Discover Scotland
Discover the capital city of Edinburgh, charming historic St. Andrews & Aberdeen, scenic Aviemore in the Highlands of Scotland, historic Inverness, and the port city of Glasgow.
Overview
Style | Value VacationTravel in larger groups than our Small Group tours, but at fantastic value prices. These group tour packages are operated by our carefully selected partners and may be shared with other English speaking passengers ensuring guaranteed departures. More of these packages
Dedicated tour escorts & guides throughout |
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Departures | October 2022 | Group Size | 25 travelers max |
Themes | History & Culture | ||
Activity Level | Recreational | ||
What to Expect | This moderately-paced, escorted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking and requires an average level of physical fitness. Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols. | ||
Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. |
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From the magnificent landscapes dotted with timeless castles and the mystery behind the famous Loch Ness monster to sipping traditional Scottish whiskey in one of the numerous quaint and historic towns, it's clear to see how Scotland captures the hearts of travelers with ease. Your 10 day adventure begins and ends in one of the world's finest capital cities: Edinburgh. Spend time wandering the medieval streets and visiting well-known landmarks, such as the Royal Mile and Calton Hill. Bask in the collegiate atmosphere that surrounds the charming town of St. Andrews and visit the Dunnottor Castle in Aberdeen before traveling through to Aviemore where you'll dive into the award-winning whiskey process as well as discovering the traditional working day of a Highland Shepherd. And of course, a trip to Scotland is incomplete without a visit to the famous Loch Ness Lake: be on the lookout for the mystical creature who calls this lake home, Nessie! Round out your journey with a visit to Glasgow, Scotland's largest city full of Victorian architecture that tastefully contrasts to the West End parks.
Package includes
- Flights
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Round-trip flights from New York (JFK or EWR) to Edinburgh, including taxes & fees
- All ground transportation and transfers
- 8 nights accommodations in First Class hotels
- 11 Meals: 8 breakfasts and 3 dinners
- Comprehensive touring program including entrance fees
- Professional, English-speaking tour guide
Why you'll love it
- See the magnificent West Sands beach, where the famous opening sequence of Chariots of Fire was filmed.
- Stand in the footsteps of William Wallace and Mary Queen of Scots at Dunnottor Castle.
- Immerse yourself in the whisky-making process at Glenfiddich Distillery.
- Try to spot Nessie during a cruise on Loch Ness.
- Immerse yourself in Highland shepherd culture as you meet the collies, learn about the farm, and even shear a sheep.
- Discover what life in the Iron Age was like at the Scottish Crannog Center.
- Explore Scotland's two most prominent cities: Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Itinerary at a Glance
Dates & Prices
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Depart USA/Overnight Flight
- Depart the USA on your overnight flight for Edinburgh
Day 2 Edinburgh
- Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel
- Balance of the day at leisure
- Meet your fellow travelers for an included dinner at your hotel
Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel or similar Dinner
Full Day ItineraryUpon arrival in Edinburgh, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Most flights arrive early in the morning, but your hotel will allow you to safely store your luggage while you explore the city on your own. Today is yours at leisure to discover Edinburgh independently, or relax at the hotel. This evening join your fellow travelers for dinner at the hotel.
Day 3 St. Andrews & Aberdeen
- Stroll through the charming town of St. Andrews
- Arrive in Aberdeen
Jurys Inn Aberdeen or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, depart Edinburgh for Aberdeen. Along the way, stop in St. Andrews. Discover this charming and historic town with a walking tour. Known worldwide as The Home of Golf, St. Andrews also boasts Scotland's oldest university. St. Andrews is often compared to Oxford and Cambridge for its defining presence and the collegiate feel it lends to the town. St. Andrews is also home to the magnificent West Sands beach, where the famous opening sequence of Chariots of Fire was filmed.
After some time to explore on your own, continue to Aberdeen and check in to your hotel.
Day 4 Aberdeen
- Visit the ruin, cliff top fortress of Dunnottor Castle
- Afternoon at leisure in Aberdeen
Jurys Inn Aberdeen or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryThis morning visit the ruins of Dunnottor Castle, perched on a cliff on the edge of the North Sea. The fortress was the home of the Earls Marischal, at one time one of the most powerful families in Scotland. William Wallace, Mary Queen of Scots, and the Marquis of Montrose have graced the Castle with their presence. The castle is mostly famously known for being the location where a small garrison held out for eight months against Cromwell's mighty army and saved the Scottish Crown Jewels from destruction.
Spend the afternoon at your leisure in Aberdeen.
