Your Detailed Itinerary EssentialScotland
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Day 1/2From Prestwick Airport, travel north to Ardrossan to take the ferry to Arran, a holiday-island for generations of Scots. Enjoy the gardens and the fine collections at Brodick Castle. Discover the island’s story at the Arran Heritage Museum. The coastal roads right round the island will also take you to the Lochranza Distillery in the north.
Day 3/4Returning to the mainland, go north east to Glasgow to sample its shopping and nightlife in particular. You should be able to track down an authentic ceilidh as well, as just one aspect of the city’s great nightlife! A UNESCO City of Music, Glsagow's legendary music scene covers the whole spectrum from contemporary and classical to Celtic and country. Scotland’s largest shopping choice, plus a huge range of cultural attractions, including the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, the Gallery of Modern Art and the Burrell Collection, should also be on every visitor’s list.
Day 5Go north from the city, on the A81 and A821, going through the heart of the Trossachs at the Duke’s Pass above Aberfoyle, now part of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, and the very byword for Scottish Highland scenery. From the Trossachs area, go east to join the M9 and the easy journey to Edinburgh.
Day 6Explore Edinburgh, with the Old Town – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – at its historic heart. An unrivalled cultural choice is offered in one of Europe’s great capitals.
Day 7Cross the Firth of Forth northbound to reach St Andrews in Fife, via the picturesque East Neuk of Fife fishing villages. Though St Andrews is known as the ‘Home of Golf’, the journey round the coast roads of Fife reveals a big choice of other classic links golf courses.
Day 8Continue north via the Tay Road Bridge for Dundee, to reach the Moray Firth coast via Aberdeen. On this north-facing coast are a good number of wildlife watching places, not just for seabirds but also to spot the local dolphins, often seen from the shore, though boat trips are available from the fishing port of Macduff and many other places to the west.
Day 9/10Continue coast-wise via Inverness, turning north to reach Scrabster and the ferry for Stromness, Orkney. These islands have an outstanding range of prehistoric sites. Just two of the ‘must sees’ are the extraordinary Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae and also Maes Howe. This prehistoric chambered cairn was already thousands of years old when plundering Vikings left their fascinating graffiti, still seen today! Both sites are easily visited from Stromness and well signposted, while the main town of
Kirkwall lies to the east by the A966.
Day 11Return to the mainland, retracing your journey down the A9 for Dingwall, from where you can go west (A834/A835) for Garve, then Achnasheen (A832) and Kyle of Lochalsh (A890) for Skye. Running broadly parallel with the road, the rail line from Inverness, ‘The Kyle Line’, to the terminus at Kyle of Lochalsh represents one of Scotland’s most scenic train journeys.
Day 12/13Take the bridge for the Isle of Skye at Kyle of Lochalsh to enjoy views of the Cuillin Hills from Sligachan. From there, the A863 goes west for the Talisker Distillery, as well as the little road to Glen Brittle, with superb mountain vistas. If time permits, also visit Elgol (signed from Broadford), where some rate the mountain views across Loch Scavaig as the finest in all of Scotland.
Day 14From Skye return to the mainland, turning south on the A87 to pass the iconic Eilean Donan Castle on Loch Duich. Head east to reach the Great Glen for Fort William, from where take the A82 through Glencoe and across Rannoch Moor, simply one of the most atmospheric scenic areas in Scotland. Continue via Loch Lomond to return to Glasgow.
Essential Scotland
The information contained in this publication is as supplied to VisitScotland and to the best of VisitScotland’s knowledge is correct at the time of going to press. VisitScotland can accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions. April 2015.
VisitScotland is committed to ensuring that our natural environment and built heritage, upon which tourism is so dependent, is safeguarded for future generations to enjoy.
Cover: A traditional ‘ceilidh’ dance, Edinburgh © Paul Tomkins, VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint Additional photography: Glyn Satterley, Nils Schlebusch, VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint
EssentialScotland
1
ISLE OF ARRAN – With a good range of activities including walking, golf and ponytrekking, Arran’s description as ‘Scotland in Miniature’ refers to the contrasts between the mountainous north and the island’s gentler south end.
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SKARA BRAE, ORKNEY – See Neolithic people’s living spaces, complete with bed recesses and cupboards, all built in stone and surviving 5000 years, the oldest dwellings in Western Europe. Interpretive centre nearby.
2
CEILIDHS IN GLASGOW – Head to the Grand Ballroom at Sloans, in the heart of Glasgow’s city centre, for their famous Friday night ‘ceilidhs’ (Scottish music and dance).
