Inverness is a great base for exploring the Highlands and we supply you with directions for a range of day trips so you can extend the time that you spend in the Inverness area. We had such a wonderful time we are going back again this year, and we will be using his itineraries again for our planning. Press J to jump to the feed. The landscape of Inverpollaidh is defined by the distinctive peaks of Stac Pollaidh, Suilven and Canisp. Our Grand Tour of Scotland route takes you from the bottom to the top of the country. JEREMY Clarkson is back to his old menacing ways as The Grand Tour winds through Scotland. Kick off your route at the iconic Inverness Castle, crossing the Black Isle Peninsula in early morning. There are several good museums that tell the story of the people that once lived here. Complete - sites, restaurants, pubs and experiences.” That is how I would describe what they do and provide. In the last episode of The Grand Tour, the trio drove three yet-to-appreciate classics through Scotland on what’s called the NC500 rally. You can end the drive in Ullapool, but we also provide directions for a visit to Lochinver via the Inverpollaidh Nature Reserve. The Grand Tour itinerary can be done in 14 days, but we include lots of day trip options so you can use this guide for planning a trip of a much longer duration. We are so confident that you’ll be delighted with your guide that we offer a full Money Back Guarantee. We ended up staying at nine different properties and going on two organized tours in Skye and Orkney. Best Scottish road trip for: castle-spotters, trendy travellers and … minimum 1 / maximum 4 participants. End your day in Glenfinnan, along the shores of Loch Shiel. Close map view. You have a good chance of seeing the Jacobite steam train as the railway closely follows the path of the road. Make a detour to Easdale Island, where you could go on a whale-watching trip and visit a local seal colony. Grand Tours of Scotland (2010 ... all places that enchanted and inspired visitors with the magic of Scotland's unique history and landscape. Stop along the way at the picturesque Eilean Donan Castle, drive along the mystical shores of Loch Ness (try to spot the famed Loch Ness monster! You’ll even be able to call them 24/7 on our emergency helpline in case a ferry is delayed or you otherwise need assistance during your trip. Along the way, visit the beautiful Smoo Cave, the largest and most dramatic sea cave in Britain. Route of the 287 mile Scottish road trip the boys took in Season 3 Episode 7? We provide directions for a choice of 3 walking routes for discovering the Capital City. As a result, you are limited in how much you can cover in a day and you need to schedule at least a 2 night stopover. The Grand Tour: Series 3, Episode 7: ‘Well aged Scotch’ Share 1. When you buy a Secret Scotland Tour Itinerary you will receive a Discount Code that gets you a 10% reduction on the cost of Car Hire from Arnold Clark Rental. Despite lying further north than Moscow, the mild west coast climate enables all sorts of sub tropical plants to thrive in this Highland oasis. For more information, please see our, Grand Tour itinerary can be done in 14 days, Driving Distance: ~87 miles (plus a ~40 minute ferry crossing) – Oban to Mallaig ferry via Fort William, Driving Distance: ~98 miles (plus a ~40 minute ferry crossing) – Oban to Mallaig ferry via Sunart, Driving Distance: ~120 miles – Oban to Skye Bridge. Join the coach for the 1st day of your holiday touring Scotland, arriving in the fishing port of Oban … If you feel energetic, Stac Pollaidh can be done in ~3 hours, but the last ascent to the true summit of the mountain is a bit too scary and difficult for most. It’s 500 miles of gorgeous road that run almost parallel to Scotland’s North Coast. It was absolutely worth every penny and there is no way we could have seen so much and so well without their itinerary. Devote two entire days to exploring everything Skye has to offer, walking its many trails and learning about local history. We can't say enough about how much the detailed information enhanced our experience in Scotland. Start in Tarbert, before exploring the many highlights of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. The road trip takes you up Scotland's West coast and then follows the NC500 route around the Northern extremes of the Scottish mainland. Just like pictures of Scotland can’t do justice to the magnificence of the actual landscape, words can’t do justice to the brilliance and sheer volume of work you put in your guide. So glad we did. We guide you on a route through scenery that we think is the best in Scotland. The Grand Tour itinerary can be done in 14 days, but we include lots of day trip options so you can use this guide for planning a trip of a much longer duration. Allow a minimum of 11 days to drive this tour route. Then drive past the Caledonian Canal and Great Glen with a quick stop at the Treasures of the Earth in Corpach, to see Europe’s finest private collection of gemstones. Continuing along the route of an old Cattle Drover’s road, you arrive at Loch Awe, the longest loch in Scotland. 