August 27, 2026 – September 6, 2026

11 Days – 10 Nights

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the ancient, mystical land of Scotland. Our tour will blend iconic sights with hidden gems. Experience the heart of Scotland- its history, its stunning landscapes, natural wonders and its people, all in the comfort of a private tour with a local guide by your side every step of the way. This is more than just a tour- it is a shared journey, full of connection, discovery and the kind of memories only Ann’s Adventures In Travel can deliver.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Aug 27 – Glasgow

Today you will fly in and make your way to our hotel in Glasgow. Depending on the time you fly in, we will either have a free walking tour or do the on/off bus. The tour, with its rich and diverse history, splendid architecture, city center, small alleys, museums, galleries and Botanical Gardens will amaze you. You may even choose to explore on your own. We will meet at a specified time to have a special lunch included at the Soul Sisters Place.

Ashton Lane-restaurants, Buchanan Street-shopping, People’s Palace, Tenement House, Hogwarts University, Roslynn Chapel (famous for the Da Vinci Code, ***many free tours and buses

Day 2: Aug 28 – Glasgow to Callander

At 9:30 our guide will pick us up to start our tour. For lunch we will pick up sandwiches, etc. on the go. Or there is a café at Stirling Castle. We head to the Highlands! We view our second World UNESCO site in the magnificent Forth Bridges . Then we will stop to admire The Kelpes-the largest equine sculptures in the world. The Kelpes name reflects the mythological transforming beasts that possess the strength and endurance of 100 horses. We then drive into “Braveheart Country”, to see the Wallace Monument- a 67-meter tower commemorating Sir William Wallace (Braveheart), a 13th and 14th century Scottish hero. Last, we will go to visit and tour Stirling Castle, one of the largest and most historically and architecturally important castles in Scotland. It is exactly what you would imagine a fairytale medieval castle to be: on top of a hill with walls surrounding it. Movies and shows, such as The Game of Thrones, Outlander and Elizabeth were filmed at the castle. It is also the site of the famous Battle of Stirling Bridge in Braveheart.

We now head into Trossachs National Park and spend your first 2 nights in the pretty town of Callander. We will be staying in the Abbotsford Hotel/Mansion. We will have a dinner included at our hotel tonight.

Day 3: Aug 29 – Trossachs Trail

Possible lunch in Lion and Unicorn, a 16th century pub. Today we venture into the amazing Trossachs Trail and all of its treasure including the wonderful Dukes Pass Mountain drive. This day may be as relaxing or as busy as you wish. There is an optional sheepdog show we can visit, or we can head to Loch Katrine, where you can hire bikes for a very safe ride on a traffic free zone around the tunning Loch, or take a ride on the Sir Walter Steamship. We will have a quick photo op at Doune Castle. This castle was also used in TV/Movie productions such as Outlander (Castle Leoch), Game of Thrones (Winterfell), Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Outlaw King and many more. Next we will stop at Aberfoyle Village & Wooden Mill. Our sheepdog display features the skill of the Border Collie working with a small flock of Indian Runner ducks. The ducks are shepherded through our commando course of obstacles including the bridge, the Tunnel of Love, and the Death Slide!

We then head back to Callander. Here you may wish to partake in a very entertaining “Whisky Tasting Masterclass”. If you don’t like Whisky, its just because you haven’t found yours yet. You do not choose the Whisky…the Whisky chooses you! Dinner on your own tonight-all within walking distance. Suggestions- Roman Camp Bistro, Callander Meadows or Waverly Bar.

Day 4: Aug 30 – Callander to Sky/Plockton

At 9 Am, we begin a spectacular journey through some of Scotland’s most iconic landscapes. From the sweeping wilderness of Rannoch Moor to the dramatic beauty of Glencoe, today is filled with highland legends, towering peeks and unforgettable views. Our first stop will be Glencoe, where you will have the opportunity for a short hike or just to take photographs of this magnificent scenery. Movies from Harry Potter to James Bond have used Glencoe as a backdrop. The National Reserve is an excellent introduction to the area. You can even get a flavor for how hundreds of Highlanders once lived in the reconstruction of a 17th century turf and reel house. We head north and west through Fort William and subject to weather will see the Ben Nevis viewpoint. The views are spectacular.
***Our lunch options will include the Claghaig Inn ( 300 years old).
Other stops will include Glen Shiel-Five Sisters Viewpoint and the Eilean Donan Castle. This castle is one of Scotland’s most famous and most photographed. It is the backdrop for at least 27 movies.

We then make our way to Plockton, known as the “Jewel of the Highlands”. We will check into the wonderful Plockton Inn and have an included dinner.

