Scotland's Finest

Scotland...an ancient land of mountains, islands, glorious cities and of course, whisky, golf and tartan. Our suggested itinerary searches out the very best of Scottish nature, culture, history and heritage allowing plenty of time to relax with shopping in Edinburgh or playing a round of golf on one of St. Andrews world-renowned courses.

Tour highlights can include:

Royal Edinburgh: Royal Yacht Britannia, Holyrood Palace
Whisky tuition and tasting, Dewar's distillery tour
Golf at championship courses
Coastal wildlife & discovery, and shopping excursions for non-golfers
Balmoral Castle - Queen Elizabeth’s Highland home (when available)
Queen Mother’s home at Glamis Castle
Scottish Highlands; Country Estate Safari
Loch Ness boat trip, Culloden battlefield visit
Stirling Castle & castle hotels
Harvey Nichols personal shopping

What's included...

Day 1 - Edinburgh Arrival...

Your dedicated Tour Director will greet you at the airport, and whisk you into Scotland’s capital city to check into your luxurious hotel and introduce you to this graceful city.

Day 2 - Edinburgh, Holyrood Palace, Royal Yacht Britannia, Whisky Tasting & Dinner...

Your expert local guide will take you on a tour of Edinburgh’s highlights, pointing out sights such as Edinburgh Castle high on its cliff, The Royal Mile, Prince Street and the Old Town. Later we travel along the coast to board the Royal Yacht Britannia. We disembark for a guided tour of the Queen’s official city residence at Holyrood Palace (unless she is in residence). This stately ship was the Queen’s much-loved private escape for family holidays as well as her venue for glittering state occasions on world visits. We will enjoy a traditional British tea in the Royal Deck Tea Room. This evening we will dress for our visit to the world’s largest whisky collection, over dinner we will receive expert private tuition in whisky tasting.

Day 3 - GOLF DAY...

Championship Golf. Scotland’s famous championship golf courses along the coast, north of Edinburgh are our destination; St. Andrews and Carnoustie. Arrangements are flexible today to allow for Tee booking arrangements*, so play may be at any time. Non-golfers may wish to indulge in just a little more Edinburgh shopping this morning, perhaps at Harvey Nichols, before we drive along the coast to meet our private boat for an excursion to The Isle of May. A remarkable island lying only 5 miles off the coast, it is an important National Nature Reserve and home to incredible wildlife such as eiders, puffins, guillemots and razorbill birds but also a breeding colony of grey seals. If the weather prevents us, we will make for the city of Dundee instead where we will tour the historic ship Discovery, hearing tales of Antarctic discovery by Captain Scott.

Day 4 - Glamis Castle, Whisky Distillery, Cairngorms National Park...

Ancestral home to the Earls of Strathmore for more than 600 years, Glamis Castle is perhaps best known for being the childhood home of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, birthplace of HRH The Princess Margaret and the setting for Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'. Moving towards the Highlands we enter the lush valley which is home to the working whisky distillery of award winning Dewar's. Our private tour will show us how whisky is made, fascinating even for non-whisky drinkers. Plenty of tastings ensure a relaxed afternoon. But go easy if you want to catch the last light for a round of golf at our castle hotel in the Cairngorms this evening.

Day 5 - Balmoral Castle, Highland Estate Safari...

The mountainous and remote Highlands of Scotland make for a beautiful drive, and a wonderful setting for the Queen’s favourite country estate of Balmoral. Our tour of the castle and views over the estate give us a glimpse into the private world of Queen Elizabeth II. We will explore the countryside by taking an Estate Safari: a guided tour of mountainous land that is home to deer, birds of prey, the elusive Scottish Wildcat, and salmon.

Day 6 - Culloden Moor battlefield, Inverness, Loch Ness...

The 1746 Battle of Culloden was a bloody rebellion against the newly formed British government. Visiting it gives us an insight to the ancient world of Scottish Highland Clans and the vicious rivalry and warfare which divided the country for centuries. Inverness Old Town is a far gentler destination, and a stroll through the old streets of this harbour city will be very enjoyable. Loch Ness is next, famous for Nessie the Loch Ness Monster - will you see anything? Our boat tour includes the picturesque ruins of Urquhart Castle.

Day 7 - Trossachs National Park, Stirling Castle, Edinburgh...

We head back towards Edinburgh today, travelling through the stunning hills and lakes of Trossachs National Park. Our main stop is Stirling Castle, perched high on a steep rocky crag overlooking the old town. This is where many of Scotland’s Kings and Queens were crowned, and is one of the largest and most important castles in the country.