Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands NEW

Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands

9 days from $8,999 Experience the magic of Edinburgh and the mystique of the Scottish Highlands, soaking up history and local culture as you travel to fabled places from Glencoe and the Isle of Skye to Loch Ness.

WHERE TO STAY Intercontinental Edinburgh The George

A historic property built around fi ve Georgian townhouses that date back to the 18th century. Loch Lomond Arms – A 17th-century inn with several rooms above its bar and restaurant. Ballachulish Hotel – A traditional stone manor on the shores of Loch Linnhe outside Glencoe Village. Eilean Iarmain – A Victorian pub-style property set on the water’s edge on the Isle of Skye. Glenmoriston Town House Hotel – A stylish property on the River Ness near the heart of Inverness.

HIGHLIGHTS

� Fly over Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park in a seaplane. • Explore the mystical Isle of Skye on privately guided visits to Dunvegan Castle and the Trotternish Peninsula. • Spot wildlife on a Land Rover tour of a private estate in Cairngorms National Park. • Explore hidden tunnels on a ghost tour of Edinburgh.

The itinerary below is a sample of what’s possible. Your Smithsonian Tailor-Made Journey will be handcrafted just for you. Day 1 – Edinburgh, Scotland

Arrive in Edinburgh and meet your private driver for the transfer to your hotel. After time at leisure, set out on an evening ghosts and ghouls tour, venturing into hidden tunnels beneath the city and learning about Edinburgh’s haunted past.

Day 2 – Edinburgh

Set off with a private guide on a walking tour of Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns, learning about the city’s history and seeing some of its celebrated and lesser-known sites. During a free afternoon, consider a tour of Edinburgh Castle or a hike up Arthur’s Seat for great views of the city.

Day 3 – Loch Lomond

Travel with your private driver to the town of Luss on the shores of Loch Lomond. Pick up rental bikes for a self-guided cycle around the loch, enjoying sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. End the day with a seaplane ride over beautiful Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park before settling into your lakeside accommodations.

Day 4 – Glencoe

Continue into the Highlands, passing through scenic Glen Etive on your way to Glencoe. In the afternoon, embark on a two-hour guided hike to the intriguing “Lost Valley.”

Days 5 & 6 – Isle of Skye

Board a ferry in Mallaig and cross to the fabled Isle of Skye. Check into your hotel in Isleornsay, and head off for two full days of exploring. Encounter the otherworldly landscapes of the Trotternish Peninsula including the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, and the Quiraing. Go fl y-fi shing with a local ghillie; then visit Dunvegan Castle, home of the MacLeod clan for more than 800 years. Take a private tour of the castle and its gardens, ride a boat to see the resident seal colony, and join the estate manager for a dram of whisky.

Day 7 – Inverness

Stop to see the most photographed castle in Scotland, Eilean Donan. Then follow the shore of the famous Loch Ness to Inverness. Check in to your hotel and enjoy free time to explore the city.

Days 8 & 9 – Cairngorms National Park and Edinburgh

Explore the Rothiemurchus Estate, a 10,000-hectare Highland estate at the heart of Cairngorms National Park. Venture through its wild landscapes by Land Rover as your ranger regales you with local lore. Take a scenic train trip through the countryside and enjoy a fi nal evening in Edinburgh before your fl ight home the next day.