- Perthshire
- Fort William
- West Coast and Islands
- Nairn
- Pitlochry
- Edinburgh
From lowland lochs to indomitable highland hills, centuries-old castles and much more
Personalised journeys from start to finish
Every trip helps support Conservation
Every detail taken care of
Itinerary highlights
- First class tickets on the Jacobite steam train
- Explore the previous royal yacht of Queen Elizabeth II
- Enjoy a stay at Balmoral Hotel
- Discover the epic landscapes of the Isle of Skye
- Visit the home of Stuart kings and queens, Stirling Castle and the picture-perfect Eilean Donan Castle
- Go behind the scenes at a whisky distillery
What's included
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Private transfers
- Expert private guides in each location
- Full support from your travel designer and concierge before, during and after your trip
- Our help with restaurant recommendations and reservations
At a glance
This tour will take you on a well-rounded loop through Scotland, starting in the lowlands with a stay at Andy Murray’s Cromlix hotel found on a fabulous Perthshire estate.
Your first excursion will throw you deep into the monumental history of this ancient country with a visit to Stirling Castle, once home to Stuart kings and queens. Next you’ll head to the tranquil Loch Lomond before heading to Fort William for a visit to Glencoe, a hauntingly beautiful Highland glen and the evocative site of the 1692 clan massacre. From here you’ll board the Jacobite steam train after which you’ll wind up in the rugged and unrivaled landscapes of the Isle of Skye.
Next you’ll make your way to Nairn for a whiskey tour and VIP Tour of a Speyside cooperage, to truly get a taste of Scotland. Soon you’ll find yourself in Pitlochery, where the ancient Scone Palace, the coronation site of both Robert the Bruce and Charles II, awaits you.
Your final stop on this whirlwind adventure will take you to the iconic capital city of Edinburgh, where you can take in the grand Georgian architecture, such as the elegant neoclassical terraces that give it the moniker the ‘Athens of the North’.
Example trip itinerary
Perthshire
Transfer
Airside meet and greet at Edinburgh airport
Transfer
Private transfer to your hotel
Accommodation in Perthshire
Scottish Lowlands
Overview
Experience grand country living at its finest at Andy Murray’s Cromlix. Live like the lairds of old in elegant surroundings while enjoying exemplary service.
The Victorian Perthshire mansion, set on 34 acres of woodlands, has been transformed into a 15-room country hotel. Light-filled rooms offer views over the manicured grounds and countryside and the décor showcases the house’s original heritage with carefully selected Scottish antique furniture. The luxurious bathrooms in most of the suites feature hand-painted freestanding baths in gold, silver and copper.
While the restaurant is housed in a conservatory overlooking the gardens, meals from Chez Roux can be enjoyed in various spaces around the hotel. The open kitchen makes for a more interactive dining experience, and the menus are crafted around seasonal local produce.
→ Find out moreStirling Castle is one of Scotland’s premier castles and has an impressive history. Home to a succession of Stuart kings and queens, this historic edifice sits atop a rocky outcrop and rivals Edinburgh Castle in both history and visual impact.
The village of Culross is a place that time forgot. Nestled along the banks of the River Forth, the Royal Burgh of Culross dates largely from the 16th century and its ancient cottages and the striking mustard-yellow Palace are little changed. Discover a slice of Scottish history on a guided walk around this exceptional place.
Made famous by the song The Bonnie Banks o’ Loch Lomond, this freshwater loch is one of Scotland’s most evocative sites. The loch marks the beginning of the Highlands and the magnificent scenery of the Trossachs forms the backdrop to this spectacular location.
Glencoe is undoubtedly one of the most awe-inspiring sights in the whole of Scotland. Site of the 1692 Massacre of Glencoe, today it is a hauntingly beautiful Highland glen which evokes the spirit of the clans who ruled this land for centuries.
Transfer
Private transfer to your hotel
Fort William
Accommodation in Fort William
West Coast and Islands
Overview
Backed Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, and reflected in its own loch, the setting of Inverlochy Castle is more than matched by the great house’s grandeur. Built 1863, a visiting Queen Victoria commented, ‘I never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot’, and it is certainly as impressive today.
Arrive to an aristocratic welcome, perhaps after pulling up in the hotel’s Rolls Royce, and step into the aptly named Grand Hall. This is a place that has unashamedly stuck to its guns décor-wise, an eclectic mix of opulent 19th century styles, and it is all the better for it. Combined with the surroundings and impeccable service, it simply feels ‘right’.
