Glengarry Castle near the Invery Castle

2. Fàilte
Welcome
We’d like to introduce one of our Heartlands tours of the
stunning west coast of the Scottish Highlands.
This is the home of the Clan Donald, once known as The Lords
of the Isles, from Somerled onwards.
Tours are adaptable, according to the parties taking part and
expected events. So if you have a whole family or other group,
we can focus on your particular interest in Clan Donald; one of
Scotland’s most famous and alluring clans.
You will find more information about
how the tour operates on the last
page. There are some important
details there, which we hope will
make your choice that much easier,
and raise your expectation to that
of any Clan Donald kinfolks.
Fraoch Eilean!
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3. Arrival, Glasgow, and Welcome!
Day 1
At a glance
Arrival
You arrive in Glasgow according
to your own schedule. We can
arrange flights and transfers for
you
Accommodation
Glasgow Millenium Hotel
Dinner
Piper’s Tryst at the National
College of Piping on McPhater
Street in Glasgow’s Cowcaddens
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Glasgow
Millenium
Hotel is right
next to Queen
St. station.
Overlooking
George Square.
you are right in the city centre; the Merchant City, stuffed with pubs,
clubs, and eateries; and numerous galleries within very easy reach.
The Piper’s Tryst Restaurant is attached to the National Piping
Centre. Along with an exhibition of piping history, the restaurant has a
great reputation for excellent food.
An intimate restaurant, it’s great for a
relaxed evening with friends, and dare we
say, some good malt.

4. King Robert, Bannockburn, Stirling Castle, and Glencoe
Day 2
Robert the Bruce statue at
At a glance
Departure
Bannockburn
10:00
Bannockburn Heritage Centre
which has just been completely
rebuilt and upgraded
11:00
We visit the 1314 site of the
battle of Bannockburn in which
Clan Donald played such an
important part with King Robert
the Bruce.
Stirling Castle
Lunch
12:15
Explore
13:15 – 15:00
The Castle and nearby Argyll’s
Lodgings; Church of the Holy
Rood; the Old Town Jail
Travel
Glencoe Hotel
Glencoe Museum
15:00
Glencoe Hotel
Stirling Castle one of Scotland’s two
most important castles. The Queen’s Palace
and Banqueting Hall have now both been fully
renovated to a brilliant standard of story telling.
Glencoe Museum just a few
20:00
17:00
18:30
A private tour of the museum in
this most historic little corner of
Scotland
moments from your hotel. It
houses many artefacts and tells
the story of the infamous massacre
of the MacIans of Glencoe
Dinner
Loch Leven from Glencoe
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5. Fort William, A Steam Train Trip, Mallaig, Arisaig, & Borrodale
Day 3
Crannog
At a glance
Departure
Fort William
10:00
in Fort William
serves fabulous
seafood from its
lochside
restaurant
10.45
The local garrison town
West Highland
Museum
11:00
Lunch
12:15
rich, and tasty
Jacobite and local history
Crannog seafood restaurant
Free time
13:15
Clans talk, local archives,
shopping, looking at the Ben?
Steam to Mallaig
Crannog’s Seafood fresh,
The West Highland Railway
voted as top train journey in the
world three times is also the
setting for the Harry Potter
Express. Shown on Glenfinnan’s
spectacular viaduct.
14:20
Voted top railway journey in the
world three years running –
stunning! Harry Potter??!!
Mallaig
16:30
Live harbour / Heritage Ctr
Borrodale House
18:30
First house Bonnie Prince Charlie
entered upon landing
Borrodale Beach place
of landing and departing
for Bonnie Prince Charlie
Borrodale Beach
Landing and leaving point
Dinner
Arisaig House
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20:00
The Appin Gun? one of four in the UK said to be the gun used to
kill the Red Fox at Appin. It is kept in the West Highland Museum

