10 Day Scotland Tour

• Day 1: 

  Arrival in Edinburgh
  Today we arrive in Edinburgh, where the buzz of Scotland's capital city sits in perfect contrast to the peaceful tranquility of the surrounding Lothians region. Edinburgh has one of the most beautiful cityscapes in the world, making it the ideal city break destination. With Scotland's most famous castle dominating the city skyline, there is plenty to see and do with the perfect balance between all things traditional and contemporary.
  
  Overnight in Edinburgh.

   

  Included Meal(s): Dinner, if required
• Day 2: 

  Edinburgh: City Touring
  We devote this morning to exploring one of the world's most beautiful cities on foot.
  
  Our local guide leads us through Edinburgh's atmospheric Old Town, beginning at Holyrood Abbey at the foot of the Royal Mile. We pass the striking Scottish Parliament building before ascending toward the castle. At St Giles' Cathedral, we admire the crown spire that has defined Edinburgh's skyline for centuries. Greyfriars Kirkyard tells darker tales—the graveyard that inspired J.K. Rowling and where Greyfriars Bobby kept watch over his master's grave for 14 years. The Grassmarket, once the site of public executions, now buzzes with cafes and pubs. We visit the National Museum of Scotland, where collections span natural history, world cultures, science and technology, and Scottish history.
  
  Then to Edinburgh Castle itself, perched on Castle Rock. This fortress has witnessed a thousand years of Scottish history. We view the Honours of Scotland (the crown jewels), visit St. Margaret's Chapel (the city's oldest building), marvel at Mons Meg (the massive 15th-century cannon), and walk through the Great Hall. The panoramic views extend across the city to the Firth of Forth and the hills beyond.
  
  The afternoon is yours to explore independently.
  
  Overnight in Edinburgh

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 3: 

  Edinburgh - Falkirk Wheel - Stirling Castle - Stirling
  Today we travel to Stirling via the Falkirk Wheel and Stirling Castle.
  
  The Falkirk Wheel boat lift is an exceptional feat of modern engineering that connects the Forth & Clyde and Union Canals. This unique and elegant mechanical marvel lifts boats by a height of 35 metres to bridge the gap that was originally linked by a flight of 11 locks. At the end of the 20th century, it was decided to reconnect the 2 canals with the innovative wheel as an inspiring symbol for the new Millennium.
  
  We'll enjoy the full experience of the Falkirk Wheel as we sail through the sky to join the Union Canal 35m above. After moving smoothly through the aqueduct and through the Roughcastle tunnel to the beginning of the Union Canawe then descend to the start point returning to the visitor centre.
  
  We then head to the city of Stirling where we visit Stirling Castle, the largest in Scotland. The castle is well defended by cliffs on 3 sides, and became a military stronghold and seat of royalty and government. Stirling Castle rock has been used as a fortress for centuries, probably since Roman times. The earliest buildings upon it mentioned in surviving records are the castle and the chapel dedicated by Alexander I in 1120. From the 12th Century it became one of the principal royal strongholds in Scotland. Destroyed or rebuilt several times in the 13th and 14th centuries, it was close to great battles against the English during the Wars of Independence.
  
  Overnight in Stirling.

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 4: 

  Stirling - St Andrews - Aberdeen
  Departing Stirling, we travel to Scotland's east coast and the ancient university town of St Andrews.
  
  St Andrews has been a place of pilgrimage, learning, and sport for centuries. Scotland's oldest university was founded here in 1413. The town was Scotland's ecclesiastical capital in medieval times. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club made St Andrews the spiritual home of golf worldwide.
  
  Our guided walking tour begins at St Andrews Cathedral, once Scotland's largest medieval church. Now romantically ruined, enough remains to convey its former grandeur. We explore the museum and visitor center. We see St Andrews Castle from the outside—this ruined fortress overlooks Castle Sands Beach. Then to the Old Course, the most famous golf course in the world and home to the Open Championship. At the University, we walk the same quadrangles where Prince William met Catherine Middleton. We finish at St Salvator's Chapel, stunning late Gothic architecture from the mid-15th century.
  
  We continue north to Aberdeen, the "Granite City," where Victorian architects made lavish use of local stone. Aberdeen pulses with cosmopolitan energy, enriched by North Sea oil yet rooted in centuries as a fishing port.
  
  Overnight in Aberdeen

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 5: 

  Aberdeen - Highland Cattle - Whisky Distillery - Grantown-on-Spey
  This morning in Aberdeenshire we meet a herd of Highland Cattle up close—those magnificent shaggy beasts with long horns and thick coats. We learn about this ancient native breed and how they're farmed. Following our visit, we enjoy lunch featuring traditional Scottish Highland beef stovies, oatcakes, and beetroot, with vegetarian options available.
  
  This afternoon brings us to Royal Lochnagar Distillery, nestled near Balmoral Castle in Royal Deeside. The distillery dates to 1845 and earned its "Royal" prefix after Prince Albert visited in 1848, granting it a Royal Warrant. Our private tour guides us through the distilling process in this traditional operation. The Highland location gives the whisky its character—pure mountain water, malted barley, copper pot stills, and oak casks where the spirit ages. Our tour concludes with a tasting of two drams of Royal Lochnagar whisky.
  
