A walker sits on the summit of Ben An with a view to Loch Katrine beyond..The Trossachs

If you have grown up on yarns of the Scottish highlands, the above photograph may well depict the place where the author of those magnificent yarns sat and wrote his piece sipping on single malt distilled not far from here.  And after you are done with your highland adventure, relax in one of Scotland”s great cities that beckon you to explore.

In the capital, Edinburgh, follow the cobbled “Royal Mile” from the ancient castle, which dominates the skyline, to Holyrood Palace. The highlight of the year is in August when the city hosts the annual International Festival while the Military Tattoo lights up the castle esplanade. Glasgow is Scotland”s style capital. Attractions like the Lighthouse, the Burrell Collection and Gallery of Modern Art reflect the Glaswegian passion for art. And when daylight fades, there”s the pleasure of a good malt whisky - 300 whiskies are distilled in Scotland. Follow the world”s only “malt whisky trail” and sample a dram or two in Speyside or visit Islay for a “peaty” malt such as Laphroaig or Lagavulin. Scotland”s closer than you think - just over four hours by train from London to Edinburgh and with frequent fast flights to its major cities. The country has nearly 800 islands (130 inhabited), most accessible by ferry. Popular excursions include Iona, with its ancient monastery, and Skye, romantic refuge for Bonnie Prince Charlie. Scotland boasts over 540 golf courses to choose from including world famous championship golf courses such as The Old Course St Andrews, Royal Troon, Carnoustie, Muirfield, Turnberry and Gleneagles. Considering the quality and range of golf courses with accommodation to suit every golfer's needs, your first choice for a golf vacation has to be Scotland.

What can The Wanderers do for you in Scotland?
a) Chalk out a fabulous self drive holiday selecting the car, the route and the unique lodges for you.
(Indian driving licenses are valid and cars are right hand drive and you drive on the left side of the road)
b) Book a seat in van tour on fixed dates of departure for those of you who aren't too keen on a seld drive trip.
c) Plan a tour using world class boutique resorts, chateaux, mountain lodges, high end hotels, B&B's and tailormake the arrangements for you.
d) Book you on fabulous adventures like walking tours in the highlands, camping tours, multiday kayaking trips or hard core treks.

If you have any special requests, let us know and we will come up with something divine in this beautiful country.

Must See & Do in the cities
Edinburgh Castle
A majestic landmark which dominates the capital city's skyline just as it has dominated Scotland's long and colourful history Edinburgh Castle is the best known and most visited of historic buildings. Perched on an extinct volcano and offering stunning views, this instantly recognizable fortress is a powerful national symbol, and part of Edinburgh's World Heritage Site. The castle was a prison for sailors from many countries in the 18th & 19th centuries, including crewmen who sailed with John Paul Jones, founder of the American Navy. Their graffiti, handmade ships and other items are on display in the Prisoners of War exhibition.

Mercat Walking Tours of Edinburgh
Mercat Tours of Edinburgh provides the best Ghost and History tours in Scotland. We specialise in walking tours around Edinburgh”s Old Town featuring the most haunted locations, the scariest stories and most spectacular candlelit underground vaults.

LOOKING DOWN TO VISITORS WALKING ROUND THE LANDFORM INSTALLATION, BY CHARLES JENCKS AT THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL GALLERY OF MODERN ART, BELFORD ROAD, EDINBURGH, LOTHIAN.

National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh
The National Gallery of Scotland, oldest of the five Galleries, is situated in the heart of Edinburgh on The Mound, between the ancient Old Town and the Georgian New Town. It is home to Scotland's greatest collection of European paintings and sculpture from the Renaissance to Post-Impressionism, and is one of the very finest galleries of its size in the world. The building was designed by William Henry Playfair (1790-1857) and the foundation stone was laid by Prince Albert in 1859. Paintings include masterpieces by Jacopo Bassano, Van Dyck and Tiepolo. Other works include Gauguin's Vision after the Sermon, Velázquez's Old Woman Cooking Eggs, El Greco's Fábula, Bernini's sculpture of Carlo Antonio dal Pozzo, Botticelli's Virgin Adoring the Sleeping Christ Child and Antonio Canova's Three Graces, shared with the Victoria & Albert Museum in London (where it will be displayed until 2006).  . In 1945 a superb group of paintings was placed on long-term loan by the Duke of Sutherland, with masterpieces by Raphael, Titian and Rembrandt, as well as Poussin's celebrated Seven Sacraments. The Gallery also boasts the largest and most comprehensive collection of Scottish paintings in the world. All the major names of Scottish art, including Ramsay, Raeburn, Wilkie and McTaggart, are represented in depth. Among the best-loved works are Raeburn's Reverend Robert Walker Skating on Duddingston Loch and Ramsay's portrait of his second wife, Margaret Lindsay.

The Royal Yacht Britannia, Leith Docks
The most famous of Leith's local attractions is the Royal Yacht Britannia. Tourists come in huge numbers every year to board the decks of this Royal Yacht where four Royal couples spent their honeymoon including Prince Charles and Princess Diana. The Royal Yacht Britannia has sailed more than one million miles around the globe and was finally decommissioned in 1997 marking the end of a Royal Yacht. Since 1998, the Ocean Terminal in Leith has become its permanent home. The Britannia was voted 'Best Visitor Attraction in the UK' in 1999.

Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow
Located in the heart of the city, near George Square and Buchanan Street, the Gallery of Modern Art displays Glasgow's extraordinary range of post-war art and design. Four floors depict the natural elements; Earth, Water, Fire & Air. Exhibits include works by Niki de Saint Phalle, David Hockney, Sebastiao Salgado, Andy Warhol and Eduard Bersudsky as well as Scottish artists such as John Bellany and Ken Curry.

Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Edinburgh (August)
The word "tattoo" originally dates from the seventeenth century when British Army units were stationed in the Low Countries. Drummers from the garrison were sent out into the towns each evening to summon the soldiers to return to barracks. The process was known as Doe den tap toe or just tap toe and encouraged the inn keepers to "turn off the taps", stop serving beer and send the soldiers back for the night. The first official Tattoo began in 1950 with just 8 items in the programme. Now, approx 217,000 people see the Tattoo live on the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle each year. Around 35% visitors are from overseas.

Highland Games, Perth (August)
This is the annual festival of Highland games that takes place in Crieff, Perthshire since 1870. At Crieff Games all the events of Highland skill and field sports take place: Highland Dancing, Solo Piping & Pipe Bands, Tossing the Caber and a full range of traditional Track Events.

Introduction     Aberdeen & Dundee     Edinburgh, Glasgow & Inverness

Lewis & Orkney

Itineraries:

2 Days Lochness and Inverness Highland Tour

3 Days Isle of Skye Tour

5 Days Isle of Skye and Highland Tour

5 Days Tour of Iona, Mull, and Isle of Skye

7 Days Edinburgh, Lake District and London

8 Days Highland Adventure

8 Days Roam around Scotland

8 Days Stay in a Scottish Castle