Highlands & Islands Tour 2024 (Hannay family – by invitation only)
Dates: May 13 – May 27, 2024
Price: $5795 USD per person, double occupancy (details below)
Tour Brief:
From the rocky highlands, windswept islands, and lonely glens to the blackened stone of old city walls, and weather that can show all four seasons in a single day, Scotland is a country that breathes a challenge for people to rise above whatever stands in their way. At times, Scotland only seems once removed from the mystical fingers of its ancient past, while at others it beams the warm light of faith, goodwill, and the tender hearts of its people. There is truly no place like Caledonia!
Our 14-day tour is divided into 2 parts. The first 11 days (May 13-23, 2024) begins in the metropolitan city of Glasgow and is a journey through the castles, battlefields, distilleries, and towns, large and small as we travel to the western isles, and north through the highlands to the Isle of Skye, and then on to Orkney. We return through the rugged Cairngorms National Park to the lovely city of Edinburgh. For guests who would like to participate in the 2024 Hannay Clan Gathering from May 24-26, there is accommodation and our private coach transportation every step of the way. It’s a beautiful country, and a beautiful trip with plenty of art, architecture, history, and culture thrown into the mix. With Eat and Drink Like a European taking care of the details, our private coach acting as full-time designated driver, and plenty of free time built in for your own explorations, this really is the best way to see Scotland!
Basic Itinerary (Main Tour)
- 1 night in Glasgow
- 2 nights in Oban
- 2 nights in Portree, Skye
- 1 night in Thurso
- 2 nights in Kirkwall, Orkney
- 1 night in Inverness
- 1 final night in Edinburgh
Clan Gathering Additional Tour
- 1 additional night in Edinburgh
- 2 nights in Newton Stewart; days spent at Clan Gathering
- 1 final night in Glasgow
Tour Highlights
- Upscale hotels, including Hilton hotels, all with full breakfasts to begin your day
- Private Coach & driver
- Meticulously planned easy-to-follow daily itinerary & extra suggestions!
- 1-year Historic Scotland membership, providing free entry to sites, discounts, and a quarterly magazine
- Stirling Castle, Edinburgh Castle, Dunvegan Castle, Blair Castle
- 3 Isles tour to Mull, Staffa, Iona to see Fingal’s Cave, Iona Abbey, and puffins!
- Jacobite Steam Train from Fort William to Mallaig
- Private guided tour of Skye, including Fairy Glen, Old Man of Storr, Neist Point Lighthouse
- Talisker distillery
- Skara Brae, Maeshowe burial chamber, Italian Chapel, Churchill’s Barrier
- Private guided tour of Orkney including Ring of Brodgar, Stones of Stenness, Scapa Flow
- Culloden Battlefield
- Hannay Clan Gathering 2024, at Sorbie Tower!
Daily Itinerary (Main Tour)
*subject to change if necessary – unlikely though!
Day 1: Monday, May 13, 2024 – Fàilte gu Alba! Welcome to Scotland!
You will meet at the centrally located hotel in Glasgow in the early afternoon. There is nothing specific planned though I would be happy to book you into a restaurant all together after the long day(s) of travel. Guests will have the evening to enjoy Glasgow’s restaurants, friendly streets and lively nightlife. Sleep in Glasgow / Walking: Light / Meals provided: none
Day 2: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 – Heading west!
