From 1st June to 30th September.
Tour Number 1.
Tour Number 2.
Tour Number 3. Tour Number 4.
Tour Number 5.
Tour Number 6. Booking Information.
To Wester Ross - Loch Maree, Inverewe Gardens, Loch Broom and Dundonnell Mountains
On this tour you travel through the majestic mountains of Wester Ross to Achnasheen where we stop for morning coffee, then it's on along past Loch A'Chrosig before climbing over the high pass of Glen Docherty to look down upon the peaceful waters of Loch Maree - where once Queen Victoria was a regular visitor. Travelling on through Gairloch, with its sweep of golden sands, you can look across the sea to Skye, the misty isle, or even catch a glimpse of the distant Hebrides.
Now we drive along the lovely west coast to Inverewe - the highlight of this trip. This beautiful sub-tropical garden was the inspiration of Osgood MacKenzie in 1862. Time will be given here for lunch and of course to stroll round these famous gardens.
On the homeward journey are the ever changing panoramas of seas and mountains, with views across Loch Broom to the Summer Isles and the village of Achiltibuie. Then along past the Scoraig Peninsula to Little Loch Broom and Dundonnell. Climbing up from Dundonnell through Glen Beag to the bleak moorlands of the Dirrie Mhor stretching towards Garve and the firths and farmlands of the east.
To reserve your seat please telephone us on 01997 421311.
To the far North East - Wick, John O'Groats, Thurso.
This is a trip of contrasts, from the fertile shores of the Cromarty Firth and over the New Dornoch Firth road bridge and through wooded Sutherland countryside to Helmsdale for morning coffee. Then it's over the Ord into the county of Caithness with its rugged and spectacular cliffs, purple heather-clad hills and bleak moorlands. Here you will find fine old flagstone roofed cottages and the unique stone fences. These Caithness Flags were once much sought after as paving slabs by many British cities.
Then it's on to Wick, where you'll have an opportunity to visit the famous Caithness Glass factory and get some lunch. We pass Ackergill Tower, one of the oldest inhabited houses in the North of Scotland, then it's on to John O'Groats overlooking the wild Pentland Firth with its fine views across to the high cliff of Hoy and other Orkney Isles.
Now we drive along Scotland's most northern coast past the Queen Mother's summer residence, the Castle of Mey. A little further on we come to the largest town in Caithness and Sutherland, Thurso. A short stop here before going over the Cassemyre and back down to Dunbeath. A visit to Dunbeath Museum (or longhouse as it is called), afternoon tea is available, before we rejoin the coast road for the journey home.
To reserve your seat please telephone us on 01997 421311.
To the West - Across the sea to Skye, Portree & Dunvegan Castle; returning by Loch Duich and the Sisters of Kintail.
Enjoy a grand tour of the Highlands on this circular trip that takes you 'Over the sea to Skye'. You travel through a land that is steeped in history and offering a wonderful variety of Highland and Island scenery. West, the road runs through wide Strath Bran to Achnasheen, then winds past lovely lochs before plunging to the shores of lovely Loch Carron, where we stop at Strathcarron Hotel for morning coffee. Ahead lies Loch Kishorn and the great rock buttresses of Applecross. Then it's over the new bridge and you're on Skye. On one side the rounded hills and jagged peaks of the Cuillins - on the other wonderful panoramic views over the water to the hills of Wester Ross.
At Portree it's time for lunch and a wander round this bustling little town with its sheltered harbour. Then it's across the island to visit the home of the Clan MacLeod, Dunvegan Castle, where you can see the Fairy Flag and maybe spot some basking seals on nearby rocks. You return through the deep glens and green hills of Kintail, past the famous Eilean Donan Castle, stronghold of the Clan MacRae. We stop here for a short photo call.
Afternoon tea will be at the south end of Loch Duich with some spectacular views out across the loch and up to the Five Sisters of Kintail. Then it's out from wooded Glenmoriston to the shores of Loch Ness. Now all eyes on the deep dark waters of this haunted loch before reaching Inverness.
To reserve your seat please telephone us on 01997 421311.
To the Far North West - Ullapool, Durness, Smoo Cave, Kyles of Tongue & Shin Falls.
This trip takes you through the wildest of Scotland's wild country. You travel west following the Conon Valley, skirting Loch Garve and Ben Wyvis then over bare moors to the spectacular gorge of Corrieshalloch before descending to Loch Broom.
