Highlands, Skye & Loch Ness

The Scottish Highlands contain some of Scotland's most stunning scenery, including National Parks and vast areas of unspoilt wilderness. From the historic towns and villages to Loch Ness and the tranquil and peaceful Isle of Skye with its velvet moors, jagged mountains, sparkling lochs and towering sea cliffs. Your base is in lovely Fort William which sits beneath mighty Ben Nevis and there is also an included cruise on scenic Loch Ness. This tour really has something for everyone.Holiday Highlights
- Hotel for 4 nights with breakfast and dinner- Porterage included at main hotel- Tea /coffee after dinner- 2 overnight hotels with breakfast and dinner- Two included excursions- Loch Ness Cruise from Fort Augustus- Ferry crossing & visit to Skye- En-route stop in Callander

Your Itinerary
Day 1 - After joining your holiday coach, travel north with suitable stops for lunch and refreshments. Arrive at your overnight stop at 3* Shap Wells Hotel in Cumbria in good time to freshen up for your evening meal. DBBDay 2 - After breakfast, travel through the stunning scenery of the Scottish borders and onto the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. Onwards through the Highland Glens passed tranquil lochs shadowed by rugged mountains to Fort William for your 4-night stay. DBBDay 3 - 5 - At leisure in Fort William with two included excursions.\nThe town enjoys an enviable setting on Loch Linnhe's shores amid magnificent mountain scenery. You may like to visit the small but fascinating West Highland Museum, packed with all manner of Highland memorabilia. The museum is situated just off the main pedestrianised High Steet and is FOC to enter. Boat trips to Seal Island as well as evening cruises leave from the waterfront\n\nINCLUDED EXCURSIONS\nRoad to the Isles and the Isle of Skye\nFollow the Road to the Isles today with a stop at Glenfinnan to view the historical site where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised the standard in 1745. Framed by dramatic Highland scenery, the iconic monument at the head of Loch Shiel pays tribute to those who died fighting the Jacobite cause. Continue to Mallaig for the panoramic crossing to Armadale on the Isle of Skye. Through the Misty Isle to Kyleakin, on the eastern edge of Skye, with time for lunch. The return journey takes you over the Skye road bridge passed the most recognisable castle in Scotland, Eilean Donnan, and then travel through Scotland's dramatic glens and scenery to return to Fort William.\n\nLoch Ness with Scenic Cruise\nDeparting from Fort Augustus at the southern end of Loch Ness, you'll soon be treated to the breath-taking vista of Loch Ness in all its natural wonder during a 50-minute cruise - the perfect way to experience the sights, wildlife and history of the famous loch. Sit back as you cruise past Cherry Island, the loch's only island and enjoy a loch-side view of the striking Fort Augustus Abbey. There is a toilet on board as well as a bar. After the cruise, take a scenic drive with some stunning views (watching out for wild stags!), returning to Fort William via the 17ft high WW2 Commando Memorial and the Thomas Telford's amazing Neptune's Staircase, the longest staircase lock in Scotland\n\nDay 6 - Following breakfast, your journey takes you south back through the Trossachs to Callander and past the extraordinary Kelpies sculpture of two gigantic horses heads. Continue to the overnight hotel in the Newcastle area at 3* Holiday Inn Gosforth Park. DBBDay 7 - After a leisurely breakfast, head back through Northern England, with ample stops for coffee and refreshments. Continue back to the local joining points via the fast motorway network arriving back mid/late evening.Alexandra Hotel, Fort William
The 3* Alexandra Hotel is situated in a convenient, central location in Fort William, close to all the town's facilities. There are 93 bedrooms within the hotel all benefitting from en-suite bathrooms, television, direct dial telephone and tea and coffee making facilities. There is a lift to all floors and some internal steps to some rooms.