Best of the Scottish Highlands

Upon arrival at Inverness Airport, meet your friendly tour manager and transfer to the Craiglynne Hotel. Surrounded by Cairngorms National Park and within walking distance of the pretty neighbouring town, Grantown-on-Spey, this hotel is the perfect base from which to get acquainted with the local area. After checking in, you'll be free to enjoy the rest of the day at your own pace.

Today, you’ll travel to Dunrobin Castle, set on cliffs, overlooking the North Sea, and serving as the family seat of the Earl of Sutherland. Dating back to the early 1300s, this stately medieval structure also resembles a French chateau with spiralling towers and turrets. This castle was used as a naval hospital during WWI and as a boy’s boarding school. Surrounding the property, beautiful walled gardens, which were inspired by the Palace of Versailles in Paris, can be found.

A self-guided tour of the estate will reveal that it’s one of the oldest inhabited houses in Scotland, and you can wander the lavish interior, viewing the fine art, historical artefacts, and collection of antique furnishings. During your time here, you can also see a falconry display, the museum, and pay a visit to the cosy tearoom and gift shop, too.

Explore the capital of the Highlands today as we visit Inverness. This thriving city is home to a delightful Victorian Market, an excellent museum and art gallery, and some attractive riverside walks. We'll also enjoy a short tour of the Black Isle, which is neither black nor an island, but rather a delightful scenic peninsula surrounded by three bodies of water. We'll stop at Fortrose and the charming nautical town of Cromarty.

Your day ends as you board the Spirit cruiser to enjoy a cruise around the inner Moray Firth to try to spot a variety of marine wildlife and birds, hopefully including seals, otters or porpoise. A specialist guide will give a full commentary, so that you don’t miss anything.

No holiday to the Highlands would be complete without visiting beautiful, mysterious Loch Ness. Head first to Fort Augustus, at the southern tip of the loch, where a series of locks join it to the Caledonian Canal, and the Caledonian Canal Heritage Centre gives a fascinating insight into the history and operation of the canal.

From here, you'll head past the dramatic ruins of Urquhart Castle to Drumnadrochit, where you may like to visit the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre, which is packed with information about the loch. Then set sail across legendary Loch Ness on a 50-minute sightseeing cruise, and soak up some of Scotland’s most recognisable landscapes. Starting at the loch’s northern tip, you’ll sail south towards the village of Drumnadrochit and Urquhart Castle, which cuts a dramatic figure against the still waters.

Enjoy breakfast this morning before venturing on a morning drive to the famous Balmoral Castle, the Scottish holiday home of the Royal Family since 1852.

You’ll get to enter the castle to see the ballroom (the largest room in the castle), view the exhibitions and wander the gardens. The castle’s ballroom is the only area open to the public and where many members of the Royal Family have been pictured hosting events. Near the castle is Crathie Kirk, a small parish church in the village of Crathie. Best known for being the regular place of worship of the Royal Family, this church was built in 1895 and looks over the Dee River.

The tour will then continue to the beautiful Victorian village of Ballater, located near Cairngorms National Park. You can stroll around the speciality shops and seek out one of the delightful cafés for lunch (on your own account). This evening, you’ll have time for dinner and to relax.

Head west today, following the evocatively named Road to the Isles from Fort William to Mallaig. On this wonderfully scenic day, you'll pass landscapes ranging from sandy beaches to flowering heather moors and dense woodland. Your first stop of the day will be the Glenfinnan Visitor Centre, where you can see the lone Highlander atop the Glenfinnan Monument looking out over Loch Shiel. With a short uphill walk, you can also enjoy wonderful views of the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct.

The Isle of Skye is another highlight of today, and you'll be able to view the Cuillin Hills Mountain Range before heading to the thriving fishing port of Mallaig. Here, you can explore the heritage centre, showcasing the town's maritime history. If you’re fond of kippers, you’ll go a long way to find any that taste better than those found here.

At the end of a long but incredibly scenic day, you'll return to the hotel.

Please note: the journey from Armadale to Mallaig will be by ferry and coach.

Today, you'll travel back to Inverness airport to catch your flight home at the end of a wonderful break in the Highlands. Those not flying until the afternoon will also enjoy a short visit to the Victorian seaside town of Nairn, where pretty walking trails run alongside the river, and a seafront promenade overlooks the Moray Firth.