SCOTLAND 2025
DAY 0: Tuesday 22nd July 2025 – Depart USA
DAY 1: Wednesday 23rd July 2025 – WELCOME TO SCOTLAND
Arrive at Glasgow Airport.
Hotel check in
*May not be possible before 15h00.
Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Glasgow or area.
DAY 2: Thursday 24th July 2025 – GLASGOW
This morning, visit Inveraray Castle.
Inveraray Castle is the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll, Chief of the Clam Campbell and the iconic, must-see visitor attraction on the West Coast of Scotland. Most notably, Inveraray Castle featured in the television drama "Downton Abbey". Inveraray Castle is a unique piece of architecture and was the first of its size and type to be built on the West Coast of Scotland. Visitors to the Castle will be able to explore the many historical rooms available to the public, and helpful guides will answer any questions you might have.
Then, visit Crarae Gardens.
Near the banks of Loch Fyne, on the west coast, immerse yourself in Britain's unique 40-hectare (100-acre) Himalayan woodland garden planted around the steep-sided Crarae burn. Crarae Garden is a tranquil site, with its dramatic gorge, rippling burn, waterfalls and cliffs. The informal hillside layout of mature woody plants radiating out from the burn creates a wonderful natural effect, and it is a magical spot at any time of year. Started by Grace, Lady Campbell, in 1912, the garden includes a National Collection of Nothofagus, or southern beech, as well as superb examples of Acer, Sorbus, Eucryphia and Eucalyptus.
Return to Glasgow.
Enjoy dinner at local pub/restaurant.
Overnight, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Glasgow or area.
DAY 3: Friday 25th July 2025 – GLASGOW TO INVERNESS
This morning, depart Glasgow and journey to Inverness.
Visit Nevis Range Mountain Gondola.
The Nevis Range Mountain Gondola in Britain reaches 650m on Aonach Mór, the country's 8th highest peak. Originally for skiers, it's now a popular attraction offering stunning views and fresh mountain air. Climbers and walkers use it for quick access to routes, while mountain bikers and paragliders utilize it for summer adventures.
Continue on to Inverness and check in to your hotel.
Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Inverness or area.
DAY 4: Saturday 26th July 2025 – INVERNESS TO ULLAPOOL
This morning, depart Inverness and journey to Ullapool.
Visit Dunrobin Castle.
Dunrobin Castle is the most northerly of Scotland's great houses and the largest in the Northern Highlands with 189 rooms. Dunrobin Castle is also one of Britain's oldest continuously inhabited houses dating back to the early 1300s, home to the Earls and later, the Dukes of Sutherland. The Castle, which resembles a French château with its towering conical spires, has seen the architectural influences of Sir Charles Barry, who designed London’s Houses of Parliament, and Scotland’s own Sir Robert Lorimer. The Castle was used as a naval hospital during the First World War and as a boys’ boarding school from 1965 to 1972.
Free time for independent lunch.
Enjoy whisky distillery visit. (subject to availability)
Continue on to Ullapool and check in to your hotel.
Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Ullapool area.
DAY 5: Sunday 27th July 2025 – ULLAPOOL TO STORNOWAY
This morning, depart Ullapool and journey to Stornoway.
Ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway.
Enjoy walk on Luskentyre beach.
Return to Stornoway and check in to your hotel.
Overnight, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Stornoway or area.
DAY 6: Monday 28th July 2025 – STORNOWAY
This morning, visit Gearrannan Blackhouse Village.
Gearrannan Blackhouse Village is a coastal crofting village situated in a secluded bay within the district of Carloway on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides / Western Isles of Scotland. Since 1989 the local community trust Urras nan Gearrannan (the Garenin Trust) has been painstakingly restoring the once derelict properties and croft land to recreate an authentic settlement offering visitors modern facilities within the surroundings of times gone by. Traditional methods have been used to recreate the drystone masonry and thatched roofing of the original croft houses with the discreet integration of modern conveniences. The restored Blackhouse Village caters for a wide variety of visitors.
Then, visit Dun Carloway.
Dun Carloway Broch is one of the best-preserved examples of a broch - a type of fortification found only in Scotland. There are well over 500 of them across the country, the majority in northern and western Scotland and the islands. Brochs emerged in the Iron Age around 2,300 years ago. They stopped being built in the early centuries AD.
Visit The Carloway Mill. (subject to availability)
The provenance and heritage of The Carloway Mill dates back many centuries to the BlackHouse hand loom weavers of the Isle of Lewis and Harris who sheared their wool from the local Cheviot sheep, artisan textile men carded and spun their yarn, hand wove their cloth, and hand finished by washing and cleaning the tweeds in local rivers, primarily for the local market. It was in 1846, when Lady Dunmore developed The Murray of Atholl Tartan in Harris tweed , and then began to market the cloth globally, that The Harris Tweed Industry really started to establish itself. Whilst The Carloway Mill is the smallest of the three existing Harris Tweed textile mills, it is proud and privileged to have a workforce whose artisan skills and creative abilities are of an exceptional level.
Overnight, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Stornoway or area.
DAY 7: Tuesday 29th July 2025 – STORNOWAY TO ROYAL DEESIDE
This morning, depart Stornoway and journey to Ballater.
Return ferry from Stornoway to Ullapool.
Visit Cawdor Castle.
