Vacation Overview
Tour Details
This off-season Scottish Escape tour is the perfect way to appreciate the beauty of Scotland’s rural landscapes, as well as the energy of its cities and iconic sites. Your escorted vacation begins in Scotland’s largest city—Glasgow. You’ll visit Stirling Castle—home to Scotland’s Kings and Queens—and explore the sights of Glasgow as well. Travel along the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond, and see awe-inspiring Rannoch Moor, Glen Coe, Loch Linnhe, and Fort William beneath Ben Nevis. Keep an eye out for the Loch Ness monster, and learn about historic conflicts between Scottish clans.
Spend the night in the Scottish highland capital of Inverness, see the mountain resort of Pitlochry, and the legendary home of golf—St. Andrews. Cross the Forth Road Bridge to Edinburgh, to spend three nights to see the historic sites, such as Edinburgh Castle and stunning views. Make your escape to see the best of Scotland, while enjoying reduced crowds and prices on the off-season. You’ll enjoy your guided tour of Scotland all the more!
Daily Itinerary
Scottish Escape
Day 1: ARRIVE IN GLASGOW, SCOTLANDWelcome to Glasgow! Free time for the remainder of the day. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Day 2: GLASGOW. STIRLING EXCURSIONBravehearts & City of Arts Enjoy an excursion to [LF] Stirling Castle today, a great symbol of Scottish independence, and favoured residence of Scotland’s kings and queens. Return to Glasgow for an orientation drive to see the city’s landmarks, including the 12th century cathedral, university buildings, and Georgian squares.
(B) 81 mi / 131 km
LOCAL FAVORITE
HEROIC HISTORY "They may take away our lives, but they'll never take our freedom!" Explore Stirling Castle, a great symbol of national pride where William Wallace fought for Scottish Independence (dramatized in Mel Gibson’s film, Braveheart). Through the centuries, this historic and architectural treasure was used as a royal residence of Scottish monarchs, including the childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots. Once a fortress and a battle site for independence, Stirling Castle is now a magnificent museum and one of the best-preserved, ornately decorated and furnished Renaissance castles in the UK.
Day 3: GLASGOW–FORT WILLIAM–INVERNESSLochs & Legends Take a scenic drive along the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond and continue to Fort William, gateway to majestic Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak. Follow picturesque Loch Ness, as you try to catch a glimpse of its mysterious monster before arriving in Inverness, the largest city in the Scottish Highlands.
(B,D) 178 mi / 286 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
EPIC RIDE They can take the low road, but we’ll take the high road on a scenic drive through the magic and mystery of the moors and glens of the Scottish Highlands. From lovely Loch Ness and more across the beauty of Scotland’s magnificent scenery.
Day 4: INVERNESS–CULLODEN MOOR–PITLOCHRY–ST. ANDREWS–EDINBURGHMountains & Mulligans The first stop today is at the Culloden Battlefield site to hear the story of the crushing Hanoverian victory over Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Scottish clans. Next, take a stroll through the Victorian town of Pitlochry, developed further to a visit by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in the 19th century. Continue to the university town of St. Andrews, famous also as the home of golf. The elegant Forth Road Bridge brings you to Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, where you can enjoy some free time this evening. (B)
202 mi / 326 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ICONIC FOOTSTEPS See the fairways and greens at the birthplace of golf, where legendary players of the Scottish game made history in the university town of St. Andrews.
Day 5: EDINBURGHCrown Jewels & Castle Views Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town” and the famous scientists, inventors, and novelists who lived there. In the “Old Town,” visit Edinburgh Castle to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Enjoy free time this afternoon. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important historical strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, rules with an 11,000-year history as “the most besieged place in Great Britain.” Here, you’ll find the royal regalia and Scotland’s Crown Jewels. The Castle also marks the starting point of the Royal Mile, the historic processional route and location of many of the city’s famous landmarks, including St. Giles’ Cathedral.
Day 6: EDINBURGHCelebrating Scotland There’s more free time in Edinburgh today before saying goodbye to your traveling companions with a farewell dinner at your hotel. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CITY SIGHTS Soak in the origins of traditional Georgian architecture on your free day in Edinburgh. Stroll by the ordered symmetrical grid of Neoclassical houses and private gardens. Experience the spirit of the Scottish Enlightenment as you admire elegant ironwork of the New Town streets and squares including Charlotte Square regarded as an architectural masterpiece.
Day 7: EDINBURGHSafe Travels Until We Meet Again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)