As we leave Glasgow we'll drive through the much-ignored town of Paisley, seeing the Abbey which hides the secret roots of Britain's present Queen. We'll wander up the west side of Loch Lomond, hear the real tale of the famous song, ponder a Viking gravestone in the picturesque village of Luss, before climbing up and over the ‘Rest and Be Thankful’, through some breath-taking scenery to Inveraray with its fairy-tale Castle and delightful layout. We'll lunch here, perhaps in the 18th Century George Hotel, or in the inn where Bothwell, Burns, Keats et al once dined, then on we go, by some more classic highland scenic routes to Kilmartin. Older than Stonehenge, older too than the pyramids, the stone circles and burial cairns of this ancient glen await us.

We cross the Atlantic today! On our way to Easdale Island, we will drive over the Atlantic Bridge, by the 18th Century Inn, Tigh an Truish (the House of the Trousers) and drive across the beautiful Seil Island, where Princess Diana's mother lived, to the little ferry which will whisk us over to Easdale, the Slate Island. We'll visit the little Island museum and take a walk around the Island, with its fabulous views and rare wildlife. This is a typical Back-Roads destination; few others have yet discovered it! A visit to an Argyll Garden, and an evening of Scottish song and dance with dinner will round off another great day.

Time to take to the water, crossing the Firth of Lorne to the Inner Hebridean Isle of Mull. The ferry journey itself is a delight with fine views of mainland and island vistas. Before reaching Craignure, our first port of call, there's a grand view of Duart Castle, ancestral home of the McClean clan. Once on dry land we head across the open, untouched landscape to Fionnphort in the south. From here we take a very short ferry ride, as foot passengers, to the revered Island of Iona, home to St. Columba and early Christian missionaries 1400 years ago. Within the shadow of the cathedral, Scots kings until Macbeth's time were buried. There is a special atmosphere here aided by the almost total lack of motor cars. Returning to Mull we follow, time permitting, the rugged coastline to the west, with the possibility (depending on weather) of breathtaking views of the Outer Hebridean Islands offshore.

A day of glorious mountain scenery awaits us as we head north through the Grampian and North West Highland ranges. As we enter the splendid isolation of the pass of Glen Coe there's a real sense of majesty in the scenery. A visit to the Glencoe visitors’ centre gives us a chance to discover the real truth behind the tragic massacre of the MacDonalds. Arriving at the busy highland town of Fort William, there's an opportunity for the 'essentials' of life - eating, banking and shopping! Continuing our day, we follow the Caledonian Canal - Scotland's inland waterway -  with views of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis en route to Fort Augustus.  Next, we hunt for the monster as we drive alongside Loch Ness to Inverness!

Today, we have a day of choices. Primarily, this is an ‘Organised Independence Day’. Your guide briefs you thoroughly about what you can see and do and then you’re free to explore Inverness, Capital of the Highlands, at leisure.  Alternatively, you can join us on an optional day tour to the Orkneys with a local operator. It’s a long day but worth it to see both John O’Groats and visit the Orkneys.

Note: you also have the option of linking this first part of our Scotland tour with our longer Orkneys tour.

Dinner is not included tonight to afford you maximum flexibility in planning your day.

Some participants may be leaving us today if only taking the short Western Isles section of the tour. Your options today include return to Glasgow or Edinburgh, or joining either our Orkneys tour or North West Highlands, which combine with selected departures of this tour. Those on the full 12-day Highlands, Islands and Royals Castles tour continue onward.

Today we explore ‘Monarch of the Glen’ country. Villages such as Badenoch, Strathspey, Kingussie, the forest village of Nethy Bridge; it’s imply an unforgettable region. Here you’ll find the prettiest, timeless villages, railways, rivers and lochs, and above everything else scenery whose majesty simply cannot be beaten.

A relaxing day as we explore the charming coastline of the Kingdom of Fife. Anstruther, which we’ll visit first, is still a working fishing port and many of its neighbours continue to ply a similar trade. Winding our way up the coast we examine in detail the timeless beauty of Crail, another fishing village, once the centre of a major trading partnership with continental Europe. A fresh crab lunch might be tempting here? The Royal Stewart Castle of Falkland Palace will be today’s royal highlight. It was here that tennis was first played. The palace was beautifully restored in the late 19th century. Rounding off our day (excuse the pun!)  will be St Andrews. No time for a round of golf, we're sorry to say (but at least we'll save you some golf balls!).

We tour today first via Abernethy, where we’ll find an amazing peel tower at the foot of which Malcolm pledged allegiance to William the Conqueror. Thence to Perth and another royal connection; once the crowning place of Scottish Kings, Scone Palace occupies a unique position in Scotland’s history. A breathtakingly beautiful place of power and mystery and the rightful home of the celebrated Stone of Scone, Scone Palace is regarded as a national treasure and is revered as the historic jewel in Scotland’s crown. Finally to the Trossachs Highland region and to the pretty town of Callander. This is Rob Roy Country, home and resting place of the near legendary Rob Roy and we’ll visit his Loch-side family grave. We may also find the time to Loch Tay Crannog and discover how life was lived before the coming of the Romans.

The royal city of Stirling begins our day. From the esplanade of Stirling Castle we can admire the surrounding countryside. For centuries this has been the gateway to the Highlands. No wonder numerous battles have been fought in this area, not least the great victory at Bannockburn, where the Scots trounced the English. Next to Culross.  Culross. This is the most complete example of a Scottish burgh of the 16th and 17th centuries. We'll take time to explore the visitor centre before driving through Dunfermline, where Robert the Bruce (partially!) lies) and thence south over the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh. We're currectly awaiting to see if the new interactive Carnegie Museum will be open.

Tour participants may either remain in Edinburgh, or return with our tour coach to Glasgow. Accommodation tonight is not included in your tour but can be reserved on your behalf at one of our recommended hotels.  This tour can be combined with our 3-day Borders tour, making it the perfect Scotland experience!

We can arrange pre/post tour accommodation, sightseeing and services throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe as required.

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