This off-season Scottish Escape tour is the perfect way to appreciate the beauty of Scotland’s rural landscapes, as well as the energy of its cities and iconic sites. Your escorted vacation begins in Scotland’s largest city—Glasgow. You’ll visit Stirling Castle—home to Scotland’s Kings and Queens—and explore the sights of Glasgow as well. Travel along the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond, and see awe-inspiring Rannoch Moor, Glen Coe, Loch Linnhe, and Fort William beneath Ben Nevis. Keep an eye out for the Loch Ness monster, and learn about historic conflicts between Scottish clans.
Spend the night in the Scottish highland capital of Inverness, see the mountain resort of Pitlochry, and the legendary home of golf—St. Andrews. Cross the Forth Road Bridge to Edinburgh, to spend three nights to see the historic sites, such as Edinburgh Castle and stunning views. Make your escape to see the best of Scotland, while enjoying reduced crowds and prices on the off-season. You’ll enjoy your guided tour of Scotland all the more!
What is included in the tour
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Accommodation
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Guide
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Meals
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Additional Services
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Transport
What is NOT included in the tour
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Flights
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Insurance
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Optional
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Additional Services
- Explore Stirling Castle's royal history
- Hear tales of bravery at Culloden Moor
- Visit the birthplace of golf in St. Andrews
- Tour Edinburgh Castle and see the Crown Jewels
- Stroll through Edinburgh's historic New Town
Day 1 ARRIVE IN GLASGOW, SCOTLAND
Welcome to Glasgow! Free time for the remainder of the day. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel.
Day 2 GLASGOW. STIRLING EXCURSION
Bravehearts & City of Arts STIRLING Visit Stirling Castle.
GLASGOW Orientation drive to see the 12th-century cathedral, university buildings, and Georgian squares. (B) 81 mi / 131 km
LOCAL FAVORITE
HISTORIC SPOT "They may take away our lives, but they'll never take our freedom!" Explore Stirling Castle, a great symbol of Scottish national pride and the place Mel Gibson fought for in Braveheart. Through the centuries it was used as a royal residence for Scotland's Kings and Queens, a fortress, and a battlefield for independence. Now a museum, Stirling is one of the best-preserved, ornately decorated and furnished Renaissance castles in the UK.
Day 3 GLASGOW–FORT WILLIAM–CULLODEN MOOR–INVERNESS
Bonnie Lands & Brave Lads Scenic drive along the banks of Loch Lomond.
FORT WILLIAM See the gateway to Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak.
CULLODEN MOOR Visit the Culloden battlefield site. (B,D) 178 mi / 286 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT At Culloden moor, hear the story of the crushing Hanoverian victory over Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Scottish clans. On 16 April 1746, the two armies met. Over 1,500 Jacobites were killed or wounded, while British government forces lost about 100 soldiers. The last pitched battle fought on British soil lasted less than an hour.
Day 4 INVERNESS–PITLOCHRY–ST. ANDREWS–EDINBURGH
Mountains & Mulligans PITLOCHRY Time in the Victorian mountain resort.
ST. ANDREWS See the home of golf and famous university town.
EDINBURGH Free time this evening. (B) 202 mi / 326 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ICONIC FOOTSTEPS See the fairways and greens at the birthplace of golf, where legendary players of the Scottish game made history in the university town of St. Andrews.
Day 5 EDINBURGH
Crown Jewels & Castle Views EDINBURGH Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the New Town and Old Town. Visit to Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Free time this afternoon. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important historical strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, rules with an 11,000-year history as “the most besieged place in Great Britain.” Here, you’ll find the royal regalia and Scotland’s Crown Jewels. The Castle also marks the starting point of the Royal Mile, the historic processional route and location of many of the city’s famous landmarks, including St. Giles’ Cathedral.
Day 6 EDINBURGH
Celebrating Scotland EDINBURGH Free time before a farewell dinner this evening at your hotel. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CITY SIGHTS Soak in the origins of traditional Georgian architecture on your free day in Edinburgh. Stroll by the ordered symmetrical grid of Neoclassical houses and private gardens. Experience the spirit of the Scottish Enlightenment as you admire elegant ironwork of the New Town streets and squares including Charlotte Square regarded as an architectural masterpiece.
Day 7 EDINBURGH
Safe Travles Until We Meet Again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
