SCOTLAND - Highlands & SkyeSunday May 15th - Friday May 20th, 2022 (6 nights, 6 days)
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This tour takes in some of the best and most breath-taking scenery of the Highlands and West Coast of Scotland.
Think big skies, mind-blowing landscapes of majestic mountains and mysterious lochs, craggy castles, wild glens and lively cities - and you've got the Scottish Highlands. Staying in traditional Scottish hotels (minimum three-star), the tour starts at 10.30am leaving from Tebay Services Hotel on the M6, just south of Penrith (a small number of rooms have been reserved here on a B&B basis for those of you who wish to stay the night before the tour starts). This tour will be accompanied by a support van to carry your luggage, so you don’t have to worry about securing it on your bike and riding with it for the duration of the tour. 
Day 1. Sunday May 15. Tebay Services to Ayr (approx. 165 miles)
At 10.30am, after loading luggage on the support van, we head north to Gretna Green, then west along the Solway Firth before skirting around Dumfries and make a stop at the Galloway Forest Visitor Centre. From here we continue to Newton Stewart, then join the coast road and its views across to Ailsa Craig (on which blue hone granite is quarried to make curling stones), and then on to a stop in the harbour town of Girvan. After a brief stop at the weird Electric Brae, we continue to our award winning, four-star hotel in Ayr where dinner with wine is included. Day 2. Monday May 16. Ayr to Inveraray (approx. 90 miles) North again today, hugging the coastlines as much as possible towards Largs and then on to the Firth of Clyde where we take a short ferry crossing over the firth to Hunters Quay and then the mountains and lochs beckon. Running alongside Loch Eck and Loch Fyne until we reach Inveraray, the home of the Duke of Argyll. Tonight’s four-star hotel & spa is just a short walk from the centre of this pretty harbour town and tonight you are free to eat out. Day 3. Tuesday May 17. Inveraray to Loch Ness (approx. 160 miles) This morning we make our way through Glen Aray & around Loch Awe and on to a stop in Oban – the gateway to the Isles. Continuing North via the Corran ferry, which crosses Loch Linnie, south of Forth William at the Corran Narrows. We run alongside Loch Eil & Gairlochy and then take a brief stop at the Commando Memorial. From here we make our way to Fort Augustus, along Loch Ness to our three-star hotel overlooking the shores of this famous loch. The hotel has an observation bar with panoramic views of the countryside and perfect for catching the sunsets. Tonight dinner with wine is included. Day 4. Wednesday May 18. Day off at Loch Ness or explore the area A choice today, have a day at the hotel relaxing, take a boat trip Nessie spotting or take a ride-out. Inverness is only 11 miles away and considered to be the capital of the Highlands – explore the old city centre with its castle, museums and galleries. Aviemore is a further 30 miles away and you can return via Spean Bridge, making a 140 mile run out. Alternatively, to the west of Inverness you can ride towards the coast. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you’re back in time for dinner, which once again is included tonight. Day 5. Thursday May 19. Loch Ness to Skye (approx. 170 miles) Leaving Loch Ness behind us, we go via the Muir of Ord and then west via Loch Luichart and Strath Bran in the rugged Ross & Cromarty region of the Highlands. With stops along the way we continue to Glen Carron and then to Plockton on the sheltered inner sound of Loch Carron. The TV series “Hamish Macbeth” was filmed here as well as various scenes in “The Wicker Man”. Crossing over to Skye we head to the island capital of Portree, then cross to the east of the island before heading south and to our four-star Hotel with its extensive gardens and panoramic views. Dinner with wine is included tonight. Day 6. Friday May 20. Skye to Loch Lomond (approx. 160 miles) After crossing back to the mainland our first stop is at Eileen Donan castle – probably one of the most photographed castles in Scotland and known for being featured in the 1986 film “Highlander” and also as MI6’s Scottish headquarters in the Bond film “The World is not Enough”. From here we make our way to Glen Shiel, Loch Claunie & Loch Garry and to Fort William. We then head south through beautiful Glencoe and towards the Black Mount mountains and a stop at the Green Welly in Tyndrum before we arrive at our four-star hotel overlooking Loch Lomond. Dinner with wine is included tonight. Saturday May 21. Loch Lomond to Tebay Services (approx. 165 miles) Tour over and you may wish to stay on in Scotland for a while longer or head home. The van will head back to Tebay Services where we unload any remaining luggage. From Loch Lomond to the motorway at Erskine, and all points south, is 23 approx. miles. Please ensure you have read our Terms & Conditions
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Prices
Double Room £2,995 ......................................... Single room £1,995 ......................................... Pre tour hotel at Tebay Services Hotel Saturday May 14
Price Includes:
Thank you for a fabulous week. The roads were twisty, the weather kind and the company great fun. Looking forward to seeing you next year |