Scotland in The Summertime

From Edinburgh’s Historic Streets to the Wild Beauty of Skye: Experience Scotland’s Castles, Distilleries, and Natural Splendors

A 9-day exploration of Scotland during the summertime, including history, royalty and whisky. Starting in Edinburgh, enjoying a classic walking tour of Scotland’s historical capital before moving on to the Cairngorms where you’ll enjoy three nights at the famous Fife Arms Hotel, including a visit to Balmoral Castle and the highest distillery in Scotland, Dalwhinnie. You’ll enjoy spitting Scotland flora and fauna on a wildlife safari experience in the Cairngorms, from a classic Land Rover vehicle. Moving west, you’ll experience Scotland’s dramatic and rugged West Coast, visiting the Isle of Skye and world famous Talisker Distillery. Looping back southeast, enjoy the shores of Loch Lomond with a cruise and stay on the shoreline at Cameron House Hotel.

Highlights

Explore Edinburgh’s rich and diverse history on a classic walking tour
Visit Balmoral Castle – holiday home of the Royal Family
Enjoy whisky from two contrasting distilleries – Dalwhinnie and Talisker
See the famous sights of the Isle of Skye, including the Old Mann of Storr, Kilt Rock, and Fairy Pools
Cruise the calm waters of Loch Lomond.

Why choose this tour

Cultural Immersion: Immerse yourself in Scotland’s rich history and heritage, from Edinburgh’s Old Town to the Royal Family’s summer residence at Balmoral Castle.
Diverse Experiences: Encounter wildlife in Cairngorms National Park, cruise on Loch Ness, explore the Isle of Skye, and enjoy the picturesque landscapes of Glencoe and Trossachs National Park.
Exclusive Culinary Adventures: Indulge in a whisky and chocolate tasting at Dalwhinnie Distillery and savor a picnic lunch with local Scottish produce during the Loch Lomond boat cruise.
Personalized Tours: Benefit from private driver guides who provide insights into each destination, offering a personalized and enriching experience.
Scenic Drives and Luxurious Accommodations: Enjoy scenic drives through the Cairngorm Mountain range and along Loch Ness, while staying in premium hotels such as The Balmoral, Fife Arms, The Torridon, and Cameron House.

What is included in the price?

9 Nights at premium hotels: The Balmoral, Fife Arms, The Torridon, and Cameron House.
9 Breakfasts
Private English-speaking driver guide for transfers and excursions.
Private airport transfers in Edinburgh.
Admission and fees for the sights and attractions mentioned
Binoculars, iPad, and other safari equipment during the Cairngorms National Park wildlife safari.
Guidelines for exploring independently during free time in Edinburgh.

Comprehensive package of excursions

Tour Plan

Day 1: Arrive to Edinburgh

Upon arrival in Edinburgh, be picked up at the airport and transferred to your Edinburgh hotel.

Hotel: The Balmoral
Meals: Nil

Day 2: Explore Edinburgh with a walk

Your Atmospheric Edinburgh experience is the perfect way to explore this most beautiful of cities. You begin with a walk through Edinburgh’s Old Town with your local guide, ready to learn about the history of Edinburgh. Start at Holyrood Abbey before passing by the Scottish Parliament building. Then you will continue to St Giles’ Cathedral, Greyfriars Kirkyard and the vibrant area of Grassmarket before exploring the National Museum of Scotland. After your walking tour you will head to magnificent Edinburgh Castle, located in the centre of the city, where you will enjoy an hour’s tour of the castle. The rest of the day is yours to explore Edinburgh independently and at leisure.

Hotel: The Balmoral
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Edinburgh to Fife Arms

This morning after breakfast, head with your driver guide to Fife Arms Hotel. Enjoy driving north from Edinburgh, along the main route through Scotland, before turning off and heading northeast through the Cairngorm Mountain range. You’ll pass high over the Cairngorms, keeping eyes out for deer along the way, before dropping down into the town of Braemar and checking into the Fife Arms Hotel. Braemar is a quaint village, worth a stroll around, with some authentic local shops. Located just a few miles from Balmoral Castle, famously the residence of the British Royal family in the summertime.

