Castle Tours in Scotland
Step back in time with a Scotland castle tour, where you’ll explore royal palaces and former clan strongholds on your picturesque route across coastlines and Highlands. Discover the secrets of Scottish history and take home everlasting memories.
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Book With ConfidencePlan your travels with peace of mind
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Trusted local travel expertsExcellent service provided by knowledgeable experts
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Great reviewsWe are proud of our reviews and customer satisfaction
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Value for moneyExceptional quality for your money
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Hassle-free experienceWe plan your whole trip and 24-hour help is on hand
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Customisable tour optionsOur packages are customisable to your needs
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You are in good handsWhile on your journey, help is never out of reach
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Full financial protectionYour payments are protected with financial safety as standard
Highlights of Scotland
Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness & Isle of Skye
4514GBP
4314GBP
Eur
Scottish Highlands & Isle of Skye
1639GBP
1559GBP
Eur
Wonders of Scotland
Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness & Isle of Skye
2870GBP
2670GBP
Eur
Grand Tour of Scotland
Scottish Highlands & North Coast 500
3606GBP
3286GBP
Eur
Classic Scotland & Outer Hebrides
2340GBP
Eur
Classic Scotland & The Orkney Islands
2431GBP
Eur
Express Scotland - Private
3622GBP
3302GBP
Eur
Scottish Highlands & Isle of Skye - Winter
1372GBP
Eur
Scottish Highlands & Isle of Skye Winter - Private
4106GBP
Eur
Scottish Highlands & Isle of Skye - Private
4267GBP
3947GBP
Eur
A Scottish Christmas to Remember
845GBP
Eur
Best of Edinburgh - Loch Ness & Highlands
866GBP
Eur
Best of Edinburgh - Loch Ness & Highlands - Winter
791GBP
Eur
Edinburgh Complete - Loch Ness, Highlands & Glasgow
1228GBP
Eur
Edinburgh Complete - Loch Ness, Highlands & Glasgow - Winter
1115GBP
Eur
Taste of Scotland - Castles & Highlands
704GBP
Eur
Taste of Scotland - Castles & Highlands - Winter
648GBP
Eur
Express Scotland Winter - Private
3386GBP
Eur
Classic Scotland - Private
5492GBP
5092GBP
Eur
Express Scotland & St Andrews – Private
4293GBP
3973GBP
Eur
Express Scotland & Ireland – Private
7078GBP
Eur
Complete Scotland & Ireland – Private
Scottish Highlands, Isle of Skye & Wild Atlantic Way
10614GBP
10214GBP
Eur
Complete Scotland & Ireland
3634GBP
Eur
Ultimate Tour of Scotland & Ireland
Scottish Highlands, North Coast 500 & Wild Atlantic Way
5481GBP
Eur
Express Scotland & Ireland
2817GBP
Eur
Scenic Scotland - Express
Loch Ness & the Highlands
899GBP
Eur
Scenic Scotland Express - Private
2260GBP
Eur
Wonders of Scotland & Ireland
Ultimate Celtic Adventure
5855GBP
5455GBP
Eur
Express Britain
England, Scotland & Wales
1737GBP
Eur
Wonders of Britain
England, Wales & Scotland
4608GBP
4288GBP
Eur
Classic Britain
England, Scotland & Wales
2015GBP
1815GBP
Eur
Classic Britain at Leisure
England, Scotland & Wales
2469GBP
2269GBP
Eur
Complete Britain
England, Scotland & Wales
3026GBP
2706GBP
Eur
Complete Britain at Leisure
England, Scotland & Wales
3768GBP
3368GBP
Eur
Wonders of England
London, Bath, York & Edinburgh
3396GBP
Eur
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See contact choicesAbout Your Castle Tour
Delve into the illustrious history of Scotland while exploring its medieval castles, royal palaces and battle-scarred fort ruins. Your Scotland castle tour package will take you to where kings and queens once ruled and royal courts changed Scottish history. Whether you choose to travel on a private tour, a small group journey or a self drive adventure, you’ll make amazing memories to take home and treasure.
When you book a Nordic Visitor package, you can expect:
• A dedicated travel consultant who’ll arrange your expedition
• A personalised itinerary and route
• 24/7 phone support during your adventure for peace of mind
• Excellent accommodation at your chosen price point
• Special seasonal tour itineraries for summer and winter
To start your adventure with Nordic Visitor, simply follow these steps:
1. Pick your favourite Nordic Visitor package
2. Confirm (or customise) your tour
3. Check your confirmation email
4. Book your flights
5. Get ready for your trip
Book With Confidence
Secure your trip your way with Nordic Visitor. Book a tour with as little as 10% deposit. With a 20% deposit or more, you will receive our Cancellation Protection free of charge. You can also pay the full price right away to guarantee today’s exchange rate. Terms & conditions apply.
