skye

Day 5 is a tour of the Island of Skye, passing through Broadford and on to the Island capital, Portree, with its colourful harbour front. Heading north we take in the fabulous scenery and seascapes from Kilt Rock Falls, with Dunvegan Castle and other options a possibility. Overnight nr Skye

Day 6 begins with a visit to Eilean Donan Castle before taking a trip over the “Bealach Na Ba” to the remote Applecross Peninsula; a beautiful and tranquil place on the rugged coast of Wester Ross with stunning scenery. The area is well known for its spectacular mountain scenery, especially the Torridon Hills. Overnight Inverness.

Day 7 we venture through Inverness to visit Culloden Battlefield before heading south to explore the Cairngorms National Park with towering mountain ranges and large tracts of the original Caledonian Pine Forest. On the way we take in the beautiful villages of Grantown-on-Spey, Carrbridge and Pitlochry. Overnight Pitlochry

Day 8 starts with a visit to wonderful Falkland Palace; once a favourite place of Mary Queen of Scots, before heading to explore St Andrews; the home of golf and also the home of Prince William while he attended the University here - one of the oldest in the world. Overnight nr St Andrews

Day 9 explores Stirling with a visit to the National Wallace Monument commemorating Scotland's great hero William Wallace; the views from the top are stunning and are well worth the climb. Stirling Castle is the next stop for a full tour to take in the castle's long and turbulent history. Overnight Stirling

Day 10 takes us to the Kelpies and past the famous Forth Bridge to Edinburgh where we visit Edinburgh Castle and then enjoy some time out in the Royal Mile, with its charming medieval architecture and the opportunity to do some last minute speciality shopping.