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Christmas decoration in Edinburgh

Christmas in Scotland

(4 days / 3 nights)

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Get into the festive spirit in Scotland

Come immerse yourself in the magic of Edinburgh at Christmastime with this multi-day tour. You’ll be based in Scotland’s buzzing and historic capital so you can take full advantage of all its restaurants and attractions during your stay. The best thing about this tour is that it combines leisure time with planned excursions. During the day, let yourself be whisked away on a day trip to the Highlands and a walking tour of Edinburgh. At night, wander through Edinburgh’s Christmas Market mulled wine in hand.

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— Why book with Nordic Visitor

  • Seamless travel experience
  • Comprehensive itinerary & travel guide
  • Quality & value for your money
  • 24/7 helpline during your tour
  • Service from local travel experts in Scotland
  • Great customer reviews
  • Carbon offsetting included

Read more

— Cancellation Protection

  • Rebook your tour on one occasion, or
  • Cancel for any reason and receive a partial refund and travel credit

Terms and conditions apply

Tour Highlights

  • Take in the festive atmosphere of Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital
  • Experience the striking natural beauty of the Scottish Highlands
  • Wander through the Christmas market stalls, rides and festive lights
  • Walk along the shores of the famous Loch Lomond
  • Photograph iconic castles in Doune and Edinburgh
  • Enjoy a guided tour through Edinburgh’s Old Town and Royal Mile
  • Admire sleepy villages like the historic Luss
  • Hassle-free travel experience with day tours included

Travel style

Multi-Day Tours i

Interest

Castles and Royalty i, Christmas i, City Break i, Culinary Experience i, Culture and History i, Heritage i, Highlands i

Season

Nov - Dec

Departure

Daily

Interest

Castles and Royalty i, Christmas i, City Break i, Culinary Experience i, Culture and History i, Heritage i, Highlands i

Itinerary

A day-by-day plan to guide your journey.

  • Day 1: WELCOME TO SCOTLAND

    When you arrive in Scotland, make your way into Edinburgh city centre where your hotel will be located. Many travellers opt to take a taxi or use public transport, but for a more direct and comfortable ride, we will be happy to organise a private airport transfer for you.

    For those arriving early in the day, we recommend spending the afternoon walking through the city, especially the Christmas Market in New Town. This way you‘ll walk along Georgian streets lit up with fairy lights and enjoy a magical stroll through the Princes Street Gardens sitting right below the iconic Edinburgh Castle.

    For a spectacular view over the city we recommend going up Calton Hill. Tonight you can enjoy dinner at one of Edinburgh’s many gourmet restaurants and spend the evening at your leisure.

    Spend the night in Edinburgh.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day

  • Day 2: SECRETS OF THE ROYAL MILE & EDINBURGH CASTLE

    Today you have the morning to spend at your leisure to enjoy the city, go back to the Christmas market or do some early Christmas shopping.

    This afternoon, you’ll join a guided group walk of Edinburgh’s Old Town to immerse yourself in the history of Scotland’s capital. You’ll learn all about the royals, artists and everyday folks who have called Edinburgh home throughout the centuries. Afterwards, you’ll skip the line at Edinburgh Castle and you’ll get to explore this iconic landmark.

    Spend the night in Edinburgh.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day

  • Day 3: WEST HIGHLANDS, LOCHS & CASTLES

    Today you’ll join a day trip into the west Highlands to capture the beauty of Scotland’s nature and storied past. Board a minibus along with a small group of fellow travellers and a local guide who will share their insight with you. You’ll head into the Highlands, passing by snow-capped peaks, historic castle ruins and shimmering lochs. 

    There will be plenty of photo stops, to stretch your legs and to grab lunch throughout the day. First stop is Doune Castle, a famous filming location for many movies and TV series, including Outlander and Game of Thrones. 

    You’ll also get the chance to photograph the atmospheric Kilchurn Castle, fairy-tale like Inveraray Castle, and the scenic Stirling Castle on short stops. Finally, you’ll have some time to visit the charming village of Luss along the banks of Loch Lomond.

