10 DAYS, 9 NIGHTS | London, Edinburgh, St. Andrews, Loch Ness & Scottish Highlands

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PRIVATE TOUR ITINERARY

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See the best of both London and Scotland in 10 days on this beautifully guided journey! This comprehensive private tour features London, Windsor Castle, the Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness and Edinburgh. From Big Ben to Buckingham Palace, you’ll be guided through every visit in London by your very own local guide and see iconic London sites such as the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the British Museum, and Hampton Court. Then, you'll experience Scotland’s must-see historical sites and spectacular scenery. Tour the powerfully moving site of the final Jacobite Rising, the Culloden Battlefield, cruise Loch Ness, fortify yourself with a wee dram at a well-known Scottish Distillery, visit the best castles and explore Edinburgh with your very own private guided tour in a luxury vehicle. 

Day 1) London Heathrow Airport | Wimbledon

Arrive at London Heathrow Airport where you will be greeted by your driver/guide. Continue to Wimbledon. Choose between a guided tour of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum including Center Court or a visit to Kensington Palace. Next, arrive at the Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel in central London for a four-night stay. The Chesterfield, located in the heart of Mayfair, is quintessentially British and exudes classic charm with a unique personality. Your hotel is close to Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park and St. James’s Park and within walking distance of great local restaurants.

Day 2) London, Westminster Abbey & St. Paul’s Cathedral 

Today, meet your local guide for a whole-day private guided tour of London, taking in great sights such as Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Parliament Square and Piccadilly. You will visit Westminster Abbey, one of the United Kingdom’s most notable religious buildings where Kings and Queens have been crowned and buried since 1066. You will also see the Change of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. This afternoon, visit St. Paul’s Cathedral. Destroyed by the Great Fire of London in 1666, the current building was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and completed in 1710. Its iconic dome is one of the largest cathedral domes in the world.

Day 3) Windsor Castle & Hampton Court  

This morning, depart for a whole-day private guided tour of both Windsor Castle and Hampton Court. At Windsor Castle, explore the interiors of this famous palace, setting of some recent Royal weddings. Afterwards, enjoy lunch at The Mute Swan by the Thames before visiting Hampton Court where, through your private-guided tour, you’ll experience the public dramas and private lives of Henry VIII, his wives, and children in the world of the Tudor court. Also discover the spectacular baroque part of the palace built for William III and Mary II and explore Hampton Court Palace’s outdoor spaces and magnificent gardens. 

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Day 4) Thames Cruise, Tower of London & British Museum 

Today, depart with your local private guide to Westminster Pier where you’ll journey by ferry on the Thames. You will pass the Millennium Bridge, London Eye and disembark at Tower Bridge. Your guide will bring to life the history of the Tower of London, a historic castle and fortress along the Thames River and home to the dazzling Crown Jewels. In the afternoon, your guides will show you the British Museum’s most fascinating objects from around the world. You’ll see the Rosetta Stone, some of the wonderful treasures that have been unearthed in Britain such as the fabulous solid silver Roman Mildenhall Treasure, the strange and exotic artefacts from the Saxon ship burial at Sutton Hoo (as told in the recent movie The Dig) and the mysterious medieval 12th-century chessmen found on the Isle of Lewis. 

Day 5) Fly from London to Inverness | Cawdor Castle & Culloden Battlefield 

Depart with your driver for London Heathrow Airport for your British Airways flight to Inverness, Scotland. Continue to Cawdor Castle & Gardens for lunch, a traditional Scottish Castle built and privately owned by the Cawdor family for over 600 years, with a beautiful walled garden. This afternoon, visit the Culloden Battlefield—the powerfully emotive and atmospheric battlefield where the 1745 Jacobite Rising came to a tragic end. You’ll discover the true story of the 1745 Rising, from both the Jacobite and Government perspectives, in the newly accredited and highly interesting museum where unique artifacts from the time are displayed. Walk the battlefield and explore the key areas of action on Culloden Moor. Continue to your hotel in central Inverness for an overnight stay. Dinner tonight is included at a local restaurant.

Day 6) Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle & Glencoe

This morning, leave for Loch Ness, famous for the legendary Nessie. You’ll enjoy a cruise on this beautiful loch and be treated to panoramic views of the Highlands as you approach Urquhart Castle, visiting this famous castle perched majestically above the shoreline. Then, follow the long straight valley called the Great Glen via Fort Augustus to Fort William, for lunch at the base of Scotland’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis. This afternoon, visit picturesque Glencoe, set within beautiful mountain landscape. Next arrive in Oban for a two-night stay at a manor house hotel which offers spectacular views over Oban Bay and the isles beyond. Dinner tonight is included at the manor.

Day 7) Oban Whisky Distillery & Inveraray

This morning, learn how whisky is made at Oban Distillery. Established in 1794, Oban Whisky that has been described as having a "West Highland" flavor that falls between the dry, smoky style of the Scottish islands and the lighter, sweeter malts of the Highlands. Enjoy lunch in the delightful town of Inveraray by Loch Fyne. This afternoon, visit Inveraray Castle, home to the Duke of Argyll, the chief of the Campbells, enroute. Enjoy the castle’s impressive interiors and some time in the picturesque town of Inveraray. Dinner tonight is included at the manor.

Day 8) Stirling Castle

This morning, depart through the Trossachs as you descend towards Stirling. Visit Stirling Castle, the last stronghold of Scotland, besieged by William Wallace and Robert the Bruce and residence of the Stewart monarchs including Mary Queen of Scots and King James. You’ll tour the castle, including the newly restored Renaissance Palace. Continue to Edinburgh for a two-night stay at a centrally located hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant, including whisky tastings.

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Day 9) Edinburgh

Today, your local kilt-wearing guide will take you on a whole-day tour of Edinburgh. Learn all about Edinburgh’s long history—see how the medieval townhouses along the Royal Mile contrast with the fine Georgian architecture of the 200-year-old New Town and learn about the many prominent Scottish inventors, doctors, and writers for whom Edinburgh is famous. Visit the majestic Edinburgh Castle to tour this historic military stronghold, the birthplace of the city, and soak up the dramatic views. This afternoon, wind your way through the medieval streets of the Royal Mile. Visit the impressive Palace of Holyrood, King Charles III’s residence in Edinburgh. David I founded the impressive palace as an Augustinian monastery in 1128. In 1501, James IV built a Palace for himself and his bride, Margaret Tudor— the sister of Henry VIII. Mary, Queen of Scots spent most of her turbulent life in the Palace.

Day 10) Fly home

Depart with your driver for Edinburgh Airport for your return flight.