Itinerary
- Day 1
Edinburgh
You'll arrive in Edinburgh and have the afternoon and early evening to wander through the city's winding lanes at your own pace. This gives you a chance to get your bearings and maybe grab a coffee or explore some of the smaller streets. Later, you'll meet up with your Travel Director and the rest of the group for dinner to celebrate the start of your Scottish adventure.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner with Travel Director and fellow travelers)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Voco Hotel Haymarket Edinburgh, Novotel Edinburgh Center, Delta Hotels by Marriott.), Hotel (Voco Hotel Haymarket Edinburgh, Novotel Edinburgh Center, Delta by Marriott.)
Optional Activities
- Explore Edinburgh's labyrinthine lanes independently
- Day 2
Edinburgh
A Local Specialist will guide you through Edinburgh's main highlights. You'll see the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Scottish Parliament Building, then head up to Edinburgh Castle which sits high on Castle Rock and offers great views across the city. After that, you have time to explore the New Town on your own. If your trip dates line up with performance dates, you'll also have tickets to The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo included.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Voco Hotel Haymarket Edinburgh, Novotel Edinburgh Center, Delta Hotels by Marriott.), Hotel (Voco Hotel Haymarket Edinburgh, Novotel Edinburgh Center, Delta by Marriott.)
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Edinburgh with Local Specialist
- Visit Palace of Holyroodhouse
- View Scottish Parliament Building
- Explore the Royal Mile
- Visit Edinburgh Castle
- Stroll through New Town
- The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (included on departures that align with performance dates)
Landmarks Palace of Holyroodhouse Scottish Parliament Building Royal Mile Edinburgh Castle New Town Scott Memorial Princes Street - Day 3
Melrose - Edinburgh
Today takes you south to see the ruins of Jedburgh Abbey, which dates back to the 12th century. From there, you'll continue to Melrose Abbey where Robert the Bruce's embalmed heart is said to be buried. The drive back to Edinburgh follows the scenic route along the Tweed River, so it's a nice way to end the day with some time to rest before dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Voco Hotel Haymarket Edinburgh, Novotel Edinburgh Center, Delta Hotels by Marriott.), Hotel (Voco Hotel Haymarket Edinburgh, Novotel Edinburgh Center, Delta by Marriott.)
Included Activities
- View Jedburgh Abbey ruins
- Visit Melrose Abbey
- Scenic return drive along Tweed River
Landmarks Jedburgh Abbey Melrose Abbey River Tweed - Day 4
Glamis - Dundee
You'll cross the Firth of Forth to reach St. Andrews, a historic town known for golf and home to Scotland's oldest university and its famous golf course. Next, you'll visit Glamis Castle where the Queen Mother once lived and where Princess Margaret was born, including a guided tour of the estate and gardens. By evening, you'll arrive in Dundee, Scotland's first UNESCO City of Design, famous for its marmalade production.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa, Leonardo Aberdeen)
Included Activities
- View St. Andrews university and golf course
- Visit Glamis Castle with guided tour
- Explore Glamis Castle gardens
Landmarks St. Andrews Golf Course University of St. Andrews Glamis Castle Firth of Forth - Day 5
Culloden - Inverness
The drive today follows the River Tay through Pitlochry, then skirts around the Cairngorms National Park. You'll reach the Culloden Battlefield and Visitor Center where Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite army was defeated in 1746. After touring the site and learning the history, you'll head to Inverness for the evening, the main cultural hub of the Scottish Highlands.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Columba)
Included Activities
- Visit Culloden Battlefield and Visitor Center
- Scenic drive through Pitlochry and Cairngorms National Park
Landmarks River Tay Pitlochry Cairngorms National Park Culloden Battlefield Inverness Castle 
- Day 6
Dunrobin Castle - Thurso
Starting the day, you'll visit Loch Ness on the way to Dunrobin Castle, a stately home with gardens designed after the Palace of Versailles. You'll explore the château-like building and learn about Clan Sutherland heritage. Later, you'll stop at a traditional Highland distillery for a whisky tasting experience. By evening, you'll settle into Thurso for a two-night stay with dinner at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at hotel)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Pentland)
Included Activities
- View Loch Ness
- Visit Dunrobin Castle
- Explore Dunrobin Castle gardens
- Whisky tasting at a traditional distillery in the Scottish Highlands
Landmarks Loch Ness Dunrobin Castle 
- Day 7
Orkney Islands
You'll start at John o' Groats before boarding a ferry to South Ronaldsay in the Orkney Islands. The day includes visiting the Italian Chapel, a beautifully ornate structure built by Italian prisoners of war, and seeing the Ring of Brodgar with its prehistoric standing stones. You'll also explore Skara Brae, a Neolithic village, and stop at Kirkwall Cathedral for photos. After these sites, you'll head back to your hotel in Thurso for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at hotel)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Pentland)
