Deluxe 8 Day Tour of Scotland

Free day to rest and recuperate from your travels, use of spa, explore Edinburgh at leisure

Accommodation: Balmoral Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh (2 Nights)
Transport: Private Chauffeur & Executive Vehicle Transfer

As you arrive into Edinburgh Airport, a member of the Private Tours Scotland team will be in the arrivals hall to welcome and transport you to Edinburgh’s most prestigious address, No.1 Princes Street.

Edinburgh’s beloved Balmoral Hotel & Spa will be your place to stay for your first two nights. You can use this first day to put your feet up, explore the hidden depths of the city, or take advantage of the spa facilities and exceptional dining options within your hotel.

In the evening enjoy a sumptuous meal in The Balmoral’s unrivalled Number One restaurant. With exceptional modern artwork on the walls, seasonal ingredients from Scottish suppliers, and 4 (yes 4) AA Rosettes, the Number One will provide a dining experience you are unlikely to forget in a hurry.

Walking Tour of Edinburgh, Afternoon Tea at Edinburgh Castle

Accommodation: Balmoral Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh

You will meet your walking guide within the hotel lobby, who will be an expert Blue Badge Guide.

Take a walk up Calton Hill and admire the breath-taking views of the capital city, a city built on an extraordinary landscape of hills and valleys, formed millions of years ago by volcanoes and glaciers.

Your guide will take you on an exploration through Edinburgh’s Historic Old Town from Holyrood Palace, climbing the Royal Mile while visiting sites such as St Giles Cathedral and Edinburgh Castle. Discover the contrast between the Old Town and the New Town. More than 75% of all buildings within the World Heritage Site are listed for their architectural or historic importance.

The medieval Old Town retains its distinctive pattern of narrow passageways known as closes and wynds. The New Town, designed in 1767, is the largest and best-preserved example of Georgian town planning in the UK.

Your last stop of the day with your guide will be Edinburgh Castle. Edinburgh Castle was voted Scotland’s best paid tourist attraction and for good reason. The castle is steeped in history with the oldest part of the building dating back to the 12^th century. The castle houses the famous Crown Jewels, The Stone of Destiny, and Mons Meg — the huge cannon which could fire a 150kg stone. And to round off the tour of Edinburgh in style, you will be treated to a tour of Edinburgh Castle followed by a delicious afternoon tea, just what you’ll be needing after all those steps.

In the evening you will have a dinner reservation at Monteiths Kitchen and Cocktail Bar where they have a great relationship with their local suppliers, ensuring fresh local produce is delivered from farm to plate in as little time as possible. Their menu changes regularly to accommodate seasonal foods, but you can expect to find such treats as roast monkfish, braised ox cheek, and, of course, haggis.

After dinner you will return to The Balmoral for another relaxing evening.

Loch Lomond, Rest and Be Thankful Viewpoint, Inveraray, Glencoe

Transport: Executive Mercedes V-Class (or Similar) & Private Chauffeur
Accommodation: Glencoe House, Glencoe (2 nights)

After a delicious breakfast your driver will escort you to the beautiful Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. You will weave around the “bonnie banks” of Loch Lomond, where you can absorb the breath-taking views and picture perfect scenery. Have your camera at the ready, as your driver will make the appropriate stops in order for you to capture some truly incredible photographs.

You will continue your journey until you reach the ‘Rest and Be Thankful’, a famous viewpoint 803 ft above sea level. This majestic beauty spot divides Glen Kinglas from Glen Croe offering the most spectacular views.

Your driver will then take you on a wonderful scenic drive through Loch Lomond to the town of Inveraray on the Western Shore of the stunningly still waters of Loch Fyne. Whilst here you will have the chance to explore and soak up the atmosphere of this endlessly charming little town. If you fancy a coffee and bit of cake, why not pop into The Green Door where there are plenty of scrumptious treats on offer. After that you could pay a visit to the old jail, which is now a museum, or the charming Inverary Bell Tower.

For some lunch we suggest Bramble’s café bistro where you will be greeted with a warm Scottish welcome and can enjoy a range of lunch time favourites such as soups, sandwiches, fish and chips, or halloumi kebab. There is also an in-house baker who makes scones and various other sweet treats.

