Day 1:  Edinburgh for 2 nights

Meet & greet private transfer from Edinburgh airport to hotel
Arrive in Edinburgh – Scotland’s majestic capital and one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, where the opportunities for sightseeing are almost endless.

1 double executive, breakfast & taxes included at Hotel Balmoral*****

Located on Princes Street, The Balmoral has a Michelin-starred restaurant, a pool and a gym. Waverley Station and Edinburgh’s main shopping area are within 5 minutes’ walk.

First opened in 1902, The Balmoral now offers rooms with a spacious marble bathroom and an interactive TV. Many rooms have views towards Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town.

Number One Restaurant provides a fine dining menu, while Hadrian’s Brasserie offers informal dining atmosphere. Palm Court features afternoon tea and a champagne bar and the Balmoral Bar serves innovative cocktails in a relaxed setting, while The Scotch offers over 400 varieties of Scottish Whisky.

With a sauna and a Turkish steam room, The Balmoral Spa features 5 treatment rooms and an exercise studio.

With its own splendid clock tower, The Balmoral offers 5-star accommodation in the heart of Edinburgh. The city’s airport is a 25-minute drive from the building.

https://www.roccofortehotels.com/hotels-and-resorts/the-balmoral-hotel/

 

Day 2:

Secrets of the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle

Duration of tour: 2 hours 15 mins

The best way to explore Edinburgh is to follow your feet. Where the buses can’t take you, and the guide books don’t show you is where our real stories can be found , the closes, wynds, courtyards and homes of Old Edinburgh. We’ll paint a vivid picture of our colourful past and people – see the secrets and tell the tales – the culture, crime and politics of Scotland’s capital. An experience shared by Mercat historians. Fascinating and Revealing

Includes:  A unique tour around the sites, stories and secrets of the Old Town and into Edinburgh Castle. Entrance to Edinburgh Castle included.

 

Day 3:  Fort William for 1  night

Edinburgh to Fort William

Pick up car Volkswagen Passat or similar Midsize Class – Automatic Transmission, unlimited mileage CDW & theft included

Travel north to Stirling and visit the medieval Castle. A wonderfully scenic journey takes you through spectacular Glencoe and into the heart of the Scottish Highlands. Your destination is on the western sea-board at the foot of Ben Nevis – Britain’s highest mountain.

1 double room, breakfast & taxes included at Inverlochy Castle*****

Set amongst the beautiful Scottish West Highlands scenery, 19th-century Inverlochy is an award-winning luxury hotel and restaurant. Fort William town centre is just 4 miles away.

The Menu features modern British cuisine which is internationally recognised by all major guides. We have been awarded AA 3 Red Rosettes.

All of the individually designed rooms have sumptuous decor, with a TV, CD player and a private bathroom. A DVD player and Play Station 2 are available on request. Striking mountainside views may be enjoyed.

Leisure activities at Inverlochy include tennis, fishing and clay pigeon shooting. Free WiFi internet access and free parking are available.

http://inverlochycastlehotel.com/

 

Day 4:  Isle of Skye for 2 nights

 Fort William to the Isle of Skye
Travel on the magnificent Road to the Isles and then by ferry over the sea to the Isle of Skye. The short sailing across the Sound of Sleat provides great views of Skye and back across to the west coast, before arriving on one of the most spectacular islands in the world.

1 double room, sea view, breakfast & taxes included at Kinloch Lodge****

Featuring a Michelin star for its food, Kinloch Lodge Hotel and Restaurant is a former 17th-century hunting lodge, situated at the foot of Kinloch Hill on the shoreline of Loch Na Dal. Its location on the South of Skye offers an array of natural beauty and quiet surroundings.

Free Wi-Fi is provided in each room at Kinloch Lodge, as well as an en suite bathroom and a flat-screen TV with DVD player. Guests can enjoy massages, facials, salt scrubs and reflexology within Kinloch’s treatment room.

Seasonal and local produce are used to create the award-winning dishes served in the elegant dining room. A selection of fine wines is also available to complement the food.

Scenic walks can be taken in the surrounding area, and staff can provide detailed maps. Deer stalking can be arranged at Clan Donald Estate, which is 10 miles south of the hotel. Tours of the famous Talisker whisky distillery can be arranged, and it can be reached in less than an hour’s drive.

http://www.kinlochlodge.co.nz/

 

Day 5

 Isle of Skye Sightseeing
A full day on Skye to visit romantic Dunvegan Castle, sample some fine Island whiskies, enjoy a great day’s walking, or climb aboard a fabulous boat cruise which will take you into the heart of the Cuillin Mountains.

Day 6:  Inverness for 2 nights

Isle of Skye to Inverness
Depart Skye and travel past the most photographed of Scotland’s castles, Eilean Donan. Your route takes you by brooding Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle and onto the vibrant Capital of the Highlands.

Inverness Sightseeing

1 junior suite, breakfast & taxes included at Loch Ness Country House Hotel****

The Loch Ness Country House Hotel offers excellent food and elegant rooms. It is a striking Georgian building in 6 acres of gardens, 1.9 miles from Inverness city centre.

Each bedroom comes with a DVD player, bathrobes, slippers and large marble en suite bathrooms with Penhaligon toiletries. Free WiFi is available throughout.

The AA Rosette award-winning restaurant has a large wine list and a range of malt whiskies. It is a relaxing setting where you can enjoy good Scottish hospitality, and local and home-grown ingredients. Dress code is smart/casual.

http://www.lochnesscountryhousehotel.co.uk/home.aspx

 

Day 7:

Day at leisure

A full day to explore Inverness, where you could visit Cawdor with its 14th century castle, Culloden Battlefield where, in 1746, the last battle took place on British soil, or travel into Speyside and tour the Malt Whisky Trail.

Day 8:  Pitlochry for 1 night

Inverness to Highland Perthshire
Travel from the Highlands to the Lowlands into beautiful Highland Perthshire. En-route you could explore the Cairngorms National Park, Blair Castle or Dalwhinnie Distillery.

1 superior double room, breakfast & taxes included at The Atholl Palace****

Overlooking Pitlochry in the Scottish Highlands, this grand country house features spectacular gardens, a luxury spa and on-site museum. The terrace offers views of Ben-y-Vrackie, and there is a whiskey lounge and restaurant.

Relax in the chandelier-lit lounges with log fires, or use some of the leisure facilities. The hotel features: an indoor swimming pool; hot tub; sauna and steam room; fully-equipped gym; 9-hole pitch and putt course; putting green; tennis courts and snooker.

An ideal centre for touring Scotland, with most areas being easily reachable on a day trip, during your stay you can also explore the wonderful natural surroundings. There are a number of walking and hiking trails as well as a number of adventure sports, including white-water rafting.

http://www.athollpalace.com/

 

Day 9:

Depart Edinburgh
After breakfast it is less than a two hour drive back to Edinburgh, where your unforgettable Escape to the Highlands will sadly come to an end.

Drop off car at the airport anytime during the day