The Ultimate Scottish Adventure

Hop into a taxi at the Edinburgh airport. Your destination is the 4-star Kimpton Charlotte Square. A stone’s throw from the Old Town, the hotel has incredible views of the Edinburgh skyline.

This afternoon, you can explore the city or relax at the hotel. A guide will meet you in the bar for pre-dinner drinks and a full trip briefing before a delicious welcome dinner at the Angels Share Restaurant. 

Your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby in the morning. You're headed out to start exploring this vibrant city.  Walk along the famous royal mile, stopping to admire iconic landmarks like St Giles’ Cathedral and Edinburgh Castle. Explore the castle’s Great Hall, the Royal Palace, St Margaret’s Chapel, and Mons Meg – the six-ton siege gun.

After a cafe lunch, head to the port of Leith and tour the Royal Yacht Britannia, the late Queen Elizabeth’s floating palace that took her all over the world.  See her bedchamber, discover where state functions took place, and find the kitchens in the heart of this magnificent ship.

Enjoy one of the many eateries the city has to offer this evening, or snuggle up and enjoy room service in your room. Your guide will help you make reservations. 

Through the rolling hills of Perthshire and into the Highlands, you'll head west this morning to the fabled Isle of Skye.

Our first stop is the pretty village of Dunkeld, with its historic cathedral and charming shops laid out along a traditional high street. Don’t miss the Aran Bakery and Deli! We'll stop for lunch at the iconic House of Bruar, with time after lunch to browse its classic Scottish country wear. As we continue north, the scenery becomes more dramatic by the mile. We'll pause at Eilean Donan Castle to photograph this stunning castle before crossing the graceful Skye Bridge, arriving at our country house hotel in the late afternoon. 

We'll check in to our home on Skye, the Skeabost House Hotel. Skeabost began in 1871 as a Victorian hunting lodge. The view is to die for—it sits right on the shore of Loch Snizort. We’ll have time to explore before joining your fellow travelers and guide for dinner at the hotel’s restaurant. 

We spend today exploring northern Skye, taking in the Waternish and Trotternish Peninsulas, admiring the beautiful landscapes, and meeting some local crafters who call this region home. 

Together, these peninsulas paint a picture of Skye's diverse landscape, where every coastal curve and every cliff crag whispers of the island's enduring magic. 

The Trotternish Peninsula is a rugged masterpiece. Cliffs stretch skyward, and ancient rocks tell tales of ages past. A different kind of beauty unfolds on the tranquil shores of the Waternish Peninsula. Here, gentle bays cradle sandy beaches, and sleepy villages offer a glimpse into Skye's peaceful soul. 

On Waternish, we’ll visit a local tannery to learn the age-old craft of leather making. We'll witness the meticulous process of transforming raw sheepskins into supple, durable leather using time-honored methods passed down through generations. The tannery has a beautiful, original showroom and shop that sells these high-quality items. 

Afterward, we’ll have the pleasure of spending time with an award-winning Scottish landscape digital artist and photographer, Cath Waters, based on the Isle of Skye, who draws inspiration from the serene beauty of Scotland's landscapes. We'll learn of her interesting back story and what drew her (and her family) to the island they now call home. Cath's work captures the essence of wide open spaces, vast skies, and the unique colors of the Scottish land and sea. Her art conveys a sense of simplicity, space, and solitude that resonates with viewers. 

After a rest, we’ll meet again for our evening repast at the hotel.

Heading back to the Scottish mainland, we'll stop at the impossibly quaint fishing village of Plockton. Explore the village or enjoy a coffee at a local cafe as you watch the world go by.

After lunch, we'll take a private tour of Attadale Gardens. Dating back over 250 years, the gardens are constantly being reinvented. Our tour will cover the many highlights, followed by coffee in the historic house.

Afterward, it’s a short transfer to the capital of the Highlands, Inverness, where we'll check into our 5-star hotel in a peaceful location next to the River Ness. After a rest, we’ll meet for dinner in the dining room.

Overnight: Ness Walk Hotel or similar

After breakfast, we'll head north to Dornoch, with various stop options along the way. We'll arrive in Dornoch before noon, ready to watch the Chieftain’s Parade – the historic march that traditionally opens the Dornoch Highland Games. Highland Games were first invented to test for the clan's strongest and bravest. Musicians and dancers were also encouraged to showcase their talents as a credit to their clan.

The format today has come from Victorian times, with athletes coming from all over the world to compete in the ‘heavy events’ such as ‘Tossing the Caber’ or ‘Stone Putt.’ Buy lunch from one of the many food stands at the Highland Games. Why not get adventurous and try a few tastes? Spend the afternoon watching the events, admiring the dancers, and enjoying the music of this traditional Scottish day out before we head back to our hotel in Inverness.

Enjoy a free evening tonight. Try out the buzzing restaurant scene or pop into a nearby Scottish pub for a pint, haggis, or fish and chips.

It is time to head south. Your adventure is coming to a close. Enjoy the impressive mountains and epic views as you pass through the Cairngorms National Park. On the way to your final accommodation, we'll visit Blair Castle, home to Europe’s only private army. After lunch at a working water mill, if time permits, we'll pop into a local chocolatier, famous for hot chocolate and truffles! The perfect end to the day.

Lunch Venue: Blair Atholl Watermill & Tea Room 

Your final accommodation this evening is a quaint hotel on the banks of the babbling River Tay. It serves incredible food and has a lovely wee bar where you can raise a glass to your vacation and the memories that will linger long after you leave these mystical lands.

Overnight:  Grandtully Hotel or similar

Your guide will take you back to Edinburgh Airport for onward connections, arriving at Edinburgh Airport by noon. 

Note: Anyone booking an international flight that departs before 3 p.m. today would likely require a private transfer from the hotel at a cost of approximately £300. Transfers should be arranged before traveling to Scotland.