After lunch, your driver will take you to Glencoe which really defies adequate description. Words simply cannot do justice to how impressive Glencoe is. If you drive through it at any time of year, the car parks will always be full of locals and tourists alike soaking up the curious mix of feelings of magnificent grandeur and peaceful tranquillity that washes over you as you stand within the massive Glencoe. Of course, you will take pictures, but more than that we recommend taking a few moments to lock your time here in your memory, as we’re sure you will treasure it forevermore.

After a long day of visiting some of Scotland’s most beautiful spots, your driver will escort you to Glencoe House. This luxurious 5 star mansion hotel is set in 10 acres of private gardens and combines picturesque tranquillity with outstanding service.

This evening you will have a dining experience a little different to the norm. You will be served food of the utmost quality, there’s no surprise there. However, you will be served at your very own private dining room within your suite.

Oban, Private Boat Tour, Castle Stalker

Transport: Executive Mercedes V-Class (or Similar) & Private Chauffeur
Accommodation: Glencoe House, Glencoe

Today you will firstly travel to the beautiful town of Oban, otherwise known as the “Gateway to the Highlands”, which is the biggest town in Argyll and is famed for great seafood and McCaig Tower. McCaig Tower looks over the town of Oban and provides a great photo opportunity.

For lunch today you will be treated to a luxury picnic prepared by the hotel, which you can choose to enjoy at any of the majestic viewpoints you visit along the way on your private boat trip.

After lunch, you will be heading on an exciting adventure aboard your very own private boat. Meet your skipper at Oban Harbour before embarking on an extraordinary day exploring the neighbouring islands. You’ll get the chance to visit Iona, known as the Cradle of Christianity, where St Columba arrived in 563 AD. A beautiful Island with stunning scenery and a peaceful atmosphere. You will have a few hours to explore and enjoy this wonderful island.

Wildlife fans will be excited as the next visit is to Staffa and the wonderful Puffin colony there. Fingal’s cave and its spectacular basalt columns are best seen from the sea, so we do not land on Staffa but take the opportunity to visit the Puffin colony at the north-west area of the island (before they head offshore). These comical birds with their brightly coloured beaks are a delight to view during their breeding season. There will be opportunities to spot a lot of wildlife while you are at sea, including whales and porpoise.

You will be met by your driver at Oban Harbour and en-route back to your hotel you will make one final stop, to see the stunning Castle Stalker. Stopping at The Castle Stalker View, the viewpoints here offer panoramic views of Castle Stalker, Mull, and Loch Linnhe. Be sure to have your camera at the ready once more!

After another wonderful day touring, you will return to Glencoe House.

Mountain Gondola, Glenfinnan Viaduct and Monument, Ferry to Skye

Transport: Executive Mercedes V-Class (or Similar) & Private Chauffeur
Accommodation: Kinloch Lodge, Isle of Skye (2 Nights)

Today you will enjoy a very uplifting ride on the Nevis Range Mountain Gondola. This impressive feat of engineering transports you 650 metres up the side of Aonach Mòr, the 8^th highest mountain in the UK, all the while enjoying the unbeatable scenery of the Scottish Highlands. Once at the top, you can spend some time taking in the views and enjoying some of the scenic walks. After exploring for a while, you can grab some lunch in the Pinemarten Café, which offers a range of soups, rolls, burgers, and sandwiches.

From there you will be heading to the remarkable Glenfinnan. Harry Potter fans will be excited to get the chance to see the Glenfinnan Viaduct, the bridge that carries the Hogwarts Express on its way to that world-famous school of witchcraft and wizardry. There is also the Glenfinnan Monument, a huge tower overlooking Loch Shiel which stands in memory of those who died for the Jacobite cause.

You will then take the short ferry trip from Mallaig, on the mainland, to Armadale, on Skye. Skye is certainly one of the most picturesque places in the world, so this is a great opportunity to get some snaps of its rugged mountains from your vantage point crossing the sea.

Once on dry land, your driver will then make the short journey to your luxury accommodation on the shore of Loch-Na-Dal, travelling down a windy road to the foot of a gorgeous mountain where you will find Kinloch Lodge. A charming, historic hotel set in an incredible landscape. This family-run hotel ensures the perfect balance of comfort and indulgence.

You will also enjoy dinner here where the kitchen staff really go the extra mile to provide you with the very best local produce Scotland has to offer. From Perthshire partridge to Skye venison, and a range of Scottish cheeses, Kinloch Lodge always delivers a first-rate dining experience.

