Classic Scotland: Edinburgh to the Highlands

Begin your adventure in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland and home to the UNESCO-listed Old and New Towns, whose landmarks chart everything from medieval fortifications to Enlightenment-era city planning. Around 6pm, say hello to your tour leader and fellow travellers in the hotel reception, where we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.

If you arrive early, consider heading into the New Town to look around the art galleries or enjoy the varied shopping opportunities of Princes Street. Your tour leader then ensures a big Scottish welcome by arranging a group dinner. Want more time in Edinburgh? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative. Stay: Radisson Blu, Edinburgh City Centre (or similar) (D).

Led by our tour leader, an official Edinburgh guide with expert insight into the history of the city, we embark on a walking sightseeing tour. Start outside its most ancient stronghold, Edinburgh Castle, before seeing King Charles' official residence in Scotland, the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

We continue into the Old Town and meander through the many bustling streets that make up the Royal Mile. We finish by ascending Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano and said to be the location of King Arthur's Camelot. The climb, which you can sit out if you'd prefer to relax, takes around 2hr 30min and you'll be rewarded with beautiful views over the city from the top. Stay: Radisson Blu, Edinburgh City Centre (or similar) (B).

Begin with a visit to the 15th-century Rosslyn Chapel, where we join a guided tour to learn how it has inspired the imaginations of writers and artists throughout the centuries.

This afternoon, visit Midhope Castle, the ancestral home of the fictional Jamie Fraser from the TV series Outlander, where it was known as Lallybroch. End the day with a scenic 10mi (16km) trip aboard a steam train on the Heritage Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway. Our journey takes us along the Forth Estuary, through woodlands, past waterfalls and over the Avon Viaduct. We then transfer (30 minutes) to our second hotel in Dunblane. Stay: DoubleTree by Hilton Dunblane Hydro (or similar) (B).

Visit Stirling Castle today, one of the most historically significant castles in Scotland. Explore the great hall, chapel, palace vaults and Queen Anne Gardens, plus exhibitions and museums. Then visit Stirling Old Bridge, a medieval stone bridge crossing the River Forth. It's best known as the spot where Sir William Wallace defeated Edward I's English army in 1297.

Continue our journey through history and visit the site of the Battle of Bannockburn, where Robert the Bruce, the King of Scots, fought King Edward II's army for Scottish Independence in 1314. With free time to explore and peruse the visitor centre, you can enjoy the award-winning Battle of Bannockburn Experience, an immersive series of films and exhibits that dives deep into the battle. Stay: DoubleTree by Hilton Dunblane Hydro (or similar) (B).

Take a picturesque one-hour journey to Loch Lomond through Trossachs National Park, home to a small mountain range.

Upon arrival, we join a leisurely boat trip around the waters. Over one hour or so, we enjoy scenic views of Ben Lomond mountain and pass several stately homes and castles.

In the afternoon after a cafe lunch, enjoy serene views on a 3mi-4mi (5km-6. 5km) walk along the loch shores. We then transfer back to Dunblane for the evening. Stay: DoubleTree by Hilton Dunblane Hydro (or similar) (B/L).

Our first stop today is the medieval stronghold of Doune Castle, a filming location for Outlander, Game of Thrones and Monty Python and the Holy Grail, where we have free time to explore.

Next up is the Trossachs Woollen Mill in Callander, a well-known Scottish shop where you can purchase traditional Scottish tweed, enjoy a coffee, and say hello to Hamish Dubh, Honey and Holly – the resident Highland cows. After lunch, we journey north to visit the Scottish Crannog Centre on Loch Tay. Here, we join a local specialist for an insight into the lives of the crannog dwellers who lived on the loch 2,500 years ago. We then transfer 30 minutes to Pitlochry and our next hotel. Stay: Atholl Palace Hotel (or similar) (B).

Transfer (approximately one hour) to Braemar village in the Cairngorms National Park. Here, we have time to explore and visit the Highland Games Museum before taking a leisurely walk to the Balmoral estate, the Highland home of the Royal Family. We can take the opportunity to visit the gift shop (depending on operating hours) or walk around the awe-inspiring grounds.

Finish the day with a whisky tasting at the Royal Lochnagar Distillery, which occupies a picturesque spot at the bottom of the Cairngorm mountains, beside the River Dee. Led by one of their in-house experts, we take a one-hour tour of the distillery and enjoy two tastings of their single malt Scotch whisky. We then transfer back to Pitlochry, where we have our farewell dinner at the hotel, an excellent chance to relive the highlights of the trip and, perhaps, order a last dram. Stay: Atholl Palace Hotel (or similar) (B/D).

Our adventure together ends today, and we transfer (approximately 1hr 30min) back to Edinburgh to arrive by midday. With so much to see and do in the capital, we recommend adding some extra days after the tour. Speak to your sales representative to book (B).