4-Day Scottish Castles Experience Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh, Edinburgh

About this activity

Feel like a lord or lady as you wander through castles and manor houses. Stride ancient battlefields like a sword-wielding Highlander. And relive Scotland’s history defining moments of conceit and treachery as you listen to your driver-guide’s epic tales.

On this tour, you’ll join the ranks of esteemed history lovers while you travel through glens and mountain passes. You visit Scotland’s most impressive castles, tower forts, and palaces. And you even get a chance to visit a distillery that was started by one of the pioneering women in the whisky industry.

This small group tour is your ticket into Scotland’s medieval past and royal history.

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At a glance

Duration: 4 days
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 16 people
People per booking: 1–8
Guide: English
Operated by: Rabbies Trail Burners

Ages: Adults (16–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Transportation by top of the range 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach (small groups max 16 passengers)
Included: 3 nights en-suite accommodation in a B&B or 3-star Hotel (breakfast included)
Included: Flavour Journey tour and Tasting at Cardhu Distillery
Included: Admission to Castle Fraser
Included: Admission to Blair Castle and Garden
Included: Admission to Fyvie Castle
Included: Breakfast
Included: Professional driver guide
Included: Admission to Culloden Visitor Centre, Museum & Battlefield
Included: Admission to Crathes Castle
Included: Admission to Falkland Palace

Not included

Not included: Gratuities
Not included: Hotel pickup and drop off
Not included: Meals and refreshments
Not included: Admission fees unless specified

Itinerary

Day 1 · Edinburgh - Dunnottar Castle - St. Andrews - Aberdeen

Falkland Palace & Garden

45 min Admission included

The palace was the countryside home for many of the Stuart royalty. They would make use of the woodland areas in the vicinity to hunt.
St. Andrews

45 min

Chance to get lunch and explore the cobbled lanes and ancient university buildings.
Dunnottar Castle

45 min Admission not included

This is the archetypical Scottish castle. Mystrerious, ruined, and beautiful.

Overnight in Aberdeen.

Day 2 · A full day at Royal Deeside

Castle Fraser Garden & Estate

one hour Admission included

Stand before one of the largest tower houses in the land. Dating from the 15th century, Castle Fraser is a fabulous place to soak up the atmosphere of old Scotland and its colourful stories. Enjoy panoramic views and discover quirky features such as secret staircases, hidden trapdoors, a spy hole and a wooden leg.
Crathes Castle, Garden & Estate

one hour Admission included

Crathes Castle is every inch the classic Scottish tower house, and a fantastic day out for all the family! Discover a labyrinth of cultural history, from portraits and antique furniture to painted ceilings. Explore the famous garden and enjoy a walk through the wider estate.

Overnight in Aberdeen.

Day 3 · Fyvie Castle - Elgin - Culloden - Forres

Fyvie Castle

one hour Admission not included

A magnificent fortress in the heart of Aberdeenshire, Fyvie Castle’s 800-year history is rich in legends, folklore and even ghost stories. Discover the amazing collection of antiquities, armour and lavish oil paintings. Stroll around the picturesque loch, or visit the restored glass-roofed racquets court and ice house.
Elgin

45 min

Chance to have lunch. If you are a history lover, make sure to marvel at the intricated carvings of a weathered Pictish stone, standing on the grounds of the ruined Elgin Cathedral.
Culloden Battlefield

45 min Admission included

Visit the powerfully moving site of the final Jacobite Rising – the last and most harrowing pitched battle to be fought on British soil. Explore the interactive visitor centre, view fascinating artefacts from both sides of the confrontation, and experience the battle in their immersive surround cinema.
Clava Cairns

15 min

A short distance away is Clava Cairns, an ancient complex of ring cairns and standing stones said to inspire the standing stones of Craigh na Dun in Outlander.

Overnight in Nairn.

Day 4 · Cardhu Distillery - Blair Castle & Gardens - Perthshire - Edinburgh

Cardhu Distillery

one hour Admission included

First distillery pioneered by a woman, Helen Cumming.

*Please note that Cardhu silent season will run from 29 September to 17 October. During this time, tours of the production facilities will not be available. Instead, the group will enjoy animated videos and whisky samples
Blair Castle & Gardens

one hour Admission included

Gardens, antlers, and gory battles: delve into Scottish history at this famous castle.
Perthshire

45 min Admission not included

Perthshire - home to some of the most remarkable woodlands, and have a break in one of the picturesque towns.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Please meet your Rabbie's guide inside the Edinburgh Bus Station, Gate J and Gate K, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ

(Check in closes 15 minutes before departure)

End point

Please meet your Rabbie's guide inside the Edinburgh Bus Station, Gate J and Gate K, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ

(Check in closes 15 minutes before departure)

Using your ticket

Minimum age is 5 years
Luggage Allowance: You're restricted to 20kg (44lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus one small bag for onboard personal items.
B&Bs tend to be located on the outskirts of towns and you should be prepared for a 20-30 minute walk to local facilities like pubs and restaurants. Hotels usually have a relatively central location but may be up to a 20-30 minute walk from local facilities. If you have difficulty with stairs, please let us know so that we can either book a ground floor room or a hotel with lift access, if available.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

If you cancel at least 21 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 21 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

If you cancel	You get back
At least 21 days before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
We apologise, but we cannot accommodate children under 5 years old on our tours. Children under 18 need to be accompanied by an adult. Please note that if this policy is not followed, we will have to refuse travel without issuing a refund. Thank you for understanding
Please note: you will be required to choose between either a Bed and Breakfast or 3-star hotel at time of booking
Booking three or more people? We can accommodate up to 8 guests in a group, please add each required room to your basket separately. To ensure that bookings for passengers traveling together are not separated, please inform us if you have multiple bookings.
When booking three or more people, efforts will be made to book a combination of suitable rooms (double/twin/family). Preferences should be noted upon booking in the Special Requirements section
Luggage Allowance: You're restricted to 20kg (44lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus one small bag for onboard personal items.
Admission to Falkland Palace. Castle Fraser, Crathes Castle, Fyvie Castle, Culloden Visitor Centre, Museum & Battlefield, Blair Castle and Gardens included in a tour price.
Cardhu Distillery tour and tasting included in a tour price.
B&Bs tend to be located on the outskirts of towns and you should be prepared for a 20-30 minute walk to local facilities like pubs and restaurants. If you have difficulty with stairs, please mention it to us as lifts will not be available in this type of property. Hotels usually have a relatively central location but may be up to a 20-30 minute walk from local facilities. If you have difficulty with stairs, please let us know so that we can either book a ground floor room or a hotel with lift access, if available.
Hotels usually have a relatively central location but may be up to a 20-30 minute walk from local facilities. If you have difficulty with stairs, please let us know so that we can either book a ground floor room or a hotel with lift access, if available.
*Please note that Blair Castle will be closed on 5 October 2026, we will visit Scone Palace instead.

Options

Hotel Double Room

Double en-suite room with breakfast in a 3-star Hotel (1 large bed).
B&B Twin Room

Stay in twin en-suite room (2 x separate single beds) guesthouse accommodation with breakfast.
Hotel Twin Room

Twin en-suite room with breakfast in a 3-star Hotel (2 x separate single beds).
Hotel Single Occupancy Room

Accommodates 1 person in a single en-suite room with breakfast in a 3-star Hotel (1 x single bed).
B&B Single Occupancy Room

Accommodates 1 person in a single en-suite room with breakfast in a B&B (1 x single bed).
B&B Double Room

Double en-suite room with breakfast in a B&B (1 large bed).