Sunday 9th June – Thursday 20th June 2024
Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights
Soak in the adventures of the Highlands and the layers of history in the cities and castles of Scotland. Discover the best of each location with the insights of your expert guides and lose yourself in admiring the beautiful landscapes you are travelling through. Enjoy special moments and create memories together which will make you smile for years to come.
On arrival at Edinburgh Airport a private driver will transfer you to your iconic hotel in the spectacular city of Edinburgh. Choose to rest and relax at your luxurious accommodation or explore the nearby streets.
Overnight: Edinburgh | The Balmoral
Room Type: Deluxe Castle View
Meals Included: None
Self-Arranged Royal Scotsman Trip
Overnight: Self-Arranged Royal Scotsman
Meals Included: Breakfast
Self-Arranged Royal Scotsman Trip
Overnight: Self-Arranged Royal Scotsman
Meals Included: Breakfast
Self-Arranged Royal Scotsman Trip
Overnight: Self-Arranged Royal Scotsman
Meals Included: Breakfast
Self-Arranged Royal Scotsman Trip
Overnight: Self-Arranged Royal Scotsman
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your Royal Scotsman journey finishes today, returning you to Edinburgh where you will be met by a private driver to take you to drop your bags in your hotel. You are then free to head out for lunch and some free time before heading to a fun private bagpipe lesson. Meeting a characterful piper, hearing about the history of the tunes and seeing what kind of music you can create on this traditional instrument.
Finish your day with a private foodie walking tour of Leith, enjoying the local insights and history from your experienced guide as well as some delicious tastes along the way. There is no better way to explore a different area of the city.
Overnight: Edinburgh | The Balmoral
Room Type: Deluxe Castle View
Meals Included: Dinner
Meet your engaging expert local guide in the hotel foyer and set off to spend the morning exploring Edinburgh’s Old Town. There is much to be discovered and your private guide will ensure that you experience the very best day possible. Their local knowledge will allow them to bring the city’s rich history and heritage to life like no book can, providing you with a unique insider’s introduction to the city. The Old Town is brimming with cobbled streets, tightly-packed buildings, narrow closes and hidden courtyards, all steeped in history and many astonishingly well-preserved.
Your guide will depart at lunchtime, leaving you to enjoy your meal at leisure. Then this afternoon take your time exploring Edinburgh Castle with the fascinating audio guide. Step inside the ancient walls and learn of the royalty who lived and died here, the battles fought over it and the struggles for control of the nation; it is rumoured to be the most besieged place in Britain.
This evening a private taxi will take you to soak in the unique atmosphere of Rosslyn Chapel, just a short distance outside the city. Founded in 1446 as the Collegiate Church of St. Matthew, the chapel is famous for its remarkable stone carvings depicting Biblical stories and moral messages. In 2003, a new chapter was added to the Rosslyn Chapel’s history with the publishing of The Da Vinci Code, and filming for the 2006 movie took place at the chapel. Explore the chapel’s history with an expert private guide, both ancient and modern, and unravel the mysterious of this enigmatic place of worship before returning to your hotel
Overnight: Edinburgh | The Balmoral
Room Type: Deluxe Castle View
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your private trip guide (who will also act as your driver for your time together) will collect you from your hotel this morning and together you will head north. 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 towards your luxurious resort hotel. Your guide will ensure you arrive with plenty of time to settle in and maybe enjoy some of the world class facilities before you freshen up for dinner.
Overnight: Perthshire | Gleneagles
Room Type: Estate Rooms in the Main House
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
St. Andrews is the world’s premier destination for golfers, with the earliest documented evidence of golf in the town dating from 1553. It is also the spiritual and administrative home of the sport: the R&A is based here and Thomas Mitchell Morris Sr was born here. He is known as Old Tom Morris and worked as an apprentice and helped establish the first ever professional tournament. The legendary Old Course is located in the town and completing it is the ultimate achievement for the serious golfer.
Explore this famous university town with an expert local guide, discovering where Prince William and Kate Middleton both received their education. Admire the sweeping coastal views and soak in the years of history in the cathedral as you hear the local stories.
Overnight: Perthshire | Gleneagles
Room Type: Estate Rooms in the Main House
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Today you head north right into the mountains of the Highlands, passing through the edge of the Cairngorms National Park and admiring the scenery becoming wilder as you travel. Take the opportunity to stop to explore along the way too. Enjoy a scenic leg stretch to a thundering waterfall with your guide or visit the historic Blair Castle. You also have the opportunity to visit the House of Bruar, a luxury retail experience in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. Known for its exquisite Scottish clothing, gourmet food and artisanal products you are sure to find something you like before you head on your way.
Overnight: Fort William | Inverlochy Castle
Room Type: Walled Garden Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Glencoe is undoubtedly one of the most awe-inspiring sights in the whole of Scotland. Site of the 1692 Massacre of Glencoe, today it is a hauntingly beautiful Highland glen which evokes the spirit of the clans who ruled this land for centuries. The deep valley and towering mountains were carved out by icy glaciers and volcanic activity centuries ago and today, it is one of the most dramatic and beautiful places in Scotland. Not unsurprisingly, the area has seduced filmmakers, having also featured in James Bond’s Skyfall, several Harry Potter films, Mary Queen of Scots, and Netflix’s Outlaw King.
The hiking here is superb, and there are great options for every level of challenge and ability. Your guide will discuss the best routes for the day, depending on the weather and your preferences, and you will explore together. End the day with a well-earned warming dram in a traditional mountaineer’s pub as a local storyteller regales you with local tales and legends.
Overnight: Fort William | Inverlochy Castle
Room Type: Walled Garden Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
This morning your guide will transfer to Edinburgh Airport to make your onward connections. Waving farewell for now but taking with you fantastic memories of a lifetime.
(NOTE: Travel time is approx 3.5 hrs, so a late afternoon flight departure time is essential)
Meals Included: Breakfast
The NET price for this itinerary, based on 4 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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Please see our booking terms here.