Save $50 per person on select
2020 Cosmos Europe vacations*
Photo: Isle of Skye in Scotland
All In Price: $1,579* Based on the Scottish Outland Adventure
Departure date: May 3, 2020
*Featured price is per person, land only, based on double occupancy, on the departure date indicated and includes all taxes and fees and the Cosmos $50 per person discount. May other tours and departure dates available.
Booking Window: January 7, 2020 - March 9, 2020
Benefits:
- Daily guided sightseeing
- accommodation in superior tourist class or above hotels
- breakfast daily
- and 3 three-course dinners with choice of menus
Photo: St Andrews
Vacation Overview
Take a journey into the fabled land of adventure on this affordable vacation in Scotland. From the elegant Georgian squares and 12th-century cathedral in Glasgow, you’ll travel to The Trossachs National Park to take in the rugged hills and serene lochs. On your way to legendary Edinburgh, stop in Stirling to admire the prized castle of Scottish kings and symbol of the country’s independence. Enjoy a full day of guided sightseeing in Edinburgh, including 200-year-old New Town—home to famous scientists, inventors, and novelists. Visit Edinburgh Castle to see the Crown Jewels and, for specific departures, be thrilled by the Royal Military Tattoo presented on the castle’s esplanade in a mass spectacle of Scottish pipe bands, music, dance, and pageantry by performers from around the world.
Next, you’ll take the elegant Forth Road Bridge to St. Andrews—the home of golf, the cross Firth of Tay and head into the Highlands. You’ll stop on the way in the Victorian mountain resort of Pitlochry before crossing haunting Culloden Moor, where the Jacobites made their final stand in 1746. Continue via Inverness into the Highlands for an overnight stay in Strathpeffer and a west coast excursion through spectacular Scottish landscapes and vistas. Your Scottish adventure leads you through the heather-clad moors of the western Highlands to Lochalsh and the Isle of Skye. Then, via ferry across the Sound of Sleat it’s back to the mainland. Take in the scenic highlights on your way back to Glasgow, including Glenfinnan and the monument to fallen clansmen, the viaduct that is recognizable to Harry Potter fans, and many other historic spots. Drive along the “bonnie banks” of Loch Lomond as well. Your value-minded vacation in Scotland is an experience of spectacular landscapes, legends, and lore.
Photo: map of Scottish Outland Adventure
Itinerary Scottish Outland Adventure
Day 1 ARRIVE IN GLASGOW, SCOTLAND
Check into your hotel. In the afternoon, there’s time to rest or discover Scotland’s great cultural city. This evening, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for dinner at the hotel. Dinner
Day 2 GLASGOW–THE TROSSACHS–STIRLING–EDINBURGH
Start your day with an orientation drive taking in the fine 12th-century cathedral, imposing university buildings, and elegant Georgian squares. Then, head into The Trossachs National Park and enjoy views of rugged hills and beautiful lochs. Pause in Aberfoyle before continuing on to Stirling where you will have time to admire the castle, a great symbol of Scottish independence and favored residence of Scotland’s kings and queens. After arrival in Edinburgh, why not join an optional excursion: a traditional Scottish night out with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and of course, the Ceremony of the Haggis?
Today’s Distance: 82 mi/ 131 km Breakfast
Day 3 EDINBURGH
A full day to enjoy the Scottish capital. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town", home to famous scientists, inventors, and novelists. In the “Old Town", visit EDINBURGH CASTLE to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Afternoon at leisure. Later, a unique optional experience: board the former Royal Yacht Britannia. Tour five decks and see how the Royal Family and crew of 240 lived and worked on board. Dinner rounds out this optional evening. For departure numbers August 9, 16, and 23 tickets are included for tonight’s performance of the world-renowned MILITARY TATTOO, a vast spectacle of massed Scottish pipe bands that takes place in an arena on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. Breakfast
Photo: street view of Edinburgh
Day 4 EDINBURGH–ST. ANDREWS–PITLOCHRY–CULLODEN MOOR–INVERNESS–STRATHPEFFER
A day of memorable sightseeing. Take the elegant Forth Road Bridge to St. Andrews, whose Royal and Ancient Golf Club has given us the rules of golfing, then cross the Firth of Tay and head into the Highlands, with a stop in the Victorian mountain resort of Pitlochry. Cross the battlefield of Culloden Moor with its memories of Bonnie Prince Charlie, then via Inverness, proceed to your Highland destination.
Today’s Distance: 221 mi/ 355 km Breakfast/Dinner
Day 5 STRATHPEFFER. WEST COAST EXCURSION
More spectacular Scottish scenery: Dornoch Firth, the Kyle of Sutherland, the Falls of Shin, the Mountains of Assynt, and Knockan Crag. Then, follow Strath Oykel for a visit to Ullapool, a remote fishing harbor on Loch Broom, before returning along Loch Glascarnoch. Our recommendation for this afternoon: join the optional Loch Ness Experience, which includes a cruise, followed by supper.
Today’s Distance: 123 mi/ 198 km Breakfast
Day 6 STRATHPEFFER–ISLE OF SKYE–GLENFINNAN–FORT WILLIAM–GLASGOW
More heather-clad moors as you drive through the western Highlands to Lochalsh and the Inner Hebridean Isle of Skye. The route back to the mainland is by FERRY across the Sound of Sleat to Mallaig. Pause at Glenfinnan to see the monument to fallen Jacobite clansmen and the famous viaduct well known to Harry Potter fans before reaching Fort William beneath Ben Nevis. Glen Coe, where the MacDonald Clan was massacred in 1692, and a drive along the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond are scenic highlights on the way back to Glasgow.
Today’s Distance: 234 mi/ 377 km Breakfast/Dinner
Day 7 GLASGOW
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Breakfast
Vacation Highlights
GLASGOW: Orientation drive
THE TROSSACHS: Visit Aberfoyle
STIRLING: View the castle
EDINBURGH: Guided sightseeing, visit Edinburgh Castle
ST. ANDREWS: Visit the home of golf
PITLOCHRY: Visit the Highland resort
CULLODEN MOOR: See the battlesite
ULLAPOOL: Visit the remote fishing harbor
ISLE OF SKYE: Drive across the Inner Hebridean island
ARMADALE–MALLAIG: by ferry
GLENFINNAN: See the famous monument and Harry Potter viaduct
FORT WILLIAM/LOCH LOMOND: Take photographs of the iconic lake