Best of Scotland
7 Days Starting in Edinburgh, United Kingdom and ending in Glasgow, United Kingdom
Visiting: Edinburgh, Scottish Highlands, Isle of Skye, Glasgow, Stirling
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BBOSZM20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Festival & Special Events, History, Wildlife Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Best of Scotland" tour, a captivating journey through the heart of Scotland's rich history and breathtaking landscapes. Begin in the enchanting city of Edinburgh, where you'll explore its historic castle and vibrant streets. Venture into the Scottish Highlands, visiting iconic sites like St. Andrews, Pitlochry, and the haunting Culloden Battlefield. Experience the mystical beauty of the Isle of Skye and the legendary Loch Ness. In Glasgow, delve into the city's cultural heritage with a whisky tasting and a visit to Stirling Castle. Conclude your adventure with an exclusive farewell dinner at Craufurdland Castle, hosted by the 29th Laird, offering a personal glimpse into Scottish heritage. With expert guides, luxury accommodations, and unforgettable experiences, this tour promises an immersive exploration of Scotland's most cherished treasures.
Must-see Highlights
- Explore Edinburgh
- Discover Glasgow and Stirling
- Visit Edinburgh Castle, Pitlochry, Culloden Battlefield, the Isle of Skye, Glasgow Cathedral, Stirling Castle and a whisky distillery in Stirling
- View the 18th green at St. Andrews, Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Ness and Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands, Necropolis and George Square in Glasgow
Make Travel Matter®
Glencoe: Join a wildlife Ranger in Glencoe and learn about the rich biodiversity of wildlife including insects, invertebrates and mammals, such as otter and fallow deer. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.
Be My Guest
Kilmarnock: Experience an intimate farewell to Scotland at Craufurdland Castle, just 30 minutes south of Glasgow. This exclusive Trafalgar event offers an evening steeped in Scottish heritage and hospitality, hosted by the 29th Laird of Craufurdland, Simon Houison Craufurd, and his wife, Adity. Guests will arrive at the castle, where Simon and Adity will lead a private tour through historic rooms like the Gothic Hall, The Blue Dining Room, and King Charles' bedroom, sharing tales of the castle’s royal connections and legacy. Enjoy a 3-course dinner in The Laird’s Table, a restaurant within the castle that features furniture crafted by Simon himself. Relish locally sourced dishes paired with wine or soft drinks, plus fresh bread, butter, tea, and coffee. With only Trafalgar guests in attendance, this exclusive experience promises a warm and personal farewell, rich with the Craufurds’ stories, Scottish history, and a commitment to sustainable hospitality that makes Craufurdland Castle truly unforgettable.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Edinburgh
Location: Edinburgh
Accommodation: Novotel Center, Delta Hotels by Marriott.
Accommodation Name: Novotel Centre, Delta by Marriott
Meals Included: Dinner
Get lost in the narrow lanes of Edinburgh – the Scottish capital with a mystical air that combines ancient heritage with the verve of a modern city. Spend your day at leisure delving into its rich history and embracing the warm culture of the Scots, before joining your travel companions and Travel Director for dinner.
Day 2: Discover Enchanting Edinburgh
Location: Edinburgh
Accommodation: Novotel Center, Delta Hotels by Marriott.
Accommodation Name: Novotel Centre, Delta by Marriott
Meals Included: Breakfast
Join your Local Specialist this morning for an intriguing sightseeing tour of the city. Ascend Castle Rock and visit Edinburgh Castle, which watches over the surrounding city from its elevated vantage point. Stroll through the Old Town before enjoying time at leisure to soak up the city's festive atmosphere. Tickets to see the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates.
Day 3: Venture into the Scottish Highlands
Location: Scottish Highlands
Accommodation: Laggan, Craiglynne
Accommodation Name: Laggan, Craiglynne
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Tread in the footsteps of the world's golfing greats and head to St. Andrews en route to the glorious Scottish Highlands. A scenic drive takes us north and across the Firth of Tay, past the city of Dundee to Pitlochry. After lunch, explore Pitlochry's vibrant High Street at your leisure or join an Optional Experience to Blair Castle, the ancestral home of the Clan Murray. Your day in beautiful surrounds comes to an end with a cosy dinner at your hotel located within the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands.
Day 4: Explore Culloden, Loch Ness and the Isle of Skye
Location: Isle of Skye
Accommodation: Laggan
Accommodation Name: Laggan, Craiglynne
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Continue your journey to the tragic battlefield of Culloden. Pay tribute to the brave people who lost their lives in the Jacobite Uprising, then travel past Scotland's infamous Loch Ness. The solitary beauty of Eilean Donan Castle will leave you speechless before you continue to the coast and cross to the Isle of Skye. Heather-clad peaks provide a stunning backdrop for your scenic drive across the Sleat Peninsula. Board your ferry in Armadale and cross to Mallaig, back on the mainland.
