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 19 Day First Class Conducted 
       
Scottish Highlands & Islands Tour

For only $5,675
per person twin share

This price includes airport taxes and levies

Tour departs Australia September 13 and returns October 1, 2012

This is real value for a first class tour as all the following are included:
  • Air fares with Emirates from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane flying into Glasgow return. 
  • A 15 day first class 'off the beaten track' tour of Scotland visiting many spectacular out-of-the-way places such as Inverness, John o'Groats, the Orkney Islands, Scapa Flow, the Isle of Skye, the Isle of Mull, Iona and Mallaig.
  • A 2 night Dubai stopover. 
  • First class accommodation, mainly 4 star. 
  • Entance fees to many attractions. 
  • All transport and transfers. 
  • Services of Scottish and Dubai tour guides, and if there are 12 or more tour participants there will be an Australian tour leader. 
For anyone who doesn't have a travel partner but who wishes to travel again at twin share rates, we will try to match you up with another traveller in a similar situation, but this is not guaranteed. For a single room there is an extra charge of $625.

Tour Itinerary

Tour Map

Terms and Conditions

Booking Form

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Itinerary for Scottish Highlands & Islands Tour

Included meals are indicated as B = Breakfast, L =Lunch, D = Dinner

13.09.12 Australia - Dubai
Depart Brisbane at 8.45pm on EK 435, arriving in Dubai at 5.25am the next morning (14.09.12).
Depart Sydney at 9.10pm on EK 413, arriving in Dubai at 5.45am the next morning (14.09.12).
Depart Melbourne at 9.25pm on EK 407, arriving in Dubai at 5.25am the next morning (14.09.12).

14.09.12 Dubai - Glasgow, Scotland
All passengers depart Dubai at 7.50am on EK 27, arriving in Glasgow at 12.35pm.
All passengers will be transferred to the hotel in central Glasgow. The rest of the day is free to recover from your flights.

15.09.12
(B/D)
Glasgow
Today is at leisure to explore Scotland's largest city. At 6pm, meet your tour director and travelling companions for a welcome dinner at the hotel.