6. Knoydart, Loch Morar, Morar Mac Donalds, and a secret war
Day 4
Seascape en route to
At a glance
Departure
Knoydart Ferry
Knoydart - Loch Nevis,
Rum, Skye
10:00
Scotos
10:30
20 mins seascape splendour
Inverie, Scotus,
and Kilchoan
11:00
Local historian walk and talk
following the time, content, and
abilities of individuals
Lunch
St. Cumins & Loch Morar Eilean
Bàn, seminaries, monsters, deep loch,
short river
12:30
Old Forge, the remotest pub on
mainland UK
Mallaig Ferry
& Blessed Morar
14:00
14:45
Arisaig House 3 nights
accommodation with history!
Morar RC church, Prince
Charlie’s priest’s vestments,
seminaries, manhunts, monsters,
Europe’s deepest loch and
shortest river
Soldier’s Tour
16:00
WW2 Special Ops sites, inc Morar
MacDonalds’ homes
Cèilidh
19:15
Some music before dinner
The Old Forge most remote pub on the UK mainland
Czech memorial (above right) a token of thanks from old
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soldiers for the training they received around Arisaig

7. Tioram, Loch Shiel, Glenaladale Mac Donalds, &Glenfinnan
Day 5
Jacobite Monument Glenfinnan
At a glance
Departure
Moidart Bound
10:00
Alasdair
Mac Mhaighstir
Alasdair in a pretty
10:00
A drive-by guide to important
places, landmarks, and events Loch nan Uamh, Ardnish, Loch
Ailort, Glenuig & Kinlochmoidart
Shiel Folks
10:45
An important area and loch for
Mac Donalds over centuries
Castle Tioram
13:00
Loch Shiel Hotel, or Dalilea
Shiel Cruise
Boathouse jetty
on Loch Eilt
11:00
The Clan Ranald stronghold
Lunch
bonkers artistic
impression!
MV Sìleas Loch Shiel
pleasure cruiser
Polnish Church Ardnish / Loch Ailort
14:15
A glorious loch cruise - nature,
wildlife, and the Glenaladales!
Glenfinnan
16:10
Iconic for the Jacobite rising, now
too for the Harry Potter Express.
You will have a chance to ascend
the monument and visit the NTS.
Loch Ailort & Loch Eilt16:30
Home and more fascinating
histories and places on this
delightful little fresh water loch
Dinner
After some time to relax
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20:00
Castle Tioram ancient stronghold of Clan Ranald, built by Amy Mac Ruari

8. Armadale, Skye, Glen Shiel, Cluanie, and Glen Garry
Day 6
Rock of the Raven a memorial statue to
the previous Chief of MacDonell of Glengarry
At a glance
Departure
09:30
Over the sea…
10:30
Ferry from Mallaig to Armadale
on Skye. What a vista!
Clan Donald
10:30
Centre, Armadale, Skye
The fabulous Castle gardens, a
stunning view onto Knoydart and
Arisaig, and the award winning
Museum of the Isles. Terrific!
Clan Donald Ctr Armadale, Skye.
Beautiful grounds and an award
winning Museum of the Isles
Lunch @ Kinloch 13:00
Kinloch Lodge, former home of
the High Chief and his wife, Lady
Claire. Some of the best food to
be found in Scotland.
Travel
14:30
Bus trip, seeing: Broadford; Skye
Bridge; Eilean Donan Castle; Loch The Five Sisters of Kintail
Duich; Five Sisters of Kintail; Glen
Glengarry Castle
Shiel; Cluanie, Loch Garry
sacked after Culloden by
Tea
16:30
Butcher Cumberland, and
Tea at Glengarry Castle Hotel,
later abandoned
then time to settle and relax
Local history
18:30
from Glengarry Historical Society
Dinner
Glengarry Castle Hotel
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20:00
Kinloch Lodge renowned for
the excellence of its food
Glengarry Castle Hotel
your accommodation base
for two nights. The Castle
looks over Loch Oich and is
close to the original
Invergarry Castle