    Spend the night in Edinburgh.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions

  • Day 4: DEPARTURE FROM SCOTLAND

    Now it’s time to say goodbye to Edinburgh. We recommend taking the Airlink bus or a taxi directly from your hotel to reach the airport. If you would like to add any additional nights to your trip or to arrange a private transfer, you can do so during the booking process. If your flight is in the afternoon, you may have time for some last-minute shopping, to visit one of Edinburgh’s museums, or take one last stroll through the charming city centre.

    See Activities for this day
View full itinerary

Optional extras

Customise your adventure with these Optional Extras.

We recommend adding your extra activities to the tour now for the best booking experience and to secure your spot, as activities are likely to sell out.

Day One

Edinburgh Castle - Scotland
Service

Private Airport Transfer: Edinburgh Airport to Edinburgh

Duration 25 minutes
Price p.p. from

75GBP

GBP

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Edinburgh - Scotland
Service

Private Airport Transfer: Glasgow Airport to Edinburgh

Duration 1 hour 15 minutes
Price p.p. from

99GBP

GBP

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Palm Court at the Balmoral Hotel © Rocco Forte Hotels
Activity

Classic Afternoon Tea

Duration 2 hours
Price p.p. from

73GBP

GBP

View
Champagne afternoon tea at the Balmoral Hotel © Rocco Forte Hotels
Activity

Champagne Afternoon Tea

Duration 2 hours
Price p.p. from

91GBP

GBP

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Royal Yacht Britannia ©The Royal Yacht Britannia
Activity

Admissions to the Royal Yacht Britannia

Duration 2 hours
Price p.p. from

22GBP

GBP

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scotch whisky experience whisky tasting
Activity

The Scotch Whisky Experience – Gold Tour

Duration 90 minutes
Price p.p. from

42GBP

GBP

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The Scotch Whisky Experience
Activity

The Scotch Whisky Experience – Silver Tour

Duration 50 minutes
Price p.p. from

26GBP

GBP

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johnnie walker journey flavour diageo
Activity

Johnnie Walker Distillery – The Journey of Flavour

Duration 1 hour 30 minutes
Price p.p. from

30GBP

GBP

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johnnie walker whisky cellar diageo
Activity

Johnnie Walker Distillery – Whisky Makers’ Cellar

Duration 1 hour 30 minutes
Price p.p. from

95GBP

GBP

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Mercat Tours Ghostly Underground
Activity

Ghostly Underground Vaults Walking Tour

Duration 1 hour 15 minutes
Price p.p. from

22GBP

GBP

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The Royal Mile - ©VisitScotland
Activity

Secrets of the Royal Mile

Duration 2 hours 15 minutes
Price p.p. from

40GBP

GBP

View
View all extras
Edinburgh Castle - Scotland
Service

Private Airport Transfer: Edinburgh Airport to Edinburgh

Duration 25 minutes
Price p.p. from

75GBP

GBP

View
Edinburgh - Scotland
Service

Private Airport Transfer: Glasgow Airport to Edinburgh

Duration 1 hour 15 minutes
Price p.p. from

99GBP

GBP

View
Palm Court at the Balmoral Hotel © Rocco Forte Hotels
Activity

Classic Afternoon Tea

Duration 2 hours
Price p.p. from

73GBP

GBP

View
Champagne afternoon tea at the Balmoral Hotel © Rocco Forte Hotels
Activity

Champagne Afternoon Tea

Duration 2 hours
Price p.p. from

91GBP

GBP

View
View all extras

Map

Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.

What's included

Don’t worry, we’ve got this covered.

Included

Not included

Optional Extras

Contact us for availability

Request info

Essential information

We recommend that you read carefully through the following information before booking this multi-day tour in Scotland. We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions here so you know what to expect. You’ll also find more practical advice and attraction recommendations in our online Scotland Travel Guide.

On a multi-day tour, Nordic Visitor books your accommodation and excursions for a self-guided travel experience. That means you’ll enjoy some free time to explore on your own as well as planned, guided day tours.

