Scotland's Highlands, Islands and Cities

Visit Scotland

Day 1

Welcome to Edinburgh

Embrace the allure of Auld Reekie and explore its labyrinthine lanes, before joining your fellow travellers and Travel Director for dinner to kick-start your tour through an unimaginably beautiful part of the world.

Day 2

Discover Enchanting Edinburgh

Let your Local Specialist take you on an informative sightseeing tour of Edinburgh.

See the regal Palace of Holyroodhouse, the new Scottish Parliament Building and the Royal Mile, delving into the heart of the city, before visiting Edinburgh Castle, perched atop Castle Rock. Stroll through the grand New Town with its Gothic façades enjoying the rest of the day at leisure. Tickets to see the Edinburgh Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates.

Day 3

A Day of Abbeys, Landscapes and History

A scenic day's excursion brings you to the ruins of the 12th-century Augustinian Jedburgh Abbey, which you will have an opportunity to view.

Continue to nearby Melrose Abbey, said to be the final resting place of the embalmed heart of Robert the Bruce. Take the scenic route back to Edinburgh this afternoon, following the lush green landscapes along the Tweed River.

Day 4

Explore Glamis Castle and on to Creative Dundee

This morning, cross the Firth of Forth to the celebrated home of golf - St.

Andrews, to view its ancient university and famous golf course. Shakespeare's Macbeth takes centre stage as you visit Glamis Castle, once the home of the beloved Queen Mother and birthplace of Princess Margaret. Enjoy a guided tour of the castle and explore its beautiful gardens, before travelling to the waterfront city of Dundee, distinguished for its status as the first UNESCO City of Design, and the original home of marmalade.

Day 5

Venture to Culloden and Inverness

Today, wind your way to the tragic battlefield and Visitor Centre at Culloden, past rugged landscapes and the imposing Cairngorms Mountains.

Visit the site where Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite army was defeated. Your final stop for the night is Inverness, the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands.

Day 6

Journey to Loch Ness and Thurso

The mystical haunt of Nessie is your first stop today en route to Dunrobin Castle.

This stately home and its magnificent gardens, inspired by the Palace of Versailles, comes straight from the pages of a fairy tale. Spend your afternoon exploring its château-like structure and surrounds, once home to the Clan Sutherland. Dive Into Culture and learn about the local whisky industry at a distillery, including a tasting of Scotland's much-loved golden nectar. Arriving in Thurso, your home for the next two nights, enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Day 7

A Day on the Orkney Islands

After stopping at John o' Groats, board a ferry to South Ronaldsay in the Orkney Islands.

Visit the ornate Italian Chapel, built by Italian prisoners of war. See the prehistoric free-standing stones of the Ring of Brodgar before visiting Skara Brae and delving into the stories of the Neolithic village. Stop at beautiful Kirkwall Cathedral for a photo opportunity before returning to your hotel for dinner.

Day 8

Over the Sea to Skye

Dramatic landscapes accompany our scenic drive along the rugged north-west coastline of the Scottish Highlands to remote Ullapool on the shores of Loch Broom.

Journey to Eilean Donan Castle, built in the 13th century, perched on a tiny island, where three sea lochs meet, then continue to the Isle of Skye where you'll stay overnight and enjoy a delicious dinner in your hotel.

Day 9

Onwards to Oban

Upon return to the mainland, follow a beautiful route that takes you past the Glenfinnan Viaduct which Harry Potter's Hogwarts Express once crossed to his beloved school of magic.

Pass Fort William on the shores of Loch Linnhe, renowned as the gateway to Ben Nevis, before continuing to Oban, your Highland home for the next two nights.

Day 10

Sail to the Isles of Mull and Iona

Set sail from Oban to the Isle of Mull, disembarking at Craignure.

Cross the pretty island countryside to catch a ferry from Fionnphort to the island of Iona, which was once the home of a Gaelic monastic community in Iona Abbey. Before your journey back to Oban, you'll have the chance to view Rèilig Odhrain, the final resting place of many Scottish kings.

Day 11

Off to Glasgow Make Travel Matter

A solemn reminder of the MacDonald clansmen, who were massacred at the 'Glen of Weeping', marks our morning journey south to Glasgow.

