Itinerary
- Day 1
Manchester to Oban
You'll leave Manchester in the early morning and drive north into the Lake District, making a stop at Pooley Bridge to stretch your legs and take in the scenery. From there, cross into Scotland and spend some time exploring Glasgow at your own pace, so you can wander the streets or grab lunch wherever appeals to you. Later, head through the Highlands toward Loch Lomond and pull into the village of Luss where you'll have time to walk around and get some photos of the loch and surrounding hills. The route then continues to the coastal town of Oban where you'll arrive with your evening free to explore the harbor, check out local restaurants, or just relax after the drive.
Optional Activities
- Explore Glasgow city centre
- Visit Luss village and Loch Lomond shore
- Explore Oban coastal town
Landmarks/POIs Pooley Bridge Glasgow Luss Loch Lomond - Day 2
Loch Ness - Glencoe
Start the day by driving to Fort Augustus and boarding a 50-minute cruise on Loch Ness, where there's always that chance you might spot something unusual in the water. After the cruise, you'll head to the Glenfinnan Viaduct, that famous railway bridge you've probably seen in Harry Potter scenes, and have time to walk around and take photos. Later, drive toward Glencoe and stop at the Three Sisters Viewpoint, where you get those expansive views of the mountains and glen before making your way back to Oban for the evening.
Included Activities
- 50-minute circular cruise on Loch Ness
- Visit Glenfinnan Viaduct
- View Three Sisters Viewpoint at Glencoe
Optional Activities
- Watch for Jacobite Steam Train crossing Glenfinnan Viaduct
Landmarks/POIs Fort Augustus Loch Ness Glenfinnan Viaduct Glencoe Three Sisters Viewpoint - Day 3
Oban to Stirling
Depart Oban in the morning and stop at Kilchurn Castle on Loch Awe, which sits beautifully on the water and is one of the most photographed castles in Scotland, so bring your camera. You'll have time to walk around the grounds before heading into the village of Killin for lunch and a break. In the afternoon, continue to Stirling where you'll get an included tour of Stirling Castle, the impressive 12th-century fortress sitting high above the town. You'll walk through the Great Hall and explore the Royal Park, then settle into Stirling for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kilchurn Castle
- Admission to Stirling Castle including Great Hall and Royal Park
Optional Activities
- Lunch in Killin village
Landmarks/POIs Kilchurn Castle Loch Awe Killin Stirling Castle - Day 4
Stirling to Edinburgh (and Manchester)
Drive from Stirling to Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city, where you'll have several hours to explore on your own terms. You can walk the steep and winding streets of the Old Town, visit Edinburgh Castle if that interests you, or head to a whisky bar and sample some Scottish varieties. At 13:30, you have a choice: take a city center drop-off and end your tour in Edinburgh, or stick with the group for the minibus journey back to Manchester, which gets you there by 19:00 in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Edinburgh (several hours free time)
Optional Activities
- Visit Edinburgh Castle
- Scottish whisky tasting or sampling
Landmarks/POIs Edinburgh Edinburgh Castle
