The slate and stone of Edinburgh marks it as one of Europe’s most visually dramatic cities. Explore this Victorian city before embarking on a tour of the untamed Scottish Highlands, where you’ll visit an 18th-century whisky distillery, search for the Loch Ness Monster and wander through ancient castles.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Overnight Flight

Your trip begins with a regularly scheduled overnight flight to Edinburgh aboard an internationally recognized airline.

Day 2 - Edinburgh

Welcome to Scotland! A Go Ahead representative greets you at the airport after you clear customs and then escorts you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or begin acquainting yourself with Edinburgh. At an included dinner this evening, meet your fellow travelers.
Included meals: breakfast (in flight), dinner

Day 3 - Edinburgh

A local guide leads this morning’s comprehensive tour of Edinburgh from the elegant Georgian New Town to the Royal Mile. The tour includes a visit to Edinburgh Castle, overlooking the city from Castle Rock. Here, you can view the Scottish crown jewels as well as the Stone of Scone. This afternoon, enjoy free time in Edinburgh, during which you might choose to browse amid the enticing shops of the Royal Mile or tour Holyroodhouse Palace, the setting for royal ceremonies, including the knighting of Sir Sean Connery and other Scottish notables. Alternatively, join our optional Mary, Queen of Scots & Jedburgh excursion for a closer look at the
life of this iconic monarch.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: Edinburgh Castle

$49 USD

Mary Queen of Scots & Jedburgh Journey southeast of Edinburgh today for a visit to Jedburgh. Located in the historic Scottish Borders district, Jedburgh is home to a 12th-century abbey, which you'll visit on an included tour. Later, continue on to the Mary, Queen of Scots House and the Jedburgh Castle Jail.

Day 4 - Edinburgh

Today is free to continue your explorations of Edinburgh. For great views of the city, climb to the top of the Walter Scott Monument, overlooking the Royal Mile, or to Calton Hill, which takes in the Firth of Forth and Arthur’s Seat. Alternatively, journey to the east coast town of St. Andrews on an optional excursion. This “birthplace of golf” is also famous for its historic university, its castle, cathedral and dramatic coastal setting. The excursion includes a visit to the British Golf Museum. This evening, experience traditional music and dance at the optional Scottish Ceilidh (seasonal).
Included meals: breakfast

$79 USD

St. Andrews St. Andrews is a renowned university town, but it's better known as the birthplace of golf. On this excursion, you'll pass by the 16th-century grounds of St. Andrews University, the alma mater of luminaries including Prince William. You will also pass by the ruins of the town's cathedral and castle. Later, visit the British Golf Museum, where you’ll discover how golf transformed from a Scottish pasttime into a global obsession.

$119 USD

Scottish Cèilidh Enjoy a special evening of Scottish tradition as you witness an authentic céilidh, an age-old Scottish celebration. Along with a savory dinner of local favorites, the evening will feature folk dancers, bagpipers, fiddlers and the “Ceremony of the Haggis.” Please note: This optional is seasonal from May to September.

Day 5 - Inverness

On your way north to Inverness, stop in Perthshire, the gateway to the Scottish Highlands, for a visit to Blair Athol Castle and the 18th-century Whisky Distillery, one of the oldest and purest distilleries in Scotland. Arrive in Inverness later this evening and check into your hotel.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: Blair Athol Castle, Whiskey distillery

Day 6 - Inverness

Hugging the base of the scenic River Ness, the city of Inverness is truly a hidden gem with some of the friendliest locals in Scotland and a fine collection of shops, pubs and museums. Discover the city on your own today. You might wish to take a city tour or a river cruise. Or join an optional excursion to historic Culloden Moor, site of the last battle fought on British soil, and Cawdor Castle, the fictional home of Macbeth. The excursion also includes a visit to the Clava Cairns, location of some of the oldest megalithic structures in all of Britain.
Included meals: breakfast

$75 USD

Culloden Moor & Cawdor Castle Culloden Moor witnessed one of Scotland’s most devastating military losses in 1746, when the troops of Prince Charles Edward Stuart faced the British army, commanded by the Duke of Cumberland. Travel to the battlefield and its visitor center to hear a fascinating and detailed account of the poorly matched battle. Your next stop is Cawdor Castle, the fictional setting for Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The well-maintained castle remains vibrant today, and as you walk through its halls and chambers, you can view family portraits, tapestries and elegant furniture representing 600 years of royal history. Please note: In the event that Cawdor Castle is closed on the day of your excursion, you will instead travel to Brodie Castle.

Day 7 - The Highlands

Continuing westward along the Great Glen and towards the Caledonian Canal, stop at Loch Ness, home of the legendary Loch Ness monster, or Nessie, as she is affectionately called. You’ll visit the Loch Ness 2000 Exhibition, view a full-scale replica of the mysterious creature and see an audio-visual exhibit detailing the myths, sightings and history surrounding the loch. Some amazing footage has been recorded over the years and rumor has it that it’s been locked in a London bank vault to preserve it’s secrets. You’ll also get a sense of the unique geology of Loch Ness. More than 600 feet deep at some locations and with an extremely flat bottom, it’s the perfect location to hide a monster. Arrive later in the western Highlands region, where dinner is included tonight.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Included entrances: Loch Ness 2000 Exhibition

Day 8 - The Highlands

On a free day, you might explore the traditional Scottish town of Fort William, a great base for ascents to Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. Or join a memorable excursion to Eilean Donan Castle and the Isle of Skye. The castle is the most photographed in the world, dramatically situated in the middle of Loch Duich. The isle is a land of craggy highlands, otherwordly coastline and small country villages where Gaelic is still spoken. Dinner is included tonight.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

$99 USD

Eilean Donan Castle & Isle of Skye Set on the banks of Loch Duich, Eilean Donan Castle is perhaps the world's most photographed castle. Cross a narrow peninsula to reach the island castle and take a brief tour of the interior. Proceed on to the Isle of Skye, famous for its association with Bonnie Prince Charlie, and then to the Clan Donald visitor's center, where you'll experience exhibits outlining life in Scotland's clans. At the conclusion of this excursion, you'll enjoy a scenic ferry ride back to the mainland.

Day 9 - Glasgow

Drive through historic Glencoe, site of the notorious 1692 massacre of the MacDonald clan, and take the high road to the bonny banks of Loch Lomond. Continue through the Trossachs to Glasgow, Scotland’s “second city.” An expert local guide leads this afternoon’s tour of Glasgow, highlighting sights such as George Square and the banks of the River Clyde. Also included in your tour is a visit to the renowned Burrell Collection, whose 8,000 exhibits feature everything from ancient Egyptian artifacts to Rodin sculptures. Tonight enjoy a Farewell dinner with your group.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Included entrances: Burrell Collection

Day 10 - Glasgow

If you are not staying for our tour extension in Glasgow, a Go Ahead representative escorts you to the airport for your return flight home.
Included meals: breakfast