Sligachan Old Bridge, Fairy Pools, Portree, Lunch at Scorrybreac, Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls

Transport: Executive Mercedes V-Class (or Similar) & Private Chauffeur
Accommodation: Kinloch Lodge, Isle of Skye

Built in 1818, the old Sligachan Bridge is a perfect example of excellent engineering standing the test of time. Set against the backdrop of the Black Cuillin Mountains, enjoy the manmade and natural wonders together. You will have the opportunity to stop and take a few pictures of this wonderful scene.

From there it is onwards to Glenbrittle and the magical Fairy Pools, Skye’s most popular attraction. With their crystal clear waters and beautiful waterfalls, it is easy to see why.
You will walk 20 minutes to the fairy pools themselves, an easy hike, allowing you to soak in the magnificent scenery all around you. Ancient folklore says that fairies swim in these pools and if you are feeling brave, you may wish to do so as well.

You will then stop and explore Portree, the main town on the Isle of Skye. With local craft shops and a bustling fishing port, you will have the opportunity to interact with friendly locals and experience Portree’s thriving culture. Have your camera at the ready again as you will want to grab a picture of the brightly coloured, cottage lined harbour.

For lunch today you will be stopping at “Scorrybreac” which means “speckled rock”, a tribute to the cliffs close to the restaurant. Combining Scottish produce with French influence, the team here produce food which is absolutely to die for.

Having topped up with food you will then make the journey to Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls. You will notice that these ancient 90 metre cliffs resemble a pleated kilt, hence the name ‘Kilt Rock’. You will witness both of these spectacular sights, Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls, from the same viewpoint on the Trotternish Peninsula.

Your last stop is at The Old Man of Storr, a monumental rock pinnacle that can be seen from far and wide. A staggering sight to behold, be sure to have plenty of battery left in your camera as there are photo opportunities aplenty here.

From there your driver will take you back to Kinloch Lodge for another night of fine dining.

Eilean Donan Castle, Private Boat Tour of Loch Ness, Inverness

Transport: Executive Mercedes V-Class (or Similar) & Private Driver
Accommodation: Ness Walk, Inverness (1 Night)

Your first act today will be leaving Skye via the engineering masterpiece that is the gently curving Skye Bridge. From there it’s just a short journey to your first stop of the day which is a visit to Eilean Donan Castle, which wouldn’t look out of place in a Game of Thrones scene! This ancient castle was built in the 13^th century and survives remarkably well to this day. The tiny bridge across the water to its own little island really gets your imagination running wild as to what it must have been like living there all those hundreds of years ago. You will also be able to enjoy some stunning views out over Loch Duich. A coffee and gift shop are also available. Eilean Donan is widely considered as the most beautiful castle in Scotland, due to the idyllic setting at the junction of three different lochs (Loch Long, Loch Duich, and Loch Alsh).

You will then make your way to the village of Drumnadrochit, on the shores of Loch Ness.
Here you will join your private boat, the “Cluaran Dubh”, meet your skipper Gordon and embark on your Private Boat Tour of Loch Ness which lasts for around an hour. You will enjoy stunning views of Loch Ness, The Great Glen, and Urquhart Castle.

Gordon, your skipper, was born, raised, and still lives on the Loch Ness shores. He will enlighten you with anecdotes such as witches casting spells to protect Nessie ‘The Loch Ness Monster’ from cryptozoologists. A charming and entertaining journey with awe-inspiring scenery throughout.

You will then be driven to Inverness and to your accommodation for the night, the 5-star Ness Walk Hotel, which sits right on the banks of the River Ness and enjoys an oasis of calm in Inverness, an otherwise busy city, as it is surrounded by a huge canopy of trees. Here, beautiful period features combine with sleek modern features to deliver an ambiance that oozes sophistication.

You will dine in the luxurious Torrish Restaurant this evening, where you will be warmly welcomed and have the chance to try some Isle of Lewis mussels, Orkney hand-dived scallops, Speyside lamb, as well as many other delicious dishes. There is also a vegan à la carte menu, so there will be something for everyone.

And so now is the time when your magical journey across Scotland comes to an end. We wish you all the best and hope that your adventure here will last long in the memory. The last part of the trip will involve your chauffeur escorting you to Inverness Airport, where you can say your final goodbyes.

We hope that you have thoroughly enjoyed your time with us and look back fondly on your time here with Private Tours Scotland.