Scottish Clans and Castles

Overview
Itinerary
Hotels
The Experience
Reviews

4.6

Find your castle in the sky

Revisit the past on this leisurely Scottish tour filled with castle ruins, ancient battlefields, and colorful stories from the country's rich history.

Trip details

Tour start Glasgow

Tour end Edinburgh

Days

Nights

Meals

Available Promotions for this tour

Highlights

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Explore the Palace's past with some of Scotland’s well-known historic figures, Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie, and learn how it is used by The Queen when carrying out official engagements in Scotland.

Culloden Battlefield

Explore the battlefield where the 1745 Jacobite Rising came to a tragic end.

Dunvegan Castle

The oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland, it has been the ancestral home of Clan MacLeod for 800 years.

Brodie Castle

Explore this 16th-century castle, with its fairytale towers, turrets and fine furnishings.

Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s grandest castles, with its imposing position and impressive architecture, and the scenery will take your breath away.

Isle of Skye

Explore the Isle of Skye and learn the history of the Bonnie Prince Charlie.

Eilean Donan Castle

One of the most iconic images of Scotland, Eilean Donan Castle sits majestically on a small island at the point where three great sea lochs meet in the Highlands.

Scottish Sheepdog Demonstration

Watch highly experienced sheepdogs mind their flocks at a charming Scottish farm.

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Travelers on our July 28th - August 18th departures can watch kilt-clad corps perform with drums and pipes in military precision.

Itinerary

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Day 1Glasgow Panoramic Tour | Welcome Drink

Your tour begins at 2:30 PM at your hotel. Take a panoramic tour of Glasgow, seeing sights like George Square, Kelvingrove Park, the cathedral and the university, all featured in the popular TV series “Outlander”. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group before dining at your hotel. (D)

Day 2Whisky Distillery | Stirling Castle

Head to Glengoyne Distillery to learn about its two centuries of whisky-making and sample a dram. Next, visit Stirling Castle, a magnificent stronghold that was the childhood home of many Scottish kings and queens, including Mary, Queen of Scots. Return to Glasgow, where you will be free to explore and dine as you wish. (B)

Day 3Glencoe | Eilean Donan Castle

Head into the majestic Highlands and journey by Loch Lomond, across Rannoch Moor and through Glencoe, one of Scotland’s most spectacular and beautiful places. Stop for photo opportunities along the route as you continue your journey to the romantic Eilean Donan Castle, before arriving at your hotel on the shore of Loch Alsh. (B, D)

Day 4Isle of Skye | Dunvegan Castle | Portree, Kilt Rock | Kilmuir Graveyard

Explore the Isle of Skye and learn the history of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Travel to Dunvegan Castle, the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland. Admire the Trotternish Peninsula as you travel to Kilt Rock, a 200-foot-high sea cliff with huge, vertical basalt columns. Visit Flora MacDonald’s grave in Kilmuir Graveyard and stop in Portree for free time. (B, D)

Day 5Strathpeffer | Hugh Miller’s Birthplace | Inverness

Begin a scenic drive across the beautiful mountainous landscape of the Highlands, stopping off for photos in Lochcarron, a pretty lakeside village of whitewashed cottages. Visit Strathpeffer for some free time to explore this leafy Victorian spa town with its distinctive architecture. Proceed to Hugh Miller’s Birthplace in Cromarty to discover one of Scotland’s most fascinating 19th-century figures; Miller was a fossil hunter, folklorist, stonemason, geologist, and newspaper editor. Arrive in Inverness, and dine in your hotel. (B, D)

Day 6Urquhart Castle | Loch Ness Cruise | Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre

Photo opportunities await as you visit the picturesque ruins of Urquhart Castle, once Scotland’s largest castle, and embark on a cruise of Loch Ness. Stop at the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre to discover how British government forces defeated the army of Bonnie Prince Charlie, ending the Jacobite rising. Return to Inverness for a walking tour with your tour director before dinner at your hotel. (B, D)

