Complete Scotland Tour – 15 Days

After arriving at Edinburgh airport, collecting your luggage and exiting through customs, you will be greeted in the arrivals hall by your chauffeur driver, who will take you directly to your accommodation in the city centre of Edinburgh.

Once in Edinburgh, we recommend exploring the city and taking in all its sights. Edinburgh has a long and rich history, so there is no shortage of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, museums and landmarks to visit.

We recommend strolling up Castle Hill with fantastic views over the city and the 12th-century Edinburgh Castle. From there, you could walk all the way down the Royal Mile, passing the St Giles Cathedral and many pubs and souvenir shops. At the bottom of the Royal Mile, you’ll reach the Palace of Holyrood house, the Royal Family’s official residence in Edinburgh. At the palace, you can learn about some of Scotland’s best-known historic figures such as Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie (note: opening days and hours vary). Near the palace is the modern Scottish Parliament building, which you can also tour.

Other highlights near the Royal Mile include the colourful Victoria Street, said to have inspired Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter stories. Follow this winding road down to Bow Street and Grassmarket, where you can sit outside at a bustling restaurant on a sunny day. From here, you can walk up Candlemaker Row to discover the famous statue of Greyfriars Bobby. The grave of this beloved dog is in nearby Greyfriars Kirkyard.

Another picturesque area is Princes Street Gardens under the awe-inspiring silhouette of the castle. Nearby you’ll find Princes Street, a popular thoroughfare, and the St James Quarter, offering chic shopping in a modern indoor space. Leading off from Princes Street, you’ll find the grand Frederick Street and the famous Barbour clothes shop. This sophisticated brand is known for dressing the Royal Family.

In the evening, you’ll have plenty of choice for restaurants and bars where you can enjoy warm Scottish hospitality. Taste some local cuisine, such as haggis, and sample the famous whisky.

Once you’re ready, hit the road! Begin your journey by crossing the Firth of Forth with views of the famous Forth Railway Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Over the bridge n Fife, your first stop will be the quaint village of Falkland. It is best known as the site of the 16th-century Falkland Palace, a National Trust of Scotland site that you can visit if you wish to. Falkland also plays host to 1940s and 1960s Inverness in the television series Outlander. Check out the Bruce Fountain and Campbell’s Coffee House and Eatery, both of which feature in the show.

From there, you will head east to the seaside town of St Andrews. Famous for being the home of golf , and another 6 golf courses all belonging to the St Andrews Links Trust and the oldest university in Scotland, the town has 3 beautiful beaches, the ruins of a castle dating back to 1189 sitting atop a cliff and the ruins of the largest medieval cathedral in Scotland dating back to 1130 and the famous St Rules Tower which stands at 33 metres.

We continue north, cross the River Tay and pass Dundee, a UNESCO City of Design, where you can find museums and attractions such as the ship RRS Discovery which took Scott and Shackleton on their first voyage to Antarctica.

We then take the direct route to Aberdeen which will take us to the spectacular Dunnottar Castle, near Stonehaven. This is my favourite castle in Scotland with its dramatic location on a cliff, is a popular photo stop. The surviving parts of the castle date back to the 15th and 16th centuries.

You will then spend rest of the day exploring Aberdeen. Nicknamed the Granite City because of its sparkling stone architecture, it is better known as the Oil Capital of Europe following the discovery of North Sea Oil in the 1970s.

From Aberdeen, your route will take you into the Scottish Highlands and towards Inverness, also known as the “Capital of the Highlands“. You will first drive you along the “Deeside Tourist Route“, a lovely journey through the Cairngorms National Park, the largest national park in the British Isles.

We recommend 16th-century Crathes Castle, a turreted castle that offers so much cultural history, and 13th-century Drum Castle, a fascinating castle that has expanded over the centuries. These castles have limited opening days but even if closed they make for great photo stops as you can wander freely around the lovely grounds and parkland. The next castle stop is the famous Balmoral Castle, the Scottish residence of the Royal Family in the Highlands.

Continue along Speyside, the region famous for its whiskies. Speyside is home to over half the distilleries in Scotland, and holds the greatest concentration of malt whisky producers in the country. If time allows and you want to learn more about whisky production or even have a wee taster, stop at one of the distilleries for a tour and tasting.

