4 Day Best of Scotland Private Guided Tour from Aberdeen, Aberdeen

About this activity

The Best of Scotland Private Guided Tour is literally that.

We visit the best Castles and Palaces, meet Highland Cows, drink the best whisky, see the most beautiful scenery, hunt for monsters on the best boat cruise, taste superb local food, visit the best Scottish shop, and hopefully see lots of wildlife.

This private tour (for your group only) is unique opportunity to discover Scotland whilst being expertly curated by your driver/guide.

The itinerary/locations can be changed to suit and please let us know your preferences and we will be happy to create your own tour.

We pick you up from the airport or hotel and then will take you on a true Scottish experience and we will have everything booked in advance for you.

Some attractions are subject to seasonal opening.

Multi-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Cultural Tours Ports of Call Tours Shore Excursions Additional fees

At a glance

Duration: 4 days
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–7
Guide: English
Operated by: Time Exposure Travel

Ages: Adults (1–100 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Some castles are fee to see from outside but charge for internal tours.
Included: Pick up and drop off
Included: Private Transport in Minivan with Driver/Guide
Included: Lunch
Included: Tour and lunch at Highland Cow Farm
Included: Balmoral Castle entrance
Included: Loch Ness Cruise
Included: Private Tour for your group only

Not included

Not included: Meals other than stated
Not included: Scone Palace - Pay at gate if you wish to go into grounds and inside. No Pre booking.
Not included: Accommodation - We can advise and we have a hotel booking service. Please contact us.
Not included: Whisky Distilleries - Visitor Centres free to visit. Tasting Tours chargeable. Discuss at booking.
Not included: Dunnottar Castle - Free to see from outside. Pay at gate if you wish to go inside. No Pre booking.
Not included: Pick up locations more that 15 miles from Aberdeen may incur a surcharge. Please contact us.

Itinerary

Day 1 · Aberdeen to Inverness via Dunnottar Castle, Highland Cow Farm and Balmoral Castle

Aberdeen

9 hours

On Day 1, we leave Aberdeen and head to the iconic Dunnottar and Crathes Castles before having a fascinating "up close" tour around a Highland Cow Farm. Here you will learn about Scotland’s native breed and then enjoy a beautiful "beef" lunch. After that, we can either visit Balmoral Castle or the famous Royal Lochnagar Distillery before heading to Inverness. Attractions are subject to seasonal opening; contact us for details.
Dunnottar Castle

one hour

Dunnottar, one of Scotland's and the world's most spectacular ruined castles, is an ancient medieval fortress located on a rocky headland near Stonehaven. The surviving buildings date from the 13th to the 16th centuries, but were originally fortified in the early Middle Ages. You can enjoy this castle for free, but internal tours are charged.
Aberdeenshire Highland Beef

2 hours Admission included

An amazing opportunity to visit a Highland cattle working farm and meet Scotland's native breed on a private tour You will be able to meet them up close, take photos or videos, learn about their history, and sample succulent premium Aberdeenshire Highland beef during lunch! The tour and lunch is included in the price.
Balmoral Castle

one hour Admission included

We can either visit his iconic castle, which has been the Scottish home of the Royal Family since it was purchased for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1852, or have a tasting tour around the famous Royal Lochnagar Distillery.

Balmoral Castle is a must-see on many visitors' lists but is not open all year. Please contact us for details. Entrance is included in the cost.
Royal Lochnagar Distillery

1 h 30 min Admission not included

Instead of Balmoral Castle, you may wish to visit the world-famous Royal Lochnagar distillery, which was established in 1845. It is a single-malt Scotch whisky producer based near Balmoral Castle. You will be able to learn how it is made and sample some drams. Requires advance booking, and is subject to availability. The tasting tours are not included in the cost.
Cairngorms National Park

2 hours

We drive through the majestic Cairngorm National Park from Royal Deeside to Inverness.
Inverness

15 min

Drop off at your Hotel.

Lunch is included at the Highland Cow Farm.

Day 2 · Loch Ness and Culloden Battlefield Visitors Centre

Loch Ness

2 hours Admission included

Today you take a cruise down the impressive Loch Ness and you might spot the infamous monster "Nessie," and you will be able to explore centuries of history at Castle Urquhart, which overlooks the water. Cruse is included in the cost.
Culloden Battlefield

one hour

The famous site of the final battle during the last Jacobite Rebellion in 1746. The battlefield is free to see and to enter the interactive visitors centre and museum has additional fee.
Clava Cairns

one hour

The Clava Cairns are a preserved Bronze Age cemetery (4500 years old) complex of passage graves, ring cairns and standing stones in a stunning setting and inspiration for the book/show “Outlander”.
Inverness

30 min

Drop off at your Inverness hotel.

Day 3 · Inverness to Pitlochry via The Dalwhinnie Distillery, House of Bruar and Blair Castle

Dalwhinnie Distillery

2 hours Admission not included

Dalwhinnie distillery stands in the Cairngorm National Park at the heart of the Scottish Highlands in the village of Dalwhinnie and offer fantastic tasting tours.
House of Bruar

2 hours

House of Bruar is a department store like no other and is located in the heart of beautiful Perthshire. It stocks an amazing range of Scottish Country Clothes (masterfully crafted luxury textiles including cashmere, merino, and lambswool), gifts, art, and many other selected products.
Blair Castle & Gardens

2 hours Admission not included

Blair Castle and Gardens are extremely impressive and steeped in history. It has been the home of the Atholl family for over seven centuries and has been enlarged and adapted over that time, while being witness to tumultuous periods of history. It is also the garrison for Europe’s only legal private army. The gardens feature a nine-acre walled garden, an extensive wooded grove, a ruined Kirk, a red deer park, and a gothic folly. Highland cattle graze in fields, the native red squirrel can often be spotted amongst the branches of some of the garden’s (very tall) trees, and peacocks roam freely. £18pp payable at gate.
Pitlochry

15 min

Drop off at your hotel in this charming picturesque village in the heart of Perthshire, famous for its dam and Salmon Leap.

Day 4 · Pitlochry to Aberdeen (or Edinburgh) via Scone Palace

Queen's View

one hour

A stunning viewpoint overlooking Loch Tummel and beyond to the iconic mountain, Schiehallion. Fit for a Queen and named after one.
Scone Palace

2 hours Admission not included

Scone Palace is a stunning site in Perthshire, Scotland, with over 1,000 years of history. The original home of the Stone of Destiny and the crowning place of many a king over the centuries. £15pp payable at the gate.
Aberdeen

15 min

Drop off at your hotel in Aberdeen
Edinburgh

15 min

Drop off at your hotel in Edinburgh. Additional Charge.

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

Dyce Airport
Premier Inn Aberdeen City Centre Hotel
Rox Hotel Aberdeen
Siberia Hotel
Aberdeen Douglas Hotel
Station Hotel Aberdeen
The Highland Hotel
Mercure Aberdeen Caledonian Hotel
Sandman Signature Aberdeen Hotel & Spa
Residence Inn by Marriott Aberdeen
The Carmelite Hotel

and 5 more pickup points

We will pick you up from your hotel, accommodation, airport, train station or cruise liner. The location may adjust the tour route. Locations outside Aberdeen may incur a pickup surcharge.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

If you cancel	You get back
At least 6 days before	100%
At least 2 days before	50%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.