Edinburgh & the Castles of Scotland
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Get to know the land of lochs, glens, and legends.
From its ancient castles to its rolling landscapes and blaring bagpipes, Scotland is undeniably intriguing. With plenty of time to explore, you’ll get your dose of well-known Scottish icons. Then, head a little off the beaten path, moving farther into the untamed Highlands and over craggy hills laden with lochs and Gaelic-speaking villages.
Special departures of this itinerary
Your tour package includes
- 8 nights in handpicked hotels
- 8 breakfasts
- 3 dinners with beer or wine
- 1 liquor tasting
- 4 sightseeing tours
Included highlights
- Glasgow Cathedral
- Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
- Inveraray Castle
- Urquhart Castle
- Loch Ness
An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Day-by-day itinerary
Print itineraryBoard your overnight flight to Glasgow today.
Welcome to Scotland! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.
Set out to explore Scotland’s “second city” today with a local as your guide.
- Drive past The Burrell Collection museum and admire the city’s university.
- Visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, which features everything from medieval suits of armor to a collection of work by Scottish artists.
- Discover local highlights, including George Square and the River Clyde.
- Stop outside the city’s medieval cathedral for photos.
Spend a free afternoon in Glasgow or add an excursion.
Historic Scotland & Stirling Castle
From $159 per person
Continue on to the Scottish Highlands, admiring incredible sights as you go.
- Pass Loch Lomond as you drive through scenic Trossachs National Park.
- Stop to explore Inveraray Castle and its gardens.
- Take in stunning scenery as you travel through the Scottish Highlands.
Sit down for an included dinner this evening.
Please note: Entrance to Inveraray Castle is seasonal and runs from April through October only. When entrance is out of season, it will be replaced with a visit to the Ardkinglas House.
Surrounded by legend and lore, Loch Ness is one of Scotland’s most mysterious sites. Today, get to know the country’s largest loch as you explore the area.
- Pay a visit to the medieval ruins of Urquhart Castle.
- Cruise along the legendary Loch Ness, a deep, freshwater lake, and dock in Clansman Harbour.
- Stop in Inverness and enjoy free time to explore the city.
Spend a free day in the Scottish Highlands or add an excursion.
Eilean Donan Castle & Isle of Skye
From $165 per person
En route to Edinburgh, stop in Perthshire, the gateway to the Scottish Highlands.
- Visit medieval Blair Castle, the former home of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl.
- Explore Blair Athol Distillery with a guide and enjoy a whisky tasting.
Please note: Entrance to Blair Castle is seasonal and runs from April to late October only. When entrance is out of season, it will be replaced with a visit to Black Watch Castle & Museum.
Enjoy a free evening in Edinburgh or add an excursion.
Scottish Céilidh
From $175 per person
Get to know Edinburgh in all its medieval beauty on a tour led by a local expert.
- View the elegant Georgian New Town and the Royal Mile, two UNESCO World Heritage sites.
- Pass the King George statue, Bute House, and Sir Walter Scott monument.
- Enter Edinburgh Castle to view the Scottish crown jewels and Stone of Scone.
Spend a free afternoon in Edinburgh or add an excursion.
Please note: The order of today's activities are subject to change.
Abbotsford House & Melrose Abbey
From $145 per person
Enjoy a free day in Edinburgh or add an excursion.
This evening, head to a private room at a local restaurant and meet with a professional bagpipe player.
- Learn about the history of the bagpipe, Scotland’s national instrument, and listen to the musician play a few songs.
- Pick up your own bagpipe and follow along as they teach the group breathing techniques and tips on how to play.
- Celebrate your trip during a farewell dinner.
St Andrews
From $159 per person
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay to continue exploring Edinburgh.
Spend a free day in Edinburgh or add an excursion.
Rosslyn Chapel & Royal Yacht Britannia
From $159 per person
Enjoy a free day in Edinburgh or add an excursion.
This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.
Palace of Holyroodhouse & Afternoon Tea
From $185 per person
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Book for just $99 down
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Reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars
Overall rating 4.6 out of 5
4 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 stars
Wonderful trip, lots of new experiences. Ian (TD) was very knowledgeable and helpful with suggestions for free time. I wish I had half his energy. Willie, the coach driver, was remarkable in his driving in tight spaces and parking the coach where it was easily accessible.
Thank you for your glowing review! We are so happy...
4 out of 5 stars
I would have given a 5 star review but The Loch Ness Lodge was awful, it would be advisable to never stay there again!
Paula, thank you for your review. We are so sorry ...
Traveler photos
Hotels, flights & FAQ
Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.This contemporary hotel is located in the Glasgow city center. Guests enjoy the fitness center, sauna, and bar. Nearby, you'll find the Burrell Collec...
This charming hotel is located in downtown Fort William. Guests enjoy a bar, restaurant options, and a lounge. Nearby you’ll find the West Highland Mu...
This modern hotel is located in the New Town of Edinburgh. Guests enjoy the lounge bar, the relaxing Great Room, and convenient location. Nearby, you’...