We need to book the whisky tour in advance, alternatively we can turn up for a tasting

You’ll start the day early to head north across the Black Isle Peninsula, all the way to the seaside village of Gill‘s Bay. We will make a photo stop at the fairytale Dunrobin Castle, along your journey if you wish, unfortuantely due to the castle opening times and the timings off the ferry this is onyl a photo stop.

In the early afternoon, you will take the ferry from Gill‘s Bay to St Margaret’s Hope on Orkney. This is a beautiful hour-long journey across the Pentland Firth with views of the Firth’s islands, including the abandoned Stroma.

When you reach the mainland, we will over to the Churchill Barriers and visit the Italian Chapel, a charming Roman Catholic chapel on Lamb Holm. The chapel was constructed by Italian POWs during the Second World War.

Later, we will drive you to Kirkwall, a former Viking stronghold which is also the largest town of the Orkney Islands. There, you can explore the town centre, including the magnificent 12th-century St Magnus Cathedral.

Ferry duration: 1 hour

You have the whole day to explore the highlights of Orkney, which is renowned for its stunning scenery and ruins dating back millennia to the Stone Ages.

The jewel of the archipelago is the “Heart of Neolithic Orkney”, a UNESCO World Heritage Site area that includes a group of Neolithic monuments on Mainland, the largest of the Orkney Islands.

These sites make up the jewel of Orkney and include the 5,000-year-old prehistoric village of Skara Brae, the mysterious Ring of Brodgar stone circle, the huge megaliths at the Standing Stones of Stenness and the chambered cairn of Maeshowe, where in the 12th-century raiding Vikings left one of the largest collections of Norse runic inscriptions.

We recommend the walk between the World Heritage Sites of the Ring of Brodgar and Stones of Stenness, through the Ness of Brodgar, which is very pleasant.

Start the day early to take the ferry back to the Scottish mainland. From here, you will drive you along part of the famous North Coast 500. The drive offers amazing vistas on rocky cliffs, gold sand beaches and beautiful mountains of the rural north coast.

One of today‘s highlights that is worth the stop is the remarkable Smoo Cave. Let your guide know if you’d like to visit. Smoo Cave is the largest and most dramatic sea cave in Britain with an entrance 15 metres (50 feet) high, 40 metres (130 feet) wide and 61 metres (200 feet) long.

You could also stop to see the pristine beaches and turquoise waters of Durness. Or visit the 15th-century ruins of Ardvreck Castle, before arriving at the charming and whitewashed village of Ullapool.

Ferry duration: 1 – 1.5 hours

This morning, we will take the ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. Here you can enjoy the beautiful sights of this island where the Gaelic culture and language still thrive.

In Stornoway, you might wish to tour the newly renovated Stornoway Museum located within the Victorian-era Lews Castle, which houses exhibits about the island, including six of the famous Lewis Chessmen. You could also visit the Black Arnol Museum, with its thatched cottages. It’s a must-see if you want to learn more about island life in the old days.

We will take you to the island’s main attraction: the spectacular 4000-year-old Callanish Standing Stones. This is an impressive collection of Neolithic stone circles and megaliths often referred to as the “Hebrides’ Stonehenge”. You can check out the site’s visitor centre, which has a small exhibition about the mystery of the stones, and a small café.

If time allows, you can chat to your guide about driving to the Butt of Lewis, the northernmost tip of the Hebrides. Here you can enjoy views of the old lighthouse and the dramatic steep cliffs teeming with nesting seabirds. Once there, look out for the Bird of Prey Trail, which spans the Outer Hebrides with location markers for the best places to see birds of prey. On your way back, you could also stop at little Port Stoth, a nice tranquil sheltered inlet just southeast of the Butt of Lewis.

Later in the day, you’ll continue south to the Isle of Harris. You might spot red deer on the way, as there is an estimated population of nearly 4,000 living on Lewis and Harris.

Ferry duration: 2.5 hours.

Today you will experience the best of the Isle of Harris, famous for its idyllic sandy beaches and craggy landscapes. While journeying around the island, listen out for the elusive corncrake, which makes the Outer Hebrides its home during summer months.

You can start by exploring the small village of Tarbert and then take in the striking scenery as your guide drives along the west coast of the island towards Rodel.

