Luxury sightseeing mini coach tour of Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands

most of the north/south movement of goods and people throughout Scotland. It was Stirling castle that William Wallace fought for when he beat the English in 1297, and again by Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn in 1314, guaranteeing Scotland's freedom. The Wallace monument is also clear on the opposite side of the valley. A little further on we will make a short stop for coffee at Callander, the gateway to the Trossachs. This area of Scotland where the Highlands and Lowlands meet was made famous by Sir Walter Scott in his epic poem 'Lady of the Lake'. After Callander we cross the Highland boundary fault line, leaving the rolling fields for forests, mountain and moor.

As we wind our way through the tough knot of hills known as Breadalbane (meaning 'Heights of Scotland), once owned by the mighty Clan Campbell, we arrive at one of the last wilderness areas in Western Europe - Rannoch Moor. Surrounded by high mountains the moor is something of a soupbowl in shape. 10,000 years ago the last of Scotland's glaciers melted here to be replaced by a vast pineforest. Several hundred years ago the climate cooled and the trees gave way to a course heather moorland, strewn with huge boulders. It is little wonder than no-one lives here. Beyond Rannoch moor lies Scotland's most famous valley, Glencoe. Stunningly beautiful, with its dramatic cliff faces and steep slopes, Glencoe is also infamous as the site of the Glencoe massacre. In 1689 King James VII was replaced by his nephew William of Orange, who demanded that the Highlanders loyal to the exiled James swear an oath of allegiance to him instead. His agent in Scotland, who hated the Highlanders, drafted the oath, which he hoped would give him the excuse to unleash the full power of the army on the 'barbarian' Highlanders. The deadline to sign was 31st December 1691, unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond his control the Chief of the Macdonalds of Glencoe was late. Glencoe was a small tribe, and would make a good example to the larger, rebellious clans. In mid February 1692, the soldiers of the Scottish army, who had been living with the people of Glencoe for 2 weeks, led by Robert Campbell, awoke in the middle of the night and began an indiscriminate slaughter of the Macdonalds. In the morning 38 men, women and children lay dead in the snow. No-one was ever punished for this crime, as the King himself had signed the order, but because it was murder under trust, the Highlands would never be the same again.

Beyond Glencoe we will enter the Great Glen, a deep glacial trough leading to Inverness, and pass under Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis and pass through Fort William, before arriving at Fort Augustus on the southern shore of Loch Ness. Here you will get the chance to take a boat trip onto the Loch, and you never know what you will see ! Also worth seeing are the locks on the Caledonian canal. Built by Thomas Telford, the canal meant that shipping no longer needed to take the tortuous route around Cape Wrath. We will give you nearly 2 hours to explore the area. From Loch Ness we head south again, making a short stop to taste some whisky, before heading through the mountains to the Highland resort town of Pitlochry. On the way you will see Ardverikie house - Glenbogle in the BBC drama ' Monarch of the Glen', and Blair Castle. This whitewashed castle is the seat of the Duke of Atholl, the last man in Europe allowed his own Private army - The Atholl Highlanders.

After Pitlochry, we continue south through the forests of Perthshire, famous as Macbeth country, and past Perth itself. Perth was the medieval capital of Scotland, and is the 'Spiritual' home of Scotch Whisky. South of Perth we drive past Loch leven where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned by her Protestant nobles, before escape to England where she was eventually excecuted by her cousin Elizabeth I. Then it is over the famous Forth Bridge to Edinburgh

Inclusions
Transportation by top of the range Mercedes minicoaches for a more personal service.
Forced air ventilation as standard.
Services of a professional driver/guide
Your chance to see "Nessie"
Discount Card - For money off restaurants, shopping and attractions

Exclusions
Lunch and refreshments.
Loch Ness boat cruise (approximately 8 GBP)

Important Information
Because we believe in time off the bus and give you opportunities to take nature walks we recommend you bring suitable clothing and footwear for your tour. The Loch Ness boat cruise only runs from Easter to October.

Departure Point
High Street, Edinburgh (8.15 AM)
Return time approximately 20.00

Departure Days - Every day
Monday to Sunday (All year)