Name: Scottish Highlands Discovery Tour 2024
Brand: DHTour
SKU: 1
Price: $2,980 pp
Availability: InStock

Scottish Highlands Discovery Tour: 7 nights based at Alltshellach, Glen Coe

Contact DHTour at 1-888-597-3519 or 905-639-9954 or dhtour@dhtour.ca to book.

Relax on the shore of sparkling Loch Leven, overlooked by the high peaks of Glen Coe, before travelling further afield to enjoy the area’s famous sights like Ben Nevis and Eilean Donan Castle, situated on an island where three great sea lochs converge. Journey to the Glenfinnan Monument at the head of Loch Shiel, a place of inspiration for Bonnie Prince Charlie, explore the castle and jail of historic Inveraray and try some freshly-caught seafood in Oban, the seafood capital of Scotland.

Tour Details

Highlights:

A scenic cruise on Loch Shiel
Spending time in the handsome fishing village of Oban
Exploring Inveraray with its French-style castle and old jail
Spectacular Highland glens such as Glen Roy and Glen Shiel
The magnificent setting of Eileen Donan Castle, situated on an island at the meeting point of three great sea lochs

Pick Up Location & TIme

Alltshellach, Onich, Fort William, Invernesshire PH33 6SA (Google Map)
4:00pm – You’re welcome to check into the country house hotel from 4pm onwards.

Drop off Location & Time

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way onward.

Price Includes

High quality en-suite upgraded accommodation at Alltshellach
Excellent food in our country house, full board (B,L,D daily)
The services of our knowledgeable leader, ensuring you get the most from your holiday
Full-day excursions with all transport on touring days in a good-quality, comfortable mini-coach

Meals

7 breakfasts
6 lunches
7 dinners
1 tea

Price Excludes

Airfare
Transfers
Pre / Post hotel nights
Travel to/from the Country Hotel (The nearest station is in Fort William, however most guests travel to Glasgow then catch our transfer coach)
Admissions (please allow approx. £10 per day for entrances)
Driver / Tour Leader gratuity is at your discretion
Travel Insurance

What to Expect

Unpack Once!

Explore places of interest, beauty, heritage and wonder. Enjoy active guided sightseeing on relaxed-pace trips to revel in the history, landscapes, architecture and culture of your chosen destination. Our knowledgeable leaders will provide fascinating detail to bring it all to life. Travel between locations by mini-coach or public transport following a carefully planned itinerary.

Accommodation at a country house hotel
Full Board Meals – from dinner on arrival day to breakfast on departure day
Knowledgeable leader
Transport between locations

All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.

On each Discovery day, you will be walking roughly 3-5 miles (5-8km) throughout the course of the day as you explore the venues and locations we visit. You’ll also be hopping on and off the coach throughout – you should expect to spend the majority of the day on your feet. Most of this walking will be at attractions but some may be across country tracks or footpaths so be sure to bring sturdy shoes. There will also be stairs to climb in the majority of the venues you visit, though other more accessible options may be available. At some venues, there may also be uneven surfaces, such as cobbles or rocky paths.

Itinerary

Day 1Arrival Day

You’re welcome to check in from 4pm onwards where you’ll have a complimentary cream tea to tuck in to. (D, T)

Accommodation: Alltshellach

Day 2Glen Nevis & Glen Coe

Our holiday starts with a short walk in the atmospheric glens of Glen Nevis, formed after the last ice age. After lunch we visit the Glencoe Visitor Centre, set in historic Glen Coe with information and an exhibition on the geological history of the glen and, of course, the massacre of Glencoe. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Alltshellach

Day 3Eilean Donan & Plockton

Today, our trip takes north to Spean Bridge before continuing on to Glengarry and then to the iconic Eilean Donan castle, set at the intersection of three great sea lochs. Both Eilean Donan and our next stop, Plockton, are stars of the silver screen, with the latter being our final stop of the day before returning to the country house for a well-deserved dinner. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Alltshellach

Day 4Free day

Our Discovery Points help you make the most out of your free day. There’s plenty of maps and a selection of the best local walking routes, as well as weather forecasts and public transport options – plus details about other places to visit. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Alltshellach

Day 5Inveraray Castle & Loch Awe

We travel through historic Glencoe and over Rannoch Moor to Bridge of Orchy for a short easy walk along the banks of Abhainn Shira. Our afternoon sees us visiting scenic Inveraray with free time to explore the castle, old jailhouse or shops. Our return journey takes us by Loch Awe, atmospheric Kilchurn castle, with a stop at St Conan’s Kirk for coffee. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Alltshellach

Day 6Ardgour & Glenfinnan

Today we take the Corran ferry to Ardgour and walk in the ancient Ariundle oakwoods, stopping for coffee at the Ariundle Centre. In early afternoon we travel to the village of Acharacle from where we cruise the length of Loch Shiel with a chance to see both Golden and White-tailed eagles. Disembarking at Glenfinnan, where in 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie raised the standard, we take a short journey to Neptune’s Staircase on the Caledonian Canal, our final destination of the day. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Alltshellach

