Scenic Scotland, a Women-Only Tour
Scenic Scotland, a Women-Only Tour
Scenic Scotland, a Women-Only Tour
8 Days Starting in Glasgow and ending in Edinburgh
Visiting: Glasgow, Stirling, Oban, Isle of Mull, Inverness, Edinburgh
Tour operator:
Tour code:
XBSCOM20
Specialist Group:
Women Only
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
12 - 24
Age range:
5-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Lands so diverse they will leave you spellbound; Scotland is a sight to see. Over this 8-day women-only tour, appreciate the country’s natural beauty on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Dundreggan Rewilding Centre with a conservation expert. Savour another MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience over morning tea over at Ardgowan House with Sir Ludovic Shaw Stewart. In Edinburgh, meet the Piper to the Lord Provost of Edinburgh since 2006 and Julie Hill, the only woman ever to have won the International Sheepdog Championship. Commemorate your small group women-only tour making your own Scottish handbag and delve into the history of Scottish royals at Stirling and Edinburgh Castle.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Glasgow
Location: Glasgow
Accommodation: Voco Grand Central
Accommodation Name: Voco Grand Central
Meals Included: Dinner
Glasgow, the undisputed capital of Scottish culture, offers endless opportunities for the curious traveller. As Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow boasts more than 20 museums and art galleries that may tempt you upon arrival. After you meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers, celebrate your first night of your Scotland women-only tour over a Welcome Dinner with wine.
Day 2: Glasgow Sightseeing
Location: Glasgow
Accommodation: Voco Grand Central
Accommodation Name: Voco Grand Central
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Embark on an orientation drive with your Travel Director who reveals Glasgow’s grand public buildings including George Square and St. Mungo’s Cathedral. The morning continues with a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Ardgowan House where Sir Ludovic Shaw Stewart welcomes you to his family castle set on a 10,000-acre coastal estate. Not only will you dine with a Baronet, your host will even be involved in the food preparation. Work up an appetite walking amid the beech trees while learning about the Shaw Stewart family. Then return to the castle for a sumptuous afternoon tea of finger sandwiches made with locally sourced ingredients, freshly baked scones, cream, jam and cakes.
Day 3: Travel On To Oban
Location: Glasgow, Stirling, Oban
Accommodation: Hotel, Ballachulish Glencoe. Isle of Glencoe & Leisure Centre.
Accommodation Name: Ballachulish Hotel or Isle of Glencoe Hotel & Leisure Center
Meals Included: Breakfast
Rising above the River Forth, Stirling Castle is a symbol of Scottish national pride and was once home to Scottish royals including Mary, Queen of Scots. Explore the castle’s halls, chapels and bedrooms, see the famous 'Stirling Heads' and admire views of the poignant Wallace Monument and battlefield of Stirling Bridge. After a morning exploring the lives of royals, arrive in scenic Scotland’s Loch Lomond for an Optional Cruise and Lunch on the ‘Queen of Scottish Lochs’ according to historian and novelist Sir Walter Scott. The evening finds you in Oban, a renowned seafood capital of Scotland, where you can opt to sample the local fare over a Seafood Dinner.
Day 4: Oban
Location: Oban, Isle of Mull, Oban
Accommodation: Ballachulish Hotel, Glencoe., Isle of Glencoe Hotel & Leisure Centre.
Accommodation Name: Ballachulish Hotel or Isle of Glencoe Hotel & Leisure Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Scenic Scotland conjures up images of green highlands and wind-whipped seas. Encounter them for yourself today on a ferry from Oban to Craignure, the main ferry port on the Isle of Mull, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Then make your way to the Isle of Iona for a visit to Iona Abbey, where it is rumoured the Book of Kells was made. Before returning to Oban, view Rèilig Odhrain, the final resting place of many Scottish kings.
Day 5: To The Highland Capital Of Inverness
Location: Oban, Inverness
Accommodation: Dornoch Station Hotel, Pentahotel Inverness.
Accommodation Name: Pentahotel Inverness or Dornoch Station Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Take your Scotland tour to a deeper level at a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in Dundreggan, home to a pristine and fragile ecosystem, at Dundreggan Rewilding Centre. Meet a conservation expert to learn about the ecology of the Highlands and the connection between nature and regenerating the Gaelic cultural heritage. After an illuminating morning, the afternoon finds you tailoring your time with an Insight Choice between a relaxing Loch Ness Cruise and a tour of Glen Ord Distillery.
Day 6: Blair Castle And Edinburgh
Location: Inverness, Edinburgh
Accommodation: Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
Accommodation Name: Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
Meals Included: Breakfast
Blair Castle is a treasure trove of history and fine 18th-century interiors. Join an Optional Experience to learn about its seven centuries as home to the Atholl family, through both turbulent and peaceful times. Even the gardens surrounding Blair Castle, featuring a nine-acre walled garden, wooded grove, gothic folly, kirk ruin and extensive deer park, will have you slowing your pace and reflecting on the castle’s past. Continue to Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city, where you could opt to experience the best of Scottish tradition at Ghillie Dhu Georgian hall for Scottish dining, live music and Ceilidhs, traditional Scottish Barn Dances.
