Best of Scotland
7 Days Starting in Edinburgh, Scotland and ending in Glasgow, Scotland
Visiting: Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle, St. Andrews, Pitlochry, Cairngorms National Park, Culloden, Loch Ness, Eilean Donan Castle, Isle of Skye, Fort William, Ben Nevis, Glencoe, Glasgow, Stirling, Wallace Monument, Craufurdland Castle
Tour operator:
Tour code:
WBOSM26
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Eco Conscious, Gardens & Nature Tours, 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, exploring its ancient streets and iconic castle. Venture into the Scottish Highlands, visiting St. Andrews, Pitlochry, and the haunting Culloden Battlefield. Experience the mystical allure of Loch Ness and the rugged beauty of the Isle of Skye. In Glasgow, delve into the city's vibrant culture and history, with visits to Stirling Castle and a traditional whisky distillery. Conclude your adventure with an exclusive farewell dinner at Craufurdland Castle, hosted by the 29th Laird, offering a personal glimpse into Scottish heritage. This tour promises unforgettable experiences, from scenic drives and cultural insights to sustainable travel initiatives, all guided by expert directors and enhanced by luxurious accommodations.
Must-see Highlights
- Explore Edinburgh
- Discover Glasgow
- 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®
Aviemore: Rothiermurchus Estate is working to promote an appreciation of the special flora and fauna and wildlife of the highlands. Nestled in Cairngorm National Park, this estate encompasses 17,500 acres and has been in the care of the Grant family for over 500 years. On your Make Travel Matter experience, you will learn about the beautiful landscape and even meet some of the most adorable animals, like the hairy coos! Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 11 &15: Sustainable Cities and Communities & Life on Land.
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 Name: Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh Haymarket
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, Edinburgh Castle
Accommodation Name: Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh Haymarket
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 The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that align with performance dates.
Day 3: Venture into the Scottish Highlands
Location: St. Andrews, Pitlochry, Cairngorms National Park
Accommodation Name: Highlander
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. During your visit here enjoy free time to find some lunch and explore its riverside setting. 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 Make Travel Matter
Location: Culloden, Loch Ness, Eilean Donan Castle, Isle of Skye
Accommodation Name: Highlander
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning meet a friendly and knowledgeable local to learn more about the highlands and the iconic hairy coos on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. The tragic battlefield of Culloden will be our second stop of the day, where we pay tribute to the brave men who lost their lives in the Jacobite Uprising. Follow the Great Glen to view Loch ness, keeping a keen eye out for the elusive ‘Nessie'. The soul-stirring sight of Eilean Donan Castle is your last stop on the mainland before crossing the bridge to the Isle of Skye.
Day 5: Journey to Thriving Glasgow
Location: Fort William, Ben Nevis, Glencoe, Glasgow
Accommodation Name: Hilton Garden Inn City Centre
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 Connect with Locals Dive Into Culture
Location: Stirling, Wallace Monument, Craufurdland Castle
Accommodation Name: Hilton Garden Inn City Centre
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Journey to Stirling to visit the iconic hilltop fortress. Stirling Castle, once home to Scottish royalty including Mary, Queen of Scots, offers a glimpse into the lives of those who shaped the nation. See the towering Wallace Monument, a tribute to William Wallace and then immerse yourself in Scotland’s cultural essence with a visit to a traditional whisky distillery. This evening, your Be My Guest experience unfolds at Craufurdland Castle, where the castle’s hosts will share stories and traditions, offering you a genuine farewell to Scotland's warmth and spirit.
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
The tour includes the services of an expert Travel Director and a professional driver.
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
Accommodation is provided in carefully selected and trusted hotels.
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
Porterage and restaurant gratuities are included in the tour package.
What's Not Included
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Personal expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs and additional activities not included in the itinerary are not covered.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included and should be arranged separately.
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Flights
Flights to and from the starting and ending locations of the tour are not included.
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Visa fees
Visa fees, if applicable, are not included in the tour package.
Mode of Transport
Travel in a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi, and enjoy a scenic ferry ride from the Isle of Skye to Mallaig, providing a comfortable and picturesque journey through Scotland.Accommodation
Stay in cherry-picked hotels, including the Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh Haymarket, Highlander in the Cairngorms National Park, and Hilton Garden Inn City Centre in Glasgow, ensuring comfort and convenience throughout your journey.Dining Summary
Dive into Culture
Iconic Experience
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experiences are included in the Best of Scotland tour?
The tour includes a Make Travel Matter experience at Rothiermurchus Estate in Aviemore, where you will learn about the local flora and fauna and meet animals like the hairy coos. In Glencoe, you will join a wildlife ranger to learn about the area's biodiversity. Additionally, there is a Be My Guest experience at Craufurdland Castle, where you will enjoy a private tour and a 3-course dinner hosted by the 29th Laird of Craufurdland and his wife.
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What is the Make Travel Matter experience in Glencoe about?
In Glencoe, the Make Travel Matter experience involves joining a wildlife ranger to learn about the rich biodiversity of the area, including insects, invertebrates, and mammals such as otters and fallow deer. This experience supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.
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What can I expect during the Be My Guest experience at Craufurdland Castle?
During the Be My Guest experience at Craufurdland Castle, you will be hosted by the 29th Laird of Craufurdland, Simon Houison Craufurd, and his wife, Adity. You will enjoy a private tour of the castle's historic rooms, hear stories of its royal connections, and have a 3-course dinner featuring locally sourced dishes. This exclusive event is only for Trafalgar guests.
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides transportation in a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi available in most countries. There is also a ferry ride from the Isle of Skye to Mallaig included in the itinerary.
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Are meals included in the Best of Scotland tour?
Yes, the tour includes breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals. Specifically, there are 6 breakfasts and 4 dinners included in the tour.
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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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