Duration: 14 Days
What’s playing tonight? Nothing as dramatic as the stunning scenery of lush and verdant Scotland. With its glacial glens, mysterious lochs, and dramatic coastlines, Scotland has rightfully served as the beautiful backdrop for many of our favourite dramas, thrillers, and cliff-hangers. While James Bond, Harry Potter, and the clans of Outlander have introduced us to this awe-inspiring land, the magnificent moors, mountains, woodlands, and waterfalls steal the scenes. See them all on this splendid tour of Scotland as you take the low roads, high roads, and winding roads through the Lowlands, Highlands, and islands to witness the country’s breathtaking castles, hallowed battlefields, and mysterious ruins—stopping to catch your breath in the boisterous breweries and dizzying distilleries along the way. Spoiler alert—this is the most unspoiled scenery you’ll witness in your lifetime.
Traveller Notes
We’ve packed everything you need for the perfect holiday, from hand-selected hotels and dining to the friendly expertise of Globus Tour Directors and Local Guides (with headsets to hear every word), to seamless transportation between destinations and VIP access to the world’s most iconic sites! Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi. Isle of Skye ferry, Isles of Mull, Iona, and Orkney ferries.
Please note: Itinerary is based on 2024, and is subject to change. Full details will be confirmed in 2024.
Welcome to Glasgow!
Free time the remainder of the day. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Sculpted Horses & Scottish Heroines
FALKIRK See The Kelpies, the largest equine sculptures in the world.
ROYAL BURGH OF CULROSS Take a walking tour with a Local Guide.
LINLITHGOW See Linlithgow Palace ruins, birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, and a filming location for the Outlander TV series.
EDINBURGH Free time. (B) 74 mi / 119 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION The Royal Burgh of Culross is considered one of Scotland's most picturesque examples of life in the 17th and 18th centuries. No wonder it is the filming location for many film and television productions, as well an inspiring destination for history lovers. Its well-preserved buildings with red-tiled roofs line steep cobblestone streets from the market cross to the hilltop abbey.
Traditions & Treasures
EDINBURGH City sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the New Town the Old Town and a visit to Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland's Crown Jewels. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important historical strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, rules with an 11,000-year history as "the most besieged place in Great Britain." Here, you'll find the royal regalia and Scotland's Crown Jewels.
Regal Manors & Royal Music
ABBOTSFORD Take a guided tour of Sir Walter Scott's Abbotsford House.
EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO Attend the world-renowned Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo performance. (Departures August 3 through August 17 only). (B) 80 mi / 129 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDARY LIVES The 19th century comes alive with echoes of triumph and tragedy at Abbotsford House, where Scottish legend Sir Walter Scott became the biggest-selling author of his day and the fashion for Scots baronial architecture began. Learn how the "Great Scott" popularised tartan, saved the Scottish banknote, and reclaimed his country's Crown Jewels.
Scottish Highlands & Scenic Drives
ST. ANDREWS See the home of golf and famous university town then drive across the Firth of Tay via Dundee to Pitlochry.
PITLOCHRY Walk through the Victorian mountain resort. Take a scenic drive through the Grampian Mountains and Cairngorms National Park en route to Inverness. (B,D) 200 mi / 325 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ICONIC FOOTSTEPS See the fairways and greens at the birthplace of golf, where legendary players of the Scottish game made history in the university town of St. Andrews.
The Bronze Age & Brave Battles
THE HIGHLANDS Visit the Bronze-Age chamber tomb site of Clava Cairns. See the Culloden battlefield site and visitor centre. Visit Cawdor Castle.
INVERNESS Free time the remainder of the day. (B) 45 mi / 70 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LITERATURE & ARCHITECTURE In The Bard's words, 'This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air nimbly and sweetly recommends itself unto our gentle senses.' Walk through history in the dramatic countryside of the Scottish Highlands to visit Cawdor Castle, the ancestral home of the Campbells of Cawdor. Discover the castle's literary connection to The Scottish Play by William Shakespeare - also known as Macbeth.
