Ancient Scotland Tours 2021

Immerse yourself in the Scotland of Ancient Kings
Small Group, Uncrowded, Cultural, Unique Experience

NEW Ancient Scotland Tour - August 23rd, 2021 (8 nights, 7 passengers max) - with Hugh Allison More Info

Ancient Scotland - Uncrowded, custom, cultural, small group tours including 2 nights on the Orkney Islands

Why this tour?


Longevity! Hugh Allison and I have been running these tours together for 5 years now, and the guides at Inverness Tours have a vast knowledge of Scotland and her ancient sites. Hugh and I have been talking for years about creating a tour of the sites of Ancient Scotland and the debut is in 2021. We hope you'll find these tours as fascinating as our Outlander Immersion tours which have gotten rave reviews. See our testimonials here.
Here are some more reasons to book with us:
  • The size: with only 7 people maximum, you get to interact with the other members of the tour and the wonderful guide. It also means that you won't have a multitude of people pouring out of a bus at Dunadd Fort when you're trying to feel the vibrations of ancient energy!
  • Scottish to the core makes this the perfect choice: You'll be staying in authentic Scottish accommodations and your tour guides know Scotland and Scottish history so they'll be telling you tales and stopping along the way. This is not just another tour of Scotland. You'll love Scotland like they do by the end of your tour.
  • Inverness Tours: 5* on Trip Advisor. They have the most amazing guides and Hugh Allison, Dave Fyfe, Ian Deveney and Scott Guthrie have been expertly guiding tours of Scotland for years. They are knowledgeable, charming and entertaining. This is not a boring bus ride from one spot to the next - you will leave feeling like you know Scotland and have had the ultimate tour.
  • We are one of the few tours to visit the site of Dunadd Fortand the ancient monuments in Kilmartin Glen!
  • Having a small group means you can have breakfast and lunch at places large groups don't have access to. And no "bags out at 7am." You'll have a leisurely morning to enjoy your lovely breakfast. And you'll have a local host when you arrive in Glasgow - someone who knows Glasgow and can help you with questions about your time in Glasgow.
  • And finally, me: I am an IATAN Accredited full service Travel Agent and I created these tours in conjunction with Hugh Allison. I also create individual blogs for each of the tours so you can chat with the other members on your tour before you go to Scotland. And I have traveled - a lot - to Scotland and Ireland. So I can help you with questions about international travel as well as any questions you have about Scotland specifically.
  • As one passenger said, "I can't even begin to tell you what a thrilling experience we all had in Scotland. It was the best trip EVER! It was absolutely everything I had hoped for as an Outlander fan, and it went well beyond expectations. The lodging was great, the excursions with Ian were fabulous and the memories we made are priceless. We all fell in love with Scotland! "
    See customer comments here under Testimonials.
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Daily Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Glasgow

    Arrive Glasgow and transfer to your pre-booked accommodations. Like most Scottish towns, Glasgow is a friendly city with a good selection of traditional music at pubs around town and very good shopping choices. Using the included 2 day hop-on hop-off bus pass, see the sights of Glasgow and familiarize yourself with the layout of the town. You can also see some of the many sites used for filming the Outlander TV series. See my blog about Things to do in Glasgow for more information. On the second day in Glasgow, we'll have special entertainment provided by 'Gwyllyn the Bard' who played for Jamie and Claire in Castle Leoch in the Outlander TV show. Gwyllyn will entertain you with songs, stories about Scottish history, plus his work on the Outlander set. (The performance may be another night of the tour or a different performer depending on availability.) Overnight in Glasgow.
    Hotel: Piper's Tryst Hotel Glasgow (or similar)
  • Day 2 - Journey begins - Loch Lomond, Ancient Seat of the Early Scottish Kings, Ancient Monuments in Kilmartin Glen

    After a good night’s sleep and a nice breakfast, the journey will start with a drive up along the fabled Loch Lomond enroute to Lochgilphead and Kilmartin. Rising dramatically from Moine Mhor, Dunadd appears as a rocky outcrop near Lochgilphead. Many people have heard of Tara, the seat of the High Kings of Ireland. Well Dunadd Fort, in the Kilmartin Glen in Argyll, is the Ancient Seat of the Early Scottish Kings!! And just like Tara, when you climb to the top of Dunadd, you can feel the vibrations of ancient energy! The rest of this day will be spent investigating the ancient monuments in Kilmartin Glen which holds over 300 of them in a few square miles.
    Overnight historic Empire Travel Lodge, Lochgilphead
  • Day 3 - Tigh An Truish, Loch Linnhe, Old Inverlochy Castle

    Enroute to Inverness, we’ll stop and see some fascinating pieces of Scottish History. Tigh An Truish Inn is along the way and if time permits, you'll enjoy a look at the pub from a time gone by. The Gaelic name translates into English as "The House of the Trousers." Then you’ll drive along the west coast of Scotland with views of the lovely Loch Linnhe and on to Old Inverlochy Castle. This is an ancient site from the 13th century which is situated at the south-western end of the Great Glen just north of Fort William on the banks of the River Lochy. Your guide will regale you with tales of its fascinating history and many scenes of splendor and carnage which occurred here. From the castle, you’ll drive along the Great Glen and the amazing length of Loch Ness before arriving in Inverness.
    Overnight Ballifeary Guesthouse, Inverness
  • Day 4 - Day in Inverness, Shopping, Whiskey, Music, Books, Hop-on Hop-off Bus

