An Adventure in England & Scotland

Day 1 - Arrive in Edinburgh & Travel to the Lake District

Meet your Wilderness guide in Edinburgh today and transfer south into the distinctly beautiful Lake District National Park. Along the way you may like to stop to visit Abbotsford, the historic home of Sir Walter Scott, or Johnstons of Elgin, for a tour of Scotland’s only vertical weaving mill. Later, arrive in the stunning scenery of the Lake District, a landscape full of hanging valleys, rushing waterfalls, and impressive crags cloaked in volcanic rock. Settle into your lovely hotel and enjoy some time to relax before dinner.

Overnight: Ullswater | Another Place
Meals Included: Lunch

Day 2 - Boat Trip & Aira Force Waterfall

After breakfast, enjoy a tranquil voyage on the Ullswater steamer, gliding across the iridescent lake and soaking up the wonderful views that unfurl beyond the bow. Venture ashore at Howtown, perhaps stopping by the pretty tearoom for a slice of sponge, before hopping back aboard and cruising back to shore. Enjoy a short walk to the picturesque Aira Force Waterfall this afternoon, winding your way through old leafy woodland to where rushing water thunders into a deep pool below.

Overnight: Ullswater | Another Place
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Castlerigg Stone Circle & Lakes Distillery Tour

After breakfast, enjoy a visit to Castlerigg Stone Circle – undoubtedly one of the most dramatically situated stone circles in Britain. Afterwards, spend some time exploring the old market town of Keswick, wandering through the pretty streets before visiting the charming Pencil Museum. Enjoy a mellow, rather unique visit with some friendly alpacas this afternoon before heading to the Lakes Distillery for a tour and a tasting.

Overnight: Ullswater | Another Place
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Exploring Grasmere & Dove Cottage

This morning, head into Grasmere, one of the prettiest villages in the Lakes. Enjoy visiting Dove Cottage, where William Wordsworth lived with his sister Dorothy from 1799 to 1808. Step back in time as you explore the tranquil rooms still full of the late poet’s possessions. Afterwards, spend some time strolling along Grasmere’s narrow streets and perhaps picking up some famous Grasmere Gingerbread. This afternoon, settle into your second hotel, a Grade II-listed country house hotel tucked in the green heart of the Lake District.

Overnight: Ambleside | Rothay Manor
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Coniston Water & Brantwood House Musuem

After breakfast, enjoy a cruise across Coniston Water on a traditional steam yacht gondola. Get settled in the warmth of the cabin or sit out on deck in the fresh air. Visit Peel Island (better known as Wild Cat Island), which is an enchanting spot made famous by Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons. Afterwards, visit Brantwood House, the historic home of John Ruskin and a vibrant centre for the arts. Enjoy the opportunity to look into the daily life of one of England’s most important social and cultural figures, as well as strolling around the beautiful gardens in the warm sunshine.

Overnight: Ambleside | Rothay Manor
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Travel to the Yorkshire Dales

As the soft dawn mist fades from the fields, depart the Lake District and venture into the ribboned glens, windswept hills and rolling meadows of the Yorkshire Dales. Along the way, visit the picturesque village of Grassington, known for its traditional stone buildings and bustling local atmosphere, it village was inspiration (and used in the filming of) All Cretures Great and Small. Later, continue on to the market town of Hawes, home to the world-famous Wensleydale Cheese and many little artisan shops bursting with local produce. This afternoon, take some time to relax at your lovely 5-star boutique hotel, nestled in the heart of Wensleydale Valley.

Overnight: Bainbridge | Yorebridge House
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Sheepdog Experience & Wensleydale Cheese

This morning, head out to meet a local shepherd for a sheepdog demonstration. Enjoy watching these amazing dogs work together, herding sheep and reacting immediately to every command. Chat with the farmer and learn more about this traditional way of life. Afterwards, head to Wensleydale Creamery for a tour and a tasting. Enjoy observing a cheesemaking demonstration and learning about the thousand-year history of artisan cheesemaking in the Dales.

Overnight: Bainbridge | Yorebridge House
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Travel to Scotland & Devil's Porridge Museum

After breakfast, settle in for a beautiful drive north into the wild, heathery hills of Scotland. Along the way, stop to visit the award-winning Devil’s Porridge Museum, which tells the story of HM Factory Gretna a huge munitions factory, created during World War One, where the devil’s porridge (or cordite, an explosive) was mixed. Afterwards, continue to the south-west coast and relax at a wonderfully cosy snug, with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside and coast.

Overnight: Laggan | Seaview Snugs at Laggan
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 - Drumlangrig Castle & Gardens

Visit Drumlangrig Castle and Gardens today and enjoy a tour. Regarded as one of the finest examples of 17th-century Renaissance architecture in Scotland, the ‘Pink Palace’ (as it is affectionately called) is a fascinating place to explore. The exquisite rooms are adorned with paintings and tapestries – many from the internationally acclaimed Buccleuch Art Collection – and the Castle Gardens encompass 40 acres of diverse and beautiful plants, shrubs and trees. This afternoon, wander through the land art installation of Cawick Multiverse before returning to your accommodation to relax.

Overnight: Laggan | Seaview Snugs at Laggan
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 10 - Exploring the Isle of Arran

This morning, travel northwest to Ardrossan and catch the small white ferry to the beautiful Isle of Arran. Enjoy the views as the island comes into view, its silhouette dominated by the towering peak of Goatfell. Disembark in Brodick and have some lunch before enjoying a drive that at first hugs the shoreline before bending inland towards the island’s wilder and more rugged interior. Later this afternoon, relax at your spacious hotel, which offers many on-site amenities, including a pool and spa.

Overnight: Isle of Arran | Auchrannie Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 11 - Travel to the Isle of Mull

This morning, catch the ferry from Lochranza back to the mainland and travel to Oban to board the ferry to Craignure on the Isle of Mull. Along the way, stop to explore Kilmartin Glen, a place where human history can be traced back over 5000 years. Visit the newly renovated museum and then head out to walk among the stone circles, burial chambers and standing stones. Arrive on Mull this afternoon and settle into your lovely hotel.

Overnight: Mull | Pennygate Lodge Guesthouse & Restaurant
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 12 - The Isle of Iona

Following a leisurely breakfast, travel to Mull’s southern tip to visit the evocative Isle of Iona. Discover its beautiful coastline, scattered with rocky outcrops and hidden bays, and its rich history, which stretches back to the Iron Age. Visit Iona Abbey, one of the best preserved medieval nunneries in Britain. Travel back to Mull later today and relax in the cosy warmth of your hotel.

Overnight: Mull | Pennygate Lodge Guesthouse & Restaurant
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 13 - Exploring Glencoe and Loch Lomond

After breakfast, catch the morning ferry back to the mainland and travel into the brooding folds of Glencoe. Carved out centuries ago by glaciers and volcanic eruptions, this iconic glen seems to push against reality into the folds of a fairytale. Enjoy stopping by the informative Visitor Centre and the recreated 17th-century turf house before heading south into the verdant embrace of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Spend your final evening in the decadent opulence of Cromlix Hotel, a 5-star country house owned by the Scottish tennis star Andy Murray and his family.

Overnight: By Dunblane | Cromlix Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 14 - Depart

After breakfast, travel back to either Glasgow or Edinburgh to begin your journey home.