Itinerary
- Day 1
Edinburgh to Stirling
You'll arrive in Edinburgh between 12:30 and 17:30, then drive to Stirling for the evening. The group gets together over dinner to kick things off, so you'll meet your fellow travelers and get a sense of what's ahead over the next couple of weeks.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Day 2
Inverary - Oban
Start with a guided tour through Stirling Castle, then drive past Loch Lomond and Loch Fyne heading toward Inverary Castle. From there you'll continue to Oban on the rugged west coast where a local fisherman joins you, and you can see McCaig's Tower perched on the hillside overlooking the town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tour of Stirling Castle
- Visit Inverary Castle, ancestral seat of the Campbell clan
- Meet with local fisherman Jack to discuss fishing and coastal life
Landmarks/POIs Stirling Castle Loch Lomond Loch Fyne Inverary Castle McCaig's Tower - Day 3
Hebrides Islands: Mull and Iona
Take the ferry over to the island of Mull to walk through rocky cliffs and heather landscapes. After that you'll ferry again, this time to Iona where you can see the ancient monastery ruins and learn about the birthplace of Celtic Christianity that Saint Columba founded here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing to the island of Mull
- Visit the island of Mull with scenic rocky cliffs and heather
- Ferry crossing to the island of Iona
- Walk to the monastery ruins of Iona founded by Saint Columba
Landmarks/POIs Isle of Mull Isle of Iona Iona Abbey - Day 4
Highlands to Inverewe Garden
Drive through the Scottish Highlands, passing Eilean Donan Castle, the Beinn Eighe Biosphere Reserve, and countless lochs and fjords along the way. Later you'll reach Inverewe, home to the world's northernmost botanical garden where exotic plants actually thrive thanks to the mild Gulf Stream climate.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Eilean Donan Castle
- Drive through the Beinn Eighe Biosphere Reserve
- Walk through Inverewe Garden, the northernmost botanical garden in the world
Landmarks/POIs Eilean Donan Castle Loch Duich Beinn Eighe Inverewe Garden - Day 5
Inverewe to Thurso
Travel along Scotland's northernmost coast heading to Thurso. You have the option to visit Smoo Cave, a sandstone cave where you'll walk down steps for about ten minutes before reaching the entrance and exploring inside.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit Smoo Cave, a sandstone cave reached after a ten-minute descent down steps
Landmarks/POIs Smoo Cave - Day 6
Orkney Islands: Skara Brae, Ring of Brodgar, Kirkwall
Board a 40-minute ferry to Mainland, the main island of the Orkney Islands at the northernmost point of your trip. You'll explore Skara Brae, a 5,000-year-old settlement, the Ring of Brodgar stone circle, 17th-century Skaill House, and Kirkwall with its medieval Earls Palace, Bishops Palace, and St. Magnus Cathedral.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing to Orkney Islands
- Visit Skara Brae, a 5,000-year-old megalithic settlement
- Visit Ring of Brodgar stone circle
- Visit Skaill House, a 17th century manor house
- Explore Kirkwall with its Earls Palace, Bishops Palace and St. Magnus Cathedral
Landmarks/POIs Skara Brae Ring of Brodgar Skaill House Kirkwall St. Magnus Cathedral Earls Palace Bishops Palace - Day 7
Orkney to Loch Ness: Dunrobin and Urquhart Castles
Head south to Dunrobin Castle, which has a 13th-century core with 19th-century French-inspired additions that make it quite distinctive. Later you'll visit Urquhart Castle ruins on the shores of Loch Ness where you can search for Nessie and take in the views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Dunrobin Castle
- Visit Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness
Landmarks/POIs Dunrobin Castle Urquhart Castle Loch Ness - Day 8
Inverness to Aberdeen
This morning kicks off with a private concert from piper Callum Fraser who'll be wearing full Scottish kilt. Then you'll see Sueno's Stone in Forres with its intricate carvings, explore the ruins of Elgin Cathedral, and wrap up by arriving in Aberdeen, known as the silver city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Private concert from bagpiper Callum Fraser
- Visit Sueno's Stone in Forres
- Visit ruins of Elgin Cathedral
Landmarks/POIs Sueno's Stone Elgin Cathedral - Day 9
St. Andrews - Edinburgh
Visit one of Speyside's whisky distilleries to learn how single malt gets made, with a tasting included in the experience. You have the option to check out Dunnottar Castle perched on coastal cliffs, then head to the historic university town of St. Andrews to see the ancient cathedral and soak in the university atmosphere. Before reaching Edinburgh you'll pass through South Queensferry to see the Forth bridges.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Whisky distillery visit with tasting included
- Visit the university town of St. Andrews with its cathedral and university precinct
- Viewing of the Forth bridges at South Queensferry
Optional Activities
- Visit Dunnottar Castle, a dramatic castle surrounded by the sea on steep coastal cliffs (outside tour)
Landmarks/POIs Speyside Dunnottar Castle St. Andrews Cathedral Forth Bridge Forth Road Bridge - Day 10
Edinburgh
Explore Edinburgh's Georgian New Town and medieval Old Town, finding hidden gems like St. Giles' Church and the Thistle Chapel along the way. Walk the historic Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle for a tour of royal Scotland. Optional activities include the Real Mary King's Close underground tour, shopping on Princes Street, or visiting the Royal Botanic Garden. The day ends with a farewell dinner at a typical Scottish pub.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner in a typical Scottish pub)
Included Activities
- Explore Georgian New Town and Old Town of Edinburgh
- Visit St. Giles' Church
- Visit Thistle Chapel
- Walk along the Royal Mile
- Visit Edinburgh Castle
Optional Activities
- Real Mary King's Close underground tour to learn about the city's dark past
- Shopping on Princes Street
- Visit the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Landmarks/POIs Edinburgh Old Town Edinburgh New Town St Giles' Cathedral Thistle Chapel Royal Mile Edinburgh Castle Real Mary King's Close Princes Street Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh - Day 11
Edinburgh to Frankfurt
You'll depart Edinburgh and fly back to Germany via Frankfurt, bringing your Scottish journey to a close.