There are 17 unique rooms in the main house, all spacious and thoroughly comfortable with unobtrusive modern features and delightful bathrooms.
Dining is a full country house experience, starting with a drink by the fire, followed by a multi-course dinner courtesy of Albert and Michel Roux Jr celebrating modern British cuisine with French influences, perhaps ending sampling some of the extensive whisky collection.
Spend your days here walking in the surrounding hills, fishing on the loch or enjoying afternoon tea. The array of outdoor activities in the Fort William area are within also all easy reach such as pony trekking, golf, mountain biking, climbing and white-water rafting.
→ Find out moreEnjoy a ride on the Jacobite steam train, made famous as the Hogwart’s Express in the Harry Potter movies. The train is one of the best ways to view the stunning scenery of the West Coast.
Transfer
Ferry from Armadale to Mallaig
Transfer
Private transfer to your hotel
Skye
Accommodation in Skye
West Coast and Islands
Overview
Kinloch is a luxury family-run hotel in the beautiful surrounds of the rugged Isle of Sky in what once was a 17th-century hunting lodge. Found at the foot of a indomitable mountain and at the head of the tranquil waters of Loch na Da, this is truly the ideal place to escape the noise and stresses of modern life.
Here you will find guest rooms that are individually decorated in a calming, earthy palette and textures chosen to invoke Skye’s distinctive landscape. Each room is decorated with unique antiques, prints and paintings, and the large Edwardian windows ensure plenty of natural light. Some of the rooms also have exquisite views across Loch na Dal or towards Kinloch Hill.
Steeped in heritage – with several old portraits of the original lodge owner’s family hung in the dining room – the lodge exemplifies all the traditions of highland hospitality and your welcome here will be warmer than the many log fires lighting up every hearth.
When you have soaked up the serenity of the atmosphere and find yourself seeking some exhilaration, there are plenty of activities to choose from to satisfy such desires. Fly fishing will take you on a thrilling quest for the elusive wild Scottish salmon while stalking will connect you to the roots of the property’s history as a hunting lodge. Wild walks take you further into the rugged landscapes beyond the estate, which call out to be explored, while a range of cookery classes provide entertainment and insight into local cuisine, all from the warmth of the lodges interior.
After working up an appetite after any number of these activities, you’ll delight in the culinary treasures found here. Simply cooked local produce is generously served by award winning chef Marcello Tully, who won and maintained a Michelin star for seven years running.
→ Find out moreSkye’s rugged landscapes and dramatic mountain scenery are unrivalled among the islands of the West Coast. There are only a few roads crossing the island and its isolated position has ensured it retains a strong and proud Gaelic identity. There is a thriving art and crafts tradition on the island and photographers from far and wide are attracted not only for the peaks and valleys but for the extraordinary abundance of wildlife, both on dry land and in the sea, that Skye is famous for.
Visit the evocative Eilean Donan Castle, perched on a small tidal island at the convergence of three sea lochs. Eilean Donan possesses all the qualities of a romantic castle and is one of the Highland's greatest beauties.
Applecross is widely considered to be one of the most picturesque locations on the West Coast. Located on a peninsula looking out towards the Isle of Raasay and Isle of Skye, the Applecross Peninsula is home to just a couple of hundred people. A place of peace and tranquility, but also of drama and power in the huge landscapes and variable weather, this is one of Scotland’s most evocative places.
Transfer
Private transfer to your hotel
Nairn
Accommodation in Nairn
Scottish Highlands
Overview
On Scotland’s north east Moray coast, the family run Boath House is a wonderfully restored Regency country house set in 22 acres of land that includes and ornamental lake, streams, parkland and formal walled gardens.
The warmth of the original family home has been retained throughout all eight rooms. Many original features have been retained save for the attached dressing rooms which have been converted into en suite bathrooms. Two rooms under old kitchen’s vaulted ceiling are more contemporary in design and there is also a private cottage in the woodland next to the main house well suited to families. With such a small number of bedrooms, service is personal, relaxed and friendly.
A highlight here is the cuisine. Adhering to the sustainable slow food movement, a seasonal and ever changing menu uses ingredients from local farmers, growers, fishermen and foragers. Much of the fruit, herbs, and vegetables come from the kitchen gardens and the honey from Boath House’s beehives.