Day 5: Aug 31 – Magical Isle of Skye-Trotternish Peninsula

Today we will depart at 9 AM and our guide suggests a packed lunch from the hotel, or we stop to buy sandwiches, etc. on the way. Today will be an absolutely brilliant day, exploring the magical Isle of Skye-a land of dramatic scenery, ancient legend and unforgettable beauty. Some of Skye’s Highlights: A) Isle of Skye Bridge and Kyle of Lochalsh. B) Sligachan and the Black Cuillin . Many travelers would say this is just another beautiful stream in the Highlands. But that’s because they don’t know the water has the magical power to grant you eternal beauty…..No really, it does 😊 C) Trotternish Peninsula is a geological masterpiece. Here, ancient landslides have formed a landscape that appears unworldly. D) There are several optional walk/hikes that we can do such as the gentle Falls of Lealt and see the Old Man of Storr. Next, if fossils are your thing, then this is the place, Jurassic Scotland. We can go hunting for dinosaur footprints (subject to tides), after visiting the beautiful Kilt Rock and Mealt Waterfall. E) The stunning Qhuirang is next with surely one of the most beautiful views on earth. This is a great short hike. F) We then head to meet the fairies at their home in the Fairy Glen. It is very pretty here and hard to describe. The name has been given for its unusual yet mystical look. We will then go to the pretty town of Portree for some retail therapy and free time. Portree is the largest town and capital of the Isle of Skye and there are a few great stores that sell local artisanal items and cafes to enjoy casual food. Recommended-Skye candle company store and Bistro.

Dinner on own-we will give suggestions for pubs with music.

Day 6: Sept 1 – Plocton to Inverness via Torridon -The Road Less Traveled

Lunch today might be at the Shieldaig Café. Today we will head up to the Bealach Na Ba, the steepest road in Scotland, before stopping for a break in the beautiful village of Shieldaig. Travelling east, we head on the most beautiful roads in wild “Wester Ross”, through the 4-billion-year-old Torridon Mountains (give or take a year or two). Considered by many to embody the North Highland landscape of Scotland, Torridon is an ancient and enchanting wilderness of water and rock. A stunning ride South, and a short hike to the lovely Rogie Falls, through some of Scotland’s ancient and rare pine forests before heading to Inverness for the night. This is the Capital of the Highlands.

Tonight, we will give dinner suggestions

Day 7: Sept 2 – Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle

Lunch today will be somewhere in Fort Augustus. Today we will cruise the world’s most famous lake, Loch Ness in search of “Nessie’ and stop at the Urquhart Castle to explore the dramatic remains. At Foyers, we can visit the Falls of Foyers (lots of steps but really worth the effort). Continuing South, we will visit Fort Agustus, which is a charming Highland Village on the shore of Loch Ness. A superb photo stop and comfort break. We return to Inverness. There are river walks and lovely restaurants on your doorstep-and we would be delighted to make any dinner reservations you may require

Some suggestions will be on own at Hootenanny, Highlander or MacGregors. All have live music.

Day 8: Sept 3 – Inverness to Edinburgh

Depart at 9 AM. Lunch today may be at Pitlochry of House of Bruar Our first stop today is Culloden Battlefield…. last stand for the Jacobites, and defeat for Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1746. Ancient history now with a visit to the amazing tombs and standing stones of Clava Cairns (4500-5000 years old). Then we will go into the beautiful Cairngorms National Park where the Ruthven Barracks were built by George I’s government between 1719 and1721 following the Jacobite rising of 1715.They were to house Garrison infantry to police the area and enforce the Disarming Act of 1716. Heading down country, we stop at the Newtonmore reconstructed village from the 1700’s (Outlander filmed here). At the Highland Folk Museum, you can step back in time and experience life in the highlands from the 1700s to the 1950s. We now head south into Perthshire, a stop at the Hermitage-walk through towering Douglas firs to the folly of Ossian’s Hall and glaze over the beautiful falls. We can have a lunch break in Pitlochry, before arriving in Edinburgh. Tonight, we will be dropped off at the Dalhousie Castle-our home for the night outside of Edinburgh. We will have a special dinner included in the dungeons. Dalhousie Castle is a classic 12th century castle located outside of Edinburgh. It has been perfectly preserved and was designed as a family home. A stay at the Dalhousie will give us an idea of what life in Scotland was like then.

Day 9: Sept 4 – Edinburgh

Today is a full day in the city of Edinburgh.  Starting out after breakfast, we will leave for Edinburgh City Center and deposit our luggage at our new hotel that we will be staying at for the next two nights. We will have a 4-hour guided historical private tour of the fabulous down town city.  At an assigned time today, we will walk to Edinburgh Castle with a guided visit and free time to explore on own.

Part of the tour will go to Mary Kings Close.  It is one of the many narrow alleys and mesh of underground streets where Edinburgh’s residents used to live 400 years ago. During this tour you will get to explore the labyrinthine passageways and rooms of its inhabitants and learn all about the plague and the living conditions of the locals during that infamous period. This part of the city is hidden under the surface and behind tourist stores.

***Dinner can be discussed and I will give out suggested names of restaurants and help make reservations. Pubs do not take reservations but restaurants do need to be booked in advance. Maybe Italian or Asian Fusion for a change!

Day 10: Sept  5 – Edinburgh International music Festival

Today we will have a tour of the Historic New Town -Dean Village and Stockbridge. The rest of the day will be free to explore the city on your own and go to some of the neighborhoods, museums, etc. that you will now have time to explore. An option this afternoon is to have “Tea” at the city’s most glamorous location, the Balmoral Hotel Palm Court. It is the most upscale tea experience in the city.

****Tonight, there is an option to see the Edinburgh “Military Tattoo Show” starting at 9 PM and ending at 10:30 PM. You will have to decide if you want to go as soon as you book your trip since they sell out almost a year in advance. You can walk back to your hotel from here.