Explore the very best of Scotland's gorgeous scenery and bustling cities on this short-and-sweet introductory tour.
Authentic Local Experiences:
- Expect an unforgettable evening of music, ceremony, theater, and dance with reserved seats for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on August 8 - 22 departures.
- Meet shaggy, gentle Highland coos up close on a visit to a family-run farm in Aberdeenshire and learn about their lives from the farmer herself.
- Step into royal history at Scone Palace, where Scottish kings were crowned, and discover its opulent rooms, rare treasures, and embroidery by Mary, Queen of Scots.
Dining Experiences:
- 5 hot breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L) and 3 dinners (D)
Trip Highlights:
- Culloden Battlefield
- Edinburgh Castle
- Highland Cow Farm
- Loch Lomond Cruise
- Loch Ness
- Scone Palace
- St Andrews
- Whisky Distillery
Hotels:
- Clayton Hotel, Glasgow (1)
- Kingsmills Hotel or KIN Hotel, Inverness (1)
- Ardoe House Hotel, Aberdeen (1)
- The Bruntsfield, Edinburgh) (2)
Day 1: Glasgow HighlightsYour tour departs from your hotel at 2:30 PM for a panoramic introduction to this vibrant, welcoming city, where grand Victorian architecture blends with a modern cultural spirit. View George Square and its monuments to famous Scots, the stately University of Glasgow overlooking leafy Kelvingrove Park, and the impressive Glasgow Cathedral with its soaring Gothic architecture. Enjoy a welcome drink before an evening free to explore and dine as you wish.
Hotel: Clayton Hotel Glasgow
Day 2: Loch Lomond Cruise & InvernessJourney through the stunning scenery of the Trossachs to Loch Lomond, where you’ll relax on a short cruise across its tranquil waters surrounded by forested hills. Afterward, travel through the dramatic beauty of Glencoe, steeped in history and legend. Stop for lunch as you continue north to the Highlands. Stop for photos and perhaps a bit of monster spotting along the legendary Loch Ness, whose deep, mysterious waters have inspired countless tales. Arrive in Inverness and dine with your group at your hotel.
Hotel: KIN Hotel
Meals: (B, L, D)
Day 3: Culloden Battlefield & Highland Cattle ExperienceVisit Culloden Battlefield, site of the last pitched battle fought on British soil in 1746, and learn the story of the Jacobite rising. Continue to a family-run farm in Aberdeenshire for an authentic Highland cow experience, where you’ll meet the farmer, hear about life on the farm, and get up close to the iconic shaggy “coos.” Dine with your group at your hotel.
Hotel: Ardoe House Hotel and Spa
Meals: (B, D)
Day 4: Scone Palace, St Andrews & Whisky DistilleryTravel to visit Scone Palace, a magnificent stately home that was once the coronation site of Scottish kings, including Macbeth and Robert the Bruce. Next, drive to St Andrews, the famed “Home of Golf,” where you’ll have free time for lunch and sightseeing. Then stop in a whisky distillery to sample a dram before continuing on to enjoy a free evening in Edinburgh. (August 8 – 22 departures attend The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade.)
Hotel: The Bruntsfield
Meals: (B)
Day 5: Edinburgh Tour & Edinburgh CastleTake a panoramic tour of Edinburgh to see the main sights, from bustling Princes Street to the wide streets of the 200-year-old Georgian “New Town.” Walk along the Royal Mile, where compact medieval houses reach several stories tall, then visit Edinburgh Castle, perched high above the city on volcanic rock, and home to the Scottish Crown Jewels. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore the city as you wish. Rejoin your group for a farewell dinner this evening.
Hotel: The Bruntsfield
Meals: (B, D)
Day 6: Tour Ends in EdinburghYour tour ends after breakfast.
Meals: (B)
Meal Abbreviations: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner