Scottish Adventure - Classic Scotland

A trip from either Glasgow or Edinburgh to Perthshire offers a delightful mix of natural beauty, historic sites, and outdoor activities. From Glasgow, a scenic drive takes you through the Trossachs National Park, where you can stop at Loch Katrine for a boat ride or a walk along its shores. Further north, the picturesque town of Callander is a great spot to explore local shops and enjoy the surrounding countryside. From Edinburgh, you can head towards the charming town of Stirling, where Stirling Castle and the National Wallace Monument offer insights into Scotland's rich history. Continue to your accommodation in Perthshire.

Overnight - Perthshire B&B

Along your route to Aberdeen, perhaps a visit to St. Andrews - birthplace of Golf, ancient University town, and matchmaker to a Royal couple. During the afternoon you can visit the House of Dun near Montrose. This beautiful Georgian house, overlooking Montrose Basin, was built in 1730. It features superb plasterwork and now houses the Hutchison collection of Scottish colourists and the Stirling collection of furniture, ranging from the 18th century to the 1960s. Enroute to Aberdeen you can stop at Dunnottar Castle, a dramatic and evocative ruined cliff top fortress in a truly stunning setting. Dunnottar is where they filmed Hamlet’s Macbeth and provided inspiration for Disney Pixar’s movie “Brave.” From here you continue to your accommodation in Aberdeen.

Overnight - Aberdeen area B&B

Today we recommend a visit to Castle Fraser, one of the grandest of the Scottish Baronial Houses. Round the visit off with a walk through the beautiful 18th century walled garden. After your morning exploring the walled gardens perhaps a lunch stop at Ballater. Then onto Crathes Castle, where the turrets, gargoyles and the ancient Horn of Leys are just a few of the features of this historic castle.

Overnight - Aberdeen area B&B

Depart Aberdeen & follow the Whisky Trail to visit some of the many famous distilleries in the area. You can visit Glenfiddich, McCallums, Grants, Cardhu and many more. Enjoy a guided tour of the distillery to learn of the processes and for many the highlight is a tasting at the end of the tour. The choice of what to see and do in the Speyside area is huge – there are castles – Brodie, Cawdor (made famous by the Shakespeare’s Macbeth), and Ballindalloch. Visit Culloden, site of the last land battle on British soil and the Clava Cairns Standing Stones.

​Overnight - Inverness area B&B

Enjoy a day visiting the West Coast of Scotland. You will stop at Corrieshalloch Gorge, one of Britain’s finest examples of a box canyon. This dramatic mile-long gorge is 200 feet deep. The river, which carved out the gorge descends 150 feet at the Falls of Measach. A suspension bridge a short way downstream from the falls was erected by John Fowler (1817-98), best known as joint designer of the Forth Railway Bridge. Journey across to Ullapool, a quaint fishing village before visiting the beautiful Inverewe Gardens, run by the National Trust. These magnificent gardens have a famous rhododendron collection and who would expect to find palm trees in Scotland. Return to Inverness where you can spend the remainder of the day walking through the city centre and along the banks of the River Ness. Appreciate Inverness Castle and Inverness Cathedral, or head to Ness Island for some peace and relaxation.

Overnight - Inverness area B&B

Today we recommend an early start if you wish to cross the ferry to Mull and enjoy an island adventure exploring her dramatic coastlines and wild beauty, before taking a small ferry to the peace and tranquillity of Iona - birthplace of Celtic Christianity and ancient burial ground of Scottish Kings. Here you can visit the historic abbey with its intricate carved crosses in the churchyard or explore the rocky headlands and sandy coves of this island gem. There is also an opportunity to take a small boat out to the island of Staffa and view the dramatic basalt columns immortalised by Mendelssohn in his Hebridean Overture "Fingal's Cave". You would then return on the ferry to Oban for a good night’s sleep.

Overnight - Oban area B&B

Heading south today to the heart of the Trossachs, known as the “gateway to the Highlands.” Follow the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond and then travel onto Stirling. Start the afternoon with a visit to Stirling Castle, which has played such an important role in much of Scotland’s vibrant history. The Visitor Centre has a very good audio-visual exhibition explaining much of the history. Don’t miss Argyll’s Lodging, a superb mansion built around an earlier core in about 1630 and further extended by the Earl of Argyll in the 1670’s. It is the most impressive town house of its period in Scotland. The principal rooms are now restored to their former glory.

Overnight - Stirling area B&B

Unfortunately it is now time to leave Scotland. Return your hire car and join your flight home from Glasgow or Edinburgh.