Scottish Mountains Scottish Skye

11 days Exploring the highlights of the Highlands, Edinburgh and the Isle of Skye!  Includes a night in a 13th century Scottish Castle!  Breakfast included in all accomodations.

Min Guests - 8 (custom, call for details)

Max Guests - 14

Slots Left - 12

WHEN

April 10 - 20 2025

Leaders - John and Cherise Jett

WHERE

1 Night at Dalhousie Castle in Midlothian

2 nights in Stirling

2 nights in Skye

2 nights in Inverness

2 nights in Edinburgh

COST

From $2899 pp double-occupancy Land Only - Low Season (Sept - April)   $3999 High Season (May - August)

April

14 guests - $2899

12 guests - $2949

10 guests - $3199

8 guests - $3599

Customization

Add a night or two at the beginning or end of the trip, travel to another city or country, just ask and I'll be glad to help you with those plans too!

What is Included?

Fabulous, highly rated accommodations including a castle, all in premium locations!

All necessary transportation once you arrive at the first hotel  Including:

Luxury Mini-Bus Coach for all transportation to all points in itinerary (unless noted)

Breakfast in all Hotels (base breakfast, options may cost extra)

Group tours of popular areas including The Isle of Skye , Loch Ness,  The Cairngorms, Glencoe, Culloden Field,  The NC500, and many points of interest along the way.

Heritage Card - Admission to Scottish Heritage locations

Loch Ness Cruise

Palace admission  (either Balmoral or Scone) and base whisky tour  (day 8)

$160 worth of admission tickets!

What is NOT included?

Airfare to Edinburgh airport EDI (air is not included on this tour because of lack of group ticketing options for Edinburgh, but I can help you find the best price on your airfare, and you can also take advantage of early flights and extend your vacation with a couple of extra days ahead of or after the tour).  Taxi to first hotel

Food and drink (other than breakfast-included accommodations)

Admission tickets to free-time attractions like museums or any other admission/ticketed activities such as third-party optional tours  on the free day.

Tips - Driver/Tour-Guide tips around 5 - 10 Pounds per day per person

Trip insurance  we do not sell insurance but it is mandatory to cover you for any medical issues as well as unexpected travel issues and refunds for covered cancellations.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Travel Day, you'll fly from your city of origin arriving the next day at Edinburgh Airport.  Flying is only fun when you're going somewhere amazing!

Day 2 - You'll arrive in Edinburgh Airport and take a taxi to our first hotel, Scotland's oldest, continuously occupied Castle - thirteenth century Dalhousie Castle.  Check-in time is 2PM but you can explore the grounds if you get there early.  You'll have a premium, themed room with a 4-poster bed for a fabulous one night stay.  You may want to book their famous dungeon dinner experience, or, on the estate grounds, you can choose from activities like Falconry and archery, or you can use the Spa for some deep relaxation!   We'll meet up in one of the beautiful common rooms around 8PM for an orientation and a dram or two.

Day 3 - The next morning, after a glorious breakfast in the lovely orangery where you will discover the greatness of Haggis (I'm kidding, its totally optional with plenty of choices, but feel free to give yours to me). We'll board our luxury coach for our second location, Stirling!  We'll stop along the way at Roslyn Chapel (where the Holy Grail is said to lie), for some mysterious and awe-inspiring architecture with, it is said, many hidden meanings!  Then, time-allowing, we'll stop at The Kelpies to stretch our legs and admire one of the most famous modern sculptures in the World. We'll be in Stirling by Mid afternoon with plenty of time to explore, shop and eat.  Our second and third nights will be at the centrally located Stirling Highland Hotel where you'll have easy walking access to Stirling Castle, beautiful architecture, sweeping views of the Highlands,  and dozens of quaint shops and pubs

Day 4 starts with a full Scottish breakfast and then on to a tour of Stirling Castle, the famous castle that was at the center of most of the struggles between England and Scotland in the middle-ages and birthplace of King James the 4th.  After lunch we'll visit the National Wallace Monument,  a tall tower dominating the landscape and tribute to Scotland's national hero,  Sir William "FREEEEEEDOM" Wallace.  Afterwards spend the evening in glorious Stirling, don't miss the Christmas store under the William Wallace Statue!

Day 5 we'll leave after breakfast and head to the Scottish Highlands!  Our fist stop will be beautiful and sad Glencoe.  You'll definitely use your photography skills here!  Next we'll stop at a few scenic places along the way to see breathtaking mountains, valleys, lochs and water falls and maybe catch a glimpse of the Harry Potter Train on the way to Mailag where we'll have a late lunch, then take the ferry across to the Isle of Skye!  We'll stop at a few amazing spots on the way to our destination for 2 nights in Portree, the main town on Skye.  In Portree you'll love a walk through town in the colorful fishing village with its small pubs, fish-n-chips and souvenir shops.  If we're early, you may be able to catch a sunset cruise in the harbor!

