We leave Belfast on the early morning HSS and travel north from Stranraer to the Highlands. Our journey takes us by the banks of Loch Lomond, through Glencoe and Fort William towards Inverness - who knows what wildlife we may see as we travel along the edge of mysterious Loch Ness!

After a relaxing morning you have time to get to know the hotel and perhaps a little of Inverness - the city centre is just a short walk from the hotel. Later we drive further north, through the Black Isle, to one of Scotland’s great houses, Dunrobin Castle. We visit the house and later enjoy a display of the ancient sport of falconry in the superb gardens. We return to Inverness via the Falls of Shinn, their famous salmon leap and ‘the Harrods of the North’.

The Cairngorm National Park, to the south of Inverness, has four of the five highest mountains in Britain. Here we take the funicular mountain railway to the Ptarmigan station on Cairngorm for a truly awe-inspiring view over the hills. Later, at the foot of the mountain, we call at the famous Rothiemurchus Highland Estate where we spend the afternoon amidst deer and Highland cattle. Wildcat and pine martin are present, though elusive, but native red squirrels are common.

We take the road overlooking the Moray Firth today, through Elgin and Fochabers. From here we follow the course of the river Spey to where it enters the sea at Spey Bay. The old salmon fishery is now home for the outstanding Whale and Dolphin Conversation Society Wildlife Centre. We can see seals and otters and, with luck, the osprey, bottle-nosed dolphins and even whales which are attracted here to the mouth of one of Scotland’s best salmon rivers.

Afterwards we call at nearby Baxters Foods Visitor Centre before returning to Inverness via the wooded valley of the river Spey.

A day to relax and enjoy the hotel and the city after our outdoor activities and in preparation for tomorrow’s return journey.

We leave Inverness after breakfast, taking the direct route via Aviemore, with a coffee stop near Pitlochry at the House of Bruar, a Highland shopping experience. The art gallery is well worth a visit, if only to look and admire some marvellous Highland art. After a couple more breaks we catch the evening HSS from Stranraer and arrive back at the Europa Buscentre around 10.00pm.