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Coach Holidays by Caledonian Travel

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Caledonian Travel Coach Holidays 2024 & Late Deals

Caledonian Travel 2024 Holidays by Coach

Caledonian Travel 2024 holidays include an expanded range of holidays to Ireland and in mainland Europe as well as holidays in Spain. You will be able to experience some great events around the country.

Enjoy great British 2024 events like the Grand National, the Cheltenham Festival and the F1 British Grand Prix. For family breaks you can book for Legoland, Harry Potter and more. Box office breaks featuring top shows combined with accommodation and return travel. The popular Caledonian Travel Mystery Breaks are back offering even greater value at some amazing destinations.

Caledonian Travel offers a variety of travel experiences with amazing value and exceptional customer service, Caledonian holidays have coach travel departure points from Scotland, the North East of England and around Yorkshire.

It's an old cliché but Caledonian Travel do have something for everyone . There are short break getaway holidays to the countryside, popular British seaside resorts. Sport and music events as well as family fun breaks to theme parks and attractions. You may also find some special events get added to the selection of holidays available. These extra coach trips usually include the event ticket and return coach travel. There are also a good range of European Holidays by coach with the same convenient departure points.

Caledonian Coach Holidays 2024

Discover the benefits of caledonian travel holidays by coach.

Caledonian Travel holidays offer a range of benefits for people who want a hassle free holiday or trip as well as a convenient way to explore superb attraction or destination.

One of the main benefit is stress-free travel. You get on the coach at the pickup point and sit back and relax on route to your destination. Your professional driver will take care of the driving and can also offer advice on what to do and see at various stops and destinations.

A coach holiday can offer greater freedom than you think with free time to explore on your own. This could be at stope on the way to your final holiday destination or while you are enjoying a day trip excursion.

Most coach holidays tend to offer great value for money when you consider what is included. They generally include excellent hotel accommodation and meals as well as discounts or entry to various attractions, making traveling to some destinations easier and more affordable than before.

Caledonian Travel Mystery Tour 

Will you visit a British seaside resort, enjoy a scenic countryside break or a city break. Enjoy the excitement and surprise of a Caledonian Travel Mystery Break.

You get to pick your departure dates and departure point as well as reserved seating on the coach. You also get one night dinner and bed and breakfast at a minimum of a 3 star hotel. Not forgetting the included excursions while you are there! All this for an incredible low price and the only thing you don't know is your destination!

So many people love these amazing holidays, you will find that many coach holiday companies offer a similar type of holiday experience.

Caledonian Travel All Inclusive Style Breaks (Drinks Packages)

Caledonian Travel off all inclusive style British breaks where you also get drinks included in the price of your holiday. While the drinks deals are not like the ones you get in holiday resorts abroad offering unlimited drinks, they do offer great value for money.

There are a few drinks package deals to choose from. There is the 2 for 1 bar deals and the inclusive offers that include a limited number of drinks per person per day. These drinks packages are offered on a good rage of trips including the tribute nights, seaside breaks, countryside breaks and Superdeals.

There are Caledonian Travel all inclusive holidays where your drinks are all included during certain times of the day. These are on the long stay holidays in destinations like Spain. You will also find all inclusive deals in Austria, Andorra, Spain, Germany and the Italian Lakes and Mountains destinations.

Great Value Family Fun Caledonian Holidays by Coach

Enjoy a family break with return coach travel with reserved seating, accommodation and entry tickets to your chosen attraction.

• Alton Towers – Over 50 rides and attractions for all the family. Includes return hotel transfers to the Theme Park
• World of Harry Potter – Walking tour behind the scenes with access to see many of the film props including Hogwarts Express and Platform 9 ¾.
• Legoland Windsor Resort – Over 55 interactive rides and shows. Plus access to 150 acres of parkland with Miniland.
• Chester Zoo & Blackpool Tower – A visit to the famous Chester Zoo and a chance to go up to the top of the 380ft and enjoy the view from the Blackpool Tower eye.
• Cadburys & Safari Adventure – Visit the chocolate world of Cadbury! plus West Midland Safari Park

There are lots of other family coach holidays to choose from. You could work your way through them during the school holidays and enjoy some special family moments together.

Caledonian Travel Disneyland Paris

Caledonian Travel offer Disneyland® Paris holidays by coach offer a 3 nights stay at the Campanile Val De France Hotel with free shuttle transfers to and from the Disney Parks. You also get a two day pass for admission to both Disneyland® Park & The Walt Disney Studios® Park. 