Each activity is run by a different tour operator, so you’ll get to meet a few local guides throughout your trip.

You can rest assured that Nordic Visitor only works with a small number of handpicked suppliers that meet our high standards. The activities you’ll participate in are all extremely well rated so you’re sure to have a memorable time.

And rest assured that we’re with you every step of the way. On arrival, you’ll receive personalised information, including an itinerary and our very own Scotland Travel Guide. Plus, you’ll have access to our 24/7 helpline during your trip should you need to contact us.

Yes, you can customise this tour online. During the booking process, you can easily add extra nights to your itinerary as well as optional day trips, excursions and upgrades.

Due to the nature of this tour and activities included, it’s not recommended for families with young children. That said, it is suitable for children over the age of 5.

Please note that the local legal drinking age is 18. It means that those aged 17 and under will not take part in distillery tours.

You’ll join an expert guide and a small group of travellers to travel into the Highlands aboard a mini-coach. This is a full-day tour meant to last around 10 hours, starting at 8 AM and returning to Edinburgh at 6:30 PM.

On this day trip, you’ll have the chance to see some of Scotland’s top highlights. That said, it’s good to note that some entrances are not included on this tour. Entrance to Doune Castle is included but for other attractions, entrance fees will be at your own expense should you wish to visit them.

We recommend you bring a small day bag with you, for daily essentials, water and snacks. Your guide will stop during the day to allow you to have lunch on the way.

Your transfers are not included between your accommodation and tour meeting locations. That said, Edinburgh is a very walkable city. Or, you could decide to take a city bus or book a taxi.

During your Scotland tour, you’ll stay in accommodation hand-picked by our local travel experts. We’ve partnered with local businesses and selected hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses based on excellent ratings, comfort and our personal experience.

In Scotland, you can choose from single or double rooms. Twin, triple and family rooms are not commonly available. Please also note that in Scotland room types are based on European standard sizes, which means they are smaller than in North America.

For example, a double room often consists of 2 single beds pushed together. And single rooms are often smaller than the standard double.

Due to the historic nature of the properties we usually select, most of the rooms are only accessible by stairs. Lifts are not common in Scottish hotels. Please let us know as soon as possible if you are not able to walk up stairs.

As Scotland is located so far north, it has limited daylight hours in winter, and especially around the winter solstice in December (the shortest day of the year).

In early December, you can expect daylight hours between 8 AM and 4 PM in Edinburgh and Glasgow. By Christmas, sunrise and sunset are closer to 9 AM and 3:40 PM. You’ll want to make good use of these hours.

Winter in Scotland isn’t as cold as you might expect. That said, the weather is more changeable at this time of year, and it can definitely get chilly. It’s good to come prepared for wind, rain and maybe some snow when travelling to Scotland between November and March.

You’ll want to pack lots of layers and rain gear to keep yourself warm and dry. We have a handy packing guide to help you decide what to bring in your suitcase.

If you’re visiting Scotland during the holiday period, it’s good to be aware of local opening hours.

Many day tours and activities won’t be available on the 24, 25 and 26 December. Certain attractions will also be closed or operate reduced hours. This is also true for shops and restaurants. In the cities, like Edinburgh and Glasgow, a variety of things stay open during the holidays.

Whatever time of year you’re in Scotland, you’re likely to see lots of different types of weather. As you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors it’s a good idea to come prepared for a combination of weather conditions.

Here is a recommended packing list for a summer trip:

  • A warm jumper or fleece
  • A waterproof jacket
  • Good walking shoes or boots (especially if you intend to hike and go on nature walks)
  • Light scarf or thin sweater
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Sunglasses, sunscreen and a sunhat

In some areas of Scotland, such as the Highlands and islands, you might notice small, pesky insects called midges. They’re most active on summer evenings and tend to swarm near still water. You can avoid bites by wearing long-sleeves and trousers and by packing an insect repellent.

