A Week In... Scotland

Tour begins: 6:00 PM, The Balmoral Hotel. A transfer is included from Edinburgh Airport to The Balmoral Hotel in the heart of the city – steps from the famed Princes Street, where views of Edinburgh Castle rise above formal gardens and Georgian townhouses.

This evening, join us for a welcome reception and dinner. Stay Three Nights: The Balmoral (D)

This morning, walk in royal footsteps at the Palace of Holyroodhouse – King Charles' beloved Scottish residence – where centuries of court intrigue still echo through its baroque halls. Afterward, enjoy the freedom to explore Edinburgh on your own: discover hidden bookshops, sample whisky in the Grassmarket or visit the Scottish National Gallery. On select August departures, take your seat for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo – a stirring celebration of Scottish and international culture, with massed pipes and drums framed by the floodlit evening castle. (B)

Begin with a drive to Falkirk to see The Kelpies, two colossal horse-head sculptures honoring Scotland's heavy horses and shape-shifting water spirits from legend. Nearby, marvel at the Falkirk Wheel, a 21st-century engineering icon that effortlessly lifts boats skyward.

Then, step into history at Stirling Castle, one of Scotland's grandest fortresses, where Mary, Queen of Scots was crowned, and battles for independence were fought. Enjoy a traditional lunch at Crieff Hydro, a Victorian spa retreat nestled in Perthshire's gentle hills, before an afternoon visit to The Glenturret Distillery – Scotland's oldest working distillery. Here, time slows for a guided tour and tasting of small-batch Highland single malts before returning to your hotel. (B/L)

Cross east to the windswept coast and St. Andrews, a town revered for its ancient university, medieval cathedral ruins, and as the home of golf. Choose a leisurely walking tour through its cobbled lanes, or explore storied fairways where the game was born – including the iconic Swilcan Bridge. Journey north via the Victorian resort town of Pitlochry, and into the Cairngorm foothills for a sheepdog demonstration that's equal parts precision and poetry.

Arrive in Inverness, the Highland capital where River Ness threads through a city rich with Jacobite history and Highland charm. Dinner this evening is at your leisure in your hotel. Stay Two Nights: Ness Walk (B/D)

Stand upon the haunting Culloden Moor, where in 1746 the Jacobite dream met a brutal end in under an hour. A guided tour brings the battlefield's legacy to life, revealing the personal stories and lasting impact of this pivotal clash. Then, step into literary lore at Cawdor Castle, associated with William Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Macbeth and still a noble family home. Enjoy high tea at Culloden House, once a Jacobite stronghold, before returning to Inverness for a relaxing afternoon or a guided walk culminating in a visit to one of the city's oldest pubs.

Tonight, enjoy a traditional Scottish dinner with music, Highland flair, and the warm hospitality of the Highlands. (B/L/D)

Head west through Scotland's soul-stirring landscapes to Glen Coe, a glen carved by glaciers and steeped in legend. Stop for lunch in Ballachulish, a village once powered by slate and sea, where the surrounding peaks hold centuries of history.

Continue south to Loch Lomond, known as "the gateway to the Lowlands," where the tranquil waters mirror the rugged beauty of the Highlands. At Cameron House on Loch Lomond, your luxury lakeside retreat, enjoy a hands-on falconry experience – a time-honored Highland tradition once reserved for nobles and kings. Stay Two Nights: Cameron House on Loch Lomond (B/L)

This morning, the spirit of the Highlands comes alive in your private Highland Games, where friendly competition meets ancient tradition – try your hand at tug-of-war, test your skills at shot put, or simply cheer on your fellow travelers. Enjoy lunch in style today as you cruise the storied waters of Loch Lomond, taking in the rugged beauty of its tree-lined shores.

This evening, toast the journey at a farewell dinner and ceilidh – a festive gathering of music, dance, storytelling, and Scottish camaraderie. (B/L/D)

Tour ends: Glasgow. Fly home anytime; a transfer is included from Cameron House on Loch Lomond to the city of Glasgow or Glasgow Airport. Please allow a minimum of three hours for check-in at the airport. (B)