Guided Grand Tour of Scotland - 11 Days

Highlights

• Explore the Scottish Highlands with a private driver
• Take a cruise on Loch Ness and hunt for the legendary monster yourself
• Experience the Chef's Table tasting menu at one of the UK's top restaurants
• Visit whisky distilleries for a tour and tasting in two distinct regions
• Witness the beauty of Glen Coe with a full-day guided tour

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Edinburgh, Champagne Afternoon Tea at The Ivy

Welcome to Scotland! You've landed in Edinburgh, a captivating historic and modern city known for its festivals, thriving arts scene, and friendly locals. On arrival, meet your private driver for a transfer to your hotel. En route, you might catch a glimpse of the historic Edinburgh Castle, sitting atop an ancient volcanic hill and overlooking the Old and New Town centers. Drop your bags, refresh, and change into something chic for this afternoon's experience.

Afternoon tea is a fashionable and sociable affair, the perfect midafternoon indulgence—and an excuse for Champagne! Arrive at The Ivy, a relaxed brasserie with sumptuous Art Deco-inspired interiors, for this special British ritual. Sip on a glass of Champagne while you delight in afternoon tea and its theatrics. You'll receive a three-tiered stand filled with delicate treats, including finger sandwiches, savory bites, homemade cakes, and freshly baked fruit scones. Of course, no afternoon tea experience is complete without tea or coffee.

Day 2: Transfer to Stirling, Visit Stirling Castle & William Wallace Monument

Today you'll walk through one of the most significant castles in Scottish history. Meet your private driver in the lobby for the hourlong drive to Stirling. Stirling Castle is where the Great Siege took place in 1304, when Edward I, the Hammer of the Scots, besieged the fortress. Meet a local guide and wander up to the rocky aerie to explore the Royal Palace, Chapel Royal, and Regimental Museum. Take in the views over Stirling's cobbled main street and countryside.

Afterward, stop for refreshments in town and visit the National Wallace Monument, situated on the Abbey Craig just outside Stirling. This famous landmark commemorates the life of the patriot and martyr Sir William Wallace and overlooks the scene of his greatest victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. Your private guide will share the story of how the battle was fought and won and of his legacy. Then, of course, admire the Stirling Bridge itself, where the 1297 fight took place. Finally, arrive at your accommodation for the evening in Stirling.

Day 3: Transfer to Aviemore via Rothiemurchus Estate

Today a private driver will take you to Rothiemurchus Estate, a family-run estate in the heart of Cairngorms National Park with a 13th-century island castle, abundant wildlife, and fun activities. The one-hour drive laps the western edge of the park, passing the verdant farmland and historic granite villages. Rothiemurchus is home to one of the largest areas of natural forest in Britain, and an extraordinary variety of wildlife calls this area home.

These animals have been under the protection of 18 generations of the Grants of Rothiemurchus, who have cared for this estate for more than 450 years. Your visit helps the family continue their sustainable stewardship of the forest. Choose to walk or cycle along carefully maintained paths or join an outdoor activity such as clay shooting, fishing, quad bike trekking, pony hacking, off-road driving, archery, and canoeing. After, your private driver will take you to Aviemore, a charming town and hub for outdoor enthusiasts who flock here for hiking, skiing, and mountain biking. 

Day 4: Dalwhinnie Distillery Tour & Tasting, Free Time in Aviemore

After a hearty breakfast, a private driver will collect you for the half-hour drive to Dalwhinnie Distillery. After a guided tour of Scotland's highest distillery, you'll sit down for a special whisky masterclass and taste six smooth single malts, including a distillery-exclusive bottling and a special release. These special golden drops will be paired with local artisanal chocolate from the Highland Chocolatier. 

The rest of the day is yours to explore as you wish. With your driver at your disposal, you could visit another Speyside whisky distillery or explore more of the pristine landscapes in Cairngorms National Park, from expansive heather-clad moorlands to towering Caledonian pine forests. On the return to Aviemore, you could drop into the Highland Folk Museum. Britain's first open-air museum takes you on a journey into the past with heritage buildings and highland cows. The 1700s township was used in the "Outlander" TV series.

Day 5: Transfer to Inverness, Loch Ness Cruise

No one can resist the mythical Loch Ness and the sense of wonder its monstrous depths evoke. This morning, your private driver will take you to Dochgarroch, just outside of Inverness, for a two-hour cruise on the legendary waters of Loch Ness and Thomas Telford's famous Caledonian Canal. Aboard a catamaran, you'll set off, soaking in the views of Great Glen, Aldourie Castle, Bona Lighthouse, and the spectacular Urquhart Castle, following in the footsteps of Queen Victoria.

As you cruise, you'll hear stories about the elusive Loch Ness monster and try to spot "Nessie." Finally, return to shore, where your driver will take you to Inverness, your base for the next two nights. The capital of the Scottish Highlands is a city rich with historical sites such as the Inverness Castle, perched on a hill overlooking the River Ness. This afternoon you could seek out a show at the Eden Court Theatre or visit a local art gallery. End the day with a hearty Scottish meal at a cozy local pub, finishing with a dram of whisky.