29min | Documentary | TV Series (2017– ) Episode Guide. We thought the information provided was fantastic and allowed us to see things I am sure we would have missed. The guide provides details of a recommended organised day trip that takes you around the best tourist attractions without the hassle of taking your car. Along the way you could also visit the Scottish residence of the British Royal Family, Balmoral Castle. Simply use the Secret Scotland code when you book via the Arnold Clark website and your car hire discount will automatically apply. These guys really are the best. To visit the destinations and attractions mentioned in this post - and to discover a few new highlights along the way - check out these recommended Nordic Visitor tours. Complete a Scottish loop by starting at Glasgow or Edinburgh to then traverse through the picturesque Highlands. The drive ends in Thurso, but you could also catch a late ferry to Orkney and we have supplied details of the various ferry services available. My wife and I chose this tour because we wanted to visit some of the more remote locations of Scotland. We loved the suggestions for sight seeing, eating, and places to stay, but the best part was the detailed driving directions. The guide gives you directions to find a cozy waterside inn with a restaurant where you dine whilst enjoying beautiful sunsets. Next, head along the west coast, stopping at Inverewe Garden. The boys take three classic cars on a road trip across Scotland; Jeremy Clarkson compares the BMW M5 and Alpina B5 at the Eboladrome; Episode Guide. We also recommend visiting the town of St Andrews, famously known as the “Home of Golf”. Here you can explore Fingal’s Cave, and try to spot dolphins and minke whales. By way of contrast, you could also visit Floors Castle, the palatial home of the Duke of Buccleuch and his family. Ready for the ultimate road trip? Allow a minimum of 11 days to drive this tour route. Within a few miles of Inverness you can travel through 4,000 years of history. Depending on your schedule, you may wish to spend a morning visiting the attractions of Stirling (e.g. Next, you'll head west to explore the Isles of Harris and Lewis before going down to Skye. The PENIS 287 is a circular route from Inverness, following the A838 in its entirety, before following the NC500 clockwise back to Inverness. The day ends in the historically important town of Stirling, which has been the focal point of two of the most decisive battles in the Scottish Wars of Independence. But, as the episode begins, the trio aren’t overly complimentary about the country. Add to Watchlist. 3 – 4 participants per tour £995.00 p/p Other highlights include the Quiraing, An Corran Beach and the Fairy Glen. 2 participants per tour £1195.00 p/p. Argyll Coastal Route. The Grand Tour presenter and his two companions, Richard Hammond and James May, have been tackling the North Coast 500 route round the north of Scotland … Nearby you’ll also find the historic Scone Palace, where Scottish kings used to be crowned upon the stone of destiny. When you "Checkout", you will have the option to buy the Accommodation Guide. Paul's route starts at ... Add Image. From Durness, you travel east along the northern coast of Scotland and the landscape becomes gradually flatter as you approach Thurso. You can still "close the loop" but via a slightly different route. The Grand Tour was the 17th- and 18th-century custom of a traditional trip through Europe undertaken by upper-class young European men of sufficient means and rank (typically accompanied by a chaperone, such as a family member) when they had come of age (about 21 years old).. You could see majestic castles that once housed Scottish royalty, visit renowned museums to learn about our history, and view spots where famous battles took place. We will definitely use this service the next time we visit Scotland! Mike and Aurey from Secret Scotland prepared a fantastic itinerary for us. Travelling west, you can break the journey with a visit to Doune Castle, which starred as “Castle Leoch” in the “Outlander” TV show. Scotland is such a marvelous place. and beautiful mountains. Our recommended route takes in Orkney and Skye as well - both should not be missed if you are in this neighbourhood! The Scottish Grand Tour is one of the great rail journeys of the world. Travel through the enchanting landscape of the Cairngorms National Park on your drive from Perth to Aberdeen on the Royal Deeside Tourist Route. Expect rocky cliffs, golden beaches (perhaps a surprise?) This charming and relatively short route takes in the farmlands of Blairgowrie, mighty mountains of the Highlands, and rich rolling landscape of Royal Deeside. S1, Ep4. From Ullapool, catch the ferry to the Isle of Lewis and Harris. Of course, The Borders is famous for its Abbeys and we give you a tour that lets you visit the religious ruins in