    This day will be a day off for the guide and a day for you to investigate Inverness with your included hop-on hop-off bus pass. Like most Scottish towns, Inverness is filled with friendly people and has traditional music and very good shopping. Recommended places to visit: The Whisky Shop just up the hill from the River Ness on High Street, Leakey's Second-hand Bookshop filled with thousands of books, MacGregor’s Bar (with regular music sessions), Gellions Bar (nightly live music) across the street from the Whisky Shop, Hootananny (more music) down Church Street, Highland House of Fraser - Kiltmaker & Supplier of Highland Dress, "The Bar" at the Glenmoriston Townhouse Hotel (for a wee dram), and just past there, the Ness Islands (a lovely walk thru tall trees). See my blog : Things to do in Inverness.
    Overnight Ballifeary Guesthouse, Inverness
  • Day 5 - Ferry to the Orkney Islands for 2 nights! Sites include the Italian Chapel, Orkney Winery, Bishop's Palace, Earl's Palace, St Magnus Cathedral

    Today you will begin your journey to the remote Orkney Islands with a drive up to the far north of the Scottish mainland. You will drive up through the scenic Scottish Highlands before catching a ferry to the Orkney Islands and on to visit the Italian Chapel, a beautiful Roman Catholic chapel in Lamb Holm which was constructed by Italian POWs during the Second World War. Then you will visit the Orkney Winery, Bishop's Palace, Earl's Palace, and finally St Magnus Cathedral, known as the 'Light in the North' which was founded in 1137 in honour St Magnus who was martyred in Orkney.
    Overnight Ayre Hotel (or similar), Kirkwall
  • Day 6 - Standing Stones of Stenness, Ring of Brodgar, Ness of Brodgar, Maeshowe, Skara Brae

    This day will include a plethora of intriguing ancient sites. You will begin your day with the captivating Standing Stones of Stenness, a henge which is older than Stonehenge by hundreds of years. Next you’ll visit the majestic circle of standing stones known as Ring of Brodgar, or Orkney's Legendary Dancing Giants. The height of the stones ranges between smaller stones at seven feet tall, and the largest reaching to above 15 feet, creating a circle that would have been over 300 feet in diameter. Near by you’ll see the extensive Neolithic archaeological site, the Ness of Brodgar. Next you’ll see Maeshowe, a Neolithic chambered cairn and passage grave built 5,000 years ago. On the southern shore of the Bay o' Skaill, in the West Mainland parish of Sandwick, is the Neolithic village of Skara Brae which was inhabited for around 600 years, between 3200BC and 2200BC. Rounding out the day will be the Orkney Brewery and perhaps Broch of Gurness and/or Brough of Birsay if time permits.
    Overnight Ayre Hotel (or similar), Kirkwall
  • Day 7 - Cliffs of Yesnaby or Sheila Fleet Jewelry Designer then Ferry back to Mainland Scotland

    Prior to catching the ferry back to mainland Scotland, in the morning, weather dependent, will be either walking at scenic cliffs of Yesnaby, especially its famous sea stack called the Yesnaby Castle or a visit to local jewelry designer, Sheila Fleet.
    Overnight Ballifeary Guesthouse, Inverness
  • Day 8 - Cairngorms National Park, Medieval Cathedral and Priory of St Andrews

    Departing Inverness, you’ll drive through Cairngorms National Park where rare remnants of ancient Caledonian pine forests still stand. There is likely to be time for a stop at a distillery for a wee dram. The highlight of this day will be the royal burgh of St Andrews, once the ecclesiastical capital of Scotland. The medieval cathedral and priory began with a foundation of Augustinian canons established between 1127 and 1144. Built partly in the Norman and partly in the early Gothic style, it was by far the largest church in Scotland, with an internal length of 357 feet (109 metres). The cathedral and priory were enclosed by an elaborate precinct wall, much of which survives.
    Overnight B+B Edinburgh
  • Day 9 - Edinburgh - End of Tour

    Breakfast is included on this final day but the tour is over after breakfast. You may schedule your flight home for this day (or you may choose to extend your stay and see more of Scotland).
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Highlights:

  • Hugh Allison the Outlander expert tour guide from Inverness Tours.
  • All Accommodations are included plus a full Scottish Breakfast each day except the first day. Accommodations are ensuite, include hairdryer and an iron and ironing board are available.
  • Glasgow City Sightseeing, 1 day hop on hop off pass.
  • 6 day driver-guide tour with Inverness Tours in 8 passenger van.

Not Included:

  • Airfare is not included. See my blog about Booking Flights for tips.
  • Arrival or departure transfers (but these can be added for an additional charge)
  • Lunches and Dinners except the 3 dinners included in your itinerary
  • Porterage of suitcases at hotels, airports, bus or rail stations
  • Luggage allowance is one medium sized suitcase and one tote or daypack per person. Additional luggage should be arranged in advance.
  • Tips for guides and other services

Price:


  • The price in USD for this tour (does not include airfare) is $2,522 per person double occupancy, $3,378 for a single.
  • There are a limited number of single rooms so there will be an extra charge if we have to book a double to be used as a single room. Prices are subject to change until final payment is made.
  • There is a $500 non-refundable deposit per person due when the tour is booked.
  • Incremental Payments Accepted. Please Inquire when booking.
  • A partial payment of $300 per person is due April 19, 2021. Final Payment Due: Monday June 11, 2021

Hugh Allison and I have worked together to design this tour and we will strive to see all of the places in the list above but they are subject to change dependent on weather and availability and ferries.



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Hugh Allison and Kathie
Ancient Dunadd Fortress
Standing Stones of Stenness
Skara Brae
Cliffs of Yesnaby
Tigh An Truish Inn
Italian Chapel
The Ness River running through Inverness
Light House with Orkney Islands in the distance
Old Inverlochy Castle
Inverness Castle