Dunkeld Cathedral

Embark on a 3-day guided tour of the Scottish Highlands and visit highlights, including Loch Ness and the Isle of Skye. Learn the history of this lush region from your guide and spend two nights in Inverness. Day 1: Departing Edinburgh, we will drive by the famous Forth Bridges before making a short stop at the mysterious Kelpies. We continue north, to the historic village of Pitlochry. From there we drive through the east edge of the dramatic Cairngorms National Park to stop at the Highland Folk Museum (seasonal April - October). Here you'll experience highland life in the 17th century. See the buildings, the clothes and weapons, and how people lived 300 years ago. Continue north, to visit Culloden Battlefield, site of the last Jacobite Rising, then 'Clava Cairns', incredible 4,000-year-old, Bronze-Age standing stones. A short drive onwards, we arrive at the Capital of the Highlands, where you'll stay for 2 nights, choosing from a local guesthouse, hostel, or hotel (accommodation not included). We arrive at approximately 6:30 PM to dour drop-off/meeting point at Inverness Cathedral on Ardross Street, IV3 5NN. Day 2: After breakfast, depart Inverness and drive across the Kessock Bridge to the Black Isle and marvel at the spectacular scenery of Achnasheen and Loch Carron. Arriving on the Isle of Skye, venture north to explore the highlights of the island, including; the Cuillin Mountains, Trotternish Peninsula, Portree, the Old Man Storr, Kilt Rock and the famous Quiraing. In late afternoon, stop for photographs of the most beautiful castle in Scotland, "Eilean Donan Castle." Backdrop to many famous films, such as 'Highlander' and 'Made of Honor', this castle is another must-see iconic landmark! A scenic drive through stunning Glen Shiel follows, returning to Inverness to stay your final night at approximately 7:30 PM. The evening is free for you to do as you wish. Day 3: Depart Inverness for an optional morning cruise of the famous Loch Ness. Drive south to admire the spectacular Glenfinnan Viaduct and the breath-taking views of the Nevis Range at the Commando Memorial. Discover beautiful Glencoe, the most famous valley in Scotland, and hear of its tragic history. Continue south, into the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, while enjoying the scenery on the journey back to Edinburgh, arriving at approximately 7 PM. ** Please note that during the winter season, we will be swapping Day 1 and Day 3’s itineraries to enable us to visit as many places as possible while it is still light outside. Due to weather and/or road conditions during the winter season the route may change at the driver/guide’s discretion. **

Take in wild landscapes, pretty villages, and historic monuments on this tour from Edinburgh. Experience the many sides of the Highlands on this inclusive excursion. Depart from the old town of Edinburgh in the early morning and travel by bus or minivan into the Highlands. Admire the dramatic scenery and enjoy views of Stirling Castle, a famous royal abode that was once the home to the mighty Stuart monarchs. Pull up in the picturesque town of Callander and stretch your legs while admiring shaggy Highland cattle grazing in surrounding pastures. Continue north across rugged terrain to Glencoe valley, with its craggy mountains and sweeping vistas perfect for photographing. Arrive in Fort Augustus and spend some time at your leisure. Cruise the calm waters of Loch Ness (optional), tuck into a spot of lunch or stroll along the Caledonian Canal. Next, it's back to the bus for the World War II Commando Memorial. Continue your journey as you look out the window for Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain. Your next stop is a visit of Pitlochry and its salmon ladder. Sip on a dram of warming whisky in a local pub (own expense), before returning to Edinburgh.

Enjoy a fabulous day trip from Edinburgh on this small group tour to experience Scotland’s beautiful countryside just minutes from the capital. Drive to the stunning Highlands, and stop to sample a drop of the national drink to get a complete taste of Scotland. Leaving Edinburgh, the tour makes its way to the majestic Kelpies of Falkirk, the world's largest equine structures. Heading further into the Highlands, pass the shimmering waters of Loch Earn, before stopping for lunch at Glenturret Distillery, one of Scotland’s best-known whisky distilleries. Once revived, enjoy a “wee dram” of Scotch whisky and drink the “Water of Life”. Continue to the Hermitage in the heart of Perthshire for a short woodland walk to see the spectacular Black Linn Falls on the River Braan. On the return journey, visit the quaint village of Dunkeld, an area associated with Macbeth, where the stunning cathedral sits on the banks of the River Tay. Pass the iconic Forth Bridge on the way back into Edinburgh, admiring the fantastic 19th-century feat of engineering.

