Itinerary
- Day 1
Edinburgh to St Andrews
Start at Edinburgh Airport and drive through the Kingdom of Fife toward St Andrews. You'll pass by the Queensferry Crossing and the three Forth bridges along the way. Once in St Andrews, there's an optional afternoon coastal walk if you want to explore this charming seaside town and stretch your legs after the drive.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic), Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive through Kingdom of Fife
- View Queensferry Crossing and three Forth bridges
- Stop for photographs at Firth estuary
Optional Activities
- Afternoon coastal walk into St Andrews (2 hours, 4km)
Landmarks/POIs Queensferry Crossing Forth Bridges St Andrews - Day 2
Scone Palace and Distillery Tour
Morning takes you to Scone Palace, where Scottish Kings were crowned and the Murray family has lived for generations. Inside you'll find impressive State Rooms and grounds to walk through. After lunch, head to a distillery tour where you'll learn how Scotland's water sources produce its whisky, with some tasting likely included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Scone Palace State Rooms
- Explore Scone Palace Grounds and Parklands
- Afternoon distillery tour
Landmarks/POIs Scone Palace - Day 3
Killiecrankie, Jacobite History and Blair Castle
Walk through native woodland from Loch Faskally to Killiecrankie, with a local guide explaining the Jacobite rebellion history. After a picnic lunch (bring your appetite), you'll visit Blair Castle, home of the Athol family for over 700 years. Inside there's 18th century interiors to see, and the grounds include Hercules' Garden and Diana's Grove for wandering.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic)
Included Activities
- Walk through woodland from Loch Faskally to Killiecrankie (4.5 hours, 12km, +350m elevation)
- Learn about Jacobite rebellion history
- Visit Blair Castle
- Explore Blair Castle grounds including Hercules' Garden and Diana's Grove
Landmarks/POIs Loch Faskally Killiecrankie Blair Castle - Day 4
Loch Ness Cruise and Isle of Skye
Cruise across Loch Ness where you'll watch for the legendary monster while taking in Highland scenery. Urquhart Castle ruins sit on the loch's shores and you'll pass by them during the cruise. Later in the afternoon, you'll drive toward the Isle of Skye, so it's a good day of mixing water travel with scenic driving.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Loch Ness cruise boat tour
- View Urquhart Castle ruins
- Scenic drive to Isle of Skye
Landmarks/POIs Loch Ness Urquhart Castle - Day 5
Old Man of Storr, Brothers Point and Kilt Rock
Head to northern Skye for a hike that takes you up to the Old Man of Storr with its rugged rock formations and views down to the coast. There's time for either a picnic lunch or a pub meal depending on your preference. After eating, continue north to Brothers Point to see the Kilt Rock and Mealt waterfalls dropping off cliffs into the sea.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic or pub meal (weather depending)), Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Old Man of Storr
- Walk to Brothers Point
- View Kilt Rock and Mealt waterfalls
Landmarks/POIs Old Man of Storr Brothers Point Kilt Rock Mealt Waterfalls - Day 6
Isle of Skye to Fort William
Leave Skye by ferry, stopping to see Armadale Castle gardens while you wait. Travel along the west coast to Glenfinnan on Loch Shiel where Bonnie Prince Charlie landed in 1745. You'll see the famous viaduct that the Harry Potter steam train crosses, then drive to Fort William at the base of Ben Nevis. On the route you'll pass Neptune's Staircase Locks on the Caledonian Canal.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Armadale Castle gardens
- Ferry crossing
- Visit Glenfinnan on Loch Shiel
- View Glenfinnan Viaduct
- View Neptune's Staircase Locks on Caledonian Canal
Landmarks/POIs Armadale Castle Glenfinnan Glenfinnan Viaduct Ben Nevis Neptune's Staircase Locks - Day 7
Glen Coe and Loch Lomond
Drive through Glen Coe with its volcanic and glacial scenery and changing light on the mountains. Later you'll reach Loch Lomond, Scotland's largest lake. End the day with a sunset walk up Conic Hill where you can see from the vantage point the Boundary Fault line that separates the lowlands from the highlands.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive through Glen Coe
- Sunset walk up Conic Hill (6km, 3 hours, +/- 350m elevation)
Landmarks/POIs Glen Coe Loch Lomond Conic Hill - Day 8
Loch Katrine
Travel to Loch Katrine where Sir Walter Scott got inspiration for stories like The Lady of the Lake. The landscape here has drawn artists for centuries with its mix of woodland, lochs, and mountains that blend Highland and Lowland features. You'll take a morning walk with views of this romantic and dramatic setting.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walk at Loch Katrine (3 hours, 5km, +350m elevation)
Landmarks/POIs Loch Katrine - Day 9
Royal Mile and Castle
Start with a guided walking tour down Edinburgh's Royal Mile from Holyrood Palace up to the Castle. Wear comfortable shoes since you'll be walking all morning. After that, you'll have tickets and audio guides to explore the Castle at your own pace. Spend the rest of your day checking out medieval alleys, shops, St Giles Cathedral, and the National Museum of Scotland (which has free entry).
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Edinburgh city center and Royal Mile
- Visit Edinburgh Castle with tickets and audio guides
Optional Activities
- Visit St Giles Cathedral
- Visit National Museum of Scotland
- Independent exploration of medieval alleys
- Shopping in Edinburgh
Landmarks/POIs Royal Mile Edinburgh Castle Holyrood Palace St Giles Cathedral National Museum of Scotland - Day 10
Holyrood Abbey, Salisbury Crags and Farewell Dinner
Visit Holyrood Abbey and Palace in the morning, then walk up to Salisbury Crags for views of Edinburgh from above. You'll be walking where soldiers, kings, queens, and sometimes pirates have walked. Afternoon is free for exploring Edinburgh however you like. By evening, rejoin the group for a farewell dinner celebrating the end of your trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Packed lunch), Dinner (Farewell celebration dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit Holyrood Abbey & Palace
- Walk up Salisbury Crags (2 hours, 5km, +/- 200m elevation)
- Farewell celebration dinner
Optional Activities
- Independent exploration of Edinburgh
Landmarks/POIs Holyrood Abbey Holyrood Palace Salisbury Crags - Day 11
Departure
After breakfast, you'll be dropped off at Edinburgh Airport by 09:30, wrapping up your Scottish journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
