4 Day Islay Adventure Coach Tour from Edinburgh (ST)
This four day coach tour will take you to Islay, truly a Scottish island paradise. Stunning scenery, ancient history, abundant wildlife and a traditional culture make it an attractive enough island to visit. Add 8 of Scotland’s finest malt whisky distilleries and you can see why Islay is such an attractive destination!
Glasgow, Loch Lomond, Kilchurn Castle, Oban, Kilmelford, Kilmartin Glen, Mull of Kintyre, Ferry to Islay, Nature watching, Malt Whisky Distillery visits to Laphroaig and Bowmore, Malt Whisky tastings, Sea food sampling, Inveraray and the 'Rest and be Thankful'
Day One Edinburgh and Glasgow to Islay (3 nights)
We will spend today touring to the Queen of the Hebrides. From Edinburgh we travel westwards to Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city. There is sure to be a song in yourt heart as we make our way along the "bonnie, bonnie banks” of Loch Lomond. Enjoy the wonderful views of Ben Lomond as we travel towards the pretty little villages of Crianlarich and Tyndrum.
See the romantic ruin of Kilchurn Castle on Loch Awe. For centuries the loch was the natural protection for the Campbells of Inveraray against their enemies from the north. We go through the Pass of Brander, where in 1308 Robert the Bruce routed the Clan MacDougal. Watch out for the Falls of Lora as we make our way into Oban, an attractive fishing port that it is situated on the Firth of Lorne. We will have a chance to discover the bustling community for ourselves when we make a stop for lunch.
Later we make the scenic drive southwards to Kilmelford and then into the Kilmartin Glen. This mysterious Glen has one of the most concentrated areas of prehistoric sites in Scotland including a linear cemetery – a line of burial cairns that stretch for over 2 miles. Nearby is Dunadd, a hill fort that dates from the Iron Age. Dunadd was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Dalriada so this part of Argyll has played an important part in the creation of modern Scotland!
From Ardrishaig there are fine views over Loch Fyne all the way to pretty Tarbert from where we turn towards West Loch Tarbert. At the port of Kennacraig we board our ferry for our crossing to Islay.
Overnight: Bowmore, Isle of Islay
Days Two and Three - Discovering Islay
The exact itinerary for these days will vary depending on weather, seasonal and natural attractions. Our flexible approach will ensure that you get the very best experience.
The island of Islay (pronounced "eye-la”) has always been blessed with nature's bounty - rich farmlands which each autumn witness clouds of geese arriving to winter on the mild pastures. Loch Gruinart in the north is the island's main reserve, with barnacle and white-fronted geese flying in from Greenland. Elsewhere keep your eyes open for golden eagles, seals, otters, whales, dolphins, wild geese, red deer and much more.
Peat is still cut from the mosslands which cover much of the interior, giving the unique flavour to the 'Islay malts' - world-famous whiskies such as Bowmore, Laphroaig and Ardbeg. We’ll make visits to 3 distilleries so you can watch the production process and, even better, sample their delights!
Islay has a number of traditional villages clinging to the rough Atlantic Coastline, ruined castles, golden beaches and a proud Gaelic culture that extends back over a thousand years. A visit to the Kildalton Cross will transport you back in time more than 1200 years and you will discover the ancient seat of the Lords of the Isles at Finlaggan. Bowmore, Islay's main town, has a unique, round church, said to have been designed to ensure that evil spirits had no corner in which to hide.
With two full days to explore the island, you will be spoilt for choice of things to do.
Day Four - Inveraray and the Rest and be Thankful
Sadly we board our ferry and bid a fond farewell to Islay. On our return to the mainland we will retrace our steps to Lochgilphead then follow the banks of Loch Fyne to Inveraray. This pretty whitewashed town sits in the shadow of Inveraray Castle, the splendid home of the Duke of Argyll, the Chief of the Clan Campbell.
