Overview
Join us on a magical tour through western Scotland where we will visit 4 of our favorite Scottish islands, including the burial place of 48 Scottish Kings, the home of Christianity in Scotland, puffin colonies, whisky distilleries, castles, picturesque villages and amazing vistas throughout.
Highlights
Isle of Arran
The Isle of Arran is a place where you can find a little bit of everything you'd ever want from a Scottish island. It has an ever-changing coastline, dramatic mountain peaks, sheltered beaches, verdant forests, great cultural festivals and a wealth of tasty local produce. Known as Scotland in Miniature she boasts 2 distilleries and 9 Golf Courses as well as being the home island of your host Graeme.
Isle of Islay
The Isle of Islay promises an amazing experience with its birdlife, seafood, peaty whiskies and dramatic coastal seascapes. A stunning island on the "whisky coast" of west Scotland, Islay is probably best known for its peaty, smoky whiskies. Home to nine working distilleries, Islay has the process down to a fine art. We will be visiting a number of these distilleries and sampling their wares. Slainte.
Isle of Mull
From the rugged ridges of Ben More and the black basalt crags of Burg to the blinding white sand, rose-pink granite and emerald waters that fringe the Ross, Mull can lay claim to some of the finest and most varied scenery in the Inner Hebrides. Noble birds of prey soar over mountains and coast, while dolphins play in the ocean below. Mull is home to the picturesque village of Tobermory, famous for its colorful houses and picturesque bay, where we will lay our heads for the first 4 nights of the glorious journey.
Luss along Loch Lomond
At the heart of the Trossachs National Park lies Loch Lomond, beautiful, sparkling and always atmospheric. And on the pebbly shores of Scotland’s largest freshwater loch are a scattering of small villages and outposts; home to cosy cafes, perfect views and trails through ancient woodlands. One of our favorite villages to visit is Luss, a beautiful conservation community complete with sandy beaches and mountain views. For over 1500 years, Luss Church has stood on the Bonnie banks of Loch Lomond it is a beautiful and interesting place that is well worth a walk around and home to a grave monument known as the Hogback Stone which is thought to date back to the eleventh century. It has a special atmosphere that’s impossible not to love, especially for outdoor lovers. It boasts glowing amber sunsets, vast views over the still, reflective water, and Ben Lomond in the distance, as well as trails through the Trossachs forest. Described as the “Queen of Scotland’s Lakes”, Loch Lomond sits at the foot of Ben Lomond and straddles the Highland boundary fault line. In Luss, we can truly take in the vistas and share memories along “The bonnie, bonnie banks…”.
Isle of Iona
We will also visit Iona which for many centuries has been an island of special significance for all Christians. In AD 563, Columba and his followers arrived here from Ireland to spread the gospel in Scotland and the north of England. The restored medieval abbey continues to hold daily services today and St Oran’s Chapel and Reilig Odhram is reputed to be the burial place of 48 kings of Scotland, including Macbeth. The Isle of Iona boasts sandy beaches, excellent walking opportunities and a variety of wildlife to look out for.
Hosts
Your fun loving lead host for this tour will be the infamous, Graeme and Michelle.
Graeme Leask
Michelle Leask
Michelle
Schedule
This is a brief overview of the schedule. A more detailed version of this will be emailed to all guests closer to departure. Each day will include sights, stories and tastes of the local fare. You won't taste seafood any fresher than this!! We will have a number of site visits each day to share and the evenings will be for you to relax and enjoy how you please. We try to plan so people have time to get out and get close to sites we visit and not just view them from the window of the vehicle.
Previous
Next
Day 1: Pick up & Travel to Isle of Arran
Your hosts will meet the group at the Glasgow Airport (GLA) on April 17, 2027 by 10:30am at a designated area. Everyone will receive more information prior to arriving via email.
We will then immediately start our drive to Ardrossan where we will catch the ferryboat to the Isle of Arran so it will be important not to miss pick up.
