Magical Festive Scottish Explorations in 2024

Day 1 - Thursday 12^th December - Welcome To Scotland!

Welcome to Scotland! On arrival in Inverness Airport you will be met by your private guide (who will also act as your driver) for your time in the Highlands.  Depending on your arrival time you can chat over lunch, or head straight down to the Cairngorms National Park to settle into your accommodation. Maybe stopping to expend some energy exploring a nature reserve on route if you would like, your guide will be able to share some of their favourite spots with you.

Overnight: Kingussie - Cairngorms National Park | The Seelies - Aparthotel
Room Type: Two Bedroom Self-Catering Apartment

Day 2 - Friday 13^th December - Cairngorms National Park & Cheeky Reindeer

This morning you get to properly start your explorations of this beautiful National Park with the local insights of your guide (who will ensure that you get a great cup of coffee to start the day with!). The gentle trails that wind in-between the ancient Caledonian Pine forests are at their most magical when they are sparkling with frost and you can hear the red squirrels bustling about. A gentle hike will take you adventuring to a lochan which has an amazing green colour which legend says comes from the faeries washing their clothes there! Then it is time for a different kind of magic, a festive visit with the local reindeer herd. Most of the adults are out roaming the hills. but you will get to see some of these cheeky characters up close here in the lower paddocks.

Enjoy a free afternoon to relax, knowing that your guide will be available if you do want to pack in some more adventuring!

Overnight: Kingussie - Cairngorms National Park | The Seelies - Aparthotel
Room Type: Two Bedroom Self-Catering Apartment
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Saturday 14^th December - Inverness, Leakeys Bookshop & Stargazing Storytelling

Today would be a good chance to head up to Inverness if you want to get a sense of this Highland city. Discover the history and culture of the local area as you explore, and stop into the wonderful world of Leakey’s Bookshop. This family-owned store is one of the largest used and antiquarian bookstores in Scotland, and it is easy to lose hours browsing here. You may want to save some time to also head out of town a bit though, maybe taking a cruise on the deep waters of Loch Ness to see if you can spot the monster!

When you are ready after lunch your guide will take you back to your accommodation to relax. Then early this evening head out on a fascinating nighttime adventure with a local storyteller. Take a short walk and hear local legends and the tales of the sparkling stars overhead (fingers crossed the weather is in your favour, if you are really lucky you may even catch a glimpse of the ‘Northern Lights’!) before returning to your cosy apartment to snuggle up for the night.

Overnight: Kingussie - Cairngorms National Park | The Seelies - Aparthotel
Room Type: Two Bedroom Self-Catering Apartment
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Sunday 15^th December - Local Artisans & Wintery Fun

Today is flexible for you to explore more of the local area with your guide. The wintery trails will be beckoning, maybe even some snow to fly over on a sledge if you are lucky. No matter where you head there is sure to be fun and frosty beauty to admire before a delicious lunch in a local cafe. Today could be a good day to maybe discover the festive offerings of some local artisans before heading back to your accommodation. The afternoon is free for you to relax, pack and get organised before heading south tomorrow.

Overnight: Kingussie - Cairngorms National Park | The Seelies - Aparthotel
Room Type: Two Bedroom Self-Catering Apartment
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Monday 16^th December - Transfer to Edinburgh

Transfer south to Edinburgh today with your guide. Take a wee bit of a detour so that you can stop to explore the mighty Stirling Castle, which was the childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots. This castle has withstood a turbulent history, so there are plenty of tales to discover before you carry on to Edinburgh and your welcoming apartment. It will be dark early, so you will likely get a chance to admire some of the beautiful festive lights decorating this unique capital city when you head out for dinner. Wrap up cosy!

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Rutland Apartments
Room Type: 2 Bedroom Apartment
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Tuesday 17^th December - Explore Edinburgh & Botanic Gardens Festive Lights

This morning your Guide will give you a wee introduction to give you a sense of where things are in Edinburgh (like where the Christmas Market is!), maybe head up Carlton Hill for great views & then will depart before lunch. Enjoy a free afternoon and rest up to save energy for a special exploration of the Botanic Gardens all lit up for the season (there may even be a glimpse of Santa along the way!).

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Rutland Apartments
Room Type: 2 Bedroom Apartment
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7 - Wednesday 18^th December - Magical Edinburgh Explorations with Expert Guide

Enjoy a relaxed start to the day with a free morning today. After lunch an expert local guide will lead you on a private wonderful walking tour exploring the traces of magic that linger in all the cobbled streets and alleys of Edinburgh’s Old Town. Hear the stories and see the places where the Harry Potter books came to life as you discover hidden corners of this city. Discover the inspiration behind Diagon Alley and wonder at the crazy ancient architecture. 

Finish the day on a high with a late afternoon whirl on the Big Wheel. The sun will already have set, so you will have the best view of all the festive lights and the incredible city skyline as you enjoy the ride.

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Rutland Apartments
Room Type: 2 Bedroom Apartment
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8 - Thursday 19^th December - Ice-Skating & Free Day For Festive Self-Guided Explorations

This morning make your way along George Street to the festive ice rink, all lit up and sparkly for a fun session. Glide your way around the ice, ticking something else off your holiday list! The rest of the day is free for you to use as you wish. This is the last chance to wander the Christmas Markets and pick up those last festive souvenirs, take in all the decorations and sip one last festive hot beverage. So take time to spend in your favourite places and soak in the special atmosphere of this unique capital city.

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Rutland Apartments
Room Type: 2 Bedroom Apartment
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 9 - Friday 20^th December - Depart

A private transfer will collect you from your accommodation and take you to Edinburgh Airport to make your onward connections. Waving farewell for now but taking with you special memories and wonderful stories of your festive Scottish explorations.

Meals Included: Breakfast