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Roam from whisky country to underrated urban centers (and see plenty of castles while you’re at it).
Lochs, glens, moors—what more could you want from Scotland? Let this Solo Tour show you. Over the course of this journey, we’ll whisk you and your fellow travelers up, down, and all about this inimitable country. Begin in Glasgow before checking off some of the country’s major destinations: Loch Ness, Speyside, and Aberdeen. Along the way, you’ll stop in Inverness and the Highlands, two places that deserve their own share of the spotlight. And if you haven’t had enough old-world charm, get your fill during your trip’s grand finale—a stay in elegant Edinburgh.
Your tour package includes
8 nights in a private room at handpicked hotels
8 breakfasts
3 dinners with beer or wine
1 liquor tasting
1 food tasting
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Included highlights
Glasgow Cathedral
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Glencoe
Urquhart Castle & Loch Ness
Speyside Cooperage & distillery
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Start planning today
An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Welcome to Scotland! Settle in at your hotel, then meet your Tour Director and fellow group members at a mixer. Afterward, continue getting to know one another over an included dinner, served with either beer or wine.
Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Glasgow
Included meal: Breakfast
Set out to explore Glasgow—Scotland’s second city and the U.K.’s cultural and creative capital—with a local as your guide.
Drive past The Burrell Collection museum and admire the city’s university—founded in 1451, it’s the fourth-oldest in the English-speaking world and one of four Renaissance universities still operating in Scotland today
Visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. First opened in 1870 as Glasgow’s first municipal museum, it features substantial exhibitions of everything from European portraiture to Egyptian antiquities
Discover local highlights, including 18th-century George Square and the River Clyde
Stop outside the city’s medieval cathedral—the oldest building in all of Glasgow—for photos
Spend a free afternoon in Glasgow or add an excursion.
Historic Scotland & Stirling Castle
From $115 per person
Inverness2 nights
Day 4: Inverness via Glencoe & Loch Ness
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Continue on through the famed Scottish Highlands, admiring winding lochs and pausing at two incredible spots as you make your way to Inverness.
Drive through The Trossachs, one of Scotland’s two national parks, and pass by Loch Lomond—the largest on the island of Britain by surface area
Stop in Glencoe, a village of fewer than 400 people and the site of a 1692 massacre of a Scottish clan by members of government forces. Learn about the area and the infamous ambush, and why Clan MacDonald was attacked by the Scottish army in the first place
Stop for a photo at the medieval ruins of Urquhart Castle and take in panoramic views of Loch Ness—a freshwater lake whose depths are purportedly home to the mythical Nessie
Continue to Inverness and enjoy an included dinner, served with either beer or wine, after settling into your hotel.
Day 5: Free day in Inverness
Included meal: Breakfast
Spend a free day in Inverness or add an excursion.
Historic Highlands: Culloden Moor & Cawdor Castle
From $119 per person
Aberdeen2 nights
Day 6: Aberdeen via Speyside Region
Included meals: Breakfast, Liquor tasting
Set out for Aberdeen, Scotland’s third-largest city, by way of the Malt Whisky Trail and get a good understanding of why the Speyside Region produces some of Scotland’s best pours.
Take a tour of the Speyside Cooperage, the only working cooperage of its kind in the U.K., seeing firsthand how—and why—barrel makers exclusively make casks out of American Oak to age Speyside whiskies
Visit a distillery and sample the fruits of that labor: some of the region’s best Scotch whisky
Continue on to Aberdeen and enjoy a free evening.
Day 7: Sightseeing tour of Aberdeen
Included meal: Breakfast
Meet up with a local guide this morning and get to know the “Granite City” on a guided tour.
Pass through the campus of the University of Aberdeen, another of Scotland’s four ancient universities, and learn about its three ceremonial colleges: Christ’s College, King’s College, and Marischal College
Admire the 13th-century Brig o’ Balgownie, the oldest bridge in the country, and contemplate how it’s inspired poetry and folklore over the years
Visit Footdee (pronounced “fittie”), a beautifully preserved traditional fishing village marking the eastern end of Aberdeen Harbour
Take a short walk through Old Aberdeen—the historic heart of the city and home to its famed university’s King’s College—followed by free time to explore the area
Enjoy an afternoon to yourself in Aberdeen or add an excursion.
Balmoral Castle
From $105 per person
Edinburgh2 nights
Day 8: Edinburgh via farm visit & St Andrews
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting, Lunch
Travel deeper into the Aberdeenshire council area to visit a working cattle farm and learn about Scotland’s agricultural pedigree.
Meet up with your farm guide and set off on a walking tour of the grounds, including its barns and land
Learn about the history of the iconic Highland cow. Then, hear about the farm’s high standards for raising beef cattle, before sitting down to a tasting of some fine cuts produced on-site
Sit down for a delicious included lunch at the farm. (Vegetarian options will be available.)
Later, stop in St Andrews—the home of golf and of Scotland's oldest university.
