Celebrating Scotland: A Journey Through History, Highlands & Handcrafted Moments

The Michaelson Family

Tuesday 26th August – Tuesday 2nd September 2025

Number of Travellers:  2
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights

Overview

From the cobbled closes of Edinburgh’s Old Town to the sweeping glens of Highland Perthshire, this handcrafted journey offers an evocative blend of Scotland’s rich history, soulful landscapes, and warm hospitality. You’ll wander storied streets, cast a fly in sparkling Highland waters, and sip whisky with the people who know it best. Each experience is designed to celebrate not only a special birthday but the spirit of Scotland itself—timeless, welcoming, and deeply rooted in place.

Highlights

  • Unwind in charming Highland towns and luxurious boutique hotels.
  • Spot wildlife on a boat trip across a Highland loch, and venture into the hills with a local guide in a Land Rover.
  • Celebrate a special day with whisky tasting led by a senior distiller, and craft a bespoke Harris Tweed handbag to take home.
  • Try your hand at fly fishing with a local ghillie, then relax with spa indulgence and afternoon tea in a castle setting.

Day by Day

Day 1 - Tuesday 26th August - Arrive In Edinburgh

Touch down in Scotland’s capital and settle into your city-centre accommodation. This afternoon is yours to enjoy at your own pace—perhaps take a stroll along the Royal Mile, step into a tucked-away gallery, or find a quiet spot in Princes Street Gardens to soak up the skyline. Your adventure has begun.

Overnight: Edinburgh | Roseate Hotel
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Wednesday 27th August - Edinburgh Castle & Underground Tales

This morning, step back through the centuries with a visit to Edinburgh Castle—Scotland’s most iconic fortress. Standing proudly atop Castle Rock, the castle has witnessed everything from royal coronations to dramatic sieges. Explore the Great Hall, the Honours of Scotland (the Crown Jewels), and St Margaret’s Chapel—the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh. As you walk the ramparts, take in sweeping views across the city’s spires, the Firth of Forth, and the rolling Pentland Hills. After a leisurely lunch, enjoy a free afternoon to follow your own curiosity. Perhaps browse the boutiques of Victoria Street, stop for coffee in a literary café, or lose yourself in the maze of closes and courtyards in the Old Town. As twilight falls, delve beneath the surface of the city—literally. Join a local guide and descend into a hidden network of underground streets and chambers sealed off for centuries. The stone walls whisper stories of plague, poverty, resilience, and mystery—bringing Edinburgh’s shadowy past vividly to life.

Overnight: Edinburgh | Roseate Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 - Thursday 28th August - Journey to Pitlochry & Highland Hospitality

After a relaxed morning in Edinburgh, board a scenic train bound for the Highlands. As you leave the city behind, watch the landscape shift—rolling farmland giving way to heathered hills, winding rivers, and dense woodlands. Arrive in Pitlochry, a picturesque town known for its Victorian charm and natural beauty. Spend the afternoon wandering the high street, where independent shops, cosy cafés, and traditional tearooms invite you to linger. Perhaps take a walk along the River Tummel or visit the town’s historic dam and fish ladder. This evening, check into your boutique hotel—an elegant retreat where Highland hospitality and comfort await.

Overnight: Pitlochry | Pine Trees Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4 - Friday 29th August - Loch Tay, Ancient Trees & Highland Safari

This morning, head deep into the heart of Highland Perthshire for a peaceful boat trip on the waters of Loch Tay. Fringed by forested hills and steeped in folklore, the loch is home to a variety of wildlife—keep your eyes peeled for red deer on the shore, soaring birds of prey, or even an elusive otter. Back on land, pause for a traditional afternoon tea in a historic country hotel, where warm scones and rich preserves are served with Highland charm. Afterwards, visit the Fortingall Yew—an ancient tree believed to be over 5,000 years old, standing quietly at the crossroads of nature and mythology. Then swap the lochside for the high hills as you join a kilted guide in a Land Rover for a private off-road safari. Winding up into the mountains, you’ll be treated to spectacular views, rich storytelling, and a chance to spot the red grouse, mountain hares, and other wildlife that thrive in these remote uplands.

