A Scottish Journey 2023

This morning make your way to Scotland's majestic capital city; Edinburgh is synonymous with the nation’s ancient culture and bristles history and elegant architecture. After checking in at your hotel you may spend the afternoon at leisure exploring the city before meeting the group at the hotel, where we’ll get to know each other over a delicious welcome meal.

Overnight: Malmaison Edinburgh City (or similar), Edinburgh

Meals: Dinner included.

Departing Scotland's capital, Edinburgh, our journey takes us to St Andrews, famed as the spiritual home of golf and more recently as the town where Prince William and Kate Middleton first met. We explore the medieval centre, with its narrow alleys and cobbled streets, which lead to the now ruined cathedral and the adjacent church of St Regulus. Then we travel through the picturesque fishing communities of the East Neuk region to see brightly hulled fishing boats and jumbles of fishermen's cottages. Later, we continue north into the Cairngorm National Park and our base for the next two nights.

Overnight: The Lodge on the Loch (or similar), Cairngorms

Meals: Breakfast included.

Today we'll explore the stunning surroundings of Cairngorms National Park; following various viewpoints of most beautiful places specially chosen by the guide, there will be plenty of time to take great photos! Then, we’ll swap natural beauty spots for the Crathes Castle. With turrets, painted ceilings, original oak panelling and enchanting manicured gardens, explore the marvels of 16th-century Scottish tower house once belonging to the Burnett family. Following an included lunch, the evening will be yours to spend as you wish.

Overnight: The Lodge on the Loch (or similar), Cairngorms

Meals: Breakfast and lunch included.

This morning we continue North into the scenic Scottish Highlands passing through the imposing mountains of the Cairngorms National Park. Here we'll visit the open-air Highland Folk Museum, used in famous TV series "Outlander". Then, a whisky lesson in Scottish Speyside awaits. We’ll uncover the centuries-old legends and intricate processes behind turning malted barley into ‘liquid gold’ – sampling a dram or two while we’re at it. This evening, we’ll have some free time to spend as we wish. Tonight, we’ll come together to share stories of the day’s adventures over an included meal.

Overnight: Kingsmills Hotel (or similar), Inverness

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Following busy couple of days, today we enjoy a more relaxed affair; after a brief walking-tour of Inverness, the rest of the day is yours to explore the Capital of the Highlands at your leisure. Set on the banks of the river Ness, Inverness offers ample sightseeing and visitor opportunities; visit the Mercat Cross and Inverness Cathedral, wander through the cobbled Old Town, climb to the hill-top Inverness Castle overlooking the town for your history-fix or simply relax in city's any eateries and pubs.

Overnight: Kingsmills Hotel (or similar), Inverness

Meals: Breakfast included.

Beginning with dramatic views for the Highlands, we'll make our way to the eerie battlefield at Culloden Moor, site of the infamous Battle which played a key role in Scotland's history; stroll the field itself before exploring the visitor centre, which brings the battle vividly to life and where we learn about the events that unfolded here and their profound historical significance. After, we'll try to spot the legendary monster, Nessie, as we stop by the Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle. Later we continue to the village of Plockton; nestling in a sheltered bay, Plockton is a traditional crofting and fishing community comprising of neatly painted cottages and a tiny harbour. After free time during lunch, our final journey of the day will take us over the Skye Bridge to the stunning Isle of Skye, our base for the next two nights where dinner awaits.

Overnight: Duisdale House Hotel (or similar), Isle of Skye

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Today is devoted to exploring the Isle of Skye, renowned for its rugged scenery, abundant wildlife, unique history and some of Scotland's most startling geological features. During the day, we'll pass the imposing Cuillin Mountains, see the extraordinary Quiraing and tour part of the Trotternish Peninsula to see the famous Kilt Rock cliffs and the spectacular Old Man of Storr. Time-permitting we'll enjoy time in the charming harbour town of Portree, the island's principle town. After a full day of exploring, your evening will be yours to spend at leisure.

Overnight: Duisdale House Hotel (or similar), Isle of Skye

Meals: Breakfast included.

This morning, journey through the stunning Scottish scenery before boarding the ferry to the second-largest island of the Inner Hebrides, Isle of Mull. Enjoy the breath-taking views for wild, idyllic and untouched landscapes of Mull. Relax and spend your evening as you wish in our Inner Hebridean base for two nights.

Overnight: Isle of Mull Hotel & Spa (or similar), Isle of Mull

Meals: Breakfast included.

Starting our morning with journey to the charming village of Fionnphort, we'll take the foot-passenger ferry to the tiny Isle of Iona. This serene isle is home to Iona Abbey and Nunnery, one of Scotland's most sacred, historical and peaceful sites - a tiny Scottish island haven. By evening we return to our island hotel for a farewell dinner together.

Overnight: Isle of Mull Hotel & Spa (or similar), Isle of Mull

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Our final day sees us cross by ferry back to the mainland to historic Stirling, known as the heritage-capital of Scotland. Here we wander through the old town and enter the hill-top castle, home to stunningly restored chapel and living quarters and with views of the towering Wallace monument visible in the distance. It's the perfect finale to our tour before we make the short journey back to Edinburgh where our tour ends.

Meals: Breakfast included.