A Private Luxury 9 Day Tour to Edinburgh, The Highlands, Isle of Skye and Glasgow

PRIVATE WALKING TOUR OF EDINBURGH NEW TOWN AND THE ROYAL MILE INCLUDING EDINBURGH CASTLE

Private Half Day Edinburgh Walking Tour. Your tour, with an expert  local guide, will explore the city’s main attractions on or around the Royal Mile including The Palace of Holyroodhouse, The Scottish Parliament and of course Edinburgh Castle. Entrances are included to Edinburgh Castle only to allow for flexibility.

Edinburgh Castle is one of the most exciting historic sites in Western Europe, set in the heart of Scotland's dynamic capital city it is sure to capture your imagination. The scenery will take your breath away. Standing on its great rock, Edinburgh Castle dominates Scotland’s capital. Great events have taken place within its walls and it has witnessed many sieges. To control the castle was to hold the keys to the kingdom. Iron Age warriors understood the rock’s military potential and built a hill fort here. The castle is now a world famous visitor attraction and a key element of the Edinburgh World Heritage Site.

PRIVATE TOUR TO ST ANDREWS WITH AN EXPERT DRIVER/GUIDE

After breakfast this morning, meet with your driver/guide for a full day travelling east into the Kingdom of Fife and to St Andrews. Enjoy some local sightseeing with the driver. You will see the Castle and the University and of course the Old Course. In the late afternoon, return to Edinburgh for an evening at your leisure.

St. Andrews: Standing proudly on the east coast and within half an hour from Dundee and less than two hours from Edinburgh and Glasgow, it’s easy to explore this historic gem in the Kingdom of Fife. St Andrews, Scotland’s world-famous Home of Golf, is known for its historic university, medieval streets and gorgeous traditional buildings. The town is filled with exciting things to see and do, from St Andrews Cathedral to nearby Scotland’s Secret Bunker. 

St Andrews Castle is the ruins of the castle of the Archbishops of St Andrews, dating in part from the 13th century. Explore the underground 16th-century siege mine and counter-mine, and the 'bottle dungeon', one of the most infamous castle prisons in medieval Britain, which was cut out of the solid rock.

The remains of St Andrews Cathedral, which was Scotland’s largest cathedral and most magnificent church, show how impressive it used to be. The museum houses an outstanding collection of early and later medieval sculptures and other relics found on the site, including the magnificent St Andrews Sarcophagus of Pictish date. The precinct walls are particularly well preserved.

EDINBURGH TO THE HIGHLANDS INVERNESS VIA BLAIR CASTLE AND THE DALWHINNIE DISTILLERY

Meet your driver/guide at the hotel this morning and travel North towards Inverness. Suggested stop at South Queensferry to get a great view of the Forth Bridges and it’s a beautiful little village. From there possibly stop off at the small town of Dunkeld close to the “Little Houses” (an area renovated and looked after by the National Trust) and take a wander up the lane leading to Dunkeld Cathedral which is located on the shore of the River Tay (very picturesque).

Then on through Pitlochry and you may wish to stop for a visit to Blair Castle followed by lunch in a nearby pub. After lunch, we will include a stop for a scheduled tour and tasting at the Dalwhinnie Whiskey Distillery. Arrive in Inverness in the afternoon and check in to your hotel for an evening at leisure. 

Blair Castle & Gardens. Spanning the Medieval, Georgian and Victorian eras through to present day, Blair Castle encapsulates remarkable periods in Scotland’s 

Dalwhinnie Distillery stands in the Cairngorm National Park at the heart of the Scottish Highlands in the village of Dalwhinnie. From this remote but accessible location comes our liquid known as the gentle spirit. Take a peek at the ins and outs of our working distillery. Discover its unique high location and its iconic malt during a scheduled or private guided tour.  

Inverness is the largest city and the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands and attracts visitors from across the world for its natural landscapes, quaint towns, medieval ruins, and prehistoric sites.

Ness Walk:  12 Ness Walk, Inverness, IV3 5SQ

2 nights at Ness Walk in a Cedar Room inclusive of breakfast

An idyllic 5-star retreat hotel in Inverness, surrounded by a dramatic canopy of impressive trees. The grand building allows you to experience a secluded atmosphere in the heart of the vibrant city centre. Originally a 19th century house, our lovingly restored Grade B listed building still retains many of its periodic features..

