mcleanscotland  are local Scots who pride ourselves on showing you the nooks & crannies other tours companies pass on by.   We can show you those hidden gems even Scots do not know!  extra tour notes fpr the Clan Maclean Gathering tour of Scotland 2007 with mcleanscotland

The Land   Of Dalriada   Ancient Kingdom of the Scots

A 5 Day Fully Guided small group Coach Tour of  Western Scotland

The land of Dalriada (which now forms Argyll and Lorn) was where the first "SCOTS" arrived from Ireland, known as the Scotti  tribe, they soon spread around this region and finally overcame the Picts to name the country after themselves ... Scot Land, land of the Scotti. This tour takes you on a journey to Scotland's west coast not all of which was in Dalriada, but we could not resist adding these.

We start our tour at Glasgow airport where your driver, tour director and coach await you.  Travelling north over the River Clyde via the Erskine Bridge, we head into Dumbartonshire, ancient stronghold of the Strathclyde Britons.  We drive along the banks of Loch Lomond to Tarbet where we turn for Inveraray.  Passing through the "rest and be thankful" pass up the mountains to Loch Fyne, where we follow this - one of Scotland's longest sea lochs - to Inveraray where we stop. This wee town is full of things to see and do: Inveraray Castle, The Jail, Museum Ship, Shops and lovely scenic walks.  Free time here for the remainder of the day. For dinner tonight we dine in the hotel where we shall chat about the tour, over a meal and a drink.

Day 2.  Kilmartin Glen, Carnasserie Castle & Seil Island     After breakfast we head south along winding roads to the ancient capital of Dalriada: Dunadd.  This is situated in Kilmartin Glen, home to many standing stones, burial cairns and the hillfort of Dunadd itself. Kilmartin Glen: an area of Scotland where people have lived, loved, farmed, hunted, played and prayed for perhaps 10,000 years. A museum tells the story well, we have plenty of time here in the glen with light refreshments at the Kilmartin Inn. Our final part of today’s tour takes us over the Atlantic!  The Bridge over the Atlantic and the interestingly named House of Trousers.  A brief photo stop and drink here before heading back to Oban and your hotel. Shown right; the area of Scotland that was Dalriada.   Day 3.  Mull and Iona. A  day trip to the Isles of Mull and Iona, as we take the morning ferry from Oban to Craignure on Mull.  The 40 minute crossing takes us past Duart Castle, a visit here starts our tour of the Hebrides.

Clan seat of the Macleans, a famous Scottish fighting Clan all explained here at Duart.  Our tour continues with a scenic drive to Fionnphort where we take our second ferry, this time the ten minute sail to Iona, the birthplace of Christianity here in Scotland,  where St Columba landed to bring his religion to the Scots. We return to catch the ferry back to your Oban hotel for the night.

Day 4.  Glencoe and Glasgow. A deviation from Dalriada today, we take you through the infamous Glencoe … scene of the massacre of MacDonalds by the Campbells - always a dramatic stop over, beautiful scenery, thought provoking and majestic. We continue to Fort William and take the Road to the Isles, stopping at Glenfinnan to view the Monument to the ’45 Rising.  We end the day by crossing over the sea to Skye, the largest of the Inner Hebridean Islands, and on to your hotel for the night in Broadford, the Kings Arms Hotel.  We have now left the Kingdom of Dalriada  Dinner this evening.

Day 5.  Skye It's a full day out on Skye today, taking you to Dunvegan Castle and Portree.  Mountains, glens, beaches, wildlife, Skye has it all in abundance - there is something for everyone here, a memorable day out. returning to your hotel on for evening dinner.

Day 6.  Loch Duich, Glen Spean, Perth & Glasgow  A stunning scenic tour today as we head to Glasgow.  With our crossing the Skye road bridge we make a stop at the world famous Eilean Donan Castle, superb visit.  Travelling through the Five Sisters Mountains range we come to Invergarry where we join the road along Loch Lochy and to Speanbridge, where we make a stop at the Woolen Mill, shopping and refreshments available here.  We continue through Glen Spean to Dalwhinnie and down to Perth where we have a courtesy stop.  We are now just an hour or so away from Glasgow and our hotel for the night, the 4 Star Millennium in the heart of the city.  Dinner awaits.

Day 7. Homeward  Airport transfer this morning to Glasgow airport for your flight home.  Come back and see us soon.

This tour is ideal for small groups, families, societies and anyone with a love of Scottish history and fantastic sightseeing.  It can also be arranged on a self drive tour or full size large group tour, please ask for details.

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