We can create bespoke, private Scotland tours, for any number of days that you require. Open Road Scotland will take care of your transport, accommodation and activity needs, to tailor unforgettable Scotland tours for your family or group. Let us know the destinations that you wish to visit and with our knowledge we will create a tour to allow you to get the most out of your time, and to perhaps visit some hidden gem destinations that you may not have considered, or even heard of. Accommodation options include guest houses, small boutique hotels and country houses and hotels. If you would like to include some activities on your itinerary then we can also do this for you. Options such as whisky tours, guided walks, river kayaking and cycling to name but a few, can all be organised. Below are a couple of suggested routes and trips for between three and five days.
Old Man of Storr
Isle of Skye Tour – Private Scotland Tours
Leaving from the departure point of your choice, it’s north and west past Loch Lomond and onwards to spectacular Glencoe. We take time to explore the amazing scenery and learn the history of Glencoe which includes the bloody 1692 massacre of the MacDonald clan. From Fort William we head along towards Mallaig passing through spectacular Glenfinnan, home to the iconic viaduct made famous in the Harry Potter movies. An excursion option here is to take the Jacobite steam train from Fort William to Mallaig, over the Glenfinnan viaduct, and through Lochailort, Arisaig and Morar. This journey is widely described as one of the great railway journeys of the world. It starts next to Ben Nevis which is the UK’s highest mountain, passes Europe’s deepest sea loch, Loch Nevis and stops at the UK’s most westerly train station at Mallaig. From Mallaig we make the short ferry crossing to Armadale on the Isle of Skye and our first overnight stop.
Eilean Donan Castle
On the morning of day 2 we start our Skye adventure. Typical highlights of an Isle of Skye tour include visits to Kilt Rock, Old Man of Storr and the grave of Flora MacDonald. As with all our private tours of Scotland we have a range of options available including a boat trip from Elgol to Loch Coruisk in the heart of the Cuillin Hills, guided walks on the Cuillin hills, a visit to Talisker Distillery and visit to Dunvegan Castle. With so many spectacular sights, as well as beautiful villages such as Portree, Dunvegan and Uig, there will never be a shortage of things to see and do on this spectacular island.
Leaving Skye we pass over the road bridge into the Lochalsh area where we will stop to explore iconic Eilean Donan Castle where the three sea lochs of Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh meet. Eilean Donan is often voted Scotland’s most beautiful castle. We will move onto the pretty village of Fort Augustus overlooking Loch Ness before taking the scenic road south via Laggan and the Grampian Mountains.
Mull and Islay – Private Scotland Tours
Oban Bay
This suggested itinerary takes us to the Island of Mull with an optional visit to Islay. Leaving Glasgow we head north and west, past Loch Lomond, and over the spectacular ‘Rest And Be Thankful’ pass, to the town of Inveraray. There is an option of a lunch or a coffee stop at Loch Fyne or Inveraray Castle. Leaving Inveraray and Loch Fyne behind we head for Lochgilphead, and either head south for Islay, or north for Mull.
The trip to Islay takes us down through the beautiful fishing village of Tarbert, and then onto Kennacraig where we board the ferry for the short crossing. The time you wish to spend on Islay is entirely up to you. As with all our private tours of Scotland there are many options to choose and these can include day trips to the adjacent islands of Colonsay and Jura, as well as visits to the island’s world famous distilleries.
The coastal route north to Oban is a beautiful road with spectacular views all along it’s length. Oban is a splendid seaside town with a great fishing heritage and offers the opportunity to spend some time exploring, and if you like, an overnight stop.
The ferry to Mull arrives in Craignure and allows you the chance to explore this beautiful island. Mull has amazing opportunities to observe wildlife and is the best place in the UK to observe eagles in their native habitat. White Tailed and Golden Eagles are common sights, and seabirds are in abundance around the coast. Dolphins, Basking Sharks and Killer Whales are also regular visitors to the waters around the headland. The charming village of Tobermory is lovely to spend some time in, and a day trip to the Isle of Iona is also recommended.
On leaving Mull we can travel back, by heading North from Oban via the village of Ballacullish and then south through Glencoe. This route brings us back south via Loch Lomond.