Historic Castles and the Epic Highlands
The Highlands of Scotland are one of the largest expanses of wilderness in Europe and perhaps the most beautiful region in the British Isles. Over the course of 12 days, you'll discover these incredible landscapes as well as Scotland's distinct and proud identity, exploring what sets apart the wild, open north and the cultured cities of the Central Belt.
Trip highlights
- Sample Scottish gastronomy on a private food tour
- Relax at the Gleneagles Spa in the Lowlands
- Visit locations from blockbusters such as Game of Thrones
- Hone your tasting skills on a whisky tour of Speyside
- Explore the beautiful Attadale Gardens on the West Coast
- Soak up incredible views on the rugged Isle of Skye
- Admire the magnificent scenery of Loch Lomond
- Stay in renovated 17th-century castle in Glasgow
Bespoke trips with Jacada
We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Privately guided tours
- Private transfers
- Meticulously selected experiences
- Expertise and support from your Jacada Concierge
Itinerary in detail
Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.
Days 1–3
Start your journey in Edinburgh
Explore Scotland’s beautiful capital, Edinburgh, sometimes called 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 Her Majesty the Queen in Scotland. The Windsor connections can be seen at a hidden location in the district of Leith, where the Queen’s Royal Yacht Britannia is now docked.
On a private walking tour with an expert guide, you’ll wind your way through the cobbled streets of the old town; delving into its history at Edinburgh Castle; exploring the Walter Scott monument; and heading down to the waterside at Leith. Head on to Calton Hill or climb Arthur’s Seat for the best views of the city.
Where you could stay
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Gastronomy
Golfing
Sightseeing
A culinary tour with Edinburgh Eats
Scotland’s deserved reputation as a foodie destination is testament to its unique local dishes and delicious fresh produce. Join an expert guide on a private tour around some of Edinburgh’s top eateries to sample a series of tasting plates that showcase the best of Scottish gastronomy.
A walking tour of St. Andrews
St. Andrews is the world’s premier destination for golfers, with the earliest documented evidence of golf in the town dating from 1553. It is also the spiritual and administrative home of the sport: the R&A is based here and Thomas Mitchell Morris Sr, who helped establish the first ever professional tournament, was born here. The legendary Old Course is located in the town and completing it is the ultimate achievement for the serious golfer.
A personal tour of Fife
Fife is a little-visited corner of Scotland, but has some of its most interesting sites. Falkland Castle was a residence of the Stuart monarchs and its majestic state rooms can be appreciated in full today. The quirky tennis court is the oldest royal tennis court in Britain and was built for King James V. The area of East Neuk has some of the prettiest fishing villages in Scotland, nestled along the coast of the North Sea.
Days 3–5
Three days in the Scottish Lowlands
The Lowlands encompass the southern half of Scotland between the Highlands and the English border, along with Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen. This string of towns and cities along what’s known as the Central Belt between the Firth of Forth and the Clyde are home to most of Scotland’s population. It’s a region rich with history, culture and grand old architecture.
Alongside traditional country pursuits such as fishing and grouse shooting, the focus at vast estates and stately homes, walking, rock climbing and mountain biking are increasingly popular, the latter thanks to a fabulous network of forest trails across the region. Some of the most famous golf courses in the world can also be found here.
Lowland highlights
Doune Castle
Blair Castle
The Cairngorms
Doune Castle
Doune Castle is an imposing 14th-century courtyard castle with well-preserved domestic quarters housed in the 100ft high gatehouse. It has many claims to fame, having featured in Ivanhoe (both the 1952 film and 1997 BBC adaptation), Monty Python and the Holy Grail (standing in for almost all the castle settings), in Game of Thrones as the original Winterfell, and in Outlander as Castle Leoch.
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.
Cairngorms National Park
The Cairngorms are blessed with some of Scotland’s best scenery. Over 55 Munros (mountains over 3,000 feet), incredible wildlife and native woodland, such as the Abernethy Forest with its original Caledonian pines, are just some of the reasons it is widely considered one of the UK’s best national parks.
Days 5–7
Two nights near Loch Ness
Loch Ness is home to the legendary Loch Ness Monster, first reported in 1934. Nessie may have turned out to be fictional, but this corner of Scotland lies at the gateway to some of the country’s most stunning scenery. By volume, it is the largest lake in the British Isles and contains more fresh water than all the lakes in England and Scotland combined.
Exploring near Loch Ness
A 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.
A visit to Inverewe Garden
The West Coast is one of the most inaccessible parts of Scotland. Its isolated and northerly geography bely the microclimate that allow gardeners to plant sub-tropical plants in a region lying at a higher latitude than Moscow. Just north of the picturesque town of Poolewe, Inverewe Garden is a perfect example of such a garden and lies at the heart of an estate managed for conservation.
Days 7–8
To the West Coast from Torridon
The landscape becomes more mountainous as you journey towards the Torridon Mountains. 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.
Nearby 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 beautiful Attadale Gardens
Attadale Gardens sit tucked along the side of a wooded valley, overlooking a picturesque inlet. The gardens are an extraordinary series of rooms, reflecting the creative talents of its succession of owners. The gardens now belong to a local branch of the Macpherson clan from nearby Skye. Explore the gardens on a private tour and discover how the varied planting scheme thrives in the climate of Scotland’s West Coast.
Days 8–10
From Fort William to Skye
Your magnificent base for the next two nights is Fort William, backed by Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis. From here you’ll explore the beautiful island of Skye and some of Scotland’s best-known and most picturesque sights.
Magnificent sights and views
Skye
Glencoe
Inveraray Castle
Loch Lomond
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.
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.
Inveraray Castle
The Gothic Revival mansion of Inveraray Castle is one of Scotland’s grandest stately homes. Ancestral seat of the Dukes of Argyll since the 18th century, it featured as Duneagle Castle in the television series Downton Abbey. The Castle contains an impressive collection of swords, muskets and other weapons.
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.
Days 10–12
Bring your trip to a close with two nights in Glasgow
Glasgow is the beating heart of modern Scotland, renowned for its culture and style. The country’s sporting, music and financial capital, Glasgow is hard-working and thriving, as well as Scotland’s largest city.
You’ll find world-class museums here as well as some of Scotland’s best shopping and nightlife. The city packs in rich opportunities to engage with Scottish art and culture too, from the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum to Glasgow Cathedral and the historic Provand’s Lordship, the oldest house in the city. The creations of Glasgow’s most famous son, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, can be seen all over the city from the Willow Tea Rooms to the Mackintosh House at the Hunterian Museum.
The city itself has a rich and diverse history, reflected in its architecture which ranges from the 18th-century warehouses of Merchant City to the red sandstone Victorian buildings that line its squares and crescents. Then there are the silver space-age constructions of the Glasgow Science Centre and the Clyde Auditorium, affectionately known as the Armadillo.
A private tour will bring Glasgow’s many facets to life.
Why book with Jacada
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your personal interests, tastes and preferences, providing honest advice based on first-hand knowledge.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant Concierges are hand-picked for their ability to bring your destination to life with care and passion.
Positive impact
We seek out unforgettable experiences that benefit both local communities and the environment.
My booking for Scotland was arranged through Kit & Alice. They were extremely helpful to determine my preferences and confirm everything. It was facilitated in a timely manner with all the details. Everything was executed flawlessly during my trip.