Join an expert guide to unlock Glasgow’s sustainable secrets on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.

Day 12

Uncover Stirling Castle’s Secrets Connect with Locals

Venture to Bannockburn, where King Robert Bruce of Scotland defeated Edward II of England during the First War of Scottish Independence.

Mary, Queen of Scots and several Scottish kings and queens have made Stirling Castle their home over the centuries. Enjoy a visit to its grounds and delve into the history of this royal residence and fortress, besieged by Bonnie Prince Charlie in the 18th century. We'll visit the splendidly decorated Royal Palace of King James V and view the renowned Stirling Heads. Later, we Connect With Locals, joining the Wood family this afternoon for a memorable Be My Guest experience at their 15th-century farm, on the shores of Loch Ard, amidst tales of Rob Roy. This evening, we return to Glasgow for time at leisure to enjoy true Scottish hospitality.

Day 13

Farewell Glasgow

Our epic journey across Scotland’s highlands, islands and cities has come to an end.

It’s time to say a fond farewell to our travel companions and Travel Director as our memorable holiday comes to an end.

Dining Summary

5 Dinner (D)

12 Breakfast (B)

1 Lunch (L)

Be My Guest

Kinlochard: Join your hosts, the Wood family at their 15th-century farm on the shores of Loch Ard for a home-cooked Scottish lunch, amidst tales of Rob Roy and a few foot-tapping ceilidh tunes.

Dive Into Culture

Pitlochry: Warm your heart with a little Scottish whisky at a traditional distillery in the Scottish Highlands.

Iconic Experience

Edinburgh: Explore the city with your Local Specialist as you travel along Princes Street to see the Scott Memorial, the neoclassical Adam facades of New Town and the official Scottish residence of the King, Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Jedburgh: See the impressive 12th-century Jedburgh Abbey that dominates the centre of town. 

Melrose: View the historic ruins of Melrose Abbey and appreciate its many carved decorative details.

St. Andrews: Visit the university town where the famous beach scene from 'Chariots of Fire' was filmed and see the golf course where the sport was created.

Glamis: Visit Glamis Castle, and appreciate the building's illustrious history and picturesque setting.

Inverness: At the exciting Culloden Visitor Centre, discover why the Battle of Culloden lasted only an hour yet changed the Highland way of life forever.

Golspie: Explore the grand castle and admire its magnificent gardens during your visit of Dunrobin Castle. 

Orkney Islands: Cruise to the windswept Orkney Islands. Come face-to-face with relics spanning human history, from pagan stone circles to reminders of wartime tragedy.

Scottish Highlands: Admire picturesque lochs and glens as you travel through the Scottish Highlands.

Eilean Donan: Stop for a photo of this gorgeous castle.

Glenfinnan Viaduct: See the Glenfinnan Viaduct, along which the Hogwart's Express once crossed in the Harry Potter series. 

Isle of Mull: Explore the Scottish Highlands in depth as you travel to the Isles of Mull and Iona. Visit the Reilig Odhrain, sacred burial ground of 48 Scottish Kings. 

Glasgow: See the grand public buildings of Glasgow, including George Square. 

Glencoe: Drive through this Highland village on Loch Leven.

Stirling: Visit Stirling and see its castle, once the seat of Scottish royalty.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

Glasgow: From wind powered murals to historic sites, tenements to the Clyde - discover the real impact of climate change on Glasgow, and learn more about Scotland's role in the climate crisis on this fun and educative guided tour. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Must-see Highlights

Explore Edinburgh

Discover Dundee, Orkney Islands, Glasgow and Stirling

Visit Edinburgh Castle, Glamis Castle, Pulteney Distillery in Wick, the battlefield and Visitor Centre of Culloden, Dunrobin Castle in Golspie, John O'Groats, The Italian Chapel and Skara Brae on Orkney Islands, Ullapool, Isle of Skye, Isle of Mull, Isle of Iona, St. Mungo's Cathedral in Glasgow and Stirling Castle

View Jedburgh Abbey, the 18th​ green at St. Andrews, Eilean Donan Castle and Glencoe

See Loch Ness, Loch Lomond and the Battlefield at Bannockburn

Tickets for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates

View our great airfares, hotels and travel insurance.