Excursion to Scotland Summer 2026

After breakfast we depart for Glasgow and after passing through the Lowlands, we will reach the city, which is built on the banks of the River Clyde and one of its main attractions is its architecture. It is also called the Chicago of Europe because it has large boulevards in a grid layout (parallel and perpendicular roads) and its buildings have the character of American architecture with imposing and heavy facades, dark color. Upon our arrival, we begin our acquaintance with the city. In our tour we will see one of the most important sights of the city, the University of Glasgow, where it was built 1451. We will also see the Town Hall in front of central George Square, the Mackintosh Building of the world famous Glasgow School of Art, the central cathedral and the necropolis, the baroque red Kelvingrove Gallery built in 1901, but also the impressive Riverside Transport Museum which was built in 2011, on the banks of the River Clyde. Transfer to our hotel. The rest of our day is free, to take our walk on the pedestrian street of the historic center. Overnight.

After our breakfast at the hotel, we depart from Glasgow in a north-easterly direction, to explore central Scotland, an area of ​​historical importance for the country's independence and its former glory. We begin our trek with contemporary art and… Scottish mythology. We will visit the Helix theme park, located near Stirling and specifically on the Forth and Clyde Canals of the River Carron. Εκεί θα δούμε και θα φωτογραφήσουμε τα μεγαλύτερα γλυπτά αλόγων στον κόσμο, τα λεγόμενα Κέλπις, τα οποία έχουν ύψος 30 measure. Crafted from galvanized steel by Scottish sculptor Andy Fox, they are considered a great achievement of sculptural engineering. They are represented 2 horse heads emerging from the water of the canals, something that has a special meaning: Kelpies are monsters of Scottish mythology in the form of horses, which emerge from lakes and rivers and always defeat the enemy. Our next stop is the Falkirk Wheel. It is the only revolving ship lift in the world, which raises and lowers boats between 2 channels. He is tall 35 measure, has 2 water tanks that hold the boats and when one goes up the other goes down, like a huge wheel. It uses Archimedes' Principle. Our exciting tour of central Scotland continues with our visit to Stirling Castle (entry optional), one of Scotland's most famous. Many Scottish kings lived here, like the Stewarts, Iakovos D’ and James V, Mary Stewart's father. This is also where Mary Stuart was crowned Queen of Scots 1542 in age 6 days! It is the largest perfectly preserved castle in Scotland and is located on top of the hill of the same name. It began to be built in the 14th century and was besieged at least 8 times, but it never fell. Our next stop is Perth. It is one of the oldest cities in Scotland, with a history that goes beyond 2.000 years, and has several historical buildings, churches and squares. The main pedestrian High Street, with traditional shops and cafes, where you can feel the atmosphere of the old town. St John’s Kirk, an important 15th century church, known for its historical importance. The historic center is quite compact, with historical sites and beautiful buildings. Our last destination is Pitlochry, whose history dates back to the Celtic era. Arriving for single malt lovers we will visit a traditional whiskey distillery, spanning hundreds of years of history. Here we will learn everything about the country's most popular drink, for its origin from 1495, for whiskey types (single malt, blended and grain) and for the production process. At the end of the tour, a tasting awaits us to try selected whiskey labels… directly from production to consumption. We will get our rooms and then we will walk around the beautiful village, με ένα μακρύ κεντρικό δρόμο διάσπαρτο με πολύ όμορφα πέτρινα σπίτια με βικτοριανό στυλ και την γραφική του αγορά με τις παραδοσιακές pub. Ένα αξιοσημείωτο σημείο είναι η Ψαρόσκαλα, a kind of ladder-shaped ramp that was put in place when the dam was built 1947 which gave rise to the artificial lake Loch Fascali, which allows the salmon to rise to the upper part of the river. Overnight.

