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Experience Overview
Experience the Best of Scotland from Edinburgh Castle to the eclectic streets of Glasgow. Revel in the romance and history of the Scottish Highlands and contemplate the mysterious depths of Loch Ness, before toasting bonnie Scotland’s lochs, glens and legendary locals.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 3 Dinner (D)
- 5 Breakfast (B)
What's Included
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Optional Experiences and free time
- Ferry from the Isle of Skye to Mallaig
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
Must-see Highlights
- Explore Edinburgh with a Local Specialist
- Discover Glasgow
- Visit Edinburgh Castle, Pitlochry, Culloden Battlefield, the Isle of Skye, a whisky distillery in Glasgow and Stirling Castle
- View the 18th green at St. Andrews, Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Ness and Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands, Loch Lomond, the Necropolis, Glasgow Cathedral and George Square in Glasgow
- Tickets for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates
Top Rated Highlights
- Edinburgh: Explore the city with your Local Specialist as you travel along Princes Street to see the Scott Memorial, the neoclassical Adam facades of New Town and the official Scottish residence of the King, Palace of Holyroodhouse.
- St. Andrews: Spend time in St Andrews, a coastal university town shaped by old quadrangles, sea air and open links. Walk to the stretch of West Sands Beach where Chariots of Fire filmed its iconic scene, then look across the Old Course, regarded as the birthplace of modern golf.
- Fort William: Stop at the World War II Commando Memorial near Fort William, where bronze figures stand against a sweep of Highland landscape. From this quiet hillside, you get one of the clearest views of Ben Nevis, its ridges rising sharply above the glen.
- Glencoe: Drive through Glencoe, a Highland valley known for steep mountains, open moorland and clan history. Your Travel Director shares context on the area’s past as you follow the road through one of Scotland’s best-known landscapes, with views that show the scale and character of the Highlands.
Iconic Experience
- Scottish Highlands: Take in the beauty of the Highlands on a scenic drive past glens, lochs and dramatic peaks. Watch the landscape shift as you travel deeper into one of Scotland’s most striking regions.
- Glasgow: See the grand public buildings of Glasgow, including George Square.
- Stirling: Visit Stirling Castle, dramatically set atop a volcanic crag above the city. One of Scotland’s most strategically important royal strongholds, it was the childhood home of Mary, Queen of Scots and the setting for the coronation of the infant James VI in 1567.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
- Aviemore: Rothiemurchus Estate is working to promote an appreciation of the special flora and fauna and wildlife of the highlands. Nestled in Cairngorm National Park, this estate encompasses 17,500 acres and has been in the care of the Grant family for over 500 years. On your Make Travel Matter experience, you will learn about the beautiful landscape and even meet some of the most adorable animals, like the hairy coos! Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 11 & 15: Sustainable Cities and Communities & Life on Land.
Be My Guest
- Kilmarnock: Experience an intimate farewell to Scotland at Craufurdland Castle, just 30 minutes south of Glasgow. This exclusive event offers an evening steeped in Scottish heritage and hospitality, hosted by the 29th Laird of Craufurdland, Simon Houison Craufurd, and his wife, Adity. Guests will arrive at the castle, where Simon and Adity will lead a private tour through historic rooms like the Gothic Hall, The Blue Dining Room, and King Charles' bedroom, sharing tales of the castle’s royal connections and legacy. Enjoy a 3-course dinner in The Laird’s Table, a restaurant within the castle that features furniture crafted by Simon himself. Relish locally sourced dishes paired with wine or soft drinks, plus fresh bread, butter, tea and coffee. With only you and your fellow guests in attendance, this exclusive experience promises a warm and personal farewell, rich with the Craufurds’ stories, Scottish history, and a commitment to sustainable hospitality that makes Craufurdland Castle truly unforgettable.
