Scotland Highlights Tour: Edinburgh to Glencoe

In the morning, you'll meet your private guide in front of your hotel for a tour of the city's highlights. Together you'll wander through Edinburgh's enchanting streets as you explore the Old Town, dating back thousands of years. Stroll through the regal halls of the Palace of Holyroodhouse and embark on a short climb to Carlton Hill for panoramic vistas of the city below. In the afternoon you'll enjoy a few hours of free exploration. Choose between such sights as Arthur's Seat, the Royal Yacht Britannia, and Inchcolm Abbey and Island. That evening, enjoy a dinner of international culinary delights in the city center.

Journey back in time as you discover Scotland's storied past. You'll begin the day with your private tour guide at the internationally acclaimed Edinburgh Castle, which looms over the city's downtown. Explore formal royal apartments and exquisitely furnished parlors as you learn more about its regal residents, including Mary Queen of Scots. In the afternoon you'll roam the city's charming epicenter until arriving at St. Giles Cathedral in the Old Town. Known for its ornate spires and intricate stained-glass displays, the cathedral is an architectural masterpiece.

Today you'll break away from the frenzied activity downtown for some tranquility amongst Scotland's most revered natural landscapes. You'll head in the direction of Grantown-on-Spey and begin your journey by crossing the River Forth, and later, the stoic Forth Rail Bridge. Wind along the narrow roads and rolling hills of Perthshire before arriving in the Victorian town of Pitlochry. After lunch you can take a short hike along the river's edge and climb the grassy hills for an unmatched view of the valleys below. If you're traveling in autumn, you're sure to enjoy a dazzling array of red, orange, and yellow treetops.

Enjoy a change in scenery as you leave the charming town of Pitlochry behind for the majestic mountaintops of Cairngorm. Along the way, you'll weave through Drumochter Pass, the highest stretch of such mountains in the highlands. Later that day you'll visit the Culloden Battlefield, the site of the Jacobites' last battle. In the afternoon, sit back and unwind at one of the region's beloved distilleries. Look out on rolling hills as you learn more about classic culinary delights from a local expert. A few hours later, join your guide on a walk with the Cairngorm reindeer in their natural surroundings.

Witness fairytales come to life when you awake the next morning. Today you'll travel west to Loch Ness, a freshwater lake that spans 23 miles, located just beyond the city limits of Inverness. If you choose, you can board a scenic cruise across the sparkling waters. You can enjoy the views that spread from the water's edge to the rolling hills across the horizon. Learn more about the lake's mystical history and hear enchanting tales about the Loch Ness Monster. Catch a sneak peek of the Urquhart Castle on a rocky cliffside in the distance.

In the morning you, and your private tour guide will visit the Eilean Donan Castle for beautiful panoramas and a snapshot of what the region was like centuries ago. Step inside to one of the most photographed relics in Scotland and cross the ancient stony bridge to the castle's famed tower. Inhale the fresh country air and enjoy captivating glimpses of the loch. Later you'll travel north, past The Storr. As you'll learn from your guide, this is the highest point on the Trotternish Ridge and considered the longest geological landslip in Britain.

Pull out your cameras the next day for mesmerizing views of the Old Man of Storr and the Needle Rock. By late morning you'll begin the trek to the Great Glen, which follows the route of the Caledonian Canal. Soon you'll arrive at Fort William, where you'll marvel at the electric green hues of the hillsides, the snaking train tracks, and the soaring stone archways as steam engines chug into view. In the afternoon you will enjoy the city's charming downtown area, full of colorful boutiques and ornate fountains. That evening in Oban you can enjoy fresh seafood and lively performances.

Today you'll venture to Glencoe for one more look at Scotland's stunning countryside. Marvel at the soaring mountains and rolling green hills. You may even have the chance to see wild deer at Rannoch Moor. In the afternoon, take a group hike to Loch Lomond to admire the beautiful blue-green landscapes and sparkling lake. Later, explore the Grampian mountains and discover Stirling Castle, which overlooks the small town below. That evening, enjoy one final Scottish meal or international options, and attend a ceilidh, traditional Scottish music and dancing.

Say your final goodbyes to the illustrious landscapes of Scotland. Enjoy a leisurely morning back in Edinburgh where you can enjoy a light breakfast and stroll to the city center for some souvenir shopping. By midday, you'll meet your private airport transfer back at the hotel and, for one last time, whiz down the energetic streets of Edinburgh's downtown until arriving at the airport for your flight home.