Day 6 - This is our main day in the beautiful and legendary Isle of Skye!  We'll vote on a hike up to Old Man of Storr, we'll visit Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls (another camera extravaganza),  Then on to The Quirang and points North and West time permitting, returning to Portree for another opportunity at a sunset cruise and a good dinner.

Day 7 - After Breakfast we'll head out of Skye (not before stopping at The Skye Candle Factory for some must-see shopping),  at the edge of Skye we'll stop at the most photographed castle in Scotland, Eilean Donan Castle.  Once done there, we'll head a few miles North to the picturesque village of Plockton where we'll stop for a bite at the pub and spend a few minutes strolling the boardwalk of the beautiful bay and hope to see some Highland Coos!  From there we'll take the scenic route and some of the NC500 through Applecross and end the day in Inverness where we'll stay at a popular hotel on the River Ness (yes, the one connected to Loch Ness).  Inverness is the capital of the Highlands and affords many shopping and dining opportunities as well as a beautiful, walkable waterfront!

Day 8 - Loch Ness day!  Today will be unforgettable as we travel the length of Loch Ness to Fort Augustus, the picturesque village and home of fabulous shops and pubs,  and take a boat tour of the fabled Loch Ness!  ("Nessie" photo ops almost certain).   After that and a bit of shopping and a bite to eat, we'll head back north and stop at the beautiful ruins of Urquhart Castle overlooking Loch Ness!  This is another photo-enthusiast's opportunity (as they all are if I'm honest).  After the tour, time permitting and if everyone wants it, we'll stop at the Culloden  Battlefield where the last battle of the Jacobite Rebellion was lost to finish the day.  We'll be back in Inverness by early evening to polish off any hunger, thirst, or shopping urges you may have left.

Day 9 - On to Edinburgh, but be ready for a full day getting there!  We'll take the beautiful scenic route through the Cairngorms National Park for a breathtaking drive through the snow-capped mountains like no other! 

Option 1 -At the end of the Mountain range is Dalwhinnie Whisky Distillery, rated in the top 5 of Scotland!  We'll take a tour of the highest elevation distillery in Scotland and you may opt to sample some amazing Highland chocolates along with a wee dram of some top-notch Scotch.  If whisky isn't your thing, the chocolates will be!   From there we'll head to our last stop on the way,  the beautiful and historic Scone (scoon) Palace!  This is a gorgeous 17th century palace that absolutely stuns!  If that weren't enough, the fabulous grounds are home to some of the oldest trees in Scotland (one planted by King Charles the Second when he gave the land as a gift for supporting the crown),  some of Scotland's rare Sequoia trees (a gift from Californian Scots in the 1920s, standing over a hundred feet tall.  And the topper for all of us history buffs - Boot Hill, or the Hill of Scone.  where the ancient Kings of Scotland all the way up to Robert the Bruce were crowned! It is considered a Holy place and you'll feel the sense of awe there for sure!  We'll eat a bite at the Palace dining hall,

Option 2 - At the South end of the Cairngorms is the Royal Balmoral Castle. The Summer home to the Windsor family for the last 150 years.  It was Queen Elizabeth II's favorite home and where she wanted to be at her passing.  We'll visit the grounds, take pictures visit the gift shop and anything else that is open at the time (it is unlikely that the inside would be open to tourists).  From there we'll eat a bite at a local pub, then take a tour of the Royal Lochnagar distillery, the distillery to the Royal family!  Your tour includes the base tour but you may pay to upgrade to take any of the other tours or tastings within an hour  if you'd like.   

The option can be voted on ahead of the tour (let me know which you'd rather do),  final decision is up to the tour leader based on group preference, weather and time available, but either one will be unforgettable!

then, on to our final destination,  Edinburgh where we'll stay at the historic Old Waverley Hotel in the heart of Edinburgh near ALL the action!  You'll have time to explore some of Edinburgh and eat at your choice of hundreds of wonderful options.

Day 10 - A full,free day in Edinburgh (though I'm sure you'll spend some money), one of the most beautiful cities in the world!  You'll definitely want to explore Edinburgh Castle (included with your Heritage card),  then work your way down the Royal Mile all the way to HolyRood Palace.  But don't forget about Victoria Street (especially you Harry Potter fans), the closes, the National Art Gallery,  St. Giles Cathedral, The Walter Scott monument, and all the other things  you'll want pictures of! (I'm a big fan of all the historical monuments to some of history's most important thinkers all along the Royal Mile!).  Its definitely a full day's worth and then some!  There will also be plenty of opportunity for food, drink and shopping to your hearts content.  Stay out as late as  you like, you can sleep on the plane!  (just don't be late for the bus)

Day 11 arrives and we'll have one last chance at a Full Scottish Breakfast (either at the hotel or the airport (the airport food isn't bad at all! and hopefully by now you'll know if you like Haggis).  If you're an early riser, you'll have time for one more stroll in this beautiful city.

The tour ends here and you'll either head to the airport for your flight home or extend your vacation a few more days.  I'll be glad to help with itinerary suggestions to that end!