Scotland

The tour starts at 2.30pm on Thursday 15 May, at The George Hotel, Edinburgh.

The tour ends after breakfast on Sunday 1 June, at The George Hotel, Edinburgh.

Individual transfers from Edinburgh Airport to our first hotel will be arranged by Academy Travel. Meeting in the hotel lobby this afternoon, we begin with a visit to the National Museum of Scotland, introducing us to Scotland’s past. The museum houses some of the most important artifacts from the country’s history, including the medieval “Lewis” Chess set. This evening we enjoy a welcome dinner in a local restaurant. (D)

Departing Edinburgh this morning, bound for Pitlochry, our first stop is Dunfermline Abbey which lies at the heart of Scotland’s history. Dunfermline was once the capital of the Kingdom of Scotland and the burial site of the Scottish monarchs after the island of Iona. Here we find the relics of great Scottish rulers of the past, including the grave of Robert the Bruce, Scotland’s “Braveheart”. Our next stop is Stirling Castle, one of the most historically important castles in Scotland with a history spanning 900 years. After a break for lunch, there is time to enjoy the castle’s magnificent Great Hall, Chapel Royal, and other historical highlights. In the afternoon we arrive at our hotel – a stately castle hotel in Pitlochry, nestled in the lush Scottish countryside. After checking in to our hotel, we enjoy an introductory talk followed by dinner in the hotel. Overnight Pitlochry (B, D)

Today we make our way to the nearby city of Perth, which sits along the River Tay and was once the capital of Scotland. We first take a tour of the famed medieval city, before enjoying an exclusive and privately guided tour of Perth Museum. Opened in 2024, Perth Museum houses some of Scotland’s most important collections, and is now home to the famous Stone of Scone, which has been used in Scottish and English coronations since the 12th century. Following a break for lunch, we then explore the history of the oldest Highland Regiment in the Black Watch Castle Museum, located in its ancestral home, the historic Balhousie Castle. Returning to Pitlochry, the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. Overnight Pitlochry (B)

This morning we visit Glamis Castle, where we will receive a special Scottish welcome with a piper accompanying our private entrance into the castle, followed by a guided tour of its centuries of rich history. Once the inspiration for William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Glamis Castle is the ancestral seat of the Earls of Strathmore and was the childhood home of the Queen Mother, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. Our exclusive tour concludes in the 16th-century chambers, where we will enjoy morning refreshments. We then depart for the medieval town of Scone, where we break for lunch before we tour Scone Palace, built from magnificent red bricked sandstone. The palace is steeped in 1,000 years of Scottish history and has witnessed the Crowning of Scottish Kings, including Macbeth and Robert the Bruce. Returning to Pitlochry, there is free time before dinner in the hotel this evening. Overnight Pitlochry (B, D)

Today we depart for the Speyside region, as famous for its whisky as it for its castles. Our journey takes us deep into the region, visiting Ballindalloch Castle. Built in 1546 and known as the “Pearl of the North”, Ballindalloch Castle is one of the few private castles in Scotland that is still the home of the family who built it – the Macpherson-Grants. After a break for lunch in the castle grounds, our next stop is Glenlivet. The Speyside region is known as the whisky “golden triangle”, taking its name from the river Spey, as most distilleries draw their water from its tributaries, such as the Fiddich, the Livet and the Avon. Speyside boasts some of the most famous whisky distilleries in the world, and we will enjoy a private tour and tasting at Glenlivet Distillery, learning about the centuries of whisky making in the Speyside hills, from highland clans to 17th century-smugglers. We then continue to Inverness in the afternoon, our base for the next five nights, with dinner in our hotel this evening. Overnight Inverness (B, WT, D)

Inverness is the gateway to the highlands, and for the next few days, we will be immersed in the heritage and history of the area, from ancient clan wars to Jacobean rebellions and the tragic battle of Culloden Moor. We begin our day with a walking tour of the city, followed by a visit to Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, delving into the history of the region. After a break for lunch, we then visit Inverness Cathedral, built in 1899 and dedicated to Saint Andrew. There will be some free time to enjoy the city before reconvening for a delightful afternoon tea at the Ness Walk Hotel on the banks of the River Ness. Overnight Inverness (B, AT)

