The Best of the Scottish Highlands

Escape to the Highlands and enjoy a land of big skies, rugged mountains, sparkling lochs, romantic castles, culture and history.

Glenfinnan Monument © VisitBritain/Joe Cornish

Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness Day One – Fly to Inverness Following your flight to Inverness Airport, you’ll be met by your tour manager for the transfer to Carrbridge. The Carrbridge Hotel is situated on the edge of the village and lovely local walks abound (the hotel staff will be happy to point you in the right direction). The famous 1717 packhorse bridge is opposite the hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure.

Day Two – Included visit to Brodie Castle

and Moray Coast tour This morning it’s off to the rose-coloured, turreted Brodie Castle (entrance payable locally but free to National Trust members), the ancestral home of the Brodie clan for over 400 years and a treasure trove of priceless antiques and artefacts. The castle building reflects the changing needs over the centuries – from the impenetrable 16th century guard chamber to a sprawling Victorian extension with some magnificent rooms. The guided tour will help you make the very most of your visit. The beautiful grounds, which boast a dazzling display of daffodils in the spring, are also well worth exploring. Later in the day, you’ll have the chance to see some of the renowned Moray Coast and to explore the fine, historic town of Elgin with its warren of alleys and closes and awe-inspiring cathedral ruins.

Day Three – Included visit to Inverness

and the Black Isle, and wildlife cruise This morning it’s off to Inverness - the thriving capital of the Highlands, with its Victorian Market, Museum, Art Gallery and riverside walks. Then enjoy a short tour of the Black Isle, which is neither black, nor an island, but rather a delightful isthmus full of scenic variety. We’ll stop at Fortrose and the charming old town of Cromarty with its nautical connections. The day ends as you board the Spirit Cruiser to enjoy a cruise round the inner Moray Firth to spot a variety of marine wildlife and birds, hopefully including seals, otters or porpoises.

Available Apr to Oct 2023

Fly direct from these airports. Prices from

• Belfast £1,055 • Birmingham £1,125 • Bristol £929 • Gatwick £969 • Heathrow £969 • Luton £935 • Manchester £1,079 Tour Only without flights from £780

Make your own way to Inverness airport or your hotel. Room for Sole Use from £175

Please note: Brodie Castle has limited access for those with mobility impairment. The ground floor is accessible (with ramps) for wheelchair users – and there is a stairclimber (prebookable) to the 1st floor. There is no wheelchair access to the third or fourth floors. All the pathways in the grounds are suitable for wheelchairs (though some can become muddy). In the unlikely event of a steam locomotive breaking down on the Strathspey Railway, we reserve the right to substitute the engine with a diesel locomotive. The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour from Inverness airport.

Loch Ness Elgin

Inverness Carrbridge

Aviemore

Mallaig Glenfinnan Viaduct Fort William

Scotland

Edinburgh

• A journey on the nostalgic Strathspey

Steam Railway • Wildlife-spotting cruise on the Moray Firth • Entrance and tour of Brodie Castle (entrance payable locally, free for National Trust members) • An unforgettable journey on the ‘Road to the

Isles’ from Fort William to Mallaig • A tour of the Black Isle • Time to discover famous Loch Ness and the

Caledonian Canal • Visits to Inverness, Aviemore and Elgin • A tour and tasting at a whisky distillery (entrance payable locally) • Six nights’ carefully chosen three-star dinner, bed and Scottish breakfast accommodation • Return flights to Inverness, with coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

Brodie Castle

fun fact...

Did you know that the Harry Potter train crosses over Glenfinnan Viaduct every day at approximately 10:45 am and returns at 3:00 pm?

Moray Firth

Glenfinnan Viaduct

A specialist guide will give a full commentary so that you don’t miss anything. Day Four – Included visit to Loch Ness No holiday to the Highlands would be complete without visiting beautiful mysterious Loch Ness. Your tour will take you to Fort Augus at the southern tip of the loch, where a series of locks join it to the Caledonian Canal. Here the Caledonian Canal Heritage Centre gives a fascinating insight into the history and operation of the waterway. From here we 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, or perhaps enjoy a boat trip and go monster-hunting (payable locally)! The wooded shores of the loch are home to an abundance of wildlife, including black grouse, red deer, otters and golden eagles.

Day Five – Included Strathspey Steam Railway

ride A ride on the nostalgic Strathspey Steam Railway through the Cairngorm National Park, home to five of Scotland’s six highest mountains, is this morning’s highlight. Sit back and relax as the vintage train steams its way through the lovely Spey Valley, passing by enchanting scenery. The day also includes a visit to the highland village of Dalwhinnie, where you may like to explore the town or join the visit to the Dalwhinnie Distillery, for a guided tour and the chance to taste three different single malts (entrance and tour payable locally).

Day Six – Take in the scenery on the ‘Road to

the Isles’, from Fort William to Mallaig Head west today, following the evocatively named ‘Road to the Isles’ from Fort William to Mallaig, a route full of history, spectacular scenery and magnificent views. You’ll stop at the Glenfinnan Visitor Centre, from where you can see the eponymous monument built overlooking Loch Shiel. A short uphill walk from the Centre will enable you to see the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct. This famous viaduct, dating back to 1897, was featured in several Harry Potter movies. The road ends at the fishing port of Mallaig. Don’t miss the Heritage Centre, and if you’re fond of kippers, you’ll go a long way to find any that taste better than those found here! This is a long but incredibly scenic day that you’ll not want to miss.

Day Seven – Fly back to your local airport

Transfer to the airport at the end of a truly wonderful break in the Highlands. Those not flying until the afternoon may enjoy a short visit to the Victorian seaside town of Nairn, with its riverside walks and promenade overlooking the Moray Firth.

your hotel

The Carrbridge Hotel, Carrbridge HHH Half-Board

Situated in the North West corner of the Cairngorm National Park on the edge of Carrbridge village, the family owned and managed Carrbridge Hotel in Carrbridge dates back to 1803. It has been sympathetically extended and refurbished over the years and now offers over 100 bedrooms of varying shapes and sizes with TV, tea/coffeemaking facilities, hairdryer and Wi-Fi. The hotel has a bar and restaurant.

The Carrbridge Hotel

what our customers say...

We had a wonderful time – all the hotels were comfortable, and the staff were very nice. A special thanks to our driver and tour guide. We were a group of 10, and we spent the whole week laughing – it was just what I needed. Barbara

The Carrbridge Hotel