Following pickup from central Edinburgh, you will head towards Stirling, catching views of the Castle and Wallace Monument as you venture to the Highlands. Visit Callander, and stop for morning coffee in this bustling town described as the gateway to the highlands. Head northwards over Rannoch Moor until you reach the dark, brooding Pass of Glencoe. Stop for lunch and free time nearby the Fort William area, then follow the Caledonian Canal up the Great Glen to Loch Ness. Here, you have some free time with the option to cruise on the Loch, or if you don't want to take the cruise you can relax in one of the bars or restaurants in the tranquil village or on the pier.  After Loch Ness you will head South East and take in magnificent views of Loch Laggan. On the way home, enjoy a refreshment stop in Pitlochry, a delightful Victorian resort town. Then, head south through Fife, and cross the Forth next to the amazing Forth Bridge, before arriving back in Edinburgh.

Time for your own Outlander adventure. You leave Edinburgh and begin following the trail of film locations featured in the Outlander TV Series. First, we travel to the place that needs no introduction: Midhope Castle*, known as Jamie’s lovely home Lallybroch. And you'll get a warmer welcome than he did. The cosy interior of the house has been re-created in the film studios. In reality, visitors can’t explore the ruins of the castle but you can sit on the iconic steps of Lallybroch and wait for Jamie or Claire to walk through the beautiful archway in the courtyard. We then journey through the charming countryside to Blackness Castle. It’s an impressive fortress that’s known as the ‘ship that never sailed’ because it resembles a giant stone boat. You have time to walk along the ramparts and explore the fictional headquarters of Jack Randall. Just pray you don't run into him... The next stop is Linlithgow Palace, otherwise known as Wentworth Prison. It’s also where you have lunch, so try local specialities or have a picnic by the loch and take a photo of the ruins of Mary Queen of Scots’ birthplace. Heading north, we journey past Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument to **Doune Castle, or as it’s called in Outlander, Castle Leoch. This formidable building represents home to Colum MacKenzie and his clan in the 18th-century episodes. When you visit, you can discover its real story and get an insight into the living conditions of a Scottish earl in the 14th century. There’s also an excellent audio guide describing how this castle was used as a filming location for Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Travel back in time once more as your driver-guide takes you to Culross. This virtually unchanged 16th-century village overlooks the sea and poses as the fictional town of Cranesmuir. You have time to visit Claire’s herb garden, explore the palace, or wander the ancient streets while you imagine what life must have been like 400 years ago. From there, we head back to Edinburgh, where we arrive in the late afternoon. *Please note that Midhope Castle is also closed for the following dates in November (2nd, 11th, 15th, 18th, 22nd, 30th) and December (5th, 9th, 11th, 16th, 19th). It then closes for approximately 12 weeks from Friday 22nd December at 3pm **Please note that Doune Castle is closed from 8th January - 18th February 2024. We will instead take you to Linlithgow Palace. We apologise for the inconvenience.

Enjoy a full 3 days exploring the dramatic scenery of the Scottish Highlands and the romance of the island of Skye in a small group tour. Dhoose your accommodation to suit your own budget and you will get an exclusive discount card to receive discounts at local restaurants and shops. Day 1: Depart Edinburgh by luxury Mercedes minibus at and travel west, passing Linlithgow Palace, the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. Continue towards Stirling with its imposing castle and views of the Wallace Monument. You will pass Doune Castle, movie location for scenes from Monty Python's infamous "Holy Grail," before stopping at the edge of the Highlands for refreshments. As you drive into the Highlands you will pass Loch Luibnaig, Loch Earn, Crianlarich and Tyndrum, stopping for lunch along the way. Drive north through Glencoe, scene of the great massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692. Continue to Fort William and up to the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge, offering magnificent views over Ben Nevis. Next you will take the "Road to the Isles," through the splendor of the 5 Sisters of Kintail, the mountains that guard the pass to the Isle of Skye. Stop to visit the famous Eilean Donan Castle, used in the film "Highlander" and located at the junction of 3 lochs as protection against Viking raiders. Crossing over the bridge to Skye, you head north to Portree where you will be dropped off at your accommodation. Enjoy an evening and dinner at leisure, exploring the town’s Gaelic attractions and harborside. Day 2: You will spend the day on the Isle of Skye with flexible arrangements. There are many possibilities, depending on the weather, and the dynamics of your group. Your driver/ guide's local knowledge will come to the fore to arrange the best day for everyone. You could travel north to explore the Trotternish Peninsula with its stunning Quiraing mountain pass and some of Skye's extraordinary geological scenery. Or head to Kilt Rock, composed of basalt columns that are reminiscent of the pleats in a kilt. Enjoy the magic of the waterfall, cascading over cliffs and down into the sea below. Take a short break for lunch, before continuing to explore this most dramatic of islands. Head in a westerly direction to Dunvegan castle, the ancestral home of Clan Macleod, or enjoy spectacular views at Neist Point, the most westerly point of Skye. Return you to your accommodation in Portree in the early evening to enjoy dinner and the rest of the evening at leisure. Day 3: Your driver will collect you from your accommodation and head south through the Cuillin Hills, back over to the mainland for stunning views over Loch Duich and the 5 Sisters of Kintail. Move on to Loch Ness for lunch. Look out for "Nessie," the mysterious monster that has haunted and confounded visitors since the 1950s. Head south through the Grampian Mountains along Loch Laggan, famous as the location for the TV miniseries "Monarch of the Glen," before passing Dalwhinnie, home to Scotland's highest whisky distillery. You will pause for refreshments at Blair Castle, before heading back to Edinburgh via Perth and over the extraordinary Forth Road Bridge.

