Scottish Highlands Explorations

May 2025

Number of Travellers: 6
Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights

Overview

Create treasured family memories together as you explore the twisting cobbled streets of Edinburgh and the beautiful scenery and rich history of the Highlands.  Experience the best of Scotland through adventures through the city, into the hills and on the water as you explore this charming country. Your private guide will not just take care of all the logistics and driving, but will add their expertise and local knowledge to share their favourite insiders secrets with you as you go. You are sure to all be smiling about moments on this trip for years to come.

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1 | Welcome to Edinburgh | Overnight: Edinburgh

Day 2 | Scavenger Hunt, Museums and Arthur's Seat | Overnight: Edinburgh

Day 3 | Journey to the Valley of Glencoe | Overnight: Glencoe

Day 4 | Road to the Isles & Sea Kayaking | Overnight: Glencoe

Day 5 | Journey East via Loch Tay | Overnight: Braemar

Day 6 | Hiking in the Cairngorms & Mini Highland Games | Overnight: Braemar

Day 7 | Morning Private 4x4 Safari & Afternoon Explorations | Overnight: Gleneagles

Day 8 | Indulge at Gleneagles | Overnight: Gleneagles

Day 9 | Depart

Day by Day

Day 1 - Welcome to Edinburgh

Welcome to Edinburgh! A private transfer will take you to your city hotel in the heartbeat of the capital. Once you have settled in, meet your private expert guide and  start exploring the winding cobbled streets of historic Old Town Edinburgh. Discover the highlights of this unique capital city as you make your 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. Return to your hotel to recover from your travels and rest up for your Scottish adventures to come!

Overnight: Edinburgh | Balmoral Hotel
Room Type: Family Junior Suite & Deluxe Castle Suite
Meals Included: Lunch

Day 2 - Scavenger Hunt, Museums and Arthur's Seat

After breakfast, meet your guide in the foyer of your hotel and head out for a day spent exploring the beautiful cobblestone streets of the city. Pick up a coffee and a pastry from one of the wee artisan shops before embarking on an exciting scavenger hunt that will lead you on an exploration of ancient alleyways and centuries-old architecture, unearthing age old tales from the shadows of the city. Next, head to the National Museum of Scotland, or if you like history with a twist, head to the Surgeons’ Hall Museums, which holds one of the largest collections of surgical pathology in the world. If time allows, take a walk up Arthurs Seat to get the very best views of the beautiful city and the Fife coastline. This evening enjoy dinner in one of Edinburghs amazing restaurants.

Overnight: Edinburgh | Balmoral Hotel
Room Type: Family Junior Suite & Deluxe Castle Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Journey to the Valley of Glencoe

After a hearty breakfast, you will meet your private guide, who will also be your driver for your onward travels in Scotland. Together you will head for the west coast. Stopping off at the Bannockburn centre for a tour of this historical site. Immerse yourself in the history as you witness a digitally re-created version of the battle up close and follow in the footsteps of Robert the Bruce. After lunch in Stirling, enjoy your onward journey through beautiful and dramatic landscape, hearing the tales of  the glen’s checkered history. On arrival in valley of Glencoe take some time to rest and settle in to your luxury hotel.

Overnight: Glencoe | Glencoe House
Room Type: Two Bedroom Suite & One Bedroom Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Road to the Isles & Sea Kayaking

Your next adventure may feel magically familiar, travel along the Road to the Isles to the historic Glenfinnan viaduct featured in several of the Harry Potter films. This was also an area of historic importance to the Jacobites, your guide will be able to tell you the history of the area as you go. On your journey back from Mallaig, meet your expert sea-kayaking guide and head out into the turquoise water of Arasaig to explore. Sea kayak around hundreds of tiny islands, spotting seals, otters, and a host of coastal birds. The seal colony here is friendly and curious, often slipping beneath your boat only to pop up on the other side to peer at you with their big dark eyes. Once back on shore, continue travel along the stunning Road to the Isles towards the brooding melancholy of Glencoe Glen and back to your hotel.