  We end our day in Grantown-on-Spey, near Aviemore in the heart of the Scottish Highlands—an ideal base for exploring this spectacular region.
  
  Overnight in Grantown-on-Spey

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Day 6: 

  Loch Ness Folklore & Nature
  Today we devote ourselves to Scotland's most famous loch and the landscape surrounding it.
  
  We begin at Loch Ness itself, that long, deep slash of water running southwest from Inverness. More than 20 miles long and reaching over 750 feet deep, Loch Ness contains more fresh water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined. We drive along the famous shoreline to Urquhart Castle, occupying a strategic promontory jutting into the loch. The castle's dramatic history involves centuries of warfare, and the ruins remain evocative. We continue to Fort Augustus, a pleasant village at the southern end of Loch Ness where the Caledonian Canal begins. We have free time to explore and find lunch.
  
  This afternoon brings something special—a visit to the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre. The conservation charity Trees for Life has been rewilding the 10,000-acre Dundreggan estate since 2008, working to restore the native Caledonian forest and its wildlife. The estate now supports over 4,000 species. A knowledgeable staff member guides us through Dundreggan, explaining why rewilding matters and how it's accomplished. We return via the less-traveled southern shore of Loch Ness, stopping at the beautiful Falls of Foyers.
  
  Overnight in Grantown-on-Spey

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 7: 

  Highland Safari
  This morning we embark on a Land Rover safari through the Scottish Highlands with our own expert safari ranger.
  
  We travel on private hill tracks through forests thick with pine and birch, across open moorland purple with heather, and up into the mountains. Our ranger watches for wildlife: majestic red deer, grouse exploding from the heather, mountain hares, perhaps even a golden eagle soaring on broad wings. The ranger shares knowledge of Highland ecology, geology, and history—explaining how this landscape was shaped by ice, cleared for sheep, and is now slowly being restored. At a traditional mountain bothy, we stop for tea, coffee, local Kenmore shortbread, and a dram of Dewar's whisky. The mountain views stretch in all directions—that vast emptiness that defines the Highlands.
  
  We return to our hotel with the remainder of the day free to relax and reflect on our Highland adventures.
  
  Overnight in Grantown-on-Spey

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Day 8: 

  Grantown-on-Spey - Scone Palace - Loch Lomond - Glasgow
  Glasgow's museums, galleries, and historic sites rank among Britain's finest, and today we explore some of the city's most remarkable treasures.
  
  We begin at Glasgow Cathedral, a magnificent medieval structure believed to stand on St Kentigern's tomb—Glasgow's patron saint and founder. This is Scotland's only mainland cathedral to survive the Reformation of 1560 intact. The dark stone interior creates an atmosphere of ancient devotion, with soaring Gothic arches and intricate stonework. After touring the cathedral, we step outside to the adjacent Glasgow Necropolis. This Victorian garden cemetery sprawls across a hillside—a remarkable collection of architecture, sculpture, and stories. Modeled on Paris's Père-Lachaise, approximately 50,000 people are buried here, commemorated by some 3,500 tombs and monuments. A passionate local volunteer guides us through.
  
  We enjoy a panoramic tour, stopping at George Square with its impressive collection of statues. We pause for free time and lunch before crossing the River Clyde to the world-renowned Burrell Collection. Today we receive a VIP tour including a rare behind-the-scenes look at objects not on public display. Afterward, we explore the main galleries independently.
  
  This evening we gather for a farewell dinner.
  
  
  
  Overnight in Glasgow

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 9: 

  Discovering Glasgow
  Glasgow's museums, galleries, and historic sites rank among Britain's finest, and today we explore some of the city's most remarkable treasures.
  
  We begin at Glasgow Cathedral, a magnificent medieval structure believed to stand on St Kentigern's tomb—Glasgow's patron saint and founder. This is Scotland's only mainland cathedral to survive the Reformation of 1560 intact. The dark stone interior creates an atmosphere of ancient devotion, with soaring Gothic arches and intricate stonework0
  
  After touring the cathedral, we step outside to the adjacent Glasgow Necropolis. This Victorian garden cemetery sprawls across a hillside—a remarkable collection of architecture, sculpture, and stories. Modeled on Paris's Père-Lachaise, approximately 50,000 people are buried here, commemorated by some 3,500 tombs and monuments. A passionate local volunteer guides us through.
  
  We enjoy a panoramic tour, stopping at George Square with its impressive collection of statues. We pause for free time and lunch before crossing the River Clyde to the world-renowned Burrell Collection. Today we receive a VIP tour including a rare behind-the-scenes look at objects not on public display. Afterward, we explore the main galleries independently.
  
  This evening we gather for a farewell dinner.
  
  Overnight in Glasgow

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Day 10: 

  Departure
  Departure from Glasgow.
  
  Safe travels! Slán agus beannacht leat! (Irish/Scottish Gaelic farewell)

   

  Included Meal(s): Breakfast

*The red tour trail on the map does not represent the actual travel path.