Scottish Island Highlights 2025

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1-888-597-3519

905-639-9954

dhtour@dhtour.ca

12 Days / 11 Nights ( B 'n B & cottage)
Availability : April - October
Start: Edinburgh, Scotland
End: Edinburgh, Scotland

Scottish Island Highlights: 3 nts Bowmore, 2 nts Oban, 2 nts Balmacara, 1 nt Inverness, 2 nts Kirkwall, 1 nt Ullapool

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

Scotland doesn’t do ‘half measures’.

The drinks are strong, the bagpipes are loud, and the landscapes are epic.

And it’s this ‘larger than life’ attitude that makes you fall in love with Scotland.

So on this tour we let you experience full strength Scotland. You explore the wild, remote landscapes of Orkney, a place where you can feel the Viking heritage. You visit Skye, an island that movie makers flock to for its unique and beautiful landscapes. And you sample the national drink in Islay, a beautiful Island that creates the smokiest whiskies you’ll ever taste.

So join this tour and take a strong, full, 12-day measure of Scotland’s culture, scenery, and stories.

12 DAYS / 11 NIGHTS / MAX 16 GUESTS

Tour Details
Places you explore

Oban – This Victorian harbour town offers excellent seafood and a charming intimacy.

Kilmartin Glen – Return to the past at one of the richest areas in the UK for Neolithic and Bronze Age remains in Scotland.

Bowmore – Journey to the home of Islay’s oldest distillery, this charming place lies on the shores of the picturesque Loch Indaal.

The Islay Single Malt Whiskies – On an island known locally as ‘The Queen of the Hebrides’, there is a regal quality to the distinctly peaty style of its single malt whiskies.

Sandy beaches of Islay – Stroll some of the most beautiful and rugged beaches in the UK along Islay’s West Atlantic coast.

Loch Lomond National Park – Enjoy the dramatic splendour of one of Scotland’s most famous lochs.

Magical Mull – Feel the tranquillity of the unspoilt blonde beaches and explore the brightly coloured fishing village of Tobermory.

Iona and Staffa – Visit the tiny Island of Iona, inhabited with just around 120 people.

Fingal’s Cave – The cave is compiled of naturally assembled hexagonal pillars from Paleocene lava flow.

Isle of Skye – One of the world’s most stunning islands.

Eilean Donan Castle – An iconic and gorgeous 13th-century castle that once warded off Viking invasions.

Orkney Isles – These beautiful islands are full of ancient history and wildlife.

Glencoe and Rannoch Moor – Be moved by the sheer beauty and tragic tales of one of Scotland’s most famous landscapes.

Skara Brae and Ring of Brodgar – Learn how people used to live in ancient times at these prehistoric monuments.

North Coast 500 – A rollercoaster road of ruined castles, pristine beaches, dramatic cliffs, and charming villages

Pick Up Location & TIme

Edinburgh  (Google Map)
Check-in closes at 8:15am (tour departs at 8:30am) – Gate J and Gate K, Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ

Drop off Location & Time

Edinburgh
approx. 7:00pm

Price Includes

  • 11 night Bed 'n Breakfast accommodation
  • Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
  • Air conditioning as standard
  • Daily full Scottish breakfasts
  • The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
  • Tour and tasting at Ardbeg Distillery
  • Tasting at Ardnahoe Distillery
  • Tour and tasting at Bowmore Distillery
  • Tour and tasting at Laphroaig Distillery
  • Admission to Maeshowe
  • Admission to Skara Brae
  • Admission to Culloden Museum and Battlefield

Meals

  • 11 breakfast
  • 0 lunches
  • 0 dinners
  • 0 teas

Price Excludes

  • Entry fees to visitor attraction
  • Airfare
  • Transfers
  • Pre / Post hotel nights
  • Driver / Tour Leader gratuity is at your discretion
  • Travel Insurance
What to Expect

Explore in 16 seat mini-coaches, always taking the scenic route, you have great views through large windows, and you’re free to sample the local tipple without worrying about driving. Our driver-guides are world famous for their knowledge, facts, quirky stories, history, and fairy-tales. They truly take you beyond the guidebooks and into your adventure. You make your trip your own. We provide the timetable; and you can choose where you want to eat and which attractions you pay to see. So, if you want to skip a castle and read your book by a mountain view, you can.

During the 3 nights in Islay, we reserve rooms in the beautiful Bowmore Distillery Cottages.

The cottages have between three and six twin bedrooms. Due to the shared nature of the accommodation, individual bedrooms don’t have lockable doors. The kitchen and lounge facilities are shared with other passengers, and basic self-service breakfast ingredients are provided. Full Scottish breakfasts are available at the nearby hotels if you prefer, payable locally.