Gardens & Grandeur
DUNROBIN Visit the castle and gardens.
THURSO Free time this afternoon. (B,D) 109 mi / 176 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Perched in the Northern Highlands overlooking the Moray Firth is Dunrobin Castle, the historic home of the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland. One of the oldest continuously inhabited "Scottish great houses," the castle evokes images of a French chateau with towering spires and grand gardens inspired by the Palace of Versailles.
Breathtaking Views & Brews
JOHN O'GROATS Ferry crossing to the Orkney Islands.
ORKNEY ISLANDS Sightseeing, Scapa Flow, Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, and Kirkwall. [LF] Enjoy a guided tour of The Orkney Brewery with a light lunch at the brewery's Tasting Hall cafe and visit Skaill House. Return to the mainland by ferry in the late afternoon. (B,L,D) 119 mi / 191 km
LOCAL FAVOURITE
LEGENDS & LORE Orcadian water, the best malt, hops, and yeast are the only four ingredients of hand-crafted ales such as Orkney Dark Island, Northern Light and the world-famous Skull Splitter named after a vicious Orkney Earl. ?Join a guided tour of the brewery and learn the traditions of beer making and a long, long history of brewing quality ales.
Scottish Fish Stories
ULLAPOOL Visit the fishing port and enjoy [LF] a traditional fish & chips lunch at a local restaurant. (B,L,D) 219 mi / 353 km
LOCAL FAVOURITE
LOCAL TASTES Walk along the whitewashed cottages with views of lovely Loch Broom in the charming harbour town of Ullapool. Feast on traditional fish and chips, a Scottish specialty that never fails to satisfy.
Sea & Skye
ISLE OF SKYE Drive across the Inner Hebridean island; visit the Museum of Island Life; stop in the picturesque island capital of Portree and take in the views of the Cuillin Hills. (B,D) 100 mi / 161 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Magic abounds on the Isle of Skye, home to some of Scotland's most iconic landscapes to enchant the senses. With magnificent mountain ranges, miles of captivating coastline, and heroic history, Skye casts a spell with its breathtaking beauty and sense of island adventure.
Brave Lads & Bonnie Lands
ISLE OF SKYE Visit Museum of the Isles. Ferry crossing on the Sound of Sleat to mainland.
GLENFINNAN See the monument to fallen Jacobite clansmen and the famous Glennfinnan Viaduct.
FORT WILLIAM See the gateway to Ben Nevis, the UK's highest peak.
GLEN COE Scenic drive en route to Oban. (B,D) 109 mi / 175 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Long before it was made famous by the Harry Potter films, the Glenfinnan Viaduct was hailed one of the most visually stunning railways in Scotland. Flanked by rolling green hills that are home to the iconic Scottish red deer, the elevated curves of the longest concrete railway in Scotland traverses through a world of adventure and history.
Highland Isles & Miles
OBAN Ferry crossing to the Isle of Mull.
ISLE OF MULL Take a scenic drive across the island.
ISLE OF IONA Continue to Iona with a ferry to the island and visit the centre of Celtic Christianity before returning to mainland. (B,D) 97 mi / 156 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
PICTURE PERFECT Called "Eagle Island" by wildlife watchers, the Isle of Mull is a paradise for birds of prey keeping a watchful eye on the wonderful wild landscapes below. Watch for Scottish red deer, iconic Highland cattle, and rolling hills that paint a picture of quintessential Scotland.
Glasgow Sights & Grand Heights
INVERARAY Take a scenic drive over the mountainous Pass of Brander.
LOCH LOMOND Stop for photos.
GLASGOW Visit [LF] a whisky distillery. Enjoy an orientation drive to see Glasgow's landmarks, including the 12th-century cathedral, university buildings, and Georgian squares. (B,D) 108 mi / 174 km
LOCAL FAVOURITE
LOCAL TASTES Feel your heart skip a beat in the heart of Scotland. Raise a dram of whisky at an historic, local distillery whilst you learn all about Scotland's favourite spirit.
Safe travels until we meet again!
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
