Departing Edinburgh, we will take our first short drive heading north to see the mysterious Kelpies. Scotland’s largest piece of outdoor art depicting mythical creatures of Scotland’s folklore. We’ll then continue on our journey and pass Stirling Castle. Be inspired by tales from your guide of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. Continuing north, into the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, admire the scenery as your tour guide explains the remarkable tribal clan history of the Highlands. Heading West we make our way towards the town of Balloch, situated at the southern of Loch Lomond’s Bonnie Banks where you will have a chance to explore and also take an optional hour-long boat cruise on the loch. We continue north to the village of Arrochar which nestles on the edge of Loch Long at the foot of the high peaks of the Arrochar Alps. It’s onwards and upwards over the steep pass of Rest and be Thankful for our lunch stop in the village of Inveraray – seat of the Clan Campbell and Dukes of Argyll. The town is lapped by the sea water of Loch Fyne and is famed for its oysters and seafood. On to Kilmartin Glen, one of the richest Neolithic sites anywhere in Europe. The Glen is home to dozens of ancient standing stones, rock carvings and burial chambers. You will have time to stroll among some of nearby standing stones and burial chambers. We will then continue on to Oban where you will be staying for the night.

Day Two:

Departing Oban we travel up the side of Loch Linnhe through the Great Glen to our first stop of the day in Glencoe. Considered by many to be the most impressive glen in Scotland. Your driver guide will explain the details of the Glencoe massacre and why it was such a turning point in Highland history – stoking the Jacobite Rebellions for many years to come. There will be time for many photographs in Glencoe before we make tracks for our next amazing location – Glenfinnan Monument and Viaduct. In more recent times, Glenfinnan Viaduct has become very well known to fans of Harry Potter as the magnificent railway bridge crossed by the Hogwarts’ Express. We’ll then travel to Fort William where you can either take a tour of Ben Nevis Whisky Distillery or explore the ruined late 13th century Inverlochy Castle (free).

Lunch is in Fort William, the second largest town in the Highlands (after Inverness) where the ruined fort was destroyed by Jacobite forces at the very start of the 1745 Rebellion. After lunch we will head to Pitlochry situated in the heart of the stunning scenery of Highland Perthshire. As we re-enter Edinburgh from the North, you will be met with views of Scotland’s greatest piece of engineering, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Forth Bridge. This 19th century engineering marvel was at one point the World’s longest cantilever bridge. Today it neighbours the 20th century Forth Road Bridge and the 21st century Queensferry Crossing which opened in 2017.The expected arrival time back in Edinburgh is around 6:30 PM.