There’s a reason why Scotland is world famous for it’s whisky, so why not experience it for yourself?
Whisky is Scotland’s national drink and its top export. The country is home to five whisky-producing regions, with Speyside leading in production, housing half of Scotland’s distilleries. This 7-day self-drive itinerary blends whisky heritage with cultural highlights, featuring distillery tours, stunning castles, and a quest to spot the legendary Loch Ness monster.
Automatic economy car with:
After you arrive at the Edinburgh airport, make your way to your hotel and check in. From there, see the bustling Princes Street and the gracious, wide streets of the 200-year-old Georgian New Town. Walk along part of the Royal Mile where compact medieval houses reach 11 floors tall. Take a tour of the Scotch Whisky Experience to learn all about the whisky making process. You’ll be introduced to the Whiskey aromas and see the world’s largest collection of Scotch Whiskey. Visit Edinburgh Castle, which dominates the city and contains the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Scone. Take a Ghost Walking Tour tonight to learn some of the city’s darkest secrets. Enjoy an evening meal before settling into your accommodation for the night.
Overnight in Edinburgh
Today you can have a leisurely morning to yourself and maybe include some retail therapy. In the afternoon there are plenty of activities to keep you entertained. If the weather allows for it, visit the Royal Botanic Gardens. Take a visit to the old town and the National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh is dotted with lively pubs and delicious gourmet restaurants so you will not be wandering too far to find somewhere nice to unwind for the evening. Settle into your accommodation for a second night.
Overnight in Edinburgh
Leave Edinburgh this morning with your first stop of the day at Stirling Castle. Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s most historically important sites and was once a favored residence of the Stewart kings and queens who held grand celebrations at the castle. From Stirling Castle make your way to Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery. Discover the one-of-a-kind process behind making beautifully balanced Single Malt whisky at the heart of Dewar’s Scotch. You’ll learn the history and craftsmanship as well as sample some for yourself. Continue on to Pitlochry where you’ll stay tonight. Pitlochry is a good size town with lots of bars, restaurants and a distillery on the outskirts of town. Settle into your accommodation there for the evening.
Overnight in Pitlochry
Today you can explore as much or as little of Cairngorm National Park as you would like. Bring your camera and stop to admire the beautiful scenery. Visit Balmoral Castle if it is open and take a walk around the grounds. If you have the appetite, make your way up to Grantown-on-Spey where you can stop for lunch before returning to your accommodation in Pitlochry by a different route.
Overnight in Pitlochry
The Speyside region of Scotland is home to half of the country’s distilleries. You’re in the perfect spot to do some sampling and beautiful sightseeing today. Your next distillery stop is Glenlivet. Learn the history of the whisky and the glen, and discover the irrepressible spirit of The Glenlivet. Take in the unique lantern stills that help shape the spirit’s flavor and then taste the single malt straight from the cask. Feel free to visit other distilleries today and immerse yourself in the beautiful speyside scenery. Check in to your accommodation in Inverness in the evening.
Overnight in Inverness
Enjoy the cultural capital of the Highlands as you spend time in Inverness this morning. From there, head to the banks of Loch Ness. Here you will tour the majestic Urquhart Castle and learn about its rich history regarding Scottish Clans over the centuries. Urquhart was once one of Scotland’s largest castles. Its remains include a tower house – the most recent building on the site – that commands splendid views of the famous loch and Great Glen. Be sure to bring your camera for some photos of its beautiful backdrop of Loch Ness. Once you’ve had enough fun on land, take a cruise along the Loch and search for the elusive Loch Ness monster. Return to your accommodation in Inverness later on.
Overnight in Inverness
Board your flight home from Inverness Airport after returning your rental car.
All hotels and accommodations included in your trip are carefully selected to meet a 4-star standard or higher. While we occasionally book 3-star hotels or B&B properties, they must meet our high standards of quality and comfort. To ensure consistency, we strive to have a team member visit each property regularly or conduct a thorough site inspection.
Round trip flights to the tours destination are not included, but we are happy to provide you with a flight quote for your trip along with travel protection for the duration.
While booking flights may seem simple, hidden fees and service classes that exclude seats, meals, or bags are common. Since 1985, our expertise and exclusive contracts allow us to secure better routes and often better prices than what’s available online.
We would be happy to help create a custom itinerary for you before or after your time in Scotland, if you’d like to extend your trip.
Your first vacation quote, and up to two revisions, for trips of 9 or fewer days, and 45 days in advance of travel, are complimentary. If an itinerary requires further revisions subsequent to this, we will require a non-refundable deposit of $75 per person in order to continue.
If you are requesting a quote for a vacation that is 10 days in length, or with travel dates within 45 days, or to a non-core destination, a deposit of $75 per person will be required in order for us to begin working on your proposal.
Planning deposits can then be put towards the cost of the trip should you decide to proceed with the booking.
Sign up to get Crystal Travel news, travel tips, inspiration, and special offers, straight to your inbox.
© 2024 Crystal Travel & Tours. All Rights Reserved. | Powered by Brave River Solutions.