You’ll wake up to enjoy your first full-Scottish breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast the group will meet the coach driver and load the coach for the morning drive to Stirling. On the way the group will visit Stirling Castle for exploration and lunch at the Castle. After lunch the group will drive to Oban from Stirling. Total drive about 113 miles, just under 3 hours on the coach. Arriving in the afternoon the group will be free to enjoy the rest of the day exploring this lovely seaside town. Anyone who prefers an outdoor adventure can walk the 30-minute hike up the overlooking hill to McCaig’s Tower where any partakers will enjoy panoramic views of Oban and the surrounding coastline. The afternoon and evening are free for the guests to enjoy the sights and sounds of this beautiful town at their leisure. Sleep in Oban / Bus: 3 hours/Walking: Moderate / Meals provided: Breakfast
Day 3: Wednesday, May 15, 2024 – The 3 Isles Tour
Today the group leaves on an amazing tour of the 3 isles of Mull, Iona, and Staffa with a local tour company. Starting with a ferry trip to Mull, the group will board the coach with a guide explaining the beautiful scenery and fascinating history on this island which is the ancestral home of Clan McLean. The group will board a much smaller boat to visit the beautiful geological wonder of Staffa, complete with Fingal’s cave and its many nesting puffins. From Staffa the group will return to the coach and head to the small but lovely isle of Iona. Iona Abbey is fantastic and is the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland. This is where the Book of Kells (in Trinity College, Dublin) was written. Iona is still an important place of pilgrimage for historians, and many with a faith background. After the visits to the lower Western Isles, you will return to Oban for a 2nd night in your hotel. Sleep in Oban/ Bus: 3 hours / Walking: Moderate / Meals provided: Breakfast
Day 4: Thursday, May 16, 2024 – From Sea to Skye
Today you head to the beautiful Isle of Skye – in style! There will be a drive through the rugged Glencoe valley, sight of the Macdonald massacre at the hands of a Campbell (still a sore spot to locals). From here the route will take you to Fort William, where you will embark on one of the most beloved train journeys in the world. You will take the iconic Jacobite steam train from Fort William to Mallaig, passing by Glenfinnan, where Bonny Prince Charlie first raised the Jacobite standard to raise the Highland army. You will also cross the Glenfinnan viaduct, the train bridge made even more famous in the Harry Potter movies. Once you arrive you will meet up again with your coach (who had to drive all the way). You will take the ferry passage from Mallaig to Armadale, on Skye. From here you will drive to the largest town on the island, Portree. This will be the first of 2 nights in Portree. Sleep in Portree / Bus: 4 hours / Walking: Light / Meals provided: Breakfast
Day 5: Friday, May 17, 2024 – The beautiful Skye
On day 5 you will explore the Isle of Skye, including a visit to the Fairy Glen, Dunvegan Castle, the Old Man of Storr, and the Neist Point lighthouse. We will hire a local guide to bring our travels to life for the full morning. In the afternoon a visit to the Talisker distillery will be just what the doctor ordered as you relax and prepare for your 2nd night in Portree. Sleep in Portree / Bus 3 hours / Walking: Moderate / Meals provided: Breakfast
Day 6: Saturday, May 18, 2024 – The North Coast
This travel day begins with the group heading north along the beautiful but rugged northern west coast of Scotland. After a lunch break in the quaint seaside village of Ullapool, you will complete the journey through the picturesque but lonely highlands. The reward at the end of the ride is being able enjoy the evening at a striking private estate hotel near Thurso. This will be a chance to relax in a beautiful setting, while having the chance to enjoy the gardens. This will be our only planned dinner in the beautiful dining room of the hotel, allowing everyone to walk home after dinner. Sleep in Thurso / Bus: 6 hours / Walking: Light / Meals provided: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: Sunday, May 19, 2024 – The Viking roots of Scotland
Off to Orkney! You will take a morning ferry to Orkney for the 1st of 2 nights in Kirkwall. Soon after arriving in Orkney you will see the amazing Italian Chapel, and Churchill’s Barrier on the way to Orkney’s largest city of Kirkwall. In Orkney you will also visit some of the most ancient Scottish sights, including the 5000 year old near-subterranean village of Skara Brae, and the burial chamber of Maeshowe, complete with Viking graffiti. After the long drive yesterday, the extra time in Kirkwall in the afternoon and evening will be most welcome. Sleep in Kirkwall/ Bus: 1.5 hours / Walking: Light / Meals provided: Breakfast
Day 8: Monday, May 20, 2024 – Rings and Stones
Everyone loves rings with large stones. If so, you won’t be disappointed today. The neolithic Ring of Brodgar (older than Stonehenge) and the Standing Stones of Stenness highlight the tour today. There will be a lovely daytime driving tour with a local guide showing the life, culture, and history of Orkney, with their Viking roots. For WW1 buffs, you will also have time to look over the still visible shipwrecks of the German fleet at Scapa Flow. Sleep in Kirkwall / Bus: 3 hours / Walking: Moderate / Meals provided: Breakfast
Day 9: Tuesday, May 21, 2024 – Goodbye, Highlanders
A morning ferry ride and the group heads south and drives to lunch in Wick. After a break here the group will carry on to Inverness. There will be time to visit the Culloden battlefield, which is the sight of the last battle on British soil, and the final defeat of Bonny Prince Charlie and his Highland army. There will be time in the evening to visit the friendly establishments that are found in the downtown core. Sleep in Inverness/Bus: 4 hours/Walking: Light / Meals provided: Breakfast
Day 10: Wednesday, May 22, 2024 – Auld Reekie
Today the group makes it way south to the majestic city of Edinburgh. On the way the group will stop for lunch and sightseeing at the beautiful Blair Castle, home of the UK’s only private army, the Atholl Highlanders. After the visit the driver will take the group the rest of the way to Auld Reekie, where the group will have the rest of the day to enjoy the many sights and sounds of this world-class city. Though no sights will be booked, I will provide a healthy list of recommendations of things to do. The grand Edinburgh Castle will be at the top of the list!