We are in Rob Roy MacGregor country now and as we travel towards the impressive Rest and be Thankful pass there will be stories of cattle rustling and ancient clan rivalries to be told. Our descent will bring us into the Argyll Forest Park and then the little village of Arrochar. A short drive will take us back to Loch Lomond. It has 30 islands and we will get a good views of some of the larger ones as we make our way southwards.
The Kilpatrick Hills will guide us towards Clydebank, the famous shipbuilding town and then Glasgow. Once we have bid farewell to our friends who are leaving us here we travel across Scotland to Edinburgh and the end of our tour.
Inclusions
• Overnight accommodation in twin rooms with private bath/shower
• Full Scottish breakfast
• Ferry charges and reservations
• Lagavulin warehouse demonstration and tasting, Bowmore malt whisky distillery
tour, Kilchoman malt whisky distillery tour, Laphroaig malt whisky distillery tour,
Bruichladdich malt whisky tasting, Ardbeg malt whisky tasting and Islay Ales
tasting.
• A taste of local seafood
• Transport by luxury air-conditioned minicoach
• Live commentary in English
• Services of an experienced tour host
• Service charges and taxes
Exclusions
• Admission charges unless otherwise stated in the itinerary
• Meals, snacks or items of a personal nature
• Gratuity to your tour host
We regret that childen under the age of 18 are not carried on this tour.
The Little Details
- Minimum Age: Age 18+
- Min Age: NA
- Tour Vehicle Type: Coach
- Months of Operation: April, May, June, July, August, September
- Duration of Tour: 4 days
- Departure Point: Edinburgh
- Departure Point: Highland Experience Tours@ Caffé Nero, 1 Parliament Square Royal Mile/High Street Edinburgh EH1 1RF
- Departure Time: 8.00 hrs (check-in 07.45 hrs)
- Expected return Time: 18:15 hrs (day 4)
- Duration of Tour: 4 days
Rates & Dates
Guest House
Single Room: £684.00
Sharing a Twin/Double Room: £599.00
Prices are per person per tour.
Thursdays
02, 23 & 30 April, 2015
7 & 14 May 2015
4, 11 & 18 June 2015
02, 16 & 23 July 2015
06 & 20 August 2015
03, 10, 17 & 24 September 2015
01 October 2015
Booking Notes
- Prices are quoted per person per tour
- Customers must provide a valid credit card number.
- Limited availability : advanced booking required.
- Any booking is subject to our Booking Terms.
- Minimum age of 18 on this tour
Book Online Now
Click on the "Book Now" button to make your reservation. Enter your dates and requirements and complete the booking. Scottish Tours will confirm availability to you immediately or very soon thereafter. Rest assured no payment will be taken if they cannot confirm the booking to you.
Full tour operator information including local contact telephone numbers and departure details will appear on your tour voucher/confirmation.
Cancellation Policy
For cancellations more than 30 days prior to departure date - 90% refund. 30 to 15 days - 50% of tour cost will be refunded. 14 days or less - no refund.
Full payment is required at the time of booking.
Some Places We Will Visit
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Kilmelford
Visitor guide to Kilmelford in Argyll here offer information on accommodation and hotels in Kilmelford. Also include information on visitor attractions and about nearby towns such as Oban and Inner Herbides.
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Kilmartin
Kilmartin village sits in the centre of Kilmartin Glen which is home to an astonishing 350 different monuments all within a few miles. The village includes the trust museum and the church
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Inveraray
Inveraray is the classic 18th-century planned town (don't call it a village), with its straight wide streets and dignified Georgian houses, and enjoys the most stunning of settings, on the shores of Loch Fyne.
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Kennacraig
Small village at the heel of Kintyre where the Islay ferry departs for Port Ellen or Port Askaig on Islay.
Castle Visited
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Kilchurn Castle
One of the most photographed castles in Scotland and in a strong position on the loch. A stronghold for the Campbells of Glenorchy. Used between 1475 to 1745