Day 7Oban and West Coast Islands

We travel south and cross the Clachan Bridge to the Isle of Seil where a short boat trip takes us to the old slate isle of Easedale. We’ve time to explore and visit the community owned folk museum, home to a wonderful and eclectic collection of objects from Island life over the years. If you’re not keen on boat trips, take time out of the itinerary and visit the glorious 1930’s An-Cala gardens on Seil. Later in the afternoon, the pretty harbour town of Oban welcomes us and we have free time to explore. There’s plenty to see, with two cathedrals, a Distillery, and many charming shops to choose from. Or take time out and climb to McCaig’s Folly for fantastic views. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Alltshellach

Day 8Departure Day

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home. (B)

Dates and Prices

Departure Dates	Per person (single or twin)	Single in a double room
2024: June 22	$2,980	$3,260
2024: September 14	$2,980	$3,260

Pricing

Pricing is per person (pp) based on single/twin/double occupancy.

Supplement applied for single in a double room.

Rates include room upgrade (premium) and membership fees.

Rates are in $ CAD.

Contact DHTour at 1-888-597-3519 or 905-639-9954 or dhtour@dhtour.ca to book.

Ask us for the best available pricing for your dates & choice of airline. We can assist in your travel to/from the Country House.

During your Discovery Tour you’ll have the opportunity to visit many fascinating places. The following is our provisional programme, and your leader may adjust it at their discretion, taking into account factors such as weather, local opening times, or other events. This holiday includes active sightseeing and you should expect to spend lots of time on your feet.

Most admissions to places of interest are not included. Please allow up to £10 per day for admissions to all the places of interest we will be visiting. The full adult price is given but there are usually good reductions for parties and seniors. If you are a member of the National Trust, English Heritage or similar, remember to bring your card for free admission to their properties. Please bring cash as card machines are not always available at all venues.

Sometimes things happen beyond our control – the weather, traffic jams or changes at the places we visit. If we need to adjust your holiday programme, for whatever reason, your leader will help smooth the way.

Travel Details:
Address is: Alltshellach, Onich, Fort William, Invernesshire PH33 6SA

By Rail:
The nearest station is in Fort William, however most guests travel to Glasgow then catch our transfer coach.

By Bus:
If you are not travelling on a Saturday, the journey from either Glasgow Buchanan Street or the airport can be made using the Scottish Citylink bus, numbers 914 or 915. Ask the driver to stop at the north side of Ballachulish Bridge – from here it is a 400 metre walk to Alltshellach.

By Car:
From Glasgow take the A82 towards Crianlarich. Continue on the A82 towards Fort William. Head for Ballachulish keeping the village on your left. Go straight on at the roundabout over the steel bridge and take the second right B863 to Kinlochleven and the seafood restaurant. Alltshellach is 400 yards further on, on your right.

Hotel Descriptions

Alltshellach

Situated in a stunning location on the shores of Loch Leven, Alltshellach is a stately Scottish house set amid a rugged landscape. The house is a picture of Highland solidity, with spectacular views of craggy mountains and grassy slopes beyond the loch. This pocket of domesticity lets you admire nature at your leisure though, sipping tea or G&T as you watch clouds scud across the sky. In fact, this one-time home of the Bishop of Argyll & the Isles has been recast as a hiker’s hotel, with an air of old-world splendour, excellent accommodation, a generous indoor pool, three lounges and a supremely cosy Highland Bar that’s well-stocked with local beer and whisky, all of which is (almost) enough to distract you from the vast vistas over the waters. But it’s the great outdoors you’re here for and the house is ideally situated for accessing the Mamores, the mountains of Glen Coe and tackling Ben Nevis as well as bagging munros and spotting local wildlife.

Address: Alltshellach, Onich, Fort William, Invernesshire PH33 6SA

Room Amenities: Tea & coffee-making facilities, TV, Hairdryer, Toiletries, Wi-Fi

There are 38 comfortable bedrooms, all in the main house, with a range of ‘Classic’, ‘Premium’ and ‘Superior’ options to choose from. Rooms radiate cosiness thanks to little touches – a remedy for even the dreichest day. Those with a view are worth the extra spend, as you’ll be overlooking the gardens and loch. The Superior rooms include Room 21, a spacious corner room with lovely views of Loch Leven, while Room 23 is a stately showstopper that was once the official Bishop’s bedroom, complete with original features and cracking views.

Premium Rooms are more spacious en-suite guest rooms. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers, and comfortable mattresses.

Hotel Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, boot room and drying room, extensive gardens, heated indoor swimming pool, multi-purpose ballroom, library and board games to borrow

After a day exploring, return to the house and its specially tailored walkers’ facilities. Stroll the gardens that dip down to the loch. The small peninsula at the bottom of the lawns is called An Dunan and often becomes an island at high tide – look for prehistoric rock art cut into the slabs on its side. Make time too to plunge into the heated indoor swimming pool and do a couple of lengths under the watchful eye of the mountains through the panoramic windows. Inside the house, head for one of the communal areas: you’ll have three to choose from and can kick back, relax and catch up with other guests. Later, stop in the Highland Bar for a nip of whisky or a nightcap – the comfy seats make a fine spot for a dram and there’s a range of good single malts to choose from that’ll have you believing you’re living a laird’s life.

Map

Photos

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