The sun was slightly peeking through the clouds on the last day of our tour to the Highlands, but that did not stop the rain from giving us showers from time to time. We checked out from our accommodation early in the morning, and started with the tour lined up for the day.
Our first stop was the Eilean Donan Castle, known as the most photographed castle in Scotland. However, despite being famous for that, taking pictures inside is not allowed, so the photos that I posted here are mostly from the facade of the castle.
We spent more than an hour at the castle, then we drove to our next destination, Fort Augustus. Upon our arrival, there’s an option to cruise Lochness for 1 hour (with a fee) or just spend time roaming the whole place. We chose the former, and we did not regret it. Everywhere we look was just picture perfect.
The boat that we used and the canal leading to the loch.
After the cruise, we were given more time to spend for lunch. We chose to eat at a cafe named Little Neuk. This is where I sampled one of the famous Scottish dishes, named Haggis. I will be honest, I was able to eat everything, but since I’m not a fan of lamb meat, I didn’t like it much. Then, we walked around the place for a while before we board the coach once again.
The Neuk Cafe and Haggis with pancake.
We drove to our next stop, which is the City of Inverness. It was a lovely and beautiful place. I wished we have stayed there longer, but we were only given 30 minutes. Still managed enjoying the sights and taking pictures.
The next site we visited was the Clava Cairns, which was an ancient burial site. We didn’t even realize that it was a cemetery, because of its wonderful surrounding.
We headed next to Cairngorms National Park. There are a lot of things to do in this park such as trekking, cycling, watersports and even bungee jumping. I guess, you should spend atleast one whole day here, but we were there for only 30 minutes (sad face).
The last stop for the tour was the Victorian town of Pitlochry. The structures were impressive. There are a lot of restaurants, pubs, cafes and stores within the area.
It was a long drive going back to Edinburgh, but I must admit, I was still in awe by the beauty of the never ending mountains, valleys and flocks of sheep that we passed by. For some, this might be a bit boring, since its just the same view over and over again. But for me, who spent most of her life living in the city, it was like a breath of fresh air. We arrived in the city around past 7:00 pm.
What you need to know:
- The tour costs GBP 155 per head. This does not include accommodation and entrance fees to all attractions I’ve mentioned.
- Accommodation for each night ranges from GBP 17.50 to GBP 75 per head, depending on the type that you will choose (B&B, Hostel or Hotels).
- The coach that we used can accommodate up to around 30 persons, thus, not crowded inside.
- You will spend most of the time on the coach. If you are the type who wants adventure and easily gets bored , then this tour is not recommended for you.
- Public transportation in the Highlands and Isle of Skye is quite limited, so it is advisable to either rent a car or join a tour.
- The itinerary listed on the Tour Company’s website may change from time to time due to weather conditions.
- It is best to visit the Highlands and Isle of Skye during mid May to mid July (based on our inquiry from the people living there).
- Our tour guide/driver (Gary) is very helpful and accommodating. He knows a lot about Scotland.
Tickets and Entrance fees (click on the name to visit their websites):
- Eilean Donan Castle – GBP 7/ head for adults
- Lochness Cruise – GBP 14/head for adults
For more information on the tour, you may visit their website and chat with their helpful customer service representatives.
Maria Ingrid 