Scotland Tours
Whether it's a view over misty lochs (lakes) or a dramatic west coast sunset, a glimpse back in time of Edinburgh's Royal Mile or a viewing of the artistic heritage in the National Gallery; Scotland will always be a country of great contrasts possessing a real mysterious quality.
Scotland has been torn apart by religion and internal politics, coveted by a richer and more powerful neighbor and both wooed and punished for 400 years as the vital partner in the power struggles between England, France and Spain. Scotland has risen and fallen through the ages, acquiring romance from tragedy, producing genius out of poverty and demonstrating an irrepressible spirit. 
Scotland's history comes alive as you explore the country. Picturesque fishing villages, dark and brooding castles, opulent palaces, and classical architecture all provide bookmarks to distinct chapters in Scotland's history. We tour the countryside, shop in Edinburgh, travel down the "Road to the Isles" and visit several sites of both historical and spiritual significance.
Sample Tour - 13 days
Scotland & Northumberland Tour
Day 1: Overnight flight to Edinburgh or Glasgow, Scotland
Day 2: Transfer to Hotel in Oban. You will have a Cruise on Bonnie Loch Lomond it was formed during the Ice Age by the action of glaciers. The loch also crosses the highland fault line, noticeable in its changing character and more rugged terrain moving from south to north. The highest mountain in the area and the most southerly Munro, Ben Lomond (3195ft), sits on the loch's eastern shore. Glen Coe is famous for two main reasons: its topography and its history. The name probably means narrow glen and for the sheer majesty of mountain scenery there is little to beat it anywhere.
Day 3: Isle of Mull & Iona. These two islands are both renowned for their landscape, wildlife, beaches and hills - but there’s more to these Hebridean islands, and more things to do. Discover the human history, the hidden geology, the contemporary island culture.. Just 40 minutes on the ferry from Oban, sea eagles and otters go about their daily lives.
Day 4: The Isle of Skye. Here the stark rise of the jagged Cuillin ridge drops to the gentle white of a soft sand beach. Inlets, bays and islands create a complex lacework pattern with the sea. Tiny villages and historic keeps are familiar and fascinating. A place where time means nothing, and beneath every footstep lies 500 million years of history.
Day 5: Fort William, Loch Ness & Inverness. At the southern end of the Great Glen, this area's main town is Fort William, a major and well-resourced touring and route centre for the West Highlands. The area also takes in the Highland landscapes between Loch Linnhe, the major sea-loch at the south of the Great Glen, and the western seaboard itself.
No holiday in Scotland is complete without a visit to Loch Ness. Over 20 miles long, a mile wide and 700 feet at its deepest, Loch Ness is the largest lake in Scotland by volume. The surrounding area is filled with historic attractions, natural wonders, cozy places to stay, and superb eateries. The Loch Ness Monster is just one of the many myths and legends to be discovered in this particularly beautiful part of Scotland.
Day 6: Free Day in Inverness. Capital of the Highlands became Scotland's fifth city in celebration of the start of the Third Millennium. It lies at the north end of the Great Glen, where the River Ness flows into the Moray Firth, and has been a natural focus for lines of communication to and through the Highlands for most of the last two thousand years.
Day 7: The Scottish Highlands & Berwick upon Tweed. Welcome to the wondrous experience of the Scottish Highlands! Where you'll discover monumental mountain ranges, mysterious lochs, magical forests, ever watchful stags at comfortable distances and much more besides.
Standing right at the Northern-most tip of Northumberland, Berwick-upon-Tweed is England's most dramatic walled town. Look around and you can see evidence of that past - Berwick was captured or sacked 13 times before 1432 when it fell into the hands of the English - in its Elizabethan Town Walls that were built to keep the invading Scots out of the town.
Built in 1558, the walls were the most expensive building project of England's Golden Age. From the top of these walls you can take in some spectacular views over the wide estuary of the River Tweed including Stephenson's famous viaduct bridge, hailed as one of the finest in the world.
Day 8: The Holy Island of Lindisfarne
The Holy Island of Lindisfarne In 635AD St. Aidan came from Iona and chose to found his monastery on Lindisfarne. The Christian message flourished here and spread throughout the world.
However Holy Island is not only a centre of pilgrimage. Its tranquility, spirituality and scenic beauty attracts a multitude of visitors to its shores every year. Undoubtedly, it is the jewel in the crown of Northumbria.
Day 9: Beamish, The Open Air Museum. Beamish is a world famous open air museum telling the story of the people of North East England at two important points in their history – 1825 and 1913.
It is not a traditional museum. Most of the houses, shops and other buildings have been dismantled, brought to Beamish and rebuilt here. Some - Home Farm, Pockerley Old Hall and the Drift Mine - were here already. All of the buildings are filled with furniture, machinery and objects, real artifacts from our designated collections. What sets Beamish apart from glass case museums is that the story is told not by labels but by costumed staff who are proud of their heritage and happy to share their knowledge with you
Day 10: Bamburg Castle, Seahouses and Alnwick Castle
Dominating the Northumberland coastline, south of Lindisfarne, Bamburgh Castle is the home of the Armstrong family. Open to the public are the King’s Hall, the Cross hall, reception rooms, the Bakehouse as well as the Armoury and the Dungeon. Restored many times, the original castle dates from Anglo-Saxon times.
Throughout the year Seahouses, known as 'The Gateway to the Farne Islands', is appealing to both tourists and visitors alike, with many using it as an access point to the nearby Farne Islands.
This small seaside town is arguably the most popular holiday resort on the Northumberland Coast, catering for large numbers of both day visitors and longer stay holidaymakers each year.
Alnwick Castle. Owned by the Percy family since the 1300’s, it is the home of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland. In a magnificent state of preservation, it has been the location for numerous films, most recently ‘Harry Potter’, ‘Elizabeth’ and ‘Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves
Day 11: Stirling, Stirling Castle and The William Wallace Memorial. A visit to Stirling Castle is an essential part of any visit to central Scotland. Its location rivals even Edinburgh Castle's for sheer magnificence as it sits on its high volcanic rock, visible for many miles in every direction. standing tall and proud outside the city of Stirling, and overlooking the scene of Scotland's victory at The Battle of Stirling Bridge.
William Wallace Memorial. This is a place where history is something you can touch and feel, as you follow the story of Sir William Wallace, patriot, martyr, and Guardian of Scotland. For over 140 years, this world-famous landmark has fascinated visitors with its exhibits and displays, telling the story of Sir William Wallace.
Day 12: Free Day in Edinburgh. With streets steeped in history and a thriving cultural scene, the City of Edinburgh offers the perfect balance between all things traditional and contemporary.
Day 13: Daytime flight home