Mega Highland Christmas

Day 1: Christmas Eve

Heading north from Edinburgh, we pass the famous Forth Bridge and into Perthshire, surrounded by mountains, forests and salmon packed rivers. We stop in Dunkeld, heart of Macbeth country and its mighty cathedral. We then head north hearing tales about Bonnie Prince Charlie and the tragedy of his defeat on the eerie moor of lonely Culloden Battlefield, scene of the last major battle in Britain. View the beautiful Cromarty Firth before heading to our magnificent accommodation in a plush Highland Hotel in Inverness, Capital of the Highlands. Once frequented by Royalty, the hotel can boast Queen Victoria as a past guest. Tonight it’s the HAGGiS Welcome party!

Day 2: Christmas Day

Christmas Day will never be the same again. Depending on the unpredictable Highland winter weather we may head to a wee town on the coast called Dornoch and take in the fresh sea air to fight off any remaining hangovers or head inland in search of a site for a battle of our very own….with snowballs!  A few snow-angel and snowman building attempts will set us up for the slap-up Christmas feast awaiting our return to the hotel. After loads of grub and wine you can grab a partner and work off some of your Christmas indulgencies with traditional Scottish Ceilidh dancing in ‘The Wallace Ballroom’ with its classic furnishings, antique portraits, works of art and glorious crystal chandeliers.

Day 3: 26th December

We travel west through Sutherland with stunning mountain views before arriving at the picturesque fishing village of Ullapool. Then we continue south and stop off at the impressive Corrieshalloch George before heading off in search of a monster! We’ll drive along the banks of Loch Ness passing Urquhart Castle as we make our way to our home for the night, the fantastic Morag’s Lodge at Fort Augustus overlooking the loch.

Day 4: 27th December

Today we head for the Isle of Skye. En route, we enjoy some stunning scenery with the awesome Kintail Mountains, as well as gorgeous lochs and castles with probably the most stunning castle in Europe, Eilean Donan. Then it’s over the bridge to the Isle of with its fishing villages, awesome scenery and home to the legendary MacLeod and MacDonald Clans. Immersed in Celtic myths and Viking legends, tales abound with faeries and selkies while we explore the windswept landscape and brooding Red and Black Cuillin Mountain range. We return to the mainland for a Tartan Toga party at Morag’s Lodge!

Day 5: 28th December

We journey along the Great Glen fault line before passing under the shadow of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. We discover the story of meaning of the name 'The Weeping Glen' at Glencoe, and the infamous massacre of the MacDonalds. Over the wilds of Rannoch Moor, we pass Stirling with its famous Wallace Monument, where the true story of Braveheart is told, before returning to the capital city of Edinburgh.

(If you are in Edinburgh on the 23^rd December, join us at our legendary HAGGiS Christmas party to meet your fellow festive travellers.)