Scotland: Castles, Lochs & Barrels

The Trip

Explore Scotland’s fascinating history, epic landscapes, and whisky distilleries on this 8 day Designed Trip. Begin in the historic city of Edinburgh with a private guided tour of the city’s most important sights and local hidden spots. In the afternoon, choose to venture through the Botanical Gardens or the Scottish National Portrait Gallery before finishing the day at a local Whisky bar in Edinburgh's lively old town. Discover the beautiful countryside, exploring quaint towns and visiting Rosslyn Chapel and the incredible Hadrian's Wall. Hike to the top of Arthur’s Seat, explore Edinburgh Castle, and learn about the ghosts and legends in the old city. Spend three days enjoying the quaint small towns of the Scottish Highlands, cruising famous Loch Ness, visiting Urquhart Castle, admiring the incredible landscapes and tasting classic Highlands whisky. Choose to either return to Edinburgh, or extend your trip to experience the breathtaking natural landscapes of the Isle of Skye. History, castles, cliffs, hairy cows and a wee bit of whisky make this trip the perfect way to experience the very best of Scotland.

The Details

Price

From $2,322 per person

Duration

7 nights, 8 days

Inclusions

Highly-rated boutique hotels
All transportation within Scotland
Private & small-group experiences
Curated Scotland mini-guide
Trip preparation & support

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The Itinerary

Edinburgh

Day 1: Welcome to the incredible country of Scotland, home to castles, hairy cows, rolling green hills, rocky cliffs and whisky. After arriving at the Edinburgh airport, your private driver will be waiting to take you to the historic city center. Check in to your luxury boutique hotel and get settled. The afternoon is free to roam the cobbled streets, stop at a local pub for a pint, and get a feel for the city.
Day 2: After a full Scottish breakfast you’ll be fueled and ready to go! Mid-morning, meet your local guide for a private tour of the city’s key sights and hidden local gems. You’ll learn about history and local life in Edinburgh as you stroll the Royal Mile, visit Old College, pop by the The National Museum of Scotland, stop at the city’s oldest pub and more. The afternoon is free to whatever feels right. Visit the Edinburgh Castle, walk through the incredible Scottish National Gallery or the Natural History Museum (all museums in Scotland are free!) or head back to the hotel to relax.
Day 3: Wake up for a day outside of the city. After meeting your small group, drive into the countryside to Rosslyn Chapel, famously featured in ‘The Da Vinci Code’ and known for its mysterious carvings. Continue on to Melrose Abbey, the market town of Jedburgh, and the Cheviot Hills lookout before reaching the UNESCO-listed Hadrian’s Wall, the northernmost border of the Roman Empire. Alternatively, choose a small-group day trip to the beautiful Stirling Castle and Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, before stopping at Glengoyne Distillery for a dram of Scotch whisky.
Day 4: The day is free to explore Edinburgh at your own pace. We highly recommend walking to the top of Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano and cluster of hills right outside the city center. Take one of the many trails to the top and enjoy the panoramic city and Firth of Forth views. You also might want to visit the beautiful Botanical Gardens, shop for Scottish wool sweaters and blankets, or stop in a local pub. In the evening, meet a local guide to learn more about the ghosts, legends, and scandals of Edinburgh. You’ll visit execution grounds, graveyards, and historic sites and hear many harrowing tales that played out within the old city walls.

