private 7 Day Tour of Scotland
Amazing private guided 7 day Scotland tour
Join us on a spectacular 7-day tour of Scotland, visiting some of our country’s enviable, beautiful scenic and historical locations. Your unforgettable 7-day touring experience will take you on a journey through the picturesque lowlands, and the majestic highlands of Scotland. You can opt to begin your seven days in Scotland tour itinerary, from Edinburgh, Glasgow, or if preferred, another more convenient location within Scotland.
Your 7 Day Tour of Scotland Itinerary Highlights
- Day 1 – The Kelpies, Culross, Falkland, Crail and St Andrews
- Day 2 – Scone Palace, Glenshee, Cairngorms National Park, Braemar, Balmoral Castle and Speyside
- Day 3 – Glenfiddich Whisky Distillery, Speyside Cooperage, and Nairn
- Day 4 – Culloden, Clava Cairns, and Cawdor Castle
- Day 5 – Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle or Fort Augustus, Great Glen, Ben Nevis, Glencoe, and Oban
- Day 6 – St Conan’s Kirk, Kilchurn Castle, Inveraray Jail/Inveraray Castle, Rest and be Thankful, Loch Lomond, and Glasgow
- Day 7 – Stirling Castle, Kilmahog, and The Trossachs National Park
Day 1 – Discover The Kelpies and The Kingdom of Fife
Departing from Edinburgh or Glasgow, we travel to the exquisite, monumental Kelpies, located in the Helix Park in Falkirk. The Kelpies are the tallest equine statues in the world, towering up to 30 metres in height. They are a spectacular sight to see also in the evening, as the night falls when they are illuminated against the skyline.
We will then continue the short journey over the Kincardine Bridge, that spans the Firth of Forth, into the historic Kingdom of Fife. Your Scottish tour guide will then accompany you on a guided walking tour of the 17th century Royal Burgh Village Culross, which many Outlander fans will recognise as the setting, ‘Cranesmuir’.
Travelling north, we head to Falkland, the first conservation village in Scotland. This quaint village was one of Mary Queen of Scots favourite places to visit and has also been used as another filming location in Outlander, in the form of “Inverness.”
Leaving behind the picturesque Burgh of Falkland, we journey on to the former Royal Burgh of Crail, on the East Neuk of Fife. This ancient Burgh boasts a medieval harbour that is still in use today. After meandering through the cobbled streets, we can relax with a spot of afternoon tea or coffee at the Crail Harbour Gallery, overlooking stunning ocean views of the North Sea.
Our final stop of the day will be at the ancient University town and “home of golf,” St Andrews. Here, we will partake in a panoramic tour of the town, including a brief visit to the iconic, Swilcan Bridge on the old course, for a photo opportunity. Your first overnight stay will be in St Andrews.
Day 2 – Explore the Majestic Scottish Highlands
Bidding our farewells to St Andrews, we will embark on a 60-minute scenic drive west, to the iconic Scone Palace, in Perth. This evocative 5-star heritage site is an absolute must see on your 7-day tour of Scotland. This magnificent palace was the Crowning Place of many Scottish Kings, including Macbeth, Robert the Bruce and Charles the Second. It is also famed as being the original home to the Stone of Scone which is also known as the “Stone of Destiny.”
Our spectacular 7-day Scotland road trip, continues through the ‘Snow Road’ from Blairgowrie to Grantown on Spey. Traversing through the spectacular Cairngorm Mountains, that reach to heights of up to around 3,900 feet above sea level.
We will make a brief stop off at The Devil’s Elbow in Glenshee, to capture some photos, before journeying through the evocative, rugged Scottish Highlands to Braemar, in Aberdeenshire. Braemar, in Royal Deeside is best known for the Braemar Gathering, which is one of the most famous Scottish Highland Games, and regularly attended by the British royal family.
Time allowing and subject to availability, we can schedule an optional visit to Balmoral Castle, residence of the British royal family, near the village of Crathie, before travelling on to Speyside, known as the “Garden of the North.”
We will proceed to take a 45-mile drive to Dufftown, known as the “Whisky capital of Scotland”, where we will rest for the evening. We also have the alternative option of staying in Aberlour, a village set on the river Spey, only a few miles from Dufftown.
Day 3 – Speyside Whisky Tours and Tastings
After breakfast, we make our way to the world famous Glenfiddich Whisky Distillery in Dufftown, where you have the choice of many guided tours on offer.
Following on from our stupendous visit of the Glenfiddich distillery, we travel three miles to the Speyside Cooperage, to delight in a guided tour and watch the local coopers repair old whisky barrels.
