Tour Code: 26SCO
Tour Manager: Darren Frazier
Tour Leaders: Darren Frazier & Ruaridh Lever-Hogg
Group Size: 8 - 14
Activity level: Moderate
This tour will take you deeper and deeper into highlands of Scotland. Its nature and landscapes will take your breath away, just like Iceland and New Zealand. Start your tour in magical Edinburgh before hitting the roads as far as north as we can! See the mythical Isle of Mull and Isle of Skye. Visit the incredible castles, including Stirling. Plenty of stopovers to take countless of pictures with jaw-dropping views and wildlife. See the famed St. Andrews’s world oldest golf course. Return home safely but you’ll want to return to the highlands of Scotland again soon.
Friday, May 1
Arrive in Edinburgh. Meet guide and transfer to hotel. Rest and recover. Orientation meeting and welcome dinner. Sleep in Edinburgh for 2 nights.
Saturday, May 2
Visit all sights with a local deaf guide on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, including Edinburgh Castle, Abbey, Holyrood House, Grass Market, St. Giles’ Cathedral and Greyfriars Kirk.
Sunday, May 3
Get ready to hit the road in our private vans. Swing by the cool Kelpies and fascinating Falkirk Wheel. Arrive in Stirling to visit its historic castle with a local Deaf guide. Continue on a scenic drive to Oban. Sleep in Oban for 2 nights.
Monday, May 4
Hop on ferry and drive through Mull Island until getting to Iona Island where the birthplace of Christianity started in Scotland. Incredible scenery and coastal views to gaze upon. Return to Oban.
Tuesday, May 5
Drive all day through the most romantic, scenic glen of all, Glencoe. Continue to the port of Mallaig and hop on a ferry to the Isle of Skye. Arrive in Portree. Sleep in Portree for 3 nights.
Wednesday, May 6
Explore the western part of the Isle of Skye. Head to Neist Point Lighthouse for a nice walk and be in awe of nature. Visit the Dunvegan Castle and its gardens.
Thursday, May 7
Explore the eastern part of the Isle of Skye. Short hike to see the Old Man of Storr. View the majestic Kilt Rock. Drive up to the jaw-dropping Quiraing and view Scotland from above!
Friday, May 8
Cross the Skye Bridge and swing by the mystical Eilean Donan Castle. Weave upward through gorgeous Glen Shiel, take a glimpse of the Caledonian Canal. Arrive in Inverness. Sleep 2 nights in Inverness.
Saturday, May 9
Drive north to visit the gorgeous Dunrobin Castle & Gardens. Enjoy a Falconry show. See local seals. Return to Inverness.
Sunday, May 10
Learn the crucial history at the important Culloden Battlefield, the last full-scale battle in UK. Enjoy a scenic ride along the beautiful Speyside River with plenty of stopovers for photo opportunities. Sleep 2 nights in Pitlochry.
Monday, May 11
Enjoy a whole day in a cozy town, Pitlochry, with plenty of activities on your own, including whiskey tasting at a local distillery.
Tuesday, May 12
Head to Dundee to check out Discovery Point and V&A museums. Spend the afternoon at St. Andrews, home of the oldest golf course. Weather permitting, do a fun mini-putt contest on the famed golf course. Optional: Visit the R&A World Golf Museum. Farewell dinner in South Queensferry before arriving in Edinburgh. Overnight in Edinburgh.
Wednesday, May 13
Drop off at Edinburgh Airport for your afternoon return flight or in city of Edinburgh.
Darren was raised in a nomadic family in USA and held many occupations: teacher, actor, photographer, filmmaker, carpenter, chef, and more. His 60+ countries, his favorites are Scotland, Switzerland, South Africa and Japan. Twice, he was an expat for a total of 8 years in Finland and Cambodia. Darren resides in Tacoma, Washington, with his Deaf wife, Ronise and Unilaterally Deaf daughter, Franki.
Ruaridh was born and raised in the Scottish Highlands and he has a background as an artist specializing in painting. He later transitioned into the media world, where he has taken on various roles in producing documentaries and dramas. Now based in Edinburgh, Ruaridh combines his creative passions with a love for exploration. His favorite destinations include Mayrhofen, Austria, and Japan, reflecting his deep appreciation for diverse cultures and landscapes.
12 nights in 3-star accommodations.
14 meals: Breakfast (12), Dinner (2)
Services of a deaf Tour Leader on call 24 hours a day.
Services of local deaf guides.
All transportation expenses.
All city and/or tourist taxes.
Airport transfers at beginning and end of tour.
All admission fees for attractions and museums mentioned in the itinerary.
Informative travel preparation packet.
$100 Repeat Customer Discount per person on your next regular tour.
Domestic and/or international airfares.
All other meals not mentioned in the itinerary and personal expenses.
Travel Insurance.
All types of transit and tourist visas (if applicable) - e.g. ETIAS.
Tips for your Tour Leader, Tour Assistant(s) and/or Local Guides
Tour begins and ends in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Tour will be confirmed when we meet the minimum number of participants
When the tour is confirmed, additional deposits or payments may be required
Significant walking is expected during the tour, and moderate physical fitness is required
Hands On Travel recommends purchasing a travel insurance plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected
Last but not least, please read Hands On Travel's Terms & Conditions.
We're here to help you plan the perfect adventure! For any inquiries or assistance, feel free to reach out:
Email: darren@handson.travel
With this tour confirmation, your $500 deposit is now non-refundable in any event you need to back out. However, it may be transferable to a future tour.
All tour itineraries and prices are subject to change, and such change is not cause for refund. We also reserve the right to amend typos and misprints in pricing and other trip information.