Scottish Clans and Castles

Overview
Itinerary
Hotels
The Experience
Reviews

4.6

Find your castle in the sky

Revisit the past on this leisurely Scottish tour filled with castle ruins, ancient battlefields, and colorful stories from the country's rich history.

Trip details

Tour start Edinburgh

Tour end Edinburgh

Days

Nights

Meals

Available Promotions for this tour

Highlights

Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s grandest castles, with its imposing position and impressive architecture, and the scenery will take your breath away.

Brodie Castle

Explore. this 16th-century castle, with its fairytale towers, turrets and fine furnishings.

Dunvegan Castle

The oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland, it has been the ancestral home of Clan MacLeod for 800 years.

Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre

Explore the battlefield where the 1745 Jacobite Rising came to a tragic end.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Explore the Palace's past with some of Scotland’s well-known historic figures, Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie, and learn how it is used by The Queen when carrying out official engagements in Scotland.

Isle of Skye

Admire the rugged coastlines and ancient ruins of this Scottish island.

Loch Lomond

See Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. The surrounding highlands area is home to red deer and oak woodlands.

Eilean Donan Castle

One of the most iconic images of Scotland, Eilean Donan Castle sits majestically on a small island at the point where three great sea lochs meet in the Highlands.

Scottish Sheepdog Demonstration

Watch highly experienced sheepdogs mind their flocks at a charming Scottish farm.

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Travelers on our July 27th - August 17th departures can watch kilt-clad corps perform with drums and pipes in military precision.

Itinerary

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Day 1Glasgow Panoramic Tour | Welcome Drink

Your tour departs at 2:30 PM from your hotel. Take a panoramic tour of Glasgow, seeing sights like George Square, Kelvingrove Park, the cathedral and the university, all featured in the popular TV series “Outlander”. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group before dining at your hotel. (D)

Day 2Stirling Castle | Whisky Distillery

Visit Stirling Castle, a magnificent stronghold that was the childhood home of many Scottish kings and queens, including Mary, Queen of Scots. Next, head to Glengoyne Distillery to learn about its two centuries of whisky-making and sample a dram. Return to Glasgow, where you will be free to explore and dine as you wish. (B)

Day 3Glencoe | Eilean Donan Castle

Head into the majestic Highlands and journey by Loch Lomond, across Rannoch Moor and through Glencoe, one of Scotland's most spectacular and beautiful places. Stop for photo opportunities along the route as you continue your journey to the romantic Eilean Donan Castle, before arriving at your hotel on the shore of Loch Alsh. (B, D)

Day 4Isle of Skye | Dunvegan Castle | Portree, Kilt Rock | Kilmuir Graveyard

Explore the Isle of Skye and learn the history of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Travel to Dunvegan Castle, the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland. Admire the Trotternish Peninsula as you travel to Kilt Rock, a 200-foot-high sea cliff with huge, vertical basalt columns. Visit Flora MacDonald's grave in Kilmuir Graveyard and stop in Portree for free time. (B, D)

Day 5Strathpeffer | Hugh Miller's Birthplace | Inverness

Begin a scenic drive across the beautiful mountainous landscape of the Highlands, stopping off for photos in Lochcarron, a pretty lakeside village of whitewashed cottages. Visit Strathpeffer for some free time to explore this leafy Victorian spa town with its distinctive architecture. Proceed to Hugh Miller's Birthplace in Cromarty to discover one of Scotland's most fascinating 19th-century figures; Miller was a fossil hunter, folklorist, stonemason, geologist, and newspaper editor. Arrive in Inverness, and dine in your hotel. (B, D)

Day 6Urquhart Castle | Loch Ness Cruise | Inverness

Photo opportunities await as you visit the picturesque ruins of Urquhart Castle, once Scotland's largest castle, and embark on a cruise of Loch Ness. Head to Inverness for a walking tour of this small, charming city. Enjoy dinner with your group in your hotel in the heart of the city. (B, D)

