Premium Scotland

Premium Scotland

8 Days Starting and ending in Edinburgh

Visiting: Dunkeld, Inverness, Argyll, Edinburgh

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

BWPS

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 12

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

15-99 years

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

UK tours by Coach

From: $6080

NB: Prices correct on 24-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Head to the Highlands on this eight-day adventure through Scotland’s most picturesque spots. Start your Premium journey at a whisky distillery and warm your heart (and belly), ready for the brisk beauty of the rolling hills, expansive lochs and high peaks of the Scottish Highlands. Drive through scenic landscapes, try to spot the famed monster on a cruise on Loch Ness, explore castles, meet local characters, visit a wildlife reserve, wander through the quiet of islands Seil and Easdale and stay in an amazing historic mansion for your Feature Stay, where you can spend an afternoon exploring the lush private grounds. End it all in Edinburgh, the birthplace of Harry Potter and many other literature acclaims, and explore the Old Town, overlooked by the medieval castle perched high on the hill.

Highlights

  • Discover a hidden folly in the forest of the Scottish Highlands, overlooking a cascading waterfall. Then, visit a wildlife reserve known for its nesting ospreys.

  • Spend an afternoon in Cairngorms National Park in an outdoor folk museum scattered with traditional buildings.

  • Take a cruise on Loch Ness and look for the elusive beast as you sail on the famous, quiet waters of the still loch and marvel at the gorgeous scenery all around you.

  • Spend a day skipping stones and wandering through the quiet landscape of the islands Seil and Easdale – with tiny populations, these islands are a great setting to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

  • Spend two nights at your Feature Stay mansion house on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Set amid 40 acres of gardens and dating back to the 1400’s, this classic Scottish estate will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Eden Reforestation Projects. Donations help them provide local employment opportunities and tackle climate change one tree at a time as they restore forests across 10 different countries.

Places You'll See

Edinburgh Castle

Loch Ness, Scotland

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Dunkeld

Location: Dunkeld

Accommodation: Dunkeld House Hotel or similar

Meals Included: dinner

Welcome to Scotland! Your adventure begins in Edinburgh – the birthplace of Harry Potter, overlooked by the famed Edinburgh Castle. You’ll meet at the airport at 1.30 pm, then take a private transfer up into the rolling Highlands – grab a window seat if you can, the scenery is stunning! Head to a local distillery for a whisky tasting – the perfect setting to break the ice with your new fellow travellers. Then, when you’re all warmed up from the whisky, head to your hotel. When you’ve checked in, you’ll have a welcome meeting with your leader. Tonight, sit down for a welcome dinner with your group and get to know each other.

Included Activities:
-Perthshire - Welcome Dinner
-Perthshire - Whisky Distillery Tour and Tasting

Day 2: Dunkeld

Location: Dunkeld

Accommodation: Dunkeld House Hotel or similar

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch

Today is all about waterfalls and wildlife. After breakfast, enjoy an early morning stroll through the forest until you reach a hidden building among the trees overlooking a cascading waterfall. If the season’s right, you can even spot leaping salmon here as they return upstream. After lunch, visit a wildlife reserve that’s known for its ospreys, which nest here in the spring and summer. Tonight, you’ll have a free evening, so maybe ask your leader for the best local restaurants and pubs for dinner and a pint of local ale.

Included Activities:
-Perthshire - Loch Of The Lowes Wildlife Reserve Visit
-Perthshire - Waterfall Walk

Day 3: Inverness

Location: Inverness

Accommodation: Kingsmills Hotel or similar

Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner

This morning after breakfast, head to a local Highland castle, once known for having a private army, then continue north towards Cairngorms National Park. You’ll spend the afternoon at an outdoor folk museum here, which illustrates Highland history with a unique collection of buildings through the centuries (if you’re a fan of Outlander, this place might look familiar! The popular TV series filmed several episodes here). Next, head to Inverness – the largest city and cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands, known for its gorgeous scenery, 18th and 19th architecture and Victorian Market. After an afternoon of exploring, you’ll head to dinner with your group.

