7 Day Very Best of Scotland Private Tour from Edinburgh

Day 1 · Edinburgh to Aberdeen via St Andrews, Glamis Castle and Dunnottar Castle.

1. 1

   St. Andrews

   2 hours

   We have a walk around this charming town and visit the famous Cathedral (this 12th Century building is Scotland’s largest and most magnificent medieval church), the Castle, the University Chapel (founded in 1450) and the very famous Old (golf) Course.

2. 2

   Glamis Castle

   2 hours Admission not included

   After lunch we head to Glamis Castle. This amazing masterpiece dates back to the 14th Century and is the birthplace of the Queen Mother. Entrance is chargeable - £18pp

3. 3

   Dunnottar Castle

   one hour Admission not included

   One of Scotland's and the world's most spectacular ruined castles, Dunnottar is an ancient medieval fortress located upon a rocky headland near Stonehaven. The surviving buildings date from the 13th to the 16th centuries but was originally fortified in the Early Middle Ages. You can enjoy this wonder for free from the top of the cliff. To visit the interior there is a small charge - £12.00pp.

4. 4

   Aberdeen

   30 min

   We drop off at your Aberdeen Hotel. Aberdeen is a beautiful city built from granite and is the gateway to Royal Deeside and Balmoral Castle.

Day 2 · Aberdeen to Inverness via Crathes Castle, Highland Cow Farm, Balmoral Castle and The Cairngorms.

1. 1

   Crathes Castle, Garden & Estate

   one hour Admission not included

   Fascinating 16th Century Castle with turrets, gargoyles, 16th-century painted ceilings and ancient, great yew hedges and walled gardens set in magnificent surroundings. Free to see from the outside. £18pp to go inside. Gardens only £6pp.

2. 2

   Aberdeenshire Highland Beef

   2 hours Admission included

   A unique opportunity to meet the famous "Highland Cow". on a private working farm tour. You learn about and meet up close, our native breed of cattle and have succulent Highland Beef lunch.

3. 3

   Balmoral Castle

   2 hours Admission included

   This iconic castle has been the Scottish home of the Royal Family since it was purchased for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1852. A must on all visitors to see list. Please note the castle is usually closed mid-August to October. Please contact us re dates. Alternative attractions available. Castle grounds free to enter Oct-Mar. £20pp Apr-Aug.

4. 4

   Inverness

   2 hours

   We take the scenic drive through The Cairngorm Mountains to Inverness (the lovely capital of The Highlands) and drop you off at your hotel.

Included at Highland Cow Farm.

Day 3 · Inverness to Ullapool via Culloden and Loch Ness.

1. 1

   Stop 1

   2 hours Admission included

   Take a cruise down the impressive Loch Ness. You might spot the famous monster “Nessie” and you will be able to explore centuries of history at Castle Urquhart, which sits on its banks.

2. 2

   Culloden Battlefield

   one hour Admission not included

   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 is £16pp.

3. 3

   Clava Cairns

   30 min

   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”.

4. 4

   Ullapool

   one hour

   We drive through the Highlands to this charming coastal town.

Day 4 · Ullapool to Isle of Skye via Inverewe Gardens and Eilean Donan Castle

1. 1

   Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve

   one hour

   Spectacular mile long 60m deep gorge set in beautiful woodland. The stunning waterfalls can be seen from the Victorian suspension bridge and purpose-built viewing platforms which overhang the canyon.

2. 2

   Inverewe Garden

   one hour Admission not included

   Be prepared to wonder in awe at these amazing Lochside gardens. Started in the mid 1800’s, the 50 acres feature trees, shrubs and exotic plants from all over the world. £18pp to enter gardens.

3. 3

   Eilean Donan Castle

   one hour Admission not included

   The world-famous Eilean Donan Castle (as seen in the movie Highlander) was first built in the 13th century to defend against the Vikings and was involved in many conflicts over the centuries, making it a stunning and fascinating place to visit and photograph. Free to see from the outside and £18pp to go inside.

4. 4

   Isle of Skye

   one hour

   Drop off at you accommodation on The Isle of Skye, which is an island of epic and stunning landscapes, magical experiences and cultural and historical attractions.

Day 5 · Explore the Isle of Skye (Fairy Pools, Whisky Distillery, Old Man of Storr)

1. 1

   Fairy Pools

   one hour

   The Fairy Pools are a beautiful series of pools and waterfalls under the Black Cuillin Ridge. The pools are a vivid blue and popular with wild swimmers if you are brave enough to take a plunge. The path to the pools is well maintained but maybe muddy.

2. 2

   Talisker Distillery

   one hour Admission included

   We visit the oldest working distillery on the Isle of Skye for a 1-hour immersive tour and tasting. Hosted by passionate guides, you'll journey through Talisker's history, flavour and production processes. This experience concludes with 3-dram tastings of award-winning single malts.

3. 3

   Carbost

   one hour

   Lunch at the wonderful Three Chimneys next door to the distillery. Not included in cost.

4. 4

   The Old Man of Storr

   one hour

   Famous rock pinnacle on Skye (as seen in the movie Prometheus). On the optional walk up to it, the path up is well maintained, but can be steep and muddy in places.

5. 5

   Portree

   30 min

   Drop off at your hotel in Portree in Skye.

Day 6 · Skye to Pitlochry via Glenfinnan, The House of Bruar and Blair Castle.

1. 1

   Armadale

   one hour

   We take the short ferry back to the mainland.

2. 2

   Glenfinnan Viaduct

   one hour

   This must see 1000 ft long impressive railway viaduct, set amongst stunning scenery, was made even more famous when featured in the Harry Potter movie franchise.

3. 3

   Glencoe

   one hour

   We drive through Scotland most spectacular and stunning valley, Glencoe.

4. 4

   House of Bruar

   one hour

   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.

5. 5

   Blair Castle & Gardens

   one hour 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. Interior tours are extra at a cost. Costs £18pp to enter castle.

6. 6

   Pitlochry

   30 min

   Drop off at your Pitlochry Hotel. Pitlochry is the most charming of small towns. Situated in the heart of beautiful Perthshire it features many lovely stores and restaurants and the famous dam and Salmon Leap.

Day 7 · Pitlochry to Edinburgh

1. 1

   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. Entry is £18pp.

2. 2

   Edinburgh

   30 min

   Drop off at your Edinburgh Hotel.