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Edinburgh Castle fireworks

New Year’s in Scotland - an Edinburgh Hogmanay

(5 days / 4 nights)

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Ring in the New Year in Scotland's Capital

Come join in the thrill and joy of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay with this festive multi-day tour in Scotland. You’ll get to welcome 2023 in true Scottish fashion, combining some leisure time and planned activities and excursions. On this 5-day itinerary, you’ll get to explore Edinburgh at your own pace, attend a New Year’s Eve party, go on a day trip to the Scottish Highlands, and indulge in Scottish delights. Sit back and relax as local travel expert plans it all for you.

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— Why book with Nordic Visitor

  • Hassle-free & travel experience
  • Quality & value for your money
  • Trusted local experts in Scotland
  • Great customer reviews

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— Book With Confidence

  • Optional cancellation insurance
  • Affordable deposits from 10%

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Tour Highlights

  • Celebrate the arrival of the new year at an Edinburgh Hogmanay event
  • Take in the festive atmosphere and Christmas market of Scotland’s capital
  • Experience the striking natural beauty of the Scottish Highlands
  • Walk along the shores of the famous Loch Lomond
  • Indulge in the delicious pastries of a typical afternoon tea
  • Photograph iconic castles in Doune and Edinburgh
  • Enjoy a guided tour through Edinburgh’s Old Town and Royal Mile
  • Hassle-free travel experience with day tours included

Travel style

Multi-Day Tours i

Interest

Castles and Royalty i, City Break i, Culinary Experience i, Culture and History i, Heritage i, Highlands i, New Year’s i, Whisky i

Season

December

Departure

29 December

Interest

Castles and Royalty i, City Break i, Culinary Experience i, Culture and History i, Heritage i, Highlands i, New Year’s i, Whisky 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: 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 3: Edinburgh’s Royal Mile & New Year’s Eve Celebration

    Today you have the morning to spend at your leisure to enjoy the city, go back to the Christmas market or buy some souvenirs from your trip. 

    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.

    Tonight, you'll dine at your leisure and then attend the magical Hogmanay Snow Ball at the Assembly Rooms, a short walk away. You’ll have VIP tickets to enjoy access to the grand Drawing Rooms and a glass of fizz on arrival. Then party the night and year away with a buzzing ceilidh (traditional Scottish music and dancing). 

    Spend the night in Edinburgh.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 4: REST & RELAX WITH AN AFTERNOON TEA AT THE FINGAL YACHT

    On New Year’s Day, you can sleep in and have a leisurely morning. After the locals party through New Year’s Eve, most restaurants and shops are closed today. But Edinburgh is like an open-air museum and you could enjoy a walk around the quiet streets. Wander along the river in Dean Village or climb Calton Hill for a view of the city centre and majestic Edinburgh Castle. 

    Later, you’ll get to dig your teeth into a decadent assortment of sweet and savoury delicacies at a typical afternoon tea. You’ll head to the Fingal, Scotland's only luxury floating hotel, to relax, take in the view of the ocean and enjoy this special treat.

    Spend the night in Edinburgh.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 5: DEPARTURE FROM SCOTLAND

    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

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.

Map

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

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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Tour Information

We recommend that you read through the following useful information about travelling in Scotland, what the tour includes, accommodation, and more.

INFORMATION ABOUT OUR MULTI-DAY TOURS
All accommodations and planned activities (as specified in the itinerary) will be pre-booked by Nordic Visitor. This is a self-guided tour, with no dedicated tour guide for the duration of your stay. For each planned activity, you can expect a different tour operator and guide. You will have free time between activities. Nordic Visitor works with a small group of handpicked suppliers that are highly rated and deliver excellent service that meet our high standards.

ADD-ONS & OPTIONAL UPGRADES
Travellers can add on selected optional activities when booking online. You can also choose to upgrade part of your itinerary depending on your needs and interests. Just get in touch with us if you can’t find what you have in mind in the booking process. We’ll do our best to customize your package, subject to availability.

NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATIONS
This package includes your entry to the Hogmanay Snow Ball at the Assembly Rooms. The venue will open at 7:45 PM with the event ending at 1 AM. You will have VIP tickets and thus have access to the afterparty at the Shanghai Nightclub at Le Monde Hotel.

The dress code for the Snow Ball is glamourous party attire, such as ball gowns, or Highland dress.

WINTER WEATHER & DAYLIGHT
Winter in Scotland isn’t as cold as you might expect from a Northern European country. That said, the weather is more changeable at this time of year. It’s good to come prepared for wind, rain and maybe some snow when travelling to Scotland in December and January. Pack layers to keep yourself warm and dry.

As Scotland is located so far north, it also has limited daylight hours in winter, and especially around the winter solstice, 21 December (the shortest day of the year). For example, on 31 December, the sun rises around 8:45 AM and sets by 3:45 PM.

OPENING HOURS DURING THE HOLIDAYS
Travelling during the Christmas period is a magical time, but it’s good to be aware of restricted opening hours during this period. Many day tours and activities won’t be available on the 31 December, 1 and 2 January.

BOOKING DINNER RESERVATIONS IN ADVANCE
As with opening hours for attractions, we recommend pre-booking restaurant reservations as soon as you can. This is especially true for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Many restaurants will have special festive menus and may book out early. Ahead of your arrival, you'll receive a festive dining guide with suggestions and recommendations. 

ACCOMMODATION
Our team of local travel experts carefully selects hotels, B&Bs, and guesthouses around the country based on excellent ratings, personal experience and comfort. Generally, in Scotland, whilst room sizes may vary, our room types are based on European standard sizes.

Please note that twin rooms, triple and family rooms are not commonly available in Scotland, so please contact us for booking assistance if that is something you would like. Please also be aware that, due to the historic nature of the properties we usually select, most of the rooms are only accessible by going up stairs, as there are often no lifts available. Please contact us if you are not able to walk up stairs.

ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE FROM GLASGOW
If you are planning on arriving in Glasgow, you could book a private transfer from Glasgow Airport to your accommodation in Edinburgh to start your journey in a comfortable way. During certain tours, you will have the options to end your trip in Glasgow, rather than Edinburgh, as well if that is more convenient for you.

SAFETY & WEATHER CONDITIONS
Please note that sightseeing and tours are dependent on weather and road conditions and might need to be altered if conditions are not favourable. If something unexpected occurs, you can call our 24-hour helpline to speak directly with our local Nordic Visitor staff.

CURRENCY RATE
All bookings are charged in British Pounds (£, GBP). Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate. Therefore, conversions from GBP to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.

AFTER BOOKING WITH NORDIC VISITOR
After booking your package with Nordic Visitor, you will be contacted within two business days by one of our travel consultants who will serve as your dedicated contact person for all your travel needs before, during and even after your holiday. Your travel consultant will provide you with details about your booking and your remaining payment (if not paid in full). You will also receive more information about what to expect during your holiday.

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