As the great River Clyde slips past Glasgow, turns south and becomes a firth, it flows through an archipelago of islands, each with their own atmosphere and appeal. Sheltered by the Mull of Kintyre Great Cumbrae, Bute and Arran are all easily accessible by short ferry hops – no crossing takes more than an hour – and our base, Dunoon, Argyll’s largest town, is itself more easily reached by sea than by land.
Our criss-crossing of the firth is rewarded by glorious, ever-changing scenery and the chance to visit some of the islands’ many attractions, both man-made and natural. Millport’s Cathedral of the Isles is tiny (but perfectly formed), while Mount Stuart on Bute is one of the largest, most spectacular High Gothic houses in Britain. Its gardens are a real treat, as are those at nearby Ascog Fernery and at Benmore Botanics, an outpost of Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden. We also spend a day amidst Arran’s splendid scenery, where a visit to the unrivalled collections in Brodick Castle and Gardens is included.

Included in the price
3 nights dinner, bed and breakfast in the Esplanade Hotel, Dunoon. All rooms have private facilities.
Comfortable coaching and ferry crossings as per itinerary.
Admission to the Cathedral of the Isles; Brodick Castle and Gardens and to the gardens of Mount Stuart, Ascog Fernery and Benmore Botanics.

Departure points:
Aberdeen, Montrose. Arbroath, Dundee, Perth, Kinross, Dunfermline, Edinburgh and Glasgow

Reservations: A booking form with full details can be obtained by telephoning 0844 8551715 (24 hours) or 01382 575334. Alternatively request details by email: brochures@dcthomson.co.uk