Accommodation

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

Guide

All Intrepid group trips in Europe are accompanied by one of our local European group leaders. ’Local’ in this context means a leader who is European or lives in Europe. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader takes care of logistics, will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. At Intrepid we also aim to support local guides in the individual cities or locations we travel to. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend an optional local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

Others

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 Kilmartin Glen - Prehistoric Site Tour Edinburgh - Guided City Tour

Transport

Private Vehicle

Meals

7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners

Not included:

Flights

Flights are not included.

Optional

Other activities and services are not included.

Others

Other activities and services are not included.

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Dunkeld
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Dunkeld

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.
Day 2 Day 2: Dunkeld
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Dunkeld

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.
Day 3 Day 3: Inverness
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Inverness

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.
Day 4 Day 4: Argyll
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Argyll

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.
Day 5 Day 5: Argyll
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Argyll

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.
Day 6 Day 6: Edinburgh
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Edinburgh

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.
Day 7 Day 7: Edinburgh
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Edinburgh

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.
Day 8 Day 8: Edinburgh
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Edinburgh

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.

8 days tour

Premium Scotland

This tour includes:

Not included:

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Itinerary of your trip Premium Scotland

Day 1: Dunkeld

Day 2: Dunkeld

Day 3: Inverness

Day 4: Argyll

Day 5: Argyll

Day 6: Edinburgh

Day 7: Edinburgh

Day 8: Edinburgh

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