Scotland Explorers

Individual arrival to Edinburgh.

Pick up of your rental car at the airport and drive to the hotel.

Stay at the Leonardo Royal Edinburgh Haymarket Hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel. You can spend the whole day in the scottish capital. The venerable city of Edinburgh is your first stop on this trip.

As the Scottish capital, it offers a picture-perfect medieval centre and new treasures await behind every corner. Visit Edinburgh Castle, enthroned on a 120 metre high rock. It served as the fortress and residence of the Scottish royal family for centuries. You can admire the precious crown jewels in its treasure chamber. Enjoy the panoramic view of the city at your feet. Visit St Margaret's Chapel from the 11th century or stroll along elegant Princess Street or the Royal Mile.

End the day in one of the many quaint pubs (not included).

Stay at the Leonardo Royal Edinburgh Haymarket Hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel.

The next stop of your journey is Scotlands largest city: Glasgow.

It is worth taking a detour along the Firth of Forth to Stirling Castle. It is one of the most important castles in the country and a true landmark of Scotland. It was a scene of bloody battles over the last centuries and now the castle is overflowing with mystical stories.

Once in Glasgow, you'll be amazed at the impressive transformation from former industrial city into vibrant cultural metropolis. Exciting architectural contrasts and lots of history await. Visit one of the numerous admission free museums. Glasgow's soul is said to be at home in the Mackintosh Building on the highest elevation of the city. And you won't miss out on anything to eat and drink in a church that has been converted into a trendy pub.

Stay at the Carlton George Hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel.

After the two metropolises the more tranquil country life and the spectacular nature of Scotland awaits.

The fabulous nature of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, one of Scotland's most beautiful national parks, is a great place to relax. Loch Lomond is Britain's largest lake and offers endless views. The small town of Luss nestles picturesquely on the west side of the lake. Stroll through the picture-book village, relax on the sandy beach or enjoy the magnificent views of the village and lake on the Luss Heritage Trail.

The journey continues through the historic Glen Coe valley. The untamed nature will leave you breathless. Steep rock walls and majestic waterfalls will take you into another, mystical world. Deer roam through dense forests, deep lakes offer a home to fish, eagles and buzzards swing impressively through the air. Experience the stunning landscape of the Highlands with its rich flora and fauna on a hike. Further north you will reach the port town of Fort William. After a short stop arrive at your accommodation, the Inverlochy Castle Hotel, one of the best country hotels of Great Britain at the foot of the Ben Nevis.

2 nights at Inverlochy Castle.

Breakfast in the hotel.

Spend another day in one of Scotland's most enchanting landscapes. The panoramic Road to the Islands starts in Fort william with fantastic views of the roaring sea, rugged rocky plateaus and lonely bays, impressive hills and impenetrable forests. Above all, Ben Nevis, the highest mountain of Great Britain with 1344m, towers apparently unimpressed. The Jacobite Steam Train is worth a ride (not included). The train puffs in two hours through the western Highlands to the port of Mallaig, where you can enjoy the maritime flair and fresh seafood before your leisurely return journey. The ride also takes you over the Glenfinnan viaduct, famous for its appearance in Harry Potter movies.

Not far away Inveraray Castle is situated by the Loch Fyne fjord and has a magnificent park and offers fabulous photo opportunities.  The next lake is Loch Awe and just around the corner It invites you to romantic boat trips at Scottish sunsets.

Or head northwest for the Isle of Skye, the largest island in the Hebrides. On your way there you will pass countless lakes that have dug their way deep into the landscape and are home to many legends. Dunvegan Castle, the ancestral seat of the McLeod clan, in the north of the island is entwinded in legends of its own. Back on the mainland head for Eilean Donan Castle on Loch Duich. The striking complex has already played an important role as backdrop in several blockbuster movies.

Stay at Inverlochy Castle.

Breakfast in the hotel.

On the way to Aberdeen you can drive north to the famous Loch Ness and look out for "Nessie". The no less legendary ruin of Urquhart Castle (not included) lies on the eastern shore of the lake, from where you can enjoy an excellent panoramic view. After visiting the field of the bloody battle of 1746 in Culloden, you can make a detour to Britain's northernmost national park Cairngorm National Parkand, feel the Highlands with all your senses. Put on your hiking boots or take a Land Rover ride through the densely wooded region and look out over the majestic Cairngorm Mountains.

Aberdeenshire has many majestic castles along the Castle Trail. Fyvie Castle, with its five tall towers, draws the eye near Fraserburgh. The spirit of the "Green Lady" is said to still haunt the magnificent rooms of the castle.

Overnight stay at the Jurys Inn.

Breakfast in the hotel.

South of Aberdeen more castles await. The majestic Clamis Castle is an ivy-covered estate where Queen Victoria once spent her childhood and Queen Mum later enjoyed her honeymoon.

Take a wildlife safari (not included) in the Perthshire Highlands Nature Reserve and explore  the local wildlife such as red deer, pheasants and other moorland dwellers in their natural habitat with a local ranger on board an all-terrain vehicle. With Blair Castle you reach a white fairytale castle. A visit (not included) of the magnificent building is worth it in any case. Finally, just before Perth, you reach the venerable Scone Palace where all Scottish kings were crowned.

Stay at the Hotel Mercure Perth.

Breakfast in the hotel.

If you find time before your return flight we recommend to make a detour to the Fife peninsula. An enchanting panoramic road leads along the rocky coast. Endless sandy beaches and picturesque fishing villages tempt you to stop. The oldest university in Scotland is located in elegant St. Andrews and the view of the roaring North Sea is indescribable.

A tour of Kellie Castle (not included) will give you an idea of how grand some noble families used to live. Make a short stop in medieval Culross and take a last walk at nearby idyllic Loch Levin before crossing the spectacular Firth of Forth on your way to the airport and heading home.

Individual return flight.talics or bold, and add links.