Real Scotland (With Train, 8 Days)

Guide

Expert Trip Manager/Driver

Meals

Good handful of meals are included in the cost of your Contiki trip (on most trips we offer breakfast every day, plus a hand-picked selection of authentic and tasty meals).

Others

Dunkeld: Dunkeld is a wee charming town! We'll take a guided tour through the pretty Perthshire town, passing cute 18th century houses leading to Dunkeld Cathedral. Our tour ends under the shadow of this striking partial ruin, dating back hundreds of years. Scottish Highlands: This one will hit the spot! We take you on tours and tastings at various world-famous distilleries, sampling whisky and hearing their unique stories. Will oaky notes or a deliciously smoky aftertaste be your signature tipple? Scottish Highlands: One for the history buffs. Learn more about the Jacobite uprising and their defeat at this atmospheric battlefield. Scottish Highlands: Take a guided walk through the Clava Cairns, a prehistoric burial grounds dating back to the Bronze age. We'll recount stories of famous people buried here and see the eye-catching remains of a medieval chapel. Visit Orkney, a dreamy cluster of islands brimming with history. We'll stop at the Italian Chapel, Neolithic settlements and Kirkwall, the ancient capital or Orkney. This ornate, seafront red and white building was constructed by Italian prisoners of war who were held captive on Orkney during WWII. Ramble around the Viking-influenced capital of the Orkney Islands. And watch the world go by at the harbour. Visit this Neolithic village to get a glimpse into life in prehistoric Scotland. This Neolithic stone circle will give you a snapshot of Orkney’s prehistoric past. And it makes for some great pics. This ritualistic array of megaliths is said to be Britain’s most ancient Neolithic stone circle. Photo op! Explore the rugged cliffs of Britain’s most northerly-easterly point and take in the incredible views. Want to step inside the mouth of a natural sea cave? Smoo Cave's 50ft high entrance is one of the biggest in Britain. Watching the salt crystals glitter and shine within Smoo Cave is a gotta-be-there kind of moment, for sure. Ullapool: This dainty coastal village in the Scottish highlands is the definition of a hidden gem! Think stunning waterside views, green valleys, and charming locals when it comes to Ullapool. Ullapool: This mysterious Neolithic stone circle was built around 3000 BC for rituals and to observe the stars. Pretty cool eh? Stornoway: See this ancient hamlet by the sea. The traditional Scottish houses with quaint thatched roofs give us total Outlander vibes. Scotland: With its white sands and turquoise waters you could think you were on a tropical island. Except for the weather! Scotland: Sample whisky straight from the source at Harris Distillery, a cute village on the Isle of Harris. Portree: What makes Quaraing so special? Maybe its the insanely-green hills. The shining blue waters. Or even the swathes of brown moss, colouring the landscape like patchwork. Whatever it is, Quaraing is one of the most popular areas in Scotland for photography, so you're bound to get some killer shots here. Portree: If you’re looking for craggy landscape, fresh mountain air and mythical views, this is definitely your bag. Portree: See Lealt Falls and the ruins of an old diatomite mine. Soak up scenic views of the waterfall and rocky shoreline from the elevated viewing platforms. Mallaig: Visit the stunning landscape of Glen Coe and find out why it's a sought-after filming location. Mallaig: Be transported to another world in the Scottish wilderness. Bogs, rivers, lochans and a mountainous backdrop make this a magical place. Mallaig: Horse around and get some pics with these giant sculptures of ancient folklore monsters. They even light up in rainbow colours at night! Mallaig: Book this version of the trip to secure your seat on this iconic experience. Feel like you're on the Hogwarts Express as you journey on the Jacobite Steam Train through the world-famous Glenfinnan Viaduct.

Transport

Loch Ness: Take a scenic drive across the North Coast to John O' Groats; the very top of mainland Britain. This coach tour will be full of stunning seascapes and insta-worthy moments.

Accommodation

6 nights in Hostels, 1 night in Lodge

Hygieneprotocol

All guests travelling with Contiki through December 31, 2022 are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which may include a booster shot to keep the vaccination status current and valid, depending on the travel destination. Children not eligible for vaccination and/or booster at the time of travel must provide a verifiable and negative Covid-19 test result, taken within 72 hours prior to the start of the tour (taking time zones into consideration) for all tours departing until December 31, 2022. For guests travelling with Contiki from 1 January 2023, Covid-19 vaccinations and boosters are highly recommended, but no longer required. Please note that regardless of time of travel guests will need to comply with specific vaccine and/or booster requirements imposed by airlines and/or authorities in the destination visited, as well as requirements for accessing restaurants and venues, which may be more restrictive than above. It is guests’ responsibility to ensure that they comply at all times with these requirements. No refunds will be given if guests are unable to undertake some or all of their vacation due to their failure to comply with these requirements.

Others

Other activities and services are not included.

Flights

Flights are not included.

Optional

Other activities and services are not included.

Insurance

Insurance is not included.