Hotel: Fife Arms
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Fife Arms - Balmoral Caste - Dalwhinnie Distillery - Fife Arms

This morning, enjoy a visit to Balmoral Castle, the summertime home of the Royal Family. Next, head to Dalwhinnie Distillery, Scotland's highest altitude distillery. Dalwhinnie is part of the Diageo Group and has been in operation since 1898. Dalwhinnie is known for its production of single malt whisky and produces both Highland and Speyside whisky. Today enjoy a whisky and chocolate tasting masterclass experience. You will begin with a guided tour through the Dalwhinnie Distillery to understand the whisky production process. After, your guide will take you through the four Dalwhinnie single malts and guide you in pairing them with the correct chocolate which is made in the Highlands.

Hotel: Fife Arms
Meals: Breakfast

DAy 5: Fife Arms - Silver Land Rover Discovery

Conducted by a safari specialist, you will be taken out into the Cairngorms National Park in a luxury Silver Land Rover Discovery in search of the wildlife in the region. Keep a look out for a plethora of animals including: Red Grouse, Dipper, Goldeneye, Goosander, Red Squirrel, Red Deer, Mountain Goat along with many other more common species, with a chance of Crested Tit, Crossbill and birds of prey including Red Kite, Buzzard and Eagles. You will be provided with a pair of binoculars each so you can really see your animal sightings up close. Your guide will also provide you with an iPad which includes wildlife apps, wildlife reference books, hand sanitizer, universal phone charger, picnic chairs/blankets, all of which are cleaned before and after a safari.

Hotel: Fife Arms
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Fife Arms - Gairloch

This morning after breakfast, head with your driver guide to Torridon Hotel. On route, enjoy a cruise on world famous Loch Ness. Cruise the Canal & Loch, with castle views as you follow in the footsteps of Queen Victoria on this two-hour cruise. Boarding at Dochgarroch, you’ll experience a breathtaking journey that takes you along Thomas Telford’s famous Caledonian Canal and, of course, across the legendary waters of Loch Ness. Enjoy the stunning scenery of the Great Glen, and panoramic views of Aldourie Castle, Bona Lighthouse and the spectacular Urquhart Castle. Cameras at the ready! You’ll hear about the colourful history of the Loch, including the crash site of a World War II Wellington Bomber. And not forgetting some stories about the world’s shyest monster.

Hotel: The Torridon
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Gairloch - Explore the Isle of Skye with driver guide

Today, you will enjoy a full-day tour of the Isle of Skye. Start by heading over the Skye Bridge into the Island herself. Take in the stunning views of the Cullin Mountains before heading more inland to the Fairy Pools (bring waterproof clothing and footwear) where there is an option to swim in the pools and rivers (weather permitting). Next, visit Talisker Distillery visitor centre before seeing the village of Portree, the main town of the Island. Return Torridon in the evening.

Hotel: The Torridon
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8: Gairloch to Cameron House

Today, head south with your driver to Loch Lomond. Along the way stop at the charming town of Glencoe, where you’ll stop for lunch. Upon arrival at Cameron House, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Hotel: Cameron House
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9: Cameron House - Loch Lomond - Trossachs National Park

Today, we will make our way to the Trossachs National Park. The park encompasses nearly 720 square miles of some of the finest woodland and scenery that Scotland has to offer. It has rolling lowlands in the south to the high mountains of the north and in-between you’ll find many lochs, rivers, forest, and woodland. This morning you’ll enjoy a guided walk in a region of the Trossachs with your guide. This afternoon we’ll make our way to Loch Lomond, one of the many Lochs in the Trossachs, for a one-hour boat cruise. You’ll venture out beyond stately homes and the magnificent Ben Lomond, Scotland’s most southerly Munro. Then it’s onwards to Inchmurrin Island, the largest inland island in Great Britain and home to the ruins of the 12th century Lennox Castle before returning along the east shoreline passing Balloch Castle & Country Park. After your cruise, enjoy a delicious picnic lunch including local Scottish produce such as oat cakes and salmon.

Hotel: Cameron House
Meals: Breakfast