5 Day Tour of Scotland from Edinburgh

8:00 AM

Hotel Pickup, Edinburgh

Your dedicated driver-guide picks up your party directly from your accommodation in Edinburgh, then heads north across the Queensferry Crossing into the Scottish Highlands.

The Hermitage, Dunkeld

Your first stop off the road north — a short woodland walk through towering Douglas firs to Ossian's Hall, perched above the thundering Black Linn Falls, a dramatic first taste of the Highlands.

The House of Bruar & Falls of Bruar

Nestled beneath the Atholl hills, the House of Bruar makes the perfect next Highland pause — Scotland's premier country wear and artisan food halls, or a woodland stroll to the tumbling Falls of Bruar.

Inverness — Capital of the Highlands (Lunch)

Commanding views of red sandstone Inverness Castle over the River Ness, the twin spires of St Andrew's Cathedral, and a relaxed lunch at one of the city's independent bistros or cafés.

Loch Ness & The Wellington Bomber Memorial

Standing beside the deep, ink-black waters of legendary Loch Ness, taking in the sweep of the Great Glen and the evocative site associated with the Vickers Wellington Bomber that ditched here in 1940.

Clava Cairns & Standing Stones

A short drive back into ancient prehistory at the 4,000-year-old Clava Cairns — a Bronze Age burial cemetery of passage graves and standing stones, said to have inspired Outlander's Craigh na Dun.

Pitlochry (Victorian Perthshire)

An afternoon break in the picturesque Victorian town of Pitlochry, cherished since Queen Victoria's 1842 visit — shortbread, tartan knitwear and artisan ice cream on the high street.

~7:00 PM

Homeward Bound: Edinburgh (Day 1)

A relaxed drive south through the farmlands of Fife and back over the Forth, dropping your group at your Edinburgh doorstep with the evening free.

8:00 AM

Hotel Pickup, Edinburgh

Your driver-guide collects you and your group directly from your hotel to begin today's journey to the Highlands.

Stirling Castle

We catch scenic views as we pass by the magnificent Stirling Castle on our way north into the Highlands.

Callander — Meet the Hairy Coos

A stop in the pretty Trossachs town of Callander, the "Gateway to the Highlands," with a visit to meet Scotland's shaggy, good-natured Highland cows — a favourite photo opportunity for the whole family.

Glen Orchy

We stop here to take in an expansive panoramic view over the hills, glens and rivers towards Loch Tulla.

Glencoe

A stop in the dramatic Glencoe valley, one of Scotland's most iconic Highland landscapes, with time for photos and a short walk.

Glenfinnan Viaduct & Jacobite Steam Train

Our main stop of the day. Time to explore the visitor centre, browse the shops, and soak in the views of the iconic viaduct — with good timing, you'll catch the Jacobite steam train ("the Hogwarts Express") crossing the bridge. There's free time here for lunch and local snacks before we continue on.

Cairngorms National Park — Falls of Pattack

On the way back, a picturesque waterfall stop in the Cairngorms National Park, with a short walk to spectacular viewing points over the falls.

~7:00 PM

Homeward Bound: Edinburgh (Day 2)

A relaxed drive back to Edinburgh, with further photo stops along the way.

8:00 AM

Hotel Pickup, Edinburgh

We collect you right from your door and head north over the Forth Bridges into the Kingdom of Fife.

Loch Leven

A pause at the Loch Leven visitor centre to stretch your legs along flat waterside trails, with views out to Castle Island, where Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned before her daring escape.

St Andrews — The Old Course & Swilcan Bridge

Stroll Scotland's oldest university town and the Home of Golf, with a classic photo stop on the Old Course's iconic Swilcan Bridge.

St Andrews Castle & Cathedral

Explore the dramatic cliffside ruins of St Andrews Castle and Cathedral, or wander the cobbled lanes lined with artisan bakeries and bookshops.

Option A: Cairnie Fruit Farm (Wed–Sun, Seasonal)

A family-favourite lunch stop at the country café, with children free to enjoy the outdoor Funyard (March–Oct) and the 6-acre Maize Maze (mid-July–Oct), plus seasonal fruit and pumpkin picking.

