The Grand Tour of Scotland

Drive past Luxembourg to Rotterdam. Embarkation for Hull (overnight on board).

Disembarkation in Hull. On the English-Scottish border lies the romantic wedding venue of Gretna Green. In these idyllic surroundings, young English couples used to marry without their parents' permission. You travel through the Southern Uplands to Glasgow.

From the vibrant economic metropolis into the archetypal Scottish landscape. Along Loch Lomond, you first head to the impressive Glen Coe, the "Glen of Weeping". Its breathtaking beauty is overshadowed only by the historical events that took place here. An entire clan was betrayed and massacred here - a dark chapter of Scottish history. You cross the Skye Bridge to the Isle of Skye.

The Hebridean island of Skye is a truly magical place. Its landscape is full of contrasts. Gentle hills and rugged cliffs alternate with green meadows and bare mountains. Around midday, you take a ferry from Uig to the Outer Hebrides.

On Lewis, the northernmost island of the Outer Hebrides, there is only one town, Stornoway. Worth seeing is the Broch of Carloway, a defensive tower with walls 3 m thick. Harris is the southern part of the island, with its main town of Tarbert. Harris is famous for the tweed of the same name, which is still made only from selected wool from Scottish sheep.

From Stornoway you take a ferry to Ullapool. You travel round the southern tip of Loch Eriboll and enjoy a drive through the charming countryside to Tongue. Moorland dotted with lakes and rugged coastlines accompany you all the way to the north of Scotland.

Ferry crossing to the Orkney Islands. With your local tour guide, you will discover the fascinating islands with their unspoilt nature, endless pastures and deserted beaches. You will visit the Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae. In the capital, Kirkwall, you stroll through narrow lanes lined with Norwegian-style houses. The Ring of Brodgar, a stone circle erected around 2500 BC and larger than Stonehenge, is truly mystical.

Today Dunrobin Castle awaits you. Its gardens, with a magnificent view of the sea, were modelled on the gardens of Versailles. Via the coastal road to the Dornoch Firth, where up to 600 dolphins frolic in the open sea, you reach Inverness.

You travel through the heart of the glorious Highlands and pay tribute to the Duke of Atholl; the snow-white Blair Castle has been the family seat for centuries and is surrounded by a wonderful garden. Near Pitlochry, you visit a whisky distillery and are initiated into the secrets of the "water of life". (Optional) Today you can enjoy the spectacular Royal Military Tattoo (August departures only).

The city is a focal point of culture and history. The world-famous Royal Mile is best explored on foot. It connects the proud Edinburgh Castle with the stately Holyrood Palace, today's royal residence. Free afternoon.

Journey through the breathtaking landscape of the Borders, with its many mighty castles and historic sites, to the romantic town of York with its medieval walls. After a stroll through York, you continue to Hull. The ferry for the crossing to the Netherlands is already waiting for you here (overnight on board).

Return journey to Switzerland.