The Great Scotland Round Trip

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

Disembark in Hull. On the English-Scottish border lies the romantic wedding village of Gretna Green. In this idyllic setting, young couples from England once married without their parents' consent. Through the South Uplands you reach Glasgow.

From the bustling economic metropolis into quintessentially rugged scenery. Along Loch Lomond you first head into the impressive Valley of Tears, Glen Coe. Its breathtaking beauty is only clouded by the historical events. An entire clan was betrayed and massacred here - a dark chapter of Scottish history. Over the Skye Bridge you reach the Isle of Skye.

The Isle of Skye is truly a magical place. Its landscape is full of contrasts. Gentle hills and rugged cliffs alternate with green meadows and bare mountains. At midday you cross from Uig to the Outer Hebrides by ferry.

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

From Stornoway you cross by ferry to Ullapool. You round the southern tip of Loch Eriboll and enjoy a drive through the charming scenery to Tongue. Lake-dotted moorland and rugged coastlines accompany you the entire way north through Scotland.

Ferry crossing to the Orkney Islands. With the local tour guide you discover the fascinating island world with its unspoiled nature, endless pastures and deserted beaches. You visit the Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae. In the capital, Kirkwall, you stroll through narrow lanes with rows of houses reminiscent of Norway. It becomes mysterious at the Ring of Brodgar, a stone circle built around 2500 BC that is larger than Stonehenge.

Today Dunrobin Castle awaits you. The gardens, with a magnificent view over 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 right through the magnificent 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 (only on August travel dates).

The city is the focal point of culture and history. The world-famous Royal Mile is best explored on foot. It links the proud Edinburgh Castle with the magnificent Holyrood Palace, today's seat of government. Free afternoon.

Travel through the breathtaking landscape of the Borders with its many mighty castles and historic sites to the romantic town of York with its medieval city walls. After a stroll through York, continue to Hull. Here the ferry to the Netherlands awaits you (overnight on board).

Return journey to Switzerland.