Caledonian Travel to Blackpool

Caledonian Travel to Blackpool offer an exciting range of coach holidays to Blackpool throughout the year. Your Caledonian Travel Blackpool trip includes return coach travel with reserved seating on the coach. Plus your Blackpool holidays includes your chosen accommodation, meals (drinks promotions are available in selected hotels) There will be plenty of free time to enjoy Blackpool whatever way you want. 

Blackpool has something for everyone. Take a stroll along the promenade or relax on the beach with an ice cream. If you have had enough relaxation head to the Pleasure Beach theme park offering loads of fun for all the family. Another favourite is the iconic Blackpool Tower and the Skywalk. The Skywalk gives you an interesting view of the Irish sea and the promenade below. Not really a trip for anyone with a fear of heights. So leave them in the coffee shop and make sure you don't miss out. Another popular attraction is Blackpool Zoo if you have time to fit it in!

For some retail therapy head into the town centre for the various shops or Houndshill Shopping Centre and pick up a few bargains! 

In the evening there is loads of great entertainment particularly on the Central Pier during the peak holiday season. Alternatively book a show in the Grand Theatre on Church Street opposite the central pier. One of the things Blackpool is famous for is the Blackpool Illuminations 

So why not discover one of Britain's best seaside resorts and take a fantastic coach break to Blackpool this summer. Caledonian Travel offer a variety of Blackpool holidays by coach for 2, 3, 4 or 5 day durations. Whatever trip you select expect sensational value and a fantastic holiday experience. 

Caledonian Travel Glasgow

Caledonian Travel Glasgow have an office on Hope Street in Glasgow. So it is hardly surprising that they offer a big choice of holidays and day break options from Glasgow.  You can travel throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland by coach for short breaks at the seaside or in the countryside. Alternatively take a coach tour and explore a range of destinations or countries. 

There is a huge scope of options, you can travel by Caledonian Holidays coach from Glasgow to Austria, Belgium, France, Germany and Italy. There are Lakes and Mountains Holidays in Italy, Mini Cruises, City Breaks and Christmas markets. 

Day trips from Glasgow include a day break in Oban, St Andrews, Stirling & the Kelpies, Fort William & Glencoe or Arbroath & Montrose. Other day break destinations include Pitlochry, Loch Tummel & Queen's View and the Mull of Kintyre. Some day trips offer you the chance to go to special seasonal or sporting events like the Magical Enchanted Forest near Pitlochry. 

Caledonian Travel Late Deals

Caledonian Travel late deals can offer a great way to save some money off some last minute trips. You won't get the same selection of availability and choice of reserved seating on the coach. However you get the chance to get away with everything taken care of for you.

Just join the pick-up point and sit back and relax as you head to your chosen holiday destination. These breaks are ideal for a spontaneous and surprise trip with family or friends.  Caledonian Travel have a special late deals page on their website listing all their last minute availability and discounted holiday deals. 

Caledonian Travel Day Trips

Caledonian Travel offer a wide variety of great value day trips. There are lots of options to choose from depending on what pick up point your are leaving from.

Caledonian Day trips from the North East

Holy Island, Bamburgh, Blackpool?, Bridlington, Edinburgh, Harrogate?, Lake District, Leeds, Liverpool?, Malton, Scarborough, Skipton?, Whitby & York

Caledonian Day trips from Yorkshire

Blackpool, Bridlington, Chester?, Filey, Harrogate?, Lake District, Liverpool?, Malton, Scarborough, Skegness?, Skipton & Whitby

Caledonian Day trips from Scotland

Holy Island, Alnwick, Arbroath, Edinburgh, Fort William, Lake District, North Berwick, Oban, Peebles, Pitlochry?, St Andrews & Stirling

Where are Caledonian Travel Coach Departure Points?

