Scotland's Highlands, Islands and Cities
13 Day Scotland Tour of Edinburgh, Glasgow | Operated by Trafalgar
-
13 Days
-
1 Country
Scotland -
20 Cities
Edinburgh, Jedburgh, Melrose, St. Andrews, Glamis, Dundee, Pitlochry, Culloden, Inverness, Thurso, Orkney Islands, Ullapool, Isle of Skye, Fort William, Oban, Isle of Mull, Iona, Glencoe, Glasgow, Stirling -
18 Meals
5 Dinners, 12 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch -
Pace: Active
Faster paces with mix of 1–2-night stays in each location. Typically features 4+ miles of walking on some days and may involve steep hills and uneven surfaces, such as cobblestones.
Trip Itinerary
Embrace the allure of Auld Reekie and explore its labyrinthine lanes, before joining your fellow travelers and Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner to kick-start your tour through an unimaginably beautiful part of the world.
Let your Local Specialist take you on an informative sightseeing tour of Edinburgh. See the regal Palace of Holyroodhouse, the new Scottish Parliament Building and the Royal Mile, delving into the heart of the city, before visiting Edinburgh Castle, perched atop Castle Rock. Stroll through the grand New Town with its Gothic façades enjoying the rest of the day at leisure. Tickets to see the Edinburgh Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates.
A scenic day's excursion brings us to the ruins of the 12th-century Augustinian Jedburgh Abbey, which we will have an opportunity to view. Continue to nearby Melrose Abbey, said to be the final resting place of the embalmed heart of Robert the Bruce. We take the scenic route back to Edinburgh this afternoon, following the lush green landscapes along the Tweed River.
This morning, we cross the Firth of Forth to the celebrated home of golf - St. Andrews, to view its ancient university and famous golf course. Shakespeare's Macbeth takes center stage as we visit Glamis Castle, once the home of the beloved Queen Mother and birthplace of Princess Margaret. Enjoy a guided tour of the castle and explore its beautiful gardens, before we travel to the waterfront city of Dundee, distinguished for its status as the first UNESCO City of Design, and the original home of marmalade.
Today we wind our way to the tragic battlefield and Visitor Center at Culloden, past rugged landscapes and the imposing Cairngorms Mountains. Visit the site where Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite army was defeated. Our final stop for the night is Inverness, the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands, where we’ll overnight.
The mystical haunt of Nessie is our first stop today en route to Dunrobin Castle. This stately home and its magnificent gardens, inspired by the Palace of Versailles, comes straight from the pages of a fairy tale. Spend your afternoon exploring its château-like structure and surrounds, once home to the Clan Sutherland. Dive Into Culture and learn about the local whisky industry at a distillery, including a tasting of Scotland's much-loved golden nectar. Arriving in Thurso, our home for the next two nights, we enjoy dinner at our hotel.
After stopping at John o' Groats, we board a ferry to South Ronaldsay in the Orkney Islands. Visit the ornate Italian Chapel, built by Italian prisoners of war. See the prehistoric free-standing stones of the Ring of Brodgar before visiting Skara Brae and delving into the stories of the Neolithic village. We stop at beautiful Kirkwall Cathedral for a photo opportunity before returning to our hotel for dinner.
Dramatic landscapes accompany our scenic drive along the rugged north-west coastline of the Scottish Highlands to remote Ullapool on the shores of Loch Broom. We journey to Eilean Donan Castle, built in the 13th-century perched on a tiny island where three sea lochs meet, then continue to the Isle of Skye where we'll stay overnight and enjoy a delicious dinner in our hotel.
We return to the mainland following a beautiful route that takes us past the Glenfinnan Viaduct, along which Harry Potter's Hogwarts Express once crossed to his beloved school of magic. We pass Fort William on the shores of Loch Linnhe, renowned as the gateway to Ben Nevis, before continuing to Oban, our Highland home for the next two nights.
Set sail from Oban to the Isle of Mull, disembarking at Craignure. Cross the pretty island countryside to catch a ferry from Fionnphort to the island of Iona, which was once the home of a Gaelic monastic community in Iona Abbey. Before our journey back to Oban, we'll have the chance to view Rèilig Odhrain, the final resting place of many Scottish kings.
