“My heart’s in the Highlands,” said the poet Robert Burns – as will you, as we travel from city to country and mainland to island on this sweet journey. From loch to loch and glen to glen, we encounter stunning natural beauty and welcoming clans, while city life serves up the colorful past – and cosmopolitan present.

Dates: July 17-28, 2027

Land Only (transfers not included): $6,995

From San Francisco (air-inclusive)*: $8,296
($7,595 air & land inclusive plus $701 airline taxes and fees)

Deposit: $650

Single Supplement: $1,795

*Other cities listed on brochure, which can be downloaded on the overview tab of this trip approximately nine months before departure. Airline prices are subject to change, and airline upgrades will be additional to the costs listed above.

Please note, all prices are for a standard, double room unless listed otherwise.

Cancelation policy:

Final payment due date is 125 days out.

  • 125 days or more: $200 penalty
  • 124 to 95 days: 25% of the tour price
  • 94 to 65 days: 50% of the tour price
  • 64 to 30 days: 75% of the tour price
  • 29-0 days: No refund

Your Tour Price Includes:

  • Round-trip air transportation from listed city
  • 10 nights’ accommodations in Deluxe, Superior First Class, First Class, and unrated hotels
  • 19 meals: 10 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 7 dinners
  • Extensive sightseeing, as described, including all entrance fees
  • Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
  • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip
  • Luggage handling for one bag per person
  • Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers

Book you trip today by filling out the brochure and emailing it to ietravel@ucsc.edu.

Day to Day Itinerary

July 17, 2027

This evening we depart the U.S. for Edinburgh, Scotland.

July 18, 2027

We arrive today in Edinburgh and transfer by coach to Glasgow, where we check in at our hotel. As guests’ arrival times may vary greatly, we have no group activities planned during the day. Late this afternoon we gather with our Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director for a briefing on the journey ahead. Then we enjoy a welcome dinner at either the acclaimed National Piping Centre or the well-appointed Corinthian Club.

Accommodations: Voco Grand Central Glasgow

(D)

July 19, 2027

This morning’s tour highlights “Glasgow Style,” the city’s distinct architecture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Though Glasgow has a rich medieval history, very few structures from that time survive; it is the Victorian-era buildings of red or blond sandstone with long lines that define the city’s historic built environment. Among the standout buildings we see are Glasgow Central Station, the Royal Exchange, and Glasgow City Chambers.

We also visit Sir John W. Simpson’s immensely popular Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, housing an excellent collection of arms and armaments and European artwork, including Salvador Dalí’s *Christ of St. John of the Cross*. Following our city tour, we visit The Burrell Collection, Glasgow’s world-class collection of art featuring medieval artifacts, Chinese art, priceless tapestries, and paintings by Manet, Cézanne, and Degas. After lunch at a local restaurant, the remainder of the day is at leisure.

Accommodations: Voco Grand Central Glasgow

(B, L)

July 20, 2027

We leave Glasgow this morning by motorcoach, bound for the scenic Highlands, Scotland’s sparsely populated historic northern region. We stop by the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, Great Britain’s largest lake and part of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. We tour the island-dotted loch by coach before continuing on to Glencoe, one of Scotland’s most beautiful spots, with deep valleys flanked by steep-sided mountains, rushing rivers, and dramatic waterfalls. Then we travel on to Fort William, the Highlands’ second-largest settlement, arriving late this afternoon.

Accommodations: Nevis Bank Inn

(B, D)

July 21, 2027

We embark on a full-day excursion to the Isle of Skye, the largest of Scotland’s Inner Hebrides, known for its vivid history, strong Gaelic influence, and stunning scenery. En route, we make a photo stop at Glenfinnan Monument, honoring “Bonnie Prince Charlie” for his leadership in the Jacobite Rising of 1745. Then we board a ferry for Armadale on the southern tip of the Isle of Skye.

Our touring begins with a visit to Armadale Castle and Gardens, where we have lunch. Next, we set out on a scenic drive through the imposing Cuillin Hills (or “Black Cuillin”). Returning to the mainland via the Skye Bridge, we stop to visit iconic Eilean Donan Castle, then dine tonight at our hotel.

Accommodations: Nevis Bank Inn

(B, L, D)

July 22, 2027

We depart today for the Northern Highlands, stopping en route at fabled Loch Ness. We enjoy a boat ride on the 23-mile-long lake best known for the unearthly creature alleged to live in its deep waters. We also visit the ruins of lakeside Urquhart Castle, one of Scotland’s most popular attractions. Dating to at least the 13th century, the castle sits surrounded by water on three sides, giving it a once-formidable advantage in battle.

Then we travel on to the historic Culloden Moor battle site. After time on our own to tour the museum here, we tour the hallowed grounds—the site of the last battle of the Jacobite Rising in 1746. Early this evening we arrive in Inverness, on Scotland’s northeast coast and the cultural capital of the Highlands. We dine tonight at our hotel.

Accommodations: Macdonald Drumossie Hotel

(B, D)

July 23, 2027

Our exploration of the Highlands continues on today’s excursion along the Pictish Trail—sites connected with the late Iron Age and early Medieval Celtic people who once lived here. We visit striking Dunrobin Castle & Gardens, where we see a falconry demonstration, then embark on a tour and tasting at a small local distillery that has been producing hand-crafted single malt whisky for generations.

We continue our drive along the scenic coastal road flanked by small farms with sheep, cows, and Shetland ponies before returning to our hotel, where we enjoy dinner together tonight.

Accommodations: Macdonald Drumossie Hotel

(B, D)

July 24, 2027

Today’s first stop is Kincraig, where we watch a sheepdog demonstration with working border collies, known for their herding abilities. We travel on to the holiday town of Pitlochry in the heart of Scotland, where we enjoy some free time before continuing on to legendary St. Andrews late this afternoon. Tonight we have dinner together at our hotel.

Accommodations: Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa

(B, D)

July 25, 2027

Home of Scotland’s oldest university (St. Andrews) and renowned as the home of golf—where the game has been played for some 600 years—delightful and compact St. Andrews measures just one mile across. This morning we embark on a walking tour of the medieval seaside town, followed by free time to explore, with lunch on our own. Later this afternoon we continue on our way to Edinburgh. Dinner tonight is on our own in the Scottish capital, which boasts a robust culinary scene.

Accommodations: Tigerlily
(B)

July 26, 2027

Our morning tour of this stately city built on seven hills features both the 18th-century Georgian “New Town” and the medieval “Old Town”—together, the districts form a UNESCO site. In the Old Town, we pay an inside visit to Edinburgh Castle, symbolic heart of the country. We also travel the Royal Mile, the warren of medieval streets that form the thoroughfare stretching from the castle to Holyrood Palace, official residence of the Royal Family when in Scotland.

This afternoon is at leisure to discover Edinburgh as we wish; museums, galleries, and shops abound. Guests on select July and August departures will enjoy an evening performance of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Accommodations: Tigerlily

(B)

July 27, 2027

This morning we again encounter the Royal Mile, with its mix of attractions, shops, and restaurants. We tour Holyrood, as it is called, and see where British royalty schemed and slept as we tour the State Apartments. The remainder of the day is free for independent exploration. Tonight we celebrate our Scotland sojourn over a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodations: Tigerlily

(B, D)

July 28, 2027

We transfer this morning to the Edinburgh airport for our return flights to the U.S.

(B)

**B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner**

Photo Gallery

Isle of Skye

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