Inner Hebridean Scottish Western Isles Discovery

After breakfast, we travel the port of Ardossan, where we'll catch the ferry to the Isle of Arran. On arrival, we explore the island's main village, Brodick, with its backdrop of the towering peak of Goatfell. A tour of this isle, often called 'Scotland in Miniature', offers a perfect blend of pretty coastal communities, highland landscapes, glistening lochs, and rugged mountains, all home to an abundance of wildlife including red squirrels, deer, golden eagles and basking sharks. Later, another ferry crossing takes us from the Arran's north to Cloaonaig before driving along Loch Fyne to our next hotel in Inverary for two nights.

Today, we board the ferry to the beautiful Isle of Mull, the second-largest of the Inner Hebridean Islands and home to Skye and Frisa, the most famous pair of white-tailed Eagles in the world - keep your eyes peeled for these elusive stars soaring overhead. We head straight to the 'capital' town of Tobermory, otherwise known as TV's Balamory, for a lunchtime visit. Built as a fishing port in the late eighteenth century, Tobermory is now a picture postcard haven with brightly painted buildings along the main street surrounded by high woodland-fringed hills. This afternoon, we will visit the impressive Duart Castle, seat of Clan Maclean for over seven hundred years, sited on a high crag at the end of a peninsula jutting into the Sound of Mull. After exploring the castle rooms, our visit concludes with tea and scones, before returning to Oban via ferry and our hotel for dinner.

After checking out of our hotel, we travel through the lochs and glens to Oban, the 'Gateway to the Isles'. After free time to explore this foodie paradise, best known for its fresh seafood, our journey continues through Fort William and along the famous 'Road to the Isles', recognised as one of the best driving routes in the UK. Enjoy a stop at the Glenfinnan Visitors Centre for an iconic photo opportunity of the Jacobite Monument and the nearby railway viaduct, best known to Harry Potter fans for being part of the journey to Hogwarts. From here, we continue to Morar for two nights.

Today, we take the ferry from Mallaig 'over the sea to Skye', the largest island of the Inner Hebrides. Famous for its breathtaking landscapes, the island is also home to a rich history from dinosaur fossils to Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite Rebellion. Our day will include a visit to Dungevan Castle, the ancestral home of the Macleod clan for over eight hundred years which boasts coastal views of the Cullins. We also spend time in Portree, the 'capital' of the island, home to pretty pastel cottages sheltering around the bay.

We depart and travel toward Fort William for a scenic ride on the Nevis Range Mountain Gondola, a one-of-its-kind journey which ascends the north face of Aonach Mòr. Afterwards, enjoy free time in Fort William before finally travelling via the 'bonnie banks of Loch Lomond' to our final overnight hotel. Next morning, we travel over the border to England and return home.