Flights
- Round-trip flight for your tour
- Airport transfers at your destination
- A great price locked in today
- 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
- Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
- Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
- Find out more about flights
FAQ
Print FAQ- In order to enter the United Kingdom, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
- We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
- There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
- If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code SCH.
- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Glasgow and depart from Edinburgh.
- Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost if they are arriving or departing on the standard day.
- When you arrive in Glasgow, a Go Ahead representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a Go Ahead sign or a sign with your name(s). If you don’t see a representative immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.
Physical Activity Level
This is a moderate physical activity-level tour. You can expect casual walks and plenty of time to explore throughout the course of the tour.
Tour Pacing
This is a brisk-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:
- Most days full of included activities (more if you add excursions)
- Most transportation by motor coach
- Daily bus time varies and can be lengthy
Walking, Terrain & Physical Requirements
- Travelers should be prepared to walk 2 miles per day - this includes city streets, cobblestones, stairs, and hills.
- Cobblestone streets can become slick when wet.
- Access to Edinburgh Castle will involve walking half a mile up a steep hill.
- Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
- Please Note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
Climate Considerations
- Travelers can expect cool, cloudy, and rainy days throughout the year, with occasional heatwaves in the summer months (June-September).
Physical Activity & Tour Pace Questions
- Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The rest of the group cannot miss any scheduled activities because of the needs of an individual.
- Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers will be difficult to use and are not recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring these on tour with you.
- If you have mobility concerns or tour pace questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team. We’re here to help!
- Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches.
- Some airlines may impose additional charges if you exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
- Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights.
- Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
- Travelers must manage their own luggage throughout tour as porters are not guaranteed. This includes at hotels and airports.
- We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
- A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
- You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
- It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
- We recommend packing a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastic waste.
- We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
- We recommend packing your Insurance Card (from your primary insurance provider) in your carry on luggage.
- Go Ahead handpicks every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm.
- Accommodations are typically three to four star hotels.
- All accommodations include a private bathroom.
- Most rooms will include a safe for valuables.
- Your hotels will have Wifi, but it may be limited to common areas.
- Elevators in hotels are not guaranteed.
- Some hotels on this tour require travelers to walk with their luggage a few blocks as buses cannot drop travelers off right out front.
- Please be advised that the strength of the air conditioning in European hotels/buildings is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada.
- The United Kingdom operates within 230-240 volts and uses a Type G plug with three large, flat pins.
- We cannot guarantee that your hotel accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with the hotel once they are confirmed about 30 days prior to departure.
- Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date.
- Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
- We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
- Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
- Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).
- At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website at cdc.gov.
- If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
- If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
- Most of our itineraries include headsets used during certain sightseeing tours so travelers can hear their guides or Tour Director. If you use an assisted listening device, such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant, please visit our Help Center for more information or contact our customer experience team. Please note that at this time not all our destinations offer headsets due to supplier limitations.
- The water is safe to drink throughout your tour unless posted otherwise.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code SCH.
- This tour includes three dinners. Included meals may be plated set menus, buffet or family style depending on the location. Dinners include one glass of beer, wine, or soft drink and water, coffee and tea.
- Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
- Scottish cuisine relies on readily available ingredients like game, dairy, and fish, with little use of exotic spices. Pickled kippers and smoked salmon are popular as well as hearty dishes like Scotch broth (stew of meat and root vegetables) and haggis (a savory pudding of sheep innards). Scotch whisky is a legendary local spirit, and Scottish ales are world-famous.
- At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
- We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10-$12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
- If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.
- You will use the Pound sterling on tour.
- Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
- We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
- You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
- International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
- Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your tour director, local guides, and bus drivers. We also recommend keeping coins in the local currency on hand, as some public bathrooms may charge a fee for use.
- To ensure you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend you download the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. The app is free and provides important deadlines, entry requirements, your detailed itinerary, packing tips and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the chat feature in the app.
- Wifi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
- There is no Wifi on any of the motor coaches.
- Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
- Your Tour Director will be leading your group throughout your journey. You will have the same Tour Director throughout your tour.
- The role of the Tour Director is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each days’ activities and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is our on tour emergency support team.
- Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way.
- This team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies if they arise, ranging from personal health concerns or injuries to major world events.
- As needed, On Tour Support can facilitate additional support for travelers on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, the team is dedicated to supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.
- When you travel with EF Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit, and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
- Travel, when done responsibly, can make an enormous socio-economic impact to communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at local businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
- Prepare for your trip: be aware of the monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market, learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette, and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
- When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
- EF Go Ahead Tours encourages our travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single use plastics. You can avoid single use plastics by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.
- Environment: On this tour, we recommend the use of a reusable water bottle, as the local drinking water is safe for travelers. Your Tour Director can provide additional guidance on local water standards. Make sure to bring a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastics.
- Environment: When visiting national parks, reserves, or other protected areas, please do not remove anything from the natural environment or leave any litter. Carry out what you carried in.
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4.6 out of 5 stars