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PRIVATE TOUR ITINERARY

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Enjoy the best of Scotland & England in 16 Days with your private chauffeur-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 and the mediaeval walled city of York. Visit the villages and stunning gardens of the Cotswolds, the colleges of Oxford, Windsor Castle, historical sites, charming towns and the very best of London. This 16-day private tour gives you the best of Scotland and England!

 

This morning, enjoy a panoramic cruise of Loch Ness before the boat drops you at the shore to explore the dramatic ruins of Urquhart Castle. Continue to Fort Augustus, where Loch Ness meets the Caledonian Canal. In the afternoon, continue your journey through magnificent mountain scenery to one of Scotland’s most iconic images, Eilean Donan Castle. You’ll then cross the bridge to the Isle of Skye for a two-night stay.

 

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 also choose to enjoy refreshments or a light lunch at the Royal Deck Tea Room. Next, arrive at your hotel for a 3-night stay. Enjoy a 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.

 

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. Then 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 to Cawdor Castle & Gardens, a traditional Scottish Castle built and privately owned by the Cawdor family for over 600 years. The castle also features a beautiful walled garden. Tonight, dinner is included at a local pub.

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Day 6) Loch Ness, Glencoe & Oban

Today, depart for Loch Ness, famous for the legendary Nessie, and enjoy a cruise on this beautiful loch. You’ll be treated to panoramic views of the Highlands as you approach Urquhart Castle, where you’ll visit this famous castle perched majestically above the shoreline. Continue to Fort Augustus, where Loch Ness meets Thomas Telford’s 60-mile long Caledonian Canal and where you will see a flight of five stepped locks in the village, as the Caledonian Canal drops down to join Loch Ness. This afternoon, visit Glencoe, where you will learn about the Glencoe Massacre and visit a replica 17th century 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. 

 

Day 7) Journey by train from Scotland to York

This morning, some leisurely time to explore Oban prior to your departure for Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station from where you will board the train in first-class for York in England. Arrive in York and continue to a central historic hotel for a two-night stay, located within the medieval city wall and only a five-minute stroll to the city center.

 

Day 8) York

Meet your local guide for your private-guided walking tour. Learn about the history of York, from the Roman occupation to the days of Viking raids to that of a major wool trading and ecclesiastical center. The tour will include a visit to York Minster. 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 (fine Georgian home), Jorvik Viking Centre (depicting Viking life in the city), or the National Railway Museum (the story of rail transport in Britain). 

 

Day 9) Hardwick Hall & Cotswolds

Today visit Hardwick Hall, one of the finest Elizabethan buildings in the country and home to one of the finest collections of Elizabethan tapestries and embroideries in Europe, including the Gideon tapestries and Noble Women embroidered wall hangings. Bess of Hardwick, a formidable and talented woman, was responsible for the creation of both Hardwick Hall and Chatsworth House. Her four marriages led to her becoming the Countess of Shrewsbury and one of the richest women in Elizabethan England. Next, arrive in the pretty village of Stow-on-the-Wold for a 3-night stay. Stow is an attractive Cotswold village featuring a mixture of quaint shops, tea rooms, local pubs and restaurants set amongst period house and picturesque honey-colored Cotswold stone cottages. 

 

Day 10) Sudeley Castle & Chasleton House

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. Continue to 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. This afternoon, a full afternoon English tea will be waiting for you at a local treasure, an award-winning restaurant with spectacular views across the peaceful Cotswold valleys.   

 

Day 11) Hidcote Manor, Chipping Campden & Sezincote 

This morning, visit Hidcote Manor & Gardens, the greatest of all gardens, created by the talented American horticulturist, Major Lawrence Johnston. Enjoy lunch in the pretty honey-colored stone village of Chipping Campden. This afternoon, visit Sezincote House, featuring a renaissance-style garden beautifully set in the rolling Cotswold countryside. If time permits, you may also enjoy an optional 
one-hour country walk from Dover’s Hill to Chipping Campden, prior to departure to Sezincote.

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Day 12) Blenheim Palace & Oxford

Today, depart for Blenheim Palace and the famous university town of Oxford. In the morning, 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 birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. On departure, stop in Bladon, the resting place of Winston Churchill, alongside other members of the Churchill family, at St Martin’s Parish Church, just outside Blenheim Palace grounds. This afternoon, enjoy a private-guided walking tour of Oxford, known as the “City of Dreaming Spires” and home to England’s oldest university. Walk through the impressive campus buildings that are still home to the university’s main ceremonial and educational functions, admiring the impressive architecture. Arrive at a beautiful historic hotel set in the heart of Oxford for an overnight stay.  

 

Day 13) Windsor & Hampton Court

Today, depart for a whole-day private guided tour of 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 a local pub by the Thames before visiting Hampton Court where, through a 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. Discover the spectacular baroque palace built for William III and Mary II and explore Hampton Court Palace’s outdoor spaces and magnificent gardens. Continue your journey to central London for a three-night stay at a central Mayfair hotel within walking distance of Buckingham Palace and many other top London sights.

 

Day 14) Westminster Abbey & Churchill War Rooms

Today, meet your local guide for a whole-day private guided sightseeing tour of essential London, learning about the history of the city and some of its famous residents. After seeing the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, you’ll tour the interior of Westminster Abbey, one of the United Kingdom’s most notable religious buildings where Kings and Queens have been crowned and buried since 1066, and where recently Queen Elizabeth II lay in state. This afternoon, visit the Churchill War Rooms, the underground nerve center where the British government directed the Second World War. Afterwards, you may either visit Buckingham Palace (if open) or enjoy a ride on the London Eye with a champagne toast. 

 

Day 15) Kensington Palace & Tower of London

This morning, your local guide will take you on a visit to Kensington Palace, situated within Hyde Park, and the favorite residence of successive sovereigns until 1760. It was also the birthplace and childhood home of Queen Victoria, as well home to recent royals Prince William and Prince Harry and their wives. Tour the opulent State Apartments and walk in the footsteps of royalty in the beautiful gardens. This afternoon, your local guide will take you to the Tower of London, home to the Crown Jewels. From the Tower of London, depart by ferry along the Thames—admiring the best views of Tower Bridge and London’s skyline— to Westminster Pier, from where you’ll be transferred back to your hotel. 

 

Day 16) Depart for Heathrow Airport

Depart by private car for Heathrow Airport for your return flight.