Day 5 Aviemore
- Learn how the world's most awarded whiskeys are created at the Glenfiddich Distillery
- Take part in the traditional working day of a Highland Shepherd and his dogs at a local farm
Duke of Gordon Hotel or similar Breakfast & dinner
Full Day ItineraryToday, immerse yourself in learning about some of Scotland's great traditions! First, visit the Glenfiddich Distillery and learn about every part of the Glenfiddich tradition. The visit begins with a short film recounting the five generations of family ownership. Then tour the distillery to see how whiskies are created by craftsmen with generations of understanding. See the still house where the stillmen capture the sweetest part of the distillate from unusually sized copper stills. Continue to the original warehouse to view the generations of gently maturing casks. Learn how they achieve depth and consistency of flavor through their range of exceptional whiskies. Conclude your visit with a guided tasting of three of Glenfiddich's world-renowned single malts.
Next, head to a local farm for a sheepdog demonstration amidst some of the most beautiful scenery Scotland has to offer. See up to eight dogs working as a team, maneuvering sheep and ducks through various obstacles. Learn how each dog has its own set of commands and how each of them respond to their individual whistles while their handler explains each move. Participate in the traditional working day of a Highland Shepherd and their dogs. Meet the collie pups, bottle-feed a lamb or even take part in shearing a sheep! Keep your camera handy as your sure to make some unforgettable memories today!
Day 6 Aviemore & Inverness
- Try to spot the elusive Nessie during a morning cruise on Loch Ness
- Step back in time at the medieval Urquhart Castle
Duke of Gordon Hotel or similar Breakfast & dinner
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, enjoy a morning cruise along Loch Ness. Containing more water than all the lakes of England and Wales combined, Loch Ness is the most voluminous lake in the UK. This area of the Highlands is world-renowned for its dramatic scenery, not to mention the mysterious tales of a large monster living beneath the dark expanses of the loch!
Later, visit Urquhart Castle which offers a taste of the Highlands at their most dramatic. Experience a glimpse of medieval life as well as stunning views of Loch Ness from the ruins of the greatest castle in the Highlands. The castles is home to a remarkable collection of artifacts left by its residents and historic replicas, including a full-sized, working trebuchet siege engine. Urquhart Castle has a distinctly Highland heritage and has been witness to some of the most dramatic chapters in Scotland's history. Acts of chivalry and defiance that took place here provided inspiration during the Wars of Independence and where the MacDonald Lords of the Isles struggled with the Crown for power.
Have some time to explore Inverness independently before returning to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 7 Glasgow
- Depart the Highlands and journey to Glasgow
- En route, stop at the Scottish Crannog Center and learn what life in the Iron Age was like
Apex City of Glasgow Hotel or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryThis morning, depart the Highlands and head south to Glasgow. Along the way, stop at the Scottish Crannog Center, an award-winning, interactive center that shows what life in the Iron Age was like in a reconstructed prehistoric loch-dwelling. Originally built as an archaeological experiment based on underwater discoveries, the thatched roundhouse in the shallows of Loch Tay, is a living museum on the water. The center overlooks the remains of of 4 of the 18 ancient crannog settlements preserved in the loch, with the picturesque village of Kenmore to the east, and stunning views toward Ben Lawers and Killin to the west.
Arrive in Glasgow and check in to the hotel.
Day 8 Glasgow & Edinburgh
- Take a panoramic tour of Glasgow
- Visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery
Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItinerarySet out on a panoramic tour of Glasgow, Scotland's largest city. From the magnificent St. Mungo Cathedral to the People's Palace and Glasgow Green, explore Glasgow's rich past as a religious center and one of the most important industrial cities in Britain. The Victorian architecture of the city center offer a striking contrast to the expensive parks of the West End. Among those, Kelvingrove offers a haven of peace in the city, with amazing views of Glasgow University's buildings and the Kelvingrove Museum. It is not hard to see why Glasgow is home to Scotland's most celebrated architect: Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
Continue to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery, one of Scotland's most visited attractions, housed in a magnificent building with 22 themed, state-of-the-art galleries displaying an astonishing 8,000 pieces. The internationally significant collections are extensive and varied, covering natural history, arms and armor art from many different movements and periods, and much more. Take a expert-led journey to the heart of one of the great civic museums of Europe with collections of major international significance including Dali, Rembrandt, Picasso, and Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Enjoy an overview of the incredible collections of art, archaeology, natural history, world culture and Scottish history.
Arrive in Edinburgh later today and check in to the hotel.
Day 9 Edinburgh
- Discover Edinburgh on a panoramic tour
- Spend your last afternoon in Scotland further exploring Edinburgh independently
Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryEdinburgh is one of the world's finest capital cities thanks to its cultural diversity and impressive history. The medieval streets run through the city, telling their story about the 1,000 year old traditions and myths of Edinburgh. Throughout today's panoramic tour, get to know different parts of the city, such as the Royal Mile, the Princes Street Gardens, Calton Hill, and many more.
Spend the afternoon exploring the city independently, or purchasing some last-minute souvenirs.
Day 10 Edinburgh/USA
- Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA
Breakfast
Hotels
In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.
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Trip Details
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What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
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Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Please review the visa & entry requirements.
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Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Depart from another city? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
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Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
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Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
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What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
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What should I know about Scotland? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.