Melrose, Dryburgh, Kelso and Jedburgh. Riding some 230 miles (370km) on quiet and spectacularly scenic roads you will experience an incredible range of trip highlights. We have just got back from an EXCELLENT holiday following the Borders to Orkney route suggestions. Added to Watchlist. Finish your journey at the remaining city so you never miss a beat! Bíldshöfði 20 Exceptional accommodation recommendations. The Grand Tour: Piloting Extremely Nicely in Scotland 287 In this episode Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May take reasonably priced classic cars to Scotland and forge a new epic driving route … Continue west to Inveraray, a charming village known for its whitewashed houses, historic jail and fairytale castle. AMAZON Prime's The Grand Tour has been criticised after Jeremy Clarkson and co-hosts mocked independence supporters and a Scottish town during a recent episode. Driving north, stop to visit the UNESCO City of Design, Dundee, before heading up to Aberdeen. On the way, visit Doune Castle, take a boat trip along Loch Katrine, and, if time allows, explore Stirling Castle. 18 episodes. Take the ferry back to mainland Scotland and join the famous North Coast 500 route (see route #1). You can either drive the direct route, or head along the scenic coastal road. For a sense of time stood still, you can visit the oldest continually inhabited house in Scotland and learn the legend behind the gates that have been locked for over 250 years. Single participant per tour £1395.00 p/p. You can even sample whisky at Talisker Distillery. View Map. Thank you so much. The NC500 route offers visitors the opportunity to see rugged landscapes, frolic on sandy beaches, spot wildlife, visit museums and heritage sites, stay in castles, sip whisky, sample the local produce, and get to know the people who live there. If you'd like to see it, ask a travel consultant for more information. We found so many hidden and not so hidden gems, and everything was perfectly laid out for us so that all we had to do was decide how much time we had and what we wanted to see next. Visit historic sites like McCaig's Tower or Dunollie Museum, sample fresh seafood or whisky at Oban Distillery. Sample seafood, explore the ancient kingdoms and admire the Scottish Highlands on the Argyll Coastal Route. He loves nerding out over writing, SEO, board games and sci-fi. The guide also details a choice of attractions that can be visited around Edinburgh by bus and train. Driving Distance: ~120 miles – Oban to Skye Bridge. Get acquainted with Orkney, with its jaw dropping scenery and ruins dating back to the Stone Age. Today, you’ll explore the stunning Scottish Highlands by driving the Deeside Tourist Route through the Cairngorms National Park (like in route #3). We used Mike's Flexi Days East to West itinerary last July and it was truly indispensable. Overview: This tour follows the coastal roads of the iconic North Coast 500 whilst also diverting inland to explore its heartland. The average Grand Tourist traveled from city to city, usually spending weeks in smaller cities and up to several months in the three major ones. The itinerary Secret Scotland provided was a trip saver. Please note that Balmoral is only open for a few weeks a year. The UNESCO-listed Heart of Neolithic Orkney, including Skara Brae, should be on any travel-lover’s wish list. Check out our Scotland self-drive tours for more information. The Scottish Grand Tour (formerly the Grand Tour of Scotland) rail pass lets you travel on ScotRail trains along a circular route that takes in the highlights of Scotland. …. From Edinburgh, you’ll drive into the Highlands and up to the most northerly part of mainland UK to take a ferry to Orkney. Start the day exploring Fort William, where you could pop into the Ben Nevis Distillery Visitor Centre. The guide includes suggestions for 4 days trips to explore the Orkney Mainland and the smaller islands of Hoy and Rousay. View map. Participants and fees. The boat tour will take you to Iona, where you can visit Iona Abbey, before sailing off to Staffa. Our Grand Tour of Scotland route takes you on a comprehensive journey from the rolling hills and ruined abbeys of the Borders, to the standing stones of Orkney. Driving Distance: ~98 miles (plus a ~40 minute ferry crossing) – Oban to Mallaig ferry via Sunart, OPTION 3: If travelling via the Skye bridge, you don’t need to plan your day around a ferry crossing so you might wish to schedule time for a cable car ride, or a short hike in Glen Nevis. Simple to use. We recommend that you allow ~2 hours for a full tour of Stirling castle so you may prefer to leave this attraction until the morning of the following day. On the way to Fort William, you could stop off at Castle Stalker, Ardchattan Priory Gardens, and the Scottish Sealife Sanctuary. From Thurso, we guide you across empty moorlands to the North Sea where you turn southwards to follow a road that hugs a coastline of rugged windswept cliffs. 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