After a stop for morning coffee at the busy fishing village of Ullapool you are soon passing the magnificent mountains of Coigach falling steeply to the sea. Your way leads you north past the ''Island'' summits of Stac Polly and Suilven to the bare white summits of Assynt. Here is true wildness - a maze of bare rocks and thousands of lochans - some of the loneliest and loveliest lands of Scotland.
You cross the Kylesku Bridge with its dramatic views of the deep dark sea lochs reaching far into the mountains, and on through the wilds until you come to the green croft lands of Durness - where you'll stop for lunch and have a chance to see spectacular Smoo Cave.
Our route takes us along the lovely northern coast around Loch Eriboll and the Kyles of Tongue before turning south along Glen Vagastie and the lonely moors of Altnaharra, coming at last to the grassy sheep country of Lairg. You'll visit the famous Shin Falls with its Salmon Leap and after afternoon tea return over the Struie Hill and across the Black Isle to Inverness.
To reserve your seat please telephone us on 01997 421311
Loch Ness, Glenfinnan, Isle of Skye, Clan Donald Centre, returning through the Torridon Mountains.
This magnificent circular tour takes you through varied and spectacular scenery. First you go by the shores of Loch Ness past the impressive ruins of Urquhart Castle then on down the Great Glen past Fort Augustus to Spean Bridge where we stop for morning coffee. Then on past Fort William on Loch Linnhe. From there the route winds westwards through grand steep glens of Glenfinnan for a short photo stop at the monument where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard. Then it's on via the Atlantic Coast by Arisaig with its white sandy beaches and thence to the busy fishing village of Mallaig.
From here it is a short ferry trip across the Sound of Sleat to the south of Skye and the soft woodlands around Armadale Castle. Lunch is taken here at the Clan Donald Centre, where you can also enjoy the fine gardens.
Your route now is north along the coast of Skye over the hills to beautiful Broadford Bay, before turning back to the new Skye Bridge at Kyleakin and the mainland of Wester Ross. The road winds over the hills to lovely Loch Carron and along through the village of Lochcarron over the hills again to Loch Kishorn where you can have a closer view of the Applecross Mountains. On down through Shieldaig Glen to the beautiful village of Shieldaig.
We carry on along Loch Torridon with beautiful views of the Torridon mountains, where we stop at the Loch Torridon Hotel for afternoon tea, then travelling through Glen Torridon to the village of Kinlochewe, where we turn right to take the road over Glen Docharty to Achnasheen. Ahead lie the impressive heights of Ben Wyvis. You skirt this mountain by Loch Garve, Contin and Strathpeffer, then across the Black Isle peninsula to Inverness.
To reserve your seat please telephone us on 01997 421311
To the East - Brodie Castle, Scottish Cuisine, Whisky & Heather, Strathspey We travel to the Castle of Brodie, now maintained by the National Trust. You will have time to visit this historic castle and take morning coffee in its restaurant. Then it's east through the delightful cathedral town of Elgin and on to Baxters of Fochabers to visit their superb visitor centre with its re-created Victorian Shop. What's more you will have time to lunch in their excellent restaurant.
Continuing up the valley of the River Spey we may occasionally spy a salmon fisherman patiently plying his skills. Our coach has now reached one of the more intriguing attractions in the Highlands - ''The Speyside Heather Centre'', with over 200 different species to choose from. You'll be convinced that not all heather is purple! Here you can get expert advice and some delicious 'homebakes' with your afternoon cuppa.
On then to our last stop - a visit to Tomatin Distillery for a fascinating conducted tour to ensure a fuller knowledge of how 'The water of Life' is produced, and also a sample of the cratur! We then return to Inverness with a day's memories which will last a lifetime!
To reserve your seat please telephone us on 01997 421311
Contact Spa Motors, Strathpeffer, tel: (01997) 421311 Fax: (01997) 421983 or:
Tourist Information Centre, Castle Wynd, Inverness IV2 3BJ.
The company reserves the right to amend or cancel any tour without notice and to vary the type of vehicles used on any tour as necessitated by operational circumstances.
All tours are subject to sufficient bookings.
NO SMOKING ON COACH.
Fares quoted are not inclusive of admission charges or meals.
Postal bookings should be accompanied by a remittance to cover the full cost of required reservations.
Children (under 16) - Will travel at Two Thirds of the Adult Fare on all tours.
Highlands & Islands Tourist Services:
The Highlander Web.
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