Scenic Scotland, A Women-Only Tour
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 Center with a conservation expert. Savor 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.


Dining Summary

• 4 Dinner (D)
• 7 Breakfast (B)
• 1 Lunch (L)

Choice Highlights

• Choose between two carefully selected activities
• Loch Ness: Soak up the scenery and hear intriguing tales of Nessie during a cruise.
• : Learn the fascinating process of Scottish whisky production at a local distillery and malting facility. Glen Ord Distillery was founded in 1838 and has been a major distillery since the mid-1960s and is the perfect place to get an in-depth look at this Scottish drop, complete with a ‘wee dram’ to compete your visit.

Additional Included Highlights

• : 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.
• : Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
• : Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
• : We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
• : From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
• : Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
• : On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.

Insight Choice

• Loch Ness: Soak up the scenery and hear intriguing tales of Nessie during a cruise.
• : Learn the fascinating process of Scottish whisky production at a local distillery and malting facility. Glen Ord Distillery was founded in 1838 and has been a major distillery since the mid-1960s and is the perfect place to get an in-depth look at this Scottish drop, complete with a ‘wee dram’ to compete your visit.

Insight Experiences

• Stirling Castle: Delve into the insights of Stirling Castle, one of the largest and most important Castles in Scotland dating back to the 13th century. Learn how the castle has endured eight sieges and has witnessed the crowning of Scottish Kings and Queens including Mary Queen of Scots.
• Edinburgh: Get up close and personal with the culture and crafts of Scotland over an Islander Edinburgh Handbag Workshop, creating your very own Islander Harris Tweed® Handbag. Embrace the spirit of Scotland step–by–step as you select the body color of the bag, your favorite Harris Tweed® cloth lid and decorative strap. Once you’ve chosen the different components, construct your bag with a set of tools prepared for you. Take a piece of Edinburgh home with you in your very own bespoke Harris Tweed® Islander Handbag.
• Edinburgh: Full of curiosities, the world of sheepdog training will inspire the mind of any curious traveler. Meet Julie Hill, the first and only woman to have won the Supreme International Sheepdog Championships. Over dinner, learn how Julie trains Border Collies in some of the remotest and most rugged hill terrain in the UK, single-handedly tending to 1000 sheep that graze over 8000 acres.
• Edinburgh: Meet Louise, Piper to the Lord Provost of Edinburgh since 2006. Louise has played for Queen Elizabeth II and the Pope, and many celebrities to events. She has performed on ITV This Morning, the Olympics, and even provided a bagpipe lesson to legendary Queen guitarist Dr. Brian May. Celebrate the heritage and sounds of Scotland over a demonstration and bagpipe workshop from "Scotland's National Piper."

Make Travel Matter

• Ardgowan House: Join Sir Ludovic for a tour of his family home, Ardgowan Estate, and savor a traditional Scottish tea made from local ingredients. Hear more about centuries of history onthe beautiful grounds during the Make Travel Matter experience. Your visit helps support the estate, helping keep Scottish history alive.  The Estate educates its visitors and the local rural community about their sustainability initiatives, reducing food waste and sourcing all ingredients locally to support the local economy.  Ardgowan Estate invests in renewable projects including a wood bio mass boiler, a gas plant and wind turbines, to create a greener, more sustainable future.  Ardgowan Estate advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption & Production and UN Sustainable Development Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy.
• Inverness: Over a visit to Dundreggan Rewilding Center, your rewilding expert shares information about the reintroduction of native tree species such as the Caledonian Pine, and animal species such as the lynx, red squirrels and beavers into the wild. Your visit directly contributes to safeguarding one of the most beautiful and ancient landscapes in Europe that is in a critical condition. This experience directly supports Global Goal 15: Life on Land.

Top Rated Highlights

• Glasgow: See the grand public buildings, including George Square and St. Mungo's Cathedral.
• Isle of Mull: Embark on a day trip to the Isles of Mull and Iona, an ideal way to explore the sights and insights of the Scottish Highlands. At Iona Abbey, your Travel Director reveals its history, beginning with Columba’s monastery until the end of the 12th century followed by a Benedictine abbey. Iona Abbey Museum also houses Scotland’s finest collection of early medieval carved stones and crosses. Then visit the Reilig Odhrain, a sacred burial ground of 48 Scottish Kings.
• Edinburgh: Explore the city with your Local Expert as you travel along Princes Street to see the Scott Memorial, the neoclassical Adam facades of New Town and the official Scottish residence of the King, Palace of Holyroodhouse.
• Edinburgh: Alternatively known as the Maidens’ Castle until the 16th century, Edinburgh Castle offers dramatic vistas and historic insights. Walk with your Local Expert within the walls of the castle to view the Scottish Crown Jewels, Mons Meg and other artefacts.

Well-being

• : Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxury, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with onboard washroom. Alternate vehicles without onboard washroom or 40 seats may be used on occasion. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.  
• : Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.