9. Free Day with Easy Options
Day 7
Urquhart Castle is one of those icons
At a glance
of Scotland which simply endures.
Sitting its promontory iy has a majestic
view of the loch in all directions.
Tomorrow
is a longish day, so today is much
more about relaxation and slow!
Fort Augustus is a dainty little village
marking the last Caledonian Canal lock
set before the final flight at Inverness.
Option 1 Easy Day 09:30
with Culloden
An early run to Culloden. On the
way: Loch Ness, Fort Augustus,
Urquhart Castle (Nessie?!). If the
all agree, some time in Inverness.
Option 2 Easy Day 11:00
With Clan Donald Genealogy is important to kinsfolk. We
A good Clan Donald historian will
be on hand to discuss the history
of the clan. Give us some prior
warning, and perhaps we can tell
your story a bit better too.
Option 3 Easy Day 15:00
with Genealogy
A good DNA specialist explains.
Early notice to us will help get
your profile delivered and
explained on the day.
Dinner
Glengarry Castle Hotel
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19:30
can team you up with a good company.
With the right time frame, they can give
you your family history while on the trip.
Culloden needs no
introduction. Just east of
Inverness, it has a marvellous
exhibition and interpretation
space alongside the preserved
ruggedness of the historic moor
where such an awful set of
events passed.

10. Ardgour, Morvern, Mull, and Iona
Day 8
At a glance
Departure
09:00
Invergarry
09:00
This is a fairly long stint. Leaving
the hotel, we pass the Well of the
Seven Heads, Loch Lochy, the
Cameron lands, Keppoch lands,
Spean, Fort William to Corran
Ferry. A short boat across to
Ardgour, then to Loch Sunart and
down into Morvern to Lochaline.
Lochaline
12:00
A pretty short ferry again.
Lunch
12:30
Craignure Hotel. This will also be
an opportunity to drop luggage.
The
Corran Ferry to Ardgour Well of the Seven Heads In 1663,
two sons of MacDonell were killed in a
quarrel with an uncle and his six sons,
who were executed in revenge by 60
men who cut off their heads, washed
them in this spring, and took them to
the Chief in Invergarry
The Island of Iona is Scotland’s spiritual
heart with a long history of religious
activity. Many Clan Donald chiefs are
buried here, including Angus Òg.
Mull is the only way to get to Iona without
making a long trip
by boat from the
mainland.
Fionnphort
14:15
From Fionnphort to Iona by
pedestrian ferry.
Iona
15:00
Duart Castle is the
Between 1-1.5 hours
Fionnphort
16:15
Text
Dinner
Isle of Mull Hotel
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19:30
ancient stronghold
of the MacLeans, an
ally and neighbour
clan to Clan Donald

11. Duart Castle, Oban, Loch Etive, Loch Awe, and Stirling
Day 9
Duart Castle A
quick morning visit
before catching the
ferry to Oban
At a glance
Departure
10:00
Duart Castle
10:15
Home of the MacLeans, a good
ally clan to Clan Donald, it would
be a pity to miss it!
Loch Lubnaig a jewel of the
Lomond & Trossachs National Park,
between Strathyre and Callander
Loch Etive A real, striking enigma,
very tide dependent, so far inland
Ferry to Oban
13:00
This is a short run, just about
three quarters of an hour with
some glorious views of the town
on the way in.
Oban
13:45
Oban is a pretty little town, but
not an essential part of the tour.
If the group wishes it can visit, or Oban, an important west
just crack on for an early finish,
coast market town, gives
and time to relax in Stirling.
access to many of the south
Stirling
17:00
Highland Hotel, a former school,
which was attended by one of
the few Scottish Prime Ministers
of the United Kingdom.
Dinner
The Loch Awe Viaduct When the
banks are too steep … !
western islands, including
Mull and the Uists.
19:30
Highland Hotel
The Stirling Observatory still a
working part of the old school
Stirling Highland Hotel accommodation which is now the hotel.
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for two nights

