DAY    1            DEPARTURE FROM NORTH AMERICA
Enjoy full meal service on your scheduled wide-bodied flight to Glasgow.

DAY    2            ARRIVE GLASGOW - INVERARY - OBAN (2 NIGHTS)
We will be met at the airport by our guide who will accompany us to our hotel in Oban. En route, we will stop at Inveraray to visit the Castle that was the 15C seat of the Clan Campbell. After time to relax our guide will be pleased to take us on some introductory sightseeing of the local area.

DAY    3            DAY TRIP TO MULL & IONA
This morning we join a local public tour of the Hebridean islands of Mull and Iona. The landscape of Mull is wild and desolate with its moorlands, rocky cliffs and castles. The neighboring island of Iona is a tiny jewel that charms visitors with a sense of peace and stillness. 1400 years ago, St. Columba came to this remote island and established his monastery, making Iona the cradle of Christianity in Scotland. For centuries, the island was the burial place of Scottish kings. The 13th century Abbey is the highlight of Iona, standing on the site of Columba's first church.

DAY    4            OBAN - GLEN COE - INVERNESS (2 NIGHTS)
With an early start, we will make our way through the brooding pass of Glen Coe, location of the famous massacre of the MacDonalds by the Campbells in 1692. We pass through the village of Fort William in the shadow of Ben Nevis - the highest mountain in Britain. On arrival in Inverness, our guide will be pleased to accompany us on a local Walking Tour.

DAY    5            DAY TRIP TO LOCH NESS
Today we will make our search for the Loch Ness Monster, beginning with an expedition along the shores of the Loch. If we are unsuccessful in our sighting, our visit to the Loch Ness Monster Museum provides photographic evidence to challenge the skeptics. We return to Inverness, the traditional capital of the Highlands. Standing astride the River Ness, the historic town center contains many lovely shops and attractive buildings that have been carefully restored to preserve its character. We will also visit Urquhart Castle in its beautiful setting on a promontory jutting out into the loch. We continue to Fort William, which provided one of the settings for Highlander.

DAY    6            INVERNESS - CAWDOR CASTLE - BLAIR CASTLE - PERTH
                          (2 NIGHTS)
This morning we will make a visit to Cawdor Castle, built in the 14C by the Thanes of Cawdor, the title infamously bestowed on Macbeth. We travel through the lovely scenery of central Scotland, making a stop at Blair Castle. Blair is the home of the Dukes of Atholl and the center of their ancient kingdom. Today the Duke retains the only private army left in Britain. The castle, with its turrets and crenellations, was built in 1269. We continue to Scone Palace, where for centuries Scottish kings were crowned on the Stone of Destiny. Upon arrival in Perth, our guide will be pleased to take us on some introductory sightseeing.

DAY    7            DAY TRIP TO GLAMIS CASTLE & ARBROATH
Today we travel to Glamis to visit Glamis Castle, one of the finest examples of the traditional domesticated 'tower-house' castle in Scotland. It was also the setting for Shakespeare's Macbeth, and was the family home of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. The rest of the day is spent in Arbroath, a fishing port, famous for its Abbey and its "Smokies"- flavorful smoked haddock. In memory of his childhood friend, Thomas Becket, William the Lion founded the Abbey in 1178. After taking time to explore the town, we travel back to Perth through the eastern coastal areas.

DAY    8            PERTH - STIRLING - EDINBURGH (2 NIGHTS)
On our way to the capital, we will make a stop in Stirling. Mary, Queen of Scots was crowned at Stirling Castle. In 1297, the Scottish hero William Wallace, the subject of the movie, Braveheart captured the castle from the English and we will visit the nearby Wallace Monument that commemorates his victories.

DAY    9            EDINBURGH (THE KINGS & QUEENS OF SCOTLAND)
Our day begins with a visit to Edinburgh Castle, a place filled with history, legend, and lore. Our visit will include: St. Margaret's Chapel, the State Apartments, the Great Hall and the Crown Chamber, which houses the Honours of Scotland (Scottish Crown Jewels). We continue with a Walking Tour along the Royal Mile, where we will view many of the city's most interesting structures, with turrets, gables, and towering chimneys. During our walk, we will visit the High Kirk of St. Giles, one of the most important architectural landmarks along the Royal Mile. Our final stop will be the Palace of Holyroodhouse, built by James IV, adjacent to an Augustinian abbey David I established in the 12th century. Our tour of the palace will include: King James Tower, the Throne Room, the King's Bedchamber and the Picture Gallery, with portraits of Scottish monarchs.

DAY    10            DEPARTURE FROM GLASGOW
Your enjoyable and rewarding tour will come to an end as your guide accompanies you to the airport for the return flight home.