Final Information - Hemphill Scotland Explorations

Day 1 - Tuesday 13^th August - Arrive in Edinburgh.

Welcome back to Scotland! Your private transfer will meet you at Edinburgh airport and transfer you to your welcoming hotel. Take some time to relax and settle in, enjoying an oasis of calm as the city’s characterful streets buzz and bustle beyond the window.

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Bonham
Room Type: Townhouse Double
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2 - Wednesday 14^th August - Foodie tour & Royal Military Tattoo Experience.

Spend the morning exploring the city with a local guide who is passionate about the incredible selection of food that this wonderful city has to offer. Be led through the hidden gems of the city to the places only the locals know about so you can taste some of the local delicacies and sample some of the famous Uisge Beatha as well, of course! The rest of the afternoon is free to explore more of the city, before an evening of celebration at the Royal Military Tattoo. Enjoy a delightful dinner before taking your seats to experience this wonderful performance.

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Bonham
Room Type: Townhouse Double
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 - Thursday 15^th August - Guided city tour in your private Mini Cooper. Private afternoon Artland Tour

This morning you are picked up by a local guide and taken for a wonderful tour of Scotland’s hilly capital by Mini Cooper. As you zip through the city, your Edinburgh guide shares stories of history and culture. Admire Edinburgh Castle overlooking the sea and the spires of St.Giles’ Cathedral. Revel in the ancient exploits of Sir William Wallace (known as Braveheart) and the hometown of actor Sean Connery.

Your driver will take you to visit the award winning Jupiter Artland for a private tour of the impressive sculptures at this innovative and creative site. Later, transfer back to your hotel.

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Bonham
Room Type: Townhouse Double
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4 - Friday 16^th August - Free day to enjoy the Edinburgh Festival atmosphere.

Today enjoy the Edinburgh Festival celebrations,  you may wish to get right into the swing of it or just soak in the vibrant atmosphere of the streets as you discover impromptu performances, or book concert seats. You will be spoilt for choice and there is something for every taste.

This evening enjoy a performance by the European Union Youth Orchestra at the Usher Hall.

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Bonham
Room Type: Townhouse Double
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5 - Saturday 17^th August - Meet your guide to visit Stirling Castle and travel onwards to Inverness.

Meet your Guide at your hotel this morning to travel north to Stirling. En route make sure to keep an eye out for the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel. Arriving in Stirling, visit one of the most important castles in Scotland’s history, perched high above the city. Have time to explore the Wallace Monument and its Hall of Heroes, before continuing your journey north to the highland capital of Inverness, and your accommodation for the evening.

Overnight: Inverness | Glen Mhor Hotel
Room Type: Double Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Sunday 18^th August - Travel to Ullapool and board the ferry to Lewis & Harris.

Take to the road this morning for a scenic drive to Ullapool to board the ferry to one of the wildest and most beautiful islands in Europe. Arriving on Lewis, either spend the afternoon exploring Stornoway with your guide or travel south to your accommodation in Harris.

Your guide will arrange a meeting time with you the night before.

Overnight: Tarbert | Hotel Hebrides
Room Type: Classic Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Monday 19^th August - Glens and Beaches of North Harris.

North Harris is one of the most spectacular areas of the Outer Hebrides. We spend the day exploring the glens and beaches, perhaps visiting the white sands of Huisinis or hiking into the glens to see the massive cliffs of Sron Uladal. A wonderful day whichever route we choose!

Your guide will arrange a meeting time with you the night before.

Overnight: Tarbert | Hotel Hebrides
Room Type: Classic Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Tuesday 20^th August - The Machair of Harris and Cycle The Golden Road.

This morning we’ll take a hike around the coast discovering the vibrant colors of the wildflowers found in the Machair plains. This rare habitat is only found on the exposed western coastline of Scotland and Ireland, and is always busy with different birds and insects. Keep a careful eye on the shoreline and the rocky outcrops for the sleek otters that inhabit this area. Your guide will then lead you to explore the many inlets and coves while you cycle on one of the ancient ‘coffin roads’. The Golden Road, named after the high costs of its creation, snakes its way through the lunar-like landscapes providing spectacular views.

