Enjoy a 2-week seamless travel experience around Scotland. With your very own private driver-guide, you’ll be swept across the Scottish Highlands to discover top spots like Loch Ness and Glen Coe. You’ll also go island hopping to see Skye, Orkney and the Outer Hebrides. This is an ideal itinerary if you want to discover the famous sights and hidden gems of Scotland with the personal attention and insider knowledge of a private guide.
Just a few of the majestic sights you’ll take in during your trip.
A day-by-day plan to guide your journey.
Upon your arrival in Edinburgh, you will be greeted by a private driver who will take you to your hotel in the city centre. If you arrive early in the day, we recommend spending the afternoon walking through the city, strolling along the Royal Mile and exploring the Old and New Towns, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are also plenty of museums and landmarks to visit within the city centre, including the majestic Edinburgh Castle.
Spend the night in Edinburgh.
Today your guide will pick you up from your hotel in a comfortable vehicle to start your private tour. You can then decide with your guide on the stops you want to make for the day. First, you could visit the quaint village of Falkland, where you may like to explore its Renaissance palace. Then you could wander around St Andrews, famous for being the home of golf and of the oldest university in Scotland.
Later, you’ll continue north, passing by Dundee, a UNESCO City of Design. You can decide with your guide if you’d like to take the direct route to Aberdeen, or if you might take the coastal scenic route, which will take you past the spectacular Dunnottar Castle, near Stonehaven.
Spend the night in the Aberdeen area.
Driving distance: 235 km / 145 miles
Average travel & exploring duration: estimated 9 hours
From Aberdeen, your guide will take you into the Scottish Highlands. You’ll first journey along the “Deeside Tourist Route”, an enchanting route through the Cairngorms National Park. On the way, there are plenty of castles that you could visit, including 16th-century Crathes Castles, or you can ask a recommendation from your guide. You will then continue to Speyside, which is famous for its whiskies. There are over 40 distilleries to choose from, such as Glenfiddich or Aberlour, if you would like to visit one of them*.
Spend the night in the Inverness area.
*Please contact us if you would like to book a distillery tour in advance. This is highly recommended if you have a specific distillery in mind.
Driving distance: 240 km / 150 miles
Average travel & exploring duration: estimated 8 hours
Today your guide takes you into the Northern Highlands, all the way to the seaside village of Scrabster. On this journey, you might like to stop at the fairytale Dunrobin Castle. In the early afternoon, you’ll catch a ferry to Stromness on Orkney, a beautiful 1.5-hour journey across the Pentland Firth with spectacular views of the Old Man of Hoy. Once you’ve reached mainland Orkney, your guide will drive you to the capital, Kirkwall, a former Viking stronghold. Here you can explore the city centre and the magnificent 12th-century St Magnus Cathedral.
Spend the night in the Kirkwall area.
Ferry from Scrabster to Orkney: 1.5 hours
Driving distance: 205 km / 130 miles
Average travel & exploring duration: estimated 9 hours
You have the whole day to explore the gems of Orkney with your guide. Just let them know what interests you most so they can recommend the best sights for you. Orkney is full of stunning scenery and ruins dating back millennia to the Stone Ages.
The highlight of Orkney’s wonders is the “Heart of Neolithic Orkney”, a UNESCO World Heritage Site area that comprises a group of Neolithic monuments. This includes the 5,000-year-old prehistoric village of Skara Brae, the mysterious Ring of Brodgar stone circle, and the huge megaliths at the Standing Stones of Stenness. You could also visit the chambered cairn of Maeshowe (pre-booking is essential), where 12th-century Vikings left one of the largest collections of Norse runic inscriptions.
Spend another night in the Kirkwall area.
Driving distance: 56 km / 35 miles
Average travel & exploring duration: estimated 8 hours
Today you journey back to the mainland by ferry before travelling part of the famous North Coast 500 route. Scotland’s version of Route 66 stretches around the northern coast of Scotland and is known for its incredible vistas of rocky cliffs, gold sand beaches and beautiful mountains.
You could stop along the way to visit the beautiful Smoo Cave, the largest and most dramatic sea cave in Britain. Or how about a walk on the pristine beaches of Durness? The 15th-century ruins of Ardvreck Castle are also worth a stop. Then you’ll arrive at the charming and whitewashed village of Ullapool.
Spend the night in the Ullapool area.
Ferry from Orkney to Scrabster: 1.5 hours
Driving distance: 250 km / 150 miles
Average travel & exploring duration: estimated 9 hours
This morning, you will catch the ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, where the Gaelic culture and language still thrives. In Stornoway, your guide could take you to visit the Stornoway Museum located within Lews Castle, which houses exhibits about the island including six of the famous Lewis Chessmen. If time allows, your guide might also take you to the west side of the island to see the spectacular Callanish Standing Stones, an impressive collection of Neolithic stone circles and megaliths.
Spend the night on Lewis or Harris.
Ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway: 2.5 hours
Driving distance: 165 km / 100 miles
Average travel & exploring duration: estimated 9 hours
Enjoy the beauty of the Isle of Harris. Along with your guide you will explore the small village of Tarbert and then take in the striking scenery on a drive along “The Golden Road” towards Rodel.