Option B: Perth & The Stone of Destiny (Mon/Tue Departures)

For heritage-minded groups, a detour along the River Tay to Perth Museum to see the Stone of Destiny, with time in the riverside city centre or an optional visit to Scone Palace.

~3:00 PM

Homeward Bound: Edinburgh (Day 3)

A scenic drive back across the Queensferry Crossing, arriving at your Edinburgh doorstep by mid-afternoon with your evening free.

8:00 AM

Hotel Pickup, Edinburgh

Your driver-guide collects your group from your Edinburgh accommodation, heading west toward Loch Lomond and Argyll.

Luss & The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond

The picture-postcard conservation village of Luss, with 19th-century slate cottages and a wooden pier looking out across the UK's largest expanse of fresh water toward Ben Lomond.

Inveraray

A stop in the charming lochside town of Inveraray, on the shores of Loch Fyne, with a photo opportunity at the fairy-tale turrets of Inveraray Castle, ancestral seat of the Duke of Argyll.

Kilchurn Castle

One of Scotland's most photographed ruins, Kilchurn Castle sits on its own promontory at the head of Loch Awe, framed by the surrounding mountains.

St Conan's Kirk

A short stop at the extraordinary St Conan's Kirk on the shores of Loch Awe — a unique small church built over decades in a mix of architectural styles, well worth stepping inside.

Oban (Visit & Lunch)

Time to explore "the Gateway to the Isles" — the harbour town of Oban, with its working fishing fleet, ferry terminal, and views up to McCaig's Tower. Free time for lunch at one of the seafront restaurants or cafés.

Loch Lubnaig

A final scenic stop at peaceful Loch Lubnaig in the Trossachs, framed by forested hills, for a last comfort break and photo opportunity before the drive home.

~7:00 PM

Homeward Bound: Edinburgh (Day 4)

A relaxed drive back through the Trossachs and central Scotland, dropping you at your Edinburgh doorstep with the evening free.

8:00 AM

Hotel Pickup, Edinburgh

We collect you right from your door — hotel, apartment or Airbnb — and head west as the city gives way to open countryside.

The Kelpies

Falkirk's 100-foot steel horse-head sculptures rise straight out of the canal basin, part tribute to Scotland's working heavy horses, part nod to the shape-shifting water spirits of Celtic folklore. The paths around them are flat and wide, so it's an easy, unhurried stop for a family photo and a stretch of the legs before the road continues.

Old Stirling Bridge

A short drive brings you to Stirling, long known as the "Key to the Kingdom." We stop at the site of the old bridge over the River Forth, where William Wallace's forces routed the English army in 1297 — a quiet spot on the water that's easy to picture at the heart of a medieval battle.

Optional: Stirling Castle or the National Wallace Monument

Since this is your day, choose how you'd like to spend your time in Stirling. Climb into Stirling Castle to walk the Renaissance palace once home to Mary, Queen of Scots, with the Highlands laid out beyond the walls — or head instead to the base of the National Wallace Monument for sweeping views over the Ochil Hills and Abbey Craig.

Perth Museum & the Stone of Destiny

Into Perthshire, and "The Fair City" of Perth on the banks of the River Tay. Its newly reimagined museum, free to enter, now holds the Stone of Destiny itself — the block of sandstone every Scottish monarch, and most recently King Charles III, has been crowned upon. Standing in front of it is a genuine brush with a thousand years of coronations.

Perth City Centre & Lunch

Free time to wander Perth's pedestrianised streets, browse its independent shops, and take a relaxed lunch break — your driver-guide is happy to point you toward a good plate of Aberdeen Angus beef or a solid vegetarian option nearby.

Optional: Scone Palace

Ask us to extend the day and we'll take you to Scone Palace, just outside Perth. Walk Moot Hill, the ancient crowning mound of Scottish kings, let the kids loose in the Murray Star Maze and among the palace's white peacocks, and take in interiors linked to Mary, Queen of Scots.

~3:00 PM

Homeward Bound: Edinburgh (Day 5)

A relaxed drive south, crossing the Queensferry Crossing with views of the UNESCO-listed Forth Rail Bridge, back to your Edinburgh doorstep by mid-afternoon, concluding your 5-day adventure through Scotland.