Pick-Up 10am Euro Hostel

Glasgow aka “Glasvegas”- Scotland’s biggest, busiest and most cosmopolitan city.

> Marvel at floating heads and a stuffed elephant at Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery
> Explore the ‘Bohemian’ West-end, and take a stroll along eclectic Byre’s Road
> Relive the experiences of the ship-builders at the Maritime Museum on the Clyde, once the world’s ship-building super-power
> The amazing mix of art accumulated by Sir William Burrell at the Burrell collection
> Get hands on at the Science Centre and its revolving tower- the highest building in Scotland
> Some of the best venues in the UK for live music

Pick-Up 2pm Oban Backpackers

Oban - a beautifully situated coastal town.

> Take a guided tour of Oban’s distillery and enjoy a wee dram
> Walk along the shore to the ruins of Dunollie Castle and imagine what life was like for the MacDougals who inhabited it in the 13th Century
> Take an island tour out to Mull, Lismore or Staffa and enjoy the scenery, history and wildlife of these remote wee islands
> Take the ferry to Iona where the Scottish Kings are buried
> Walk up to MaCaig’s Tower lookout and watch the sunset over the town and nearby islands
> Enjoy a dance and a dram at an authentic Ceilidh in town.
> Head down the coast to Kilmartin Glen with its concentration of pre-historic standing stones and rock-carvings
> Order a ‘Fish-Supper’ at the Oban Fry- one of the best chippies in Scotland.
> Fill up on fresh scallops and salmon from one of the excellent restaurants in town, or from the wee shack on the pier

Pick-Up 4.45pm Fort William Backpackers

Fort William – formerly a major garrison town, now a bustling outdoor pursuit's centre.

> Tick off a ‘Munro’ and the UK’s highest mountain in one fell swoop by climbing Ben Nevis!
> Explore the beautiful Glen Nevis and Steal Falls
> Take a ride on the steam train to Mallaig and back and follow in the tracks of the Hogwart’s Express, used in the Harry Potter films
> Visit Glenfinnan and imagine the scene there over 250 years ago when Bonnie Price Charlie raised his standard calling the Clans to rise
> Many outdoor pursuits available – mountain biking, canyoning, climbing and horse riding
> Take the Nevis Range cable-car 2,000 feet to the top of Aanoch Mor for breath-taking views

Pick-Up Fort Augustus 8.15am Morags Lodge

Fort Augustus – a Highland village on the banks of Loch Ness (compulsory overnight)

> Experience life as a 17th century Highlander by dressing up in a plaid and trying weapons at a Highland Clan show
> Take a cruise on Loch Ness and go Nessie hunting
> Walk or cycle any of the many scenic woodland and cycle tracks around the village
> Take an exciting RIB boat trip out to the famous Urquhart Castle.
> Enjoy the boats passing through the lock system of the Caledonian Canal
> Get a belly-full of buffet dinner before karaoke or traditional music at Morag’s Lodge
> Play a round of golf

Pick-Up 10.30am Carbisdale Castle YHA (on request)

Carbisdale Castle – one of the most spectacular hostels around…

> Reputedly haunted by several ghosts, including a child and the ‘white lady’ who tucks people up in bed at night…
> Explore this amazing hostel with its secret passageways, statues and art gallery
> Do a forest walk like the one up to the site of the Battle of Carbisdale, fought in 1650 during the civil war between the Royalists and the Parliamentarians
> Have a pint and a dram with the locals

Pick-Up 11.45am Inverness Student Hotel

Inverness, Capital of the Highlands

> A great base to explore the Northern Highlands
> The perfect spot to make your own journey to the Orkney and Shetland Islands
> Visit the Highland Museum and learn about traditional Scottish music
> Cruise the Moray Firth and search for dolphins
> Culloden battlefield where the last battle was fought on British soil. Now with a stunning visitor centre
> Explore Clava Cairns - 6,000 year old burial chambers and standing stones

Pick-Up 1.45pm Aviemore YHA

Aviemore – the Cairngorm’s mountain resort

> Activity central! Go white water rafting, quad biking, swimming, sailing, canoeing and fishing
> Hike the trails through native Caledonian forest where pine martens, wild cats, ospreys and capercaillies can be seen
> Take the funicular up the mountain

Pick-Up Pitlochry 3pm Pitlochry Town Centre

Pitlochry – a great wee Perthshire town on the banks of the River Tummel

> Experience Scotland’s smallest distillery – Edradour
> Re-enact a Highland charge at Killiecrankie, site of a famous Jacobite battle in 1689
> Head north to Blair Castle and the stunning ‘Falls of Bruar’.
> Feel like Royalty by taking in the stunning Queen’s View and gaze upon Schiehallion, ‘The fairy-hill of the Caledonians’
> Learn how the humble heather plant makes unique jewellery at the Heather Gems factory
> Visit Faskally Dam and ‘gee up’ the labouring salmon at the Fish Ladder
> Climb Ben Vrackie