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ITINERARY The following is a suggestion of a one week tour. Some of the main sites of interest are included. DAY 1. EDINBURGH OR GLASGOW TO PORT APPIN ON THE WEST COAST Ferry to Dunoon (23 mins), Loch Fyne, Inveraray and Loch Awe. Optional Visits: Inveraray Castle - seat of the Dukes of Argyll since the 15th century Inveraray Jail and courtroom Argyll Wildlife reserve Kilchurn Castle, Lochawe - originally built in 1440, enlarged in 1693. Argyll Pottery AIRDS HOTEL**** Proprietor: S. McKivragan www.airds-hotel.com DAY 2. PORT APPIN TO DERVAIG, ISLE OF MULL Oban, ferry to Isle of Mull (45 mins), ferry to Iona (5 mins). Optional Visits: Mull Duart Castle - seat of the Chief of the MacLeans. Restored by the 26th Chief, the writer, traveller and diplomat Sir Fitzroy MacLean in 1937 Torasay Castle and Gardens Isle of Mull weavers Kells Gold and Silversmiths Iona. The island of St Columba. From 563 AD, the most important site of early Christianity in the British Isles Cathedral - originally built as a monastery by St Columba 1,500 years ago, destroyed by Viking invaders, rebuilt over the centuries and now superbly restored by the Iona Community with gifts from the USA, Canada, Norway, New Zealand etc St Martin's Great Cross dating from the 9th or 10th century Road of the Royal Dead. Iona is the burial place of the early Scots Kings. St Oran's Chapel - built in the 11th century Heritage Centre. Island of Staffa and the basalt pillars and arches of Fingal's Cave. Inspired the overture "Die Fingalshohle" or "Fingal's Cave" by Mendelssohn. This excursion necessitates an early start from Oban DRUIMARD HOUSE HOTEL**** Proprietor: Louise Palmer www.druimard.co.uk DAY 3. DERVAIG, MULL TO ISLE ORNSAY, ISLAND OF SKYE - THE "WINGED ISLE" Tobermory, ferry to Kilchoan (35 mins), Ardnamurchan, ferry to Armadale, Isle of Skye (30 mins). Optional Visits: Mingarry Castle - where King James 1V of Scotland held court in 1495 to receive the submission of the Island Chiefs Ardnamurchan Lighthouse - the most westerly point of mainland Britain. Exhibition centre. Castle Tioram - in one of the Highland's most spectacular coastal locations. Owned in the 14th century by the founder of the McDonalds of Clanranald. Falls of Morar. Mallaig - a busy small fishing port and the "end of the line" - the last station on the West coast of Scotland ISLE ORNSAY HOTEL**** Proprietor: Sir Ian Noble www.eilean-iarmain.co.uk DAY 4. ISLE ORNSAY TO PORTREE, CAPITAL OF THE ISLAND OF SKYE Elgol (Cuillin Mountains), Talisker, Portree. Optional Visits: Strathaird Jewellers, Silversmiths and Cutlers. Superb intricate craftsmanship. Camusunary walk - magnificent views of the black gneiss Cuillin Mountains. About 3 hours Elgol - local boat to see Loch Coruisk in the very heart of the Cuillins- one of the most dramatic places in all the Highlands and Islands. Luib Folk museum Talisker whisky distillery. Producers of one of the finest single malts in Scotland Dunvegan Castle - founded in the 9th century. Seat of the Chief of the MacLeods Edinbane pottery CUILLIN HILLS HOTEL, PORTREE**** Proprietor: Wickman Hotels Ltd www.cuillinhills-hotel-skye.co.uk DAY 5. PORTREE TO SCARISTA, ISLE OF HARRIS (OUTER HEBRIDES) Ferry to Tarbert, Harris (1hr 40 mins). Optional Visits: Island of Scalpay. A small island with a vibrant Gaelic speaking community. Plockrapool. Harris tweed weavers. Finsbay. Traditional wooden boatbuilders Rodel Church. The finest example of a small 16th century chapel in the Outer Isles now sympathetically restored Northton Genealogical Centre. A must for those who want to trace their Scots ancestors! SCARISTA HOUSE HOTEL**** Proprietor: Patricia Martin www.scaristahouse.com DAY 6. SCARISTA TO KINLOCH LODGE, ISLE OF SKYE Via Luskentyre. Callanish. Butt of Lewis. Stornoway. Tarbert. Ferry to Uig, Skye (I hr 40 minutes). Optional Visits: Harris Sands of Luskentyre. At low tide, the most spectacular sweep of white sand beaches in the British Isles Huishenish Harris Tweed weavers Loch Seaforth - the longest sea loch in the British Isles Standing Stones of Callanish. 3000 - 1500 BC. An extremely atmospheric Megalithic site comparable to Stonehenge KINLOCH LODGE HOTEL**** Proprietor: Lord and Lady MacDonald of Sleat www.kinloch-lodge.co.uk DAY 7. KINLOCH LODGE, SKYE, TO EDINBURGH OR GLASGOW Kylerhea (Skye), ferry to mainland (10 mins), Loch Duich, Fort William, Glencoe, Loch Lomond. Optional Visits: "Camusfearna" - the remote and beautiful location where Gavin Maxwell lived and wrote "Ring of Bright Water" Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Duich. Fully restored, and the Seat of the Chiefs of the Macraes 2nd WW Commando Memorial Achnacarry Castle. Home of the Chief of the Camerons of Locheil Glencoe Visitor centre Rannoch Moor. The largest area of wild moor in Scotland Loch Tay and the river Tay. One of the most renowned salmon rivers in the British Isles Loch Lomond NOTE: In the case of late bookings, it may not always be possible to reserve accommodation in the Hotels mentioned. In these circumstances alternative reservations will be made in other hotels of high standard. |