Europe Rail Tour Package- Best of Scotland Rail Tour

Welcome to the Capital of Scotland Edinburgh. Since the 15th Century, Edinburgh stands on seven hills creating the dramatic skyline of this lively cosmopolitan city. What better way to see this fantastic city than from the top of a City Sightseeing Tour Bus. Marvel at the impenetrable Castle Rock and hear about the attempts to capture Edinburgh Castle, see the Royal Mile which joins Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyrood House and discover the fascinating history of this amazing city!
Overnight in Edinburgh

Your day includes time in Melrose to visit the historic Cistercian Abbey, burial place of Robert the Bruce's heart brought back from the crusades in Moorish Spain and the best of the Scottish Borders and Northumberland. Cross the border at Coldstream and enjoy lunch and the afternoon at Alnwick Castle and Gardens, scene of Hogwarts Castle in Harry Potter's first 2 movies, before returning to Edinburgh along the dramatic east coast of Berwickshire and East Lothian, stopping at the ancient walled town of Berwick upon Tweed.
Includes: Transportation by top of the range Mercedes minicoach for a more personal experience with a maximum of 16 passengers on tour. Services of a professional Rabbie's driver/guide. Rabbie's Discount Card - money off restaurants, shopping and attractions.
Overnight in Edinburgh

Leaving Edinburgh we travel west where our first stop is the Wallace Monument in Stirling; a towering stone testimonial to the Scottish legend William Wallace. Inside you will find fascinating exhibits leading you through the life of the real Braveheart, Wallace's legendary 5ft 6in(1.7m) tall broadsword. We travel north to Gleneagles Hotel Estate. Enjoy a photo opportunity here and see where the international legends of golf play. We continue our journey through the pretty countryside of Perthshire to our next stop in Crieff, where we visit The Famous Grouse Experience at Glenturret Distillery. Learn about the traditional whisky-making process, see how you measure up to the world's largest bottle of whisky and sample some of 'The Water of Life' itself at the fantastic Taste Experience bar.
Enjoy a range of tasty lunch options in the Glenturret Cafe or take a stroll in the distillery grounds. After lunch we travel through the picturesque scenery of the 'Sma'Glen' and for a short woodland walk (time permitting). We continue on to the town of Dunkeld, where we break for refreshments and a visit to ancient Dunkeld Cathedral. We then leave Perthshire and journey to the charming town of South Queensferry, where we make a brief stop to admire magnificent views of the Forth Bridges before returning to Edinburgh.
Includes: Transport by modern coach, services of a highly knowledgeable professional Timberbush driver guide.
Overnight in Edinburgh.

Train transfer to Glassgow. In afternoon Let CitySightseeing show you all the things to do in Glasgow, from excellent museums, art galleries and beautiful parks, there is something for all ages in this exciting Scottish city. In addition, our friendly pubs, welcoming cafes and bars, and lively night clubs help to make Glasgow one of the new preferred destinations for short breaks for the younger and older generations. City Sightseeing's hop on hop off bus tours are the ultimate way to visit this vibrant city, which is packed with breathtaking sights and attractions.

Includes: Glasgow City Sightseeing hop on hop off ticket.
Overnight in Glassgow.

Today From Glasgow we travel north, tracing the length of Loch Lomond, over Rannoch Moor and the Black Mount, to awesome, tragic Glencoe, the setting for myth, misdeed and magnificence. We enter the Great Glen beneath Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, hugging canal, river and loch-side. We will pass Fort Augustus, tracing the 24 mile shoreline of Loch Ness, stopping at Urquhart Castle. Here, you may wish to visit the castle (entrance fee is not included) - a spot made famous by many an alleged sighting of the Loch Ness Monster. At Inverness we turn for home, traversing the Grampians and the Forest of Atholl, with a choice of refreshment stops en route.

Incluses: Transport by modern coach and services of a highly knowledgeable professional Timberbush driver guide.
Overnight in Glassgow.

