Experience the splendour of Scotland on this four night break, combining classic highland scenery with the legendary Isle of Skye. The following itinerary works perfectly from Inverness, but can also be adpated to start from Edinburgh, Aberdeen or Glasgow.

Day One

From Inverness head south to your first base in the heart of the highlands by the Cairngorm mountain range. Your journey will take about an hour if driven direct, but on the way you can explore Inverness and the Cairngorms National Park. You can even choose to linger awhile on the sunny Moray Coast, rich with sandy beaches and quaint fishing villages.

Your Hotel

This delightful family-run "restaurant with rooms" retains the character and many original features of the 19^th century watermill from which it was converted. Delicious award-winning fare featuring fresh seasonal produce is served in the fire-lit oak-beamed restaurant, followed by a dram of your favourite malt in one of two cosy lounges. The mill is set in four acres of riverside grounds teeming with red squirrels and wild flowers - the bedrooms overlook either the forest canopy or the mill stream which lulls you off to sleep as it babbles over the rocks below. Rated by the AA as one of the top 200 places to stay in the UK and by the Good Food Guide as one of the six best places to eat in the Highlands, this is a wonderful base from which to explore the Cairngorms.

What to see and do

The village of Kingussie is a great touring centre for the stunning Cairngorms National Park and the surrounding highland landscape of majestic mountains, rivers and lochs. The hotel is a mine of information on local walks and excursions, several beginning in and around the village itself. The towns of Aviemore and Grantown on Spey are within easy reach, as are the glorious sandy beaches of the Moray coast and the myriad distilleries of Speyside.

Day Three: the Isle of Skye

To reach the island your route will take you through the beautiful Laggan glen then west through Glennfinnan to Mallaig where you will catch the ferry to Skye to arrive at your next base in the south of the island. Don't miss a stop at the glorious sandy beaches near Arisaig, as featured in the 1980s film Local Hero.

Your Hotel

Sheltered by a gently curving bay, your charming whitewashed hotel sits right on the seashore, enjoying expansive views over the Sound of Sleat to the wilderness of Knoydart. This, the most southerly part of Skye, is an area of great natural beauty, often referred to as the Garden of Skye, thanks to its abundant bird life and profusion of wild flowers. This is a Gaelic-speaking community and the bar is a convivial meeting place for the locals, who mix happily with hotel guests, often to the accompaniment of traditional music and Gaelic song in front of the roaring log fire.

Twelve bedrooms (six in the Garden House) are decorated with pretty cotton and linen chintzes and there are four new suites in the recently restored stables, each enjoying superb views across the water to the lighthouse of Isle Ornsay style. Candlelit meals in the wood-panelled dining room reflect the estate's culinary riches, with wonderful shellfish and game featuring prominently on the menu. Langoustines are landed at the old stone pier, and oysters come from the hotel's own oyster beds.

What to see and do

On the little harbour right beside the hotel is the headquarters of "The Gaelic Whiskies", where you can sample an excellent range of connoisseur brands before browsing in the nearby craft shop.

The surrounding area of hills, moorland, woodland and seashore offers endless opportunities for walking and drinking in the magnificent sea views. Don't miss the enchanting walk to the Point of Sleat, from where you can gaze across to the small isles of Rum and Eigg and dream of future visits! On the way down to the Point of Sleat, it's worth stopping off at the Clan Donald Centre at Armadale Castle, with its fine arboretum and lovely garden. Further afield, in the north of the island, you'll find historic Dunvegan Castle, and Portree, the bustling island capital.

Day Five

Return to Inverness via the Skye Bridge.

Price from £369 - £429 per person, based on 2 people sharing a room for 4 nights, two with dinner, bed & breakfast and two on a bed & breakfast basis. Includes ferry to Skye for car and passengers, in one direction - return by way of the Skye bridge. Prices based on departures between February and October 2008.

This holiday also feasible starting from Glasgow or Edinburgh, though Inverness makes for shorter drives.

All our touring holidays include a map of Scotland with recommended routes from your specified starting point, suggestions on places to see and visit depending on your personal interests and our expertise to help you get the most from your holiday.

All itineraries and room types are presented subject to availability at specific hotels.

The McKinlay Kidd Guarantee

All our holiday prices include a service charge of £7 per person per night towards the costs we incur in researching, planning and designing your holiday. We guarantee to refund this service charge if you believe that arranging your holiday through McKinlay Kidd has not met your expectations for value.

All we ask is that you write to us within 7 days of your return and explain your reason for claiming the refund. This will ensure that we can improve the experience for all our future guests.