Depending on your interests, you might like to explore the beautiful medieval St. Clement’s Church and go for a walk on Luskentyre Beach, one of the most spectacular in Scotland, boasting miles of white sands and dazzling turquoise waters. You could also ask your guide to take you to the Harris Tweed outlets to purchase a genuine souvenir, as this tweed is still woven by hand in the Outer Hebrides.
Spend another night on Lewis or Harris.
Driving distance: 70 km / 45 miles
Average travel & exploring duration: estimated 8 hours
Today your guide will take you to catch the ferry from Tarbert to Uig on the Isle of Skye. Upon your arrival on Skye, you will head around the northern part of the island, the striking Trotternish Peninsula. Here you’ll have the option to see highlights such as “The Old Man of Storr” rock pinnacle, Kilt Rock Waterfall, the Quiraing landscape, and the mystical Fairy Glen. You can decide with your guide where you would like to spend the most time and if you would like to go for certain walks.
Spend the night on the Isle of Skye or nearby.
Ferry from Tarbert to Uig: 1 hour and 40 min
Driving distance: 80 km / 50 miles
Average travel & exploring duration: estimated 9 hours
A private driver is the best way to take full advantage of your day on Skye. First you’ll have time to wander around the main village of Portree, with its colourful buildings and boutiques.
Then you will head west to go enjoy some more famous sights. Depending on your interests, you may wish to stop for a walk at the crystal-clear Fairy Pools at the foot of the Black Cuillin Hills. Or you could go sample the local whisky at the Talisker Distillery (pre-booking is essential). In the northern part of the peninsula you can visit the romantic Dunvegan Castle, home to the Chief of Clan MacLeod.
Spend another night on the Isle of Skye or nearby.
Driving distance: 70 km / 45 miles
Average travel & exploring duration: estimated 7 hours
Today’s journey will bring you back to the Scottish mainland. On the way south, your guide will make a stop at the picturesque Eilean Donan Castle. Then you will head all the way to the shores of the mysterious Loch Ness. You can decide if you want to take a boat tour onto the loch, visit the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition, or explore the ruins of Urquhart Castle ruins.
Spend the night in the Fort William area.
Included: Entrance to Urquhart Castle
Driving distance: 260 km / 160 miles
Average travel & exploring duration: estimated 9 hours
Today’s journey will be a scenic one, so don’t hesitate to let your guide know if you have specific interests. You’ll travel past Scotland’s most famous valley, Glen Coe, which offers world-famous scenery. This is a great location for a panoramic walk. Further, you could stop at the grave of Rob Roy at Balquidder or to admire the beautiful Falls of Dochart in the village of Killin.
Spend the night in the Trossachs National Park area.
Driving distance via Glen Coe: 130 km / 80 miles
Average travel & exploring duration: estimated 7 hours
Today your guide takes you back to Edinburgh (you can choose to end your trip in Glasgow in the optional activities below). You’ll travel through the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, where you could stop to take a nature walk, visit a distillery or, if time allows, enjoy a boat tour on Loch Katrine. For a fun photo opportunity, your guide could stop at Doune Castle, featured in many TV series and films. You could also stop by Stirling Castle, one of Scotland’s top attractions, or the Kelpies sculptures.
Spend the night in Edinburgh.
Driving distance: 130 km / 80 miles
Average travel & exploring duration: estimated 8 hours
On your day of departure, a private driver will pick you up from your hotel to take you directly to Edinburgh Airport. If your flight is in the afternoon, you can do some last-minute shopping or sightseeing. You could walk up Castle Hill for one more view over the city, stroll through the Princes Street Gardens or wander down the Royal Mile to the elegant Holyrood Palace.
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.
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Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.
Don’t worry, we’ve got this covered.
These should tide you over until you’re in Scotland to take your own pictures.
Sleep soundly, in the accommodation type of your choice, and wake up ready to enjoy another day of exploration.
Our best price per person when booking for two.
We recommend that you read carefully through the following information about what the tour includes, the itinerary, accommodation, and other useful information for your travel.
ABOUT OUR PRIVATE TOURS
This package is a private tour, which means you will have a dedicated, private local guide at your side throughout the trip. This tour also includes private airport transfers on arrival and departure, but it will not be the same driver.
During your time in the Highlands, as it will be just you and your driver, it will be easy to tailor the itinerary to your unique needs and interests. Get in touch with us if you would like to customise this package further.
YOUR PRIVATE TOUR GUIDE
This tour package includes the professional service of an experienced Scottish tour guide. They will drive you around Scotland and share their local knowledge, including hidden gems and stories, with you along the way. Depending on availability and on the size of your travelling party, we can offer a range of vehicles, such as premium executive cars, 4-wheel drives and a 16-passenger Mercedes-Benz mini-bus.
ACCOMMODATION
Our team of local travel experts carefully selects hotels and guesthouses around the country based on personal experience and comfort. In Scotland, please note that room sizes may vary and are based on European standard sizes, which means they may be smaller than in North America.
Please be aware that, due to the historic nature of the properties we often select, most of the rooms are only accessible by going up stairs. In some cases, no lifts are available. Please contact us if you are not able to walk up stairs.
FOOD & DRINK
A daily breakfast is included at your accommodation for the duration of your stay. Other meals and drinks are not included and will be at your own expense during the trip.
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 2 business days by one of our travel consultants. They 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 any remaining payment (if not paid in full). You will also receive more information about what to expect during your holiday.
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23GBP
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38GBP
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83GBP
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38GBP
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