Trip Details
Product Code: 29554
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Budget
Tour Operator:
Brendan Vacations (CA)
Supplier Code: 3.63B
Starts: Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Finishes: Glasgow, United Kingdom
Duration: 7 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2632 ($376 /day)
Itinerary
Get lost in the narrow lanes of Edinburgh – the Scottish capital with a mystical air that combines ancient heritage with the verve of a modern city. Spend your day at leisure delving into its rich history and embracing the warm culture of the Scots, before joining your travel companions and Travel Director for dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Join your Local Specialist this morning for an intriguing sightseeing tour of the city. Ascend Castle Rock and visit Edinburgh Castle, which watches over the surrounding city from its elevated vantage point. Stroll through the Old Town before enjoying time at leisure to soak up the city's festive atmosphere.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Highlander
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, meet a passionate Local Specialist and learn how the preservation of Highland cattle and native woodlands is helping protect Scotland’s cultural and ecological heritage on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Continue to Culloden, where you'll walk the battlefield and reflect on the events that shaped the Jacobite Rising. Follow the Great Glen and view Loch Ness—keep watch for signs of ‘Nessie’. See the striking silhouette of Eilean Donan Castle before crossing the bridge over Loch Alsh to the Isle of Skye. Stop in Broadford for lunch and take in views of the island's traditional thatched blackhouses before returning across the bridge to your hotel for the night.
Accommodation: The Highlander
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Your first stop today is to commemorate World War II history at the Commando Memorial near Fort William, from which you admire spectacular views of Britain's highest peak – Ben Nevis. Journey through thevolcanic ruins and precipitous mountains that lie just beyond Glencoe to see the 'Glen of Weeping'. Here you remember the MacDonald clansmen who were massacred in 1692. Continuing towards the River Clyde, arriving at your final stop for the day – Glasgow.
Meals: Breakfast
Journey to Stirling, to visit its hilltop fortress, which stands as a symbol of national pride. Stirling Castle was once the seat of Scottish kings and queens, including Mary, Queen of Scots. See the Wallace Monument from the castle walls, paying tribute to the Scottish hero who fought for Scotland's independence. Later, join the Wood family at their 15th-century farm on the shores of Loch Ard for your Be My Guest experience. Next, we head to a whiskey distillery. Here we'll Dive into Culture and learn how whisky is made, followed by a chance to sample a wee dram.
The rugged beauty and warmth of Scotland’s people forever in your memory, enjoy one last hearty breakfast with your travel companions before wishing them and your Travel Director a fond farewell.
Meals: Breakfast
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Tour Operator
Brendan Vacations (CA)
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Gregory - Traveled, December 2023
Stephanie and Steven couldn't have done a better job!! Knowledgeable, personable and hard working. They made everyone feel welcome and safe.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/25/2023
Kathy - Traveled, July 2023
My husband and I had the most amazing time on this trip through Scotland! Couldn’t have asked for a better tour director than Mike and bus driver Mark.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/14/2023
Emily - Traveled, May 2023
Fiona and Steven were the absolute best! Fiona was one of the greatest tour guides I’ve had. This is my first time with trafelgar and they are a major reason I will return. Steven was an amazing driver and I always felt safe. Fiona was so happy, thoughtful, informative and eager to help. She planned so many things for the long bus ride to keep everyone entertained. I’d like to tour with her again!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/07/2023
Robin - Traveled, June 2023
The guide was engaging and a pleasure to spend the week with. The driver was excellent and the hotels were lovely.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/03/2023
Michael - Traveled, June 2023
Excellent. The tour director and driver did a fantastic job!! I will be back
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/11/2023
Athena - Traveled, May 2023
The whole thing was amazing! I made plenty of Scottish memories that will last me a lifetime.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/14/2023
Julia - Traveled, December 2022
Our tour guide, Kevin, and our driver, Mark, went above and beyond for us. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to see Scotland and gain ideas for future trips there.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/13/2023
Starr - Traveled, November 2024
That’s all they do is try to upsell overpriced optional tours. You have very little time to spend at each location before moving on. If you want to be squeezed into a bus seat for almost 8 hours a day, take a bus tour. Also, don’t let Trafalger book your airfares unless you want the most indirect routes with worst airlines and deal with lost luggage.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/30/2024
Sandra - Traveled, August 2024
The only thing I would have liked to be able to stay longer in places . I could not fault driver or tour guide. In fact the tour guide Steph was absolutely amazing such a wonderful lady and joking with everyone kept the tour very light hearted. Couldn't speak high enough of her.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/23/2024
Allison - Traveled, November 2023
Excellent experience. Fiona was so knowledgeable and fun and lovely.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/03/2024