We begin our day with a visit to one of Scotland’s most iconic locations – Loch Ness. We first explore the Loch Ness Centre, where we will learn about the ancient history of the region, and the folklore and myths that have developed over the centuries, and of course, the mythical Loch Ness Monster. We then take an exclusive private cruise of part of the Loch, using sonar to scan its depths as we experience spectacular views of the shoreline. After breaking for lunch, we spend the afternoon at the beautiful ruins of Urquhart Castle, perched on the shore of Loch Ness, which has seen some of the most dramatic chapters in Scotland’s history. We return to Inverness for an evening at leisure. Overnight Inverness (B)

Our first stop today is Culloden Moor, where we explore the history of this powerfully moving location of the final Jacobite Rising to place Bonnie Prince Charlie on the throne of Scotland – and the destruction of the highland way of life. We then depart to the town of Cawdor for a special lunch in the atmospheric Cawdor Tavern, which boasts traditional Scottish fare. After lunch we take a private guided tour of the 15th-century Cawdor Castle. Built around an ancient holly tree, and owned by the Thanes of Cawdor, Cawdor Castle was made famous by Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth. Our guided tour will take us through its grand rooms as we learn about the castle’s 600-year-old history. We return to Inverness in the afternoon with an evening at leisure. Overnight Inverness (B, L)

Today we visit Clava Cairns, one of Scotland’s most evocative bronze age complexes, where we explore the burial cairns, cemetery passages, and standing stones, which date back over 4,000 years. We then make our way to the 13th-century Dunrobin Castle, home to the Earls and later the Dukes of Sutherland. One of Scotland’s great houses, and the largest in the Northern Highlands, it was built to resemble a charming French Chateau. After a break for lunch in the castle grounds, we will tour Dunrobin’s magnificent rooms and centuries of history. We return to Inverness, with dinner in the hotel this evening. Overnight Inverness (B, D)

Departing Inverness this morning, our destination is the first of our Hebrides Isles, the Isle of Skye. Our first port of call is the famous and picturesque 12th-century Eilean Donan Castle, once the stronghold of the feared Mackenzie clan, which is situated on a small tidal island at the confluence of three Lochs. Eilean Donan has featured in countless movies and TV series, and we will have a chance to explore its rich history. There is free time for lunch in the castle before we leave the mainland for Skye, the largest of the Isles with a rugged and wild beauty complemented by its rich history. On arrival, we visit the ruins of Armadale Castle – once the stronghold of the most powerful clan in Scotland, Clan Donald. In the Museum of the Isles, situated in the grounds of Armadale Castle, we will uncover the history of the Highlands and Islands through the epic story of Clan Donald, from the Lords of the Isles, through the tumult of Jacobite risings, to the hardship of the highland clearances. We finish our day by checking into our unique and beautiful accommodation on Skye, followed by dinner in the hotel. Overnight Skye (B, D)

Our first stop this morning is one of the most famous castles of the Isles – Dunvegan Castle, the only Highland fortress to have been continuously occupied by the same clan for 800 years (Clan Macleod). After touring the castle, we then depart for the charming town of Portree, with its brightly coloured facades along the harbourfront. Here we have a break for lunch and time to explore the town. We then make our way to Talisker, situated on the shores of Loch Harport with spectacular views of the Cuillins mountain range, for a special tour of and tasting of the oldest operating distillery on the Isle of Skye – Talisker distillery. We return to our hotel in the late afternoon for an evening at leisure. Overnight Skye (B, WT)

Leaving the Isle of Skye behind today, we continue our journey back into the Highlands, first stopping at Fort William perched on the shores of Loch Linnhe. Fort William is the gateway to Ben Nevis, the U.K.’s highest peak, and Glen Nevis valley, and we enjoy breathtaking views from the town before touring the Highland Museum. We’ll also pay a visit to Inverlochy Castle ruins, with free time for lunch in the town. In the afternoon we continue to Glencoe, one of the most majestic sites in all of Scotland, with a haunting history – the massacre of the MacDonald clan in the 17th century, a shocking act which reverberated through the highlands for decades to come. We will also get a chance to view the peaks of Aonach Dubh, Beinn Fhada and Gearr Aonach (the Three Sisters of Glencoe). We arrive at our final destination, Knipoch, in the early evening, where we check in to our hotel before dinner. Overnight Knipoch (B, D)