Cawdor Castle dates from the late 14th century, having been built as a private fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor, with the ancient medieval tower built around the legendary holly tree – wherever you look, Cawdor Castle is steeped in intrigue and history. The imposing, rectangular tower-house consisted of four storeys and a garret with one entrance to the outside world set at upper first floor level; the perfect design to keep out unwelcome visitors. The ancient castle, which is home to the Cawdor family to this day, has evolved over 600 years and has been lovingly filled with beautiful furniture, fine portraits, intriguing objects and amazing tapestries.
Continue on to Aberdeenshire and check in to your hotel.
Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Royal Deeside area.
DAY 8: Wednesday 30th July 2025 – ROYAL DEESIDE
This morning, visit Braemar Castle.
A 17th century castle with a colourful past and an exciting future. Built by the Earl of Mar in 1628, it has been hunting lodge, fortress, garrison and family home. Set amid the stunning scenery of the Cairngorms National Park, the building boasts impressive castellated turrets and a star-shaped curtain wall and bottle-necked dungeon. The castle is an L-shaped tower house with an unusual right winding spiral stone staircase leading to three floors of furnished rooms. There is a grand dining room and gracious drawing room as well as Victorian bathrooms and delightful morning room. With 12 rooms on show there is plenty to see and discover in this compact castle.
Enjoy whisky distillery visit. (subject to availability)
Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Royal Deeside area
DAY 9: Thursday 31st July 2025 – ROYAL DEESIDE
This morning, visit Balmoral Castle. (subject to availability)
Set amongst the magnificent scenery of Royal Deeside, in the shadows of Lochnagar, is the Balmoral Estate. Purchased by Queen Victoria in 1848, the Estate has been the Scottish Home of the British Royal Family ever since. Covering about 20,000 hectares (just over 50,000 acres) of heather clad hills, ancient Caledonian woodland, and of course the beautiful River Dee nearby. Over the past 150 years, careful stewardship by The Royal Family has preserved the wildlife, scenery and architecture for all to enjoy. In her journals Queen Victoria described Balmoral as "my dear paradise in the Highlands”. The original castle was considered too small for the needs of the Royal Family and under the supervision of Prince Albert a new building was designed. When Queen Victoria died in 1901, Balmoral Estates passed, under the terms of her will, to King Edward VII, and from him to each of his successors. Although it remains largely the same as it was in Queen Victoria's reign, successive Royal owners have followed the initiative of Prince Albert in making improvements to the estate.
Then, visit Aberdeenshire Highland Cattle.
Meet Grace the Farmer’s herd of pedigree Highland Cattle up close, get photos of them and learn about the history of the native breed and how they are farmed today. Meet Grace’s prize winning livestock herd and learn about her premium Highland beef brand.
Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Royal Deeside area
DAY 10: Friday 1st August 2025 – ROYAL DEESIDE TO ABERDEEN
This morning, visit Johnstons of Elgin.
At the Johnstons of Elgin visitor centre, a five-star visitor attraction, join experienced tour guides as they take you around the Johnstons factory and see how products are made for the world’s leading luxury brands in Scotland’s last vertical mill. Manufacturing for over 200 years, here is the only Scottish mill to transform cashmere from fibre to garment.
Then, visit Crathes Castle & Estate.
Crathes is one of the most beautiful and best-preserved castles in Scotland, along with a magnificent garden with its world-renowned June Borders. Home to the Burnetts of Leys for over 350 years, the castle is complete with fairytale-like turrets, gargoyles of fantastic design and the ancient Horn of Leys, given to the family in 1323 by Robert the Bruce. Some of the rooms still retain their original painted ceilings and collections of family portraits and furniture.
Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Aberdeen area.
DAY 11: Saturday 2nd August 2025 – ABERDEEN TO EDINBURGH
This morning, depart Ballater and journey to Edinburgh.
Enjoy photo stop at Dunnottar Castle.
Continue to Edinburgh and check in to your hotel.
Enjoy free time for walking tour of Edinburgh. (under own arrangement, not guided)
Starting off in Charlotte Square, discover the exquisite Georgian architecture of the New Town, before making your way up to Calton Hill. At the foot of the National Monument, enjoy an incredible panorama on the “Athens of the North”. Cross North Bridge over Waverley Station, past the Scott Monument, and step back in time on the Royal Mile, at the heart of the Old Town. Walk up the historical thoroughfare all the way to Castle Terrace.
This evening - enjoy the Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Edinburgh or area.
DAY 12: Sunday 3rd August 2025 – EDINBURGH
This morning, visit Abbotsford House.
Abbotsford House, stunningly located on the banks of the River Tweed in the Scottish Borders, sits at the heart of the landscape that inspired the poetry and novels of its creator, Sir Walter Scott. Unlike the homes of other great writers, this is a house that the writer himself designed and as such uniquely embodies a physical representation of the Romantic Movement that he helped to create. When you touch the bricks and mortar of Abbotsford, you are touching the soul of Scott. The house contains an impressive collection of historic relics, weapons and armour, including Rob Roy’s gun, dirk and sword, and an extensive library containing over 9,000 rare volumes. It sits amid formal gardens and a wider landscape that Scott designed and planted. Abbotsford provides a fantastic experience for visitors with all the history of the house combined with the beautiful formal gardens and scenic woodland and riverside walks through the wider estate.
Then, enjoy whisky distillery visit. (subject to availability)
Return to Edinburgh.
Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Edinburgh or area.
DAY 13: Monday 4th August 2025 – EDINBURGH
Departure Edinburgh Airport for US.
