His itinerary is full of detail, including driving directions and options. Get acquainted with Orkney, with its jaw dropping scenery and ruins dating back to the Stone Age. The average Grand Tourist traveled from city to city, usually spending weeks in smaller cities and up to several months in the three major ones. Many ferries leave from here, making it the perfect starting point for island hopping. During this tour you get all the exciting adventures and highlights of our Complete Scotland tour, which goes from Edinburgh into Highlands, to the Orkney Islands, then west to the Isle of Harris and Lewis and down to the Isle of Skye, plus the chance to discover the stunning Isle of Mull. Start at the Kilmartin Museum and then, drive to Carnasserie Castle, a 15th-century tower house, that played a role in Argyll’s rebellion against James VII. Our Grand Tour of Scotland route takes you from the bottom to the top of the country. 208 votes, 26 comments. We loved the suggestions for sight seeing, eating, and places to stay, but the best part was the detailed driving directions. Highlights along the route are Dunrobin Castle, the ornate home of the Dukes of Sutherland, the opportunity for a whisky tasting at Glenmorangie Distillery and a wander around the picturesque village of Dornoch with its charming little cathedral and famous golf course. On the way to Fort William, you could stop off at Castle Stalker, Ardchattan Priory Gardens, and the Scottish Sealife Sanctuary. The North Coast 500 (also known as the Scotland 500) is Scotland’s answer to Route 66 and is the ultimate Scottish road trip. So glad we did. You continue up the West coast through a landscape of magnificent Highland scenery to the active fishing village of Ullapool. From Loch Leven to Skye we provide 3 different journey options to get to Skye by either the bridge or the ferry. Best Scottish road trip for: seeing it all, history buffs, nature lovers, whisky connoisseurs, and those with a deep Scottish pride. Start anywhere on this circular route, and hop on and off at stations along the way. From Ullapool, catch the ferry to the Isle of Lewis and Harris. Scottish Grand Tour. Here you can explore Fingal’s Cave, and try to spot dolphins and minke whales. We also recommend walking the Royal Mile from the Palace of Holyrood House all the way up to the top of the road, where you’ll find Edinburgh Castle atop ancient crags. Consider making the detour along the banks of Loch Morar to try to spot the infamous Morag monster, or continue directly to the quaint fishing village of Mallaig. The properties were amazing and the meals were gourmet quality. Next, you'll head west to explore the Isles of Harris and Lewis before going down to Skye. Riding some 230 miles (370km) on quiet and spectacularly scenic roads you will experience an incredible range of trip highlights. The last section of the drive takes you through Speyside, which is home to over half the whisky distilleries in Scotland. Travel update (Covid-19) | Book & Travel With Confidence, Iceland Spend your whole day exploring before getting some well-earned rest in Kirkwall. ... Set to air on Friday, the episode sees the trio travel along Britain's best road trip route… After an hour or so, you’ll be near the fairytale-like Dunrobin Castle. It was absolutely worth every penny and there is no way we could have seen so much and so well without their itinerary. Finish your journey at the remaining city so you never miss a beat! Highlights include Duart Castle, Ben More, Calgary Bay and the quaint village of Tobermory. These guys really are the best. Exceptional accommodation recommendations. From Speyside, you climb over the Cairngorm mountains. If you'd like to see it, ask a travel consultant for more information. We also recommend a small detour to the photogenic Falls of Dochart in Killin. This is a drive through a truly wild landscape where nature rules and you can drive for miles without seeing a house. Eilean Donan castle is a “must see” on this route, but we also supply directions for a small detour to one of the best viewpoints in Scotland. We then guide you to skirt past Edinburgh to pick up the motorway that speeds you across to Stirling and the start of a drive through the Trossachs. Argyll Coastal Route. Swap the Isle of Skye for the Scottish Highlands. Driving Distance: ~55 miles (Gairloch to Ullapool). : thegrandtour. Along the route you can explore some great beaches and test your courage by crossing a 200 feet deep gorge on a bouncy little foot bridge. Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime with our pick of the best Scottish road trips. Complete a Scottish loop by starting at Glasgow or Edinburgh to then traverse through the picturesque Highlands. Sample seafood, explore the ancient kingdoms and admire the Scottish Highlands on the Argyll Coastal Route. Along the way, visit the beautiful Smoo Cave, the largest and most dramatic sea cave in Britain. I run many workshops and tours around Scotland and overseas so at this moment in time The NC500 Grand Photo Tour will be ran on demand and is subject to availability. Edinburgh Day Trips – There is enough to keep you busy in Edinburgh for several days so you can continue to explore the city, but we also supply a choice of driving day trips that cover: Head south from Edinburgh to the rolling hills of the Scottish Borders and the country beloved by Sir Walter Scott. Stirling Castle, Wallace Monument, Bannockburn Battlefield), OR you can simply take the short drive from Stirling to Edinburgh / Glasgow. Excellent! Thank you Mike and Aurey... and we will be back! And you could enjoy a very expensive afternoon tea at the luxurious Gleneagles hotel. Our Grand Tour of Scotland route takes you on a comprehensive journey from the rolling hills and ruined abbeys of the Borders, to the standing stones of Orkney. Add to Watchlist. We recommend that you allow ~2 hours for a full tour of Stirling castle so you may prefer to leave this attraction until the morning of the following day. Driving through Scotland offers you the opportunity to experience the country’s natural beauty, meet welcoming locals and explore at your own pace. We will definitely use this service the next time we visit Scotland! Continue west to Inveraray, a charming village known for its whitewashed houses, historic jail and fairytale castle. I can't recommend it enough and wish more guides like this existed! From Durness, you travel east along the northern coast of Scotland and the landscape becomes gradually flatter as you approach Thurso. Make a detour to Easdale Island, where you could go on a whale-watching trip and visit a local seal colony. 29min | Documentary | TV Series (2017– ) Episode Guide. Covering only 129 miles (208 km), you can easily drive this route in one day. The landscape of Inverpollaidh is defined by the distinctive peaks of Stac Pollaidh, Suilven and Canisp. Before you reach Skye, we suggest a pit stop at the photogenic village of Plockton, near the shores of Loch Carron. From Edinburgh, you’ll drive into the Highlands and up to the most northerly part of mainland UK to take a ferry to Orkney. The Grand Tour: Series 3, Episode 7: ‘Well aged Scotch’ Share 1. You’ll drive through the mighty Highlands, past rumbling rivers, travel to iconic islands like Orkney and Skye, and have plenty of opportunities to stop off along the way. Mike is also very responsive if you have any questions. We ended up staying at nine different properties and going on two organized tours in Skye and Orkney. Driving north, stop to visit the UNESCO City of Design, Dundee, before heading up to Aberdeen. This tour takes in the full diversity of Scotland’s landscapes with a route that stretches from the fertile fields and rolling hills of the Borders all the way up to the windswept islands of Orkney. …. Our Grand Tour of Scotland is a classic road cycling tour connecting the Highland capital of Inverness to the Scottish capital of Edinburgh. I convinced my other half to get the Scenic Tour 4-5 Days guide (even though he very much wanted to do it all himself), and it was the best experience ever. Scotland is such a marvelous place. Returning towards Edinburgh, you follow the path of an old Roman Road to the outskirts of the capital. Please note that Balmoral is only open for a few weeks a year. I feel so much more prepared for our trip and can now just look forward to our approaching vacation! Their owners, Mike and Aury, are experienced and honest, and they helped us so much as we attempted to narrow down a very long list of things we hoped to do during our time in Scotland. Today, explore the Scottish capital. Grand Tours of Scotland's Lochs . Single participant per tour £1395.00 p/p. Thorough in suggesting ‘must see’ venues. OPTION 1: If taking the Mallaig ferry to Skye you can take a short drive via the “Road to the Isles” which will take you past Glenfinnan