On the way, you could take a walk on Luskentyre Beach, one of the most spectacular in Scotland, boasting miles of white sand and dazzling turquoise waters. Further along, you could stop for another walk at the equally stunning Scarista Beach.

Once you’ve reached Rodel, stop to admire this tiny rural community which once used to be Harris’ main town. Take some time to explore the beautiful medieval St Clement’s Church. Later, your driver-guide will head back to Tarbert along the windy and twisty Golden Road which hugs the east coast of the island. The scenery here is unique, often described as otherworldly or lunar and stands in complete contrast to the beaches of the west coast.

If time allows, you can also visit the Harris Tweed outlets in Tarbet for a genuine souvenir, as this tweed is still woven by hand in the Outer Hebrides. You could also enjoy a guided tour and tasting at the Isle of Harris Gin distillery with its characteristic sugar kelp notes. The Harris Tweed & Knitwear “Clo Mor” Exhibition at the Old School House in Drinishader is also worth a visit. You can learn more about the making of Harris Tweed, known world-wide for its high quality and traditional craftsmanship.

Today we will catch the ferry from Tarbert to Uig on the Isle of Skye, a haven for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike. Uig, your port of call on Skye, is on one of the island’s most breathtaking peninsulas, Trotternish. It is home to some of Skye’s top natural sights, with steep mountains, rugged sea cliffs, thundering waterfalls and sweeping sea views.

Your guide will take you around the peninsula to explore the enchanting Fairy Glen with its mystical stone circle and small mounds. You could also visit Kilt Rock and its 55-metre (180-feet) Mealt Falls which plunges from the sea cliffs right into the Sound of Raasay. Nearby, there are dinosaur footprints in the sands of Staffin Beach, which you can see at low tide.

There are also plenty of truly stunning hiking trails on Skye. If that’s something you enjoy, you could walk up the Old Man of Storr (3.8 km/2 miles) or even the Quiraing (7 km/4.5 miles). Or ask your guide for suggestions.

The beauty of Skye is that even if you don’t want to head to these incredible heights, you can still admire the rock formations and epic landscape. The drive up to the Quiraing rock face alone is worth the time. This area was formed in a series of ancient landslips.

Today you have a full day to see more of Skye.

If you’ve seen all the stunning Trotternish sights yesterday, then today you could head west to see more off-the-beaten path attractions.

In the northwest, you can visit the romantic Dunvegan Castle and its gardens, home to the Chief of Clan MacLeod.

Or you might wish to visit the Talisker Distillery to sample some genuine single malt Scotch whisky. Nearby, you can also enjoy a walk to the beautiful, crystal-clear Fairy Pools at the foot of the Black Cuillin Hills.

You leave the Isle of Skye behind today as your guide drives back to the mainland. On the way, you may want to make a photo stop at the iconic Eilean Donan Castle, a sight you will surely recognise from many films and TV shows, before taking the Skye Bridge onto the island.

We will take you to the mysterious Loch Ness, where you can visit the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition to learn more about the story of the loch and its notorious and elusive monster. Loch Ness is the largest lake by volume in the British Isles thanks to its great depth. If you want to discover the loch further, you could book an optional boat tour, or go explore the nearby Urquhart Castle ruins on its shores.

You‘ll then continue south to the village of Fort Augustus. Depending on your interests and how much time you have, this is a popular spot to explore nature on the Great Glen Way trail, learn about 17th-century highland weaponry at the Clansman Centre, or simply relax while watching boats navigate the locks of the Caledonian Canal.

You might ask your guide to stop by the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge, a three-figured bronze statue commemorating the service and sacrifice given by the Allied troops during World War II. The statue is also in a stunning location to admire views of Ben Nevis and the Mamore Mountains.

Today’s journey will be a scenic one, so don’t hesitate to let your guide know if you have specific interests.

If time allows, you can take a detour to Glenfinnan, where you can visit the Glenfinnan Monument, a tribute to the Jacobite clansmen overlooking the mysterious and beautiful Loch Shiel. In the background of the monument, you will find Glenfinnan Viaduct, a late Victorian masterpiece that is perhaps most famous today for having been captured in the Harry Potter films!

