Scottish Highlands Tour - Explore The Scenic Villages & Legendary Castles Of Scotland

Day 1: Arrival in Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s beauty spreads from the cobblestone streets that fill the city. The flourishing mountains that decorate the parks and suburbs view over the historic shops, restaurants, and homes. The gentle fragrance of the nearby sea combines with the historic aroma of the prevalent earth. Our representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel located in the city center. Edinburgh Castle stands guard over the city on a central cliff. Old Town is preserved with continuous reminders of the city’s history, packed with narrow alleyways and pubs brimming with warmth emitting from the fireplace inside. When you walk through the small expanse of Old Town you feel the medieval past spring to life. The air is cool and you can view Arthurs Seat, the peak of the nearby hillside, guarding over you.

Day 2: Private Tour of the City’s Historic Glamour

The morning sun glints off of the invigorating blue sea. The light shines over the nearby hills. The Meadows is a park filled with bloomed pink trees that fill the central walkway. People jog in the fresh morning air and play soccer by noon. The city is delighting. If you stand still you feel as if you could soak the entire history of the streets. Your guide meets you at your hotel and escorts you out into the excellent neighborhoods of Edinburgh. St. Giles Cathedral is a great structure that climbs above an open plaza.
The Gothic architecture is inspirited by the unbroken stone structure. A big arched window stands above the main entryway. The cathedral was built in the 12th century and is adorned with stained glass created and set in the 19th century. The round ceilings offer immaculate acoustics. The sunshine penetrates the stained glass and illuminates Scottish Saints in a riot of color. The history of the church is even superb than the architecture. Your guide explains the turbulent existence of the cathedral, from English intruders to the Scottish Reformation. You continue your journey along the cobbled streets of the city and find new and inspiring wonders around every corner.

Day 3: Visit the Southland Borders of Scotland

Arthur’s Seat stands 823 feet above sea level and offers a beautiful view from its peak, over the city, and to the edging sea. The vibrant hillside was once an active volcano, which has contributed rich soil and marvelous scenery to the cityscape. After breakfast, your private guide will take you around the outer rim of the city, off the beaten path of the cobblestone streets, and onto Hopetoun House, a famous stately home. The house is divided into the older grounds, built around the turn of the 18th century, and the newer grounds, which were designed and built around the mid 18th century.
When you enter the house is more like a palace located beside River Forth. In the summer months, the house is open for touring, including the renovated Stables Tearoom where pampered racehorses were once housed. The red Adam drawing room has walls decorated in red velvet. The color gleams in the sunlight that passes through the large windows. In the light, the colors look magenta and the gilded frames of the historic family shimmer with enthusiasm. The luxuriousness of the home is fascinating. Every room takes you back into the affluent lives of the noble family. Proceed onward to visit the Rosslyn Chapel, recently earning international fame by its inclusion in Dan Brown’s, The Da Vinci Code.

Day 4: Explore The Small Town of St. Andrews

In the South of Edinburgh, you will find the Scottish borders region. The landscape turns from mounting castles and grand palaces to rolling green hills and rich woodlands. Melrose Abbey was built in the 12th century and was sieged by the English repeatedly in the 1300s. The red-sandstone catches the sunlight and stands out against the trimmed grass. The main tower now stands at a height of 84 feet tall. Walking around the grounds your guide points out a marker carved in stone. It has a heart engraved onto the front and is known to be the burial site of Robert Bruce’s heart.
The grounds are calm and a soft breeze whistles through the ruins. The classic frame of a large window continues to stands over the principal entrance, however, the window is long gone. The arched columns allow the sunlight to shine through. The elegant church remains to form an ethereal aura. It is easy to imagine what the church would have looked like in its heyday against the backdrop of a clear blue sky. The longer you walk the grounds the more you like the current state of the abbey; the site has become special and feels outstanding.

Day 5: Cherish the Beauty of Glen Coe

The storybook panorama of Isle of Skye fades beyond the horizon. You reach Glen Coe and are struck by the natural elegance that surrounds you. The landscape is largely different than the Island of Skye but continues to fascinate visitors for its lushness and purity. The gorge is shaped like a horseshoe and is less than a half a mile wide. Etive Mor is a dead volcano that continues to mount over the valley. It is known as “the Shepherd of Glencoe.”
Its peak climbs to an altitude of over 3,350 feet. The air is fresh and cool. A soft breeze flows through the gorge. The trees wave and the mountains look calm from below. Red deer graze in the foothills. In the afternoon you come back to Edinburgh.

Day 6: Depart for Home

Your private transfer will meet you at the hotel and drive you to the airport for your flight home. You have witnessed the exceptional world of Scotland and immersed yourself in its unique charm.