Your guide will arrange a meeting time with you the night before.

Overnight: Tarbert | Hotel Hebrides
Room Type: Classic Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 - Wednesday 21^st August - Callanish Standing Stones and then journey to Dornoch

After breakfast, we journey north to Lewis, where we visit the 5,000 year old Callanish Standing Stones, which date back to 3,000 BC. Set on a moor with a backdrop of sea and mountains, this is a moving experience for many and a wonderful place to end this island odyssey. Leaving the stones behind, we continue to Stornoway where we take the ferry back to the mainland and transfer to Dornoch for the evening.

Arriving at your accommodation this evening Ian will depart after introducing you to and leaving you in safe hands your guide Alison, who will be with you for the rest of your trip.

Overnight: Dornoch | Dornoch Station Hotel
Room Type: Double Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 10 - Thursday 22^nd August - Ferry to Orkney and visit the Italian Chapel.

Your guide will collect you this morning to journey to the Orkney Islands following the north-east coast of the Highlands and onwards over the Pentland Firth. Stop off en route to explore the Whaligoe Steps before catching your ferry.

Reach Orkney mid-afternoon, where we’ll visit the Italian Chapel, two Nissan huts converted into a place of worship by prisoners of war. We’ll then continue on to our hotel to relax and refresh before dinner.

Your guide will arrange a meeting time with you the night before.

Overnight: Kirkwall | The Foveran Hotel
Room Type: Double Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 11 - Friday 23^rd August - Skara Brae, Stones of Stenness, The Ring of Brodgar.

Today we visit the Stone Age village of Skara Brae, discovered in 1850 after a storm cleared away the sand dunes that were covering it. Explore the Stone of Stenness and the wonderful Ring of Brodgar – a standing stone circle dating back to Neolithic times.

Afterward, visit Orkney’s famous Gin distillery for a tour and tasting. Learn of the distilling process and the botanicals that create this local spirit.

Your guide will arrange a meeting time with you the night before.

Overnight: Kirkwall | The Foveran Hotel
Room Type: Double Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 12 - Saturday 24^th August - Hiking on Hoy.

A short drive along the edge of Scapa Flow takes us to Stromness where we catch the ferry to the island of Hoy. Here we walk to the famous Old Man of Hoy and some of Britain’s highest sea cliffs before returning to Rackwick Bay.

Your guide will arrange a meeting time with you the night before.

Overnight: Kirkwall | The Foveran Hotel
Room Type: Double Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 13 - Sunday 25^th August - Rousay. Overnight Ferry to Shetland.(Departs 23:45 Arrives- 07:30)

This morning you will take a short ferry ride to the island of Rousay. Here you will head out on a short hike to the Midhowe chambered cairn, one of 15 chambered cairns on Rousay. After some good exploring you will head along the coastline to the Midhowe Broch and an opportunity to see a dig that is taking place on the shoreline. On your way back to the ferry you can stop off at some other chambered cairns, learning more about the history of this island, then enjoy a relaxing evening before boarding your ferry to Shetland.

Your guide will arrange a meeting time with you the night before.

Overnight: Ferry | Northlink Ferries
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 14 - Monday 26^th August - Lerwick History of the Island.

Take some time to explore Lerwick, which is full of character and history. Stop into the Shetland Museum & Archives, visit the Brock of Clickimin and discover the traditions of Shetland wool woven through the fabric of everyday life on the islands. Follow your curiosity and your guide can take you out of town if there is another site you specifically wish to see too.

Your guide will arrange a meeting time with you the night before.

Overnight: Scalloway | Scalloway Hotel
Room Type: Double Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 15 - Tuesday 27^th August - Hike the Dramatic Cliffs of Eshaness.