Day 5: Journey to Thriving Glasgow
Location: Glasgow
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza
Accommodation Name: Crowne Plaza
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your first stop today is to commemorate World War II history at the Commando Memorial near Fort William, from which you admire spectacular views of Britain's highest peak – Ben Nevis. Journey through thevolcanic ruins and precipitous mountains that lie just beyond Glencoe to see the 'Glen of Weeping'. Here you remember the MacDonald clansmen who were massacred in 1692. Join a ranger for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, learn about the protection of this rare ecosystem and the important work reintroducing lost indigenous species to its flora and fauna. Continuing towards the River Clyde, arriving at your final stop for the day – Glasgow.
Day 6: Walk the Walls of Stirling Castle Dive Into Culture Connect with Locals
Location: Stirling
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza
Accommodation Name: Crowne Plaza
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Madainn mhath! While your Gaelic may be a little rusty, your orientation tour around this edgy city will be anything but. Begin your day seeing Glasgow's iconic sights. Enjoy views of the Necropolis, the regal George Square and River Clyde, for over 200 years the centre of shipbuilding. Continue to Stirling, to see its hilltop fortress, which stands as a symbol of national pride. Stirling Castle was once the seat of Scottish kings and queens, including Mary, Queen of Scots. View the Wallace Monument from the castle walls, paying tribute to the Scottish hero who fought for Scotland's independence. Later, Dive Into Culture at a whisky distillery and enjoy a wee dram. Tonight, join a Be My Guest experience.
Day 7: Farewell Glasgow
Location: Glasgow
Meals Included: Breakfast
The rugged beauty and warmth of Scotland’s people forever in your memory, enjoy one last hearty breakfast with your travel companions before wishing them and your Travel Director a fond farewell.
What's Included
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
An expert Travel Director and professional Driver are included in the tour.
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
Accommodation in cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted, is included.
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
All porterage and restaurant gratuities are included.
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
All hotel tips, charges, and local taxes are included.
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras are included in the tour.
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Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing are included.
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi
Travel in a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation such as rail journeys.
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Optional Experiences and free time
Optional experiences and free time are part of the tour.
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Ferry from the Isle of Skye to Mallaig
The ferry from the Isle of Skye to Mallaig is included.
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On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised
On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
What's Not Included
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Airfare
International airfare to/from the start/end of your tour is not included.
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Visas
Costs associated with obtaining visas or passports are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with a luxury air-conditioned coach equipped with Wi-Fi, and enjoy a scenic ferry ride from the Isle of Skye to Mallaig, ensuring a comfortable and memorable journey across Scotland.
Accommodation
Enjoy your stay at cherry-picked hotels such as Novotel Centre, Delta by Marriott, Laggan, Craiglynne, and Crowne Plaza, all tried and trusted for comfort and convenience throughout your Scottish adventure.
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 6 Breakfast (B)
Dive Into Culture
- Glasgow: Visit Clydeside Distillery for a tour and a tasting of their whisky as you learn of their long history.
Dive into Culture
- Glasgow: Visit Clydeside Distillery for a tour and a tasting of their whisky as you learn of their long history.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experience does the tour offer in Glencoe?
In Glencoe, the tour offers a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience where you join a wildlife ranger to learn about the rich biodiversity of the area, including insects, invertebrates, and mammals like otters and fallow deer. This visit supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.
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What is the 'Be My Guest' experience in Kilmarnock?
The 'Be My Guest' experience in Kilmarnock is an exclusive Trafalgar event at Craufurdland Castle, hosted by the 29th Laird of Craufurdland, Simon Houison Craufurd, and his wife, Adity. Guests enjoy a private tour of the castle, a 3-course dinner with locally sourced dishes, and stories of the castle's royal connections and legacy.
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Are tickets to the Edinburgh Tattoo included in the tour?
Yes, tickets to the Edinburgh Tattoo are included for departures that coincide with the performance dates.
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What cultural experience is included in Glasgow?
In Glasgow, the tour includes a visit to the Clydeside Distillery for a tour and whisky tasting, where you learn about the distillery's long history.
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What is the significance of the visit to Stirling Castle?
The visit to Stirling Castle is significant as it was once the seat of Scottish kings and queens, including Mary, Queen of Scots. The castle stands as a symbol of national pride, and from its walls, you can view the Wallace Monument, which pays tribute to the Scottish hero who fought for Scotland's independence.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1947
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions