Day 1 Arrival - Edinburgh Area
Arrive at Edinburgh/Glasgow Airport and pick up your self-drive car. Today you can visit Edinburgh Castle or do a short city tour. Overnight in Edinburgh area.

Day 2 St Andrews - Perth
Today's route takes you to St Andrews, the home of the oldest university in Scotland and capital of golf with its famous and prestigious Old Course. You will enjoy the traditional small shops and the beautiful sea views. In the afternoon visit Scone Palace, a castellated palace, enlarged and embellished in 1803, incorporating earlier palaces. The Moot Hill at Scone was the site of the famous Coronation Stone of Scone. Overnight in Perth Area.

Day 3 Speyside/Deeside - Aberdeen
Today you will drive towards Aberdeen, through Speyside and Deeside. You will have the opportunity to visit Glamis Castle home of the Earl of Strathmore, and the childhood home of Queen Elisabeth, The Queen Mother. If you are visiting between May and the end of July it is possible to visit Balmoral Castle, the Highland family home of the Royal Family since 1852.
You could also visit Crathes Castle, a sixteenth century castle with remarkable original painted ceilings, a collection of antique Scottish furniture and its famous walled gardens. Overnight in Aberdeen or area.

Day 4 Aberdeen and area - Lerwick
Aberdeen, the granite city is a maritime city with strong trading links with Scandinavia and the Low Countries across the North Sea. Today, Aberdeen's harbour is a base for offshore oil and gas developments. Aberdeen has one of the most distinctive townscapes in Scotland, thanks to the use of silver granite, used from the 18th century onward. Garden lovers will want to see Duthie Park and its Winter Gardens, the largest covered display of roses (1 hectare) in Europe. Other points of interest include Aberdeen University, and Dunnottar Castle, a spectacular ruin 50 metres above the sea and an impregnable fortress to the Earls Marischals of Scotland. After a full day touring Royal Deeside check in to your private cabin on the ferry to Lerwick in Shetland. Relax in one of the well-stocked bars and enjoy a delicious dinner in the restaurant. Overnight on the ferry Aberdeen - Lerwick departing at17.00 or 19.00 Hours

Day 5 Shetland
On waking up in Lerwick, start your exploration of Shetland by travelling south where you will find the main tourist attractions. Visit Mousa Broch, the finest surviving Iron Age broch tower on its own little island. Step into the life of a Shetland crofter at the Shetland Croft House Museum and, one of the highlights of Shetland, explore the Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement. Back in Lerwick learn some of the island history at the Shetland Museum, or drink some of the local ale. Overnight on Shetland.

Day 6 Shetland - Orkney
A trip to Shetland would not be complete without looking at the wildlife. Its dramatic cliffs are a perfect breeding ground for migrating birds, the most popular with the tourists being the Puffin. Seals are also plentiful and easily seen lazing on the rocks and a must is the famous Shetland pony, Late in the afternoon it will be time to board the ferry again for the 5½-hour journey to Orkney (17.30 or 19.00). Overnight on Orkney.

Day 7 Orkney
Today you will have the opportunity to tour much of Main Island and visit the key prehistoric sites of the Ring of Brodgar, Stones of Stenness, Maeshowe, and Skara Brae. The burial chamber of Maeshowe is directly illuminated only at midwinter solstice and the Ring of Brodgar also part of this great ceremonial centre may have been used to track the movements of the moon. Step back 5,000 years at Skara Brae, preserved for millennia under sand dunes, the prehistoric village remained undisturbed until 1850 when a great storm revealed the village for the first time. Continue to your accommodation on Orkney.

Day 8 Orkney
Today you will have the opportunity to visit St. Magnus Cathedral, the best example of Norman Architecture that has survived in Scotland. After visiting the historical sites in the centre of Kirkwall you can enjoy a walk along the winding flagstoned main street, which is lined with houses dating from the 16th century. In this bustling thoroughfare you can shop for jewellery, pottery, amber, traditional knitwear, and a vast variety of Orkney food. Don`t miss a visit to Orkney`s only whisky distillery, Highland Park. Among the many attractions is Scapa Flow, the scene of momentous events during both world wars. Visit the series of causeways known as the Churchill Barriers as well as the Italian Chapel, which has become monument to those lost in war. Late afternoon you re-board your ferry for the overnight cruise back to Aberdeen. Overnight on ferry (23.45)

Day 9 Aberdeen - Edinburgh
Wake up back in Aberdeen ready to carry on with your itinerary. Drive back to Edinburgh, where you can start off with a city tour of the Georgian "New Town" with its wide, tree lined streets and elegant squares then to the medieval "Old Town". The Royal Mile is the backbone of the old quarter, running from the Palace of Holyrood House to Edinburgh Castle. Visit Edinburgh`s iconic sights such as Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the new Scottish Parliament, the Walter Scott Memorial and Princes Street. This evening you might opt for one of Edinburgh's famous ghost walks - not to be missed!

Day 10 Departure
Sadly this is your last morning in Scotland. Drop off your hired car at the airport and check in for your flight home.

return to Scottish Tours Main Page

Accommodation	B & B	3 Star Hotel
2012 Prices	Cdn $ / US $	Cdn $ / US $
Apr 16 - May 30	$1471	$1842
May 31 - Jun 30	$1514	$1885
Jul 1 - 31	$1597	$1967
Aug 1 - 31	$1684	$1990
Sep 1 - Oct 31	$1471	$1842

Price includes: 7 nights in the above style of accommodation sharing a twin/double room with facilities inclusive of Scottish breakfast. 2 nights accommodation in a 2 berth outside cabin (no breakfast or dinner included) Ferries as per itinerary, based on 1/2 people & 1 car Compact automatic transmission car rental including CDW, liability, theft of vehicle, unl miles, airport fees. Welcome Pack Service & VAT at 20% To book or for more information email or call toll-free 1-800-876-5084