Wednesday 2nd July – Sunday 13th July 2025
V7 – created 6th March 2025
On arrival at Edinburgh airport you will be met by a private transfer driver and taken to your city centre hotel. After dropping your luggage, you will 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 Palace of Holyroodhouse all the way up 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.
The rest of the day is free to continue explorations at your own pace, pick up souvenirs or relax as you prefer.
Overnight: Edinburgh | The Bonham
Room Type: 1 x Superior Double
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a free day today in the capital city. You may like to venture up Arthurs Seat, that stands proudly over the city. An ancient (and extinct) volcano, the climb to the top offers breathtaking views across the city as well as across the Firth of Forth with the three famous bridges to the Kingdom of Fife beyond.
Or perhaps you might like to wander through the Grassmarket and along some of the winding streets picking up some souveniers for friends and family back home.
You could visit Leith and take a tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia, known to be one of the late Queen’s favourite residences as she was able to decorate the entire place herself from scratch.
This evening, enjoy dinner in the city before you set off on your Highland Adventure tomorrow.
Overnight: Edinburgh | The Bonham
Meals Included: Breakfast
You’ll head north out of the city this morning across the Firth of Forth towards the largest national park in the UK. On the way you can stop off to stretch your legs in some of the stunning scenery or perhaps visit Scone Palace which was once the crowning place of the Kings and Queens of Scotland.
Your destination is the pretty village of Dunkeld in the heart of Highland Perthshire where you beautiful accommodation is nestled in 280 acres of estate which you can explore on arrival with your guide. Alternatively, you could lace up your hiking boots and head out into the rolling hills of Perthshire to enjoy your first scenic views of the beautiful countryside.
Overnight: Dunkeld | Dunkeld House Hotel
Room Type: 1 x Deluxe Double
Meals Included: Breakfast
Head off this morning into the depths of the Cairngorms National Park as you spend the day exploring this beautiful part of the country with your guide, getting off the beaten track to see incredible vistas and amazing wildlife. Perhaps you may see an elusive red deer watching you from a high ridge line, or a pair of Golden Eagles swooping and swirling in the skies above your head. There are lots of options for walks today on your way to your accommodation from meandering paths through towering Scots Pines to loch side ramblings and a picnic with a view! Your guide will discuss all of the options so you can pick the best fit and make the most out of your day in one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland.
However you spend your day, you’ll end your time in this part of Scotland with a wonderful tour and tasting of the only distillery in Scotland that has a Royal Warrant! Sample the delicious amber nectar and hear how age old techniques are combined with modern day technology to create one of Scotland’s greatest exports. A great way to end your day.
Overnight: Ballater | Darroch Learg
Room Type: 1 x Superior Double
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you are in for a treat as a wonderful day awaits you. Head deep into the glens of Glenlivet to meet a food anthropologist who has a passion for breaking down flavours and aromas in whisky before building them back up again with some delicious food which is influenced by her time in the middle east. Hear stories about her life in this remote glen, how she has had to ski to the main road in the winter just to get milk, and why she settled in this part of Scotland. Sitting on her deck without another soul around, you can just be in the moment and savour the sounds of the wildlife all around you.
When you are ready, your guide will take you back to your accommodation for one last night in the Cairngorms National Park.
Overnight: Ballater | Darroch Learg
Room Type: 1 x Superior Double
Meals Included: Breakfast
Head to Breamar this morning and the Scottish retreat of His Majesty The King. Balmoral castle is only open for the month of July to the general public so enjoy a tour here of the state rooms before setting off around the estate to see some of the incredible Cairns that have been erected over time to honour members of the Royal Family.
After a lovely morning, you will head north over the snow roads to your next destination – the Capital of the Highlands
Overnight: Inverness | Kingsmills Hotel
Room Type: 1 x Garden King
Meals Included: Breakfast
The Jacobite Uprising is well known across Scotland and the mark that this bloody battle left on the country is still felt by some to this day. Head out to the windswept moorland this morning with your guide where you can stand and imagine what it was like on that fateful day in April 1746. Imagine the standards of the clans fluttering in the breeze as they stood together against the might of the English Army only to be defeated in less than an hour in the last pitched battle ever to be fought on Scottish soil. Your guide will tell you stories of the clans and the uprising and the fall out from this battle that lasted for centuries.
Later on, should you wish, you can head to Clava Cairns – a set of three neolithic burial chambers – and see how the Scottish used to bury their dearly departed as your guide brings this whole area to life with stories of days gone by. A truly emotive day in the capital of the Highlands.
Overnight: Inverness | Kingsmills Hotel
Room Type: 1 x Garden King
Meals Included: Breakfast
The Misty Isle beckons this morning as you leave the bright light of the city and head west to the fabled Isle of Skye. The dramatic mountain scenery towers above you as you drive along, with plenty of opportunities to stop off and explore as you see fit. You may wish to head along the shores of Loch Ness and see if you can spot the shy monster who is lurking in the deep. Or perhaps you might like to explore Urquhart Castle, one of the most besieged castles in the country and learn why it is the ruin you see before you today.
Head over the magnificent arc of the Skye bridge onto the island, perhaps stopping off for a coffee and explore in Broadford before arriving in the pretty town of Portree and your base for the next three nights
Overnight: Portree | Marmalade Hotel
Room Type: 1 x Superior Double
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you have a full day to explore some of the special corners of this magical island with your guide. You will be spoilt for choice with fascinating history and dramatic landscape on offer, with unique hiking routes through stark and unusual rock formations and sweeping coast and mountain views to enjoy in almost every direction. This ‘misty isle’ is also home to so many curious stories and legends of fairies and islander culture, your guide will share some of the best hidden gems and personalise the day to your interests.
Overnight: Portree | Marmalade Hotel
Room Type: 1 x Superior Double
Meals Included: Breakfast
It’s time for your trip to come to an end as your guide takes you to Inverness in time for you to catch a train to Glasgow, taking with you memories of a wonderful trip and a longing to return.
Overnight: Glasgow | Dakota
Room Type: Classic King
Meals Included: Breakfast
Spend the morning exploring Glasgow at your leisure – from the awe-inspiring Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum to the bustling Buchanan Street, with stops at the historic Glasgow Cathedral and the modern wonders of the Riverside Museum along the way.
In the afternoon, catch a train to Edinburgh where you can grab a cab to your accommodation for your last night on Scottish soil.
Please note that no transfers are included today but your hotel will be able to assist with a taxi to the station in Glasgow and there is a taxi rank right outside Edinburgh Waverley for you to get a taxi to your hotel.
Overnight: Edinburgh | Market Street
Room Type: Roomy
Meals Included: Breakfast
A private transfer will collect you from your accommodation and take you to the airport to make your onward connections. Waving farewell for now but taking with you special memories and wonderful stories of your explorations.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Pricing:
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 Contribution
This 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.
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Wednesday 2nd July – Sunday 13th July 2025