Overnight: Glencoe | Glencoe House
Room Type: Two Bedroom Suite & One Bedroom Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Journey East via Loch Tay

This morning and you and your guide will set off for the Cairngorm National Park. On the way you can stop off for a leg stretch and lunch before continuing through the beautiful scenery to your next stop, Loch Tay. Enjoy a boat trip across the serene and calm waters of the loch followed by a tour around the Crannog Centre to learn about the lives of  the dwellers who lived on the Loch 2,500 years. Relax into your onward journey to your next luxurious hotel in the Cairngorm National Park.

Overnight: Braemar | Fife Arms
Room Type: Discovery Family Suite & Scottish Culture Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Hiking in the Cairngorms & Mini Highland Games

This morning, experience the thrill of a traditional Highland Games as you head to the local games ground where the Royal Highland Games happen each year.  Pit yourselves against each other in the heavy events and end the day with a tug-o-war – may the best team win! If you still feel energetic after some lunch, enjoy a hike in the beautiful Cairngorms National Park. At over 4500 sq km it is the largest National Park in the UK and with miles of winding rivers, make it Scotland’s most prolific whisky-making region. With your guide, choose a hike that suits you, head into the mountains for stunning views or choose to explore the Caledonian pine forest which is the oldest forest in Scotland. Tonight you will enjoy dinner and a guide led whisky tasting in the bar of your hotel, raising a glass to your Scottish adventure.

Overnight: Braemar | Fife Arms
Room Type: Discovery Family Suite & Scottish Culture Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Morning Private 4x4 Safari & Afternoon Explorations

This morning you will leave your hotel and start your journey south to Gleneagles. Stop off at the Red Deer Centre where you have the option of a private Landrover 4×4 safari with a kilted Ranger, exploring private estate tracks and spotting the local wildlife. Or enjoy the interactive Red Deer experience and panning for gold, a fun and memorable activity for children. After lunch, stop by the Highland Chocolatier to see how their delicious chocolates are made before heading to your final Scottish home from home, the Gleneagles hotel.

Overnight: Gleneagles | Gleneagles Hotel
Room Type: Two Bedrom Whisky Suite & Manor Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Indulge at Gleneagles

Today, you will stay local and indulge in all that Gleneagles has to offer. After breakfast, make your way through the hotel to the tranquility of the spa or take some time out for a little retail therapy in the beautiful arcade situated inside the hotel. If you are feeling adventurous, there are many experiences you can pre-book from horse riding and falconry to archery or 4×4 off roading. Not forgetting the numerous dining options from casual lunch options to fine Scottish fare, you will be spoilt for choice. Today is your day to explore the wonders of a place that truly demonstrates the best Scotland has to offer.

Overnight: Gleneagles | Gleneagles Hotel
Room Type: Two Bedrom Whisky Suite & Manor Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 - Depart

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

Meals Included: Breakfast

Trip Details

Inclusions Read More
  • 8 nights accommodation, as stated in the itinerary above
  • Most meals, as stated in the itinerary above
  • The services of a qualified and experienced guide from Day 1 to Day 8
  • All transfers in a private vehicle driven by our guide on guided days
  • All private airport transfers
  • All guided hikes mentioned in the itinerary
  • Entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary, specifically:
    • Edinburgh Castle
    • Scavenger Hunt
    • Bannockburn centre
    • 1/2 Day Guided Sea Kayaking
    • 4 X 4 Safari
    • Gold Panning Experience
    • Red Deer Experience
    • Crannog Centre
    • Mini Highland Games
    • Loch Tay Private Boat Charter
  • Personalised trip design and delivery
  • 24/7 In-Country Support from the Wilderness Team
Exclusions Read More
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Activities and entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Gratuities for the main driver guide
Notes Read More
  • All suggested accommodations and services are subject to availability at the time of booking
  • A 20% deposit is required before any accommodation and services will be confirmed
  • This quote is valid for 14 days from the date quoted, after this time pricing may be subject to revision
Terms & Conditions Read More

Please see our booking terms here.

Virtuoso

Scottish Highlands Explorations

May 2025