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.

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

Go to other tours departing from Glasgow