It’s back….Our original trip that launched HAGGiS back in 1993 has returned for backpackers wanting their own tailor made Scottish experience.
A totally flexible, fully guided tour, the Hop on – Hop off combines the flexibility of a travel pass with all the benefits, fun and convenience of a tour. We’ll help you discover our magnificent Scottish Highlands and West Coast. Loads of wee stops along the way for castles, hairy coos, photos, or just because you want to stop but with the opportunity to go off and explore Scotland for yourself.
Our knowledgeable and friendly team are delighted to help you in planning your travels. Whether you take a quick seven day trip, or spend up to three months really exploring Scotland, we’ll give you the best planning advice, the best discounts to attractions and a guide to the best quality hostels.
As well as a fully guided, staged trip, we’ll throw in a HAGGiS Welcome Pack full of loads of info on hostels, local tours, activities and special discounts — in fact everything you’ll need!
Of course, this trip is designed for you to do your own thing and below we have listed a few of the biggies at the hop on – hop off stops to get you started. If you think we have missed anything out – let us know!
You are in control of your own Highland adventure and flexibility and choice is what this trip is all about. We would recommend at least a week but if you have more time go for it. We live here and still haven’t seen it all!
> Start and finish anywhere you like
> Travel at your own pace – a week to 3 months – you decide
> Door to door pick up and drop offs
> Our awesome guides full of local tips and advice
> Every other day service from July to September
> How do I book my buses and beds?
Once you book your trip you will receive a client reference number on your eticket. Log onto MyHaggis (www.haggisadventures.com/myhaggis) and create a password to get started.
> Do I have to book in advance?
To guarantee your seat on the bus and bed, we do recommend booking a few days in advance as it can get busy in the summer months! You can turn up without a booking and if there’s space you are welcome aboard.
> What if I change my mind?
You can change buses up to 24 hours in advance at no extra cost. If you don’t cancel a sector or don’t show up, you can still travel that sector but only on a standby basis. Please be aware, hostels will have cancellation fees of their own.
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Edinburgh
Pick-Up HAGGiS Office 8.15am
Scotland’s ancient and beautiful Capital
> Visit the infamous Castle to view the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny; the crowning stone of British Monarchs
> Pop into Queen Elizabeth’s Palace for a look around, and make up your own mind about Scotland’s Parliament building opposite- one of the most controversial constructions in Scottish history.
> Climb Arthur’s seat for incredible views… or Calton Hill.. or Blackford Hill… or the Pentland Hills! Phew….
> Take a stroll around the stunning Botanic Gardens and then take a meander along the beautiful Water of Leith walkway through Dean Village.
> Get all cultural in any of the many free museums and art galleries
> Take a walking tour through the haunted ‘underground city’ and haunted graveyards and alleyways- don’t underestimate one of the ‘most haunted cities in Europe’!
Glasgow
Pick-Up 10am Euro Hostel
Glasgow aka “Glasvegas”- Scotland’s biggest, busiest and most cosmopolitan city.
> Marvel at floating heads and a stuffed elephant at Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery
> Explore the ‘Bohemian’ West-end, and take a stroll along eclectic Byre’s Road
> Relive the experiences of the ship-builders at the Maritime Museum on the Clyde, once the world’s ship-building super-power
> The amazing mix of art accumulated by Sir William Burrell at the Burrell collection
> Get hands on at the Science Centre and its revolving tower- the highest building in Scotland
> Some of the best venues in the UK for live music
Oban
Pick-Up 2pm Oban Backpackers
Oban - a beautifully situated coastal town.
> Take a guided tour of Oban’s distillery and enjoy a wee dram
> Walk along the shore to the ruins of Dunollie Castle and imagine what life was like for the MacDougals who inhabited it in the 13th Century
> Take an island tour out to Mull, Lismore or Staffa and enjoy the scenery, history and wildlife of these remote wee islands
> Take the ferry to Iona where the Scottish Kings are buried
> Walk up to MaCaig’s Tower lookout and watch the sunset over the town and nearby islands
> Enjoy a dance and a dram at an authentic Ceilidh in town.
