Scotland

Welcome to Edinburgh! On your arrival at Edinburgh Airport, once you have collected your luggage, make your way to the Arrivals Hall where your private transfer driver will be waiting for you. You'll then be driven to our hotel in the city center.

After an afternoon rest/free time, we'll gather in the evening for our orientation meeting and welcome dinner!

Tonight you will overnight at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Edinburgh City.

The journey officially begins! Our local guide will walk you through Scotland's capital of Edinburgh City. Edinburgh is a city of two halves, broken into Old Town and New Town. Both are equally stunning areas, and 'Edinburghers' in general are known to be both friendly and welcoming. Old Town, the area that lies outside the old city walls, covers the area between Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. New Town, which is actually 200 years old, is the area to the north and is seen as the more upmarket of the two, particularly noted for its multitude of dining and shopping options.

To really get to the core of this ancient and fascinating city, we'll wander the cobbled streets of the charming Old Town and take in the beauty of the Georgian era buildings of New Town. Edinburgh has a unique atmosphere during the summer months, as the city is home to numerous music and comedy festivals, and the streets take on a charming, jovial feel.

Our walking tour will also include Holyrood Palace (the official Scottish residence of the British monarchy) and Edinburgh Castle. Dating back to the 12th century, this castle has been a fortress, royal palace and prison through its turbulent past. It houses the oldest crown jewels of Britain, The Honours of Scotland.

After our complete tour of Edinburgh, we'll return to the hotel for a free evening.

Today we'll depart for the picturesque town of Pitlochry, nestled amongst the stunning forested hills of Highland Perthshire.

Our route will take us via St. Andrews, which is Scotland's oldest university town. Also referred to as the Home of Golf, the Old Course at St Andrews Links is the oldest golf course in the world. You'll have a chance to enjoy some free time walking along the town's historic cobbled alleyways.

We'll then visit the Islander Workshop Experience. Set on a windswept coastal bluff and located in a beautifully restored fisherman's cottage, the Islander Workshop Experience offers us a uniquely immersive crafting experience that involves creating our very own local tweed handbags.

After the workshop, we'll drive to the quaint village of Pitlochry and settle into our hotel, with its extensive gardens and beautiful surrounding nature.

After breakfast, we'll depart for the Scottish Highlands via Cairngorms National Park and Aviemore.

Take in the beauty of Cairngorms Mountains which is part of the larger Grampian Mountains. Cairn Gorm Mountain is the sixth highest mountain in the British isles (standing at 4,084 ft).

Visit Culloden Battlefield, a site that commemorates the last pitched battle fought on British soil, in April 1746. Learn more about the Jacobite intent to overthrow the House of Hanover and return the House of Stuart to the British throne.

From here we'll take a leisurely cruise on Loch Ness, offering a chance to look for wildlife while learning about the history of this famous loch.

We will then overnight at The Lovat. Built on the site of a barracks dating from 1718, the Lovat is a quaint family-run hotel overlooking the famous Loch Ness.

Today you will visit the spectacular Eilean Donan Castle! The first recorded inhabitants of the castle date back to the 6th century, and since then there have been four different versions of the structure. Having laid in ruins for 200 years, Eilean Donan Castle was refurbished in 1932 and has grown to become one of Scotland's most loved attractions.

Following our castle visit, we'll see the charming Isle of Skye in all its glory. Connected, via a bridge, to the Scottish northwest mainland, this island is famous for its abundance of stunning landscapes, medieval castles and charming fishing villages.

In the late afternoon, we'll return to our hotel by Loch Ness for some free time.

Our route to Glasgow City will take us down the spectacular Glen Mor. This glen runs for 62 miles and its strategic importance in controlling the Highland Scottish clans is visible today by the presence of Fort towns.

We'll visit the Glencoe Visitor Centre, which serves as the entry point to the Glencoe National Nature Reserve. Since 1935, the National Trust for Scotland has been stewarding this remarkable mountain landscape.

Up next is "The Haggis Experience". Set on a working sheep farm in the heart of Scotland, this unique and entertaining experience offers a deep dive into the country's most iconic dish - haggis. Enjoy a demonstration of how it's made, followed by a hearty two-course meal featuring handcrafted haggis with classic accompaniments and freshly made dessert.

We'll then continue the drive to Glasgow.

Our hotel will be the Clayton Hotel Glasgow City, a four-star hotel located alongside the River Clyde.

Welcome your local Glasgow guide on board as they join you on a journey through Glasgow City. Discover Glasgow's key landmarks as well as its hidden gems. Take in the unique architecture, ranging from medieval to post modern, and uncover the history of this once troubled city.

The real essence of Glasgow is found in its people, affectionately called 'Glaswegians', and known for their unique 'patter' - a slang and accent that is almost impenetrable to the outside world.

During the tour, you'll visit the Glasgow Cathedral, a truly rare example of an almost complete 13th century church.

You'll also have some free time to enjoy Glasgow at your own pace. With its pre-industrial roots, Glasgow is now a modern and vibrant city and bound to delight as you wander its streets.

Later in the evening, we'll all gather for our farewell dinner, marking an end to this magical adventure around Scotland!

You may depart from either Glasgow Airport or Edinburgh Airport (45 minutes drive). You will be transferred to the correct airport, either by private vehicle or airport shuttle bus, depending on the time of your departing flight.