Enjoy a coastal hike on the dramatic headland of Eshaness. Explore the awe-inspiring coastal scenery around the wonderfully named Villains of Ure, the Grind of the Navir and the Holes of Scraada. The wildlife spotting opportunities are also numerous, with sightings of otters and even orcas reported from here.

Your guide will arrange a meeting time with you the night before.

Overnight: Scalloway | Scalloway Hotel
Room Type: Double Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 16 - Wednesday 28^th August - National Nature Reserve and Viking Heritage.

We travel by ferry to the islands of Yell and Unst in the very far north of Shetland. On Unst, we will walk at Hermaness National Nature Reserve, which is one of the largest breeding colonies of Bonxie in the world. This is a superb and wild spot to gaze out across the sea to the sensationally placed lighthouse on the island of Muckle Flugga, and the tiny rock of Out Stack, the most northerly point of land in the United Kingdom.

Your guide will arrange a meeting time with you the night before.

Overnight: Scalloway | Scalloway Hotel
Room Type: Double Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 17 - Thursday 29^th August - Explore south Shetland and the Island of Mousa. Overnight Ferry to Aberdeen. (Departs 19:00 Arrives 07:00)

Head south and board the boat to Mousa and enjoy an afternoon exploring the island as well as the famous Broch of Mousa, the tallest broch still standing in the whole of Europe as well as one of the most well preserved. Admire how this incredible building has stood the test of time and then climb the winding staircase to enjoy the views from the top. The broch is also home to hundreds of Storm Petrels that nest in the walls, so keep your eyes peeled for them flitting in and out. Later, enjoy dinner before boarding your overnight ferry to the east coast of Scotland, the granite city of Aberdeen.

Your guide will arrange a meeting time with you the night before.

Overnight: Ferry | Northlink
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 18 - Friday 30^th August - Morning tour of the City. Afternoon Highland Cow Farm.

Arriving into the port of Aberdeen, stop to enjoy breakfast before you set out on a tour of this characterful city. Later, stop off at a local Cattle Farm to meet some gorgeous Highland Cows. Explore the farm, meet the animals and enjoy some snacks while you learn about these animals and life as a farmer in Scotland. Later on you will continue to the village of Aboyne and your accommodation base for the next 2 nights.

Your guide will arrange a meeting time with you the night before.

Overnight: Aboyne | The Boat Inn
Room Type: Double Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 19 - Saturday 31^st August - Hiking in Ballater and Balmoral Estate.

Today hike a superb circular route, exploring Glen Muick, which lies in the shadow of the famous peak of Lochnagar. It takes us through ancient pine forest, past one of Queen Victoria’s hunting lodges and beneath towering cliffs as we circumnavigate beautiful Loch Muick. It’s also a great place for spotting wildlife – look out for red deer and golden eagles. This afternoon visit the beautiful Balmoral Estate, a residence that has been part of the British Royal Family since it was bought for Queen Victoria in 1852. Here, hike to the Balmoral Cairns, erected in the grounds, each honouring a memorable event within the family.

Your guide will arrange a meeting time with you the night before.

Overnight: Aboyne | The Boat Inn
Room Type: Double Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 20 - Sunday 1^st September - Private transfer from your hotel to Edinburgh. Free Day in Edinburgh.

A private transfer will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to Edinburgh this morning. The rest of the day is free for you to spend at your leisure.

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Bonham
Room Type: Superior King Room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 21 - Monday 2^nd September - Self Guided Explorations

Today you have a full free day to continue explorations at your own pace and there is plenty to keep you discovering more. Whatever you choose, you are sure to be inspired.

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Bonham
Room Type: Superior King Room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 22 - Tuesday 3^rd September - Self Guided Explorations

Today is another day free for you to spend at your leisure in the vibrant city of Edinburgh.

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Bonham
Room Type: Superior King Room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 23 - Wednesday 4^th September - Private departure transfer to Edinburgh Airport.

A private driver will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to Edinburgh Airport to catch your onward travel. Waving farewell for now but taking with you many special memories of unique moments of your explorations on the islands and in the capital city.

Meals Included: Breakfast