You’re ideally located to explore the beautiful Highland scenery of the Cairngorms National Park to the south, visit local distilleries, spot dolphins on the Moray Firth, take a boat cruise on Loch Ness and discover the rich history of the area such as at Elgin Cathedral, Inverness and many attractive sea side towns that are close by.
→ Find out moreThe Speyside Cooperage stands as one of the last remaining cooperages in Scotland. Still made by hand using traditional methods, the casks are an essential part of the whisky-making process and making them is a skill passed down through generations. An experienced former cooper will guide you through the cooperage and take you down to the workshop floor. The atmosphere here is loud, frantic and full of energy. The coopers are paid for each cask they make and repair, so they're working against the clock. Mind where you step, as this is still a working environment. You'll have the chance to see the vast yard at the back of the cooperage, where casks are piled to the sky, row upon row. It's an awesome sight and sets some context for the scale of Scotland's whisky industry. As well as being a key visit for understanding Scotland's whisky tradition, this is also a fascinating insight into local crafts and how they're kept alive today.
Whisky is one of Scotland’s most successful exports and with good reason: this famous beverage evokes the spirit of Scotland and nowhere is more intrinsically linked to it than the region of Speyside. Barley is distilled in fresh Highland water, and the region in which it is grown gives a different taste to the final product. In Speyside the whiskies have either a light and grassy or rich and sweet palette and the region has no shortage of producers with largest concentration of distilleries in Scotland based here. Join your guide to learn more about one of Scotland’s finest products.
Blair Castle is unlike any other castle in Scotland. Its baronial architecture and beautiful setting in wooded grounds with mountainous backdrop are typical enough, but a couple of accidents of history have set Blair Castle apart. In 1844 Queen Victoria spent three weeks at Blair and during her stay granted the Duke a private army, the Atholl Highlanders, today the only private army in Europe. In more recent times, the castle passed to a branch of the family currently residing in South Africa.
Transfer
Private transfer to your hotel
Pitlochry
Accommodation in Pitlochry
Scottish Highlands
Overview
Nestled in the heart of Highland Perthshire, close to the town of Pitlochry on the southern edge of the Cairngorms National Park, Fonab Castle is a unique mix of old and new.
A former 19th century baronial residence, it has been converted to include 12 luxury suites in the castle with a further 18 rooms in an ancillary building connected by a strikingly modern timber and glass structure which also holds a relaxed brasserie restaurant and gin bar.
There’s also a highly regarded fine dining restaurant, Sandemans, and a spa with swimming pool, sauna and steam room.
→ Find out moreThe lovely village of Dunkeld sits on the banks of the River Tay. The majestic Dunkeld Cathedral dominates this picturesque Perthshire village and features the tomb of the notorious Wolf of Badenoch. Nearby, walk along Atholl Street's variety of specialist shops or take a walk down by the river, which provides excellent views of Thomas Telford's Dunkeld Bridge. You can't miss the brightly coloured houses of Dunkeld which were built in the early 1700s. Restored to provide homes for local people, they are now in the care of the National Trust For Scotland. Another NTS property is the Ell Shop featuring the original 'ell' measure, just over a metre long, used for measuring cloth in days gone by.
A castle whose powerful Scottish history is evident in every room. Today a private residence, this ancient home has received royalty throughout the ages and in the grounds, The Moot Hill was the coronation site of both Robert the Bruce and Charles II.
Transfer
Private transfer to your hotel
Edinburgh
Accommodation in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Overview
Standing proudly at No 1 Princes Street, this grand building, which started out as a railway hotel, blends the best of Scottish tradition and design with five-star contemporary luxury.
The 167 charming rooms feature warm, welcoming hues and modern decor, while the 20 suites are spacious and stylish. Settle into a cosy turret alcove in one of the Grand Suites and gaze out at the historic city, or lose yourself in the lavishly furnished Scone and Crombie signature suite.
When it comes to light lunches and dinner, book a table at Brasserie Prince for sublime French cooking made with the finest Scottish produce. Or treat yourself to an extravagant gourmet adventure at the Michelin-starred Number One. This is modern Scottish cuisine at its finest.
Find inner-city harmony at the award-winning Balmoral Spa. With five treatment rooms, an indoor pool, Finnish sauna, steam room and fully-equipped gym, it’s the perfect place to rejuvenate body and soul.
