Highlights Tour: Scottish Highlands and Castles

Welcome to Edinburgh, Scotland! Upon arrival, take the private transfer from the airport to your hotel. Head out to explore Edinburgh, a city known for its striking architecture, historic landmarks, and vibrant cultural scene. Spend the afternoon exploring the sights with a hop-on-hop-off bus, which provides access to many major attractions and includes an audio guide for context. The Royal Mile is a place to start; stroll through its closes, visit its shops, and step into some of the city’s most notable historic sites.

Join a group walking tour of the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle, uncovering the hidden stories and darker secrets of the Old Town as the route winds uphill to the Castle. After the walk, head to the Scotch Whisky Experience for a deep dive into the world of Scotch, an ideal introduction to Scotland’s national drink. In the early evening, take part in the Platinum Tour, followed by the Taste of Scotland tasting menu at the Amber Restaurant.

Pick up your hire car and leave Edinburgh behind, and drive north toward Dundee, crossing the Queensferry Crossing on the way. Glance right to spot the Forth Rail Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Scotland’s most recognized landmarks. Follow the Fife coastline and explore the East Neuk, a corner of charming fishing villages perfect for a scenic drive and a relaxed stop or two. Head to Elie or Kingsbarns and try a Wild Scottish Sauna, booked and paid for locally. Continue along the coast to the market town of St Andrews, known as the home of golf and Scotland’s oldest university. Join a private walking tour with a local guide to get to know the town. Then cross the Firth of Tay toward Dundee, the City of Discovery and a center of jute, jam, and journalism.

Start the morning with a walk along the waterfront and visit V&A Dundee, Scotland’s design museum and the first Victoria and Albert Museum outside London. Examine how design affects everyday life and the past, present, and future.

Head to the community-run Cycle Hub to pick up hired e-bikes, then set off on a self-guided ride along the Public Art Cycle Trail. Discover a snapshot of Dundee’s creative scene as you pass sculptures, murals, mosaics, and other public artworks spread across the city.

Continue north to Aberdeenshire, with a must-stop at Dunnottar Castle. Perched on a dramatic clifftop above the North Sea, this medieval ruin delivers sweeping views and powerful stories tied to Jacobite rebellions and the hidden Crown Jewels of Scotland. From there, head on a local farm tour to meet resident animals, possibly including Scotland’s famous Highland cows, and learn about farming in the region. Stay overnight in the Aboyne or Ballater area of Aberdeenshire.

Start the morning with a true Scottish pastime, fly fishing on the River Dee. This half-day private experience suits both beginners and seasoned anglers, with professional casting tuition and full guidance throughout. After your session, enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by the quiet beauty of the countryside.

Continue north through the Cairngorms National Park, making time for scenic stops along the way. Call in at Tomintoul, the highest village in the Highlands and often dusted with snow in winter, or visit Grantown-on-Spey, known for its Victorian charm. Leave time to explore Nairn as well; this market town and former fishing port is one of the best spots on the Moray Firth to look out for bottlenose dolphins from the shore.

Start the morning at the Inverness Castle Experience, which celebrates the “Spirit of the Highlands” through stories of the landscape, heritage, culture, and people. Leave Inverness and head toward Loch Ness for a cruise along the Caledonian Canal and out onto the loch, learning about its history and the long-running search for Nessie.

Use the rest of the day to travel south toward Pitlochry, with time for a few well-chosen stops along the way. Consider the Highland Folk Museum or a visit to Kingussie. Another good option is the House of Bruar in Blair Atholl, an independent department store and food hall known for classic Scottish products.
 

Spend the morning exploring the Perthshire towns of Pitlochry and Dunkeld. Both towns are located along the banks of the River Tay, featuring independent shops, cafés, and restaurants and providing easy access to the surrounding countryside.

Continue the journey with an optional stop in Dunfermline, Scotland’s newest city and ancient capital. Cross back over the Queensferry Crossing and head to the village of Queensferry, where you join the scheduled Three Bridges Tour with Forth Boat Tours to enjoy unique views from the water. After the tour, follow the coast toward East Lothian.

Explore East Lothian, known for more than 40 miles of coastline, rolling countryside, and a string of charming seaside towns. Head first to Tantallon Castle, one of Scotland’s most photogenic ruins, set dramatically on the clifftop and steeped in a turbulent history.

In the afternoon, pick up hired bikes and set off on a self-guided ride through East Lothian’s countryside and coastline. Follow quiet lanes and wooded trails, taking in open landscapes, coastal views, and peaceful rural scenery along the way.

Start the day by following the coastal road, then turn inland toward the Scottish Borders. Stop in the market town of Kelso before heading to Floors Castle, the largest inhabited house in Scotland and still the family home of the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe. Explore the castle and its impressive gardens, including one of the finest Victorian kitchen gardens within the walled grounds.

Spend the afternoon exploring the area’s historic abbeys or visiting nearby market towns such as Jedburgh, Melrose, or Galashiels, known for its strong textile heritage.

Spend the morning in the Borders countryside at Tweed Valley Forest Park, where a network of forests and trails suits anything from a gentle stroll to a more demanding walk. Stop at the Wildlife Hub in Glentress Forest to view the live osprey cams and learn about the Tweed Valley Osprey Project.

Head north toward Edinburgh for the final night and stop at Rosslyn Chapel along the way. Explore this 15th-century site, known for its intricate stone carvings and striking architecture, and later fame from The Da Vinci Code.

After breakfast, return the rental car to the airport and catch your international flight home.