Scottish Highlands Discovery Tour 2023

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July 1 - Only one departure
From$2,450 pp
July 1 - Only one departure
From$2,450 pp
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1-888-597-3519

905-639-9954

dhtour@dhtour.ca

8 Days / 7 Nights
Availability : July 1
Start: Alltshellach, Glen Coe, Scotland
End: Alltshellach, Glen Coe, Scotland
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 spectacular railway journeys across the wild Highlands mountainscape. Journey to the Glenfinnan Monument at the head of Loch Sheil, 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.

DetailItineraryDates & PricesHotel DescriptionMapPhotos
Tour Details

Highlights:

  • Visit Glenfinnan Monument at the head of Loch Sheil, a place of inspiration for Bonnie Prince Charlie
  • Explore Inveraray and its French-style castle and old jail
  • Marvel at the magnificent setting of Eileen Donan Castle, situated 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
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 2Glenfinnan and Loch Shiel

We start the day with a cruise on the long, narrow and deep Loch Shiel. From the boat we’ll watch ‘The Jacobite steam train’ crossing over the Glenfinnan viaduct. We then dip into Scottish history at the nearby Glenfinnan Monument, commemorating the 1745 Jacobite rising. We end our day at Neptune’s Staircase, a staircase lock comprising eight locks on the Caledonian Canal. Built by Thomas Telford in the early 19th Century, it’s a feat of engineering not to be missed. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Alltshellach

Day 3Oban & 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 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 5The Kyle Line and Loch Ness

Our journey north passes the spectacular Eilean Donan Castle on our way to Kyle of Lochalsh. From here we’ll take the train to Inverness on a railway that was built to carry not only fish but the fishing boats too. On our return, we’ll travel through the rift valley of the Great Glen, parallel to the Caledonian Canal and beside Loch Ness, with plenty of opportunities to look for Nessie, the monster that lurks deep beneath the dark waters. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Alltshellach

Day 6Inveraray 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 7Strathspey Railway

Today, we head across the beautiful central Highlands to the Strathspey railway, for a round trip from Aviemore to Broomhill. This was once part of the Highland main line to Inverness but was bypassed and closed. At 10 miles it’s the longest heritage railway in Scotland and has some beautifully restored stations and beautiful views of the Cairngorms. (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
2023: July 1 $2,450 $2,730

Pricing

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

Supplement applied for single in a double room.

Rates are in $ CAD. Rates include room upgrade (better) and membership fees. 


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
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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 ‘Good’, ‘Better’ and ‘Best’ 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 Best 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.

All ‘Good’ rooms are ensuite and furnished to a high standard. There are also several ‘Better’ and ‘Best’ Rooms that are either larger or have a desirable view, a more luxurious mattress, larger television, enhanced toiletries and a fluffy bathrobe & slippers.

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.

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Photos

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