Legendary Scottish Isles, Edinburgh & Glasgow

Tour begins 6:00 PM.  A transfer is included from Edinburgh Airport or Edinburgh Waverley train station to your choice of hotels in the heart of the city: Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel or the Intercontinental Edinburgh The George. Settle in and join us this evening for a Tauck Exclusive special welcome reception and dinner aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia.

Under the watch of its lofty clifftop castle, Edinburgh rambles over rocky hills beside the sea, inviting you into its captivating maze of crooked medieval streets, cozy passages, avenues, shops, pubs, townhouses, and monumental palaces. Begin the day with a visit to Holyroodhouse, the King's official residence in Scotland where you'll explore the magnificent state apartments, the royal gardens, and the royal art collection. Then take a ride through Holyrood Park, a patch of wild Highland landscape, once the royal hunting estate. Next, enjoy a guided walk along the Royal Mile, the cobbled main street that runs between the castle and Holyroodhouse, lined with shops, pubs, museums, and intriguing alleyways called "closes" and "wynds,"as well as churches, law courts, the Parliament house and St. Giles Cathedral. The rest of the day and evening are free to explore on your own.        

More Edinburgh sightseeing takes you to Old Town for a tour of iconic Edinburgh Castle, standing on a crag of volcanic rock above the city skyline; over one thousand years of turbulent history have played out within its venerated halls, gates, courtyards, and battlements. Next, enjoy an exploration of Edinburgh's "New Town" and "Old Town" on a guided walking tour that includes the Botanical Gardens, Inverleith Terrace, the Robert Lewis Stevenson Birthplace along with Charlotte Square, Queen Street, George Street and Princes Street. Then drive to Leith and embark; enjoy cocktails on deck followed by dinner as you sail for the Shetland Islands.

Your ship charts a course for the Shetland Islands today, affording you the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing day at sea. Onboard amenities include a spa and fitness center, outdoor pool, a library, lounges and a theatre that boasts cutting edge audio and lighting technology. There's also an opportunity today to enjoy a guided whisky tasting with our very own "Whisky Bard," Robin Laing, who will share his whisky expertise paired with his original folk music. Today you'll also have an opportunity for some time for a little relaxation.

The Shetland Islands are an archipelago of more than a hundred windswept islands, of which only 16 are inhabited; the rest are havens for wildlife. Towns and villages are few, but there are thousands of archaeological sites throughout the islands, including the remains of prehistoric fortresses and settlements. Arrive dockside at Lerwick on the largest island, where you have a choice of shore excursions. Drive to the southern tip of mainland Shetland to visit the uninhabited island of Mousa*, site of a 2,000-year-old broch (round stone tower), 43 feet high, the best preserved in the world; explore its beehive-like chambers and climb the internal staircase to the top for panoramic views; cross to Shetland's east coast for a view of St. Ninian's Isle, where a cache of Pictish treasure was discovered in the 1950s (the Picti were tribes known to the Romans as "painted people".); venture into the Shetland countryside for a visit to a croft for an authentic crofting experience with a local crofter and his sheep dogs; visit Jarlshof near Sumburgh Head to see a 5,000-year-old settlement with remains dating from the Stone Age to the 17th century AD, a microcosm of Shetland history; then ride to the top of Sumburgh Head for views of the sea, seabird colonies, and Shetland's first lighthouse, built in 1821 by Robert Stevenson (grandfather of the writer Robert Louis Stevenson); lighthouses were the family business, and there are Stevenson lighthouses all over the Highlands; or, head to the west mainland for a visit to Scalloway, its 17th-century castle, and the Scalloway Museum; learn about the village's clandestine role in World War II, and visit a farm that breeds Shetland Ponies. Aboard ship this evening, a local historian will lecture on the "Shetland Bus," a secret operation during World War II that smuggled agents in and refugees out of occupied Norway at night by way of fishing vessels.