Included Activities
- Stop at John o' Groats
- Ferry to Orkney Islands
- Visit Italian Chapel
- View Ring of Brodgar
- Explore Skara Brae Neolithic village
- Photo stop at Kirkwall Cathedral
- Return ferry to hotel
Landmarks John o' Groats Italian Chapel Ring of Brodgar Skara Brae Kirkwall Cathedral 
- Day 8
Isle of Skye
The drive today takes you along the rugged northwest coast of the Scottish Highlands to Ullapool, a remote village on the shores of Loch Broom. Along the way, you'll pass Eilean Donan Castle, a 13th-century structure sitting on a small island where three sea lochs meet. From there, you'll continue to the Isle of Skye where you'll spend the night and have dinner at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at hotel)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kings Arms)
Included Activities
- Scenic drive along rugged north-west coastline
- View Eilean Donan Castle
Landmarks Ullapool Loch Broom Eilean Donan Castle Isle of Skye - Day 9
Fort William - Oban
Heading back to the mainland, you'll pass the Glenfinnan Viaduct, the famous railway bridge used in the Harry Potter films as the Hogwarts Express route. Later you'll pass Fort William on the shores of Loch Linnhe, known as the gateway to Ben Nevis. From there, it's a short drive to Oban where you'll stay for two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Royal Hotel Oban)
Included Activities
- Pass Glenfinnan Viaduct
- Pass Fort William and Loch Linnhe
Landmarks Glenfinnan Viaduct Fort William Loch Linnhe Ben Nevis - Day 10
Isle of Iona
You'll set sail from Oban to the Isle of Mull, landing at Craignure. The drive crosses through the island's countryside before you catch a ferry to Iona. There, you'll see Iona Abbey with its Gaelic monastic heritage and visit Rèilig Odhrain, a sacred burial ground where many Scottish kings were laid to rest. The return ferry gets you back to Oban by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Included)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Royal Hotel Oban)
Included Activities
- Ferry from Oban to Isle of Mull
- Disembark at Craignure
- Cross Isle of Mull countryside
- Ferry to Isle of Iona
- Visit Iona Abbey
- View Rèilig Odhrain burial ground
- Return ferry to Oban
Landmarks Isle of Mull Craignure Isle of Iona Iona Abbey Rèilig Odhrain - Day 11
Glasgow
Leaving Oban, you'll travel through Glencoe, a dramatic landscape with historical significance to the MacDonald clan. In Glasgow, you'll visit St Mungo's Cathedral and get an orientation of the city with your Travel Director. You'll have free time for lunch, and then several optional experiences open up such as visiting the Kelpies and Falkirk Wheel, or enjoying Highland entertainment with dinner and bagpipes at The Corinthian, or a quieter evening exploring on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Leonardo Royal Glasgow, Hilton Garden Inn Glasgow City Center)
Included Activities
- Scenic drive through Glencoe
- Visit St Mungo's Cathedral
- Orientation of Glasgow with Travel Director
Optional Activities
- Visit the Kelpies
- Visit the Falkirk Wheel
- Evening at The Corinthian with dinner, bagpipes, and Highland dancer
- Relaxed night out with hearty food and a dram
Landmarks Glencoe St Mungo's Cathedral George Square The Kelpies Falkirk Wheel The Corinthian The Clutha 
- Day 12
Stirling - Kinlochard - Glasgow
Today focuses on Scottish history and local culture. You'll visit the Bannockburn battlefield where King Robert Bruce defeated Edward II, then explore Stirling Castle, which housed many Scottish royals and features the Royal Palace of King James V with its famous Stirling Heads. A special highlight is a Be My Guest experience at the Wood family's 15th-century farm on Loch Ard's shores where you'll have a home-cooked Scottish lunch and learn about Rob Roy history. Before returning to Glasgow, you'll do a street art walk with a Local Specialist, and the evening is free for you to explore the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Home-cooked Scottish lunch at Wood family 15th-century farm with tales of Rob Roy and ceilidh tunes), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Leonardo Royal Glasgow, Hilton Garden Inn Glasgow City Center)
Included Activities
- Visit Bannockburn battlefield
- Visit Stirling Castle
- Explore grounds and Royal Palace of King James V
- View Stirling Heads
- Be My Guest experience with Wood family at 15th-century farm, Loch Ard
- Home-cooked Scottish lunch at farm
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® walking tour of Glasgow street art with Local Specialist
- Visit The Clutha pub
Landmarks Bannockburn Stirling Castle Loch Ard Glasgow Street Art - Day 13
Departure
Your time in Scotland wraps up today as your journey across the highlands, islands, and cities comes to an end. You'll say goodbye to your travel companions and Travel Director, taking home memories of this memorable trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