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EDINBURGH’S OLD TOWN – Discover the legends of Edinburgh’s Old Town – unbeatable for sheer atmosphere and a place of magic and mystery, where the alleys or ‘closes’ leading off the Royal Mile invite exploration.
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GOLF AT ST ANDREWS – St Andrews Links is the Home of Golf, where the game evolved. The six courses at the links are open to all, with bookable tee-times.
L i tt l e
M
i n ch
Th e M
i nch
M o ra y Fi r t h
Fi r t h o f Fo r t h
LochShin
LochNess
LochEricht
Loch Tay
LochAwe
Loch Earn
Loch LomondLoch Lomond
LochShiel
A712
A96
A96
A701
A702
A167A746
A702
A713
A816
A816
A848
A68A844
A702
A697
A688
A868
A947
A940
A84
A811
A7
A7
A72
A596
A857
A71
A595
A815
A98
A77
A90
A920
A714
A710
A926
A9
A97
A75
A77
A701
A701
A711
A69
A855
A755
A867
A716
A941
A7
A82
A822
A837
A696
A957
A592
A95
A839
A941
A77
A77
A858
A944
A78 A737
A78
A83
A83 A82
A6
A933
A1087
A875
A814
A90
A821
A689
A93
A939
A686
A6088
A198
A831
A1
A920
A75
A75 A75
A75
A850
A830
A846
A709
A841
A99
A66
A835
A965
A83
A6112
A866
A930
A847
A948
A698
A751
A76
A76
A76
A81
A917
A69
A97
A917
A708
A68
A68
A760
A1
A980
A916
A923
A70
A9
A9
A721
A1068
A92
A699
A975
A91
A859
A986
A919
A966
A981
A967
A960
A15
A1
A1
A6105
A937
A70
A85
A706
A886
A913
A836
A90
A90
A689
A827
A888
A86
A990
A865
A938
A880
A698
A94
A95
A95
A591
A838
A894
A823
A819
A939
A6089
A762
A712
A85
A863
A928
A964
A849
A941
A719
A747
A861
A85 A85
A9
A934
A882
A924
A961
A828A884
A832
A950
A698
A822
A944
A889
A826
A817
A952
A832
A833
A699
A949
A703
A923
A920
A82
A87
A87
A87
A890
A890
A839
A836
A851
A836
A887
A99
A835
A689
A897A894
A846
A896
M74
A194(M)
M9
M74
M8
A1(M)
M77
A74(M)
M80
M8
M6
M8
M90
M9
M6
M8
E N G L A N D
N O R T H E R NI R E L A N D
SPEY VALLEY
StromnessKirkwall
John o’ GroatsGills Bay
Scrabster
ThursoMelvichBettyhill
Tongue
Durness
Scourie
Altnaharra
Lochinver
Wick
Dunbeath
Helmsdale
BroraGolspie
Dornoch
Tain
Lairg
Ullapool
Gairloch
Torridon
Stornoway
Arnol
Port of Ness
Callanish
Tarbert
Leverburgh
Otternish
Dingwall Nairn Elgin
CromartyBanff Fraserburgh
PeterheadTurriff
Huntly
Grantown-on-Spey
AviemoreBoat ofGarten
KingussieRalia
Muir of Ord
CullenMacduff
GardenstownForres
Dufftown
Craigellachie
AchnasheenStrathpeffer
Portree
Elgol
Uig
Dunvegan
SconserLochcarron
Kyle ofLochalsh
Broadford
Carbost
Armadale
Mallaig
GlenelgShiel BridgeKylerhea
Lochmaddy
Lochboisdale
Isle of Eriskay
Castlebay
Drumnadrochit UrquhartCastle
Fort Augustus
Invergarry
Spean Bridge
Newtonmore
Braemar
Glenshee
BallaterCrathie
Aboyne
Edzell
AlfordInverurie
Ellon
Banchory
Stonehaven
Forfar
Kirriemuir
Glamis
Arbroath
Montrose
Crieff
Carnoustie
BrechinPitlochry
Blairgowrie
Aberfeldy
Killin
Dunkeld
Scone
KinlochRannoch
BlairAtholl
Bruar
Fort William
Oban
Corran
Strontian GlencoeBallachulish
LochalineFishnish
Craignure
Acharacle
Kilchoan
Tobermory
Fionnphort
Feolin Port Askaig
Bowmore
Port Ellen
Crinan
Lochgilphead
Tarbert
Tayinloan
Carradale
Dunoon
Rothesay Largs
Irvine
DumbartonBalloch
Drymen
Dunblane
Helensburgh
Wemyss Bay
Crianlarich
Tyndrum
Tarbet
Inveraray
Lochearnhead
Callander
AberfoyleArdgartan
GourockGreenock
ColintraiveRhubodach
PortavadieKennacraig
Claonaig
Lochranza
Brodick
Campbeltown
Ardrossan
Troon
Prestwick
Kilmarnock
Millport
Ayr
Maybole
LanarkPeebles
Penicuik
Biggar
Abington
Newton Stewart
Girvan
