Itinerary
- Day 1
Edinburgh
You'll arrive in Edinburgh and check into Castle Rock Hostel, which sits right beneath Edinburgh Castle. Your afternoon is yours to do as you like. You could head to St. Giles Cathedral or the National Museum of Scotland, walk through the Botanical Gardens, or climb up to the castle for views over the city. At 5 PM, the group meets up for a welcome gathering so you can meet the other travelers.
Included Activities
- St. Giles Cathedral
- The National Museum of Scotland
- Edinburgh Botanical Gardens (independent exploration)
- Welcome gathering at hostel
Optional Activities
- Edinburgh Castle (entrance fee not included)
- Independent afternoon exploration of Edinburgh
Landmarks/POIs Edinburgh Castle St. Giles Cathedral National Museum of Scotland Edinburgh Botanical Gardens - Day 2
Edinburgh to Loch Ness
This morning you'll leave Edinburgh and head into the Highlands. Stop at the Highland Folk Museum in Pitlochry, an open-air village with over 30 restored buildings from the 1700s through mid-1900s. From there, you'll pass through Cairngorms National Park and visit Culloden Battlefield, the 1746 Jacobite Rising site. After lunch, you'll head through Inverness and reach Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness, where you can take in views of the legendary loch. By evening, you'll be settled at Lochside Hostel on the shores of Loch Ness.
Included Activities
- Highland Folk Museum
- Culloden Battlefield
- Urquhart Castle
Landmarks/POIs Highland Folk Museum Culloden Battlefield Urquhart Castle Loch Ness Cairngorms National Park - Day 3
Loch Ness to Isle of Skye
You'll explore Scotland's northwest coastline today. Start at Corrieshalloch Gorge to see the Falls of Measach, then move on to Loch Broom Beag. Continue to Loch Ewe, which played a role in World War II as an Arctic convoy gathering point. The coastal village of Gairloch comes next, where you'll learn about the Highland Clearances while walking along sandy shores. Later, you'll venture into Beinn Eighe and Loch Maree National Nature Reserve, established in 1951 and home to rare species. End the day at Glen Docherty, a valley surrounded by mountains. You'll stay at Loch Buie Hostel on the Isle of Skye by the seaside.
Landmarks/POIs Corrieshalloch Gorge Falls of Measach Loch Broom Beag Loch Ewe Gairloch Beinn Eighe and Loch Maree National Nature Reserve Glen Docherty - Day 4
Isle of Skye
Today focuses on the Isle of Skye. You'll start in Portree and see its colorful harbor-front houses, then head to Uig, a coastal village with the 19th-century Uig Tower. Duntulm Castle comes next, perched dramatically on cliffs with views of the sea. Stop at Cliff View Point for more coastal views, and later hike to the Old Man of Storr, a natural rock formation surrounded by local stories and myths. After these stops, you'll return to Loch Buie Hostel for the evening.
Optional Activities
- Hike to Old Man of Storr
Landmarks/POIs Portree Loch Portree Uig Uig Tower Duntulm Castle Trotternish Peninsula Cliff View Point Old Man of Storr - Day 5
Isle of Skye
You'll start by visiting the Fairy Pools, hidden gem pools in the Cuillin Mountains. The walk takes you past crystal-clear water and cascading falls. From Elgol, you'll take a boat trip through the Cuillin Mountains, where you'll see jagged peaks, sea cliffs, and hidden coves from the water. Your guide will share local folklore and sea legends during the cruise. You'll return to Loch Buie Hostel by the seaside later in the day.
Included Activities
- Fairy Pools visit
- Boat trip from Elgol into the Cuillin Mountains
Landmarks/POIs Fairy Pools Cuillin Mountains Elgol - Day 6
Isle of Skye to Oban
You'll visit Loch Loyne first, a place connected to ancient settlement stories. Next is Spean Bridge, where the Commando Memorial stands as a tribute to soldiers trained there during World War II. At the Ben Nevis Distillery, located at the base of Britain's highest peak (1,345 meters), you'll tour the facility and learn how whisky is made, then sample two of their whiskies. Later, you'll travel to Glenfinnan to see the iconic viaduct from the Harry Potter films, and if you're lucky, you might spot the Jacobite train crossing it. End the day at Glencoe, known as the 'Heart of the Highlands,' where you'll reflect on the 1692 Glencoe Massacre surrounded by peaks and waterfalls. You'll stay at Oban Backpackers Hostel.
