Discover Scotland

Heading into the Highlands, our first stops will be mythical Glencoe, where the Massacre of Glencoe took place on the 13 February 1692, following the Jacobite uprising of 1689-92. Afterwards, we’ll go on to Fort William, situated below Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain. This afternoon we’ll arrive at Urquhart Castle on the shores of magical Loch Ness. The Castle has stood on this site since 1296, at least, and is one of the most iconic sights in Scotland. After exploring the area and the legend of Nessie, we’ll head to the Loch Ness Clansman Hotel, our base for the next three days. You’ll be free to have a wee dram before we dine in the hotel restaurant, offering stunning views of the Loch.

Step back in time to a legendary moment in Scottish history with a visit to the Culloden Battlefield, the scene of the 1746 Jacobite Rising, where Jacobite supporters, seeking to restore the Stuart monarchy to the British thrones, gathered to fight the Duke of Cumberland’s government troops. It was the last pitched battle on British soil and, in less than an hour, around 1,600 men were slain – 1,500 of them Jacobites. A tour of the Visitors Centre relates the story of the Rising from both points of view and displays artifacts and relics of the Battle.

This afternoon we visit Fort George, built in the wake of the Battle of Culloden. Fort George took 22 years to complete, by which time the Jacobite threat had subsided and the Fort has  served the British Army for the almost 250 years since. The Highlanders Museum, barracks and grand magazine and armory all illustrate the history of the Fort.

Our day opens with a visit to Cawdor Castle, a traditional Scottish Castle built and inhabited by the Cawdor family for over 600 years and 23 generations of the Cawdor family. Cawdor Castle with its moat & drawbridge, turrets, turnpike stairs and vaulted 16^th century kitchen is steeped in intrigue and history. On display in the Castle’s principal rooms, you’ll find collections of rare tapestries, fine art, furniture, ceramics and sculpture spanning 3,500 years.

On to Inverness for the afternoon, where you’ll have time on your own to visit the 19^th century Cathedral, browse the indoor Victorian Market or search the shelves at Leaky’s Bookshop, Scotland’s largest secondhand bookshop.

Today we’ll head to Aberdeenshire, with a morning visit to Leith Hall, built in 1650. Our guided tour will provide insight into the changing aspirations, needs and tastes of the Leith-Hay family over the centuries. There is also a military exhibition, telling the story of generations of military men. Outside, the beautiful grounds are one of the Trust’s hidden gems and contain our highest altitude garden, at 186m above sea level. From the top of the garden there are spectacular views of Aberdeenshire and the surrounding hills.

Continuing on, our next stop will be the Glenlevit Distillery in Ballindalloch for a guided tour and tasting. Discover how Glenlivet became the original Speyside Single Malt Whisky and  meet the individuals who are integral to Glenlivet today, from the local farming community to the cask management team. Learn and explore how Glenlivet makes their signature whisky with an immersive visual experience in the Process Room, followed by a walk through the distillery and a visit to Warehouse 1.

Our base for the next two nights will be the Macdonald Norwood Hotel, a Victorian mansion complete with open fires, the Tapestry restaurant and seven acres of grounds to explore.

This morning we visit the Gordon Highlanders Museum, which tells the extraordinary 200 year story of “the Finest Regiment in the World,” as Churchill referred to them. Forming the ranks were farmers and fishermen, ghillies and labourers, aristocrats and university students. Ordinary men with an extraordinary sense of duty; all with a story to tell. These stories are brought to life as you explore the Museum’s significant collection and artifacts.

Afterwards, you’ll have the rest of the day free to explore Aberdeen as you wish. Aberdeen’s Art Gallery, the Old Aberdeen Bookshop, where the shelves hold over seven thousand secondhand books, or the Maritime Museum. Alternately, you might simply explore the historic streets and lanes and do some shopping. Dinner is on your own this evening.

The day begins at Drum Castle, one of Scotland’s oldest tower houses. The Royal Forest and Tower of Drum were given to the Irvine family by Robert the Bruce in 1323. Later a Jacobean mansion house was added, and in the Victorian era the lower hall was converted to a library, now containing a mighty 4,000 books. Explore the Tower and the later additions to the site, walk the battlements and visit the walled garden, designed to illustrate how garden design has developed from the 17th to the 20th century.

Surrounded on three sides by the North Sea, imposing Dunnottar Castle has hosted historical figures including William Wallace and Mary Queen of Scots and is famous for its role in saving the Honours of Scotland (the Scottish Crown Jewels) from Oliver Cromwell’s army in the 1650s. The castle ruins now stand as a symbol of Scottish history and a testament to the efforts of Lord and Lady Cowdray, who purchased it in 1919 and restored it to a state whereby it can receive visitors safely. 

This evening and the next we’ll be staying at the Invercase Hotel in Dundee, with dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, The Redwood, overlooking the River Tay.

The morning begins with a nautical theme via visits to  two historic ships, the HMS Unicorn and the HMS Discovery. Launched in 1824, HMS Unicorn is the most original old ship in the world. Originally constructed as a 46-gun frigate at Chatham Royal Dockyard, Unicorn arrived in Dundee in 1873 as a training ship for the Royal Naval Reserves – a role she carried out until the 1960s. Once onboard, we’ll see what shipboard life was like via displays, exhibits and artifacts dating back to the Georgian era.

Then it’s on to nearby Discovery Point, where the HMS Discovery is docked.  Built in the shipyards of Dundee, and went on to make the legendary Antarctic expedition of 1901 under Captain Scott. The RRS Discovery is part of the UK’s National Historic Fleet. The recognised polar collections primarily relate to the history of the ship and the men who served on her. They vary from navigational instruments to scientific specimens collected on the ship’s expeditions to personal objects which vividly represent daily life for polar explorers of the period.

Next, we head to the striking Dundee branch of the Victoria & Albert Museum—Scotland’s first dedicated design museum and the only V&A outside London. Opened in 2018, this architectural marvel is also the first building in the UK designed by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, whose vision blends seamlessly with the surrounding waterfront. Inside, the Scottish Design Galleries showcase a captivating array of furniture, fashion, jewelry, weaponry, and more—each piece telling a story of creativity and craftsmanship that spans centuries.

Today begins at Kellie Castle, first mentioned in 1150, the estate later passing through the families of Siward, Oliphant and Erskine, until 1797 when there were no direct heirs. The castle and grounds fell into ruin until they were discovered in the 1870s by the Lorimer family. Professor James Lorimer took a long lease on Kellie and repaired and restored the castle to make it a comfortable family home. Outside, there’s an Arts & Crafts garden featuring varieties of old roses and an organic kitchen garden.

Afterwards we’ll head to the charming seaside town of St. Andrews, the birthplace of golf, with its medieval streets and traditional architecture. Explore the remains of St Andrews Cathedral and the castle, visit the Museum of Golf or the Wardlaw Museum, housing six centuries of treasures, artefacts and history.

This evening we head to the atmospheric Bank Hotel, overlooking the Firth of Forth in Anstruther, where we’ll enjoy well earned farewell dinner.

Return to Edinburgh