Scottish Castles Experience
Departs on Fridays from Edinburgh
April to October
Scotland's turbulent history has left a lasting mark on the landscape in shape of the many castles, fortresses and tower houses that pepper the countryside. These imposing structures have the power to fire the imagination and with your guide's expert storytelling this tour will bring the past to life on a wonderful and unique journey around Scotland. From Edinburgh to the east coast, along the castle trail of the Royal Deeside and into the Highlands. From here you will visit Scotland's highest Whisky Distillery and back into the Kingdom of Fife finishing the tour with a boat trip on Loch Leven, following the footsteps of Mary Queen of Scots.
4 days/ 3 nights - 2 nights in Aberdeen and 1 night in Nairn
DEPARTURE FROM EDINBURGH: Gate J & Gate K, Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH1 3DQ
The tour departs at 08:45am and returns at approx. 6:30pm on Day 4.
Itinerary
Day
1
Depart Edinburgh at 8:45 AM
Friday
You depart from Edinburgh, travel north, and cross the Queensferry Crossing into the ancient Kingdom of Fife. Your first visit of the day is Falkland Palace. It started as a hunting lodge for the Scottish kings and was later transformed into a more lavish place. When Mary Queen of Scots stayed here, she would…. play tennis on the world's oldest tennis court, which you can still see in the palace gardens. Follow in the footsteps of this tragic heroine and explore the medieval village of Falkland, which also features in the television show, Outlander.
You continue to St Andrews where you have a chance to get lunch and explore the cobbled lanes and ancient university buildings.
In the afternoon, you keep travelling north and you visit Dunnottar Castle. This ruined cliff-top fortress is one of Scotland’s megastars and adorns the front covers of travel magazines everywhere. So, it’s a great spot to take in the view and test your photo skills. You spend your night in Aberdeen.
Overnight - Aberdeen
Day
2
Royal Deeside & Castles
Saturday
Your first visit is Castle Fraser, one of the grandest of the Scottish baronial tower houses. You can round the visit off with a walk through the beautiful 18th-century walled garden. Later, you travel to Ballater for lunch, a charming village with close associations with the British royal family.
Crathes Castle provides the highlight for your afternoon. With its pinkish façade, turrets, and a colourful garden, it looks like a fairytale castle, but it’s also haunted by the Green Lady.
You’re free to explore the house and stunning gardens at your own pace. Wandering through the outstanding, world-renowned June Borders, beautiful vistas of the castle can be seen through the fusion of colourful flowers. You return to Aberdeen for another overnight.
Overnight - Aberdeen
Day
3
Culloden
Sunday
Your tour heads further north and starts the day with a visit to Fyvie Castle. Fyvie Castle dates back to the 13th century and has a fine collection of arms and armour as well as 17th-century tapestries.
You continue, travelling through beautiful scenery to Elgin, where you have lunch. If you are a history lover, make sure to marvel at the intricated carvings of a weathered Pictish stone, standing on the grounds of the ruined Elgin Cathedral.
In the afternoon, we continue to Culloden Battlefield, where the final Jacobite Rising came to a harrowing end, bringing on the persecution of the Highland way of life. Walk around this eerie, flat, and tragic landscape and pay tribute to those who lost their lives at the last battle fought on British soil. After the visit, you continue to Nairn for your overnight stay.
Overnight - Nairn
Day
4
Speyside region & Blair Castle
Monday
You travel south through some of the most stunning scenery Scotland has to offer. First, you can sample the rich and slightly fruity whisky at Cardhu**, which is the first distillery pioneered by a woman, Helen Cumming. You pass Kingussie, where you may have an opportunity for a quick photo stop at the Ruthven Barracks. From here, you continue south to Blair Castle. As you explore this historic site, learn about Mary Queen of Scots, discover a ballroom adorned with 175 antlers, roam the 9-acre Georgian garden, and have lunch.
Then, you continue your journey through the lush landscapes of Perthshire, home to some of the most remarkable woodlands, and have a break in one of the picturesque towns. You return over the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh in the evening. Arrival time is approximately 18:30.
*Itinerary and distillery visits are subject to change.
2024 Dates and Prices
Room Type | Single/ Hotel | Double/ Hotel | Single/ B&B | Double/ B&B |
---|---|---|---|---|
Apr 26-May 31 | $1566.00$1566.00 | $1395.00$1395.00 | $1368.00$1368.00 | $1233.00$1233.00 |
Jun 1-Sep 30 | $1603.00$1603.00 | $1432.00$1432.00 | $1404.00$1404.00 | $1270.00$1270.00 |
Oct 4-Oct 25 | $1566.00$1566.00 | $1395.00$1395.00 | $1368.00$1368.00 | $1233.00$1233.00 |
Prices are per person in Canadian Dollars.
EXCLUDES: Lunch, Dinner, Refreshments & Entrances to some Visitor Attractions. Admissions to Falkland Palace, Castle Fraser, Crathes Castle, Fyvie Castle, Culloden Battlefield, Blair Castle and Cardhu Distillery included.
Child rates: B&B $699 | Hotel $829 (5-11 years sharing with 2 adults)
Children under 5 years of age are not accepted.
Luggage is restricted to one suitcase with a maximum weight of 14kg (31lbs.) and one small hand/day bag to go on the coach with you. Unfortunately, Rabbie’s are unable to store excess luggage.
2025 Dates and Prices
Room Type | Single/ Hotel | Double/ Hotel | Single/ B&B | Double/ B&B |
---|---|---|---|---|
Apr 4-May 30 | $1909.00$1909.00 | $1569.00$1569.00 | $1519.00$1519.00 | $1349.00$1349.00 |
Jun 6-Sep 26 | $1979.00$1979.00 | $1629.00$1629.00 | $1589.00$1589.00 | $1419.00$1419.00 |
Oct 3-Oct 24 | $1909.00$1909.00 | $1569.00$1569.00 | $1519.00$1519.00 | $1349.00$1349.00 |
Prices are per person in Canadian Dollars.
EXCLUDES: Lunch, Dinner, Refreshments & Entrances to some Visitor Attractions. Admissions to Falkland Palace, Castle Fraser, Crathes Castle, Fyvie Castle, Culloden Battlefield, Blair Castle and Cardhu Distillery included.
Child rates: B&B $699 | Hotel $829 (5-11 years sharing with 2 adults)
Children under 5 years of age are not accepted.
Luggage is restricted to one suitcase with a maximum weight of 14kg (31lbs.) and one small hand/day bag to go on the coach with you. Unfortunately, Rabbie’s are unable to store excess luggage.
Tour Highlights
- Falkland Palace
- Royal Deeside
- Dunnottar Castle
- Blair Castle
- Cardhu Distillery*
- Culloden Battlefield
Tour Inclusions
- Transportation by top of the range Mercedes minicoach for a more personal experience with a maximum of 16 passengers on tour. Air Conditioning as standard. Services of a professional local driver/guide.
- 3 nights ensuite accommodation
- Full Scottish breakfast daily
- Admission to: Falkland Palace, Castle Fraser, Crathes Castle, Fyvie Castle, Culloden Battlefield, Blair Castle and Cardhu Distillery.