8-Nights Scotland: Edinburgh & the Highlands - Luxury Small Group Journeys — CALL

Abercrombie & Kent

OFFER ID 1550371

Scotland: Edinburgh & the Highlands
Discover the rich heritage and dramatic beauty of Scotland, from its refined cities steeped in time-honored tradition to its heathered highlands shrouded in the mists of legend, and learn about the cultures of its storied clans.

8 nights | Call for pricing

Itinerary

Abercrombie & Kent: Scotland: Edinburgh & the Highlands

DAY 1 Glasgow, Scotland

Arrive in Glasgow, where you are met and transferred to your hotel. This evening, gather with fellow guests for cocktails and a welcome dinner at the hotel.

Hotel Du Vin Glasgow

Meals: Dinner

DAY 2 Glasgow

Set out on a walking tour of Glasgow that reveals the glory of the city’s industrial heyday. Then, explore the art of the bagpipes during an interactive workshop at the National Piping Center. Eat lunch at a local restaurant, and then enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

Hotel Du Vin Glasgow

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 3 Inverness

Venture along the shores of scenic Loch Lomond to Inveraray Castle, seat of the Dukes of Argyll. Walk through this aristocratic residence with a private guide on an exclusive A&K experience, before continuing to Fort William, gateway to the Western Highlands, for lunch. Proceed through the Great Glen past Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain. Pass Fort Augustus and travel to Loch Ness, home of fabled “Nessie,” before continuing to Inverness, capital of the Highlands.

Ness Walk

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4 Inverness

Visit Culloden Moor, the historic battle site where the Jacobite army of Bonnie Prince Charlie was defeated in 1746. Proceed to nearby Clava Cairns, a Bronze Age stone formation used as a setting for the Outlander series. Stop at Speyside Cooperage to discover the art of barrel making, learning how coopers shape, shave and char oak casks for whisky. After lunch at a local pub, explore Johnston’s Cashmere Mill, then return to Inverness for a traditional Scottish Night dinner at your hotel.

Ness Walk

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5 Inverness & St. Andrews

Drive through Cairngorms National Park, home to the United Kingdom’s only freely grazing reindeer herd. At Rothiemurchus, a family estate in the heart of the forest, view wildlife with a park ranger. Enjoy time for lunch at your leisure in charming Pitlochry, and then proceed on a unique Chef’s Table experience at the Scotch whisky distillery at Lindores Abbey, called “whisky’s spiritual birthplace,” where you indulge in a tasting. Continue to the lovely coastal town of St. Andrews, regarded as the home of golf. After an introduction to the historic town, savor a Scenic Sundowner while overlooking the iconic Old Course. Check in to your hotel set on the famous links.

Old Course Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 6 St. Andrews

Today, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities.

Bike to a Nature Reserve, meandering through St. Andrews links and along the shores of a lovely estuary.

Savor a Tutored Gin Tasting and enjoy a signature gin and tonic at a top local distillery.

Walk St. Andrews’ Old Course, guided by a former caddy, to learn the secrets of the “Grand Old Lady” of golf.

Relax during an afternoon and evening at leisure.

Old Course Hotel

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7 Edinburgh

Journey to Edinburgh, Scotland’s elegant capital. Begin your visit with a tour of Holyrood Palace. Continue up the Royal Mile to the historic Signet Library, where you are invited to one of Edinburgh’s most substantial afternoon teas, featuring savory side dishes and sweets that make for a satisfying lunch. Afterward, explore Edinburgh Castle with a local expert and take in stunning views over the city. Later, check in to your hotel for an evening at leisure.

The Balmoral

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 8 Edinburgh

Begin your day with a private, before-hours visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia, a proud vessel that served as a floating home to the Royal Family for over 40 years. Enjoy a panoramic overview of the local sights before returning to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure. This evening, gather for a farewell dinner at a fine local restaurant.

The Balmoral

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9 Edinburgh

Transfer to the airport for your departing flight.

Meals: Breakfast

Featured Destinations

St. Andrews

Edinburgh

Dominated by the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle, this picturesque city offers shopping on Princes Street, the grandeur of the Royal Mile, St. Giles Cathedral and historic Palace of Holyrood House, where Queen Mary lived and many Scottish kings were wed. Or venture across the moors to marvel at the scenic Highlands.

Excursions

Edinburgh: Royal Edinburgh - 8 hours

With Scotland's most famous castle dominating the city, Edinburgh provides a fantastic introduction to this magical country. This morning you will receive a warm welcome by your local guide as you disembark your cruise for your full day sightseeing tour (8 hours) by private vehicle.

You will first head up to Edinburgh Castle, where you will see the 'Honours of Scotland', or the Scottish Crown Jewels, and have the opportunity to admire striking views across the city. Drive along the Royal Mile to the imposing Holyrood Palace*, the Queen's Official Residence in Scotland.

Continue the Royal theme this afternoon, with a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia. Built in Scotland, and now permanently moored here, this famous ship hosted many official voyages during her working life. Your guide will bring the Royal Yacht Britannia’s intriguing history to life prior to the short transfer back to your cruise ship.

*You will tour the staterooms of the palace if no member of the Royal Family is staying here at the time.

Highlights:

Privately guided tour of Edinburgh Castle
Visit Holyrood Palace (Subject to Royal Visit)
Discover the history of the Royal Yacht Britannia

Tour Duration: 8 Hours

Tour Can Operate: Morning/ Afternoon

Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information

Physical Activity Level: Light

Inclusions:

Private transport by BMW 7 Series or similar for 1 or 2 passengers or Viano (6 passenger seats) or similar for 3, 4, or 5 passengers or Sprinter for 6 passengers.
Expert local guide for stated sightseeing 8 hours in Edinburgh
Entrance fees to all sights and museums
All taxes

Exclusions:

All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
Gratuities
Supplement for public holidays
Anything not specifically mentioned in the “Inclusions” list above.

Edinburgh: Introducing Edinburgh - 4 hours

Inverness

Inverness is an excellent tourism destination. With its suspension bridges across the River Ness and old stone buildings, it is a pretty place well-known for its floral displays. Walk along the river banks and to the Ness Islands for an escape from the hustle and bustle of the shops. Cross the river on little bridges and visit Bught Park. The Floral Hall has a sub-tropical horticultural extravaganza with a small waterfall, fish and all sorts of plants and trees. Walk up the river in the other direction and see Ben Wyvis on the skyline. Inverness has an excellent museum and art gallery. Local history talks take place here. Eden Court Theater, situated near the cathedral, has events listings and incorporates part of the old Bishop's Palace and is said to be haunted by the 'Green Lady' ghost of a wife of one of the bishops who hanged herself there. Also check out art.tm which is an art gallery and studio. The Spectrum Centre has a cafe and is the meeting place for local clubs and education classes. Look out for Scottish Showtime music and dance performances during the summer.

Excursions

Inverness: The Scottish Highlands - 8 hours

Glasgow