Walk by the grounds of the University of St Andrews, an institution of higher education that has existed since 1413. (Fun fact for our anglophiles: Prince William met Kate Middleton while studying there!)
Join a local guide to enter the ruins of the town’s medieval cathedral—a 12th-century structure that, in its heyday, was the largest church ever built in Scotland. Then, make the short walk to St Andrews Castle, and marvel in the view of the North Sea
Finally, make your way to Edinburgh and enjoy a free evening in the capital city.
Day 9: Sightseeing tour of Edinburgh & bagpipe lesson
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Get to know Edinburgh in all its medieval beauty on a tour led by a local expert.
Pass through a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the elegant New Town, before moving through another (the Old Town) to see the Royal Mile—a famous street that connects Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse
See the King George statue, Bute House (the official residence of the First Minister of Scotland), and the Sir Walter Scott monument
Enter Edinburgh Castle to view two timeless icons: the Scottish crown jewels and the Stone of Scone, a fixture at coronation ceremonies since at least the 13th century.
This evening, head to a private room at a local restaurant and meet a professional bagpipe player.
Learn about the history of the bagpipe, Scotland’s national instrument, and listen to the musician play a few songs
Pick up your own bagpipe and follow along as they teach the group essential breathing techniques and share other playing tips
Celebrate your trip, and your fellow travelers, over a farewell dinner served with beer or wine.
Flight Home
Day 10: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay to continue exploring Edinburgh.
Extension to Edinburgh
Continue your tour to keep exploring this historic, hilly city, and discover the charms waiting at the end of every close. (That’s Scots for “alley.”) Spend your extra time in Edinburgh however you’d like, leaning on your Tour Director to point you toward the most exciting sights. And for a taste of royal life, sit down for afternoon tea at the Palace of Holyroodhouse—our treat!
Edinburgh2 nights
Day 10: Palace of Holyroodhouse & afternoon tea
Included meals: Breakfast, Light lunch
Make your way down the Royal Mile and pop by the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Kings’ official residence in Edinburgh. Also known as Holyrood Palace, this 16th-century retreat has been the Scottish home to British monarchs for more than 600 years.
Take a self-guided audio tour of the palace and gardens to learn more about the Royal Family
Walk through the state apartments, throne room, and portrait gallery before heading outside to stroll along pathways that wind through manicured grounds
Enjoy a spot of afternoon tea complete with unlimited refills, sweet and savory pastries, and scones served with clotted cream and jam
Please note: Photography is not permitted inside the palace.
Spend a free evening in Edinburgh or add an excursion.
Scottish Céilidh
From $129 per person
Day 11: Free day in Edinburgh
Included meal: Breakfast
Enjoy a free day in the city or add an excursion.
This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you reminisce about your trip with your fellow group members.
Rosslyn Chapel & Royal Yacht Britannia
From $115 per person
Flight Home
Day 12: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.
Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
Motel One
This contemporary hotel is located in Glasgow's city centre. Guests enjoy the on-site coffee house, impressive bar, and comfortable rooms. Nearby you’...
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Royal Highland Hotel
This grand hotel with over 160 years of history is located in the Highland capital city of Inverness. Guests enjoy the traditional decor, rotating art...
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Leonardo Hotel Aberdeen
This stylish hotel is located in heart of Aberdeen. Guests enjoy the coffee bar, city views, and spacious rooms. Nearby you’ll find the Aberdeen Mari...
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Mercure Edinburgh Haymarket
This modern hotel is located in Edinburgh’s West End. Guests enjoy the fitness center, bar, and stylish rooms. Nearby, you'll find Edinburgh Castle, t...
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Flights
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare package and you'll get:
Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
In order to enter the United Kingdom, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code SC6.
You will walk for at least one hour daily across moderately uneven terrain, including cobblestone streets and unpaved trails, with some steep hills and stairs.
You should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
Go Ahead Tours, and the Tour Director who accompanies your group, are unable to provide special mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and they cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Glasgow and depart from Edinburgh. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
All other included transportation is by private motor coach.
Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and modes of transportation, like trains, ferries, and flights.
Contact your airline(s) for specific baggage size and weight restrictions, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip airfare to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges on checked luggage or if any bags exceed their size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It’s preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour, as well as any possible delays you might encounter.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code SC6.
Scottish cuisine relies on readily available ingredients like game, dairy, and fish, with little use of exotic spices. Pickled kippers (butterflied whole herring) and smoked salmon are popular, as well as hearty dishes like Scotch broth (a stew of meats and root vegetables) and haggis (a savory pudding of sheep innards). Scotch whisky is a legendary local spirit, and Scottish ales are world-famous.
The United Kingdom operates within 230–240 volts and uses a Type G plug with three large, flat pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other electrical device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances, but these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
Better exchange rates are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank ahead of time to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit and credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $8–$10 per person, per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3 per person, per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2 per local guide.
