Day 1 Morning departure for the journey to the Lake District and to Shap for an overnight stop.
Day 2 Continuing the journey through the Lowland Hills past Glasgow, Perth and Pitlochry to arrive at Newtonmore late afternoon for a five night stay.
Day 3 Today you will travel to Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park, where you will have a break before heading into the beautiful Glenmore Forest Park on your way to Cairngorm and enjoy the views. In the afternoon you will head to the Highland Wildlife Park. The park has a wide and diverse range of animals, from native species such as the Capercaillie and Scottish Wildcat to those from further afield such as the Amur Tiger and Polar Bear, all in a stunning landscape.
Day 4 This morning travel north to the Highland capital of Inverness. Here you will join one of the Great Railway Journeys of the World – the line to Kyle of Lochalsh. The route takes you through some of the best scenery in the country, skirting lochs and passing remote villages. You will have a break in Kyle of Lochalsh before boarding the coach for the return journey to the hotel.
Day 5 This excursion will take you southwest along the shore of Loch Laggan and through Glen Spean to Fort William, the largest town in the Highlands which lies in the shadow of Ben Nevis. Here you will board another train for the journey from Fort William to Mallaig. This spectacular line passes hidden lochs and inlets, silver sands and crosses the magnificent 100ft high Glenfinnan viaduct on its way west. Mallaig is a major fishing port, and you will have time to wander around the harbour and explore before you catch the train for the return journey to Fort William, where you will re-join the coach for the journey back to the hotel.
Day 6 Loch Ness is your destination today. You will travel through unspoilt scenery past Loch Mhor and along Stratherrick to Fort Augustus, situated on the most southern tip of Loch Ness on the Great Glen Way. Free time here for you to obtain lunch and then enjoy a cruise on Loch Ness, with commentary on board ‘The Royal Scot’ of the Cruise Loch Ness Company. After disembarking you will head north overlooking the loch towards Inverness before heading back to the hotel.
Day 7 Time to depart and retrace your steps south back into the Lake District and to Shap for your overnight stop.
Day 8 After breakfast, depart the hotel and commence the homeward journey