This morning we board the ferry to our second Hebrides Isle – Mull, famous for its majestic wild coastal scenery. After a scenic trip across the island, we continue to Fionnphort to catch the ferry to one of the most enchanting Isles in Scotland: Iona. Despite its small size, only 5km in length, Iona is an integral part of Scottish identity. Iona’s history began when St Columba arrived in 563 CE and built his first Celtic church and established a monastic community. From Iona, the monks who followed St Columba converted most of pagan Scotland and northern England to the Christian faith, and Iona thus became the sacred isle, where 48 Kings of Scotland, four Kings of Ireland and eight Kings of Norway were buried. Over the centuries the monks of Iona produced countless elaborate carvings, manuscripts and Celtic crosses, including the celebrated Book of Kells, which dates from 800 CE. Iona’s history is also deeply influenced by Norse culture, as Vikings from Norway and Denmark began raiding the Hebrides in the late 9th century, leaving their own cultural mark on the landscape. After touring its landmark Abbey, we will then have free time to explore the island and admire its coastline before our return to Mull, and the scenic journey back across the strait. Overnight Knipoch (B)

We begin today with an exploration of Scotland’s Celtic and Bronze Age history, visiting Kilmartin Museum and touring the majestic standing stones in the area, which still tell the story of this ancient landscape. We then depart for the charming seaside town of Oban, where we will have free time for lunch before our walking tour of the town. Returning to Knipoch, the afternoon is at leisure where you might like to explore the grounds around our hotel. This evening we enjoy dinner together in our hotel. Overnight Knipoch (B, D)

Returning to Edinburgh today, the first stop on our journey is at Inveraray Castle, the historic seat of the Dukes of Argyll, chiefs of Clan Campbell, which is a wonderful example of Gothic Revival architecture. After a break for lunch and time to explore the grounds, we then continue to the banks of the glorious Loch Lomond, nestled in the rolling countryside of the Scottish Lowlands, where we have some free time to stretch our legs and enjoy the tranquility of the Loch. In the late afternoon we arrive in Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital and our home for the next few days. We enjoy a short orientation stroll around our hotel, before dinner this evening in a local restaurant. Overnight Edinburgh (B, D)

Nestled between volcanic ridges and hollows, gorges and lush green plains, Edinburgh is a city of breath-taking wilderness and mysterious beauty, with its ancient, medieval, and modern history intertwined. From Edinburgh Castle, which dominates the skyline, down the famous medieval cobblestoned Royal Mile, with its sloping wynds and closes, punctuated by abbeys, kirks and graveyards, to Holyrood House and Arthur’s Seat, every part of the city has a story. We begin our morning with a walking tour of Edinburgh old town and a visit to Edinburgh Castle, perched on an ancient volcano, looming over the city, with an extraordinary history spanning almost a thousand years, and which remains the oldest fortification in Europe. We then make our way down the mile to St Giles’ Cathedral, which has stood for almost 900 years, serving as a backdrop to Scotland’s tumultuous religious history. After a break for lunch, we then delve into more of the city’s extraordinary and turbulent history, with a special historical tour of the Edinburgh vaults that run underneath the length of the Royal Mile. The evening is at leisure. Overnight Edinburgh (B)

We begin our day with a guided tour of Mary King’s Close, a historic close located under the Edinburgh City Chambers building on the Royal Mile. The close takes its name from a woman named Mary King, a merchant burgess who resided on the Close in the 17th century. We learn about life in 17th- century Edinburgh as we tour this unique time capsule, perfectly preserved. We then pay a visit to the small and charming Writers’ Museum, which presents the lives of three of the foremost Scottish writers: Robert Burns, Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. Following a farewell lunch in a local restaurant, the early afternoon is free to explore the city, before we reconvene in the late afternoon for a special private guided tour of The Palace of Holyrood, at the bottom of the Royal Mile. Holyrood has been the seat of Scottish Kings for centuries, and even today it remains Charles III’s official royal residence in Scotland. Our tour will conclude with a glass of sparkling, before our return to the hotel. Overnight Edinburgh (B, L)

The tour ends after breakfast at our hotel. Individual transfers to Edinburgh Airport will be arranged by Academy Travel. (B)

Hotels have been selected principally for their historic past, characterful attributes and stunning locations.
All hotels are excellent four and five-star standard.

• Edinburgh, The George Hotel (4 nights, total)

• Pitlochry, Fonab Castle Hotel (3 nights)

• Inverness, Kingsmills Hotel (5 nights)

• Skye, Duisdale House Hotel (2 nights)

• Knipoch, Knipoch House Hotel (3 nights)