Day 7: Edinburgh Castle And Orientation
Location: Edinburgh
Accommodation: Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
Accommodation Name: Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Edinburgh offers endless possibilities for the curious traveller. Discover the sights and insights of the city with your Local Expert as you travel along Princes Street to see the ornate Scott Memorial, the neoclassical Georgian facades of New Town, and the official Scottish residence of the King, Palace of Holyroodhouse, in the Old Town. Your Local Expert then guides you inside the walls of Edinburgh Castle for sights and insights into the lives of the royals. Discover the local arts and culture over an Islander Edinburgh Handbag Workshop, making your own handbag. Before dinner enjoy a demonstration and bagpipe playing workshop by Louise the Piper, who piped for the Prince and Princess of Wales. To complete your Scotland trip, dine on an unforgettable dinner joined by sheepdog herding champion, Julie Hill.
Day 8: Depart Edinburgh
Location: Edinburgh
Meals Included: Breakfast
It’s time to close the chapter on a memorable Scotland tour. We bid our newfound friends and Travel Director a fond farewell.
What's Included
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Meals Included
7 Breakfasts (B), 4 Dinners (D), and 1 Lunch (L) are included, offering a taste of local Scottish cuisine.
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Unique Experiences
Choose between two carefully selected activities, including a Loch Ness cruise or a visit to Glen Ord Distillery, and enjoy a variety of other unique experiences like a sheepdog training demonstration, a bagpipe lesson, and a handbag workshop.
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Cultural Insights
Gain insights into Scottish history and culture at Stirling Castle, Ardgowan House, and through encounters with local experts and artisans.
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Luxury Transportation
Travel in comfort with Insight's luxury, air-conditioned coach, complete with onboard washroom. High-speed ferry transfers are also included.
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Accommodations
Stay in hand-picked hotels in prime locations, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Hotels of similar standard may be utilized.
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Additional Inclusions
Enjoy the convenience of hotel and restaurant tips included, complimentary Wi-Fi in coach and hotels, baggage handling, and personal radio headsets for guided tours.
What's Not Included
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International Airfare
Flights to and from the tour start and end points are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended for all travelers but is not included in the tour package.
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Some Meals
Not all meals are covered.
Some dinners and lunches are to be purchased separately, offering the chance to explore local eateries. -
Optional Activities
Some activities mentioned are optional and may incur additional costs.
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Personal Expenses
Expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, and additional snacks or beverages are not included.
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Airport Transfers Outside Scheduled Times
If your flights are outside the itinerary start and end dates, transfers are not included and may require an additional fee or independent arrangement.
Mode of Transport
If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Accommodation
From time to time, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.
Check out our Q&As
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What countries does the Scenic Scotland a Women-Only Tour visit?
The Scenic Scotland a Women-Only Tour visits Scotland and the United Kingdom.
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What are some highlights of the Scenic Scotland a Women-Only Tour?
Highlights of the tour include 4 dinners, 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, a choice between two activities, a Loch Ness cruise, a visit to Glen Ord Distillery, high-speed ferry transfers, personal radio headsets for tours, complimentary Wi-Fi, bag carrying service, Insight Flourishes, included hotel and restaurant tips, and visits to Stirling Castle, Edinburgh for a handbag workshop, a bagpipe lesson, sheepdog training insights, Ardgowan House, Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, Glasgow's public buildings, Isle of Mull, and Edinburgh Castle.
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Are airport transfers included in the Scenic Scotland a Women-Only Tour?
Yes, airport transfers are included if your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
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What type of accommodation is used in the Scenic Scotland a Women-Only Tour?
The tour uses hotels of similar standard and location, which may be utilised from time to time.
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What meals are included in the Scenic Scotland a Women-Only Tour?
The tour includes 7 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L), and 4 dinners (D).
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Does the Scenic Scotland a Women-Only Tour support any sustainability initiatives?
Yes, the visit to Ardgowan Estate supports sustainability initiatives, including educating visitors on sustainability, reducing food waste, sourcing ingredients locally, and investing in renewable projects like a wood biomass boiler, a gas plant, and wind turbines. This supports UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption & Production and Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.
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What are the start and end locations for the Scenic Scotland a Women-Only Tour?
The tour starts in Glasgow and ends in Edinburgh.
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What unique experiences are offered in Edinburgh during the Scenic Scotland a Women-Only Tour?
In Edinburgh, the tour offers an Islander Edinburgh Handbag Workshop, a bagpipe lesson and demonstration with Louise, the Piper to the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, and insights into sheepdog training with Julie Hill, a champion in the field.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
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