Jason Smith and Sons - A Scottish Odyssey

Day 1 - Saturday 24^th August - Welcome to Scotland

On arrival at the airport you will be met by a private driver who will transfer you to your city centre hotel.  Your guide will meet you there and you’ll spend the afternoon exploring the city before ending the day at the Royal Military Tattoo.

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Balmoral
Room Type: Family Junior Suite with 1 double and 1 twin bedded room
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2 - Sunday 25^th August - The Fringe Festival

The streets of Edinburgh will be buzzing with energy due to the various festivals running this month and you will pass street performers and entertainment on every corner as you explore. Follow your curiosity through the twisting cobbled streets of the Old Town and enjoy the vibrant ambience. There may also be a chance to take part in a piping workshop with a local piper.

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Balmoral
Room Type: Family Junior Suite with 1 double and 1 twin bedded room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Monday 26^th August - Journey to Fort William

Your main driver guide will meet you at your hotel this morning and you will set off for the west coast. On the way you will stop off at Bannockburn to meet a local guide who will regale you with stories of the battle that took place here.  A real insight into the history of Scotland.  There may also be time to visit Stirling Caslte before heading north to your castle hotel.

Overnight: Fort William | Inverlochy Castle
Room Type: 1 x Large Double as a Twin and 1 x Suite as a Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Tuesday 27^th August - Hiking the Ben

It’s an early start today as you head out to conquer the highest moutnain in the UK.  This epic climb will be worth it for the views from the top and you’ll be rewarded with a wee dram at the local tavern at the end of the day

Overnight: Fort William | Inverlochy Castle
Room Type: 1 x Large Double as a Twin and 1 x Suite as a Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Wednesday 28^th August - Exploring the islands

After a big day yesterday, today is more relaxing.  Board your private boat and head out to see the coastline of Scotland from a different angle.  Land on some remote islands and enjoy a hike through the heather before returning to your hotel where you will be met by a local musician who plays the Clasarch (traditional Scottish harp) hear stories about gaelic folk music and listen to some tunes, perhaps even having a go yourself!

Overnight: Fort William | Inverlochy Castle
Room Type: 1 x Large Double as a Twin and 1 x Suite as a Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Thursday 29^th August - To Perthshire

Leaving the jagged mountains behind, head to the rolling hills of Perthshire today.  On route you can stop off the explore the Crannog Centre to see how the Highlanders used to live in houses on stilts above the loch before arriving at your hotel in the late afternoon.

This evening you could head into the hills for an exclusive dinner at a secluded bothy combined with a whisky tasting as a great way to start your time in Perthshire.

Overnight: Perthshire | Fonab Castle
Room Type: 2 x Superior Loch View Lodge Rooms ( 1 as a twin)
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Friday 30^th August - Water activities

Swap the land for the water today as you spend the morning kayaking along a local loch, enjoying the sensation of the wind in your hair and just the sound of the wildlife and your paddle in the water for company.

Overnight: Perthshire | Fonab Castle
Room Type: 2 x Superior Loch View Lodge Rooms ( 1 as a twin)
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Saturday 31^st August - Highland Games

Spend the day at the local Highland Games today as you watch the athletes compete in Heavy Events and perhaps even enter the solo piping competition where you can pitch your skills against other people in a pipe off!

Overnight: Perthshire | Fonab Castle
Room Type: 2 x Superior Loch View Lodge Rooms ( 1 as a twin)
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 - Sunday 1^st September - Sons depart - Jason to the Cairngorms

While the boys depart (either out of Edinburgh or Glasgow) Jason will continue on his Scottish adventure deep into the Cairngorms.  Lots of options for today depending on what time you depart such as visiting a local castle, or enjoying a hike through the ancient pine forest.

Overnight: Cairngorms | Fife Arms
Room Type: 1 x Scottish Culture Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 10 - Monday 2^nd September - Overnight camping experience

Head out into the hills today for an overnight expedition.  Your guide will decide on the route depending on the weather but whatever route you take, you will end the day enjoying a wee dram around the campfire with just the sounds of the night to keep you company.

Overnight: Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 11 - Tuesday 3^rd September - Hiking in the National Park

Enjoy your return hike today back to the village of Breamar, taking your time to stop and enjoy the views and the wildlife while your guide tells you stories of the land and culture that is sown into the very fabric of life in this ancient land.