Stranraer
Whithorn
WigtownPortpatrick
Port Logan
Cairnryan CastleDouglas
Gatehouseof Fleet
Kirkcudbright
Dalbeattie
NewAbbey
Langholm
Gretna
LockerbieDumfries
Thornhill
GretnaGreen
Carlisle
Moffat
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Haddington
Galashiels
St Andrews
North BerwickDunbar
Cupar
GlenrothesKinross
Dunfermline
LinlithgowFalkirk
Selkirk
JedburghHawick
Poolewe
Tomintoul
Daviot
Spittal ofGlenshee
Arisaig
Kirkcaldy
Eyemouth
CrailAnstruther
SanquharWanlockhead
New Galloway
Melrose KelsoColdstream
Burwick
St Margaret’s Hope
Aultbea
Buckie
KeithFochabers
Lossiemouth
Carrbridge
Kincraig
Hamilton
Coatbridge
Motherwell
Paisley
Larne
Alva
Bo'nessRosyth
Auchterarder
Burntisland
RoslinNewtongrangeDalkeithOld Craighall
Leven
Mauchline
NorthKessock
Drimnin
Laga
Ballycastle
Beauly
GLASGOW
ABERDEEN
INVERNESS
DUNDEEPERTH
NEWCASTLEUPON TYNE
EDINBURGH
BELFAST
STIRLING
Cairngorms
National Park
Loch Lomond and the TrossachsNational Park
Cairngorms
National Park
Loch Lomond and the TrossachsNational Park
Isle ofArran
Ceilidhs
The Kyle Line
TaliskerDistillery
Golf at St Andrews
Edinburgh’sOld Town
SkaraBrae
Dolphins inthe Moray Firth
Loch Lomond andThe Trossachs National Park
EileanDonanCastle
1
2
4
8
5
7
6
910
3
LEWIS
HARRIS
BARRA
Canna
Rum
Eigg
Muck
Coll
Tiree
Colonsay
Iona
GighaBute
Seil
Lismore
Ardnamurchan
Luing
RAASAY
NORTHUIST
SOUTHUIST
MULL
JURA
ISLAY
ARRAN
Mull OfGalloway
SKYE
SCALPAY
BERNERAY
ORKNEY
SANDAY
STRONSAYEday
ROUSAY
HOYSOUTH RONALDSAY
BENBECULA
0 10 20 30 405 Miles
0 25 5012.5 Kilometers
© MFAtech [email protected]+44 (0) 207 871 1332Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2011
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02-ESSENTIAL_SCOTLAND_MAP_FINAL.pdf 1 3/16/2015 12:50:56 PM
So many options: scenic splendour, castles, whisky, golf, ceilidhs and lots more, plus the call of the islands – all on a great Scottish menu of experiences. And look out for Highland Games in the summer – the essence of Highland traditions, taking place in many towns and villages from May to September.
EssentialScotland
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DOLPHINS IN THE MORAY FIRTH The bottle-nosed dolphins here are the largest of their kind in the world – thanks to the rich feeding grounds. Between Macduff and Cromarty, several operators offer boat trips.
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TALISKER DISTILLERY, SKYE – Tasting of the sea (some say) as well as having peaty, smoky overtones, enthusiasts class it midway between a light Highland and a heavier Islay malt in flavour. Talisker is Skye’s only distillery.
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EILEAN DONAN CASTLE – With its rugged backdrop, this restored Clan MacRae stronghold on a tiny island on Loch Duich is truly an icon of Scotland – but it also appeared in the film Highlander!
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THE KYLE LINE – Scenic railway from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh – gateway to Skye. Exciting descent from Achnasheen down Glen Carron to the west coast. Superb coastal views between Strome Ferry and Kyle.
LOCH LOMOND AND TROSSACHSNATIONAL PARK – Scotland’s first national park takes in 1865 sq km and includes Scotland’s largest loch by surface area. Walking choice for all abilities.
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