In the afternoon, we have the option to visit a further splendid Speyside whisky distillery, or we can journey on up to the beautiful seaside town of Nairn, that lies on the Moray Firth.
Overnight Nairn
Day 4 – Culloden, Clava Cairns and Cawdor Castle
In the morning we travel west to the often described as “hauntingly eerie” Culloden Moor, where the last battle on British soil took place. The Hanoverian government soldiers finally defeated Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobites on April 16th, 1746. There is also a visitors’ centre on site that you may want to visit, time allowing.
Less than a 5-minute drive from Culloden, we visit the prehistoric Clava Cairns burial chambers. Enjoy some time walking around the fascinating historical stones and cairns before moving on to our next location, Cawdor Castle.
After lunch, we will explore the ancestral home of the Campbells of Cawdor, Cawdor Castle, and its beautiful, walled, and wild gardens. This early fourteenth century castle has been the home to the Thanes of Cawdor for over 700 years. Today, Cawdor Castle is home to Lady Calder, who resides in the castle during the winter months. The castle is open to visitors from Spring to Autumn.
Overnight Nairn
Day 5
Leaving Nairn after a hearty breakfast, we travel on to Morayshire, as our journey takes us to Dores Beach, on the northern banks of Loch Ness. Dores Beach is one of the best viewpoints of Loch Ness, so get your camera at the ready in case Nessie pops up to say hello.
Our Scottish adventure continues south, with an optional visit to either Urquhart Castle on the west shore, or to take a 1-hour Loch Ness Cruise from the picturesque village settlement, Fort Augustus, at the south end of the 23-mile-long loch.
After lunch, we continue on our road trip south through Scotland’s Great Glen. Sit back and absorb some marvellous scenery as we head to the atmospheric Glencoe Mountain Range for some photo opportunities and listen to history behind the “Massacre of Glencoe.”
Our travels take us further south to the gateway to the isles, Oban, “seafood capital of Scotland.” We will have a wee brief time for a quick photo stop at Castle Stalker on the way.
Overnight Oban
Day 6
An early morning stroll to McCaigs Tower, will allow you time to admire the panoramic views of Oban Bay before we continue our superb 7-day Scottish adventure.
Travelling through Bonnie Argyll, we stop off at St Conan’s Kirk on the banks of Loch Awe. This interesting historic A listed church was designed by Walter Douglas Campbell. Local knowledge tell that his mother found travelling to the nearest parish church tiring, so he built St Conan’s Kirk to save his mother having to walk to the church in neighbouring village.
Our next brief stop is beside Loch Awe, where we can take some photos of the ancient ruin, Kilchurn Castle, that was once home to the Clan Campbell of Glenorchy.
Continuing through Argyll, we take the short journey to the picturesque town of Inveraray on Loch Fyne, the longest sea loch in Scotland.
Here, you will have the options to visit Inveraray Castle (please note though, it is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays) or Inveraray Jail. You may prefer to have some free time to explore the town and purchase some local gifts, or just browse around the quaint boutique shops .
After lunch we continue on our road trip through Scotland to the Arrochar Alps en route to Loch Lomond. We will have another wee stopping point at the Rest and Be Thankful viewpoint for a wee dram and some shortbread, before driving on to the charming village of Luss, that lies on the Bonny Banks of Loch Lomond. You will then have time to explore the village on foot, visiting the Auld Kirk, where you can view a Viking Hogback Stone, before embarking on an optional pleasure cruise on Loch Lomond.
From Loch Lomond we take the short journey in to Glasgow where we will stay the penultimate night of our seven-day trip. There is also the option of heading down the west coast of Scotland to stay in the seaside village, Seamill, which has stunning views overlooking the Isle of Arran.
Overnight options of Glasgow or Lanarkshire.
Day 7
After breakfast on the last day of our wonderful 7-day Scottish Itinerary, we make our way to Stirling Castle. This 12th century fortress sits majestically atop a volcanic plug, above the Stirlingshire Skyline in the Heart of Scotland.
Your tour guide will take you on an incredible guided tour of this stunning castle, which was regarded as the most important castle in Scotland during the Wars of Independence.
Departing from Stirling we take the road to the Trossachs National Park to have lunch in a local inn, before visiting the Hairy Coos at Kilmahog.
Finally, we return you to your accommodation in Edinburgh or your chosen city or town, completing your 7-day tour of Scotland. Alas this is where we say our fond farewells.
Book your 7 day scotland tour today
Your private 7-day tour of Scotland is flexible, where you can choose additional days at locations throughout Scotland. Your 7-day tour can be altered to suit your groups’ specific requirements and needs.
Tour Price: £6265 (for up to 6 people)
If you have any further questions, then please contact the James, Scotland Tour Guide, today.