Included Activities
- Ben Nevis Distillery (includes whisky tasting)
Optional Activities
- Watching the Jacobite train at Glenfinnan viaduct
Landmarks/POIs Loch Loyne Spean Bridge Commando Memorial Ben Nevis Distillery Ben Nevis Glenfinnan Glenfinnan Viaduct Glencoe - Day 7
Oban
From Oban, you'll head out to explore ancient sites. Kilmartin Glen contains standing stones dating back over 5,000 years, with tales of the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. You'll visit the Nether Largie South Cairn, a Neolithic burial chamber. Spend time among these ancient stones and chambers, learning about the legends of warriors and kings connected to them. Later, you'll return to Oban Backpackers Hostel.
Landmarks/POIs Kilmartin Glen Nether Largie South Cairn - Day 8
Oban (Free Day)
You have a free day to choose your activities. Consider taking a short ferry to Kerrera Island to see the 16th-century Gylen Castle ruins. Ferries also go to Iona and Mull Islands. Iona has a medieval abbey and early Christian history, while Mull offers dramatic landscapes and castles. The Oban Distillery, established in 1794, offers tours and tastings of their celebrated single malt whisky. If you prefer something quieter, walk the coastal trails from Oban city center for sea breezes and views. In the evening, join the group for a Ceilidh Group Supper, a traditional Scottish gathering with dinner and folk music dancing.
- Meals
- Dinner (Cèilidh Group Supper—a delightful fusion of dinner and dance featuring traditional Scottish folk music and dance)
Included Activities
- Cèilidh Group Supper
Optional Activities
- Ferry to Kerrera Island and Gylen Castle
- Ferry to Iona and Mull Islands
- Oban Distillery visit
- Coastal trail walk from Oban city center
Landmarks/POIs Kerrera Island Gylen Castle Iona Mull Oban Distillery - Day 9
Oban to Edinburgh
You'll head back toward Edinburgh today. Start at Kilchurn Castle, a 15th-century fortress on Loch Awe's edge with centuries of Scottish history and Jacobite uprisings connected to it. Move through Glen Orchy, a valley full of Highland life and Jacobite rising stories. Your final stop is Doune Castle, a 14th-century medieval structure where Mary Queen of Scots once walked. You'll explore it with an audio guide and learn about its appearances in 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' and 'Outlander.' By evening, you'll be back at Castle Rock Hostel in Edinburgh.
Included Activities
- Doune Castle (includes audio guide)
Landmarks/POIs Kilchurn Castle Loch Awe Glen Orchy Doune Castle - Day 10
Edinburgh
This morning includes a guided walking tour through Edinburgh's historic center. You'll walk the Royal Mile and see the Grassmarket, Old and New Towns, and Greyfriars Kirkyard with Greyfriars Bobby. Your guide will share how J.K. Rowling found Harry Potter inspiration in these streets and cafes. In the afternoon, explore on your own. Visit the Whisky Experience at Edinburgh Castle, wander through Dean Village, or hike to Arthur's Seat for city views (the last two options are free). In the evening, the group shares a final meal at a special venue on Victoria Street, the most photographed street in Scotland, before returning to Castle Rock Hostel.
- Meals
- Dinner (Final group meal at a special venue on Victoria Street, the most photographed street in Scotland)
Included Activities
- Edinburgh City Tour (walking tour)
Optional Activities
- Whisky Experience at Edinburgh Castle
- Dean Village exploration
- Arthur's Seat walk
Landmarks/POIs The Royal Mile Grassmarket Greyfriars Kirkyard Greyfriars Bobby Dean Village Arthur's Seat Victoria Street - Day 11
Edinburgh (Departure)
Your final day has no set plans. Take time to say goodbye to the landscapes and fellow travelers you've met along the way. Trade contact information with your new friends and reflect on Scotland's wild beauty and the stories you'll carry home. Bid farewell with 'Haste ye back' (a Scottish welcome to return soon) and 'Slainte mhath' (Good health). You'll depart whenever suits you.