Day 1: You leave Edinburgh and head north across the River Forth towards the Highlands. You travel through the beauty of Highland Perthshire and your driver-guide will look for the perfect place to stop this morning. Perhaps it will be Pitlochry, a quintessential Scottish town nestled among the hills. Or maybe you'll stop in at the gorgeous wee village of Dunkeld. We keep things flexible this morning and see what the group is interested in. This wild heart of the Highlands teems with mountains, rivers, lochs, and wildlife hotspots and is a magnet for all nature lovers. We head to Aviemore, a bustling hub for all outdoors activities, where you can try local specialities before you travel to Loch Morlich, which is as unique as it is bonnie. Leave the majestic mountains and step back in time at Clava Cairns near Inverness. These ancient standing stones and ring cairns are as beautiful as they are mysterious and were made famous by Diana Gabaldon in the Outlander books. Then it’s just a short drive to Inverness, where you’re dropped off at your accommodation. The evening is free for you to explore the Capital of the Highlands. Day 2: After a leisurely breakfast, you’re picked up from your accommodation and taken into the surrounding countryside. You travel to the mysterious Loch Ness where you have the chance to take a boat trip along the loch and visit dramatic Urquhart Castle. Our journey continues south through the Great Glen past Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK, towards Fort William. You stop for lunch along the way before arriving in Glencoe. One look and you'll understand why its one of the most famous natural landmarks in all of Scotland. There's also a tragic tale that’s haunted this valley for over 300 years... perhaps your guide will tell you all about it. The return journey continues over the wild and remote Rannoch Moor and into the Lowland scenery around Stirling, before finally reaching our starting point of Edinburgh.

Storytelling is one of the best and most important parts of Scottish and Irish culture. Here in Scotland, it brings the scenery, sites, and their characters alive for a tour that you won’t soon forget. You will experience the moving and incredible Edinburgh Military Tattoo, sample local whisky, and see breathtaking scenery along the way. Scotland’s Highlands are beautiful and green, the land of forests, mountains, rivers, and glens. From Edinburgh, the tour goes through Stirling. Take in the views of the castle and learn the history behind the Wallace Monument. Continue to the Trossachs National Park, the former home to the infamous cattle thief Rob Roy MacGregor. Characters and scenes come alive in your imagination as you take in the park and surrounding area. The tour follows the shoreline of Loch Earn on the way to a local whisky distillery. Here, you'll take a guided tour that will give you an insight into how ‘uisce beatha’ (the ‘water of life') is made, as well as going on a journey to discover the history behind one of Scotland’s most iconic exports. Explore the peaceful Hermitage, stretch your legs and take a woodland walk to Black Linn Falls on the River Braan. See Dunkeld and the spectacular cathedral on the banks of the River Tay. Return south past the Forth Bridge, to Edinburgh. There will be time to return to your hotel or explore the city a while before the evening event: the Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.

Explore the picturesque Highlands on a day out that encompasses some of Scotland's most remarkable, natural and historic sights. Along the shimmering Loch Leven, the minicoach cuts through the fair city of Perth on its way to the gorgeous village of Dunkeld. Alight here to stroll the quaint narrow streets and visit the beautiful Dunkeld Cathedral. Dedicated to Saint Columba, visiting this significant, riverside church makes for a delightful morning. Continue to Blair Castle, the renowned fortress that's 700-year history spanned the Jacobite rebellions, the disaster at Culloden, and the short-lived reign of Mary Queen of Scots. Here you'll learn about Queen Victoria's love of the region and her role in creating Europe's only legally-recognized private army – the Atholl Highlanders. The fascinating castle tour includes the surrounding gardens – the final resting place of “Bonnie” Dundee, one of Scotland's greatest heroes, as well as providing a habitat to highland cattle and red squirrels. After lunch at the castle restaurant, a scenic drive leads to the battlefield of Killiecrankie Gorge. Now a famous beauty spot, it was here that “Bonnie” Dundee's Jacobite army utilised their Highland Charge strategy to inflict defeat upon the British Redcoats. Continue to the Hermitage woodland walk. This lovely riverside stroll winds past some of the tallest trees in Britain to a spectacular waterfall and viewpoint where salmon can often be seen leaping the falls. Finish at Taste of Perthshire for photos of the famous Hairy Highland Coos!

We’re off bright and early from Edinburgh on this small group tour, ready to pack a whole lot of adventure into one epic day! First stop - the mighty Kelpies, two whopping great steel beasties standing guard over Scotland’s past. Then it’s north into the Highlands, where it’s decision time. Fancy a wee dram of Scotland’s liquid gold? Step inside a whisky distillery, hear the tales of smoky stills and ancient casks, and sip on a dram that warms the soul. Not into whisky? No worries! The market town of Crieff is bursting with charm, quirky wee shops, and cosy cafés that are perfect for a wander and a cuppa. With a belly full of whisky (or cake), we hit the road again, winding through the Sma’ Glen, where Highland legends were made. Clan battles, cattle raids, and the ghosts of Jacobites - this landscape has seen it all. Then it’s time to stretch the legs at The Hermitage, an ancient woodland straight out of a fairytale. Feel the earth beneath your boots, breathe in the scent of pine, and follow the path to thundering waterfalls and swirling rivers. Once a royal retreat, this place is pure magic - don’t be surprised if you find yourself half-expecting to stumble upon a Highland warrior mid-battle! Before we head home, we swing by Dunkeld, a postcard-perfect wee village on the banks of the River Tay. Grab a tasty local treat, check out the historic cathedral, or just soak up the laid-back vibes of Highland life. And as we roll back into Edinburgh, there’s one last stunner in the mighty Forth Bridge. A proper Scottish icon to round off a day packed with adventure, history, and plenty of laughs!