Day to depart Glasgow at 09.00 and travel northwest, through the gorgeous Glen Fruin, driving parallel with Loch Long. From here we will be crossing the Highland boundary fault line where the scenery changes quickly and dramatically - the flat fertile plains of the Lowlands giving way to shimmering lochs, rugged mountain tops and forest-filled glens. It's easy to forget that this was once thought of as a dangerous frontier fought over by the fiercely territorial Highland clans such as the MacGregors, made famous by highland folk hero, Rob Roy MacGregor. Loch Lomond is Scotland's largest loch and it takes its name from the mountain Ben Lomond on the eastern shore.
We will then take a leisurely drive over the at 'Rest and Be Thankful' mountain pass. It was given its name in 1753 by the weary soldiers who had just finished building the old military road up through Glen Croe (not to be confused with Glencoe which you will visit later in the day) From here we will travel through the steep-sided mountains, known as the Arrochar Alps, to the picturesque harbour town of Inveraray on the shores of Loch Fyne, famous for the18th-century castle and home of the Duke of Argyll, chief of the Campbell clan. The town was built at the same time as the castle and is a classic 18th century planned village with its straight wide streets and dignified Georgian houses, designed by Robert Adam, famous for his architecture in Edinburgh's New Town.
From here we will drive along the shore of Scotland's longest loch, Loch Awe, where we stop for the short walk out to visit Kilchurn Castle, a magnificent ruin situated in the middle of Loch Awe and former home of the Campbells of Breadalbane. We will then continue to the harbour town of Oban, gateway to the Isles, for lunch of your choice. After lunch we will then travel north along the west coast around Appin, passing the impregnable Castle Stalker, and into Scotland's most famous valley, Glencoe. Stunningly beautiful, with its dramatic cliff faces and steep slopes, Glencoe is infamous as the site of the Glencoe massacre in 1692. Following orders from King William, Scottish soldiers under the leadership of Captain Robert Campbell slaughtered 38 men, women and children of the Macdonald clan. This was especially shocking as the soldiers had been living with the people of Glencoe for 2 weeks and killed them in their own homes. Nobody was ever punished for this crime, as the King himself had signed the order, but the Highlands would never be the same again. Travelling south as we pass the majestic peak of Buachaille Etive Mor (meaning 'the great shepherd of Etive') we descend towards the wild desolation of Rannoch Moor. At an altitude of over 1000ft, covered by heather and peat-bogs and dotted with dozens of lochs, it's a unique landscape. From here we will then travel through Glen Falloch, and then drive south towards Loch Lomond. This is Scotland's largest loch and it takes its name from the mountain Ben Lomond on the eastern shore. The last stop of the day will be in Luss, an 18th century conservation village with old workers cottages, built for the labourers of the Estate. From here we return to Glasgow at approx 19.00.

Includes: Transport by top of the range Mercedes minibus (usually a 16-seater vehicle without WC facility), professional Rabbie's driver guide, and Rabbies discount card which entitles you to money off at selected restaurants, shopping and tourist attractions (10% discount off restaurants, shopping and attractions).
Overnight in Glassgow.

Today morning we quickly climb into the Renfrewshire Hills where the first stop of the day will give us a glimpse into the future at Europe's largest windfarm , big enough to supply clean energy to over 180,000 homes. From here the road south into Ayrshire is quick and easy passing through rich farming country with many small towns and villages. On arrival at Culzean Country Park we will have the choice of visiting the castle and gardens or just the gardens and woodland walks.
An entry fee is payable on arrival. (Please note there is no free option at this stop). The castle dates from the late 18th Century , a peaceful time in Scottish history so it is less a defensive castle and more like a great country house with fine furniture and beautiful Robert Adam architecture. Sitting right on the edge of the cliffs looking out over the Firth of Clyde the views are superb and the surrounding gardens are beautiful. For those who like walking there are miles of tracks and footpaths through the grounds , taking in the Swan Pond, deer park, and walled gardens as well as rocky coves and sandy beaches. This will also be your lunch stop.After lunch we will follow the coastline to the tiny fishing village of Dunure with its ancient ruined castle and dark history. Continuing on, the road leads down into the outskirts of the market town of Ayr. This is the countryside of Robert Burn's , Scotland national poet - and we will see many places mentioned in his poems and songs ,from Auld Kirk Alloway to the "Banks and Braes o' Bonnie Doon". The recently redeveloped visitor centre will tell us all we need to know about this remarkable man , born a poor farmer's son but now famous as the writer of "Auld Lang Syne" , a song known and sung in friendship throughout the world. There are also riverside walks and the Auld Brig (old bridge) to explore as well as the haunted ruins of the old church.
Includes: Transport by top of the range Mercedes minibus (usually a 16-seater vehicle without toilet facility) and professional Rabbie's driver guide
Overnight in Glassgow.

With Memories of Life time, proceed to the Zurich airport for your onward journey. Tour Concludes!