Best of Scotland

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.

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.

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.

Visit the battlefield of Culloden, the site of the Jacobites’ final defeat in 1746, and explore how this bloody clash brought an end to the Highland way of life. Travel through the Highlands past Loch Ness and Eilean Donan Castle, set at the meeting point of three sea lochs. Cross to the Isle of Skye for a scenic drive and hear how Bonnie Prince Charlie escaped with help from Flora MacDonald. Stop for lunch before returning to the mainland and continuing to your Highland hotel.

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 the volcanic 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.

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.

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.