With dramatic mountain, romantic castles, legendary beasts and warming Scotch whiskey all of this and more awaits you on a coach holiday in Scotland. Scotland hosts many historical castles, a whole host of fascinating and bloody history to keep you entertained and forever learning, breath-taking scenery, charming quaint villages and not forgetting the legendary Loch Ness monster.
Take a trip to Edinburgh and step inside Edinburgh castle where you can admire the Scottish crown jewels, not forgetting the take in the panoramic views from the top of the castle. If you manage to time your visit well (during selected dates in July and August) you can experience the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in the grounds of the castle.
If you prefer Glasgow and something a little more lively you can go on an orientation tour that will show you the sights that Glasgow has to offer and have time to visit many of the excellent museums, Necropolis Cemetery and the Gothic Cathedral.
Scotland has a vast amount of stunning and beautiful scenery for you to enjoy. Immerse yourself in the scenery by spending time in Loch Lomond and Loch Ness. The views on the Loch’s are not something to be missed. Here you will follow the “Road to the Isles”, with its breath-taking green woodlands and hills, not to mention the beautiful beaches. On your tour you can drive through the Cairngorms National Park and relax and take time out in the Trossachs- a natural wonderland of forest glens and quiet subtle lochs. A trip to Glenfinnan gives host to the amazing iconic 19th century viaduct which will remind you of the one found in Harry Potter films as you tour across the rolling hills to the Isle of Sky.
A coach holiday in Scotland has something to offer everyone and can be tailored to your needs. There will be ample opportunity for you to visit beautiful locations as well as many traditional experiences for you to enjoy. In Scotland you can sample some of the finest single malts and learn all about Scotch Whiskey at one of the many famous distilleries.
If golf is your thing take a trip to St Andrews the home of golf. You may also enjoy a stop in the Victorian Mountain resort of Pitlochry where you can admire its Scottish Baronial architecture, then you can cross the battle ground at Culloden Moor.
It wouldn’t be a trip to Scotland without visiting Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK. Standing at 1,345 metres above sea level, it is at the western end of the Grampian Mountains, in the Lochaber area of the Scottish Highland, close to the town of Fort Williams. Whether you’re an avid ambler or just love beautiful landscapes a trip to Ben Nevis will definitely be on your bucket list. Ben Nevis was once a massive volcano which exploded and collapsed inwards on itself millions of years ago.
Whilst in the area a visit to Fort William is a must, as well being the home of Ben Nevis there are plenty of delightful pubs that stock the finest scotch whiskey, dare-devil mountain biking, loch-side walks and you can even hop aboard a steam train that took Harry to Hogwarts. It really is an impressive town.
You could be stepping off the mainland take a trip to the Isle of Sky, which is connected to the mainland by bridge. It is known for its rugged landscapes, picture perfect fishing villages and medieval castles. The town of Portree is a great base for exploring the island and features many harbourside pubs and boutiques for you to explore and enjoy. If you’re feeling energetic a five mile circular walk from Coire na Creiche takes you into the magnificent Cuillin mountains without any difficult scrambling or climbing.
Whilst Scotland isn’t the most obvious choice for a beach holiday, the 15 inhabited islands that make up the Outer Hebrides can boast some of Europe’s most beautiful stretches of beach- many of which could be easily mistaken for the Caribbean.
If you like exploring further a field why not visit Scotland’s most northerly archipelagos. Orkney is the closer of the two and is scattered with archaeological treasures including Skara Brae, a 5000 year old housing complex, while there is a lively atmosphere and music scene in Kirkwell the capital. A late poet George Mackay Brown wrote “The essence of Orkneys magic is silence, loneliness, and the deep marvellous rhythms of the sea and land, darkness and light”. Shetland’s draws are similar. For those of you who love nature this is the one for you. It is home to puffins, guillemots, gannets and thousands of seals and possesses some of the most magnificent beaches.
These are just some of the highlights you can expect to enjoy whilst on your coach holiday in Scotland, but there is so much more out there waiting for you to discover for yourself and with your family.