Hebridean Express
From Edinburgh and Glasgow
INCLUDES: Two nights accommodation in rooms with private facilities; full Scottish breakfast; full day excursion to the island of Lewis by superior air-conditioned minicoach with expert local guide (includes ferry fares/reservations); excursion to Culloden Moor; Transportation by air-conditioned luxury touring coach; services of a professional driver/host (Edinburgh or Glasgow/Inverness/Edinburgh or Glasgow); service charges and taxes.
The remote island of Lewis contains some of the best examples of pre-historic remains in Scotland. Thistour will let you discover the magical Callanish Standing Stones,the Dun Carloway Broch and much, much more.
Day One
Departing from Edinburgh or Glasgow we make our way to lonely Rannoch Moor and into Glen Coe, Scotland''s most famous glen and the scene of the terrible massacre of 1692. We willmake a stop in the midst of this awe-inspiring scenery where you can enjoy the magic of this special place. From Fort William the striking scenery of the Great Glen unfolds ahead of us- first Loch Lochy, then Loch Oich and finally Loch Ness. We will travel to the attactive village of Fort Augustus then drive the entire length of the loch Ness. We will stop at Urquhart Castle where you can visit the castle and enjoy a cruise on the loch. Shortly we will arrive in Inverness, our home for the next two nights. The stay in Inverness is unescorted.
Day Two
An early start as we leave Inverness behind and make our way to the picturesque fishing port of Ullapool where we will board our ferry for the crossing to Stornoway. On our arrival there will be free time for shopping/sightseeing in the island "capital" before we commence our sightseeing tour of Lewis. Our first stop will be the Callanish Standing Stones which, it is believed, were placed here by Neolithic people sometime during the period 3,000 and 15,000 BC. Next we will visit the Dun Carloway broch which is a particularly well preserved example of a circular defensive tower from the Iron Age. Our last visit will be to the fascinating Arnol Blackhouse. This building is a combination of home, barn and byre and gives a vivid illustration of how life was lived in this remote part of Scotland not that very long ago. We will return to Stornoway in time to catch the return sailing to Ullapool and then back to Inverness. Note that this excursion will be in the region of 16 hours.
Day Three
This morning there is an excursion to nearby Culloden Moor followed by free time in Inverness for shopping or sightseeing. This afternoon join your motorcoach for our tour south. From Inverness we''ll make our way to the gentle Spey Valley then on through the dramatic scenery of the Drumochter Pass - as we do keep a close watch for the deer that often come down to the roadside to graze. We''ll make a brief stop in the popular Victorian resort town of Pitlochry, nestling on the banks of the River Tummel. From Perth we make our way to journey''s end in Edinburgh or Glasgow.
