Kathie Snyders

A Happy Place Travel

Ancient Scotland Tour May 23, 2023

May 23, 2023 to May 31, 2023
Scotland & the Orkney Islands

The Ancient Scotland Tours are small group, 7 passenger 8 night (including hotels, entrance fees and 5 Star Scottish guides) tours of Scotland that delve into fascinating sites of Scottish History. This tour includes Kilmartin Glen, which holds over 300 ancient monuments, Old Inverlochy Castle and medieval cathedral and priory of St Andrews on the mainland of Scotland. The highlight of this tour is the 2 full days on the Orkney Islands where you'll experience a plethora of intriguing ancient sites including Standing Stones of Stenness, Ring of Brodgar, Ness of Brodgar, Maeshowe, Skara Brae, Italian Chapel, Orkney Winery, Bishop's Palace, Earl's Palace, as well as St Magnus Cathedral.

 

What's included in this trip:

  • All accommodations (8 nights), 2 dinners and entrance fees included!
  • Kilmartin Glen which holds over 300 Ancient Sites including Dunadd Fortress
  • Medieval Old Inverlochy Castle
  • Day in Inverness, Shopping, Whiskey, Music, Books, Hop-on Hop-off Bus
  • Ferry to the Orkney Islands for 2 nights!
  • Sites include the Italian Chapel, Orkney Winery
  • Bishop's Palace, Earl's Palace, St Magnus Cathedral
  • Standing Stones of Stenness
  • Ring of Brodgar (Orkney's Legendary Dancing Giants)
  • Ness of Brodgar
  • Maeshowe cairn and passage grave
  • Neolithic village of Skara Brae
  • Cliffs of Yesnab or Sheila Fleet Jewelry Designer
  • St Andrews Medieval Cathedral and Priory
 
 

What's 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 2 dinners included in your itinerary
  • Porterage of suitcases at hotels, airports, bus or rail stations.  See my blog about packing light. 
  • 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
 
 

Itinerary:

  • Day 1 (Glasgow): Arrive Glasgow and transfer to your pre-booked accommodations.   Your first included dinner is this evening.
  •  
  • Day 2 (Glasgow): Journey begins with a visit to the Medieval Cathedral and Priory of St Andrews, and a visit to Abernethy, the Pictish Capital, and a stop at Tullibardine Distillery
 
  • Day 3 (Kilmartin):  Loch Lomond, Ancient Seat of the Early Scottish Kings, Ancient Monuments in Kilmartin Glen
 
  • Day 4 (to Inverness):  Glen Lonan, Diarmaid’s Stone, Connel Bridge, Castle Stalker View
 
  • Day 5 (Inverness):  Shopping, Whiskey, Music, Books, Hop-on Hop-off Bus
 
  • Day 6 (to the Orkney Islands):  Old Man of Hoy, Cliffs of Yesnaby or Sheila Fleet Jewelry Designer, St Magnus Cathedral
 
  • Day 7 (the Stones of Orkeny):  Standing Stones of Stenness, Ring of Brodgar, Ness of Brodgar, Maeshowe, Skara Brae
 
  • Day 8 (more Orkney): Italian Chapel, Bishop's Palace, Earl's Palace then Ferry back to Mainland Scotland
 
  • Day 9  (Inverness): Tour Ends After Breakfast
 
Note: We will strive to see all of the places in the list above but they are subject to change; dependent on weather and availability.
More detail here.
 

Cancellation policy:

 

CANCELLATION PENALTIES

Up to 121 days prior to departure:    $500 non-refundable deposit + any supplier fees

120 to 61 days prior to departure:    $500 non-refundable deposit +$300 per person + any supplier fees

60 to 46 days prior to departure:     80% of land package + 100% of air + any supplier fees

45 days or less prior to departure:   100% of land package + 100% of air + any supplier fees

Available Packages

Twin Sharing
Unavailable as of March 17, 2023

$3,166.00
Deposit: $800.00 per person

Unavailable
Price per person for sharing a room with 2 twin beds. 
 

Note: If you don't have a roommate, you will need to sign up for the single room below.

 

Double Sharing
Unavailable as of March 17, 2023

$3,166.00
Deposit: $800.00 per person

Unavailable
Price per person for sharing a room with 1 double bed preferred.  We will have to request the double bed.  
 

Note: If you don't have a roommate, you will need to sign up for the single room below.

 

Single (Solo person traveling who will have their own room)
Unavailable as of March 17, 2023

$3,671.00
Deposit: $800.00 per person

Unavailable
Price per person for a private room either with 1 double bed (or 2 twin beds depending on availability)