A solemn reminder of the MacDonald clansmen, who were massacred at the 'Glen of Weeping', marks our morning journey south to Glasgow. Join an expert guide to unlock Glasgow’s sustainable secrets on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.
Venture to Bannockburn, where King Robert Bruce of Scotland defeated Edward II of England during the First War of Scottish Independence. Mary, Queen of Scots and several Scottish kings and queens have made Stirling Castle their home over the centuries. Enjoy a visit to its grounds and delve into the history of this royal residence and fortress, besieged by Bonnie Prince Charlie in the 18th century. We'll visit the splendidly decorated Royal Palace of King James V and view the renowned Stirling Heads. Later, we Connect With Locals, joining the Wood family this afternoon for a memorable Be My Guest experience at their 15th-century farm, on the shores of Loch Ard, amidst tales of Rob Roy. This evening, we return to Glasgow for time at leisure to enjoy true Scottish hospitality.
Our epic journey across Scotland’s highlands, islands and cities has come to an end. It’s time to say a fond farewell to our travel companions and Travel Director as our memorable holiday comes to an end.
Price Includes
What's Included- - An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- - Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- - All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- - All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- - Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- - Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- - Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- - Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- - Return ferry to the Orkney Isles
- - Ferry from the Isle of Skye to Mallaig
- - Return ferry to the Isle of Mull and Iona
- - Optional Experiences and free time
- - On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
- - 5 Dinners (D)
- - 12 Breakfasts (B)
- - 1 Lunch (L)
- Explore the city with your Local Specialist as you travel along Princes Street to see the Scott Memorial, the neoclassical Adam facades of New Town and the official Scottish residence of the King, Palace of Holyroodhouse.
- See the impressive 12th-century Jedburgh Abbey that dominates the center of town.
- View the historic ruins of Melrose Abbey and appreciate its many carved decorative details.
- Visit the university town where the famous beach scene from 'Chariots of Fire' was filmed and see the golf course where the sport was created.
- Visit Glamis Castle, and appreciate the building's illustrious history and picturesque setting.
- At the exciting Culloden Visitor Center, discover why the Battle of Culloden lasted only an hour yet changed the Highland way of life forever.
- Explore the grand castle and admire its magnificent gardens during your visit of Dunrobin Castle.
- Cruise to the windswept Orkney Islands. Come face-to-face with relics spanning human history, from pagan stone circles to reminders of wartime tragedy.
- Admire picturesque lochs and glens as you travel through the Scottish Highlands.
- Stop for a photo of this gorgeous castle.
- See the Glenfinnan Viaduct, along which the Hogwart's Express once crossed in the Harry Potter series.
- Explore the Scottish Highlands in depth as you travel to the Isles of Mull and Iona. Visit the Reilig Odhrain, sacred burial ground of 48 Scottish Kings.
- See the grand public buildings of Glasgow, including George Square.
- Visit Stirling and see its castle, once the seat of Scottish royalty.
- Warm your heart with a little Scottish whisky at a traditional distillery in the Scottish Highlands.
- Drive through this Highland village on Loch Leven.
- From wind powered murals to historic sites, tenements to the Clyde - discover the real impact of climate change on Glasgow, and learn more about Scotland's role in the climate crisis on this fun and educative guided tour. This experience advances SDG 13: Climate Action.
- Join the Wood family at their 15th-century farm on the shores of Loch Ard for a home-cooked Scottish Be My Guest lunch, tales of Rob Roy and a few foot-tapping ceilidh tunes.
Optional Experiences
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Rosslyn Chapel (Available on Day 2)We’ll drive out of Edinburgh to the tiny village of Rosslyn, where we’ll hear the inside story of the famous Rosslyn Chapel from a Local Specialist. One of Scotland's most unusual 15th-century buildings, Rossyln is famed for its associations with the Knights Templar, the Masonic movement, and now 'The Da Vinci Code'.
Adult Price: £29 Dinner and Drive to Historic Torphichen (Available on Day 2)Enjoy a scenic drive to the ancient village of Torphichen, associated with Scottish kings and Knights Templar. At the Torphichen Inn, your arrival will be toasted by our gracious host before enjoying an excellent dinner of local specialties and entertainment.