and the Silver Sands of Morar. We also recommend a small detour to a very interesting little castle that most tourists miss. Added to Watchlist. It may help you choose which route to take and get the most out of your Scottish trip! Stretching from the west coast of north Scotland to Mallaig, the Road to the Isles covers the short distance of 42 miles (67 km). We recommend setting aside a couple of hours for a look around, before heading on to seaside Scrabster. I would also recommend his accommodations guide. These mountains emerge like icebergs from an expanse of wild moorland. Our dedicated travel consultants, based in Edinburgh, are here to help you plan the perfect road trip, including booking accommodation, arranging ferries and activities, and much more. Devote two entire days to exploring everything Skye has to offer, walking its many trails and learning about local history. Grand Tour of Scotland. Unsurprisingly, it’s ranked by independent sources such as Condé Nast as perhaps one of the best road trips in the world. We now have some behind the scenes video footage of what boys have been up to in Scotland, courtesy of YouTube channel The Grand Tour Fans. Then drive past the Caledonian Canal and Great Glen with a quick stop at the Treasures of the Earth in Corpach, to see Europe’s finest private collection of gemstones. Of course, Scotland can hardly let anyone down, but this guide truly made it an adventure. From Thurso, we guide you across empty moorlands to the North Sea where you turn southwards to follow a road that hugs a coastline of rugged windswept cliffs. After breakfast, start by visiting the breathtaking mile-long Corrieshalloch Gorge. The NC500 route offers visitors the opportunity to see rugged landscapes, frolic on sandy beaches, spot wildlife, visit museums and heritage sites, stay in castles, sip whisky, sample the local produce, and get to know the people who live there. The path to Kilchurn castle is easy to miss, but our directions will guide you to this photogenic ruin. We had such a wonderful time we are going back again this year, and we will be using his itineraries again for our planning. Kick off your route at the iconic Inverness Castle, crossing the Black Isle Peninsula in early morning. The route includes Edinburgh, Glasgow, Fort William, the Isle of Skye, Inverness, Aviemore and … On your way to "closing the loop", stop by picturesque Eilean Donan Castle, made famous by many appearances on the big and small screen alike. Please select Yes to allow this. Some of the highlights include the eerie Smoo Cave, the stunning beaches of Durness, and the 15th-century ruins of Ardvreck Castle. As you leave Glenfinnan, stop at Camusdarach beach to admire its silver dunes. Continuing along the route of an old Cattle Drover’s road, you arrive at Loch Awe, the longest loch in Scotland. Walk through Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage site of the Old Town and New Town. The 2500 exotic plants and flowers within manage to flourish thanks to warmth provided by the Gulf Stream, which nuzzles against the coastline here. Catch the ferry to the Isle of Skye and then explore the northern part of the island, the beautiful Trotternish Peninsula. Driving Distance: ~87 miles (plus a ~40 minute ferry crossing) – Oban to Mallaig ferry via Fort William, OPTION 2: The alternative route to the Skye ferry is a longer drive via a meandering road through the wilderness and forests of Sunart and Moidart. My wife and I chose this tour because we wanted to visit some of the more remote locations of Scotland. In fact, ever since this trip, we're trying to re-create the experience. The Grand Tour itinerary can be done in 14 days, but we include lots of day trip options so you can use this guide for planning a trip of a much longer duration. As a result, you are limited in how much you can cover in a day and you need to schedule at least a 2 night stopover. This morning, hit the road early, so you have enough time to explore the Black Isle Peninsula and fairytale Dunrobin Castle, before catching the ferry to the Viking village of Kirkwall on Orkney’s mainland. For a sense of time stood still, you can visit the oldest continually inhabited house in Scotland and learn the legend behind the gates that have been locked for over 250 years. Covering 2580 miles (4152 km), this route is the ultimate Scottish road trip. Grand Tours of Scotland (2010 ... all places that enchanted and inspired