→ Find out moreEdinburgh is Scotland’s capital city and nicknamed the Athens of the North for its grand Georgian architecture. It’s the New Town that earned the city this sobriquet: its elegant neoclassical terraces were inspired by the buildings of Ancient Greece and though it’s called the New Town, this neighbourhood is already nearly 300 years old.
Edinburgh’s Old Town dominates the city from atop a volcanic outcrop and Edinburgh Castle balances perilously on the edge. The Royal Mile runs down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of His Majesty the King in Scotland. The Windsor connections can be seen at a hidden location in the district of Leith, where the late Queen’s Royal Yacht Britannia is now docked. Explore Edinburgh’s highlights with your expert guide and discover what makes this city perennially popular.
The Royal Yacht Britannia served as the royal yacht of Queen Elizabeth II from 1954 until 1997. It served Her Majesty on innumerable trips around the globe over the course of its career. The yacht was dear to the Queen and she was seen to shed a tear when it was decommissioned. Today, the yacht is docked at Leith, in Edinburgh, and offers a tantalizing insight into some of the former private spaces of the British Royal Family.
Transfer
Private transfer to Edinburgh airport
We design private journeys for people who wish to go beyond the typical and experiencing something truly special. Our amazing team of travel designers, concierges and local guides work together to create unique journeys that get deep under the skin of where you’re visiting.
Get in touch
Classic Scotland
How we work
This tour will take you on a well-rounded loop through Scotland, starting in the lowlands with a stay at Andy Murray’s Cromlix hotel found on a fabulous Perthshire estate. Your first excursion will throw you deep into the monumental history of this ancient country with a visit to Stirling Castle, once home to Stuart kings and queens. Next you’ll head to the tranquil Loch Lomond before heading to Fort William for a visit to Glencoe, a hauntingly beautiful Highland glen and the evocative site of the 1692 clan massacre. From here you’ll board the Jacobite steam train after which you’ll wind up in the rugged and unrivaled landscapes of the Isle of Skye. Next you’ll make your way to Nairn for a whiskey tour and VIP Tour of a Speyside cooperage, to truly get a taste of Scotland. Soon you’ll find yourself in Pitlochery, where the ancient Scone Palace, the coronation site of both Robert the Bruce and Charles II, awaits you. Your final stop on this whirlwind adventure will take you to the iconic capital city of Edinburgh, where you can take in the grand Georgian architecture, such as the elegant neoclassical terraces that give it the moniker the ‘Athens of the North’. | Whats included?
|
Days 1 - 3 |
Perthshire |
Flights & transfers
Airside meet and greet at Edinburgh airport |
|
Private transfer to your hotel | |
Accommodation in Perthshire
•
Cromlix - $$$$$
Experience grand country living at its finest at Andy Murray’s Cromlix. Live like the lairds...
|
|
Stirling Castle Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s premier castles and has an impressive history. Home to a succession of Stuart kings and queens, this historic edifice sits atop a rocky outcrop and rivals Edinburgh Castle in both history and visual impact. |
|
Culross The village of Culross is a place that time forgot. Nestled along the banks of the River Forth, the Royal Burgh of Culross dates largely from the 16th century and its ancient cottages and the striking mustard-yellow Palace are little changed. Discover a slice of Scottish history on a guided walk around this exceptional place. |
|
Loch Lomond Made famous by the song The Bonnie Banks o’ Loch Lomond, this freshwater loch is one of Scotland’s most evocative sites. The loch marks the beginning of the Highlands and the magnificent scenery of the Trossachs forms the backdrop to this spectacular location. |
|
Glencoe Glencoe is undoubtedly one of the most awe-inspiring sights in the whole of Scotland. Site of the 1692 Massacre of Glencoe, today it is a hauntingly beautiful Highland glen which evokes the spirit of the clans who ruled this land for centuries. |
|
Flights & transfers
Private transfer to your hotel |
|
Day 3 - 4 |
Fort William |
Accommodation in Fort William
•
Inverlochy Castle Hotel - $$$$$
Backed Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, and reflected in its own loch, the setting of...
|
|
Jacobite steam train Enjoy a ride on the Jacobite steam train, made famous as the Hogwart’s Express in the Harry Potter movies. The train is one of the best ways to view the stunning scenery of the West Coast. |
|
Flights & transfers
Ferry from Armadale to Mallaig |
|
Private transfer to your hotel | |
Day 4 - 6 |
Skye |
Accommodation in Skye
•
Kinloch Lodge - $$$$$
Kinloch is a luxury family-run hotel in the beautiful surrounds of the rugged Isle of Sky in...