There are Caledonian Travel Coach breaks departing from Scotland, Northern England & Yorkshire. Each departure point offers a convenient way to start your break

Caledonian Travel Scottish departure points

• Glasgow – Buchanan Bus Station, Glasgow, G2 3NW
• Hamilton – Bus Station, Brandon Street, Hamiltion, ML3 6AB
• Paisley – Opposite Wallneuk Church, Abercorn Street, Paisley, PA3 4AB
• Gretna – Gretna Village Outlets, Glasgow Road, Gretna, DG16 5GG

Caledonian Travel North East England departure points

• Sunderland – Park Lane Interchange – Stands W+X, Sunderland, SR1 3NX
• Stockton – High Street, Swallow Hotel, Stockton, TS18 1AQ
• Newcastle – Bus Stops, Bewick Street, Opposite Central Station, Newcastle, NE1 5EJ
• Middlesbrough – Bus Station, Express Departure Lounge, Middlesbrough, TS1 5EA
• Gateshead – Metro Interchange, Gateshead, NE8 1AU
• Darlington – The Dolphin Centre Layby, Darlington, DL1 5PT

Caledonian Travel Yorkshire departure points

• Halifax – Bus Station, Winding Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire HX1 1UU
• Bradford – Nelson Street, Bradford, BD1 5AX
• Anlaby – Opposite the Red Lion, Wilson Street, Anlaby, HU10 7AN
• Castleford – Albion Street, Castleford, WF10 1EW
• Leeds – National Express Coach Station, Dyer Street, Leeds, LS2 7LA
• Goole – Airmyn Road Bus Stop, Goole, DN14 6XD
• Hessle – Bus stop, Centre of Hessle Square, Hessle, HU13 0AA
• Barnsley – Interchange, Schwabisch Gmund Way, Barnsley S71 1BP
• Rotherham – RotherhamInterchange, Frederick Street, Rotherham S60 1QB
• Hull – Paragon Interchange – Bays A-D, Hull, HU1 3QX
• Wakefield – Providence Street, Bus Station, Wakefield, WF1 3AQ
• Huddersfield – Bus Station, Upperhead Row, Huddersfield HD1 2JN

For holidays abroad it is always recommended that you check the latest government travel advice. You can do this by visiting > www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

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Caledonian Travel   Reviews

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Reviews 4.5.

19,770 total

Most relevant

4 day trip to Stratford

4 day trip to Stratford. Hotel in central Coventry all right, typical Britannia. We were absolutely delighted with the Cathedrals and the St Mary’s Burgh Hall, The Tales of Tea and the general surroundings which we had never visited before so it was an added bonus to arrive about 3.30 after a swift journey down from Glasgow. The driver was a pain and spoiled the trip by playing his selection of music. Silence is golden.

Date of experience : September 09, 2024

Recently travelled to Arrochar

Recently travelled to Arrochar, Oban and Fort Wiliam to Mallaig. The driver who stood out was Gary. He picked up the coach from Moffat and from then on, entertained, divested a lot of historical and local knowledge and generally was an exceptionally nice person. We were never bored and really enjoyed the trip. I just had to mention him in a review. Thank you.

Date of experience : August 30, 2024

Regular traveller

Travelled a few times with Caledonian travel. Always had good customer service. Driver's very pleasant and helpful, smooth journeys, stops when needed. Website good to follow, plenty of choice from day trips to more. Some lovely locations. Would be nice to have a local pick up, something Caledonian can work on. No other complaints but definitely reccomend to others for day trips and longer stays.

Date of experience : September 09, 2023

Lovely trip to Southport

Lovely trip to Southport; hotel very comfortable; staff pleasant and helpful: solo traveller, room bijou but clean and adequate. Thank you prince of wales for a great wee holiday. Breakfast was fine, tasty and hot, dinner not so good, very basic ,

Date of experience : September 06, 2024

Another wonderful trip

As we only booked this the day before we were going we got it for a fantastic price. Our driver Tom was funny, caring and helpful which always adds to your experience. We had a lovely time around Covent Garden and even managed to meet up with our relatives. The Hotel was very good, with pleasant staff, comfy beds and delicious food. It was our third visit to the Warner Brothers Studios and The Making of Harry Potter and it didn't disappoint. They've added so many new elements which enhanced the experience. We might be OAPs but we're definitely young at heart and mind.

Date of experience : September 07, 2024

First class tour great experience

Really good booking experience. The driver Sarah was first class very knowledgeable and such a kind helpful and friendly driver She was a great driver down those narrow lanes and difficult in the small openings in the dales villages The hotel was great the trip was great the food was first class . We enjoyed all of it

Date of experience : September 02, 2024

Trip durations are not as advertised

Please be aware trips that are sold as 3 day trips are actually 2 days only. We did raise a complaint with the company who confirmed on the 3rd day, travellers are given time in the final town leaving for travel home no earlier than midday. Unfortunately the driver on our trip decided we had to be on the coach for journey home by 9am on the 3rd day! The office must be aware that drivers are short changing travellers as the coach would be back in the depot early afternoon - to avoid disappointment ask for timescales prior to booking!!

