Day 1: Following your home taxi collection we make our way North to Lockerbie and our overnight accommodation, the Dryfesdale Country House Hotel.
Day 2: This morning we continue our journey North and head into the glorious Highland countryside to our home for the next 4 nights, the Royal Hotel in Oban. The Royal Hotel, built in 1895, offers traditional Scottish hospitality within modern surroundings. In the very heart of Oban, the hotel's Victorian facade dominates the town square. Affectionately known as the 'Gateway to the Isles', the hotel's central position in Oban makes it ideal for visiting the West Coast of Scotland.
Day 3: Our day starts by joining the ferry in Oban and sailing over to Mull, we enjoy the scenery of this beautiful Island as we travel to the most westerly point of the Island Fionnphort. Here, as foot passengers we join our ferry to the sacred Isle of Iona, a tiny island off the southwest coast of Mull in the Inner Hebrides. Only 3 miles long and 1 mile wide, Iona is steeped in magnificent Scottish history. For many centuries, Iona has been an island of special significance for all Christians. In AD 563, Columba and his followers arrived here from Ireland to spread the gospel in Scotland and the north of England. The restored medieval abbey continues to hold daily services today and St Oran’s Chapel and Reilig Odhram is reputed to be the burial place of 48 kings of Scotland, including Macbeth. (Entrance to the Abbey is not included) You can also explore Iona’s stunning white sandy beaches and pathways. We then return to Oban in time for dinner after a truly exhilarating excursion.
Day 4: Today is a day of leisure. Oban, the 'Seafood Capital of Scotland' is a wonderful place to spend the day. For stunning views head to 'McCraig's Tower', this colosseum lookalike stands proudly above Oban and provides far reaching views over the town.
Day 5: Today we go back onto the Isle of Mull, this time heading north west to visit the colourful harbour town of Tobermory, famous as the TV setting for the children's programme Balamory. This picture-postcard town, with its brightly painted buildings along the main street to the pier and the high woodland-fringed hills surrounding the bay is a stunning place to visit.
The Isle of Mull has become one of the premier destinations for wildlife watching in the United Kingdom in the last few years. Thousands of people are attracted to the islands in the hope of catching a glimpse of the rare and magnificent Golden or White-tailed Eagles, Otter, Corncrake and an abundance of other birds and mammals. The seas off the coast of Mull are important feeding areas for whales, dolphins and basking sharks. The island is also home to Skye and Frisa, the most famous pair of White-tailed Eagles in the world, as featured on numerous television and radio broadcasts.
The re-introduction of these iconic birds of prey has been so successful that breeding pairs can now be seen throughout the length and breadth of the island, including Tobermory.
For the history buffs, there is reputed to be the wreck of a Spanish galleon somewhere in the mud at the bottom of the bay. The ship was part of the defeated Armada of 1588 and was fleeing the English fleet when she anchored in Tobermory to take on provisions. Following a dispute over payment the ship caught fire which caused the gunpowder to explode. She was supposed to have been carrying millions of gold coins when she went to the bottom but no-one has ever managed to find any significant treasure.
You will have free time to explore Tobermory at your leisure before we make our way back to the mainland by ferry.
Day 6: After a hearty breakfast we depart our hotel and head south through ever changing scenery to our overnight hotel, the Dryfesdale Country House Hotel.
Day 7: Today we continue our journey back to Norfolk where our door to door service will be waiting to take you home.
Holiday Information:
6 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast (Evening meals will be table service)
Price: £1099pp
Single Supplement: £124 (May be allocated a true single or a twin/double room for sole occupancy, not guranteed)
Insurance: TBC (Insurance not currently available)
Tour Reference: AWE5074
Deposit Required: £50pp
Balance Due: 8 weeks prior to departure