A close second was the "Working Sheepdogs" demonstration in Leault. "I loved the sunsets in Oban, Neil Ross and the border collies, and the evening of music in the crannog. I was familiar with the history of what happened there, but was not prepared for the beauty of the glen itself. "Seeing the Scottish Highlands and learning some of the history.". Very spiritual, bizarre, ancient and modern - all in one. We've been on several Rick Steve's tours and the thing I enjoy most is meeting and getting to know my fellow travelers and enjoying the trip with new friends. Fort William is usually seen as a base for hikers looking to climb the highest peak in Scotland, Ben Nevis. I have enjoyed all of our RS Tours but I think Scotland is my favorite one ... Great first tour with any company. This is my first tour with Rick Steves and it won't be my last. I can’t get enough of North Uist’s west and north facing sands and that whole corner of the island is arguably Scotland at its raw, beautiful and mesmerising best. You just might stumble onto a céilidh- a traditional Scottish village dance- or live music nearby at The Céilidh Place. From our hustory lessons, wonderful gaelic, and modern Scotish music while on the bus, to our wanderings around the beautiful countryside of Scotland, Liz was there for us enriching our experience and helping us experience the rich history of Scotland.". If there’s anything I’ve learnt about traveling so far, it is to explore a city like a local. It gave me a clearer sense of Scotland as an individual place with an individual identity, not just part of the UK. We’ll also provide you with a hand-marked map of Scotland, a GPS navigation system and our own 24/7 helpline. Historic Scotland Explorer Pass (14 day use), provides free entry to many attractions; All ferry crossings, as per itinerary; Map of Scotland and detailed personal itinerary; 24/7 helpline; Taxes & service fees Non-hikers can skip all that and can continue straight on to Inveraray, stopping where it feels right. Great trip. My experience was delightful.... overall ... even on the last day.... last bus ride .... Julia may have thought I was over anxious to end he trip ... just the opposite ... to savor each lasting experience... "Finding family roots in Lac Lomond --- and singing with Julia ... all the knowledge she shared with us .. it was amazing -- wow -- learned lots...". "Looking out over its many pasture with live stock.". This music festival is outstanding! Everything was excellent and very professional. If you had any doubts about driving in Scotland, don’t! I also so enjoyed learning about the Crannogs, the life of a shepherd and training their dogs, and walking the streets of Culross (fun to learn about what scenes from Outlander were filmed there!). The group was a very pleasant group of people and traveling with them was quite enjoyable. Peaks like the Lost Valley, Buachaille Etive Beag and the Pap of Glencoe are ideal half-day options while others will be happy at ground level, listening to the decipherable wail of woes past in the most famous Glen of them all. Very good overall. Hotels were very nice. There were so many others but it's the first thing I saw and it was wow". I enjoyed the variation of tour stops. If something a bit more manicured is to your taste, visit Inverewe Garden and Estate, a lush sub-tropical botanical oasis set amid the rugged Wester Ross landscape. "So many!! I think it was meant to be. Your photos are very representative of this experience. Perfect". The tour left me wanting to go back to spend more time in my favorite places. ", "Thoroughly enjoyed the Bagpiper, Crannog and Sheep Dog experiences. Our time there was special. Iona was more than mystical - we wanted to stay and just breathe it in. You’ve got a big day of driving and panoramas ahead of you as you head north to Durness. Can you imagine experiencing this all in one trip? I would love to have a complete bio of all of his competitions, titles, and wins. I was concerned about 28 people, with people having to double up on the bus, but everyone was open and welcoming. The host, tour guides, and special guests really rounded our introductory immersion into Scotland. A great adventure with an awesome guide (Nigel H) and a great group of fellow travelers. #thisisscotland #exploretheworld #goexplorenow #everythingeverywhere #discoverglobe #unlimitedscotland #visitscotland #midlifecouplequestfortravel #wanderforever #theglobewanderers #travelawesome #travelingourplanet #worldcaptures #travelingtheworld #traveladdicts #yolotravel #travelinspiration #lifewelltraveled #letsgoeverywhere #neverstopexploringtraveling #travelbugs #travelblogs #travelblog #wanderlusting #couplewhotravel #travelpictures #travelpics #destinationearth #athomeintheworld, A post shared by MidLife Couple’s Quest:Travel (@marquestra_inc) on Oct 23, 2017 at 1:36pm PDT. –  Malt Whisky Trail including; Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, Aberlour, Cardhu, Balvenie and more… – Inverness and the Culloden battlefield is only 1 hour away – Speyside Cooperage – learn how the barrel making tradition lives on – Try some fly-fishing or skeet shooting. For anyone wanting to deal with a high-achieving travel company that is absolutely professional and efficient, we highly recommend Nordic Visitor and, in particular, Agne Dobrovolskyte, who proved to be a very competent, friendly and knowledgeable travel agent. The castle setting was beautiful. Nigel, our guide was great and knew his tour fully. So much history, so many wonderful sights. This is our 4th time using your service. The mussels were Devine!!". Any time between April and October is a good time to visit Scotland. If you had any doubts about driving in Scotland, don’t! The road south is a long one, but full of welcome interruption. Outstanding and professional in every way! Our guide Helen was as good as a guide could be. I could go back there for a week just to hike and see more of it up close. By the end the the tour just about everyone in our group of 28 had decided that James was the most interesting man in the world! These are not in order.". It was also our 1st Rick Steve's Tour! Two things really opened my eyes to the past: the recreation of the 2500-year-old crannog, and Martin's guided comparison of the ruins of a 500-year-old castle with its still-occupied twin.". The sites we visited were more than expected. Also really enjoyed the bagpipe presentation and the whisky distillery tour in Aberfeldy.". I feel we learned so much more about Scotland this way. James and the other guides were wonderful. Had a great time. "It is a tie between the whistling sheep dog demonstration and a most lovely scone.". this was our second RS tour, and our expectations were met. Even though it was windy and Scotland was amazing; the weather was amazing, and we are so grateful for the experience to see the many sites, have the VIP service, and meet so many amazing friends! "My favorite was watching the Border Collies work and being able to try my hand at shearing a sheep. Our accommodations were comfortable throughout the trip and I enjoyed the goodies we shared back on the bus. 2. Covered a lot of ground, but not so intense that we were ever overly tired. Efficient, well organized and had very interesting content. For me, the opportunity to dive into some personal ancestry took center stage. tickets taken care of. "The Sheep Dogs were amazing and funny and fascinating and awesome. But I’m too young to hire a car (and even when I can in a year or so the premiums are exorbitant). An overall view like that was so much easier to use. Then we'll cross the famous Firth of Forth on our way into Edinburgh. Do you think I could do a shorter trip version of this? Then we'll take an orientation walk through our neighborhood and get introduced to Glasgow's metro system, before getting acquainted over dinner together. Great country and customs. "Sheep dogs, my wife and I both agree on this. ~Carpe Diem! I had read up on it, and understood at a scholarly distance... but the video and the place blew me away. I have tried to get there twice before, but was weathered out. The Fairy Pools, the Man of Storr and many other hikes can be enjoyed on the island. Hi Clara, thrilled that you enjoyed this post and found it useful! Beautiful country Sticky Toffee Pudding - what a tasty and wicked dessert - I am amazed I have any teeth left ! Really enjoyed the sheep dog demonstration with Neil, the drive through the Highlands at Glencoe was absolutely spectacular, and the historical tours and explanations of the various battles was amazing. Most lodgings are in this town and close to a few restaurants and pubs. The group of people on our tour were enjoyable and pleasant.