Trusted local travel experts
Nordic Visitor is a leading travel agency with travel experts based in Edinburgh. Our consultants test all our packages, including important areas like accommodation quality. Their in-depth local knowledge of all aspects of your itinerary mean you’ll take home unforgettable memories.
Great reviews
Our dedicated teams deliver excellent service quality, and this is reflected year after year when TripAdvisor awards us with their Certificate of Excellence. We also take great pride in our customer feedback: 97% of our travelers say they would recommend us to friends and family.
Value for money
By booking with us, you will save time and money as you will benefit from our network of trusted Scottish suppliers. We leave no stone unturned when creating excellent quality tours dotted with the best historical attractions and finding ultra comfortable rooms.
Hassle-free experience
We plan your trip for you before you arrive, meaning the finer details are looked after. You will have a comprehensive itinerary and booked accommodation, so all you have to do is enjoy the areas and attractions you’ll visit.
Customisable tour options
Nordic Visitor packages are created to delight guests on their adventures, and our travel experts will customise tours to suit your wish list. Whether you’d like some extra nights in Edinburgh or a special diversion to a breathtaking natural attractions, we will change your travel itinerary the way you want.
You are in good hands
One of our travel experts is always on call 24/7 to handle any unforeseen situations during your trip. Unexpected delays or weather? No problem. Nordic Visitor will rework your itinerary, and re-organise any upcoming activities and accommodation, all while keeping you informed.
Full financial protection
With Nordic Visitor, you have peace of mind knowing your holiday arrangements with us are 100% financially protected. Your payments are safeguarded as we comply with European Union laws on Package Travel regulations. This guarantees you a refund in the unlikely event of insolvency.
OUR SCOTLAND CASTLE TOUR REVIEWS
Here’s what our fantastic customers think about their attraction-packed castle tour.
WilliamUnited States
Overall experience was excellent. Great educational and cultural understanding opportunity for both the two adults... read more
Overall experience was excellent. Great educational and cultural understanding opportunity for both the two adults and 18-year-old grand-daughter in this party. We attribute all the unexpectedly high level of service we received to our association with a Nordic Visitor.
MaryUnited States
Every part of this trip was perfect! And everything flowed seamlessly, from the pick up at the airport, to the drop... read more
Every part of this trip was perfect! And everything flowed seamlessly, from the pick up at the airport, to the drop off on our way home. Our tour guides, Peter and Carolina, went above and beyond. They really cared about giving us a great experience and their knowledge of the history of Scotland was impressive. We had full days every day, and on top of everything, the weather was great! Can't wait to come back to beautiful Scotland!
Certificate of Excellence
Your Highlights
Unmask the mysteries of Scotland’s royal history by exploring its ancient ruins, imposing fortress battlements and fascinating castle halls. Soon you could….
- Discover Scotland’s clan history at Dunvegan Castle, ancestral home of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod
- Learn about Edinburgh Castle's military history and uncover its formidable fortress secrets
- Visit Stirling Castle and see Renaissance period royal chambers and grand hand-woven tapestries
- Be amazed by Blair Castle's grand ballroom and traditional arsenal of armoury
- Explore dramatic fortress ruins of Dunnottar Castle, which once was home to the Scottish Crown jewels
- Go "behind the scenes" at Doune Castle, filming location for Harry Potter, Outlander and Game of Thrones
- Visit the former battlefield of the famous Battle of Culloden and learn how it changed the Highlands forever
- Stroll along the pebbled shores of Loch Ness, Loch Lomond and Loch Lubnaig, and spot indigenous flora and fauna
- Take a day tour of Edinburgh’s many attractions, including the bustling Royal Mile, St Giles' Cathedral and Mary Kings Close
Advice for Castle Tours
Prepare for an unforgettable tour of Scotland with our handy travel guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Castle Tours
We’ve collected the most commonly asked questions and queries just in case you want to know more about our Scottish packages before you book. If you want more in-depth information on the payment process, then please see our FAQs or get in touch with us.
It's estimated that there were once over 3,000 castles in Scotland. Nowadays, you'll find that some are in ruins and others are only mentioned in historical record.
Scholars estimate that there are over 100 castles still standing and in visitable condition. Discover the most popular and historically significant sites in our guide to the best castles in Scotland.
From coast to coast, Scotland has an abundance of beautiful palaces and impressive castles but of course, there are sites that stand out amongst the rest. Here are must-visit castles you have to see:
Stirling Castle: see the Chapel Royal of Stirling Castle, where Mary Queen of Scots was crowned
Doune Castle: this tower house castle dates back to the 14th century and was the filming location for Outlander’s Castle Leoch
Eilean Donan Castle: cast your eyes on this beautiful island top 13th century castle
Dunrobin Castle: discover this fairytale castle and its Palace of Versailles inspired gardens
Inveraray Castle: explore the ancestral seat of Clan Campbell, with its beautiful grounds and extensive woodlands
Crathes Castle: enjoy a leisurely stroll along the historic castle grounds and its 16th-century walled garden
Want to discover more of Scotland’s amazing coastal and highlands castles? Read our article on the most famous castles in Scotland.
