Friday 1st August – Tuesday 12th August 2025
On arrival at the airport you will be met by a private driver who will transfer you to your city centre hotel. Depending on your arrival time you can choose to relax at the hotel or head out to start exploring this unique city.
Overnight: Edinburgh | The Bonham
Room Type: Junior Suite
Meals Included: None
This morning immerse yourselves in the winding cobbled streets of historic Old Town Edinburgh as you enjoy a private walking tour with an expert local guide. Discover the highlights of this unique capital city from the ‘Royal Mile’ to the mighty ancient fortress which is Edinburgh Castle itself. Walk the ramparts atop castle rock and hear the tales of the One O’Clock gun and the stories of locals of times past. Your guide will leave you here so that you can spend as much time in the castle as you wish.
You then have a free afternoon to continue explorations at your own pace, pick up souvenirs or relax as you prefer.
Overnight: Edinburgh | The Bonham
Room Type: Junior Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning your Private Guide (who will also act as your driver) will meet you at your hotel and together you will head north to start your explorations. Your first stop will be the village of Culross, which may seem familiar from a certain TV series. Enjoy exploring the streets, following in the footsteps of Jamie Fraser, before continuing onto the town of Stirling. Here you can explore one of the most important castles in Scotland and its beautiful gardens. After enjoying lunch in a local cafe, you will continue to your luxury hotel where the rest of the afternoon is free to relax and enjoy your opulent surroundings.
Overnight: Auchterarder | Gleneagles Hotel
Room Type: Braid House Estate Double Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
St Andrews is known for its golf course and its university but there is much more to this pretty seaside town. Jim can enjoy a superb round of links golf at Kingsbarns, on the same coastline as the famous ‘Old Course’. Meanwhile MaryJo will explore the local area with your guide, maybe discovering some of the local charming fishing harbour villages or visiting Falkland palace (where the basement apothecary was used as an Outlander filming location). Meet up for a delectable afternoon tea at the Old Course Hotel and a wander around the town (if time permits) before returning to Gleneagles for the evening.
Overnight: Auchterarder | Gleneagles Hotel
Room Type: Braid House Estate Double Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
You can take a lovely gentle leg stretch in the surrounding countryside this morning, starting in the small local village and taking in some of the beautiful scenery around the hotel. There is also a more challenging route if you want and your guide will discuss all the options with you. This afternoon you will be free to enjoy some of the many activities that Gleneagles has to offer or perhaps play a round of golf on the championship course.
Overnight: Auchterarder | Gleneagles Hotel
Room Type: Braid House Estate Double Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Heading north this morning with your main guide you will head through the rolling hills and through the mountains to the Cairngorms National Park. Stop to visit the splendours of elegant Scone Palace, once the crowning place of Scottish Kings and Queens. Stroll the beautiful gardens and explore the unique Murray Star Maze before you continue North.
There are many options for gentle strolls taking in the beautiful scenery, which your guide will bring to life for you as you travel. So maybe take a leg stretch to discover a special beauty spot, or save some time to explore the charming village of Braemar before settling into your opulent boutique accommodation for the evening.
Overnight: Braemar | The Fife Arms
Room Type: Scottish Culture
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Set out into the whisky hills to a private remote kitchen this morning and spend a fascinating day in the home and kitchen of the acclaimed off the grid chef, Ghillie Basan. Set in an idyllic location you will discover a colourful and well stocked kitchen with inspiring views over the local hills.
Ghillie will guide you in cooking a delicious feast and matching the tastes with whisky while you share stories and learn about the dishes you are creating. Hear about Ghillie’s incredible life and enjoy a dram of the local whisky on her terrace with not another soul in sight, a truly magical day.
Overnight: Braemar | The Fife Arms
Room Type: Scottish Culture
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Today the rugged West coast is calling you, and your guide will share some of the fascinating stops and stories along the way. Stop at Blair Atholl to walk the hallways and gardens of a castle that has been inhabited by the Dukes of Atholl for over seven centuries and boasts some fine 18th century interiors within its Scottish baronial architecture. There are also many superb options for scenic leg stretches as you admire the scenery becoming more mountainous.
And it would be hard to pass up an opportunity to explore the warming spirits created by the highest distillery in Scotland, as your route takes you right past the scenic front door! Savour the flavours and history of distilling in such a challenging environment before your guide takes you onwards to your unique and luxurious accommodation.
Overnight: Near Fort William | Inverlochy Castle Hotel
Room Type: Large Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Ready yourselves for special train journey this morning as you step aboard the Jacobite Steam Train for a magical journey to the coast. Puff your way through glorious mountain scenes and over the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct that featured in the Harry Potter films.
On arrival at Mallaig you will be met by your guide and can enjoy making your way back to Fort William with them along this ‘Road To The Isles’ being able to stop where you wish. This is frequently listed as one of the most beautiful drives in the world and it is easy to see why. Take a stroll on the white sand beaches of Arisaig and hear the tales of Jacobite rebellions in the area as you go.
Note: You also have the option to take the return journey on the train if you wish.
Overnight: Near Fort William | Inverlochy Castle Hotel
Room Type: Large Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Explore the atmospheric Glen Nevis at the foot of the tallest mountain in Scotland this morning. Walk along the dramatic gorge to reach the secluded but impressive Steall Falls. There is a notorious wire bridge crossing the water nearby, but most people are content to admire it rather than use it!
Then head north to Inverness, stopping to set out onto the secretive deep waters of Loch Ness for a scenic cruise this afternoon. Keep your eyes open for Nessie and hear the tales of the ruined Urquhart Castle on the shores. Your guide will then take you onwards to your welcoming hotel.
Overnight: Inverness | Ness Walk
Room Type: Cedar King
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Immerse yourselves in atmospheric Culloden Battlefield, the site of the last battle of the Jacobite rising in 1746 with many tales to tell. Then heed the calling of the standing stones at Clava Cairns (said to be the inspiration behind the standing stone in the Outlander series). The Bronze Age burial chambers here date back over 4000 years and are a great example of prehistoric history in Scotland.
This afternoon raise a glass to toast your Scottish adventures with a traditional ‘Slainte Mhath!’ and a special dram after a fascinating tour of a classic whisky distillery in this world-famous Speyside region. The perfect end to your explorations.
Overnight: Inverness | Ness Walk
Room Type: Cedar King
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Two private transfers will collect you from your accommodation. Taking MaryJo to Inverness Airport to make your onward connections and taking Jim to Aberdeen to meet his golf club.
Waving farewell for now but taking with you special memories and wonderful stories of your explorations.
Meals Included: Breakfast
The NET price for this itinerary, based on 2 clients on a twin-share basis, and including a £12 per person conservation contribution is:
Conservation ContributionThis voluntary donation of £12 per person goes towards conservation projects in the locations we operate. If you would like to opt out just let your trip designer know. Click here for more information.
Please see our booking terms here.
Friday 1st August – Tuesday 12th August 2025