Stunning Scottish Islands - Arran, Islay & Skye

Day One

We journey North today and enjoy an overnight stay at the Riverside Lodge Hotel in Irvine.

Day Two

It's Scotland in miniature today as we catch the morning ferry to Arran. We'll have free time to explore the island's capital Brodick then head to the Arran Aromatics & Arran Cheese Shop, before heading to the North of the island for our late afternoon ferry from Lochranza to the Mull of Kintyre, and enjoy a spectacular drive following the shores of Loch Fyne to the town of Inveraray, where we spend the next two nights.

Day Three

Our second Island adventure today, as we enjoy a lovely 3-hour sail to the Queen of the Hebrides - Islay. We visit Bowmore, the islands capital, with its round church, where spirits have nowhere to hide! Followed by a tastier spirit - a tour & tasting at a whisky distillery. Afterwards, we spend time on Laggan Bay with 6 miles of unspoilt sandy beach, before travelling across the island to catch the Port Askaig ferry back to the mainland. (Breakfast or dinner may be served on the ferry dependant on ferry schedule).

Day Four

Leaving our hotel this morning we enjoy a stunning drive through Glen Aray towards Loch Awe, over the pass of Brander to Oban; where we enjoy our lunch stop. Our journey continues as we follow the shores of Loch Linnhe passing through Fort William and we then take the Road to the Isles - recognised as one of the best drives in the UK, time allowing we'll have a photo stop at Glenfinnan Viaduct before heading for the Morar Hotel where we spend the next two nights.

Day Five

We board the morning ferry 'Over the Sea' to Skye with its wealth of history from Jacobite battles to feuding clans with evidence of the Highland clearances still very much in evidence. The island is abundant in wildlife and the scenery ever changing from the patchwork of velvet moors to jagged mountains and towering sea cliffs. Today's excursion visits Portree the islands capital & Dunvegan Castle - home of the Macleod Clan for over 800 years, sweeping back round the west coast with clear coastal views of the Cullins, then it's back on the ferry to our hotel.

Day Six

Enjoy a leisurely journey south arriving at the Nevis Gondola, the only one of its kind in the UK, enjoy the stunning scenery as we head up to Mountain and you'll find a café at the top to take in the mountain air. Once back down to earth we enjoy free time in Fort William, Scotland's outdoor capital. A spectacular journey then awaits as we journey through majestic Glencoe to the shoreline of Loch Lomond and onward to our hotel our final night's stay.

Day Seven

Our journey South continues as we travel back to the North West.

B=Breakfast, EM=Evening Meal