Day 6: Inverness Free Day with Private Driver & Guide

Today you'll have a private and knowledgeable driver/guide from Inverness at your disposal. As a local, they'll be able to share the history, stories, and legends of this land as you explore various landmarks and significant sites. One unmissable stop is the Culloden Battlefield. Just outside Inverness, this was the site of the final Jacobite Rising—the last pitched battle fought on British soil. On 16 April 1746, supporters gathered to fight the Duke of Cumberland's government troops. In less than an hour, around 1,300 men were slain–more than 1,250 of them Jacobites.

After, you could visit the nearby Clava Cairns, an ancient cemetery thought to be 4,000 years old. This sacred place provides many clues to the beliefs of Bronze Age society. Also near Inverness, you could explore the 600-year-old Cawdor Castle or visit Leanach Farm for a special sheepdog demonstration. Return to Inverness for the evening and find another cozy pub for dinner.

Day 7: Transfer to Isle of Skye, Urquhart Castle Visit, Underwater Boat Trip

Unearth more than 1,000 years of history this morning at the ruins of Urquhart Castle. Snap panoramic pictures with the loch from the Grant Tower, imagine the banquets that once took place in the Grand Hall, and peer into a gloomy prison cell said to have held legendary Gaelic bard Dòmhnall Donn. A private driver will take you to the castle on the way to the mythical Isle of Skye. Back in the car, continue west for two hours until you reach the often dramatic and ethereal isle known for its rugged, mountainous terrain and the iconic Cuillin Range.

The island's coastline is scattered with high cliffs, sea stacks, and picturesque fishing villages. This afternoon you'll explore the sights from the water—away from the crowds. Board the Seaprobe Atlantis Glass Bottom Boat to explore both above and below the sea at once. You'll sail out under the Skye Bridge or head down Lochalsh looking for seals, otters, and wildlife. Venture below the deck through large panoramic windows to explore a fascinating underwater world teeming with marine life. After, your driver will transfer you to your guesthouse for the next two nights.

Day 8: Talisker Distillery Tour & Tasting, Dinner at The Three Chimneys

After a slow morning on the Isle of Skye, a private driver will take you to Talisker Distillery. Set on the shores of Loch Harport with sweeping views of the Cuillins, this is the oldest working distillery on the island. Here you'll discover how the island influences the taste of Talisker on the signature distillery tour, then taste three award-winning single malts.

This evening you'll experience one of the best restaurants in the United Kingdom: The Three Chimneys. This special culinary experience has repeatedly made the World's 50 Best Restaurants list, and you'll get to enjoy seven courses at "The Kitchen Table." The chefs pride themselves on "mile 0" produce, gathering oysters from the bay, crab in Loch Bracadale, lobster in Loch Dunvegan, and serving Talisker whisky, of course. You'll sit down a meal that's at once inventive and traditional in the middle of the kitchen, where you can watch the chefs at work.

Day 9: Transfer to Fort William, Free Time in Scotland's Adventure Capital

Today you'll wave goodbye to Skye when your private driver takes you to Fort William, the outdoor capital of the United Kingdom. This loch-side town sits between crystal-clear lakes and snowcapped mountains, drawing outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world. With easy access to exhilarating hillwalking, mountain climbing, snow sports, watersports, fishing, walking, and cycling, Fort William is an easy choice for nature and sports lovers. Feel the spirit of the Scottish Highlands as you soak up its stunning landscapes and decide what you'd like to do this afternoon.

You could lace up your walking boots, snap a photo with the bronze statue of a walker at Gordon Square, and get ready for your own adventure. From here, you can ascend the United Kingdom's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, on a relatively easy six- or seven-hour walk. If that seems too extreme, there are gentler walks or calm trails beside the loch. Or you could continue your exploration of Scottish whisky and taste the area's single malts, explore fascinating museums, or wander the High Street where shops, cafés, and traditional Scottish pubs await.

Day 10: Guided Glen Coe Tour

Considered one of the most hauntingly beautiful of the Scottish glens, Glen Coe is often shrouded in mist and runs for 10 miles (16 km) beneath rugged peaks formed from lava flow and shaped by millions of years of erosion. Today a local guide will lead you on a full-day exploration of the region, a half-hour drive south of Fort William. Together you'll visit the wild and dramatic mountains of the glen, including the Three Sisters—the ridges of Beinn Fhada, Gearr Aonach, and Aonach Dubh. This beautiful green valley is straight out of a medieval storybook, and your guide will share stories and Celtic legends as you explore.

You'll hear about warriors of Gaelic mythology, defeated Viking invaders, and powerful clans, and learn about the infamous Massacre of Glencoe in 1691. After your day of nature and storytelling, you'll return to Fort William for your final evening in Scotland. Be sure to find a traditional pub for a final Scottish meal and a dram of whisky.

Day 11: Transfer to Glasgow, Depart 

Your road trip across Scotland comes to an end today. A private driver will collect you one last time for the 2.5-hour transfer from Fort William to Glasgow airport, allowing enough time before your flight home or next destination. Safe travels!

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