Itinerary
- Day 1
Edinburgh
You'll arrive in Edinburgh and have the afternoon and evening to yourself. Head into Old Town to wander around and get a feel for the city, or walk the Royal Mile if you want the main tourist route. If Harry Potter interests you, Victoria Street has the Diagon Alley connection, and Greyfriars Cemetery is where JK Rowling picked up character names. It's a good day to settle in and grab dinner somewhere local once you've done a bit of exploring.
Optional Activities
- Explore Old Town
- Walk the Royal Mile
- Visit Victoria Street (Harry Potter inspiration)
- Visit Greyfriars Cemetery (Harry Potter character inspiration)
Landmarks Old Town Royal Mile Victoria Street Greyfriars Cemetery - Day 2
Edinburgh
Your 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus ticket lets you hit Edinburgh's attractions on your own schedule. The Palace of Holyroodhouse shows you royal history, while Camera Obscura offers optical illusions and city views from above. Dynamic Earth is great if you want something more hands-on, taking you through planetary history from the Big Bang through earthquakes, volcanoes, and different ecosystems. You can tackle these in any order and spend as much or as little time at each spot.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- 24-hour hop-on hop-off Edinburgh city tour
Optional Activities
- Visit Palace of Holyroodhouse
- Visit Camera Obscura illusion museum with panoramic views
- Visit Dynamic Earth adventure museum
Landmarks Palace of Holyroodhouse Camera Obscura Dynamic Earth - Day 3
Edinburgh to Perth Area
After crossing the Forth Road Bridge, you're heading into Perthshire. Stop to see the Kelpies, those massive 30-meter horse head sculptures. Right there is an adventure park with a water play area for kids, and the nearby Helix Park has good trails for walking or cycling if that's your thing. The Falkirk Wheel is optional but it's a unique ship elevator if you're into engineering. You'll end the day in the Perth area for your next two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit the Kelpies horse head statues
- Play at adventure park with water zone
- Hike or cycle at Helix Park
- Visit Falkirk Wheel ship elevator
Landmarks Forth Road Bridge The Kelpies Helix Park Falkirk Wheel 
- Day 4
Perth Area
Blair Castle is your main stop today, with its striking white walls and grounds. Diana's Grove is a forest adventure playground, and the castle itself has a treasure hunt, costume areas, and a great hall for photos. Hercules Garden has activity maps for kids. If you've got time, Scone Palace next door has a maze and Highland cattle to see. This is a full day just within the Perth area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Admission Blair Castle
Optional Activities
- Explore Diana's Grove adventure playground
- Explore Hercules Garden
- Castle treasure hunt
- Costume dress-up in great hall
- Visit Scone Palace with maze and Highland cattle
Landmarks Blair Castle Scone Palace - Day 5
Perth Area to Inverness Area
Head out into the Highlands and pick your activities. The Strathspey Railway runs a vintage steam train, or check out the Highland Folk Museum near Newtonmore for free admission to see traditional Highland life. Cairngorm National Park has serious hiking with five of Scotland's six highest peaks, plus mountain bike routes. If you want to go higher, Scotland's fastest mountain railway takes you up with views and a mountain exhibition at the top.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Ride Strathspey Railway steam train
- Visit Highland Folk Museum
- Hike at Cairngorm National Park
- Mountain bike tour at Cairngorm National Park
- Take highest and fastest mountain railroad in Scotland
- Visit mountain exhibition
Landmarks Strathspey Railway Highland Folk Museum Cairngorm National Park 
- Day 6
Inverness Area
It's Loch Ness day. A boat trip might bring you a Nessie sighting, though the Loch Ness Exhibition Center covers the legend and history if the monster stays hidden. Urquhart Castle sits on the shore and makes for good exploring. If weather cooperates, drive out to Findhorn Beach for dunes and coastal views, or Nairn Beach has a cafe and playground if you're traveling with kids.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Boat trip on Loch Ness to spot the Loch Ness Monster
- Visit Loch Ness Exhibition Center
- Visit Urquhart Castle ruins
- Visit Findhorn Beach
- Visit Nairn Beach
Landmarks Loch Ness Loch Ness Exhibition Center Urquhardt Castle Findhorn Beach Nairn Beach 
- Day 7
Inverness Area to Aberdeenshire
Heading toward Aberdeenshire. Brodie Castle is optional but it's compact and sits in 70 acres with walking trails. Later, Cordona's adventure park by Aberdeen Beach has rollercoasters, laser tag, and bowling if you want action-packed activities. You're staying one night in the Aberdeenshire area, so settle in early and check out the local food scene.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Brodie Castle
- Explore Brodie Castle parkland walking trails
- Visit Cordona's adventure park with rollercoasters, laser tag, bowling
Landmarks Brodie Castle Cordona's Adventure Park Aberdeen Beach - Day 8
Aberdeenshire to Fife/Dundee Peninsula
Drive east along the coast to St Andrews for your last night before heading home. The long sandy beach is worth a walk, and there's a cathedral you can explore or the castle overlooking the sea. Grab ice cream at Jannettas Gelateria near the cathedral, which apparently has the best stuff in town. You'll sleep one more night on the Fife and Dundee peninsula.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Beach time in St Andrews
- Explore St Andrews Cathedral ruins
- Explore St Andrews Castle
- Ice cream at Jannettas Gelateria
Landmarks St Andrews St Andrews Cathedral St Andrews Castle Jannettas Gelateria 
- Day 9
Fife/Dundee Peninsula Departure
Time to head out. Edinburgh Airport is about 50 kilometers away, so factor in travel time depending on where you're starting from. This is your individual departure day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Edinburgh Airport