Adult Price: £70 Ceilidh Evening and Dinner at Ghillie Dhu (Available on Day 2)Experience the best of Scottish tradition at Ghillie Dhu, where we'll be welcomed by a Scottish piper and enjoy a welcome drink before settling in for a delicious three-course meal and live Ceilidh music. And you can't miss the iconic Piping in the Haggis ceremony, a true highlight of the Scottish experience.
Adult Price: £85 Kilt Wearing Demonstration and Drink (Available on Day 3)Tonight we'll enjoy a glass of wine or beer, followed by a demonstration of how to pleat and tie "The Great Kilt", which was worn in the pre-Jacobite era. This is the traditional garment worn by Jamie Fraser in the Outlander series.
Adult Price: £28 Ghost Walk and Drink (Available on Day 3)Tonight, we'll discover some of Edinburgh's most haunted places with our Local Specialist, who’ll share ghoulish tales. After we've recovered, we'll enjoy a pint of beer or a glass of wine in a local pub.
Adult Price: £28 Historic Old Town Edinburgh Walk With Traditional Fish & Chips (Available on Day 3)Walk through Edinburgh's Historic Old Town with a Local Specialist. Stroll along Victoria Street, with its unusual shape and collection of quirky shops its said to be the inspiration behind Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter books. Afterwards, tuck into some traditional Fish and Chips at Bertie's Restaurant.
Adult Price: £46 Dundee Walking Tour (Available on Day 4)Wander along Dundee’s waterfront with our Local Specialist and hear about Dundee’s maritime past. You will be regaled with stories of the Voyages of the Discovery, bringing the characters who sailed on her to life. See where the food was prepared, where they ate, worked and slept on their adventures to Antarctica in 1901.
Adult Price: £40 Highland Farm Experience (Available on Day 5)Visit a real Highland sheep farm and meet Neil the Shepherd and his border collies. He’ll show you how he uses different whistles to command each dog to carry out different tasks. You’ll also have the opportunity to try your hand at feeding the lambs and discover his training techniques. Weather permitting.
Adult Price: £24 Cawdor Dinner Evening (Available on Day 5)Join us for dinner at a traditional country pub in the charming village of Cawdor, home to Shakespeare's Macbeth.
Adult Price: £52 Loch Ness Cruise (Available on Day 6)Today, we'll experience a scenic cruise on Scotland's most famous waterway, Loch Ness. On the lake, we'll also see beautiful Urquhart Castle, founded in the 13th-century. The management regretfully informs you that Nessie sightings are not guaranteed!
Adult Price: £33 Isle of Skye Drive (Available on Day 9)An opportunity to travel around the Isle of Skye with your Local Specialist. You’ll hear about the way of life on this remote inner Hebridean Island and discover its dramatic scenery and rock formations.
Adult Price: £23 Dinner by a Scenic Scottish Loch (Available on Day 9)We'll enjoy dinner and drinks this evening at our favorite local restaurant, by one of Scotland's scenic lochs.
Adult Price: £56 The Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel (Available on Day 11)Discover two of modern Scotland's great achievements as a contrast to its scenery and historic sights. Watch the Falkirk Wheel in action, an engineering marvel and the world's first revolving boat lift in a tranquil setting linking Scotland's two canals. Further down the Forth and Clyde canal are the Kelpies, towering metal horse sculptures, a tribute both to the Scottish legend of the water horse and the work horses of the canals by Scotland's foremost modern sculptor.
Adult Price: £19 Glasgow City Evening (Available on Day 11)You'll enjoy a chance to experience a night out in the city of Glasgow. Your Travel Director will take you for an evening of good food, drinks, and undoubtedly interesting conversation.
Adult Price: £62 Music City Tour and Meal (Available on Day 11)Join us tonight for a chance to explore more of Glasgow, get beneath its skin and learn about its music scene and folk culture. After a guided walking tour, we'll enjoy a two-course dinner with live music from the city's up-and-coming folk performers. Afterwards, an informal trad folk session will see us through the night.
Adult Price: £74