Your tour takes you south to the beautiful Scott’s View, overlooking the Tweed Valley. You then get the opportunity to visit the nearby statue of the great Scottish patriot, William Wallace. From here, you travel to Melrose where you can visit the ruined Melrose abbey, founded by the Cistercians in the 12th Century. The Cistercian monks had close connections with the Knights Templar, and legend tells that Melrose Abbey is the burial place of Robert the Bruce's heart, brought back from the crusades in Moorish Spain. Following lunch in Melrose, you make your way to the stunning 15th century Rosslyn Chapel, made world famous in Dan Brown’s book, ‘Da Vinci Code’. Here you have time to explore the chapel and find out more about the myths and legends surrounding the whereabouts of the ‘Holy Grail’. After your visit to Rosslyn Chapel, you return to Edinburgh.

Your route north to Stirling follows in the footsteps of the ancient invading armies. This land was the northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire and was under attack during the Wars of Scottish Independence. As you approach Stirling, you spot the magnificent castle*. Perched on the high volcanic rock, this stronghold is known as the ‘Key to Scotland’, and it’s witnessed battles that were turning points in Scottish history. You can learn about its past and discover the secrets of the royal court when you visit. From Stirling, you travel into the Highlands to an area known as the Trossachs National Park. This land is full of shimmering lochs, rugged mountain tops, and forest-filled glens. And it used to be a perfect place for outlaws like Rob Roy to hide. Hear the tale of this fascinating folk hero and enjoy the magnificent nature all around you before you stop for lunch in picturesque Aberfoyle. After lunch you continue the journey through the national park to the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. Framed by majestic mountains and adorned with over 30 islands, this stunning loch’s been celebrated in songs and poems for centuries. Join an optional hour-long cruise here to admire the loch from a different angle and enjoy the stories of the local wildlife, folklore, and history. Back on dry land, cast the last glance at the loch and the national park before you start your return journey to Glasgow, where you arrive in the early evening.

You leave the cobbled streets of Edinburgh and travel past Linlithgow Palace and Stirling Castle. This region is soaked in history, so sit back and relax as your driver-guide entertains you with the tales of Mary Queen of Scots, William Wallace, and Scottish folklore. If you keep a look out, you can catch a glimpse of the Kelpies. These 30-metre tall horse head sculptures need to be seen to be believed. Your driver-guide takes you to their favourite stop within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park where you can grab coffee and enjoy the views. After this stop, it’s time to get your camera ready. Because as you travel north into the Highlands, the landscapes suddenly become more provocative. Shimmering lochs, rugged mountains, forest filled glens: it’s all so beautiful that it’s easy to forget these were once battlegrounds for fiercely territorial Highland clans. You stop in Glencoe, one of the most famous natural landmarks in all of Scotland. This beautiful area boasts steep slopes and photogenic peaks. Your driver-guide may reveal to you the tragic tale that’s haunted this valley for over 300 years. You then enter the glacial valley known as the Great Glen and pass under the shadow of Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest mountain. After this visual feast of mighty inclines, you arrive in Fort Augustus on the banks of Loch Ness. At 23 miles long and over 700ft deep, Loch Ness is the largest loch by volume in Scotland. You have around one hour and a half here. You can search for the infamous monster on a relaxing boat cruise,* wander around the shores of the loch at your own pace, and grab a bite to eat. Your journey south is packed full of classic Highland scenery. You travel through the curvy Cairngorms National Park, along Loch Laggan, and past Blair Castle. Amongst the tall trees of Perthshire, you have a final refreshment break before journeying alongside the UNESCO Forth Rail Bridge and back into Edinburgh. *The Loch Ness boat cruise is weather dependent and may be cancelled without notice. This route may be reversed on some occasions.

This tour departs from Edinburgh day 1, first heading west to collect Glasgow passengers. Journey via Stirling, catching a glimpse of its majestic Castle. Visit the Wallace Monument, the towering stone testimonial to the Scottish legend William Wallace. Afterwards pass Doune Castle, location for the film, Monty Python & The Holy Grail. After lunch, time permitting, a brief stop at Rob Roy’s Grave and then onwards to the pretty village of Killin for photos. The journey continues north via Tyndrum across the atmospheric Rannoch Moor. Next stop is Glencoe, a site of the 1692 massacre of the MacDonald Clan, for a brief walk and photos. Continue to the stunning Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous by the Harry Potter films, yet another photo opportunity (Apr-Oct). The final stop for the first day is the Highland town of Fort William, where you can check into your chosen accommodation. Day 2 begins by going north into the Great Glen, a geographical fault line characterised by a chain of impressive lochs, including Loch Ness. Enjoy a photo stop at Glen Garry, before arriving at one of the most iconic castles in Scotland, Eilean Donan Castle (interior closed in winter) to explore the castle and its beautiful setting. The journey continues with a stop for lunch and views of Loch Ness in the pretty lochside village of Fort Augustus. After lunch begins the return journey, enjoying a photo stop to admire Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, at 1,344 meters. Travel via The Hermitage, stopping for a gentle forest walk in idyllic Scottish woodland, before crossing the Forth Bridges, back to Edinburgh where your tour will end. 

Enjoy a fabulous day trip from Edinburgh 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 the Glenturret, 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.

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.

We depart from Edinburgh in the morning, heading for the majestic Kelpies, a pair of enormous equine structures. We drive through Scotland’s scenic landscapes, venturing further into the Highlands before stopping at one of Scotland’s famous whisky distilleries. After reviving ourselves with a wee dram of the ‘water of life’, we head to The Hermitage in the heart of Perthshire and take a short woodland walk. Our return journey visits the charming village of Dunkeld and its cathedral before returning to Edinburgh, passing the iconic Fort Bridge on the way.