The Highlands in Miniature (Lochs, Trossachs & Callander) with cruise on Loch Katrine
Take a scenic drive through the stunning Trossachs National Park from our base in Aberfoyle up to the pretty town of Callander. You'll see some of Scotland’s most beautiful countryside including plunging glens, sprawling lochs and enchanting villages. We’ll pass the beautiful Loch Venacher, which is surrounded by stunning woodland and offers incredible views. There will be ample time for photo stops and for a good walk around Callander. You’ll finish the day with a steamship cruise on the gorgeous Loch Katrine. What a day!
Perth & Scone Palace
Perth was the ancient capital of Scotland for five centuries, and now the country’s newest city. The bustling and compact place on the banks of the River Tay is a sparkling cosmopolitan gem with a few surprises. There are public parks, Georgian townhouses, cobbled streets and medieval spires mixed in with modern art galleries and museums. It is also a great location for shopping. Scone Palace in Perth was the crowning place of Scottish kings, where Macbeth, Robert the Bruce and Charles II were all crowned. Learn about the Jacobite rebellions, the needlework skills of Mary Queen of Scots, see the State Rooms where Queen Victoria was entertained on trips to the Highlands and wander the beautiful gardens and woodlands that surround the palace.
Loch Lomond, Arrochar & Inveraray
You’ll find wild scenery, thrilling history and superb local food and drink - all of which is easy to get to. At the heart of the park is Loch Lomond itself. You won’t find a bigger loch or lake in the whole of Britain and you’ll have a hard time finding a more beautiful one too - in the shadow of the mighty bulk of Ben Lomond, Scotland’s most southerly Munro, as well as the jagged shoulders of the Arrochar Alps. We’ll stop at Arrochar, a popular village close to the Arrochar Alps for mountaineers. At the head of Loch Long, the village is a gateway to the Argyll Forest Park, and surrounded by beautiful scenery of the Cowal Peninsula. Overlooking the still waters of Loch Fyne, Inveraray is a traditional county town in Argyll. Established in 1745 by the 3rd Duke of Argyll, head of the powerful Clan Campbell, the town is an absolute set piece of Scottish Georgian architecture. Key buildings that are worth visiting include the neoclassical church, and Inveraray Jail and courthouse, now an award-winning museum that graphically recounts prison conditions from medieval times up until the 19th century. A short walk north of the New Town, the neo-Gothic Inveraray Castle remains the family home of the Dukes of Argyll. There are also the usual choice of great shops, bars and restaurants to explore and maybe enjoy a ‘wee dram’?