Breakfast at our hotel and departure for Inverness. Our wonderful route today will take us into the heart of the famous Highlands! We cross the Great Glen (Great Valley) along with the Caledonian Canal, bound for Fort Augusta, to see the Skala Poseidon dams and Erkart Castle (Urquhart), on the shores of Scotland's most famous lake, of Loch Ness. The legendary Loch Ness, dominates the center of the Highlands, 37 km. southwest of Inverness. It is the largest and deepest freshwater lake in Scotland. It is known to all of us because of the supposed appearance of the Loch Ness Monster. We will have a panoramic view of the lake and cross it by boat (optional), in search of the mythical Nessie! End, we reach the capital of the Highlands, Inverness, where the theater drama "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare took place. The city dates back to the 6th century and is built on the River Ness and the Beautiful Fjord. Τα σημαντικότερα αξιοθέατά της είναι το ομώνυμο βικτωριανό κάστρο που χτίστηκε το 1835 πάνω σε προηγούμενο μεσαιωνικό, the Cathedral of Saint Andrew with its square towers and the Old High Church, on the hill of Archangel Michael, which is the oldest of the city and its tower is medieval. It is said to have been built on an ancient Celtic cult site. Upon our arrival , we will take a walk around town and walk the Victorian Market, which is cobblestone- arcade with shops, cafe and old architecture. Check-in at the hotel and overnight stay.

After our breakfast we will set off for a full day excursion to the Isle of Skye, Scotland's largest and most spectacular island. It is located in North West Scotland and is connected to the mainland by the Skye Bridje. Its first inhabitants were Celts and it has been the site of many battles throughout Scottish history. The Kulin Range dominates the island, with rocky mountains reaching the 1000 meters high and create an incredible natural setting. Portri is the capital of the island. It is a small town with a calm pace of life, famous for the picturesque harbor with colorful houses and its name comes from Gaelic and means "port of the king". Return to Inverness and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Aberdeen. On the way, we will stop at the town of Elgin with its rich history and impressive medieval cathedral that dominates the Moray plain. It is dedicated to the Holy Trinity and is known as the "Light of the North", as it is one of the most beautiful medieval cathedrals in Scotland. It was built 1224 and has two towers, vaulted arches and stone sculptures. During the Protestant Reformation 1560 the temple was destroyed, ωστόσο σήμερα το ιστορικό αυτό μνημείο εξακολουθεί να εντυπωσιάζει τον επισκέπτη. Συνεχίζουμε για το Κάστρο Crathes (entry optional), ένα κτίσμα του 16 ου αιώνα που μοιάζει βγαλμένο από παραμύθι. The painted ceilings and period furniture will leave you stunned! As for his gardens, they are considered among the most beautiful in Scotland... We continue our route to Aberdeen. It is a very important city for Scottish history. It is wetted by the North Sea and inhabited here and at least 8.000 years. Also in Aberdeen, the Industrial Revolution flourished and subsequently maritime trade, so the city in the 18th century became powerful. A key feature of Aberdeen architecture, which shows his financial prosperity, it is the gray granite, which was widely used on building facades, for reasons of strength and luxury – hence the nickname Granite City or Silver City. Transport, check-in at our hotel and overnight stay.

After our breakfast we will start the tour of the city, with its cobbled streets and characteristic architecture. We will see St. Marchar’s Cathedral, the impressive Cathedral of medieval origin, in the old part of the city, with interesting domes and history. Marischal College, large historic granite building, in the city center, the second granite building in the world. Old Aberdeen & University Quarter, with the cobbled streets with historic buildings and the old University Campus. We will walk to Aberdeen Beach & Esplanade, with the long sandy coast along the sea. We will visit Foodee (Look for it), a traditional fishing community with picturesque houses, near the port, which is a very photogenic place. In free time anyone who wants can visit the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, museum that tells the history of shipping, of the city's port and oil industry. The Aberdeen Art Gallery, τέχνη και εκθέσεις από κλασικούς και σύγχρονους καλλιτέχνες. Το Provost Skene’s House, ιστορικό σπίτι- μουσείο με έπιπλα και αντικείμενα εποχής. Overnight.