Included Activities:
-Cairngorms National Park - Highland Folk Museum
-Perthshire - Castle Tour

Day 4: Argyll

Location: Argyll

Accommodation: Loch Melfort Hotel or similar

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

This morning after breakfast, make your way to Loch Ness – the site of the famed beast (who you might just be able to spot if you squint out into the distance). When you arrive, head out on a leisurely boat cruise and marvel at the huge freshwater loch. Then, you’ll visit the world’s first rewilding centre and learn about the 250-year project that a conservation charity is currently undertaking to restore the lost forests of the Highlands. Learn about how they improve the landscape for humans and wildlife, and then head on to the west coast, near Argyll, where you’ll spend the night.

Included Activities:
-Inverness - Loch Ness Cruise
-Inverness - Rewilding Center Experience

Day 5: Argyll

Location: Argyll

Accommodation: Loch Melfort Hotel or similar

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch

This morning, enjoy a spot of breakfast and then take the short drive to the Bridge Over the Atlantic – an arched bridge from the 18th century that connects the mainland to the Isle of Seil. From the isle, jump on a ferry to Easdale – with a population of just 50, this Hebridean island has the smallest permanent population in the area! This is home to the World Stone Skimming Championships, so after you try your hand at some stone skimming, you’ll explore both small islands, soak in the serenity of the almost-untouched landscape and then head back to the mainland, where you’re free for dinner.

Included Activities:
-Hebredian Islands - Seil and Easdale Day Trip

Day 6: Edinburgh

Location: Edinburgh

Accommodation: Carberry Tower (Feature Stay) or similar

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch

This morning, fuel up with some breakfast and then head to Kilmartin Glen – one of the most significant prehistoric sites in the country. You’ll have a private guide to take you around the site and teach you about the fascinating stories and history of this collection of tombs, cairns and standing stones. After, head south through Loch Lomond National Park and enjoy the stunning scenery of high peaks, expansive lochs, green hills and a vast horizon – look out for Highland cows! Arrive at your Feature Stay just outside of Edinburgh – a historic castle from 1480 on 40 acres of sprawling gardens and lush private grounds with ponds, pathways and green lawns. Tonight is free to wander around the grounds and maybe grab dinner at the onsite bistro.

Included Activities:
-Loch Lomond - National Park Visit
-Kilmartin Glen - Prehistoric Site Tour

Day 7: Edinburgh

Location: Edinburgh

Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner

This morning, return to Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital. When you arrive, go on an insightful tour of the city with a private local guide – this company of tour guides supports people who were once homeless, providing them with job opportunities. When you’ve got your bearings, the rest of the day is free to spend how you wish. Maybe continue exploring the winding streets and narrow alleyways on foot, searching for hidden bars and iconic landmarks. Maybe hit the designer stores along George Street or venture into Edinburgh Castle. Tonight, return to your Feature Stay and enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travellers.

Included Activities:
-Edinburgh - Guided City Tour

Day 8: Edinburgh

Location: Edinburgh

Accommodation: Carberry Tower (Feature Stay) or similar

Meals Included: breaksfast

This morning after breakfast, there are no activities planned. A transfer to Edinburgh city centre or Waverley Station is included. If you’d like to extend your stay and take a Harry Potter-themed walking tour or just explore the Old Town further, just speak to your booking agent.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    Hotel (5 nights), Feature Stay (2 Nights)

  • Perthshire - Welcome Dinner

  • Perthshire - Whisky Distillery Tour and Tasting

  • Perthshire - Loch Of The Lowes Wildlife Reserve Visit

  • Perthshire - Waterfall Walk

  • Cairngorms National Park - Highland Folk Museum

  • Perthshire - Castle Tour

  • Inverness - Loch Ness Cruise

  • Inverness - Rewilding Center Experience

  • Hebredian Islands - Seil and Easdale Day Trip

  • Loch Lomond - National Park Visit

show more

What's Not Included

  • Insurance

  • International Travel

Transport

Private Vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (5 nights), Feature Stay (2 Nights)

Important Information

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Mode of Transport

Private Vehicle

Check out our Q&As

  • Is this trip right for you

    On most days you’ll be exploring on your feet, whether that is enjoying a forest walk, exploring tiny islands on the west coast, or discovering the history around each corner in Edinburgh’s Old Town. Therefore, you will need a basic level of fitness and should expect to be walking and active for at least a couple of hours each day. However, this is not a hiking tour.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

Reviews of this operator

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Prices last published on 24-Dec-2024

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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