Scotland
Cruise the Loch Ness and tour Edinburgh Castle on this legendary tour through Scotland, a British Isle rich in dramatic scenery and history dating to the Middle Ages. Visit art museums, woolen mills and a whisky distillery, with overnights in the capital of Edinburgh, the Highlands city of Inverness, and Glasgow, the country’s largest.
Highlights
- Isle of Skye
Famous for its scenery and landscapes that will take your breath away, the Isle of Skye is the second-largest of Scotland's islands and undoubtedly the most beautiful. This island is well-known for its rugged landscapes, quaint fishing villages, and medieval castles. In fact, the otherworldly scenery here takes center stage in numerous Scottish movies! Adding to its charm, almost half of the locals speak Gaelic, giving travelers plenty of local culture and heritage to dive into. In a land seemingly untouched by the modern world, nature lovers will rejoice in seeking plentiful wildlife, from the Golden Eagle and salmon to Red Deer prancing. Full of history and legends, the Isle of Skye is a magical land that holds its spot as one of Scotland's top places to visit.
- Edinburgh
Thanks to its cultural diversity and impressive history, Edinburgh is one of the world's finest capital cities. The archaic streets run through the city, telling their story about Edinburgh's 1,000-year-old traditions and myths. The city is comprised of the medieval 'Old Town' and the elegant 18th-century 'New Town,' with ornate gardens and neoclassical buildings. Admire Edinburgh Castle looming over the city below, home to Scotland's crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny, used in the coronation of Scottish rulers. Journey up Castle Hill and retrace the steps of kings and queens as you walk through the Crown room, home to the oldest Crown Jewels in the UK. Wander the famous Royal Mile at the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, see the King's official residence and the home of Scottish royal history at the Palace of Holyrood house, and walk through the lush Princess Street Gardens. End your city exploration with a visit to a tea room for a cup and a scone, or duck into a traditional pub for a pint or taste of whisky.
- Scottish Highlands
The Scottish Highlands is a mountainous region spread across northwest Scotland, with the iconic Loch Ness at its center. This area offers majestic scenery and peaceful seclusion amid lochs and mountains, perfect for filming scenes in Harry Potter and the Outlander TV series! One of the most iconic images of Scotland, Eilean Donan Castle, is home to where three sea lochs intersect and some of the country’s most breathtaking Highlands views. This privately-owned 13th-century castle takes the term ‘picturesque’ to extremes, set on its own small island, surrounded by lochs and mountains, and even with views of the Isle of Skye.
- Glasgow
Glasgow, Scotland's largest city, encompasses a rich past as a religious center and one of Britain's most prominent industrial cities. It's well-known for its Victorian architecture that offers a striking contrast to the expansive parks of the West End. Among those, Kelvingrove provides a haven of peace in the city, with amazing views of Glasgow University's buildings and the Kelvingrove Museum. It's not hard to see why Glasgow is home to Scotland's most celebrated architect: Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Best known for designing the Glasgow School of Art, Charles Rennie Mackintosh produced interiors, furniture, and posters with innovative style during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The city is also home to Rosslyn Chapel, famously known in Dan Brown's book, The Davinci Code. The chapel, built in 1446, contains symbolic stone carvings from the Knights Templar to Nature motifs. Today, Glasgow is a national cultural hub, home to the Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery, the National Theater of Scotland, and acclaimed museums surrounded by a thriving music scene.
- Loch Ness
Loch Ness is a freshwater lake world-known as the reputed home of the famous, dinosaur-like Loch Ness Monster, more affectionately known as Nessie. Stretching over 20 miles and reaching depths of over 650 ft, Loch Ness is the most voluminous lake in the UK and contains more water than all of the lakes of England and Wales combined! This famous loch's name comes from the River Ness, which flows from the northern end. Admire the stunning views of Loch Ness from the ruins of the most extraordinary castle in the Highlands: Urquhart Castle. The castle is home to a remarkable collection of artifacts left by its residents and historical replicas, including a full-sized, working trebuchet siege engine. Acts of chivalry and defiance here inspired the Wars of Independence, where the MacDonald Lords of the Isles struggled with the Crown for power. Urquhart Castle's 1,000 castle ruins are rumored to be the best place to spot the Nessie!
