Itinerary

DAYS 1 & 2

Upon your arrival in Glasgow you will be met at the airport and transferred directly to your luxury boutique hotel. Get ready to explore a land that will captivate you with its unique blend of history, folklore and legend. You’ll be tantalized by dramatic castles and ancient fortresses.

One Devonshire Gardens Hotel, Glasgow

DAYS 3 & 4

This morning you will drive out of Glasgow, headed for Fort William. Beautiful pastoral views unfold at every hilltop before reaching Loch Lomond, located in the old territory of fierce rival clans. Drive along the banks of the loch, the largest body of fresh water in the British Isles and possibly the most beautiful of all the Scottish lakes. Enjoy a boat cruise on beautiful Loch Lomond, the Queen of the Scottish Lochs. After lunch, travel north to the popular town of Fort William, lying at the foot of the Ben Nevis mountain range. This area of the Highlands of Scotland is famous for its stunning scenery, lochs, mountains, waterfalls and places of historical interest. Nestled within the woods and fields that lie in the shadow of the mighty Ben Nevis, the beauty and tranquility of Inverlochy Castle’s setting is remarkable. Now over 100 years old, the Castle’s imposing style and Victorian grandeur remain timeless. You will spend three glorious nights at the Inverlochy Castle Hotel, renowned as being the finest country house hotel in Scotland. Travel to beautiful Loch Ness, the infamous home of legendary creatures that reside in the lake. We stop along the lake to explore the remains of Urquhart Castle. A National Trust site, there is much to explore including the tall tower with its amazing views. Your guide will relate the historic tales of the castle as your walk through its ruins. Take a trip on the Nevis Gondola, Britain’s only gondola mountain chairlift, which takes you halfway up the Aonach Mor Mountain for spectacular views over the region.

Inverlochy Castle, Fort William

DAY 5

Today you will tour the Isle of Skye. Your route takes you along the “Road to the Isles,” traveling west and passing through some of the most impressive and diverse scenery in Scotland: rugged hills, shining lochs, moorlands, finishing with the sandy coastline near the fishing port of Mallaig. After a short ferry ride, arrive on the Isle of Skye and spend the day exploring this, the largest of the Inner Hebridean Islands. Arrive in the main town of Portree — from the Gaelic Port-an-Righ or King’s Port. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant with time afterwards to explore the town. Stroll through this historic fishing village, walking along the natural stone and white-washed buildings that face the harbor. Continue on to visit Eilean Donan Castle. The castle’s picturesque setting on an islet on Loch Duich makes it one of the most photographed castles in Scotland, which has been used in countless movies including “Highlander.”

Inverlochy Castle, Fort William

DAY 6

Depart from Inverlochy and head south to Edinburgh. Make a short stop at Glencoe, a dramatic valley renowned for its awesome scenery and savage history. Continue inland to the heart of the Scottish countryside and stop at the Royal Burgh of Stirling for lunch. Afterwards you will visit the imposing castle which has dominated much of Scotland’s turbulent history. Stirling Castle is without doubt one of the grandest of all Scottish castles, both in its situation on a commanding rock outcrop and in its architecture.

Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh

DAY 7

Enjoy the morning at leisure to stroll through Edinburgh. Its magnificent architecture shifts from the lofty buildings of medieval Old Town lining the Royal Mile, to the grace of the Georgian New Town. After lunch, arrive at the nearby Waverley Station where a piper welcomes you aboard The Royal Scotsman train. Slip back into a luxurious and timeless way of travel over the next two days. Luxury, civility and gracious hospitality evoke gentler times; the romantic age of travel when getting there was as much fun as arriving. The Royal Scotsman departs Edinburgh and heads west through Linlithgow to Stirling, and then past Gleneagles on your way to Perth, the “Fair City.“ Druimuachdar, the summit of this line, lies six miles south of Dalwhinnie which is dominated by the pagodas of the 19th-century distillery. You will disembark and visit Dalwhinnie Distillery and have the opportunity to sample the “Gentle Spirit” of the glen.

The Royal Scotsman

DAYS 8 & 9

Spend the morning at the beautiful Rothiemurchus Estate in the Scottish Highlands. You may choose to spend a few hours shooting clay pigeons or you can take the Highland Safari to learn about the local flora and wildlife from the Estate’s Park Ranger. See the fish hatchery, feed the deer, and learn about the history of the estate. Board the train in Aviemore, and head north to Inverness. A welcoming refreshment awaits you as you return to the train in Keith, and enjoy a formal dinner as you journey south toward Dundee for overnight stabling. On Day 9 you will return to Edinburgh and enjoy a short orientation tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia. You’ll explore this modest but fascinating ship where men have been knighted and world leaders have been hosted by the Royal Family in many international ports. This evening is a highlight of your trip — the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Scotland’s military musical extravaganza will feature the world-famous Massed Pipes & Drums, Massed Highland Dancers, the haunting sound of the Lone Piper, and acts from across the globe in the unique setting of historic Edinburgh Castle.

Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh

DAY 10

In the morning visit the imposing and majestic Edinburgh Castle which dates back to the 12th century. Here you will see the ancient Honors of Scotland, the Crown, Scepter and Sword of State, and the Stone of Destiny on which all Scottish kings were crowned. Explore Edinburgh’s oldest street, The Royal Mile, connecting Edinburgh Castle with the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Situated at the end of the Royal Mile, the castle is closely associated with Scotland’s turbulent past — the castle Mary, Queen of Scots, who lived here between 1561 and 1567. This evening you will attend a farewell cocktail and dinner party with your fellow travelers to say goodbye to Scotland.

Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh

DAY 11

This morning you will be taken to the Edinburgh airport for your flight home or on to your next destination.

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