Compare Scottish Castles & Manor Houses by Great Value Vacations vs Highlights of Scotland by Intrepid Travel

Day 1 Welcome to Edinburgh!

After collecting your baggage, pick up your rental car and let your adventure begin! Your visit starts in Edinburgh; on the drive from the airport to your hotel, see the elegant Charlotte Square and the tree-lined crescents of the 18th century Georgian New Town – both fine architectural examples of the period. Leave your car at the hotel and visit Princes Street – the city’s main thoroughfare with many shops and peaceful gardens.

Travel through the Old Town, steeped in history with its cobbled streets. High Street was the center of all activity in the city in centuries gone by. Pass St. Giles Cathedral, the City Chambers and John Knox House as you wander along the Royal Mile, which extends from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyrood House. 

Due to seasonality, the Heritage Pass is provided to those traveling between April and October. The Explorer Pass is provided November through March. Both passes are valid for 7 days.  

Day 2 Edinburgh - Perth - Royal Deeside

Depart Edinburgh and cross the Forth Estuary via the impressive suspension bridge on M90 to Perth. The city of Perth is the former capital of Scotland and is situated at the head of the River Tay - famous for its salmon. Near Perth is Scone Palace, the private home of the Earl and Countess of Mansfield. The Palace has been a private home for over 400 years. As the former crowning place of Scottish Kings, the Palace boasts a magnificent collection of antiques - in particular ivories, porcelain and tapestries.

Continue on the A93 north via Blairgowrie, the Devil's Elbow and Spittal of Glenshee to Braemar. See Crathie Church, where the Royal Family attends Sunday service when vacationing at nearby Balmoral Castle. 

An alternate route may be used on this day, which will stop for a visit in St. Andrews.

Day 3 Royal Deeside - Inverness

Traveling through the Cairngorm Mountains you will leave the area on the A941 to Dufftown and the Spey Valley. Many of the famous malt whiskeys are produced in this region - Cardhu, Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, and Tamdhu to name but a few. Later in the day, you will reach Elgin, an elegant city with the ruins of a magnificent medieval cathedral. Elgin is also well known for its cashmere, with its visitor center and restored old mills.

Later in the day, you will reach Elgin, an elegant city with the ruins of a magnificent medieval cathedral (included in HP and EP). Elgin is also well known for its cashmere with its visitor center and restored old mills. In nearby Forres, you can stop to visit Brodie Castle (included in HP), before continuing to your overnight accommodation in the Inverness area.

Day 4 Inverness

Spend your day at leisure in the area - there are endless opportunities to explore! Do some sightseeing in the city of Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, which combines some rich and romantic history with the present. Travel further into the Highlands to Gairloch with its turquoise waters and sandy beaches along the west coast. Or, along the east coast to the stunning Dunrobin Castle.

Special suggestion: Approximately 12 miles west of Inverness is the quiet village of Muir of Ord, near the western boundary of the Black Isle; in addition to the well-known Glen Ord Distillery it is home to Black Isle Brewing - a small, independent organic brewery producing some extraordinary beer - and offering daily tours Monday through Saturday year-round.

Day 5 Inverness - Loch Ness - Fort William - Argyll

From Inverness, follow the A82 south along Loch Ness, the most famous of all Scottish Lochs. It is approximately 800 feet deep and is famous for its monster, "Nessie." Loch Ness forms part of the Caledonian Canal which runs through the Great Glen.

Continue via Invermoriston and to the next lochs in the canal - Loch Oich and Loch Lochy. You will arrive in Fort William situated at the foot of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain at almost 4,500 feet. Continue the route along the coastal road A 828 into Argyll. 

Day 6 Argyll & Surroundings

Today is free to discover this beautiful area. Perhaps pay a visit to Campbeltown, set on a deep bay sheltered by Davaar Island and the surrounding hills. Enjoy a guided tour and find out the secrets of whisky making in Kintyre at the Springbank Distillery, founded in 1828 by the Mitchell family - and still in their hands today. It retains the old distilling methods to make Longrow whisky, and welcomes visitors, provided you phone beforehand.

Close by, Glenbarr Abbey is an 18th century Gothic mansion and visitor center, offering a fascinating glimpse of family life in years gone by. The Heritage Center is a treasure-trove of interesting information, artifacts and exhibits, with a comfortable tea room too. At the mouth of Campbeltown Loch is Davaar Island, reached by foot at low tide, with its cave paintings depicting the crucifixion. Far from ancient, they were painted in 1887 by Archibald MacKinnon, inspired by a dream. 

Day 7 Argyll - Stirling - Edinburgh

You have the choice this morning to take the A85 or A83 towards Crianlarich. From here you can take a small detour to Killin to see the Falls of Dochart, the dramatic waterfalls rushing through the center of the picturesque village. Drive along Loch Lubnaig through the beautiful Strathyre Forest towards the charming market town of Callander where you may wish to stop.

The city of Stirling is also worth a visit. The historic Royal Burgh stands on a bend on the River Forth and is known as the -Gateway to the Highlands' due to its strategic position. The imposing castle towers above the town on a 250 foot rock overlooking the nearby battlefield of Bannockburn. Around the town are various monuments commemorating famous Scottish patriots such as Robert the Bruce and William Wallace.

Day 8 Depart Scotland

It's time to bid Scotland farewell today; following breakfast (or depending on the time of your return flight), make your way back to the airport to return your rental car and begin your journey home.