|
|
Isle of Skye Skye’s rugged landscapes and dramatic mountain scenery are unrivalled among the islands of the West Coast. There are only a few roads crossing the island and its isolated position has ensured it retains a strong and proud Gaelic identity. There is a thriving art and crafts tradition on the island and photographers from far and wide are attracted not only for the peaks and valleys but for the extraordinary abundance of wildlife, both on dry land and in the sea, that Skye is famous for. |
|
Eilean Donan Castle Visit the evocative Eilean Donan Castle, perched on a small tidal island at the convergence of three sea lochs. Eilean Donan possesses all the qualities of a romantic castle and is one of the Highland's greatest beauties. |
|
Explore Scotland's West Coast Applecross is widely considered to be one of the most picturesque locations on the West Coast. Located on a peninsula looking out towards the Isle of Raasay and Isle of Skye, the Applecross Peninsula is home to just a couple of hundred people. A place of peace and tranquility, but also of drama and power in the huge landscapes and variable weather, this is one of Scotland’s most evocative places. |
|
Flights & transfers
Private transfer to your hotel |
|
Days 6 - 8 |
Nairn |
Accommodation in Nairn
•
Boath House - $$$$$
On Scotland’s north east Moray coast, the family run Boath House is a wonderfully restored...
|
|
* Speyside Cooperage The Speyside Cooperage stands as one of the last remaining cooperages in Scotland. Still made by hand using traditional methods, the casks are an essential part of the whisky-making process and making them is a skill passed down through generations. An experienced former cooper will guide you through the cooperage and take you down to the workshop floor. The atmosphere here is loud, frantic and full of energy. The coopers are paid for each cask they make and repair, so they're working against the clock. Mind where you step, as this is still a working environment. You'll have the chance to see the vast yard at the back of the cooperage, where casks are piled to the sky, row upon row. It's an awesome sight and sets some context for the scale of Scotland's whisky industry. As well as being a key visit for understanding Scotland's whisky tradition, this is also a fascinating insight into local crafts and how they're kept alive today. |
|
* Whisky Tour of Speyside Whisky is one of Scotland’s most successful exports and with good reason: this famous beverage evokes the spirit of Scotland and nowhere is more intrinsically linked to it than the region of Speyside. Barley is distilled in fresh Highland water, and the region in which it is grown gives a different taste to the final product. In Speyside the whiskies have either a light and grassy or rich and sweet palette and the region has no shortage of producers with largest concentration of distilleries in Scotland based here. Join your guide to learn more about one of Scotland’s finest products. |
|
Blair Castle Blair Castle is unlike any other castle in Scotland. Its baronial architecture and beautiful setting in wooded grounds with mountainous backdrop are typical enough, but a couple of accidents of history have set Blair Castle apart. In 1844 Queen Victoria spent three weeks at Blair and during her stay granted the Duke a private army, the Atholl Highlanders, today the only private army in Europe. In more recent times, the castle passed to a branch of the family currently residing in South Africa. |
|
Flights & transfers
Private transfer to your hotel |
|
Days 8 - 9 |
Pitlochry |
Accommodation in Pitlochry
•
Fonab Castle - $$$$$
Nestled in the heart of Highland Perthshire, close to the town of Pitlochry on the southern...
|
|
Dunkeld village The lovely village of Dunkeld sits on the banks of the River Tay. The majestic Dunkeld Cathedral dominates this picturesque Perthshire village and features the tomb of the notorious Wolf of Badenoch. Nearby, walk along Atholl Street's variety of specialist shops or take a walk down by the river, which provides excellent views of Thomas Telford's Dunkeld Bridge. You can't miss the brightly coloured houses of Dunkeld which were built in the early 1700s. Restored to provide homes for local people, they are now in the care of the National Trust For Scotland. Another NTS property is the Ell Shop featuring the original 'ell' measure, just over a metre long, used for measuring cloth in days gone by. |
|
Scone Palace A castle whose powerful Scottish history is evident in every room. Today a private residence, this ancient home has received royalty throughout the ages and in the grounds, The Moot Hill was the coronation site of both Robert the Bruce and Charles II. |
|
Flights & transfers
Private transfer to your hotel |