16.09.12
(B/D)
Glasgow - Alloway - Carlisle
Start your grand tour of Scotland with interesting Lowland sights. Visit Scottish post Robert Burns' birthplace and museum at Alloway. See Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples. Step over the border for a guided visit to Carlisle Castle, which has guarded England's frontier with Scotland since the 11th century.
17.09.12
(B)
Carlisle - Edinburgh
First, see a section of Hadrian's Wall, the Roman coast to coast defence against marauding northern tribes. On the way back over the Scottish border, glimpse the house of Mary, Queen of Scots and Jedburgh ruins. Finally, a highlight visit to magnificent Floors Castle, the stately home of the Duke & Duchess of Roxburghe. Overnight in Edinburgh. Don't miss the optional Scottish evening with Highland dancers, bagpipers and the Ceremony of the Haggis.
18.09.12
(B)
Edinburgh
This morning there is a city sightseeing tour with a local guide, who introduces you to the 200 year old 'New Town' and famous scientists, inventors and novelists. In the 'Old Town' drive up the narrow Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle to admire Scotland's Crown Jewels. Then explore Holyrood Palace (except when the Queen is in residence). The afternoon is free to enjoy the Scottish capital at your own pace.
19.09.12
(B/D)
Edinburgh - St Andrews - Braemar - Inverness
Over the elegant Forth Road Bridge and through Fife to St Andrews. Cross the Firth of Tay and from Dundee, head into the Highlands with a lunch stop in pretty Braemar, home of the Royal Highland Games. Drive through the Grampian Mountains to visit a whisky distillery. The next two nights are spent in the Highland capital.
20.09.12
(B)
Inverness - Highlands Excursion
There are some fascinating visits on today's excursion. At Culloden Visitor Centre the story unfolds of the crushing Hanoverian victory over Bonnie Prince Charlie's Scottish clans. Then, call at Cawdor Castle, the setting for Shakespeare's Macbeth and home to the Thanes of Cawdor for over 600 years. We then head back to Inverness with the rest of the day at leisure. Tonight you might like to join the optional Loch Ness experience, which includes a cruise on the loch followed by supper.
21.09.12
(B/D)
Inverness - Thurso
Continue an unforgettable journey and follow the coast road to majestic Dunrobin Castle, which for centuries was the seat of Dukes and Earls of Sutherland. Visit the formal gardens and enjoy a fascinating falconry display. 
22.09.12
(B/D)
Thurso - Excursion to the Orkney Islands
A fascinating day today which is full of adventure. At John o'Groats, board a ferry for the 45 minute crossing to South Ronaldsay, one of the Orkney Islands. A local coach and driver-guide await you. Cross the four Churchill Barriers and overlook Scapa Flow, where the German fleet scuttled itself in World War I. Visit the Italian Chapel, built by prisoners of war in 1943 from scrap metal, concrete and other materials. Then head for Skara Brae, where you will see the fascinating remains of a 5,000 year old Neolithic village and visit Skaill House. Yet more highlights include the Ring of Brodgar, the Orkneys' Stonehenge and finally Kirkwall, the small and picturesque island capital. Return to the mainland by ferry in the late afternoon. 
23.09.12
(B/D)
Thurso - Ullapool - Isle of Skye
A day to sit back and enjoy the breathtakingly wild and unspoiled scenery, some of the finest in Britain. The northern coast is lined with miles of yellow sandy beaches and pretty estuaries and the hills and mountains take on a purple hue as the summer progresses. This is Scotland at its best! Make a lunch stop in the quaint fishing port of Ullapool. We have a late afternoon arrival on the Inner Hebridean isle of Skye.
24.09.12
(B/D)
Isle of Skye
Striking landscapes, weird rock formations and dramatic waterfalls will capture your attention on your drive around the Trotternish Peninsula. Visit the thatch-roofed cottages at the museum of Island Life, close to the last resting place of Highland heroine Flora MacDonald, then follow the spectacular coast route, stopping for photos of waterfalls and gorges, to the island capital of Portree. On the way back to Broadford, take in the views of the jagged and dark peaks of the Cuillin Hills.
25.09.12
(B/D)
Isle of Skye - Glenfinnan - Isle of Mull
Call at the Clan Donald Centre for a visit to its Museum Of The Isles, for an insight into 13 centuries of clan history. Afterwards board your ferry at Armadale to sail across the Sound of Sleat. Rejoin the mainland at Mallaig and follow the 'Road to the Isles', passing Glenfinnan. Finally, take a ferry to the Isle of Mull, where the next two nights are spent. 
26.09.12
(B/D)
Isle of Mull - Iona Excursion
A leisurely day to relax and enjoy the best of the Scottish western isles. Drive across Mull for a visit to the beautiful and fascinating Isle of Iona. Visit the cathedral and explore the religious settlement before returning to the hotel in the early afternoon. Later, enjoy the drive up to Tobermory for a visit to the quaint island capital.
27.09.12
(B/D)
Isle of Mull - Inveraray - Glasgow
The final island ferry crossing brings you to Oban. Then, over to the Pass of Brander and from Inveraray to the 'Bonnie Banks' of Loch Lomond. This afternoon we arrive back in Glasgow for an orientation city tour which takes in the fine 12th century cathedral, imposing university buildings and elegant Georgian squares. There is some time for last minute shopping before enjoying a farewell dinner at the hotel.
28.09.12
(B)
Glasgow - Dubai
Morning free in Glasgow before being transferred to the airport. Depart Glasgow at 2.15pm on EK 28, arriving in Dubai at 12.40am. Upon arrival you are met and transferred to the centrally situated Holiday Inn Al Barsha for a two night stay.
29.09.12
(B)
Dubai
This morning is at leisure. In the afternoon there is a sightseeing tour, where we view the Burj Al Arab, which is  considered by many to be the most famous building in Dubai. Burj Al Arab is a luxury hotel which stands on an artificial island. The shape of the building is designed to mimic the sail of a ship. Also view the Jumeirah Mosque, which is located within a coastal residential area of Dubai. There is also a visit to the Gold Souk, which is a traditional market in Dubai, located in the heart of Dubai's commercial business district. The souk consists of over 300 retailers that trade almost exclusively in jewellery. By some estimates, approximately 10 tons of gold are present at any given time in the souk. Afterwards you are returned to the hotel. 
30.09.12
(B)
Dubai - Australia
After an early breakfast transfer to Dubai airport.
Melbourne passengers depart Dubai at 10.10am on EK 406, arriving in Melbourne at 5.35am the next morning (01.10.12).
Sydney passengers depart Dubai at 10.15am on EK 412, arriving in Sydney at 6.05am the next morning (01.10.12).
Brisbane passengers depart Dubai at 10.25am on EK 434, arriving in Brisbane at 6.40am the next morning (01.10.12).
Note: The ground operator for this tour in Scotland is Globus.
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Conditions for Macleay Valley Travel's Scottish Highlands and Islands Tour