visitors with the magic of Scotland's unique history and landscape. From Pitlochry to Stirling, the route follows the fast main roads to allow you more time for sightseeing. In the upcoming episode of The Grand Tour we follow Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May on their journey on the Nort Coast 500 in Scotland. Join the coach for the 1st day of your holiday touring Scotland, arriving in the fishing port of Oban … Visit historic sites like McCaig's Tower or Dunollie Museum, sample fresh seafood or whisky at Oban Distillery. The guide gives you directions to find a cozy waterside inn with a restaurant where you dine whilst enjoying beautiful sunsets. We recommend their services wholeheartedly. If you aren't driving too fast, you can keep a look out for Grouse popping their heads above the heather. You may wish to stop by Inveraray, a lovely village on the banks of Loch Fyne. We found so many hidden and not so hidden gems, and everything was perfectly laid out for us so that all we had to do was decide how much time we had and what we wanted to see next. Press J to jump to the feed. Add Image. S1, Ep2. The UNESCO-listed Heart of Neolithic Orkney, including Skara Brae, should be on any travel-lover’s wish list. Then continue on to Aberdeen, the “Silver City”, where you can admire its granite architecture, and visit museums like the Gordon Highlanders Museum and the Aberdeen Maritime Museum. Sip coffee in Portree, marvel at Dunvegan Castle, walk along Claigan Coral Beach and drive to the dramatic Neist Point. The guide also details a choice of attractions that can be visited around Edinburgh by bus and train. A journey of contrasting scenery that starts by following the path of an old Military road that climbs through Glen Shee. Today drive down to Oban and take a ferry across to the Isle of Mull, where you’ll find white sandy beaches, towering mountain peaks and stunning nature. On the way, visit Doune Castle, take a boat trip along Loch Katrine, and, if time allows, explore Stirling Castle. The grand tour of Scotland takes you to all of the country’s best sights and places. On the final day, check out the medieval Drum Castle with its charming Garden of Historic Roses and ancient woodlands. Secret Scotland's itineraries, accommodations guides, and other resources are incredible value with great attention to detail. Driving on the opposite side of the road from the opposite side of the car was a little easier without having to worry about how to get there! From there, walk up to “The Old Man of Storr” and witness the beautiful Kilt Rock Waterfall. The drive ends in Thurso, but you could also catch a late ferry to Orkney and we have supplied details of the various ferry services available. You can even sample whisky at Talisker Distillery. We are so confident that you’ll be delighted with your guide that we offer a full Money Back Guarantee. The guide also contains extra day trip suggestions for extending the tour to 3 – 4 weeks. Don't forget to explore Urquhart Castle, resting on the loch shore. In the early afternoon, catch the ferry from Scrabster to Stromness, Orkney. This charming and relatively short route takes in the farmlands of Blairgowrie, mighty mountains of the Highlands, and rich rolling landscape of Royal Deeside. Visit the colourful village of Portree, then drive around the northern part of the island and take in the impressive Trotternish Peninsula along the way. Other highlights include the Quiraing, An Corran Beach and the Fairy Glen. The route is punctuated by austere little villages perched above rocky inlets that once sheltered fleets of fishing boats. You can also learn about Scottish history at Braemar or Crathes castles, sample local spirits at the Royal Lochnagar whisky distillery, or discover the art of cheesemaking at Cambus O’May creamery. AMAZON Prime's The Grand Tour has been criticised after Jeremy Clarkson and co-hosts mocked independence supporters and a Scottish town during a recent episode. If you feel energetic, Stac Pollaidh can be done in ~3 hours, but the last ascent to the true summit of the mountain is a bit too scary and difficult for most. This region is synonymous with Queen Victoria and still has strong connections with the Royal family. It is possible to take guided walks into the caves, but to do this you first need to take a small boat ride. Paul's route starts at ... Add Image. 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