Discover Scotland in 9 days

9 DAYS, 8 NIGHTS | Edinburgh, Stirling, St. Andrews, Culloden, Loch Ness, Highlands, Isle of Skye & Oban

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PRIVATE TOUR ITINERARY

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Discover Scotland — see the best of Scotland in 9 days with your very own chauffeur-guide! This beautifully guided journey starts in Edinburgh where you will visit the Castle and explore the medieval townhouses along the Royal Mile. Visit Scotland’s must-see historical sites, charming towns, gourmet restaurants, spectacular mountain scenery, and beautiful isles. You'll enjoy visits to Stirling Castle, the Isle of Skye, the Highlands, Culloden Battlefield, Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle. Cherish private-guided walking tours, experience the spectacular mountain landscape of Glencoe, learn how whisky is made and sample a wee dram, and much more! Discover Scotland!​

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Day 1) Arrive in Edinburgh & Royal Britannia

Arrive at Edinburgh airport where you will be met by your chauffeur-guide. On your way into Edinburgh, visit the Royal Yacht Britannia, the former yacht of the Royal family. From the elegant State Apartments to the gleaming Engine Room see where the Royal family spent their summer holidays. You may enjoy refreshments or a light lunch at the Royal Deck Tea Room. Next, arrive at your hotel for a 3-night stay. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant with whisky tastings.

Day 2) 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. For Outlander fans, you’ll see the Bakehouse home to Alexander Malcolm’s print shop. It is here that we see Claire reunited with Jamie after years of separation. Visit the impressive Palace of Holyrood, home to many kings and queens and where, recently, Queen Elizabeth lay in state before being transferred to Westminster Abbey in London. 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 3) Stirling Castle & Blackness Castle

This morning, visit Stirling Castle, just an hour away. The last stronghold of Scotland, Stirling Castle was besieged by William Wallace and Robert the Bruce and residence to the Stewart monarchs including Mary Queen of Scots and King James. You’ll tour the castle, including the newly restored Renaissance Palace. This afternoon, on your return to Edinburgh, visit Blackness Castle on the south shores of the Firth of Forth. Built in the 15th century, and massively strengthened in the 16th century as an artillery fortress, Blackness Castle has been a royal castle, prison, armaments depot and film location for Outlander, where it depicted Fort William.

Day 4) St. Andrews

This morning, depart Edinburgh for the beautiful medieval city of St. Andrews, set on the stunning north coast of the Kingdom of Fife. View the Old Course and enjoy a private-guided walking tour of historic St. Andrews—packed with history and charm. You’ll also visit the university (founded in 1413) and the ruins of the 12th-century cathedral and castle. This afternoon, depart St. Andrews for the Scottish Highlands, where you’ll arrive at your hotel in Inverness for a two-night stay. Dinner at a local restaurant in Inverness is included.

Day 5) Scottish Highlands: Glenfarclas, Culloden & Cawdor Castle

This morning, learn about how whisky is made on a distillery tour and sample a “wee dram” of single malt at Glenfarclas Distillery. Afterwards, 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 Cawdor Castle & Gardens, a traditional Scottish Castle built and privately owned by the Cawdor family for over 600 years, with a beautiful walled garden. Tonight, dinner is included at a local pub.

Day 6) Loch Ness, The Western Highlands & Isle of Skye 

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 to Fort Augustus, where Loch Ness meets Thomas Telford’s Caledonian Canal featuring a series of stepped locks that connect the Scottish lakes and where you will enjoy lunch. Continue to Loch Duich, where you will visit the romantic Eilean Donan Castle before crossing by bridge to the Isle of Skye. Arrive at a former hunting lodge for Clan MacDonald and now a delightful family-run inn where you are assured a comfortable, relaxing stay with loch views. Enjoy dinner at the lodge serving delicious home cooking and lounge in the bar and living room, all with a waterfront view.

Day 7) Isle of Skye

Today, set out to explore the Isle of Skye beginning with a drive to the Sligachan, with views to the Black Cuillin mountains. Then journey along the west coast where you will visit Dunvegan Castle, seat of Clan MacDonald. Continue to the harbor town of Uig for lunch and this afternoon tour around the stunning Trotternish peninsula with visits to include the Museum of Island Life, the Old Man of Storr, and Kilt Rock, with its magnificent views from Quiraing. Return to Sconser through Portree, the largest town and capital of the Isle of Skye. It is here at Portree that Flora MacDonald aided Charles Edward Stuart’s (Bonnie Prince Charles) escape after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden. Dinner at the lodge.

Day 8) Loch Ness & Western Highlands

Depart for Armadale where you will board the ferry to Mallaig on the mainland. Continue by the silver sands of Morar, the Glenfinnan Tower Monument, where Bonnie Prince Charles rallied support for the Jacobite Rising of 1746, and the shores of Loch Linnhe to Glencoe. This afternoon, visit Glencoe, where you will learn about the Glencoe Massacre and visit a replica 17thcentury turf and creel house, before arriving in Oban, known as the seafood capital of Scotland, for a one-night stay at a superb Georgian House built in 1780 by the 5th Duke of Argyll, offering spectacular views over Oban Bay and the Isles of Kerrera, Lismore and Mull. This owner-run hotel and restaurant combines the manor’s understated but elegant appearance, the traditional values of Scottish hospitality. Dinner tonight is included.

Day 9) Inveraray Castle & Loch Fyne

Journey to Glasgow or Edinburgh, visiting Inveraray Castle, home to the Duke of Argyll, the chief of the Campbells, enroute. Enjoy the castle’s impressive interiors, considered the most richly decorated in Scotland. Enjoy lunch in the delightful town of Inveraray by Loch Fyne. This afternoon, view the “bonnie banks” of Loch Lamond as you continue to Glasgow, or pass through the Trossachs National Park on your way to Edinburgh. Arrive at Glasgow or Edinburgh airport for your departing flight or at your preferred drop off point in either city.