-Day 1 Overnight Flight to Scotland (Glasgow)
Day 2 Hello Glasgow
Meet your tour director and check into hotel
Details: Glasgow city walk
Home of Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and the Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow is the center of contemporary Scottish culture-and a hotbed of trendy restaurants, boutiques and pubs. Glasgow grew around a church built in the mid-6th century, but many of its most impressive buildings are from the 19th century, when an industrial boom led to a building frenzy. Your Tour Director will lead you to some of the city's most famous sites, passing Glasgow's blend of modern and traditional architecture. See the Venetian-style colonnaded façade of the city chambers, take in the statuary at George Square, and peek into the academic world of Strathclyde University. Glasgow has more than just buildings. It's often referred to as "The dear green place," because of its many parks.
Day 3 Glasgow
Details: National Scottish Piping Center visit
Visit the National Scottish Piping Center and learn about the Great Highland Bagpipe, as well as other instruments used in Scottish music like the Scottish Smallpipes, Uillean Pipes, Fiddle, Accordion, and Percussion instruments.
Details: Glasgow choir performance
Choirs often enjoy performances at churches (some have restricted sacred repetoire and others allow secular,) temples, museums and cultural centers, significant historic sights or exchange concerts with local schools, universities or community groups. Participating in a choral or cultural festival can also be a rewarding experience. For all performances we work closely with each group to ensure the perfect venue to meet their vision. Speak with your Worldstrides representative about what options would be best for your group.
Day 4 Glasgow--Fort William
Details: Travel to Fort William via Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
Travel through the spectacular landscape of the Trossachs. This area of rugged mountains, forests and lochs including Loch Lomond is forever associated with Sir Walter Scott’s outlaw
hero, Rob Roy. The Trossachs, home to Rob Roy and Loch Lomond, is a region of craggy hills, sparkling lochs and rich culture. Scotland’s first national park, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park now make up a large part of the area.
Day 5 Fort William
Details: West Highland Line scenic train ride to Mallaig (round trip)
Enjoy unparalleled panoramic views of lochs dominated by towering mountains and delve
deep in the wilds of the West Highland Line by your window. Experience the thrill of travelling
100 ft above ground along the breath-taking curve of the Glenfinnan Viaduct. Originally
famous for being the first mass concrete viaduct ever built in the world, it is now more notable
for being part of the route to Hogwarts in several of the Harry Potter films. Proof that
stunning scenery is around every corner of the West Highland Line.
Details: Mallaig tour director-led sightseeing
The village of Mallaig was founded in the 1840s, when Lord Lovat, owner of North Morar
Estate, divided up the farm of Mallaigvaig into seventeen parcels of land and encouraged his
tenants to move to the western part of the peninsula and turn to fishing as a way of life. The
population and local economy expanded rapidly in the 20th century with the arrival of the
railway. Mallaig is the main commercial fishing port on the West Coast of Scotland,
and during the 1960s was the busiest herring port in Europe. Mallaig prided itself at that time
on its famous traditionally smoked kippers, but today only one traditional smokehouse
remains, Jaffy's and Sons. Mallaig and the surrounding area is a popular area for holidays.
Day 6 Fort William--Edinburgh
Details: Travel to Edinburgh via Stirling
The medieval town of Stirling grew up around one of Scotland’s most important fortresses
and the Old Town is still surrounded by its original 16th century walls. The town served as the
backdrop for one of William Wallace’s 13th century battles and continued to be of strategic
importance in the Jacobite uprisings.
Details: Stirling Castle visit
Tour Stirling Castle, which dates from the Middle Ages and was an important seat of two kings; James IV and James V. View the Museum of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders,
presenting an excellent exhibit of colors, pipe banners, and regimental silver. From the castle, there is a wonderful view of the Wallace Monument.
Details: Edinburgh city walk
The capital of Scotland, Edinburgh has steep streets and stone buildings zigzagging up hills and down into small valleys, and the brooding Edinburgh Castle looms over the whole thing. Follow your Tour Director for an orientation along the Royal Mile which is located at the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town and stretches from Holyrood Palace to the Edinburgh Castle.
Details: Royal Mile (Old Town)
Walk the Royal Mile, one of the most famous and scenic city walks in Europe.
Day 7 Edinburgh
Details: Edinburgh guided sightseeing tour
Edinburgh Castle, the historical and emotional heart of the city, is just one of the many sights you will see on this tour, led by a licensed professional guide. Make your way along the Royal Mile, the main thoroughfare of the 16th and 17th centuries. (It's actually one mile and 107 yards long--from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyrood House). As you make your way along cobbled streets, you'll see a handful of the several thousand buildings officially protected in Edinburgh because of their architectural or historic importance. The 200-foot spire of the Sir Walter Scott monument soars above the East Princes Street Gardens. Grand figures from Scottish history adorn its heights, make sure you also look down -- the figure below the marble statue is Scott's favorite dog, Maida.
Details: Royal Mile (Old Town)
Walk the Royal Mile, one of the most famous and scenic city walks in Europe.
Details: Visit Edinburgh Castle
Perched high on a volcanic rock, Edinburgh Castle makes for an imposing and impressive sight. Explore this medieval castle, learn about its significance in Scottish history and appreciate its magnificent panoramic views of the city below.
Details: Edinburgh choir performance
Potential venues include (but not limited to): St. Giles' Cathedral (lunchtime recital), Tynecastle High School, Queens Hall, South Leigh Parish Church, or St. Peter's Church. Subject to final confirmation.
Day 8 Flight home from Edinburgh
Tour Includes:
- Round-trip airfare and other transportation described in the itinerary
- 6 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms
- Full European breakfast daily
- Dinner daily
- Full time, multilingual, WorldStrides tour director who is LEAP-trained in experiential education
- Local guide at sites and on city tours as described in the itinerary
- All of the venue arrangement fees and promotional costs for included concert performances
- LEAP! Learning through Exploration and Active Participation; trademarked immersive approach of learning by doing
- Entrances and transportation to sites and activities described in your itinerary
- Local guide and local bus driver tips; see note regarding other important tips
- Basic Medical, Dental, Emergency Evacuation Insurance during trip (U.S. travelers only)
- 24/7 On Tour Emergency Support
- Up to three college credits upon course completion (grades 9-12) or high school credit (grades 6-12) for U.S. travelers only.
- Note: Tour cost does not include airline-imposed baggage fees, costs for rental, transport of instruments or music stands, any passport or visa fees, or tips for the Tour Director or multi-day bus drivers. Optional excursions, optional pre-paid tips, or other customizations will be listed as separate line items in the total trip cost, if included.
- Note: On arrival day only dinner is provided; on departure day, only breakfast is provided
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