Inverness, Loch Ness & The Highlands

Day 5: Cheerio, Edinburgh! After breakfast, head to the station to board your ~3 hour train aboard the Scottish rail. Hop off at the wee city of Inverness, nestled in the Scottish Highlands between the mountains and the sea, with loads of history, great food, and whisky distilleries. Check in to your boutique luxury hotel and get settled. In the afternoon, choose to take a short taxi outside the city center to Black Isle Brewery, Scotland’s only organic brewery for a tour and a pint (optional).
Day 6: Wake up, eat your haggis and meet your small group to explore a few of the Highland’s most significant sights. After arriving at Loch Ness, choose to either join a cruise to the ruins of Urquhart Castle, or to explore the nearby village of Drumnadrochit. Grab some lunch in the tiny town of Beauly (where many scenes of the show Outlander were filmed), before popping in to Glen Ord Distillery where you can take an optional tour of the distillery to learn how whisky is produced (and sample a wee dram). Before returning to Inverness, visit the famous Culloden battlefield and the mysterious burial chambers and standing stones at Clava Cairns.
Day 7: Experience another day outside of the city, exploring a few lesser-known areas that are missed by most visitors. In a small group (no more than 8), you’ll first visit Carn Liath Broch, the ruins of an ancient round tower from the Iron Age, before continuing to Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve. In this beautiful protected wilderness area, you’re likely to see wildlife such as seals, otters and osprey. Next, stop at the incredible 13th-century Dunrobin Castle. Explore the gardens, meet the castle’s resident falcons and explore one of the oldest inhabited castles in Scotland. Stop in the wee seaside town of Dornich for lunch and to visit the impressive cathedral, before a quick stop at a stop at Glenmorangie Distillery for an optional dram of whisky to finish the day. Alternatively, whisky fans can choose to explore Spey Valley, passing golden barley as you visit five distilleries and learn everything there is to know about Scottish whisky - from the differences in production and aging, to the nuances in flavors. Sample award-winning single-malt whiskies along the way.
Day 8: It’s your final day. Either talk to us about extending your trip (a few days exploring the rugged Isle of Skye would be a great addition!), or hop on the train back to Edinburgh for your flight home.

Pricing & Inclusions

Inclusions

4 hotel nights in Edinburgh
- Boutique hotel: Eden Locke or equivalent
- Luxury boutique hotel: The Balmoral Hotel or equivalent
3 hotel nights in Inverness
- Boutique hotel: Blackfriars or equivalent
- Luxury boutique hotel: Kingsmills Hotel or equivalent
Private airport arrival transfer in Edinburgh
Round trip Edinburgh to Inverness train tickets on the Scottish Rail
Privately guided tour of key sights and local hidden spots in Edinburgh
Small-group historical day trip to Rosslyn Chapel and Hadrian's Wall - OR - Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond and whisky tasting
Private Edinburgh ghosts & legends evening tour
Optional brewers tour of Black Isle Organic Brewery
Small-group highlands tour of Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, Beauly, Culloden Battlefield and Clava Cairns
Off the beaten path small-group day trip to Carn Liath Broch, Dunrobin Castle, Loch Fleet Nature Reserve, and Dornoch - OR - Small-group whisky distillery Tour through Speyside.
Curated Scotland mini-guide
Trip preparation & support

Exclusions

International flights to Scotland
Meals & activities not listed above
Travel insurance

Pricing

With boutique hotels
- From $2,322 per person
With luxury boutique hotels
- From $2,899 per person
Pricing for Cohica Designed Trips is based on double occupancy and may vary depending on travel dates and total number of travelers.
This Designed Trip offers the flexibility to make date changes after booking (ask us for details)

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This Designed Trip was developed based on our personal travels, with local contacts, favorite hotels and authentic activities that we've experienced first-hand.
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FAQs

WHAT IS A DESIGNED TRIP?

A Designed Trip is a pre-designed travel plan based on our personal, first-hand travel experiences in each destination. As they are pre-designed, our Designed Trips have been created as a turnkey travel option and can be booked and delivered in as little as one week.

CAN I MAKE ANY CHANGES TO A DESIGNED TRIP?

Absolutely! Pre-designed doesn’t mean there isn’t any flexibility. Whether you want to shorten or lengthen your trip, switch out a destination or change an activity, let us know. If, however, you want a trip built around your specific desires, a Custom Trip might be more appropriate. We can help you decide, so get in touch.

HOW LONG DOES THE PROCESS TAKE?

Once you’ve selected your Designed Trip and chosen between a Boutique, Luxury Boutique or Luxury experience, your trip can be booked and delivered in as little as one week. If you would like to make some changes to your trip, such as including an alternative activity, shortening or lengthening your trip, then this can take a bit longer.

HOW DO I KNOW HOW MUCH MY DESIGNED TRIP WILL COST?

Once you have decided on your Designed Trip, your dates, and any adjustments we will provide a personalized itinerary and pricing for your trip. We have included base pricing on each Designed Trip page to give you an idea as to what the final cost might be, but prices can fluctuate depending on time of year and any personalization. Get in touch and we can help.

If you have any other questions, feel free to check out more FAQs or send us an email.