The Orkney Archipelago belonged to Norway until 1468 when the king of Norway gave them to the king of Scotland as collateral for a loan. When Norway tried to repay the loan, Scotland wouldn't give the islands back... Arrive in Kirkwall on Orkney's Mainland. Tour historic Kirkwall, then drive to Scapa Flow, where 52 German battleships sank in 1919. Or, depart Kirkwall for the Brough of Deerness and Mull Head – for a hike* and visit to Deerness Gin Distillery. Alternatively, immerse in the heritage of the Orkneys and savor a "taste" of Orkney life in the fishing village of Burray – or explore the Neolithic monuments at the Ring of Brodgar, Skara Brae and other sights. Enjoy some free time to explore Kirkwall and return to the ship late afternoon. Prior to dinner, join us onboard for the "Orkney Experience" featuring bagpipes, Highland Dancers and a Ceilidh Band.

The Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides offers a dreamlike landscape of windy rolling hills, moors, vivid colors, and dramatic, rugged shores. Dock in the town of Stornoway, founded by Vikings in the 9th century, and take your choice of excursions. Set off on a sea safari* to view marine life and some of the most magnificent coastline in Scotland; the coastal waters warmed by the Gulf Stream are known to draw porpoises, grey and common seals, basking sharks, and seabirds including puffins, gannets, fulmars, shearwaters, and petrels. Alternatively, explore the Victorian-era Lews Castle; or take a panoramic coach excursion that includes the Standing Stones of Callanish, Dun Carloway Broch, one of the best-preserved stone-built circular constructions, and Gearrannan Blackhouse Village situated in a beautiful secluded bay. Spend some time at leisure in Stornoway before your ship sails for the Isle of Skye this evening.

Known in Gaelic as "Isle of Mist," Skye is steeped in Celtic and Norse legend, a land of faerie glens, storybook mountains, and otherworldly landscapes that seem to spring from Tolkien's Middle Earth. At Portree, a fishing town in a harbor sheltered by cliffs, take your choice of shore excursions. Take a cruise around Portree Bay and the Sound of Raasay on a wildlife safari which may include seals, otters, dolphins, and sea eagles along with enchanting coastal views. Alternatively, travel to Kintail where iconic Eilean Donan Castle stands on a small tidal island; destroyed in 1719 and restored in 1932, it is the most photographed castle in Scotland, and you can explore it while learning its turbulent history. Your third choice is a visit to medieval Dunvegan Castle, the seat of the MacLeod Clan, rising four stories high on a promontory overlooking Loch Dunvegan and the sea. The fourth choice takes you on a guided tour of a working Croft. Late afternoon, see Skye through the lens of a local photographer" Join Simon Larsen as he takes you on a visual journey around Skye with his stunning photography. Set sail this evening for the Isle of Mull. 

Sail to the Isle of Mull, a popular destination for naturalists and photographers in search of Britain's more elusive birds and wildlife. Anchor in Tobermory on a morning arrival for a choice of excursions. Drive along the scenic coastline to Duart Castle, a medieval landmark on the sea cliffs, home of the Maclean Clan – restored in the 20th century – a rare opportunity to visit a clan seat that is still owned by its members; or enjoy a short but scenic drive to Aros Park* for a guided nature hike. Join us this evening for a whisky tasting and the captain's farewell reception followed by dinner as you sail for the Scottish mainland.

Disembark at Greenock or Fairlie and drive to Glasgow, where a tour of city sights includes the Glasgow Cathedral and Necropolis, George's Square, Buchanan Street, the Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art, and Prince's Square. This afternoon, visit Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, one of the city's most popular attractions, featuring a wide-ranging collection of art and artifacts of cultural history, ancient history, natural history, and more. Join us this evening for a farewell reception and dinner.

Tour ends: Glasgow, Scotland. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from the Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel, Glasgow, or VOCO Grand Hotel Glasgow to the Glasgow International Airport. Allow three hours for flight check-in.