Date of experience : June 26, 2024

Firstly very good value for money

Firstly very good value for money, some of the hotels are better than others. You definitely wouldn't starve and like the hotels some of the evening meals are better than others, on the whole though, we love our mini breaks with Caladonian, every trip has been really good, no complaints.

Date of experience : August 25, 2024

Too much time to kill

We had a fantastic driver, our hotel was great, the theatre show was wonderful, BUT, on our second day we were dropped off in London at 09:50 and unfortunately the main shops (M&S, Primark, John Lewis etc) don’t open until 11:30 or 12:00 so we had to wander about trying to kill time. We left London at 14:00 and didn’t arrive home until 21:00 so would have preferred to leave London earlier.

Not a mystery tour.

Booking was great as usual. The emails of confirmation was as good as normal. How ever the mystery trip wasn't a mystery tour . As The non caladonian driver told us everything as we got off the bus at beverley. The bus wasn't a caladonian. The seats was very close together as they had made room for disabled access.

Great value for money

Overall the holiday was very good, driver and travel was excellent! The Hotel was good but in desperate need for modernisation. We had a rear view room which was poor but the windows were so dirty you couldn’t see much anyway.! We had no cold water flow in the bathroom and over bath shower was quite treacherous getting in and out of it! The staff made the hotel, very friendly and helpful, and they work so hard a credit to the hotel! Overall food was good & drinks package was brilliant! Work is underway for improving hotel so future visits may benefit ! Overall we really enjoyed our stay and the tours etc. And will return when work in progress is complete!!

The whole experience was fab from…

The whole experience was fab from driver Chris and Gary to hotel staff,the room was clean and shower room was lovely and clean also would definitely recommend going with yourselves again this was my second visit in 6 weeks .Many thanks

The bus driver Alan was brilliant…

The bus driver Alan was brilliant really friendly and knowledgeable, the savoy was very good only downside was the lift broke down! As my husband is in a wheelchair and we were put on the top floor, although we requested a low floor, it was quite unacceptable but the staff helped us with the chair and luggage. all in all it was very good and we will travel with caledonian again.

Middlesbrough store

Just been into the Middlesbrough Caledonian Travels store and had a cracking experience with Kendra and Leah. Proper lovely lasses, both professional, dead friendly and welcoming. They really made us feel at ease. Had me booking sorted by Andy, the manager. While he was canny enough and helped us with what I needed, I’ve gotta say it weren’t the best crack. Seemed like he was bringing a bit too much of his personal life into the mix, banging on about his partner. It got a bit uncomfortable if I’m honest. The trip was great, good food, hotel and the bus driver was friendly. Next time I’m in, fingers crossed I’ll be dealing with the ladies. Cheers for now, and I’m looking forward to booking with you lot again in the future.

Ilfracombe for 5 days was lovely

Ilfracombe for 5 days was lovely, hotel was a little tired, but the meals and staff were great. Mandy the coach driver was the best and got everyone to mix and join in . Really enjoyed it , journey was long over 9 hour going and 10 hour coming back , but we was expecting that , it was bank holiday going and there was a couple of accidents on the way back. Thank you

Date of experience : August 26, 2024

Just popped into Mbro bus station…

Just popped into Mbro bus station branch staff seen to me straight away explained trave detail s rang the hotel to book a room for 3 adults , ok it was all booked up paid for within 20 mins

Date of experience : September 04, 2024

We did not get in to Blackpool he did not tell us what time we was going to get picked up on Sunday

We did not get in to Blackpool intelligence 3.30 on Friday the drive didn't gow where he was going and we was all not happy with the driver and he did not tell us what time we would be in Blackpool or he did not tell us the pick up places or what time we was getting picked up on F

Great trip to Yarmouth

We just returned from Great Yarmouth, including Sandringham House, Norfolk Broads Cruise, free day & was Mon to Fri staying at the Nelson. Had a great driver Tom, he looked after everyone throughout & nothing was too much trouble. Nicky & the team at the Nelson were brilliant, looking after everyone & being so polite & helpful, especially Chloe who did bingo & quiz for us in the hotel. Food was great, a lot of it home made & really hot & fresh, with choices each evening. Breakfast was equally as yummy. I deffo put on a few pounds. Loved the trips, we enjoyed every minute. Sandringham was great, so interesting. Our room was fab, everything you could need & ours was so spacious. Clean & was serviced each day, replenishing milk, tea & coffee. If you want s comfortable, friendly break by the seaside, deffo recommend this one.

