Day 1 - Friday, June 3

welcome to edinburgh

Today you will arrive into Edinburgh. Your driver will be waiting to greet you and drop you to your centrally located hotel. You will have time to head off and independently explore its old world charm and modern attractions scouting out elegant ruins, art museums, quirky cobblestone streets, and a collection of fabulous pubs and restaurants.

You will meet back up with your group at 4:00 where beneath the bustle of Edinburgh’s Old Town you’ll discover a dark, damp world unchanged since the 18th century. Your expert guide will lead you deep into the Blair Street Underground Vaults, and together you’ll explore their history – including how they became home to the city’s most destitute inhabitants.

Day 2 - Saturday, June 4

EDINBURGH & edinburgh castle

Tour the narrow lanes and medieval townhouses in the oldest part of the city, the Royal Mile, skip the line at spectacular Edinburgh Castle with its splendid views of the city. You will have free time in the afternoon before meeting up with your group for an unforgettable dinner in "Scotland's most famous restaurant" the most spectacularly atmospheric dining destination in Edinburgh.

Day 3 - Sunday, June 5

Inverness, Highlands / St. Andrews / Culloden Battlefield

Today you will be collected from your hotel and the touring portion of your tour begins. Head to St Andrews, the “Home of Golf,” with seven golf courses, it is the largest public golf complex in Europe and the most revered in the world. With your local guide you'll stroll across the world famous links of St Andrews Old Course and wander among the buildings of Scotland’s oldest University. Go behind the scenes at Blair Athol Distillery for a tour and sample of the finished product. You'll drive through Cairngorms National Park, a truly breathtaking national park that encapsulates the true essence and outstanding beauty of Scotland. Finally you'll conclude your day at Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre where the British government forces defeated the army of Prince Charles Edward Stuart, popularly known as Bonnie Prince Charlie. Walk around the battlefield and the visitor center. You'll have plenty of time to check in to your hotel and explore Inverness independently this evening.

Day 5 - Tuesday, June 7

Visit Eilean Donan Castle and the spectacular Isle of Skye, and explore an iconic Scottish landscape of wind-swept valleys, rock formations, and coastal cliffs following a route through the mountains of Wester Ross on your way to Eilean Donan Castle and the Isle of Skye, then visit the island’s highlights.

From Eilean Donan, continue to the Isle of Skye over the Skye Bridge, which commands sweeping views of the Inner Hebrides. Drive into the mountainous heart of the island, then stretch your legs at the harbor town of Portree, where you have a break for lunch. The afternoon is all about exploring the superb Trotternish Peninsula, visiting a series of the area’s scenic highlights, including The Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, and the Quiraing, a landslide on the eastern side of Meall na Suiramach. From Skye you'll head to Fort William, where you will be spending the next two nights.

Day 4 - Monday, June 6

Inverness, Highlands / Loch Ness Cruise / Urquhart Castle

Today you'll cruise through the man-made part of the Caledonian Canal onto the world-famous waters of Loch Ness. Our live guide will fill you with facts and fiction as you absorb the amazing scenery around you. Arriving by boat to the mighty Urquhart Castle sits of the shores of Loch Ness. Hop ashore and explore the ruins of one of the once mighty stronghold - entry included. With so much history to explore, don't forget to look out for the elusive Nessie!

From there you'll venture on to The Black Isle which is far more colourful than its name implies.You see dolphins splashing about in the rich-blue Beauly Firth. You wander through villages lined by golden-yellow sands. And you find Celtic traditions deep within green forests.

You'll return to your hotel in time to explore more on Inverness and have dine independently.

Fort William, Highlands / Eilean Donan Castle / Isle of Skye

Day 6 - Wednesday, June 8

Fort William, Highlands / Jacobite Steam Train aka Hogwarts Express

Today you will embark on what has been called the greatest railway journey in the world, this 84 mile round trip takes you past a list of impressive extremes. Starting near the highest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis, it visits Britain's most westerly mainland railway station, Arisaig; passes close by the deepest freshwater loch in Britain, Loch Morar and the shortest river in Britain, River Morar, finally arriving next to the deepest seawater loch in Europe, Loch Nevis!

Day 8 - Friday, June 10

Today you'll visit Stirling and take in the magnificent views from Stirling Castle's hill-top esplanade towards the National Wallace Monument on the edge of the rolling Ochil Hills before looking north east for the mountain peaks of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.

Set out on a tour of central Glasgow's highlights including red sandstone Victorian buildings, delightful parks, Glasgow Necropolis, and Glasgow Cathedral. You'll have time to pick up last minute souvenirs on Buchanan Street before you head to Carberry Tower for your farewell dinner with the group and final night in Scotland.

Day 7 - Thursday, June 9

Loch Lomond

Musselburgh / Carberry Tower

Day 9 - friday, June 11

Depart from Edinburgh Airport, Central Scotland

Here's what our itinerary has in store:

Absorb stunning mountain landscapes and glittering loch views as you travel through the majestic west coast of Scotland on a scenic drive through the Argyll Coastal Route. Set off from the Mountains for Fort William and explore Scotland’s west coast and travel the scenic route to the banks of Loch Lomond. Discover the excellent produce of Loch Fyne, the fascinating history of the Kingdom of Dalraida at Kilmartin and the astonishingly diverse landscapes – from sea shores to mountain top.

From there you'll head to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. 'Trossachs' is a unique word, for a unique place. It refers to the romantic area of sparkling lochs, crumpled hills, sleepy forests and welcoming villages east of Loch Lomond and west of Stirling. You might hear it called 'The Highlands in miniature' and that's a good description. You'll have plent of time to explore on foot and dine Independently.

Return to Edinburgh Airport 2 hours prior to your flight's scheduled departure. This will allow ample time to check in for your flight home.

Edinburgh is a small airport, but offers a surprisingly large array of shops and restaurants. If you have some time on your hands after check-in and security, you won't be bored!

ScotlandAwaits!