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Relaxed touring, wonderful scenery and a Royal Connection
The Highlands of Scotland offer some of the best scenery to be found in the British Isles and throughout this tour you will experience this, whilst enjoying the relaxed travel style this tour offers.
The major population centres of Scotland are Glasgow and Edinburgh, this tour starts and finishes north of these, directly in the Highlands. The tour focuses on the rural areas of the North and Deeside, or as it is often referred to as Royal Deeside.
Throughout the tour take the opportunity to make visits to Loch Lomond, Ben Nevis, Neptune’s Staircase, Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness, Dunrobin Castle, Inverness city & its botanic gardens, Balmoral Castle and Braemar Highlands Games arena; all are on our route. Throughout the tour, each journey has been kept short, allowing you plenty of time for making stops on route and visits to attractions.
This tour offers wonderful travel in your own motorhome, through stunning Scottish scenery in sparsely populated locations, and all in a relaxed manner.
Scottish Highlands and Royal Deeside tour June 2023
‘A tour through beautiful and varied scenery with opportunities to visit places of interest along the route. Friendly and approachable tour leaders, Sarita and Michael, thank you.’ Jill and Jim Beeley
‘Solo or as a couple you can expect and will receive a first-class tour. Well led with many highlights and surprises to delight you.’ Alan Flux
Day One – Sunday 31st August
We meet at a well-appointed campsite on Loch Lomond. Late afternoon the Tour Directors will host a welcome get together and for the evening we will all go out for a group dinner. A chance to meet fellow travelling companions and to learn a little more about the adventure ahead.
Day Two – Monday 1st September
A free day and an opportunity to visit your first ‘Loch’ of the tour. The waterside of Loch Lomond is a 10 minute-walk from our campsite where you can enjoy a taster of some of the great scenery to come throughout the tour.
Day Three – Tuesday 2nd September
Move on today. Starting with a drive along the waterside of Loch Lomond we head towards the beautiful west coast town of Oban. On route make a stop at Inveraray to see its castle and prison. 80 miles
Day Four – Wednesday 3rd September
A free day. From our campsite there are views across the straights to Kerrara island and Oban centre is a 2.5 mile coastal cycle or walk away. Oban is a picturesque town with many shops, cafes and restaurants to enjoy.
Day Five – Thursday 4th September
Continue our journey north as we travel to the base of Ben Nevis. On route stop off in Fort William. This evening we have a group dinner in the campsite’s own well-appointed restaurant. 55 miles
Day Six – Friday 5th September
A free day. Maybe you will want to tackle Ben Nevis, a hike of around 7 hours! If not, the scenery of the UK’s highest mountain can be enjoyed directly from our campsite or whilst taking more pleasant flat walks alongside the river.
Day Seven – Saturday 6th September
Just a short drive today but it will take time. On route visit the Neptune Staircase (a series of 8 locks cut into the Caledonian Canal), make a stop at Spean Bridge, then as we run alongside Loch Ness keep an eye out for Nessie. Lastly make a stop at Urquhart castle before arriving to our campsite which is around 15 minutes walk from the shore of Loch Ness. 50 miles
Day Eight – Sunday 7th September
Today we walk (1 mile) for a group visit of the Loch Ness visitor centre. Throughout our tour of the centre, learn all about the Loch and its ‘monster’. Later in the day spend time in Drumnadrochit village before returning to the campsite in your own time.
Day Nine – Monday 8th September
We continue north today for a stay on the coast at Dornoch. On route we recommend a visit to the ‘Falls of Shin’, one of the best places to view salmon jumping upstream as they return to their birthplace for laying their own eggs. This evening we walk into Dornoch for a group meal. 75 miles
Day Ten – Tuesday 9th September
A free day and an opportunity to explore Dornoch (or to give the town its official title, Royal Dornoch) along with its world-famous golf course and beach.
Day Eleven – Wednesday 10th September
Group excursion to Dunrobin Castle including seeing its impressive Falconry display.
Day Twelve – Thursday 11th September
A short journey today to the Highlands picturesque city of Inverness. The Caledonian Canal runs right next to our campsite, offering lovely walking and cycling opportunities. 50 miles
Day Thirteen – Friday 12th September
An opportunity to visit Inverness today. The city is a pleasant 2km riverside walk from our campsite or alternatively, the hop on/hop off bus departs 500m from our campsite and provides full commentary to all the attractions.
Day Fourteen – Saturday 13th September
Move on today to the Georgian town of Grantown-on-Spey, and a stay at a well-appointed campsite. On route visit Culloden, location of the last battle to take place in Britain. The newly created visitor centre with 4 screen battle recreation is a must see. Our Grantown-on-Spey campsite is very close to the town and you are now in serious whisky country, Speyside being home to many distilleries. 35 miles
Day Fifteen – Sunday 14th September
Today we have a group Sunday lunch in a local restaurant.
Day Sixteen – Monday 15th September
We swop Speyside for Deeside today as we arrive in Ballater, located on the river Dee and in the heart of the ‘Royal’ region. 40 miles
Day Seventeen – Tuesday 16th September
A free day. Take a walk around Ballater and see the many Royal Crescents presented to the local shops that supply the Royals at Balmoral. Also don’t miss the old train station, the point of Queen Victoria’s first arrival in the area, and the start of its long-standing Royal connections.
Day Eighteen – Wednesday 17th September
We continue to follow the river Dee today as we make our way south along the snow road to arrive at Pitlochry. Don’t worry, it’s the wrong time of year for snow and the ski resorts to be in full swing. On route make a visit to Balmoral Castle the royal family’s Scottish residence since the mid 1800s; and also along the way, to the home of the Highland Games at Braemer. 60 miles
Day Nineteen – Thursday 18th September
Pitlochry is a lovely place to explore, along with its ‘Salmon Ladder’, both of which are walkable from our campsite. This afternoon we go out for ‘afternoon tea’.
Day Twenty – Friday 19th September
A free day to explore Pitlochry further or just take it easy. This evening we walk into town for a ‘Farewell dinner’ and a chance to reflect on some of the wonderful scenery passed through over 20 days that has been Scotland’s Highlands and Royal Deeside.
Day Twenty-one – Saturday 20th September
Today our tour comes to an end. Edinburgh is just 70 miles south if you wish to extend your time in Scotland with a visit to its capital.
VISITS TO PLACES OF INTEREST
- This tour is arranged to allow tour participants to decide which attractions they wish to visit. Most visits are left for individuals to choose and are not arranged/included in the tour (Loch Ness visitor centre and Dunrobin Castle are included). Throughout the time away the Tour Directors will be on hand to assist with any booking of attractions.
PRICE
Motorhome with 2 people = £1289 per person
Motorhome with 1 person = £2179
DEPOSIT £300 – Balance 10 weeks prior to start of tour
INCLUDED IN PRICE
- 20 Campsite nights with electric hook-ups
- Welcome to Scotland drinks reception
- Group tour of Loch Ness Centre
- Excursion with entrance to Dunrobin Castle and Falconry display
- 1 group lunch
- 1 group afternoon tea
- 4 group dinners with wine
- Tour information pack with suggested routes and GPS Co-ordinates
- Services of Tour Directors travelling in their own motorhome throughout the tour