Overnight: Cairngorms | Fife Arms
Room Type: 1 x Scottish Culture Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 12 - Wednesday 4^th September - Fishing

This morning, you’ll enjoy a round of golf on Scotland’s highest 18 round golf course before heading north to the visit the site of the bloodiest battle to ever take place on Scottish soil.  Meet an expert guide here and hear the stories of the uprising and Bonny Prince Charlie’s escape as you stand on this windswept moorland.

Overnight: Near Inverness | Newhall Mains
Room Type: 1 x Fraser Double Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 13 - Thursday 5^th September - Fishing

You’ll spend the next two days swapping your hiking boots for waders as you enjoy some of the best salmon fishing the country has to offer.  Under the watchful eye of your expert ghillie, cast your line and see what you can catch with just the sound of the wild rustling through the trees for company.

Overnight: Near Inverness | Newhall Mains
Room Type: 1 x Fraser Double Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 14 - Friday 6^th September - Fishing

Spend another day fishing today and see what spoils you can catch by the end of the day.

Overnight: Near Inverness | Newhall Mains
Room Type: 1 x Fraser Double Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 15 - Saturday 7^th September - To Skye

Head to the fabled isle of Skye today to start exploring more of this ancient land.  On the way, you will stop off to meet a local crofter who will tell you how they work and live the land, before heading to your accommodation overlooking the picturesque harbour in the pretty town of Portree.

Overnight: Isle of Skye | Cuillin Hills Hotel
Room Type: 1 x Premier Deluxe Room with Sea View
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 16 - Sunday 8^th September - Exploring Skye

Spend the day exploring Skye, stepping back in time to discover the true essence of the island.  From the Clearance Villages to the local crafters, spend time exploring the history of the island and the legends that lie deep within.

Overnight: Isle of Skye | Cuillin Hills Hotel
Room Type: 1 x Premier Deluxe Room with Sea View
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 17 - Monday 9^th September - Hiking on Skye

Lave up your boots today and head out to hike the Quiraing, one of the most iconic hikes on the island.  With it’s giant rock formations and epic views across to Raasay and Rona, this is a wonderful way to spend your last day on the island.

Overnight: Isle of Skye | Cuillin Hills Hotel
Room Type: 1 x Premier Deluxe Room with Sea View
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 18 - Tuesday 10^th September - Transfer to Oban

Leave the island by ferry this morning and head along the famous Road to the Isles, one of the most scenic roads in the whole country.  Stop off to visit the Glenfinnan monument where Bonny Prince Charlie raised his standard and see the Harry Potter train thundering across the viaduct.

Your accommodation is in the seaside town of Oban where you can dine out on delectable seafood overlooking the harbour

Overnight: Oban | Perle Oban
Room Type: 1 x Superior with Sea View
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 19 - Wednesday 11^th September - Kimartin Glen

Head south today to explore the neolithic sites of Kilmartin and enjoy a hike through these ancient monuments.

On the way back to Oban, perhaps take another coastal hike, or visit the local whisky distillery for a tour and tasting of the delicious Uisge Beatha.

Overnight: Oban | Perle Oban
Room Type: 1 x Superior with Sea View
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 20 - Thursday 12^th September - Hiking on Kerrera

You’ll take a short ferry ride this morning to the Isle of Kerrera where you can enjoy a spectacular hike around the island, taking in the ruins of Gylen Castle, which was once a stronghold of Clan MacDougall.  A great way to spend your last day.

Overnight: Oban | Perle Oban
Room Type: 1 x Superior with Sea View
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 21 - Friday 13^th September - Return to Edinburgh

The end of your trip is in site, leaving the coast behind you will head back to Edinburgh today for your last night on Scottish soil.  On the way you can visit the first lending library in Scotland and leaf through some of the wonderful first editions that grace their shelves.

Your guide will drop you off at your airport hotel this evening and bid you farewell.

Overnight: Edinburgh | Airport Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 22 - Saturday 14^th September - Depart

Head to the airport this morning to make your onward connections. Waving farewell for now but taking with you special memories and wonderful stories of your explorations.

Meals Included: Breakfast