Day 7Cullodden Battlefield Visitor Centre | Elgin | Brodie Castle

Visit the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre to discover how British Government forces defeated the army of Bonnie Prince Charlie, ending the Jacobite rising. Proceed to Elgin, a picturesque town with cobblestone streets, rich in medieval heritage. Head on to explore 16th-century Brodie Castle, with its fairytale towers and turrets set on spacious grounds. The house contains fine furnishings, a collection of paintings, and a library with over 6,000 volumes. Return to Inverness and enjoy a free evening and dinner on your own. (B)

Day 8Sheepdog Demonstration | Culross Walking Tour

Immerse yourself in farm life and enjoy a demonstration of dogs obeying commands to round up sheep. In Pitlochry, explore and have lunch independently. Continue to Culross for a walking tour around the charming 16th-century town, recently used as a filming location for “Outlander.” Highlights include the Town House, Culross Palace, and the remains of Culross Abbey. Enjoy free time in Culross before going to your hotel near Edinburgh. Enjoy a free evening with time to explore and dine independently. (B)

Day 9Panoramic Tour | Holyroodhouse | Edinburgh Castle | Scottish Evening*

In Edinburgh, see how the medieval townhouses along the Royal Mile in the heart of the Old Town stand in stark contrast to the Georgian mansions of the 200-year-old New Town. Tour the impressive Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of the King, and walk through the majestically furnished chambers. Next, visit Edinburgh Castle to see the Scottish Crown Jewels and great views of the city. Enjoy a Scottish evening with a farewell dinner and traditional entertainment. July 27 - August 17 departures attend the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. (B, D*)

Day 10Independent Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Tour of Edinburgh

Spend the day on an independent Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour of Edinburgh. You will receive a taxi voucher to travel from your hotel to the city center. Explore and dine as you wish in this fascinating city. (B)

Day 11Tour Ends in Edinburgh

Your tour ends after breakfast. (B) B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner *Meal counts vary on Tattoo departures, as the Scottish Evening is replaced with the Tattoo and an independent dinner.>

Where you’ll stay

Sandman Signature Glasgow Hotel Glasgow, Scotland

The Sandman Signature Hotel is a stunning hotel with 179 bedrooms in the center of vibrant Glasgow...

Balmacara Hotel Scottish Highlands, Scotland

This traditional Highland hotel is beautifully located on scenic Loch Alsh, with views of the Isle...

Glen Mhor Hotel Inverness, Scotland

Located in Inverness, Glen Mhor Hotel is in the city center and near a train station. Along with a...

Doubletree by Hilton Queensferry Crossing restaurant

DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh - Queensferry Crossing Edinburgh, Scotland

Inclusive package with no hidden extras

What's included?

Full daily breakfast and many meals*
An evening of Scottish entertainment
Transportation (Buses, shuttles & ferries)
Welcome drinks with your group
Free Wi-Fi on luxury coaches
All entrance fees to attractions
Comprehensive travel itinerary

*Breakfast is not included on Day 1

Our welcome gift to you

A travel backpack
Travel adapter
Rain poncho
Luggage strap and tags
Documents wallet

From our travelers

I had a magnificent journey through the lowlands and highlands of Scotland. Everything about this tour was top notch.

Robin Zonghi, Massachusetts

We take care of everything: authentic experiences, expert local tour directors, and more. Check out the CIE Tours difference!

See what people are saying about this trip

Mary Elizabeth Mccarrick

2 months 3 weeks ago

Enjoyed the tour. Would definitely consider CIE in my future travel plans.
I especially enjoyed the group size and will consider signing up for small group tour next time.

CIE Tours Customer

2 months 3 weeks ago

See my previous comments.

Jane Davis

2 months 4 weeks ago

Wonderful trip. Love Scotland!

Always felt safe and the castles were wonderful.

Ms. Mary Rose Doyle

3 months 2 weeks ago

Scotland doesn’t disappoint!

As I said, previously, one of the hotels that we stayed out for two nights had included meals for dinner, and the first night in the pasta, it was over cooked horrible.
The second night I had high hopes, but unfortunately it was over cooked pasta again. Is that a Scotland thing?

Ms. Sharon Smith

4 months 1 week ago

Well-balance tour of beautiful Scotland!

Excellent guide and bus drivers, beautiful scenery, accommodation locations were good except in Edinburgh. Included meals varied tremendously

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Scottish Clans & Castles