McKinlay Kidd has established six new self-guided excursions for 2018. The road trips, rail holidays and safaris reveal the scenery and discover the hidden corners and nature of Scotland, Ireland and England. And the best bit? Each trip can be tailored for you!
Drive Scotland’s scenic North Coast 500 in a Tesla electric car
Thought to be one of the road trips on earth, Scotland’s North Coast 500 showcases wild beaches the fairytale castles and scenic ruins of the northern Highlands. Push this 500-mile round route in a lavish new Tesla Model S with a carefully-planned itinerary detailing places of interest (and car charging points!)) . Starting in Inverness, highlights include exquisite Beauly Firth, John O’Groats (the northernmost settlement on the UK mainland), the pretty harbour town of Ullapool, the mythical Applecross peninsula and the Bealach na Bà pass — one of the UK’s most exciting streets. North Coast 500 by Tesla prices from #1,750 pp (two sharing), including seven days’ rental of a Tesla Model S (in Inverness) and six nights’ B&B (in small resorts, guest houses and a castle). Departures from March to October for a few of the road excursions you’ll ever experience.
Leisurely travel along Scotland’s West Highland Line
Swap the stresses and strains of life for Scotland’s epic perspectives of the world rail routes. This leisurely nine-night trip comprises a steam train travel on the Jacobite Express over the 122-year-old Glenfinnan Viaduct (as featured in Harry Potter), boat excursions to Hebridean islands and a personal day tour of Skye. Slowly Along the West Highland Line prices from #1,625 pp (two sharing), including nine nights’ lodging in small hotels and guest houses (seven nights’ B&B/2 nights’ DBB), train travel from Glasgow to Oban, Oban into Rannoch and Rannoch into Mallaig, first-class tickets for your Jacobite Steam train from Mallaig to Fort William, return train to Glasgow, boat excursions to Mull, Iona & Staffa and into the Small Isles, a privately-guided tour of Skye and all transports from each station to carefully-selected overnight accommodation. Departures from April to October.
Lakes and Lochs by Train
Blend England’s UNESCO-designated Lake District and also the magic of the lochs of Scotland on a seven-night cross-border holiday. Leave the car behind before going north by train to Loch Ness and unwind on the beaches of Ullswater. Lakes and Lochs by Train prices from #1,495 pp (two sharing), including seven nights’ B&B in small hotels, train traveling from Penrith to Pitlochry, Pitlochry to Inverness and from Inverness to Glasgow or Edinburgh, and a Round the Lake pass for Ullswater, a personal guided tour in Perthshire, a cruise on Loch Ness and all of transfers from train stations to carefully-selected overnight accommodation. Departures from March to October.
Scottish Car-free Flying Safari
See the very best of Scotland and her islands through thrilling day tours and plane flights with knowledgeable local guides. This 10-night excursion is a mix of remote island-life, whisky and background. Fly between some of the most famous and populous places of Scotland — the Outer Hebrides, Islay, Orkney and Inverness. The Scotland Car-free Flying Safari prices from #2,190 pp (two sharing), including 10 nights’ B&B in small hotels and guest houses, return flights from Glasgow to Islay, flights from Glasgow to Stornoway, Stornoway to Inverness, Inverness to Kirkwall and Kirkwall into Edinburgh or Glasgow, private guided day tours of Islay (with distillery visits and tastings) and Lewis /Harris, a guided tour of Orkney, a tour of Skye and Eilean Donan castle. Departures from April to October.
North Coast 500 and Orkney
As far as road trips go, this one is pretty magnificent. This trip combines a driving experience on Scotland’s wild north shore with Orkney’s landscape. After exploring a portion of the stunning beauty of the North Coast 500 traveling by ferry to the Orkney Islands to discover the wealthy Viking and ancient past of Scotland. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Called the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, also marvel in mysterious stone circles, including the Standing Stones of Stenness (among the earliest henge sites from the British Isles) and the Ring of Brodgar (an impressive ancient Bronze Age stone ring). Find out how ancient communities prospered on the islands in Skara Brae dwellings, dating from 3,000BC. Then return to the mainland and complete the answer of Scotland . North Coast 500 and Orkney prices from #1,075 pp (two sharing), including 12 nights’ B&B in little hotels and guest houses, return ferry crossings to Orkney and to the Isle of Rousay and a Historic Scotland Explorer pass providing entry to Orkney’s key historic websites. Departures from March to October.
Out of those road excursions, rail holidays and flying safaris, which one grabs your attention? Tell us in the comments below…
Picture From:seeninthecity.co.uk