Famous for its scenery and landscapes that will take your breath away, the Isle of Skye is the second-largest of Scotland's islands and undoubtedly the most beautiful. This island is well-known for its rugged landscapes, quaint fishing villages, and medieval castles. In fact, the otherworldly scenery here takes center stage in numerous Scottish movies! Adding to its charm, almost half of the locals speak Gaelic, giving travelers plenty of local culture and heritage to dive into. In a land seemingly untouched by the modern world, nature lovers will rejoice in seeking plentiful wildlife, from the Golden Eagle and salmon to Red Deer prancing. Full of history and legends, the Isle of Skye is a magical land that holds its spot as one of Scotland's top places to visit.
Thanks to its cultural diversity and impressive history, Edinburgh is one of the world's finest capital cities. The archaic streets run through the city, telling their story about Edinburgh's 1,000-year-old traditions and myths. The city is comprised of the medieval 'Old Town' and the elegant 18th-century 'New Town,' with ornate gardens and neoclassical buildings. Admire Edinburgh Castle looming over the city below, home to Scotland's crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny, used in the coronation of Scottish rulers. Journey up Castle Hill and retrace the steps of kings and queens as you walk through the Crown room, home to the oldest Crown Jewels in the UK. Wander the famous Royal Mile at the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, see the King's official residence and the home of Scottish royal history at the Palace of Holyrood house, and walk through the lush Princess Street Gardens. End your city exploration with a visit to a tea room for a cup and a scone, or duck into a traditional pub for a pint or taste of whisky.
The Scottish Highlands is a mountainous region spread across northwest Scotland, with the iconic Loch Ness at its center. This area offers majestic scenery and peaceful seclusion amid lochs and mountains, perfect for filming scenes in Harry Potter and the Outlander TV series! One of the most iconic images of Scotland, Eilean Donan Castle, is home to where three sea lochs intersect and some of the country’s most breathtaking Highlands views. This privately-owned 13th-century castle takes the term ‘picturesque’ to extremes, set on its own small island, surrounded by lochs and mountains, and even with views of the Isle of Skye.
Glasgow, Scotland's largest city, encompasses a rich past as a religious center and one of Britain's most prominent industrial cities. It's well-known for its Victorian architecture that offers a striking contrast to the expansive parks of the West End. Among those, Kelvingrove provides a haven of peace in the city, with amazing views of Glasgow University's buildings and the Kelvingrove Museum. It's not hard to see why Glasgow is home to Scotland's most celebrated architect: Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Best known for designing the Glasgow School of Art, Charles Rennie Mackintosh produced interiors, furniture, and posters with innovative style during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The city is also home to Rosslyn Chapel, famously known in Dan Brown's book, The Davinci Code. The chapel, built in 1446, contains symbolic stone carvings from the Knights Templar to Nature motifs. Today, Glasgow is a national cultural hub, home to the Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery, the National Theater of Scotland, and acclaimed museums surrounded by a thriving music scene.
Loch Ness is a freshwater lake world-known as the reputed home of the famous, dinosaur-like Loch Ness Monster, more affectionately known as Nessie. Stretching over 20 miles and reaching depths of over 650 ft, Loch Ness is the most voluminous lake in the UK and contains more water than all of the lakes of England and Wales combined! This famous loch's name comes from the River Ness, which flows from the northern end. Admire the stunning views of Loch Ness from the ruins of the most extraordinary castle in the Highlands: Urquhart Castle. The castle is home to a remarkable collection of artifacts left by its residents and historical replicas, including a full-sized, working trebuchet siege engine. Acts of chivalry and defiance here inspired the Wars of Independence, where the MacDonald Lords of the Isles struggled with the Crown for power. Urquhart Castle's 1,000 castle ruins are rumored to be the best place to spot the Nessie!Fast Facts
Already booked on one of our packages to Scotland? See everything you need to know before you go.
| Entry requirements | Please see our Entry Requirements page. |
| Money & Credit Cards | Always notify your bank prior to departure to avoid any problems using your credit or debit card while traveling. |
| Cell Phones & Internet | Want to take your cell phone, tablet or laptop, but not sure how to get cell service or wifi? Read up on using your cell phone abroad and the top 5 ways to get Internet abroad. |
Tours & Packages
- Destinations: Scotland
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