PRIVATE LOCH NESS CRUISE AND LOCAL SIGHTSEEING

This morning you will meet with your driver who will bring you to the boarding area (Urquhart Bay harbour which is 1 mile north of Drumnadrochit on the A82) for a private 1-hour cruise on Loch Ness. There will be plenty of photo opportunities so a camera today is a must! After the cruise, meet your driver and travel to Urquhart Castle for an included visit. Spend the afternoon sightseeing with your driver/guide. You can discuss options with him on the day, The battlefield at Culloden Moor is a great visit (payable locally) . Return to Inverness for an evening at your leisure.

Private Loch Ness Cruise (1 Hour): Join a local skipper for a trip lasting approximately one hour and enjoy stunning views of the Great Glen, Loch Ness and the ruins of Urquhart Castle. On board, instruments monitor sub surface activity showing both bottom profile and mid water targets, which, although usually fish, are very very occasionally much larger and not readily explained.  Fun Facts, Legends and History galore from your host Gordon as you enjoy the very best views from the Loch.

Urquhart Castle. Once one of Scotland’s largest castles, Urquhart saw great conflict during its 500 years as a medieval fortress. Control of the castle passed back and forth between the Scots and English during the Wars of Independence. The power struggles continued, as the Lords of the Isles regularly raided both castle and glen up until the 1500s. The last of the government troops garrisoned here during the Jacobite Risings blew up the castle when they left. Urquhart’s iconic ruins remain, offering glimpses into medieval times and the lives of its noble residents. 

Culloden Moor Visitor Centre. Visit the powerfully moving site of the final Jacobite Rising – the last and most harrowing pitched battle to be fought on British soil. Explore the interactive visitor centre, view fascinating artefacts from both sides of the confrontation, and experience the battle in our immersive surround cinema. 

OVER THE SEA TO SKYE

This morning you will meet your driver/guide for a full day tour to the Isle of Skye. En-route you will see the most photographed castle in the world, Eilean Donan. The island of Skye, connected to Scotland's northwest coast by bridge, is known for its rugged landscapes, picturesque fishing villages and medieval castles. The largest island in the Inner Hebrides archipelago, it has an indented coastline of peninsulas and narrow lochs, radiating out from a mountainous interior. Spend the afternoon exploring the wonderful Island and the spectacular scenery.

The Island of Skye is 50 miles long and the largest of the Inner Hebrides. The capital is Portree. Villages in the north of the Island include Dunvegan, Edinbane, Uig and Staffin. Notable villages in the south of Skye include Broadford, Armadale, Carbost, Elgol and Kyle akin.  The Island has a rich History covering many topics, such as: dinosaur fossils, clan warfare, Highland Clearances and the infamous Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite Rebellion.Both Clan MacDonald and Clan MacLeod have their Clan castles on the Island and should be on your list of places to visit.  The Isle of Skye is also a great destination for Wildlife watching with the white tailed sea eagle at the top of bird watchers lists. Otters, seals, whales, dolphins and red deer are just some of the other impressive creatures that can be seen on and around the Isle of Skye.

Kinloch Lodge: Sleat, Isle of Skye, Scotland, IV43 8QY

2 nights at Kinloch Lodge in a Suite inclusive of breakfast

Kinloch Lodge is more than a hotel and restaurant. It’s a white jewel nestled in the hills on Scotland’s spectacular Isle of Skye

SIGHTSEEING AND ACTIVITIES ON THE ISALE OF SKYE

Today, enjoy the natural beauty of the Isle of Skye.  Below are listed some of the most amazing sights you can see.  You can discuss with your driver/guide for your preferences.  This evening is at your leisure.

• Travel over Sligachan Old Bridge. 
• The Fairy Pools 
• The Old Man of Storr
• Visit Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls
• The Quiraing
• The Fairy Glen Tour

Portree, the main town on the Isle of Skye, is a bustling port and a thriving cultural centre. Set round its natural harbour and fringed by high ground and cliffs the town is the perfect spot for a bit of lunch. Famous for its seaside houses painted in various bright colours, Portree offers a chance for a relaxed stroll along the shore side with an ice cream. There are also several shops to pick up some souvenirs for friends and family back home.

SKYE TO GLASGOW VIA GLENFINNAN, FORT WILLIAM, GLENCOE AND LOCH LOMOND

This morning you will check out of your hotel and take the morning ferry for the 45-minute journey from Armadale to Mallaig admiring the spectacular scenery as you go. Travel to Fort William via Glenfinnan and time to see the monument to Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Viaduct.  You will see the majestic Glencoe and enjoy time for an optional lunch before continuing south via the Bridge of Orchy and Crianlarich and along the bonny banks of Loch Lomond.  In the evening you will arrive in Glasgow and check into your hotel. The evening is at your leisure to relax and explore.

