LOCHS & HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND

Day 1 Arrive in Edinburgh

Arrive in Edinburgh where you will be met on arrival and transferred to your elegant 5-star hotel in the heart of Edinburgh. You'll have the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Balmoral Hotel Edinburgh

Day 2 Edinburgh

Meet your private guide for a sightseeing tour of Edinburgh. A visit will be made to Edinburgh Castle, which dominates the capital from atop a huge promontory of rock in the city centre, and where the Crown Jewels of Scotland, older than those of England, are kept. Afterwards drive down the Royal Mile to the Holyrood Palace, the official residence of the King when in Edinburgh, and former home of the ill-fated Mary, Queen of Scots in the 16th century, where you will be able to visit the State Apartments. Lunch is at leisure and the rest of the day is free to explore independently. You might like to head to Leith and step on board the Royal Yacht Britannia, the one place where Her Majesty the Late Queen is said to have been able to truly relax, and get a glimpse of the private lives of the royalty in the sumptuous interiors.

Overnight: Balmoral Hotel Edinburgh

Day 3 The Falkirk Wheel, Stirling & Blairgowrie

Collect your hire car and head northwest out of the city. Stop in Falkirk and take a boat ride on the Falkirk Wheel, one of Scotland's newest attractions and a masterpiece of engineering joining the Forth and Clyde Canals. Admire the recently constructed Kelpies structure before continuing ever northwards, breaking your journey in the historic city of Stirling, Scotland's heritage capital and home to a spectacular cliff top castle and the 220ft high National Wallace Monument.

Overnight: Country house hotel

Day 4 Perthshire, Aberfeldy & Blairgowrie

Your country house hotel is well located for enjoying the many activities and attractions in Perthshire. If you are keen on golf, there are 40 top golf courses in the county, most within a short drive of the hotel, including the renowned Gleneagles course. We would also recommend trying your hand at salmon fishing on the River Tay, where fishermen come from all over the world (advance reservation essential). Easy and breathtakingly scenic daytrips include Aberfeldy where you can admire the stunning waterfalls that inspired Robert Burns's poem The Birks Of Aberfeldy or visit Castle Menzies, home of a Clan Chief and where Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed en route for the Battle of Culloden. There is also a wonderful whisky distillery. The city of Perth is just a short drive away and a visit is highly recommended to see the stunningly beautiful Scone Palace where Robert the Bruce and King Charles II were both crowned.

Overnight: Country house hotel

Day 5 Perthshire through to Fort William

Today there's yet another beautiful scenic drive for you, through the Cairngorms National Park in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. Visit the evocative battlefield at Culloden near Inverness before heading along the banks of Loch Ness to Inverlochy Castle Hotel close to Fort William, Gateway to the Highlands and site of Ben Nevis.

Overnight: Inverlochy Castle

Day 6 Jacobite Steam Train to Mallaig

Today you'll enjoy the 84-mile scenic round trip by steam train between Fort William and Mallaig, including crossing over the world-famous 14-arch Glenfinnan viaduct which featured in the Harry Potter films. Mallaig isn't just the main access point to the Isle of Skye (via ferry) but also a thriving fishing community, and you'll have time to visit the village, perhaps sampling one of the village restaurants offering freshly caught fish and shellfish, before joining the train again for the return journey to Fort William (Your seats will be in the First Class carriages).

Overnight: Inverlochy Castle

Day 7 Idyllic west coast drive to Loch Awe

Say farewell to Fort William and take the scenic west coast down to the tranquil banks of Loch Awe at the foot of Ben Cruachan. Here you will be based in a romantic 19th century manor house with enchanting accommodation set in some 240 acres of beautifully unspoilt grounds.

Overnight: Country house hotel

Day 8 Loch Awe, steam boats and Oban

Enjoy a wonderful day exploring the beautiful Scottish countryside. This is fantastic walking country or you could try clay pigeon shooting, or even white water rafting or canoeing if you're feeling adventurous. Take a steam boat from Loch Awe Pier and head for the mysterious Kilchurn Castle on the Loch or head further afield to Oban in the west, home of Oban Whisky and Gateway to the Isles.

Overnight: Country house hotel

Day 9 Back to Edinburgh via the Trossachs

Make your way back to Edinburgh via Inverary, Loch Lomond and the beautiful Trossachs, for another day of exceptional breath-taking scenery. Stop in Balloch on the southwest shores of Loch Lomond for a traditional Scottish lunch with delightful views over the loch before continuing east along the Firth of Forth, and back into Edinburgh.

Overnight: Balmoral Hotel Edinburgh

Day 10 Journey Home

After breakfast, you will be privately transferred to Edinburgh Airport to catch your flight home.