We highly recommend that guests arrive a day early to adjust to the timezone and avoid interruptions, delays or cancellations.
Once the ferry takes us to Brodick on the Isle of Arran, we will be staying at the beautiful, Auchrannie Spa & Hotel. Before checking in, we will make a stop or two to point out why Arran is one of our favorite islands.
Days 1-3: Isle of Arran
The Isle of Arran is known as Scotland in miniature. Graeme will show you his childhood home up close and person. There may be time to take in some golf as well. If you are interested, let us know before we go and we can see about making that happen. We will also have an opportunity to take in the shorelines and a couple of really good hikes (if you are up for it). There are castles and beautiful castle gardens to peruse and more.
Days 4-6: Isle of Islay
We will visit sites on Islay and take in its unique whisky flavors with visits to several distilleries. We will take you to sights on the island, such as the American Monument overlooking dramatic watery cliff views. If they are in, we will have a glimpse of the highland cows, beautiful gentle giants. Islay, known as the Queen of the Isles, is also the gateway to Finnlaggan, the Ancient Kildalton High Cross, a quaint woolen mill and more.
Days 7-9: Isle of Mull
Once on Mull, we will check in to the Western Isles Hotel in Tobermory.
While on the Isle of Mull, we will spend our days exploring the Isle. During our time here, we plan to take in a distillery or two, including the Tobermory & Ledaig Tasting. Weather permitting, we hope to visit the Isle of Iona (the home of Christianity in Scotland). We will also take in other notable sights such as Duart Castle, Waterfalls, Standing Stones, and local wildlife. Many photographers come to Mull for the landscape, deer and playful otters and seals.
Day 10: Luss, Loch Lomond
Luss is a beautiful village along the shores of the famous Loch Lomond. While we are only staying one night here, it is well worth a stroll down to the ancient Luss Parish Church which has existed for centuries and even boasts a Viking burial gravestone. The water is gorgeous and abuzz with people if the weather is right. There are shops and quaint places to eat as well as a great walk through the woods complete with fairy houses.
Day 11: Drop off
Sadly, all good things come to an end. After breakfast, we will have an hour drive to Glasgow airport. We plan to have everyone to the airport by 10:00am on April 27, 2027.
Please note: If you are flying home on this day, please make sure you give yourself at least 2 hours at the airport before departing for check in, bag drops, and security. Please look to make your departing flights after 12:00/noon on this day to give yourself ample time in the airport.
What's included
What's Included
Accommodations
Breakfasts
Ground Transportation
Ferry Transportation
Duart Castle
Brodick Castle
Whisky Tastings & Tours
Finlaggan Historical Visit
Priceless Memories
Small Group Tour
Personal Guides
Iona Passes
4 Island Visits
Historical Sites
Beautiful Walks
And much more…
What's Not Included
Airfare/Flights
Lunches/Dinner
Accommodation
Hotel Room
Gallery
You'll Be Staying Here
Western Isles Hotel
Port Charlotte Hotel
Auchrannie Spa & Resort
Auchrannie is more than a hotel. It offers a spa, pool, steam room, multiple restaurants, pubs, beautiful gardens, and so much more. You are going to love this place.
Loch Lomond Arms
FAQs
Where do we fly to for this tour?
We have a time and a location already planned to pick up and drop off the entire group at Glasgow International Airport in Scotland or the United Kingdom (airport code: GLA). After you book, you will see a welcome email with more information on making your flights and what times we have set for pick up and drop off. Many people prefer to fly in a day early or stay late to adjust to the timezones or extend their trip.
For this tour, Your hosts will pick everyone up from the Glasgow Airport (GLA) on April 17, 2027 by 10:30am (so you will want to be in well before that time). We will drop everyone off at airport by 10am on April 27, 2027 so if you fly home, plan to fly out after noon so you have a good two hour window for check in and security.
On the 17th, we will immediately drive to Ardrossan from the airport where we will take a scheduled ferryboat ride to the Isle of Arran.
Feel free to email us with any questions. We are happy to help.