The British Royal Family owns Balmoral Castle and stay in the Palace of Holyroodhouse when they visit Edinburgh.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is His Majesty the King’s official residence in Scotland and the palace is open to visitors. You can explore the adjoining 12th-century ruins of Holyrood Abbey, the magnificent throne room, regal state apartments and the Great Gallery.
Balmoral Castle, meanwhile, is based in the heart of Aberdeenshire and is famously the favoured summer retreat of the Royal Family. It has been owned by the family since it was purchased as a gift to Queen Victoria in 1852. You can visit Balmoral Castle in the spring and summer seasons but be sure to ask your travel consultant to check dates as the visiting times can change depending on whether The King is in residence.
Yes, you’re able to visit royal castles and palaces in Scotland. The Palace of Holyroodhouse is open to the public all year round and Balmoral is open in the spring and summer months but closed when The King is in residence. You can also visit former royal homes, such as:
Mary Stuart, known popularly as Mary, Queen of Scots, lived in many well-known Scottish castles and palaces before she was sent into exile, and later executed, in England. You can still visit them today, and experience the same stunning scenery she would have seen. Here’s a list of her former royal homes:
Dumbarton Castle
Stirling Castle
Falkland Palace
Edinburgh Castle
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Lochleven Castle
Craigmillar Castle
Ireland has more castles than Scotland. Historically the Emerald Isle was home to approximately 30,000 castles. The majority of these are now ruins with the number of complete, visitable castles sitting at around 380.
If you're having trouble deciding where to go, check out this blog on visiting Scotland or Ireland. Altnernatively, for the ultimate Celtic getaway why not go on a combined tour of Scotland and Ireland?
Yes, your self-drive tour with Nordic Visitor includes car rental with our tried-and-tested hire car suppliers in Scotland.
You receive a collision damage waiver (CDW) and an excess waiver to reduce liability to zero. On top of that, you enjoy unlimited mileage and the authorisation for two drivers. We don’t cover your road trip music: that is all up to you!
When you rent a car for your self-drive tour of Scotland with Nordic Visitor, there are some requirements that you should be aware of.
To rent a car in Scotland, you must hold a valid and full driving licence for a minimum period of 4 years. This reduces to 1 year if you are over 23 years of age.
Drivers aged 23 or 24 can take a self-drive tour with Nordic Visitor, subject to a young driver surcharge of £25 per day. You can hire vehicles in our rental car groups A, B, C or F.
The minimum age to rent a car in Scotland is 21. So if you're aged 21 or 22, we would be delighted to arrange your tour and provide you with information on how you can arrange your own car rental with specific suppliers who can cater to those aged 21 and 22.
If you are aged 80 or above, you can rent a car in Scotland so long as you provide medical proof that you are fit to drive. Please note this should be issued no earlier than 4 weeks before your travel date. You can hire vehicles in our rental car groups A, B or C.
Learn more about vehicle groups and car rental in Scotland on our travel guide.
Alternatively, you could leave the driving to a local expert when you pick one of our privately guided trips or guided small group tours of Scotland.
In most cases, yes. Many of our packages have flexible dates with daily departures. The exceptions are our guided small group tour packages, which have pre-set start dates.
Our local experts have a wealth of knowledge to pass on to you, ensuring every sight or attraction you visit is one that you won’t forget. When creating packages, routes are extensively planned with this in mind so that our guests see the best of Scotland.
However, if there are any areas or attractions in particular you’re keen to see, we can help add them to the itinerary depending on package. We can also add on extra nights in Edinburgh so you can see more of Scotland.
On a guided group tour, you’ll get to experience the sights in the company of an expert local guide and fellow like-minded travellers (a maximum of 15 per group). On these tours, you can add on days at either end of your journey to see more of the capital city, Edinburgh.
On self-drive tours and privately guided tours, you get to set the pace, meaning there’s plenty of time to explore. These tours are also very flexible, meaning you can stay longer at areas and viewpoints along the route.
We’d advise that you look over flights for timings and dates, but hold off purchasing until you’ve booked your preferred tour.
Once you’ve had a confirmation email from your personal travel consultant, you should then choose and pay for your flights. The reason for this is once you have all the details, you can make an informed choice on timings.
Also, you will have been introduced to your travel consultant who will answer any questions you may have regarding timings.
When you pack for Scotland, remember that the country has countless words and expressions for the weather, including over 400 for snow. This gives you an indication of the ever-changing climate so with this in mind, we recommend that you pack and dress sensibly and bring the following items to keep you safe and dry:
For a comprehensive list on what to pack as well as travel tips, check out our Scottish travel information pages.
Contact us
Want to know more about our Scotland castle tours? Or perhaps you want to extend your current package with extra nights. We’re happy to help, so get in touch.
Chat
How about a live chat with one of our local travel experts?