And here’s our recommendations for a winter getaway:

  • A warm, windproof and waterproof jacket
  • Thermal base layers and cosy jumpers
  • A scarf, gloves and hat
  • Sturdy boots and some woollen socks

For more information, check this packing list suggestion.

Your breakfast is included at all your accommodation in Scotland. For the rest of your food, your spending money will depend on the standard of restaurants you decide to go to.

Budget between £15–£20 per person for each day’s lunch. Dinners at casual restaurants might cost between £20–£25. Meanwhile at upscale restaurants, you can expect to pay £40–£50 or more. This does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages.

By booking with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that there’s always someone there for you throughout your trip.

For support and advice during the day, you can call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline.

During your tour, there will always be an Edinburgh-based travel expert on call to handle any unforeseen situations, such as unusual weather or events.

Whether or not you need a visa to visit Scotland depends on your nationality.

From 2025, you need either a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK. This also applies to visitors from countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia and the EU.

You can check if you need a visa or an ETA on the UK government website.

Your passport needs to be valid for the entirety of your stay in the UK. It’s a good idea to check your passport expiry date early, in case you need to renew it.

It’s best to book as soon as you can to secure your preferred travel dates. Once you have picked your tour, check the availability calendar to see which months are open for booking. Then, select the date you want and complete your booking. 

Nordic Visitor offers 10–20% deposits so you can reserve your trip as early as it’s convenient for you. The remaining balance is due 30 days before you travel. 

Many tours are also open for the following year if you like to plan well ahead. And if you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact us. 

After booking your tour package online, you will be contacted within 2 business days by your own dedicated travel consultant. They will be your point of contact for all your travel needs before, during and even after your trip. 

At that time, they’ll confirm the availability of your tour. Then the booking process starts, which may take a few weeks. Once this is done, your travel consultant will provide you with all the details of your trip. You will also receive more information about what to expect during your trip.

No need! Nordic Visitor is already working on offsetting the estimated carbon footprint of your package. We’ve partnered with an environmental fund in Iceland to carbon offset all our tours.

Carbon offsetting your international flights is not included, but we highly recommend you look into possibilities with your airline or directly through a local environment fund. 

You can get in touch with our Scotland travel experts ahead of your trip if you have any questions. The live chat option is useful for getting a quick reply as someone answers live every day during office opening hours.

Once you’ve booked, we’ll provide you with a travel guide packed full of local tips and top attractions for your visit. You can also check out our online Scotland Travel Guide where we’ve compiled useful information about topics, including:

After you have booked your tour, it will only take a few days to confirm its availability. But it may take a few weeks to create your itinerary and book everything. Once your trip details are finalised, we’ll send you e-copies of your travel documents.

Upon your arrival in Scotland, you’ll receive a welcome bag with hard copies of your itinerary, attraction and tour vouchers, the Nordic Visitor Scotland Travel Guide and more.

So when do you check in? And what can you expect upon landing in Scotland?

After picking up your luggage, make your way to your accommodation in the Edinburgh city centre. If you’ve come from another airport, such as Glasgow, you can take the train or book a private transfer.

Check-in times vary between hotels and guesthouses, but it normally starts between 2–4 PM.

You are welcome to request an early check-in for an additional fee. Although this isn’t always available, you’ll be able to store your luggage at the hotel if you have to wait. Please contact your travel consultant well in advance of your arrival if you’d like an early check-in.

When you depart may depend on the time of your return flight. Check out early if you’re heading to the airport for a morning flight. On the other hand, if you’re flying home later in the day, you might like to enjoy a leisurely day or visit one more attraction.

You will need to check out from your room, but will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception. Simply return later to collect your bags before catching public transport or a taxi to the airport.

All bookings are billed in British Pounds (GBP), the local currency in Scotland and the UK.

Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate. This means conversions from GBP to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.

Accommodation

Sleep soundly, in the accommodation type of your choice, and wake up ready to enjoy another day of exploration.

Comfort Plus

In this category, you can expect standard rooms in good quality 3-star guesthouses or country hotels.

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Superior

In this category, you can expect standard rooms in 4-star hotels or boutique guesthouses.

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