Scotland Highlights - Edinburgh, Inverness, and Glasgow

Upon arrival in Edinburgh, claim your bags and proceed towards the arrival hall. Our representative will meet you and assist you with your transfer to the hotel. (Standard check-in time is 3:00 pm)

If you have arrived early, you might like to take a stroll on the streets of Edinburgh

Overnight in Edinburgh

After some english breakfast, it’s time to explore Edinburgh.  Begin your day with a guided tour through Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns, where you'll uncover the city’s fascinating past, from its medieval roots to its Georgian-era developments. Visit the stunning Edinburgh Castle, perched atop an extinct volcano, where you’ll gain insight into Scotland’s royal history, see the Crown Jewels, and enjoy panoramic views of the city. Afterward, stroll down the Royal Mile, passing by significant sites like St Giles Cathedral and hidden closes (alleys), before heading to the picturesque Grassmarket area and Victoria Street, known for its colorful shops and Harry Potter connections. Explore the elegant Edinburgh New Town and its grand Georgian architecture, then venture to Calton Hill for breathtaking views over the city and its landmarks. This tour ensures a deep connection to the city, blending history, culture, and architecture, with a special focus on the grandeur of Edinburgh Castle

Overnight in Edinburgh

After breakfast today, make your way to the train station to board your train to Inverness. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Inverness, known for its close location to Loch Ness, is a vibrant city with a history dating back to the 12th century. The city boasts significant historical landmarks, including a magnificent castle, cathedral, two battlefields, and graves dating back 4,000 years to the Bronze Age.

Overnight in Inverness

The Loch Ness & The Cairngorms Private Tour offers an unforgettable journey through some of Scotland’s most stunning landscapes, combining natural beauty, history, and legend. Beginning in Edinburgh, you'll travel through the breathtaking Scottish Highlands, passing charming villages and rolling hills. The first highlight is the famous Loch Ness, where you’ll have the chance to explore the legendary lake, known for its mysterious monster, and visit the historic Urquhart Castle. Although only a few remnants of the castle remain today, it provides a fascinating glimpse into the history of Loch Ness. Built in the 13th century, Urquhart Castle was seized by Edward I of England in 1296 and later alternated between Scottish and English control. In 1509, John Grant was granted the castle and surrounding lands by James IV. After the Grants fought against the Jacobites during the uprising of 1688, the castle was eventually occupied by government troops and, after the Jacobite defeat in 1692, its walls were blown up to prevent future occupation.

Next, the tour continues to Fort Augustus, a charming village located at the southern end of Loch Ness, where you can watch boats navigate the Caledonian Canal’s locks, designed by renowned Scottish engineer Thomas Telford in 1822, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. The journey then takes you to the Commando Memorial, a Category A listed monument honoring those who served in the British Commando Forces during WWII. Located about a mile from Spean Bridge, the memorial overlooks the Commando Training Depot, a military facility established in the early 1940s at Achnacarry Castle, with spectacular views of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK.

Another stop on the tour is the Highland Folk Museum, an open-air museum founded in 1935. The museum’s highlight is "Baile Gean," a recreated Highland crofting village from the 1700s, built with traditional methods and furnished as it would have been in that era. Re-enactors and livestock bring the village to life, with peat fires burning in the homes throughout the day. Although "Baile Gean" never existed, it closely resembles Easter Raitts, a village abandoned in the 1800s.

At the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, you'll visit Loch Morlich, a stunning area of natural beauty, offering panoramic views of Cairngorm Mountain. The loch is surrounded by a pine forest and teeming with wildlife. On the way back to Inverness, the tour will stop at the village of Boat of Garten, located on the River Spey. Originally a stop on the old Highland Railway, it’s possible to catch a glimpse of a heritage steam train running on part of the original tracks between Aviemore and Broomhill.

Overnight in Inverness

After breakfast today, head to the train station to catch your train to Glasgow. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Located along the banks of the River Clyde, the lively city of Glasgow offers a chance to explore its distinctive neighborhoods. Enjoy a view of the city’s rich architectural history, where elegant Victorian structures and grand mansions stand alongside modern, innovative designs that stretch along the riverside.

Overnight in Inverness

On this half-day guided tour of Glasgow, explore why Glasgow is known as "Miles Better!" and how "The People Make Glasgow!"

Located at the heart of the city, George Square showcases some of Glasgow's finest architectural landmarks. Dominating the square is the Glasgow City Chambers, a striking example of Victorian architecture. It took six years to complete, and inside you’ll find two grand marble staircases. The square is surrounded by statues of historical figures such as Walter Scott, Robert Burns, James Watt, and Queen Victoria.

You’ll also get the chance to explore Old Glasgow, founded by St. Mungo in the 500s, who established a religious community and became the city's patron saint. In medieval times, this area was a walled citadel, but today, only the Gothic Glasgow Cathedral and Provand's Lordship, the city's oldest house, remain. This area also has connections to Scotland’s famous hero, William Wallace. The Necropolis, or "City of the Dead," is a vast Victorian cemetery that sits atop a hill, offering commanding views of the city.

The tour continues to explore other key highlights of the city. We’ll stop at Glasgow Green, the city's oldest park, which has hosted major events like the Marathon and the 2014 Commonwealth Games. At the center of the park stands the People's Palace, a glass house gifted to the working-class people of Glasgow’s east end, along with the world’s largest terracotta fountain, featuring a statue of Queen Victoria.

The tour also takes you to the waterfront, where the saying "Glasgow made the Clyde, and the Clyde made Glasgow" originated due to the area’s importance during the industrial revolution, particularly in shipbuilding. Today, the waterfront has been revitalized with a modern conference center. Nearby, you’ll find the Riverside Museum, home to the Glenlee Tallship, which has circumnavigated the globe four times!

In 1888, Glasgow was named the second city of the British Empire, and the wealth from this period funded the construction of the magnificent Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, designed in Spanish Baronial style. Across the River Kelvin, you’ll see the neo-Gothic tower of Glasgow University. Established in the 15th century, the university is the second-oldest in Scotland. Many renowned educators have taught here, and in 1931, even Albert Einstein gave a lecture on the Theory of Relativity.

Overnight in Glasgow

Today's tour from Glasgow takes you on a journey through Loch Lomond, the Trossachs National Park, and Stirling Castle, bringing the tales of Scottish heroes William Wallace and Rob Roy to life. Enjoy a scenic cruise across Loch Lomond, explore the charming conservation village of Luss, and conclude with a visit to Stirling Castle, one of Scotland's most historically significant landmarks.

We begin by heading northwest from Glasgow to Loch Lomond, one of the largest and most picturesque lochs in Scotland. Here, you can take a one-hour cruise* to enjoy stunning views of the loch’s islands and surrounding mountains, or choose to wander through the lovely village of Luss, known for its quaint houses, cafes, and magnificent views of the western shore of the loch.

Afterward, we proceed to Aberfoyle, a picturesque village located in the heart of the Trossachs National Park, just beneath the Highland fault line, where we’ll stop for lunch. Following this, we continue our exploration of the Trossachs, Scotland’s first national park, often referred to as 'the Highlands in miniature' for its beautiful lochs, mountains, and forests. It is also the homeland of the legendary outlaw, Rob Roy MacGregor.

In the afternoon, we make our way to Stirling, where you’ll visit the iconic Stirling Castle, which sits atop volcanic rock offering breathtaking views of the surrounding area. You’ll have time to explore the castle and discover the rich history of figures like William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, and Mary Queen of Scots before we head back to Glasgow.
 

Overnight in Glasgow

And it's time to say goodbye! Today you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight home. Thank you for spending the time with us.