Tour 4-Day Scottish Castles Experience Small-Group Tour From Edin | Visit United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Accommodation

3 nights en-suite accommodation with breakfast ____ What should I expect from a B&B? B&Bs are traditionally small family owned and run properties offering a handful of guest rooms. They are usually residential properties, so they tend to be located on the outskirts of towns and you should be prepared for a 20-30 minute walk to local facilities like pubs and restaurants. It’s unusual for a B&B to offer any additional services like concierge, porterage, evening meals or room-service. Wi-fi is usually, but not always available and it’s worth bearing in mind that access can be unreliable in more remote locations. If you have difficulty with stairs, please request a ground-floor room as lifts will not be available in this type of property. What should I expect from a Hotel? Hotels vary in size but tend to be larger properties run by a team of staff. They usually have a relatively central location but may be up to a 20-30 minute walk from local facilities. They are often housed in traditional old buildings and bathrooms are always for private use and are typically en-suite. The services and facilities offered by hotels varies considerably so you should make a special request at the time of booking if you expect anything specific such as concierge, porterage, bar, restaurant, room service etc. Wi-fi may only be available in communal areas and access can be unreliable in remote locations. If you have difficulty with stairs, please let us know so that we can either book a ground floor room or a hotel with lift access, if available.

Guide

The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide

Others

Air conditioning as standard The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide Admission to Falkland Palace Admission to Castle Fraser Admission to Crathes Castle Admission to Fyvie Castle Admission to Culloden Visitor Centre, Museum & Battlefield Admission to Blair Castle and Garden Flavour Journey tour and Tasting at Cardhu Distillery

Transport

Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach

Not included:

Optional

Gratuities (optional)

Others

Entry fees to visitor attractions unless specified Food and drinks, unless specified Hotel pickup and drop off

Meals

Meals are not included, with the exception of breakfast which is included with your accommodation.

Insurance

Insurance is not included

Flights

International flights are not included

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1

You depart from Edinburgh, travel north, and cross the Queensferry Crossing into the ancient Kingdom of Fife. Your first visit of the day is Falkland Palace. It started as a hunting lodge for the Scottish kings and was later transformed into a more lavish place. When Mary Queen of Scots stayed here, she would…. play tennis on the world’s oldest tennis court, which you can still see in the palace gardens. Follow in the footsteps of this tragic heroine and explore the medieval village of Falkland, which also features in the television show, Outlander.

You continue to St Andrews where you have a chance to get lunch and explore the cobbled lanes and ancient university buildings.

In the afternoon, you keep travelling north and you visit Dunnottar Castle. This ruined cliff-top fortress is one of Scotland’s megastars and adorns the front covers of travel magazines everywhere. So, it’s a great spot to take in the view and test your photo skills.

You spend your night in Aberdeen.
Day 2 Day 2
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2

Today is spent in the Royal Deeside area, famous for its many castles.

Your first visit is Castle Fraser, one of the grandest of the Scottish baronial tower houses. You can round the visit off with a walk through the beautiful 18th-century walled garden. Later, you travel to Ballater for lunch, a charming village with close associations with the British royal family.

Crathes Castle provides the highlight for your afternoon. With its pinkish façade, turrets, and a colourful garden, it looks like a fairytale castle, but it’s also haunted by the Green Lady.

You’re free to explore the house and stunning gardens at your own pace. Wandering through the outstanding, world-renowned June Borders, beautiful vistas of the castle can be seen through the fusion of colourful flowers.

You return to Aberdeen for another overnight.
Day 3 Day 3
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3

Your tour heads further north and starts the day with a visit to Fyvie Castle. Fyvie Castle dates back to the 13th century and has a fine collection of arms and armour as well as 17th-century tapestries.

You continue, travelling through beautiful scenery to Elgin, where you have lunch. If you are a history lover, make sure to marvel at the intricated carvings of a weathered Pictish stone, standing on the grounds of the ruined Elgin Cathedral.

In the afternoon, we continue to Culloden Battlefield, where the final Jacobite Rising came to a harrowing end, bringing on the persecution of the Highland way of life. Walk around this eerie, flat, and tragic landscape and pay tribute to those who lost their lives at the last battle fought on British soil.

After the visit, you continue to Nairn for your overnight stay.
Day 4 Day 4
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4

You travel south through some of the most stunning scenery Scotland has to offer.

First, you can sample the rich and slightly fruity whisky at Cardhu, which is the first distillery pioneered by a woman, Helen Cumming.

You pass Kingussie, where you may have an opportunity for a quick photo stop at the Ruthven Barracks. From here, you continue south to Blair Castle. As you explore this historic site, learn about Mary Queen of Scots, discover a ballroom adorned with 175 antlers, roam the 9-acre Georgian garden, and have lunch.

Then, you continue your journey through the lush landscapes of Perthshire, home to some of the most remarkable woodlands, and have a break in one of the picturesque towns.

You return over the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh in the evening.

*Itinerary and distillery visits are subject to change.

4 days tour

4-Day Scottish Castles Experience Small-Group Tour From Edin

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip 4-Day Scottish Castles Experience Small-Group Tour From Edin

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

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