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New Year in the Glens – A Festive Scottish Adventure

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6 days From £1,899 £1,699 per person
3.0 stars(2 reviews)
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Celebrate the New Year amid the magic of Scotland, from Edinburgh’s twinkling lights to the enchanting beauty of the Highlands

Save up to £200pp

Save up to £200pp on British Isles 2025 holidays, when you book by 31st January 2025.

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Mobility Rating 2

2025 Tour code: SWN26

About the tour

Experience a memorable festive break in Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands. Your holiday starts and ends in the Scottish capital where you can soak up the enchanting atmosphere of Edinburgh, illuminated for the festive season.

We discover the captivating Kelpies statues, enjoy the tranquil setting of Glencoe and visit the legendary Loch Ness on New Year's Eve. Spend New Year's Day relaxing in the Scottish Highlands before a 4-course festive dinner with entertainment.

Back in Edinburgh for our final night, we enjoy a special 'Great Scots' dinner, accompanied by pipers and storytellers.

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 – The festivities begin in Edinburgh

Your festive holiday begins as we meet the Tour Manager at our hotel in Edinburgh. After checking in, there's time at leisure to explore the seasonal atmosphere of the city, all lit up with Christmas lights and decorations.

You could stroll through the Old Town, stopping in a café for an afternoon treat. Or, maybe take a ride on the giant wheel in the middle of the Christmas markets and marvel at the amazing views of Edinburgh, illuminated for the season. Later, we regroup at our hotel for our first dinner together, with a glass of prosecco.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - The Kelpies and Fort William

After breakfast, we say goodbye to Edinburgh and set off to see the magnificent Kelpies by coach. These towering sculptures were designed by the talented Glasgow-based artist, Andy Scott to pay homage to the hardworking horses of Scotland that once pulled barges along the canals and worked in the fields of this region.

After our visit we continue to Glasgow to board the train on the iconic West Highland Line. This celebrated route takes us through some of Scotland's most beautiful scenery to Fort William. On arrival, we check in to our hotel where we're treated to afternoon tea and cakes with sparkling wine. We end the day with dinner and entertainment.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 – Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness

This morning, we head to Loch Ness for a memorable New Year's Eve experience followed by lunch. As we journey through the majestic wilds of Scotland, we stop at Fort Augustus, a village with stunning scenery, fascinating history, and warm hospitality.

Here, we can see the Caledonian Canal, which connects the Scottish east coast with the west - a hub of activity, with boats and yachts gliding through the waterway. There's time for a leisurely stroll along the towpath, or to watch the boats pass by and soak up the peaceful atmosphere.

Our next stop is Urquhart Castle, on the shores of the legendary Loch Ness. Urquhart has witnessed centuries of conflict and played a pivotal role in the Wars of Independence. After our visit to the castle, we enjoy lunch at the Loch Ness Drumnadrochit Hotel before making our way back to Fort William.

There's time to relax and recharge back at our hotel before we enjoy a gala dinner with a glass of wine and entertainment to see in the New Year.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – New Year’s Day in Fort William

Happy New Year! The day is yours to relax, unwind, and celebrate at your own pace. After breakfast, you could stroll around the hotel's picturesque grounds or venture down to the Ballachulish viewpoint to take in the majestic views of Loch Leven.

You are at leisure until dinnertime, with afternoon tea served at our hotel, so spend the day as you choose. This evening we indulge in another dinner at our hotel, accompanied by live entertainment.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 – Return journey to Edinburgh

After breakfast we make our return rail journey to Edinburgh, travelling back past Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. After checking in to our hotel again, you have free time to go sightseeing. Discover the historic buildings of the Old Town, still decked out for the season, or enjoy a walk through the streets of the Georgian New Town. Today is a Bank Holiday in Scotland, but there may be a few shops and cafés open. Or you could always warm up in a traditional pub.

There's plenty of time to make the most of our hotel's facilities before our last evening together. We are treated to a Great Scots dinner, accompanied by traditional Scottish piping, dancers and storytelling - a wonderful end to our Scottish New Year's holiday.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 – Homeward bound

This morning, it's time to say goodbye as your festive holiday reaches its end.

From Edinburgh, we journeyed to the impressive Kelpies and took the scenic West Highland Line to Fort William. On New Year's Eve, we explored Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle followed by a relaxing New Year's Day in Fort William. The trip ended back in Edinburgh with free time for sightseeing and a final Scottish-themed dinner with pipers and dancers.

After checking out, head home with wonderful memories of an unforgettable New Year in the Scottish Glens.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

The Isles of Glencoe Hotel, Ballachulish

The Isles of Glencoe Hotel, Ballachulish

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Radisson Blu Edinburgh, Edinburgh

Radisson Blu Edinburgh, Edinburgh

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Train

West Highland Line

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

UK rail connections
Extending your holiday in Edinburgh

Reviews

3.0 stars3.0 / 5 · 2 reviews

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  2. 4 stars
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  5. 1 star
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P Steer

4 stars

Submitted 11/Jan

Unfortunately some of the excursions had to be abandoned because of the bad weather, but an alternative was organised by the tour manager. The Isle of Glencoe Hotel found it difficult to cope well with the numbers for the New Year holiday period. However, staff were very friendly and obliging and the entertainment provided was very good. The hotel setting is beautiful with comfortable rooms. The hotel in Edinburgh was excellent and the final evening was particularly good. The journeys on the West Highland Line were marred by poor weather (which could not be helped) and lack of an on board toilet or refreshments (which could)! Despite some of the difficulties, we enjoyed the holiday alongside a great group of people.

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MRS. Helena Smith

2 stars

Submitted 10/Jan

Start of trip at Radisson Blu Edinburgh was good. Evening meal and breakfast very good and staff exceptionally helpful and professional. Great location for exploring. Very slow trip by Scotrail from Glasgow to Fort William because of severe weather. Arrived at Isles of Glencoe hotel after a very long journey and the refreshments and mince pies did not materialise which was a disappointing start. Our room smelt very strongly of cleaning fluid and was freezing. Advised that heating was centrally controlled and not to touch. After two attempts to override from reception someone finally came to the room only to discover the heater was actually turned off. Room did eventually heat up but woke at 2am to find thermostat at 30 degrees and no way of controlling or reducing this. Very limited lounge space in hotel because of space being used for group dining. Food OK at best, menu options changed at the last minute, limited options and small portions. Service was also very slow and very haphazard- serving half a table and then moving on to another table! Unfortunately the promised Gala Dinner the following evening fell very short, again changes of menu, undercooked beef, awful service and serve yourself tea/coffee in paper cups was a joke. The final insult was being charged 10% service for all drinks at the bar. Our Tour Manager Caz was amazing and worked really hard going above and beyond to deal with all the issues as was Andy our coach driver who took us to Oban when going on the planned trip wasn't possible. The group was good fun and returning to the Radisson at least ensured the trip ended well. Overall very disappointed.

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