> Head down the coast to Kilmartin Glen with its concentration of pre-historic standing stones and rock-carvings
> Order a ‘Fish-Supper’ at the Oban Fry- one of the best chippies in Scotland.
> Fill up on fresh scallops and salmon from one of the excellent restaurants in town, or from the wee shack on the pier
Fort William
Pick-Up 4.45pm Fort William Backpackers
Fort William – formerly a major garrison town, now a bustling outdoor pursuit's centre.
> Tick off a ‘Munro’ and the UK’s highest mountain in one fell swoop by climbing Ben Nevis!
> Explore the beautiful Glen Nevis and Steal Falls
> Take a ride on the steam train to Mallaig and back and follow in the tracks of the Hogwart’s Express, used in the Harry Potter films
> Visit Glenfinnan and imagine the scene there over 250 years ago when Bonnie Price Charlie raised his standard calling the Clans to rise
> Many outdoor pursuits available – mountain biking, canyoning, climbing and horse riding
> Take the Nevis Range cable-car 2,000 feet to the top of Aanoch Mor for breath-taking views
Fort Augustus
Pick-Up Fort Augustus 8.15am Morags Lodge
Fort Augustus – a Highland village on the banks of Loch Ness (compulsory overnight)
> Experience life as a 17th century Highlander by dressing up in a plaid and trying weapons at a Highland Clan show
> Take a cruise on Loch Ness and go Nessie hunting
> Walk or cycle any of the many scenic woodland and cycle tracks around the village
> Take an exciting RIB boat trip out to the famous Urquhart Castle.
> Enjoy the boats passing through the lock system of the Caledonian Canal
> Get a belly-full of buffet dinner before karaoke or traditional music at Morag’s Lodge
> Play a round of golf
Carbisdale Castle
Pick-Up 10.30am Carbisdale Castle YHA (on request)
Carbisdale Castle – one of the most spectacular hostels around…
> Reputedly haunted by several ghosts, including a child and the ‘white lady’ who tucks people up in bed at night…
> Explore this amazing hostel with its secret passageways, statues and art gallery
> Do a forest walk like the one up to the site of the Battle of Carbisdale, fought in 1650 during the civil war between the Royalists and the Parliamentarians
> Have a pint and a dram with the locals
Inverness
Pick-Up 11.45am Inverness Student Hotel
Inverness, Capital of the Highlands
> A great base to explore the Northern Highlands
> The perfect spot to make your own journey to the Orkney and Shetland Islands
> Visit the Highland Museum and learn about traditional Scottish music
> Cruise the Moray Firth and search for dolphins
> Culloden battlefield where the last battle was fought on British soil. Now with a stunning visitor centre
> Explore Clava Cairns - 6,000 year old burial chambers and standing stones
Aviemore
Pick-Up 1.45pm Aviemore YHA
Aviemore – the Cairngorm’s mountain resort
> Activity central! Go white water rafting, quad biking, swimming, sailing, canoeing and fishing
> Hike the trails through native Caledonian forest where pine martens, wild cats, ospreys and capercaillies can be seen
> Take the funicular up the mountain
Pitlochry
Pick-Up Pitlochry 3pm Pitlochry Town Centre
Pitlochry – a great wee Perthshire town on the banks of the River Tummel
> Experience Scotland’s smallest distillery – Edradour
> Re-enact a Highland charge at Killiecrankie, site of a famous Jacobite battle in 1689
> Head north to Blair Castle and the stunning ‘Falls of Bruar’.
> Feel like Royalty by taking in the stunning Queen’s View and gaze upon Schiehallion, ‘The fairy-hill of the Caledonians’
> Learn how the humble heather plant makes unique jewellery at the Heather Gems factory
> Visit Faskally Dam and ‘gee up’ the labouring salmon at the Fish Ladder
> Climb Ben Vrackie