Odysseys Unlimited

Day 1: Depart U.S. for Glasgow, Scotland

Day 2: Arrive Glasgow We arrive in Scotland’s larg­­­­est city and transfer to our hotel. As guests’ arrival times may vary greatly, we have no group activities planned during the day. Late this afternoon we gather with our Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director for a briefing on the journey ahead. Then we enjoy a welcome dinner at the National ­Piping Center (a museum celebrating Scotland’s Great Highland Bagpipe), ­accompanied by a live Scottish folk band. D

Day 3: Glasgow This morning’s tour highlights “Glasgow Style,” the city’s distinct architecture of the late 19th- and early 20th-centuries. Though Glasgow has a rich medieval history, very few structures from that time survive; it is the Victorian-era buildings of red or blond sandstone with long lines that define the city’s historic built environment. Among the stand-out buildings we see: Glasgow Central Station, the Royal Exchange, Glasgow City Chambers, and Glasgow School of Art by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. We also visit Sir John W. Simpson’s immensely popular Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Following our city tour we visit Pollok House, ancestral home of the Maxwell clan and now a museum with the United Kingdom’s greatest collection of Spanish art. Here a curator takes us on a privately guided tour of the Edwardian country house before we enjoy lunch in the award-winning restaurant. We return to our hotel mid-afternoon; the remainder of the day is at leisure. B,L

Day 4: Glasgow/Loch Lomond/Glencoe/Ballachulish We leave Glasgow this morning by motorcoach, bound for the scenic Highlands, Scotland’s sparsely populated historic northern region. Along the way we stop at the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, Great Britain’s largest lake and part of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Sir Walter Scott’s description of The Trossachs still rings true today, as we see on our tour of this area long beloved for its natural beauty: “So wondrous wild, the whole might seem/the scenery of a fairy dream.” We enjoy a brief cruise on the island-dotted loch before continuing on to Glencoe, considered one of Scotland’s most beautiful spots. With deep valleys flanked by steep-sided mountains, rushing rivers, and dramatic waterfalls, Glencoe attracts both artists and adventurers to admire and enjoy its natural beauty. It also offers a stark lesson in Highlands history as site of the Glencoe Massacre in 1692, when some 38 members of the Clan MacDonald of Glencoe were killed ­over questions about their loyalty to the Protestant king, William III. Then we travel on to Ballachulish in the Fort William area, arriving late this afternoon. We dine tonight at our hotel. B,D

Day 5: Ballachulish/Isle of Skye We embark on a full-day excursion to the Isle of Skye, the largest of Scotland’s Inner Hebrides known for its vivid history and stunning scenery. En route, we visit Glenfinnan Monument honoring “Bonnie Prince Charlie” for his leadership in the Jacobite Rising in 1742. Then we board a ferry for Armadale on the southern tip of Isle of Skye, where upon arrival we set out on a scenic drive through the imposing Cuillin Hills (or “Black Cuillin”) to the fishing town of Portree. Here we enjoy lunch together at a local pub then continue our tour of the island known for its strong Gaelic influence. We return to the mainland via the Skye Bridge. B,L,D

Day 6: Ballachulish/Loch Ness/Inverness We depart today for Inverness, stopping en route at fabled Loch Ness. We drive the full 23-mile length of the lake best known for the other-worldly creature alleged to live in its deep waters. In addition we visit the ruins of lakeside Urquhart Castle, one of Scotland’s most popular attractions. Dating to at least the 13th century, the castle sits surrounded by water on three sides, giving it a formidable advantage in battle. Then we travel on to Inverness, the university town considered the capital of the Scottish Highlands. We dine tonight at our hotel, located in the village of Tain. B,D

Day 7: Inverness/Wester Ross We encounter more of the Highlands today, as we travel to the Wester Ross region with its spectacular mountains, sandy beaches, and tiny villages. A highlight is our visit to the breath­taking mile-long Corrieshalloch Gorge, a box canyon 200 feet deep; and the Falls of Measach, where the river plunges some 150 feet. We also visit colorful Inverewe Garden, 50 acres of exotic plants and flowers created in 1862 and now a National Trust property. Warmed by the Gulf Stream, the garden changes with the seasons and offers an oasis of greenery year-round. After this day of outstanding scenery we return to our hotel late afternoon, with dinner tonight on our own. B

Day 8: Inverness/Culloden Moor Historic Scotland takes center stage this morning as we visit Culloden Moor, site of the last battle of the Jacob­ite Rising in 1746. We learn about the battle, and its aftermath, on our private tour of the hallowed grounds. Then we travel through Speyside, the region famed for its many Scotch whiskey distilleries by the River Spey. We visit a distillery, where we enjoy a tour and tasting of the single malts produced here. We return to Inverness late this afternoon. B

Day 9: Inverness/St. Andrews/Edinburgh A full day of touring and activities is in store as we travel to ­Edin­burgh, the Scottish capital. Our first stop: Kinraig, where we watch a sheepdog demonstration with working Border Collies, known for their herding abilities. We continue on to St. Andrews, home of Scotland’s oldest university and renowned as the home of golf. Here we enjoy a traditional pub lunch together before some free time to explore the medieval town independently. Next we stop at the 14th-century Royal Palace of Falkland, country home of the Stuart monarchs (including Mary, Queen of Scots), where we see a falconry demonstration in the palace’s beautiful gardens. Early this evening we reach Edinburgh and our hotel, where we dine tonight. B,L,D

Day 10: Edinburgh Our morning tour of this stately city built on seven hills includes the 18th-century Georgian “New Town” and the medieval “Old Town,” where we visit Edinburgh Castle, symbolic heart of the country. This afternoon is at leisure to discover Edinburgh as we wish; museums, galleries, and shops abound. Guests on August departures will enjoy an evening performance of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the spectacular annual pageant set in the floodlit esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. B

Day 11: Edinburgh This morning we encounter the Royal Mile, the historic boulevard ­connecting Edinburgh Castle with the Palace of Holyrood House. We tour Holyrood, as it is called, and see where British royalty schemed and slept as we tour the State Apartments. The remainder of the day is free for independent exploration. Tonight we celebrate our Scotland sojourn over a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. B,D

Day 12: Depart for U.S. We transfer this morning to the Edinburgh airport for our return flights to the U.S. B