Booking extremely easy

Booking extremely easy . If you cant book it on line l the staff extremely helpful and knowledgeable. For bus tours and selfdrive would highly recommend Caladonian travel. A wide choice of holiday in the uk Ireland and Europe.

Date of experience : June 21, 2024

Driver Alex was great

Driver Alex was great, informative and interesting. Hotel was good as was the food. Travel into London on the Saturday too. Early start for homeward journey but otherwise a good trip.

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Caledonian Travel   Reviews

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Reviews 4.5.

19,770 total

Most relevant

Majority of coach travellers on these…

Majority of coach travellers on these trips are between 65 and 80+. Some of the trip destinations are not really suitable for that age group. E.g Leamington Spa. Large town, hilly with no Department stores hence no cover if weather is bad other than coffee shops. You can't spend 4 hours in a coffee shop.

Date of experience : September 02, 2024

3rd trip booked this year

Always have to phone Caledonian travel as there's a single in our party. Always very helpful when booking. Excellent back up with emails and updates before journey.

Date of experience : August 16, 2024

Pleasure taking a tour with Caledonian Travels

Our tour guide, was good & friendly. He’s a lovely person. It was a pleasure taking a tour with Caledonian Travels. Bus was clean, seats were comfortable, and we stayed on schedule both ways. We’re also interested in 1 or 2-day tours from Glasgow to other notable cities in England, such as Brighton, London, Manchester, Bristol, Bath, Liverpool, Cambridge, and more. Cheers!

Date of experience : August 25, 2024

The coach journeys are always…comfortable

The coach journeys are always comfortable with breaks along the way lm happy with all the different hotels we have stayed in and all the excursions have been welcomed

Fantastic value for money and very well…

Fantastic value for money and very well organised. However, I felt the driver who was very cheerfull and kept the passengers entertained was slightly misogynistic at times and reminded me of Butler and Jack from on the buses, some of his comments should have stayed in the 70s!!

Date of experience : August 24, 2024

Good staff, limited options

The person who served me in yhe Gateshead shop was really helpful. Unfortunately the options for single people are very limited and some of the single supplements are too much. Christmas is going to be a problem.

Date of experience : September 05, 2024

Llandudno 3 days

Good value for money. Stayed at the Grand, good location, recently refurbished. Food was good. The driver Martin was very helpful.First trip with Caledonian, will be booking again!

Date of experience : September 06, 2024

Terribly Disappointed

A bus arrived that did not say Caledonian on it. The driver did not approach us in the waiting room to tell us we were travelling with him. No friendly welcome aboard. No announcements or walking down the aisle to greet anyone. On the trip there were no info about the area as I had anticipated. The clock in the bus was wrong. The toilet had no toilet paper nor hand soap. Surely the driver could make these important checks. When we arrived at the short break area, each passenger had to ask the driver how long we were be there. Such a disappointment getting to our destination with no info as to what to see or do. When it was time to depart for home, the driver never walked down the aisle to check we were all back, nor count us. There was no atmosphere at all on this tour to Fort William. Terribly disappointed.

Date of experience : September 08, 2024

The hotel nightmare

The hotel, Britannia Leeds Airport hotel mainly as the food for dinner was awful and not hot and the breakfast wasn’t much better! Then at 3am the whole hotel was awoken by the loudest fire alarm ever scaring us all near to death and no member of staff came to tell us what to do - we all got dressed &went to reception -false alarm !No apologies & we all went back to our rooms and couldn’t sleep! 🙈

Absolutely brilliant as always We went…

Absolutely brilliant as always We went to Llandudno and stayed in the Chatsworth we try to do trips every 2 months or more if we can Great value for money lovely hotels and fabulous staff👏👏👏

Always quick and polite when contacting…

Always quick and polite when contacting them. Confirmation of bookings sent out straight away and if you have any queries they are quick to respond

What a lovely man Paul our driver is…

What a lovely man Paul our driver is had an amazing 2 days in London very knowledgeable about area's in London, will definitely travel with Caledonian again

Date of experience : September 07, 2024

Excellent friendly service

Excellent value for money. Great hotel ,good food ,free drinks, including days out on steam railway, paddle boat and river cruise and tropical gardens. In Torquay. Already book another holiday to North Wales in October. With Caledonian travel, highly recommend.