12. Free Day with Big City Options
Day 10
Kelvingrove
At a glance
Art Gallery &
Museum
Stirling is a great transport hub
and we recommend getting to main
cities by train.The station is about 5
minutes walk. Ask us about what’s on
offer, but here’s some highlights:
Option 1 - Stirling
--:-Castle, Argyll’s Lodging, Church of the
Holy Rood, Cowan’s Museum, Smith
Art Gallery, Wallace Monument,
Cambuskenneth Abbey, Bannockburn
Wallace Monument
Stirling
Verdant Works Jute Mill
Dundee
Scottish Parliament Mace
Edinburgh
Option 2 - Glasgow 35 mins
Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery,
The People’s Palace, The Gallery of
Modern Art, Transport Museum,
Shipbuilding, Science Museum,
Barras, Cathedral Quarter, galleries,
City Hall, Italian Centre, & great food
World’s Oldest Football
Option 3 - Dundee
50 mins
Verdant Works jute mill, The Tay
Bridge, Scott’s ship Discovery, frigate
Unicorn, Broughty Ferry Museum,
Mills Observatory, shopping
Option 4 - Edinburgh 60 mins
Castle, Parliament, Holyrood Palace,
Royal Mile, many galleries, the New
Town, Camera Obscura, Whisky
Centre, endless tartan!
Option 5 - Trossachs
10:00
A bus based tour around Stirling’s
hinterland and the National Park
Farewell Dinner
19:30
Hermann’s Restaurant, Stirling
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Stirling Smith Art Gallery
Gallery of Modern Art Glasgow
Scott’s ship Discovery Dundee

13. General Information
The Trip
notes and considerations
Tour Content
Travel Flights & Transfers
Accommodation
Food and Drink
Access Issues
Pricing
Genealogy
Alterations
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Tour Content The tour is totally adaptable to you if it is a single
group taking part. If you prefer to have a longer or shorter trip, or see some
different locations, please just let us know. Mixed groups tours will be
much less able to vary. However, there are always some options on a tour
that can be omitted in favour of something else, if the group agrees.
Travel, Flights & Transfers No allowance has been made in the
costing shown. Flight or other travel costs to get to the start of the tour will
be additional. We can organise flights and transfers for you, should you
wish. It is often more effective to arrange group bookings for better rates.
Accommodation can be varied if you wish to go for a higher or
lower cost option. Providers shown are not guaranteed until your booking
has been made, and is according to availability at that time.
Food and Drink All breakfasts and dinners are included in the
package price. However, beverages are not. Lunches are not included so
that you may adapt to your own particular needs.
Access Issues Clan Donald places are very … ‘natural’! Much of the
tour is in the area known as The Rough Bounds. If you have mobility
problems, please let us know. Accommodation and transport will always
be sought to suit, but adapting to some locations is less easy, and you
may need to decide whether you want to take part in a particular activity
or not. Some walks are quite long and on unmade tracks or parkland.
Pricing Due to the adaptability of the tour, the prices shown can only
be considered indicative for the tour content shown, Prices have been
given in pounds Sterling as the local currency, and you should use current
exchange rates to calculate approximate costs. Prices will be quoted in
your local currency when the trip has been agreed.
Genealogy No allowance has been made for the genealogy
component. We will introduce you to one (or more if you prefer) providers,
and any arrangements will be between you. We will have no part.
Alterations Clearly nobody wants to be altering agreed schedules.
However, from time to time it may be necessary to adapt to local or
personal conditions. We advise that you take out insurance to cover such
eventualities. Deposits and planned payments will be non-refundable. In
the case of our need to alter all costs will be refundable
Facebook If you are happy to, we will set up a secret Facebook group
which will allow you to upload photographs and videos for your friends and
family to share in your experiences.
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