Deposits and Payments - A non-refundable deposit of $400.00 per person is payable within 7 days of booking. This deposit is not refundable should you later cancel. The balance is payable in full 10 weeks prior to departure.

Refunds and Cancellations - Cancellations after final payment will result in a refund limited to whatever we can recoup from the airline.

Insurance - Adequate travel insurance is essential. We can arrange this for you if desired. Macleay Valley Travel offers Suresave Travel Insurance.  Please note that we can only process  your travel insurance when we have received full payment for the insurance and the signed Suresave Travel Insurance application form, located on the last page of the Suresave Travel Insurance information booklet. Until this time the travel insurance cannot be processed and will not be valid. Macleay Valley Travel will bare no responsibility for any consequences that may occur as a result of an incomplete insurance application.    

Passports - All travellers require a current passport with at least 6 months left on it at the end of the tour. Non-Australian passport holders require a re-entry visa for Australia. No visas are required for this tour if you are travelling on an Australian passport.

Basic Tour Price and Taxes - Air taxes and Fuel Levies are included in the basic tour price if the tour is paid in full on or before the due date on the final invoice. Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to charge for any increase in Air taxes and Fuel Levies if the tour is not paid in full by the due date.

Breakaway Fee - All fully inclusive prices are based on group travel and any deviation from the set  itinerary will incur a breakaway fee. The breakaway fee for most deviations including a post-tour extension on this tour is $105 per person. Please inquire with our office for prices on any pre-tour extensions. 

Not  Included in the Cost - Travel insurance, visas and all items of a personal nature such as telephone calls, drinks, excess baggage, tips, meals (except those specified in the itinerary), etc. are not included in the cost.
Similarly, credit card payments can only be accepted if 2% is added to the price to help defray the heavy merchant fees charged to us by the credit card companies.

Booking through other Agents - As we keep the cost of our tours as low as possible, there is insufficient margin for us to be able to pay commission to other travel agents, so some bookings can only be accepted if the client pays the other agent's commission. 
Macleay Valley Travel is a fully licensed travel agent and as such any monies paid to us are fully insured by the Travel Compensation Fund. We are happy for any prospective traveller with us to check us out with your local Consumer Affairs (fair trading) department.

Health and FitnessMacleay Valley Travel recommends that the passenger is reasonably healthy and/or fit to participate in this tour.  Persons with a disability requiring special assistance must be accompanied by a companion. Macleay Valley Travel and their representatives cannot provide this service.  Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to accept/decline or terminate a passenger's participation in the tour under certain circumstances.

Limitation of Liability - As Macleay Valley Travel acts only as agent for the Airlines, Hotels, Coach Companies etc., providing accommodation, transportation and other services, Macleay Valley Travel shall not be liable or responsible for death or injury to any person or loss or damage to any property including baggage arising out of or connection with any transportation, accommodation or other services, or resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, fire, breakdown in machinery or equipment, acts of Government or other authorities, de jure or defacto wars, whether declared or not, hostilities, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, delays or cancellations caused by changes in schedules or itinerary, or over bookings or defaults or for any causes beyond Macleay Valley Travel's control or any loss or damage resulting from improper or insufficient passports, visas or other documents and neither Macleay Valley Travel, and its servants or employees shall be or become liable or responsible for any additional expenses or liability sustained or incurred by the tour member as a result of the foregoing causes.
Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to modify the itinerary or the accommodation if circumstances make this necessary, provided that the amended itinerary is of equal value or greater value than that of the original program.
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