Day 1 Glasgow

Welcome to Scotland! Glasgow is one of Europe's most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities and this is where your adventure begins. It boasts world famous art collections, and is famed for its Victorian and art nouveau architecture. The city has some of the best shopping in the UK outside of London, first-class sports and leisure facilities, as well as a vast array of restaurants, bars and exciting nightlife. You’ll have a welcome meeting att 6 pm to meet your trip leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, why not take a stroll along the River Clyde, once at the heart of the city’s ship building industry. After the meeting, become acquainted at a nearby restaurant or grab a ‘fish supper’ in the lively Merchant City. Known for its pedestrianised areas, outdoor eating, trendy designer shops and ever-changing developments, the Merchant City is Glasgow with style, and one of the most popular areas to visit for tourists and locals alike.

Day 2 Fort William

After a short walk to the train station this morning, catch the early morning train, the world-famous West Highland Line, where your adventure really begins. The West Highland Line from Glasgow to Fort William is a captivating railway journey that takes you through some of Scotland's most breathtaking landscapes. Arriving in Fort William early afternoon gives the group time to explore this famous town. Fort William is world famous for the huge variety of outdoor activities available and of course is home to the highest mountain in the UK, Ben Nevis. The afternoon is free, so why not take a short walk into the countryside with your new friends or do some shopping in the town. Maybe jump in a taxi to the Nevis Range Gondola, which offers incredible elevated views of this wild region.

Day 3 Glenfinnan / Isle of Skye

This morning, complete your train journey on the West Highland Line, as the train departs from Fort William, passengers are immediately greeted by the imposing beauty of Ben Nevis, standing tall against the sky. The route then winds through the enchanting Glenfinnan Viaduct, famous for its appearance in the Harry Potter films, and clings to the coastline before reaching the charming fishing village of Mallaig. Here, hop off the train and onto a ferry, which takes you over the sea to Skye. The Isle of Skye is the largest and northernmost of the major islands is the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The landscape of Skye is a captivating mix of dramatic cliffs, rugged coastlines and undulating moorland. It's a place where the elements have shaped the terrain into awe-inspiring natural wonders, some of which you’ll explore tomorrow. When you arrive, you’ll hop in a private transfer to your accommodation. Enjoy some free time to relax and take in the surroundings. Later in the evening you can join the group leader to maybe even sample a dram or two!

Day 4 Isle of Skye

Join your guide for a short morning hike and take in the beautiful scenery. If luck is on your side, you might even have the opportunity to catch sight of some of Skye's native wildlife, such as otters or seals. After the hike, you’ll take a private bus tour to explore some of Skye’s most famous and most recognisable landscapes as you circumnavigate the Trotternish Peninsula. The Trotternish Peninsula is renowned for its dramatic landscapes, including the Quiraing with its unique geological formations, that will leave you in awe. The towering pinnacle of the Old Man of Storr and Kilt Rock, a dramatic sea cliff with a cascade of spectacular waterfalls. Your bus tour will take you along winding coastal roads and offer stops at these remarkable sights, as well as time to explore a local gallery or museum along the way. If time permits, you may visit Dunvegan Castle (entrance fees not included) before returning to your accommodation late afternoon.

Day 5 Loch Ness / Highlands / Inverness

This morning, bid farewell to the enchanting Isle of Skye on a private bus, travelling over the iconic Skye Bridge and back to the mainland. Your journey continues through picturesque landscapes, until you reach the charming village of Fort Augustus, cradled at the southern edge of the legendary Loch Ness. Here, you'll be treated to a scenic boat cruise on these mysterious waters (see if you can spot the elusive monster deep below the tranquil waters!). After your boat excursion, head north to Inverness, the vibrant capital of the Highlands, known for its rich history and lively local culture. This is where you'll stay for the next two nights.

Day 6 Inverness

Start the day by hopping on a local bus to nearby Culloden Battlefield, located on the outskirts of Inverness. It was here, in April 1746, that Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite rebellion came to a bloody end. The battlefield is fascinating to walk around, and exudes a sombreness even today. Back in the city centre, take a walk alongside the River Ness. This local’s favorite follows a trail which weaves over some small islands in the river, before crossing a graceful pedestrian suspension bridge to complete the loop, finishing close to a local arts centre, looking up at Inverness Castle. The rest of the day is free to explore. Maybe visit the castle or a local whisky store, catch a gig, do some souvenir shopping, or if you are looking for a hidden delight,, then Leakey’s bookshop in Inverness is a must-see.

Day 7 Edinburgh

A morning train from Inverness takes you to Edinburgh today. Edinburgh is famous for its literary heritage, historic cobbled streets and striking architecture. The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 1995, in recognition of the striking quality and contrast in architecture and streetscape between the Medieval Old Town and the Georgian New Town. Want to know more about ‘Auld Reekie’, the capital city of Scotland? After dropping bags at the accommodation, you’ll take an insightful tour of the city, led by someone who has previously been homeless. The rest of the day is yours to explore the winding streets and bars, visit some of the famous attractions or hit the designer stores of the city centre.

Day 8 Edinburgh

With no activities planned for today, you’re free to leave any time after breakfast. If you wish to spend more time in enigmatic Edinburgh, we don’t blame you – there’s so much to see and do – just speak to your booking agent.