The Grand Tour of Scotland The Highlands and Islands, including the Outer Hebrides

Day 1: Switzerland – Rotterdam

Drive past Luxembourg to Rotterdam. Embarkation for Hull (overnight on board).

Day 2: Hull - Glasgow

Disembarkation in Hull. On the English-Scottish border lies the romantic marriage "forge" of Gretna Green. In this idyllic setting, young couples from England used to marry without their parents' permission. Travelling through the Southern Uplands, you will reach Glasgow.

Day 3: Glasgow - Isle of Skye

From the bustling commercial metropolis into the quintessential Scottish landscape. Following Loch Lomond, you first reach the impressive Glen Coe, the "Glen of Weeping". Its breathtaking beauty is overshadowed only by the historical events that took place here. An entire clan was betrayed and massacred – a dark chapter of Scottish history. Crossing the Skye Bridge, you arrive on the Isle of Skye.

Day 4: Isle of Skye - Hebrides

The Hebridean island of Skye is a truly magical place. Its landscape is full of contrasts. Gentle hills and rugged cliffs alternate with green meadows and bare mountains. Around midday, you take a ferry from Uig to the Outer Hebrides.

Day 5: Outer Hebrides

On Lewis, the northernmost island of the Outer Hebrides, there is just one town, Stornoway. Well worth seeing is the Broch of Carloway, a defensive tower with walls 3 m thick. Harris is the southern part of the island, with its main village of Tarbert. Harris is famous for the tweed of the same name, which is still made exclusively from selected wool from Scottish sheep.

Day 6: Outer Hebrides - Wick

From Stornoway, you take a ferry to Ullapool. You pass around the southern tip of Loch Eriboll and enjoy a drive through charming scenery to Tongue. Moorland dotted with lochs and rugged coastlines accompany you all the way to the north of Scotland.

Day 7: Orkney

Ferry crossing to the Orkney Islands. With your local tour guide, you will discover the fascinating island world with its unspoilt nature, endless pastures and deserted beaches. You will visit the Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae. In the capital, Kirkwall, you stroll through narrow lanes lined with houses that look distinctly Norwegian. The Ring of Brodgar is truly mystical – a stone circle erected around 2500 BC, which is larger than Stonehenge.

Day 8: Wick - Inverness

Today Dunrobin Castle awaits you. Its gardens, with their dreamlike views of the sea, were modelled on the gardens of Versailles. Taking the coastal road to the Dornoch Firth, where up to 600 dolphins play in the open sea, you reach Inverness.

Day 9: Inverness - Edinburgh

You travel through the heart of the glorious Highlands and pay tribute to the Duke of Atholl; the snow-white Blair Castle has been the family seat for centuries and is surrounded by a wonderful garden. Near Pitlochry, you visit a whisky distillery and are initiated into the secrets of the "water of life". (Optional) Today you can enjoy the spectacular Royal Military Tattoo (August departure dates only).

Day 10: Edinburgh

The city is a focal point of culture and history. The world-famous Royal Mile is best explored on foot. It links the proud Edinburgh Castle with the stately Holyrood Palace, today's royal residence. Free afternoon.

Day 11: Edinburgh - Hull

Journey through the breathtaking landscape of the Borders, with its many mighty castles and historic sites, to the romantic town of York with its medieval city walls. After a stroll through York, you continue to Hull. Here the ferry is already waiting to take you across to the Netherlands (overnight on board).

Day 12: Rotterdam - Switzerland

Journey back to Switzerland.