Date of experience : August 26, 2024

Smooth quick transaction booking…

Smooth quick transaction booking holiday Excursions throughout the week were excellent. Hotel very disappointing, room was small, uninviting. Bathroom needed a good clean, hole in wall around toilet area and bathroom floor needed a good cleaning. Food wasn’t very appealing, a good few negative comments from other diners

Date of experience : September 01, 2024

First time customer

Booked a holiday for the first time back in August. Had a fantastic experience. The driver Barry was amazing. Friendly and chatty. You offer such great value for money too. Needless to say I booked another trip for January ☺️

2 day trip to Chester and liverpool

This company do not care about the customer experience, they just want the most profit for themselves! 6 hours to get from Hull to Chester! picked up at Castleford, Wakefield, and Leeds on the way.....which wasn't on the way! Had 3.5 hours in chester before we drove 1 hour away to crewe, to stay in a dump hotel! The next day we drove 1 hour to liverpool (which is actually 20minutes away from Chester) we had 5 hours in liverpool before the 5.5hour journey home through Leeds, Wakefield and Castleford before getting to Hull! DO NOT USE CALADONIAN TRAVEL!!!!

Inpatient driver.

Driver failed to tell us to catch another coach after Mersey ferry crossing to go on Beatles tour. Driver of second coach said two people missing. Trip could have been more pleasant if our original driver (main tour driver)had been more patient and not heard shouting at two female customers.

Happiness is Caledonian

Been on two recently,was happy with all that we enjoyed on them.another this week to Blackpool for 4 days and a mystery tour after that.WOW we are going mad.Thankyou so much.Bring ‘em on.

Date of experience : September 11, 2024

The staff are excellent

The staff are excellent and very helpful with booking any trips that they have. They also give advance notice if a trip doesn't go ahead and offer a different location if possible

Date of experience : August 19, 2024

Some of the passenger seats were double…

Some of the passenger seats were double booked including our seats, so there was a bad atmosphere on the coach, our hearts went out for the driver Peter who was getting it in the neck from all sides bless him, it wasn't Peter's fault though it didn't stop people having a go at him. Peter did his best to try to sort things out, even phoning the office which by the sound of his voice didn't get anywhere. Hotel was beautiful, bedrooms were nice, meals were a strange, soup bowls for breakfast. cutting the Yorkshire pudding in half ,no service to replenish the room. Staff were lovely very helpful Coach driver Peter was a credit to the company, he handled thing's really well, better than I would have Peter was a star 🌟

Date of experience : August 27, 2024

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Uber has launched seaplane flights over an iconic Scottish loch – and they are completely free

As the tech giant branches out with a new experience in a beautiful stretch of the highlands, benjamin parker takes to the sky – and wonders if there’s anything they can’t uber, article bookmarked.

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R ocked back and forth by gentle winds – and the occasional stronger gust – there was little else to do in this 10-seater plane than peer down at Scotland beneath me, Highlands , lochs and coast drifting by.

Like an unfinished painting, the scenery is patchy and blurred in spots, but the hint of detail pulls you in: the white of a lighthouse, the depth of a gorge, contrast of ruined buildings being swamped by nature. The sun flickered off the sea, as though the waves were wrapped in cellophane, and there was no hint of restlessness in the water. The scale of the region is humbling, especially from that vantage point.

My mind, preoccupied with a thought: “Is there anything they can’t Uber ?”

I was soaring over the western border of Scotland for a first taste of the new experience being offered by the ubiquitous US tech firm. For three days later this month, Uber Seaplane will take to the skies from a jetty on the bank of Loch Lomond, following a route that almost mirrors the majestic West Highland Way – and incredibly, it’s free.

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Pilot John DiMarco – who previously flew seaplanes around the Maldives archipelago – brought the aircraft to life once our seatbelts were fastened. Every seat is a window seat on the Cessna 208 Caravan; you’re low enough to almost feel the splash of loch water during take-off, smoother than one might expect – a gasp of stillness when you’re finally in flight. A short climb and the horizon filled with scarped hillsides, covered with greens and browns. The crisscross of roads and scattering of houses peeled away.

With each tilt of the wings, Scotland ’s raw beauty was on show. Clouds clung to the peak of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles, as we stream past. The route takes in miles of the Glencoe Valley and the Trossachs, where from up high, oak, pine, and birch trees soften otherwise craggy terrain. You’ll spot the sweep of the Glenfinnan Viaduct, recognisable from scenes in the Harry Potter film series when the Hogwarts Express steams across.

