Scotland Tour: Castles, Cows, and Whisky

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Explore Scotland’s iconic castles, stunning landscapes, and rich culture on a private 6-day tour from Edinburgh. Customize your adventure today.

Duration: 6 days

Cancellation: 6 days

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Highlights

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

St. Andrews - On Day 1, guests are picked up from their Edinburgh Hotel and taken to St Andrews. A stroll around this delightful town includes visits to the renowned Cathedral (a 12th Century marvel and Scotland’s largest medieval church), the Castle, the University Chapel…

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

Glamis Castle - After lunch, the journey continues to Glamis Castle. This remarkable structure, dating back to the 14th Century, is the birthplace of the Queen Mother. Entry fee is £17.50 per person.

Dunnottar Castle - Dunnottar Castle is one of Scotland’s and the world’s most breathtaking ruined castles. This ancient medieval fortress is perched on a rocky headland near Stonehaven. The existing buildings date from the 13th to the 16th centuries, though it was originally fortified in the Early Middle Ages. Visitors can enjoy the view for free from the cliff top. To explore the interior, there is a small charge of £11.00 per person.

Aberdeen - Guests are dropped off at their Aberdeen Hotel. Aberdeen is a stunning city built from granite and serves as the gateway to Royal Deeside and Balmoral Castle.

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

Crathes Castle - This captivating 16th Century Castle features turrets, gargoyles, 16th-century painted ceilings, and ancient yew hedges and walled gardens in a magnificent setting. Viewing from the outside is free. Entry to the interior is £15 per person.

Aberdeenshire Highland Beef - A unique chance to meet the famous “Highland Cow” on a private working farm tour. Learn about and get up close to this native breed of cattle, and enjoy a delicious Highland Beef lunch.

Balmoral Castle - This iconic castle has been the Scottish home of the Royal Family since it was purchased for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1852. It is a must-see for all visitors. Please note the castle is usually closed from mid-August to the end of October. Entrance fee of £20 per person is not included. Viewing is free in the low season.

Inverness - The scenic drive through The Cairngorm Mountains leads to Inverness, the charming capital of The Highlands, where guests are dropped off at their hotel.

Inverness to Skye via Culloden, Loch Ness, and Eilean Donan Castle.

Culloden Battlefield - The renowned site of the final battle during the last Jacobite Rebellion in 1746. The battlefield is free to visit, and entry to the interactive visitors center and museum is £15.00 per person.

Clava Cairns - The Clava Cairns are a well-preserved Bronze Age cemetery complex of passage graves, ring cairns, and standing stones in a stunning setting, and they served as inspiration for the book/show “Outlander.”

Loch Ness - Enjoy a cruise down the impressive Loch Ness. You might catch a glimpse of the legendary monster “Nessie” and explore centuries of history at Castle Urquhart, located on its banks.

Eilean Donan Castle - The world-famous Eilean Donan Castle, featured in the movie Highlander, was first built in the 13th century to defend against the Vikings and has been involved in many conflicts over the centuries, making it a fascinating place to visit and photograph. Viewing from the outside is free, and entry to the interior is £16.50 per person.

Isle of Skye - Guests are dropped off at their accommodation on The Isle of Skye, an island known for its epic landscapes, magical experiences, and cultural and historical attractions.

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

Fairy Pools - The Fairy Pools are a stunning series of pools and waterfalls beneath the Black Cuillin Ridge. The pools are a vivid blue and popular with wild swimmers for those brave enough to take a plunge. The path to the pools is well-maintained but may be muddy.

Talisker Distillery - Visit the oldest working distillery on the Isle of Skye for a 1-hour immersive tour and tasting. Hosted by passionate guides, the tour covers Talisker’s history, flavor, and production processes, concluding with tastings of three award-winning single malts.

The Old Man of Storr - A walk up to this famous and stunning stone pinnacle, located under the Trotternish Ridge (as seen in the movie Prometheus), offers breathtaking views. Weather and fitness dependent.

Portree - Guests are dropped off at their Portree Hotel.

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

Glenfinnan Viaduct - This must-see 1000 ft long impressive railway viaduct, set amidst stunning scenery, gained fame from the Harry Potter movie franchise.

The House of Bruar - House of Bruar is a unique department store located in the heart of beautiful Perthshire. It offers an amazing range of Scottish Country Clothes (luxuriously crafted textiles including cashmere, merino, and lambswool), gifts, art, and many other selected products.

Blair Castle & Gardens - Blair Castle and Gardens are incredibly impressive and rich in history. Home to the Atholl family for over seven centuries, the castle has been expanded and adapted over time, witnessing tumultuous historical periods. 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, native red squirrels can often be spotted among the branches of the garden’s tall trees, and peacocks roam freely. Interior tours are available at an additional cost. Entry to the castle is £16.00 per person.

Pitlochry - Guests are dropped off at their Pitlochry Hotel. Pitlochry is a charming small town in the heart of beautiful Perthshire, featuring many lovely stores and restaurants, as well as the famous dam and Salmon Leap.

Pitlochry to Edinburgh via Scone Palace

Scone Palace - Scone Palace is a magnificent site in Perthshire, Scotland, with over 1,000 years of history. It was the original home of the Stone of Destiny and the crowning place of many kings over the centuries. Entry is £16.00 per person.

Edinburgh - Guests are dropped off at their Edinburgh Hotel.

What's Included

Loch Ness Boat Cruise
Ferry Crossing
Transport in Minivan with Guide
Door to door pick up and drop off
Tour and lunch at Highland Cow Farm
Balmoral Castle entrance fee
Most castles are free to see from outside but charge for internal tours
Private Tour for your group only

What's Not Included

Meals other than stated
Crathes Castle. Free to see from outside. £15.00 per person to go inside. Pay at gate.
Any drinks/snacks not on itinerary.
Dunnottar Castle. Free to see from outside. £11 per person to go inside. Pay at gate.
Scone Palace -£16 per person to enter. Pay at gate.
Blair Castle - £18 per person to enter. Pay at gate.
-…

Additional Information

The Best of Scotland Private Guided Tour truly lives up to its name.
Experience the finest castles and palaces, encounter Highland Cows, savor the best whisky, admire breathtaking scenery, search for mythical creatures on an exceptional boat cruise, enjoy exquisite local cuisine, explore the top Scottish shop, visit famous movie locations, and hopefully…

Cancellation Policy

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

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up to 7 guests