Discover Scotland with the Experts

Scotland really is as many imagine it, with its lochs and wild mountain vistas, with historic cities such as Edinburgh and Glasgow, and with remote, craggy northern isles. It’s the home of golf, of velvety single-malt Scotch whisky—and maybe of “Nessie,” the legendary monster of Loch Ness. There are castles to stay in, as well as cozy, friendly b&bs in a land that virtually invented them.

With growing interest in vacations to Scotland, The Great Canadian Travel Company, Ltd. has created a new division. Known as Scotland Experience, it offers a colorful new catalog that will help you plan and book a truly memorable trip “North of the Border.” There is also an accompanying website that describes the broad range of Scottish adventure options.

Great Adventures to Experience

These adventures will take you from the English border to John O’ Groats, usually named as the most northerly mainland community in the United Kingdom—and beyond to the fabled Orkney and Shetland islands. You can tour by rental car—if you choose, in a classic automobile such as an MGF, Jaguar S-Type, Lotus Elise or Porsche Boxster. Or you can take to the open road and take in the stunning scenery astride a motorcycle. Choose from such models as BMW, Harley, Yamaha and Honda.

You can experience world-class fishing or take a whitewater rafting trip or perhaps a horseback ride. Or maybe you’ll opt to attend a traditional Highland Games, with its pipe bands, highland dancing and burly athletes engaging in hammer throwing, tug-of-war, wrestling and, of course, tossing the caber.

Linger in one of Scotland’s exciting cities, such as Edinburgh with its iconic castle, Georgian city center and famous festival, or Glasgow, where the buildings of 19th century merchants now house widely acclaimed restaurants and electric nightclubs. Or visit Inverness, capital of the Highlands, with easy access to Loch Ness and the ancient battlefield of Culloden. Or linger in the “Granite City” of Aberdeen or at Portree—the major town on the magical island of Skye.

Tour the Scottish Isles

You can tour the Scottish Isles, traveling there by air or by ferry. You’ll visit picturesque fishing villages and wander along magnificent, wild beaches flanked by sand dunes. You’ll enjoy the pure light of magical long summer evenings and discover unique cultures and peoples.

Day tours allow you to base yourself in Edinburgh or Glasgow and enjoy a series of escorted excursions. These include “Loch Ness and the Highlands,” a tour of “Braveheart Country” and a visit to the Celtic Heartlands in search of “Highland Lochs, Glens and Whisky.” Another excursion takes you to the medieval kingdom of Fife and to St. Andrews, fabled birthplace of golf.

A variety of other options include fly-drive programs dubbed “Just-Go Scotland.” These are flexible, self-designed, go-as-you-please programs for those who enjoy the “road less traveled.” Choose your own route and take advantage of a single rate that includes rental vehicle and bed-and-breakfast accommodations.

Reservations, copies of the full-color “Scotland Experience” catalog and additional information are available from Scotland Experience, 333 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 712, Chicago, Illinois 60601, or call (800) 661-3830. Visit www.scotland-experience.com.