And what’s that in my ear as we gazed down? The velvety brogue of Alan Cummings, Scottish actor and host of The Traitors US , who provides an audio guide for the tour. In his wonderful timbre, he talks through the highlights of the flight while bringing some life to the Highlands below with tales of his upbringing and affection for the area.

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We went beyond the expected route, which would normally last 30 minutes, glancing over the Inner Hebrides – appearing as the smallest spits of land from high in the cabin – before swooping around and returning to Loch Lomond, barely a shudder as the floats met water.

It’s quite a departure from pulling up the Uber app to catch a taxi home from the pub after a few too many, or using it to order something deep-fried and delicious to your doorstep (which, I find, can often follow that evening in the pub).

But the company has come a long way since it was simply a ride-hailing or food delivery app. You can book trains through Uber, as well as flights. Bikes and scooters can be hired across cities. It’s taken to the water in London with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, and launched yachts in European holiday hotspots such as Ibiza and the Greek islands ; in Venice , the company jostles with gondoliers with their ‘Limo Boat ’ , for on-demand journeys around the Lagoon.

Oh, and did I mention, hot air balloons in Turkey ’s otherworldly Cappadocia region, Uber Sleigh – which saw reindeers lead guests through the wintry landscapes of Finnish Lapland  – or, during weekend of King Charles’ coronation, horse and carriage rides (in a replica royal carriage) around Dulwich Park in south London?

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So why the skies above this pocket of Caledonia to add to Uber’s already quirky roster? For Andrew Brem, general manager at Uber UK , it’s simple.

“The Scottish Highlands are one of the most beautiful sights in the world,” he says, adding that it’s a “special place”.

It also happens that there’s been a jump in Uber trips in Scotland – 30 per cent year-on-year – while train journeys booked with the app were 448 per cent in July versus the same month in 2023. Uber says the “roaring success” of the show The Traitors , and events such as the Highland Games and Edinburgh Fringe, are behind this rise – and shows the push to diversify the firm’s offering.

For this strictly limited opportunity – especially when potentially prohibitive costs are removed – it’s a promise of surveying the beautiful, wild Highland’s from a remarkable angle that is reason to book.

“What makes it special and unlike the Great Barrier Reef and the Grand Canyon, is that the Scottish landscape not only has magnificent colours but changes every half mile,” says David West. He’s the chief pilot and owner of Loch Lomond Seaplanes, which has partnered with Uber, and has been flying for over 40 years.

“Every few moments, the view out the window changes from a castle to a beautiful loch, to an imposing mountain and is continuously changing.

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This is more rough-and-ready adventure than the other Uber experiences – or, to use the Uber taxi terminology, it’s not like you’re booking an Uber Lux. It’s bumpy, loud, and, at times, you’ll feel the change of altitude in your stomach. I’m told that sitting at the back is not the best for those sensitive to the whims of the aircraft; I’m inclined to believe the person who told me, as she promptly threw up once we returned to shore.

If you do want to bolster the flight with something more luxe, the obvious option is a stay at Cameron House ; you’ll board on the loch just metres from the front door of the main building, or ‘Auld House’. Inside the baronial manor, grand hallways – polished mahogany, high ceilings strewn with chandeliers, plush soft furnishings all around – give way to warren-like corridors.

Otherwise Glasgow – my favourite Scottish city, with its vibrant, unapologetic energy – is only 30 minutes away by car, meaning you can easily pair rural with urban; the Caledonian Sleeper takes under eight hours to reach Glasgow from London (a delightful overnight journey that, as I have been reminded several times, one can book using the Uber app).

During the evening, I asked Andrew Brem what might be next for Uber – whether he believes that if one can travel on it, one would (or should) be able to Uber it. He paused, then said with a smile: “Absolutely.”

I’m not even sure he was joking; I’m sure Uber camel was mentioned over dinner, though that may have been the effects of the single malt I’d been supping. For a brief spell this month, though, it’s all about watching the Highlands unfold from the sky.

How to do it

The Uber Seaplane experience is available 21–23 September 2024; the experience is free, though passengers must pay a £50 deposit that is refunded after the flight. Includes pick up and drop off in Glasgow and within 30 miles of Loch Lomond Seaplanes; over 18s only.

For more information, visit uberseaplanescotland.co.uk

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