Overnight: Pitlochry | Pine Trees Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Saturday 30th August - Casting Lines & Castle Comforts

Begin your day by meeting your ghillie—an expert local fishing guide—for a tranquil morning of fly fishing on one of the region’s scenic rivers. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or casting for the first time, enjoy the calming rhythm of the river, surrounded by the quiet beauty of the Highlands. With luck and a little patience, you may reel in a trout or salmon as your ghillie shares tips, stories, and deep knowledge of the land and its waters. In the afternoon, retreat to the elegant surroundings of Fonab Castle, where indulgence awaits. Sink into a peaceful spa experience—perhaps a massage or time in the thermal suite—before enjoying a relaxed dinner overlooking the loch. It’s a perfect blend of countryside adventure and refined relaxation.

Overnight: Pitlochry | Pine Trees Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Sunday 31st August - Aberfeldy’s Creative Spirit & Rare Whisky Tasting

After a relaxed breakfast, set off for the charming town of Aberfeldy, nestled in a curve of the River Tay. Stretch your legs with a gentle walk to the Falls of Moness—immortalised in verse by Robert Burns—and enjoy the sound of rushing water beneath the canopy of ancient woodland. Back in town, explore the Watermill, a much-loved independent bookshop, gallery, and café housed in a converted oatmeal mill—perfect for browsing or lingering over coffee.Later, indulge your sweet tooth with a visit to a renowned Highland chocolatier, where exquisite creations blend fine ingredients with local flair. The day ends in fitting Scottish style with a private visit to a local distillery. Here you’ll meet a senior distiller for a behind-the-scenes tour and an exclusive tasting of rare and aged whiskies—some of the finest and most elusive drams the Highlands have to offer.

Overnight: Pitlochry | Pine Trees Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Monday 1st September - Creative Keepsakes & A Toast to the Journey

Ease into the morning with a final stroll through the Highlands or a quiet moment with a coffee before catching the train back to Edinburgh. The afternoon holds something truly special: a hands-on experience crafting your own Harris Tweed handbag. Working with this iconic fabric—woven in the Outer Hebrides and steeped in tradition—you’ll create a one-of-a-kind piece to mark a milestone birthday and carry a little piece of Scotland home. This evening, gather for a celebratory farewell at one of the city’s most atmospheric whisky venues. Enjoy a memorable dinner paired with a curated whisky tasting, guided by an expert who will introduce you to a range of unique and expressive drams. Raise a glass to a journey well travelled, memories made, and the lasting magic of Scotland.

Overnight: Edinburgh | Roseate Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 8 - Tuesday 2nd September - Farewell to Scotland

After a final breakfast in Edinburgh, you’ll transfer to the airport for your onward journey. As you depart, carry with you not only handcrafted keepsakes and special memories, but the quiet beauty, warm hospitality, and rich stories that make Scotland a place you’ll never forget.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Trip Details

Inclusions Read More
  • 7 nights accommodation, as stated in the itinerary above
  • Most meals, as stated in the itinerary above
  • The services of a qualified and experienced guide/driver from Day 4 to Day 6
  • All transfers in a private vehicle driven by our guide on guided days
  • All guided hikes mentioned in the itinerary
  • Edinburgh to Pitclochy return train tickets
  • Entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary, specifically:
    • Edinburgh Castle
    • Edinburgh Vaults tour
    • Loch Tay boat trip
    • Mountain Landrover experience
    • 1/2 day with a fishing ghillie
    • Afternoon tea
    • 1/2 day spa
    • Rare whisky tasting
    • Harris Tweed handbag making experience
    • Paired dinner and whisky tasting
  • Personalised trip design and delivery
  • 24/7 In-Country Support from the Wilderness Team
Exclusions Read More
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Airport transfers
  • Meals not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Activities and entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Gratuities
Notes Read More
  • All suggested accommodations and services are subject to availability at the time of booking.
  • A 25% 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.
  • Activities are only private if so specified.
Pricing Read More

The price of this trip is £5,730 per person and is based on availability at the time of booking.

Important Additional Information Read More
Terms & Conditions Read More

Please see our booking terms here.

Accommodation

Roseate Hotel

4 West Coates | Edinburgh |
EH12 5JQ | Scotland
Phone: 07927132696
Web: roseatehotels.com/edinburgh/theroseate/stay

Pine Trees Hotel

Strathview Terrace | Pitlochry |
PH16 5QR | Phone: 01796 472 121
Web: pinetreeshotel.co.uk

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Highland cows in the mountains, with one shaggy cow in foreground and others behind.

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Birks of Aberfeldy

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Distillery Tour

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Afternoon Tea

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Virtuoso

Celebrating Scotland: A Journey Through History, Highlands & Handcrafted Moments

Tuesday 26th August – Tuesday 2nd September 2025