You will pass through Scotland’s most famous valley, Glen Coe, which offers world-famous scenery. You may recognise it from films such as Harry Potter and James Bond’s Skyfall. Here you can ask your guide if you’d like to go on a short walk along the Lochan trail. You can also just enjoy the majestic scenery from one of the many roadside viewpoints or visit the famous Clachaig Inn pub for lunch.

You will then travel through Rannoch Moor, a mysterious and boggy moorland often reminding travellers of otherworldly landscapes. Other worthwhile sights on the route include the beautiful Falls of Dochart in the village of Killin and the grave of Rob Roy in Balquhidder, a famous folk hero, often referred to as the Scottish Robin Hood.

Today you journey through the lush Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park all the way back to Edinburgh.

This is Scotland’s first national park and it is formed of 4 distinctive areas, all of them featuring different habitats and therefore a huge variety of wildlife. If you like the outdoors, talk to your guide about going on a nature walk from the Lodge Forest Visitor Centre. The trail looks across the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park and you may spot Scottish wildlife.

Your guide might stop in Callander, a charming town at the foot of the Ben Ledi mountain. There are many lovely walks to take in the area, including to some beautiful waterfalls.

The small town of Doune is also worth the stop. Doune Castle is now famous and you may recognise it from movies and TV shows, such as Monty Python & the Holy Grail, Outlander, Game of Thrones and Outlaw King.

Another great stop if you want one last castle to visit is Stirling. Stirling Castle sits atop the city hill so you can’t miss it. It is one of Scotland’s most popular attractions and worth a visit if you have the time. In the north-east of the city, you will see the monument to William Wallace, the rebellious Scottish knight subject of the film Braveheart.

If time allows, you could also stop at the Kelpies to see these giant 30-metre horse-head sculptures from up close. Nearby you will also find the Falkirk Wheel, the only rotating boat lift in the world.

Upon your arrival in Edinburgh, your guide will drop you off at your accommodation. You can enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure, perhaps with a fine dinner to top off your amazing journey. You could also visit a local pub and try whisky one last time before your departure.

Today, you have an opportunity to further explore the beautiful city of Edinburgh. A great way to spend your time in the capital while also discovering Scottish history and culture is to take some time to roam one (or more) of the many city museums. The added bonus of these museums is that they are all free to visit! Here are some you may want to visit:

• Scottish National Gallery – located on the mound
• Scottish National Portrait Gallery – located on Queen Street
• Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art – both buildings located just past Dean village in the west end
• National Museum of Scotland – located on Chambers Street

There are of course some paid activities and museums that you can visit if you want to, such as Camera Obscura, for those who enjoy puzzles and illusions, or the Scott Monument, the monument to writer Sir Walter Scott which gives a great view over the city centre to the visitors who climb it.

Weather permitting, you may wish to hike to the top of Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh’s ancient volcano. Alternatively, take an easy yet equally rewarding walk up Calton Hill to admire beautiful views over the city as well as the National Monument of Scotland that resembles an acropolis.

Another alternative could be to visit the famous Rosslyn Chapel, in Roslin village, and the surrounding Roslin Glen Country Park. You can easily reach the village by local bus, Lothian Bus 37, from Princes Street (ensure it states “via Roslin”). The chapel’s history goes back to the 15th century, but it recently gained world-wide prominence as a set for the film ‘The Da Vinci Code’. The Glen and its forest offer opportunities for picnics and leisurely walks by the river North Esk.

Today you will learn about Edinburgh’s history in a unique manner by heading into the underground network of the Old Town. This way you’ll uncover secrets rooted in the city’s Georgian era and long kept buried. On this guided walking tour, you’ll explore the Blair Street Underground Vaults, the largest system of underground caverns in Edinburgh. These vaults date back to the 18th century and remain very much unchanged.

Your guide will accompany you into the underbelly of the Scottish capital while revealing stories of its past.

In the evening, you may want to treat yourself to a show at one of Edinburgh’s premier theatres, such as The Festival Theatre, The Edinburgh Playhouse or the spectacular Usher Hall. They attract high end shows from London and abroad, as well as local shows, you may enjoy.

Today is the last day of your Scottish adventure. We will drive you directly to Edinburgh Airport in time for your departure.