This will be the final evening for guests who depart the Main Tour. We wish them well and hope that their memories of this beautiful country will last a lifetime! Sleep in Edinburgh/Bus: 3.5 hours/Walking: Moderate / Meals provided: Breakfast
Clan Gathering Add-On Itinerary
*Please note that your Clan Gathering Add-On with Eat and Drink Like a European does NOT include any Clan Gathering fees or extra charges that the Clan Hannay Society may levy. Though I will send an email informing the Society of any guests who will attend in person, all other arrangements for the Gathering itself will be for the guests to make directly.
Day 11: Thursday, May 23, 2024 – Exploring Edinburgh
For the guests who have chosen to attend the Hannay Clan Gathering, this day will be a great day without travel on the coach! All day to continue to explore Edinburgh and to get excited about the Clan Gathering that starts tomorrow! Sleep in Edinburgh/Bus: 0 hours/Walking: Moderate / Meals provided: Breakfast
Day 12: Friday, May 24, 2024 – Kick-off of the Hannay Clan Gathering 2024
Today the group reacquaints themselves with our friendly bus driver, who picks them up in the morning and heads to Newton Stewart, for the beginning of the Hannay Clan Gathering 2024. The activities will revolve around the scheduled events in and around Sorbie Tower and Newton Stewart. What a wonderful time to reflect upon shared heritage and to celebrate with friends old and new. At the conclusion of the day’s events the group will head to our local hotel in Newton Stewart. Sleep in Newton Stewart/Bus: 3 hours/Walking: Light / Meals provided: Breakfast
Day 13: Saturday, May 25, 2024 – The Hannay Clan Gathering 2024 continued
Again, the day’s activities will revolve around the scheduled events in and around Sorbie Tower and Newton Stewart. The Hannay Clan Society has a plan in place to enjoy the festivities with all Hannays, from near or far. At the conclusion of the day’s events the group will again head to our local hotel in Newton Stewart. Our driver will be supporting us all day with getting us safely to whatever destinations need to be visited. This will be our 2nd night at the Newton Stewart hotel. Sleep in Newton Stewart/Bus: 1 hour/Walking: Light / Meals provided: Breakfast
Day 14: Sunday, May 26, 2024 – Hannay Clan Gathering 2024 finale
A final morning and early afternoon will be enjoyed with the Hannay Clan before you say your goodbyes and hit the road back to Glasgow. Once final evening in this lively city. Enjoy it! Sleep in Glasgow/Bus: 2 hours/Walking: Light / Meals provided: Breakfast
Day 15: Monday, May 27, 2024 – Lang May Yer Lum Reek
Your final full Scottish breakfast of this visit! Heading home? The airport is easy to reach by local transit, Uber, or cab. Sticking around for more adventures? I’ll be happy to give you some advice! As the Scots say, “Lang May Yer Lum Reek!” Meals provided: Breakfast
Details
Main Tour Price: $5795 USD per person based on double occupancy. A limited number of single rooms are available for $895 USD per person.
Clan Gathering Extension Price: $700 per person based on double occupancy. A limited number of single rooms are available for $200 per person.
Trip Insurance: You need to purchase travel insurance from your preferred provider. We do not sell insurance.
Price Includes: Accommodations at centrally located hotels, transport by coach with driver, breakfast each day, 1 dinner as indicated in the itinerary, admission costs and local tour costs as specified in the itinerary, all taxes and surcharges. Though every effort will be made to keep to the itinerary as described above, it is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.
Not Included: Airfare, Trip Insurance, Tip to your driver (recommended £3-4 pounds per day per person)
Deposit: A deposit of $400 per person is due to secure a spot on the. The deposit is non-refundable. If you have a current travel credit it will be taken off the final amount – everyone must pay the $400 deposit.
Final Payment: Final payment for the trip is due no later than February 29, 2024. Once you pay your deposit you will receive an invoice with the options for paying the final amount. The final payment is non-refundable. If you have a current travel credit it will be taken off the final amount.
Eligibility to Travel: US and Canadian citizens entering the United Kingdom must have a valid passport that does not expire within 6 months of the planned departure date.
General Terms and Conditions: By signing up for this tour, you are agreeing to the specific terms and conditions above and the general terms and conditions found here.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
James Johnson james@eatanddrinklikeaeuropean.com
OneLife Tours Ltd., the company that offers the Eat and Drink Like a European line of tours, are authorized and licensed to sell tours by Consumer Protection BC (License # 68975) – your assurance that your deposit is safe.