Itinerary

Day 1Edinburgh - Bowmore

You escape the city of Edinburgh and head straight for the Highlands. Your first stop of the day is in the Trossachs national park. Here, you can admire Scotland’s scenic beauty and enjoy some local delicacies.

Your driver-guide may regale you with tales from Scottish folklore as you travel through the mountainous landscapes of the Western Highlands to Oban.

This port town was once the strategic heartland of great feuding clans. But today, Oban is famous for seafood sourced fresh off the boats. It also boasts its own distillery where you can sample whisky that’s been perfected for 200 years. Here, you will have time to enjoy a dram and indulge in delicious local seafood for lunch.

You then venture through the Kilmartin Glen where you see standing stones and strongholds that are over 1,500 years old.

At Kennacraig, you catch the evening ferry to Islay. The sail is around two hours; and if you peek out to the ocean, you may see the Paps of Jura. These mountains mark the way to Islay, Queen of the Hebrides.

Once you’ve arrived on the island, you settle into your accommodation in Bowmore for 3 nights.

On this tour we have pre-booked a number of rooms in the beautiful Bowmore Distillery Cottages. These are self-catering cottages in the grounds of the distillery itself and offer a unique accommodation experience. The cottages have between 3 and 6 bedrooms and these are all en-suite but are NOT serviced during your stay. The kitchen and lounge facilities are shared and self-service continental breakfast ingredients will be provided. PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE SHAREDNATURE OF THE ACCOMMODATIONINDIVIDUAL BEDROOMS DO NOT HAVE LOCKABLE DOORS.
When these rooms are full we will use nearby B&Bs.

Day 2Bowmore

We know whisky tasting can be hard work, so you begin the day with a little sleep in.

After you’ve had an ample amount of breakfast, you enjoy a tour of Bowmore, the oldest licenced distillery on the island.

Your driver-guide takes you to Ardnahoe Distillery for a tour and a lunch of local treats. This modern distillery is the passion project of the Laings, a family who have loved whisky for generations. Today, you can admire their vision, craftsmanship, and unique spirit.

Your next stop of the day is at Kilchoman Distillery. This is a proud and independent whisky-maker whose tastes are as bold as their environmental ethos. You have time for a tour and whisky tasting here, before a walk down the beautiful white beach that lies close by.

You head back to Bowmore where you can either stumble back to your room for the night or relax and explore the village. (B)

Day 3Bowmore

Today you explore the southern side of the island, home to a few of the most famous whiskies in all of Scotland: Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and Ardbeg.

After you’ve made it out of bed and eaten your breakfast, you visit Ardbeg. You stay here for a tour, tasting, and lunch. The restaurant here is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy fine Scottish produce as you sip upon delightful drams.

You then visit Laphroaig. This 200-year-old whisky distiller is a favourite with the British royal family and bears the seal of the Prince of Wales to prove it.

Throughout the day, your driver-guide takes you to historical spots such as the ruins of Kildalton church and Dunyvaig Castle. And you can also stop at Lagavulin for some intensively flavoured, rich and smoky whisky.

You return to Bowmore for your last evening of the trip. (B)

*Itinerary and distillery visits are subject to change.

Day 4Bowmore - Oban

This morning, you take the ferry back to the mainland and replace the intoxicating fumes of whisky with the replenishing fresh air of Scotland’s West Highlands. You travel through coastal scenery to the beautiful village of Inveraray on the banks of Loch Fyne.

Here you join a new bus for the continuation of your tour to Oban. Your guides will help you transfer your luggage and introduce you to your new travelling companions.

Once you arrive in Oban, you’ll have a free evening to enjoy this bustling Highland town. You can absorb the atmosphere and visit the local pubs. Or, if you prefer to explore the area, hike uphill and admire the views from the most photographed structure in the west, McCaig’s Tower. Built in 1897 on instruction by a local banker, it resembles the Colosseum in Rome and provides magnificent vistas over the distant Firth of Lorne.

You will stay in this glorious Highland town for two nights. (B)

Day 5Oban

Today you have an early start, beginning the day crossing on the ferry to Mull for a chance to explore dramatic coastlines and wild beauty.

You take the small ferry to Iona, the birthplace of Celtic Christianity, and ancient burial ground of Scottish Kings. Here you can visit the historic abbey with its intricate carved crosses in the churchyard, or explore rocky headlands and sandy coves.

There’s an opportunity to take a small boat for an optional trip to the island of Staffa and view the dramatic basalt columns immortalised by Mendelssohn in his Hebridean Overture “Fingal’s Cave”.

You then return on the ferry to Oban for another night. (B)

Day 6Oban - Balmacara

You ramble north along the west coast around Appin, passing the impregnable Castle Stalker. Next, you head to the gorgeous Glencoe, one of the most famous natural landmarks in all of Scotland. This beautiful area boasts steep slopes and photogenic peaks. Your driver-guide may reveal to you the tragic tale that’s haunted this valley for over 300 years.

