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PRIVATE TOUR ITINERARY

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Enjoy the best of Scotland & England in 15 Days with your very own private driver-guide! You'll walk the Royal Mile in Edinburgh; study the fairways at St. Andrews; learn how whisky is made; experience the Highlands of Scotland and cruise Loch Ness. You'll go back in time as you explore Stirling Castle,  the mediaeval walled city of York and the exciting city of Gla. Visit the villages and stunning gardens of the Cotswolds, the colleges of Oxford, the Roman Baths in Georgian Bath, and Blenheim palace, Churchill's former home. This 15-day private tour gives you the best of Scotland and England!

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Day 1) Depart London

Depart London Heathrow Airport, or central London, with your driver-guide for the immaculately preserved village of Lacock, favorite of film producers and settings of Downton Abbey and Pride and Prejudice. Explore the picturesque streets and historic cottages untouched by modern times, including the fine Romanesque Cloisters, a film site for Harry Potter, and Chapter House of Lacock Abbey. Continue your journey to Bath for a two-night stay in the heart of the city, a short stroll from the Royal Crescent.  

 

Day 2) Bath & Castle Combe

Today, enjoy a private-guided tour of Bath taking in all the main sights including the many places associated with Jane Austen’s time and life in this fine city. You will see Bath from the best viewpoint, tour the Georgian town and visit the well-preserved thermae of the Roma Baths, constructed in 70 AD. Afterwards, enjoy afternoon tea in the elegant interiors of the Pump Room, built between 1789-1799 and setting of Jane Austen’s Persuasion and Northanger Abbey. This evening, visit the picturesque village of Castle Combe, setting of the movie War Horse. Arrive in time to explore the village. Dinner is included this evening at a local inn.

 

Day 3) Oxford & Blenheim Palace

Leave this morning for the famous university town of Oxford. Enjoy a private-guided walking tour of historic Oxford including exclusive access to at least one college. This afternoon, visit Blenheim Palace, a magnificent estate set on 2,100 acres of beautiful parkland, landscaped by Lancelot “Capability” Brown, and home of the 12th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough as well as the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Continue your journey to the Cotswolds for a two-night stay, with several choices of hotels. You will visit pretty Cotswold villages featuring a mixture of quaint shops, tea rooms, local pubs and restaurants set amongst period houses and picturesque honey-colored Cotswold stone cottages. Dinner is included tonight.

 

Day 4) Cotswolds & Luxury Afternoon Tea
This morning, visit Sudeley Castle, a 15th-century country house where Henry VIII, King Edward VI, Queen Elizabeth 1, amongst others, all have connections. The centerpiece is the Queens Garden, so named because four of England’s queens—Anne Boleyn, Katherine Parr, Lady Jane Grey and Elizabeth I—all admired the hundreds of varieties of roses found here. After visiting the castle, take some time to explore the pretty Cotswold town of Chipping Campden, with its numerous cafes and pubs for lunch. In the afternoon, visit Chastleton House, a fine unaltered Jacobean manor house with gardens laid out the same way for 400 years, also setting of the costume drama Wolf Hall. By the end of the afternoon, enjoy a full afternoon English tea at an award-winning restaurant with spectacular views across the peaceful Cotswold valleys.

 

Day 5) Cotswold Villages & York
This morning, depart for a scenic tour through a few Cotswold villages. Visit Hidcote Manor & Gardens, the greatest of all gardens, created by the talented horticulturist, Major Lawrence Johnston. This afternoon, depart the Cotswolds for York for a two-night stay.

 

Day 6) York

Today, meet your local guide for a private-guided walking tour of York. You’ll marvel at York Minster, England’s finest Gothic church, explore The Shambles, York’s wonderfully preserved medieval quarter, the vast Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, and the medieval guildhall with displays recounting life and commerce of the Middle Ages. The rest of the day is free for you to explore York in your own time. You may wish to visit York Castle Museum (recreation of Victorian life), Fairfax House (a fine Georgian hoe), Jorvik Viking Centre (depicting Viking life in the city), or the National Railway Museum (the story of rail transport in Britain). 

 

Day 7) Arrive in Edinburgh & Royal Britannia

Depart York by train, with reserved seats in first class, for Edinburgh. On your arrival into Edinburgh, you will be met by your driver who will take you on a visit to 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 two-night stay. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant with whisky tastings.

 

Day 8) 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, home to many kings and queens and the current Edinburgh residence for King Charles III.

 

Day 9) Stirling Castle & Edinburgh

This morning, depart for Stirling, just an hour away. 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. Lunch in Stirling and return to Edinburgh this afternoon where the rest of the afternoon is free for you to do some shopping or visit any of Edinburgh’s world class museums.

 

Day 10) St. Andrews & Scottish Highlands

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. Depart St. Andrews for the Scottish Highlands. Arrive at your hotel in Inverness for a two-night stay. Dinner tonight is included at a local restaurant.

 

Day 11) Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns & Cawdor Castle 

Today, 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 museum where unique artifacts from the time are displayed. Walk the battlefield and explore the key areas of action on Culloden Moor. Continue for visits to Clava Cairns, an impressive collection of prehistoric burial chambers, and Cawdor Castle & Gardens, a traditional Scottish Castle. 

 

Day 12) 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 mountainous 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 13) Oban 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, enroute, visit Inveraray Castle, home to the Duke of Argyll, the chief of the Campbells. Enjoy the castle’s impressive interiors and visit the picturesque town of Inveraray. Return to Oban where dinner tonight is included.

 

Day 14) Glasgow

Depart Oban through the Western Highlands and along the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond for Glasgow. In Glasgow, enjoy a private-guided tour. Marvel at the largest medieval cathedral in Scotland, discover the university district with its wealth of fine buildings, and see the works of Art Nouveau architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Arrive at your hotel for your final night of the tour.

 

Day 15) Glasgow Airport

Transfer to Glasgow Airport for your return flight.