Arrive to the airport in Edinburgh or Glasgow. For an easy and comfortable way to get to your hotel in Edinburgh, we are happy to arrange an optional private transfer for you. If you have some energy and free time after arriving, get a feel for your new surroundings with a stroll along the Royal Mile between the Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace, or walk up to Castle Hill for a spectacular view of the Old Town area. 

Spend the night in Edinburgh.

Enjoy the whole day to really explore Edinburgh. Whether its history, music, art, architecture or lush gardens you’re after, you’ll find it all within the compact city centre. A walk down Princes Street is a good place to start, with its views towards the Old Town across the Princes Garden. 

For a great overview of the city’s major historical sites, you might wish to join a guided walking tour of the Old Town. Or for a more flexible way of sightseeing, buy a Royal Edinburgh Ticket, which gives you unlimited travel on the Edinburgh Bus Tour city tours and entrance to Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Yacht Britannia and Palace of Holyroodhouse. 

Spend another night in Edinburgh. 

Today we embark on our guided tour into the Highlands! Starting our drive north, our first stop is the historical village of Dunkeld, the former ecclesiastical capital of Scotland. Continuing on, our route passes through the Grampian Mountains to the Spey Valley, where we will stop for lunch. Then in the afternoon we’ll take a break for some “Nessie spotting” as we visit the world famous Loch Ness. There will also be time for a visit to the impressive waterfalls at Corrieshalloch Gorge before arriving to the whitewashed village of Ullapool. 

Spend the night in Ullapool. 

In the morning we’ll take the ferry to beautiful Lewis, an isle where Gaelic culture and language still thrive. The two-hour voyage takes us along Loch Broom, past the Summer Isles and then out across The Minch to Stornoway – the main town on Lewis and capital of the Outer Hebrides. Don’t get too distracted by the landscapes, though, because you might be able to spot dolphins, whales and seabirds on the crossing.

In the afternoon we’ll drive around the north-western coast, stopping to visit the Black Arnol Museum—a must for anyone wanting to learn more about island life in the old days. Further on we’ll come across the Port of Ness and the very north tip of the island – the Butt of Lewis. From the lighthouse here there is nothing between you and the Americas!  

Spend the night in Stornoway.

Today will be spent exploring some of the prehistoric remains on the island, as well as its finest beaches. Our first stop is the fascinating circular stone fort (or “broch”) at Carloway followed by more traditional crofting communities such as Gearrannan and Shawbost. Then it’s on to the spectacular 4,000 year-old Callanish Standing Stones, an impressive collection of Neolithic stone circles and megaliths often referred to as the “Hebrides’ Stonehenge”.  In the afternoon we head for the remote district of Uig, where the scenery includes the sandy beaches at Bhaltos, dramatic sea cliffs and rugged hills—the wilderness of the Western Isles at its finest. 

Spend another night in Stornoway. 

Today we’ll do a little island hopping as we head to the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, famous for its idyllic sandy beaches and craggy landscapes. Travelling south our scenery changes from wild moorlands to more mountainous, stopping on our way to visit Luskentyre Beach with its miles of white sands and dazzling turquoise waters. We’ll also take a drive along the winding and scenic “Golden Road” on the eastern shore.

After a morning of exploring South Harris we’ll break for lunch in the small port community of Tarbert, home to the makers of Harris Tweed, the classic woollen fabric that is still woven by hand at locals’ homes. From here we’ll catch the late afternoon ferry to the Isle of Skye and continue on to the charming harbour town of Portree. 

Spend the night in Portree. 

Today we’ll keep a flexible schedule to explore Skye, and our sightseeing will depend on the weather and our guide’s judgement of what will best suit the group. To the north of Portree we could check out the Trotternish Peninsula with its spectacular cliffs and rock formations, including the iconic Old Man of Storr, the impressive Kilt Rock falls and the stunning mountain pass of the Quiraing. The scenery here is best enjoyed outdoors—as nature intended, so some walks may be on our agenda. 

Or, after lunch we may walk to the lighthouse along the dramatic sea-cliffs of Neist Point—the isle’s westernmost point—or visit the 13th-century home of the Clan MacLeod, Dunvegan Castle. After an action-packed day, you’ll enjoy a relaxing evening back in Portree.

Spend another night in Portree.

Departing from Portree, our return journey to Edinburgh is full of picture-perfect moments. You’ll want to have your camera ready for our visit to Eilean Donan, one of Scotland’s most photographed castles, set at the junction of three lochs and completely surrounded by water. 

We then continue through Fort William, driving past Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, and over the spectacular mountain pass of Glencoe, scene of the great massacre of the Clan MacDonald in 1692. Travelling south through the Central Highlands, our last sightseeing stop of the day is at Killin, beside the Falls of Dochart, before returning to Edinburgh in the early evening.

Spend the night in Edinburgh.

When it’s time to head to Edinburgh Airport, you can take the Air-Link bus departing from Waverly Bridge by Waverly Station or a taxi directly from your hotel. If your flight is in the afternoon, take the opportunity to do some last-minute shopping or visit one of Edinburg’s interesting museums.

If you wish to spend more time in Edinburgh or Glasgow before or after the tour, ask your travel consultant about adding extra nights or services, such as private airport transfers or guided sightseeing tours. We can also extend your trip with other destinations in the Nordic region such as Iceland or Norway. Contact us for details about customizing your itinerary.