The Glenfinnan Viaduct is a renowned feat of Victorian engineering and the longest concrete railway bridge in Scotland. It takes the West Highland Railway over the River Finnan 100ft below, on its journey between Fort William and Mallaig – and is one of the most picturesque train rides in the world. Made famous by the Harry Potter films as the Hogwarts Express.

Glenfinnan Monument: Moving tribute to those who died fighting for the Jacobite cause, framed by dramatic Highland scenery. Raise your bonnet to the lone Highlander on top of Glenfinnan Monument and take the dizzying climb up the tower for an unrivalled view of Loch Shiel. Discover the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the 1745 Jacobite Rising in our informative visitor centre and find out about the clans that supported him.

Fortwilliam is known as the outdoor capital of the Scottish Highlands with its stunning landscapes, fascinating museums and authentic ales and whiskeys.

Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park: The National Park is famous for a reason: the scenery is stunning. From the Arrochar Alps to the island habitats of Loch Lomond, the views from the top of Ben Lomond to the Falls of Dochart, there’s a breath-taking view practically everywhere you go. At the heart of the park is Loch Lomond itself. You won't find a bigger loch or lake in the whole of Britain and you'll have a hard time finding a more beautiful one, too. 

Glasgow: Scotland's most populated City sits on the banks of the Clyde and is well known for its excellent shopping, food and nightlife and various tourist attractions and landmarks. Home to Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and the National Theatre of Scotland, as well as acclaimed museums and a thriving music scene

Blythswood Square Hotel:11 Blythswood Square, Glasgow, G2 4AD

Overnight at Blythswood Square Hotel in a Premium Garden View Room inclusive of breakfast

Blythswood Square has been a prestigious address since the early 19th century. Overlooking a private garden square, the hotel's Georgian townhouses were originally home to wealthy merchants and were later turned into the club headquarters for The Royal Scottish Automobile Club.

PRIVATE DEPARTURE TRANSFER TO GLASGOW OR EDINBURGH AIRPORT

After breakfast this morning we include a private transfer to Glasgow Airport. 

We simply want you to focus on having an incredible time. It’s that simple.

All our suggested tours are created by locals, using years of country knowledge. It’s your tour though. That’s why any of our itineraries can be tailored to exactly suit your needs. And that might mean fitting it to your budget. Do you have a particular destination in mind, We can include any specific request, so please ask.

Please note that we can also use some or all 4-star hotels in great locations. We can adjust services to meet your wish list, your requirements and your budget.

The Cost for this Wonderful Private Tour to Scotland as shown online based on 2 Guests sharing a room ranges from UK POUNDS £7695 - £9995 per person sharing.

Utilising wonderful 4-star hotels in great locations, the price range will be from UK£6295 - £6995

Please see below for complete list of included services.

Accommodation is included for 8 nights at the following hotels including breakfast.

Accommodation

Nts    City          Hotel    

3    Edinburgh    Balmoral Hotel - Deluxe King Room
2    Inverness     Ness Walk - Cedar King Room
2    Isle of Sky    Kinloch Lodge - King Suite
1    Glasgow       Blythswood Square - Premium Garden View Room

Transport

• Private Arrival Transfer Edinburgh
• Private driver/guide to St Andrews
• Private driver/guide Edinburgh to Inverness with Dalwhinnie Distillery
• Private driver/guide for Private Loch Ness Cruise and Local Sightseeing
• Private driver/guide Inverness to the Isle of Skye
• Private driver/duide at your disposal for sightseeing 
• Private driver /guide to Glasgow Via Fort William, Glencoe and Loch Lomond
• Private Departure Transfer Glasgow Airport

Services

• Private Half Day Edinburgh Walking Tour
• Edinburgh Castle - Skip the Line Entrance Fee
• Blair Castle & Gardens - Skip the Line Entrance Fee
• Dalwhinnie Distillery Tour - small group tour
• Private Cruise on Loch Ness
• Urquhart Castle - Skip the Line Entrance Fee

We also include hotel taxes and fees, (please note that city tax is payable locally) communication costs and the help of our local travel experts throughout your trip; 24/7.

What's Not Included

• Your flights to and from Europe
• Gratuities and tips to driver-guides and local guides
• Anything that we’ve not mentioned above

BOOKING: The proposal is subject to availability and subject to our terms and conditions available on request. To book we require a 30% deposit which is non-refundable as required to pre-book all services.  We accept payments by credit card or by bank transfer. The balance of your trip would be due by 60 days prior to travel.  We strongly suggest taking out travel insurance with your local broker or online provider.