Day 7Elgin | Brodie Castle

Visit Elgin, a picturesque town with cobblestone streets, rich in medieval heritage. Stop in to Johnstons of Elgin, a luxury woolen mill and shop that’s been in business since 1797. Head on to explore 16th-century Brodie Castle, with its fairytale towers and turrets set on spacious grounds. The house contains fine furnishings, a collection of paintings, and a library with over 6,000 volumes. Return to Inverness and enjoy a free evening and dinner on your own (B)

Day 8Sheepdog Demonstration | Culross Walking Tour

Immerse yourself in farm life and enjoy a demonstration of dogs obeying commands to round up sheep. In Pitlochry, explore and have lunch independently. Continue to Culross for a walking tour around the charming 16th-century town, recently used as a filming location for “Outlander.” Highlights include the Town House, Culross Palace, and the remains of Culross Abbey. Enjoy free time in Culross before going to your hotel near Edinburgh. Enjoy a free evening with time to explore and dine independently. (B)

Day 9Edinburgh Panoramic Tour | Palace of Holyroodhouse | Scottish Evening*

In Edinburgh, see how the medieval townhouses along the Royal Mile in the heart of the Old Town stand in stark contrast to the Georgian mansions of the 200-year-old New Town. Tour the impressive Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of the Queen, and walk through the majestically furnished chambers. The rest of the day is free. Enjoy a Scottish evening with a farewell dinner and traditional entertainment. July 28 – August 18 departures attend the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. (B, D*)

Day 10Tour ends in Edinburgh

Your tour ends after breakfast (B) B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner *Meal counts vary on Tattoo departures, as the Scottish Evening is replaced with the Tattoo and an independent dinner. >

Where you’ll stay

Novotel Glasgow Centre Hotel Glasgow, Scotland

The 4-Star Novotel Glasgow Centre is conveniently located in the heart of the vibrant city. This...

Balmacara Hotel Scottish Highlands, Scotland

This traditional Highland hotel is beautifully located on scenic Loch Alsh, with views of the Isle...

Glen Mhor Hotel Inverness, Scotland

Located in Inverness, Glen Mhor Hotel is in the city center and near a train station. Along with a...

Doubletree by Hilton Queensferry Crossing restaurant

DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh - Queensferry Crossing Edinburgh, Scotland

Inclusive package with no hidden extras

What's included?

Full daily breakfast and many meals*
An evening of Scottish entertainment
Transportation (Buses, shuttles & ferries)
Welcome drinks with your group
Free Wi-Fi on luxury coaches
All entrance fees to attractions
Comprehensive travel itinerary

*Breakfast is not included on Day 1

Our welcome gift to you

A travel backpack
Travel adapter
Rain poncho
Luggage strap and tags
Documents wallet

From our travelers

I had a magnificent journey through the lowlands and highlands of Scotland. Everything about this tour was top notch.

Robin Zonghi, Massachusetts

We take care of everything: authentic experiences, expert local tour directors, and more. Check out the CIE Tours difference!

See what people are saying about this trip

Mrs. Cristina Demetrescu

1 week 4 days ago

O vacanță minunată

Cred că deja am răspuns anterior. Am aflat multe lucruri. Am simtit istoria pe pielea noastră. Obiectivele au fost foarte bine alese, cat sa ne intoarcem cu o senzatie de bogăție. Am aflat multe despre clanuri. Csstelele si alte locuri au fost minunate. Am avut timp sa ne și relaxam.

Jennifer Letha Johnson

1 month ago

Amazing Trip

Well worth the cost. The trip checked off everything I wanted to see and do in Scotland.

CIE Tours Customer

2 months 1 week ago

Great tour of Scottish castles, the Highlands and Skye

This was a great tour. Got to see many areas of Scotland while learning about the history and culture. Gorgeous views, intriguing visitor sites, and lots of castles. Being able to go to Rosslyn Chapel was a wonderful addition to the tour, since Holyrood Palace was closed and should be regular part of the tour. Graham Bruce was an outstanding tour guide who has a vast knowledge of all things Scottish, as well keeping us organized and entertained.

Mark Alan Dunn

3 months ago

Didn’t have any problem with the cost

Jennifer L Moore