Edinburgh & the Scottish Highlands

Your week in Edinburgh and Perthshire starts with your arrival into Edinburgh International Airport where our driver will welcome you and provide a transfer to your hotel in the city center. After checking in and getting settled, enjoy the afternoon to yourself. If you’re experiencing jet lag, you might want to consider one of the many options for a stroll. Perhaps walk winding Victoria Street which stretches from George IV Bridge to historic Grassmarket, lined with the city’s finest independent boutiques. Or wander through the many fine gallery spaces. If you’re feeling energetic climb Arthur’s Seat, an extinct 824-foot-high volcano that provides stellar views over the city.

Start your day with a tour of Edinburgh’s highlights, including many sights in both the Old and New Town, with lunch included at the popular and quirky Roseleaf pub. We’ve taken care of your entrance fees into Edinburgh Castle, so this afternoon you’ll explore the national treasures in the magnificent fortress, including Scotland’s crown jewels, the Stone of Destiny, and 12th-century St. Margaret’s Chapel, the city’s oldest building. Enjoy a panoramic view over Edinburgh before joining a whisky tour, complete with a unique barrel car ride through the production process, an expert-led sensory experience, and a lesson on the five stages of appreciating whisky.

You’ll have most of the day to enjoy on your own, experiencing what interests you most, perhaps climbing to the top of Arthur’s Seat or a stroll down the Royal Mile. At lunchtime, join our expert local guide for a food walking tour that visits five different bars and eateries to taste the local food and drink. Throughout the excursion, you’ll hear the stories behind the iconic buildings and enjoy an insight into other places you should visit along the way. By the time it’s finished, you’ll have had a three-course meal based on local dishes and newfound knowledge for a fun and educational afternoon.

Enjoy a full-day tour that brings you through the Scottish Highlands, a legendary region with magnificent scenery that includes soaring ancient castles, heather-covered mountains, glistening lochs, tumbling waterfalls, lush glens, abundant wildlife, and whisky distilleries. There will be countless photo-ops while traversing approximately 240 miles, making this the ultimate way to see the Highlands in just a day. Drive past the famous Kelpies, the world’s largest pair of equine sculptures, and stop at a beautiful loch and one of the top spots of beauty in Scotland, Glencoe. You’ll get to feed Highland cows and perhaps enjoy optional visits to 14th-century Doune Castle and a distillery for a tour/tasting.

This morning your driver will pick you up at your Edinburgh hotel to provide a private transfer to Perthshire in the heart of the country, with picturesque scenery and lots of wildlife, including majestic red deer stags. Here you’ll spend two nights enjoying the many facilities and activities on offer at Gleneagles Hotel, an iconic country estate with 1920s glamour tucked into the Ochil Hills that’s been a popular luxury destination in Scotland for nearly a century. After checking in, you might enjoy the swimming pools, and a soak in the hot tub or sauna, with the remainder of the day ideal for relaxation.

As you could easily stay at Gleneagles for a month and not enjoy all that it has to offer, today you’ll have a full day to yourself. You might take advantage of the pursuits in the countryside, like off-road driving, falconry, horse riding, or fishing. Or play a round at one of the two championship golf courses with professional coaching available for all abilities. Afterward, indulge in one of Scotland’s best spas right on-site, with an extensive list of treatments available to support your well-being. Perhaps head to the Beauty Lodge afterward to spruce up for fine dining at the double Michelin-starred Restaurant Andrew Fairlie.

After a week with many memories of a lifetime made, your trip comes to an end. Get your bags packed and ready as after check-out, we’ve provided a private transfer back to the airport where you’ll catch your flight home or head out on further travels. As every itinerary can be customized for your desires, if you’d like to extend your time here or explore elsewhere and need assistance, our travel experts are here to help.