Best of Scotland

Get lost in the narrow lanes of Edinburgh – the Scottish capital with a mystical air that combines ancient heritage with the verve of a modern city. Spend your day at leisure delving into its rich history and embracing the warm culture of the Scots, before joining your travel companions and Travel Director for dinner.

Join your Local Specialist this morning for an intriguing sightseeing tour of the city. Ascend Castle Rock and visit Edinburgh Castle, which watches over the surrounding city from its elevated vantage point. Stroll through the Old Town along the Royal Mile and see the stunning Palace of Holyroodhouse before enjoying time at leisure to soak up the city's festive atmosphere. Tickets to see the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates.

Tread in the footsteps of the world's golfing greats and head to St. Andrews en route to the glorious Scottish Highlands. A scenic drive takes us north and across the Firth of Tay, past the city of Dundee to Pitlochry. During your visit here enjoy free time to find some lunch and explore its riverside setting. Your day in beautiful surrounds comes to an end with a cozy dinner at your hotel located within the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands.

This morning meet a friendly and knowledgeable local to learn more about the highlands and the iconic hairy coos on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience. The tragic battlefield of Culloden will be our second stop of the day, where we pay tribute to the brave men who lost their lives in the Jacobite Uprising. Follow the Great Glen to view Loch ness, keeping a keen eye out for the elusive ‘Nessie'. The soul-stirring sight of Eilean Donan Castle is your last stop on the mainland before crossing the bridge to the Isle of Skye.

Your first stop today is to commemorate World War II history at the Commando Memorial near Fort William, from which you admire spectacular views of Britain's highest peak – Ben Nevis. Journey through the volcanic ruins and precipitous mountains that lie just beyond Glencoe to see the 'Glen of Weeping'. Here you remember the MacDonald clansmen who were massacred in 1692. Continuing towards the River Clyde, arriving at your final stop for the day – Glasgow.

Journey to Stirling, to see its hilltop fortress, which stands as a symbol of national pride. Stirling Castle was once the seat of Scottish kings and queens, including Mary, Queen of Scots. View the Wallace Monument from the castle walls, paying tribute to the Scottish hero who fought for Scotland's independence. Later, join the Wood family at their 15th-century farm on the shores of Loch Ard for your Be My Guest experience. Next, we head to a whiskey distillery. Here we'll Dive Into Culture and learn how whisky is made, followed by a chance to sample a wee dram.

The rugged beauty and warmth of Scotland’s people forever in your memory, enjoy one last hearty breakfast with your travel companions before wishing them and your Travel Director a fond farewell.