You then venture through Fort William and under the shadow of Ben Nevis, which at 1,344 meters is the highest mountain in the British Isles.

We continue through the Great Glen, a natural fault in the earth’s crust that runs through Scotland. From here, we’ll take you to your overnight accommodation at the Balmacara Hotel, a lovely four star hotel with a classic Scottish view of Loch Alsh. You’re dropped off at your accommodation in the early evening. (B)

Day 7Balmacara

Today is a very flexible day on Skye. There are many possibilities depending on the weather, and your driver-guide will use their local knowledge to decide on the best day out for the group.

You may ascend the Quiraing along Trotternish Ridge and be rewarded with spectacular views. Alternatively, you could drink in the scenery at Loch Corruisk or drive through the dramatic Red Cuillin to the little hamlet of Elgol.

We return you to your accommodation at the Balmacara Hotel in the late afternoon for a free evening. (B)

Day 8Balmacara - Inverness

You’re collected from your accommodation for the short drive to the famous stronghold of Eilean Donan Castle.

Then, you travel east taking in the stunning views over Loch Duich and the Five Sisters of Kintail. You continue to Loch Ness for lunch and the possibility of spotting “Nessie’.

Half an hour south of Loch Ness you stop in the village of Spean Bridge and join a new bus for the continuation of your tour to Orkney. Your guides will help you transfer your luggage and introduce you to your new travelling companions.

With your new crew, you continue north following the Great Glen travelling the entire 23 miles of the famous loch. You arrive at Inverness, where you’re dropped off at your accommodation. The evening is free for you to explore the ‘Capital of the Highlands’. (B)

Day 9Inverness - Kirkwall

It’s an early start, leaving behind the ‘Capital of the Highlands’, crossing over the Black Isle, and continuing past Dunrobin Castle.

From here, you drive along the northeast Highland coastline, travelling into some of Scotland’s most dramatic scenery.

Onwards through Scotland’s most northerly mainland village, John o’ Groats, and then to Gills Bay, where you board the ferry, and cross the Pentland Firth into the Orkney Archipelago.

It’s a short drive to the famous Italian Chapel where you stop for a visit before continuing to the Viking stronghold of Kirkwall, Capital of Orkney. Here you can visit Kirkwall’s magnificent Viking Cathedral and enjoy its historic winding streets in the evening. (B)

Day 10Kirkwall

Today is your chance to explore this archipelago’s fertile green pastures, fringed by shores of golden sands and washed by waters of the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

You visit the 5,000-year-old village of Skara Brae, the mystical prehistoric stone circle at Brodgar and the Druidic standing stones of Stenness.

You stop in Stromness and then travel onto Maeshowe, where in the 12th century the Vikings left one of the largest collections of Norse runic inscriptions.

Then it’s back to Kirkwall for your second night after what is sure to be a memorable day. (B)

Day 11Kirkwall - Ullapool

After a relaxed start, you leave Orkney and sail the Viking waters back to the mainland. From here, you travel the old road right across the very top of Scotland, driving past the stunning Ben Loyal and Ben Hope mountains, following the rocky cliffs and stunning golden sand beaches.

You then visit the far northwest Highlands and the wilderness of the mountains of Assynt before stopping to view the 15th-century ruins of Ardvreck Castle.

From here, you travel to Ullapool, situated at the mouth of Loch Broom, a beautiful whitewashed fishing village where you spend your last night’s stay on tour. (B)

Day 12Ullapool - Edinburgh

Leaving Ullapool behind, you take in the drama of the River Droma as it plunges 60m down into Corrieshalloch Gorge. You then admire the beautiful Loch Glascarnoch, on the way past the ‘Capital of the Highlands’, Inverness.

You can visit Culloden Moor, the site of The Battle of Culloden in 1746, one of the bloodiest events in our history and the last battle to have been fought on the British mainland. Next, you take a short drive to the ancient standing stones at Clava Cairns, made famous by Diana Gabaldon in the ‘Outlander’ books.

From here, you travel through the ancient Caledonian Pine Forest, hugging the Cairngorm mountain range. You enjoy lunch in these beautiful surroundings before travelling through The Big Tree country of Perthshire, the Kingdom of Fife, and back to Edinburgh. (B)

Dates and Prices
Departure Date Double/Twin (pp) Single Rate
2025: April to May – Friday $5,030 $6,720
2025: June to September – Friday $5,320 $6,560
2025: October  – Friday $5,030 $6,720

All guaranteed departures.

Pricing

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

 

Notes
Mobility: All of our tours involve walking and require our guests to board and disembark our vehicles several times a day making this tour unsuitable for those with reduced mobility.

Luggage: You’re restricted to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) and a small bag for onboard personal items.

Map

Photos