A Scottish Journey

Orange glows from low-lit lamps that dot centuries-old houses, leading the path to a stoned castle on top of the hill. Paths smudged with long forgotten footsteps eager to tell their tale. And an array of locally owned stores that have stood the test of time. Edinburgh is the city that hosts our group meet. We’ll gather with those we’re sharing this journey with, then clink glasses and share stories of our own as we tuck into a welcome meal.  

This morning we’ll wind northwards, passing through the quaint villages of East Neuk where the sea breeze will caress your cheeks with its fresh saltwater scent.  

Then: enjoy free time in St Andrews – where young royalty meets golf heritage. Seek out the University of St Andrews, where a certain love story began its once-upon-a-time. Polish off your golf facts with a venture around the British Golf Museum – home to a rich and colourful history that spans centuries. Or travel back in time to when St Andrews housed the largest cathedral in all of Scotland; its ruins will evoke a sense of age-old nostalgia, inspiring you to imagine a time without modern buildings, renovated houses and the latest technology. As we head northwards to our hotel in the Highlands, bask in the ever-changing scenery filled with rugged glens and dramatic hills.      

Ah that fresh Highland air filling your lungs – there's no feeling like it! We’ll begin our day with a visit to one of the treasures Scotland is famed for... magnificent castles, like Crathes Castle. Prominent and majestic in stature, this piece of history looms over the land like the kings and queens who once lived within its walls reigned over its people – with strength, power and perseverance. With a bounty of castles in the area, you might be wondering which stronghold we’ll explore... We’ll give the honour of divulging to your local Tour Leader.  

Following our stroll into the past, Mother Nature calls our name. Something to be aware of? The weather – as varied as it is in bonnie Scotland – will dictate the atmosphere you experience. Low cloud over mulls and glens promises an ethereal feeling that raises the hairs on the back of your neck – as though a Gaelic witch is brewing a storm, whilst clear blue skies vow vast scenery that never ends. Our minds filled with lush landscapes and local tales, we’ll return to our hotel where we can slumber and ready ourselves for Day 4’s ventures.  

Wake up and breathe in your morning coffee – another day of embracing all that Scotland has to offer is right beneath our noses. First: buckle up in the minicoach and watch a cacophony of green forest trees, imposing mountains and shimmering waters flit by from the comfort of your seat as we travel towards the Highlands’ capital: Inverness.  

Before we cross into city lines, let’s have a moment for the Highland Folk Museum. It’s Britain’s first open-air museum buzzing with direct insight into the past. Embrace scurrying red squirrels, rugged thatched homes and a welcoming smile at every turn. And – for guests who have a passion for all things film and TV, this was a location used for Outlander!  

Onwards to Inverness. Settle in for dinner with your newfound travel companions as a local bagpiper welcomes you to this evening’s meal, playing traditional notes in a melody that will stir the soul.  

Greet Inverness with joy – this city is nestled in the heart of the Highlands, where the lingering breath of the Loch Ness monster reaches its tall roofs and winding streets. During our walking tour with a local guide, we’ll stroll along the cobbled streets of Old Town, glance towards the towering structure of Inverness Castle, and hear the Scottish war-drums and bagpipes in our minds as ancient tales of days gone by are shared. 

Later, secrets will be spilled – and hopefully not a single drop of liquid gold – as we experience a whisky tasting at Malt Rooms, a business created by two locals and their love of traditional beverages. More diverse than your usual distillery which proudly houses a signature label, the Malt Rooms is home to a vast array of Scottish whiskies. So, ask yourself... will you prefer a smoked flavour that caresses your throat? Or will it be a sweet, fruity nectar that lifts your spirits? Bellies warmed; the rest of the day is yours to roam the flourishing city as you please – perhaps that includes a spot of haggis!  

Wave a fond “mar sin leat” (farewell in Scottish Gaelic) to the spirited city of Inverness – our next stop is just a short drive away, and it’s laden with the ghosts of a bloody battle from 1796. Embrace the gooseflesh along your arms as you hear tales of the Jacobite Rising’s final, tragic, end. From harrowing history to magical mythology – keep your eyes peeled for Scotland’s favourite monster in the calming waters of Loch Ness. Any slight ripple could be her shyly welcoming you to her home!    

Back onto the minicoach for our next stop: Plockton! Or, as it’s lovingly known as to the locals – “The Jewel of the Highlands”. Seek out fresh, rose-coloured tulips growing in bunches. Cast your eyes over quaint homes that seem to have tumbled out of an old fairytale. Follow the mountain line under a cloud-filled (or clear blue!) sky. Most importantly, feel the peace this place brings to your soul.  

Our journey takes us to our home for the next two nights – the Isle of Skye – where we’ll stay at a family-owned hotel surrounded by fragrant gardens and splendid views just a peek through your window. But first, a group dinner with decadent food awaits our arrival!  

Do you know the origins of the word ‘Skye’? It’s derived from Old Norse ‘skuy’ meaning ‘cloud island’. That may be an indicator of today’s weather – but don’t let that stop you from experiencing the isle’s mythic charm. Today’s journey begins in Portree – a quaint fishing village, and Skye’s capital. Dotted along the harbour is a line of pastel-coloured buildings bright enough to tussle with any cloudy day. Stroll beside calm waters, breathe in that fresh Scottish air and pick up a spot of lunch (including Scottish favourite Irn-Bru!) ready to eat during our travels later.  

Then, we’ll immerse ourselves in the gentle hum of mountains, lochs and castles as golden eagles circle in the sky and wild dolphins jump in the sea. A taste of the sights our eyes will twinkle at today? The Old Man of Storr – famed for hiking and views, Kilt Rock – a cascading waterfall with plunging depths, and Quiraing – a walking route where every tickle of wind caresses your cheek. This evening, enjoy dinner at your own leisure – we suggest embracing the island life with a plate (or two!) of fresh seafood.  

From one island to another, our adventure continues. Let’s dive into the origins of Scottish Gaelic a little, giving you some food for thought as we pass through languid lochs, gleaming glens and magnificent Munros (mountains to us!). Irish settlers, known as Scoti, brought the language with them during the 4th or 5th century. From then, the language travelled through the land like a rush of water until the 16th century when it began to decline due to the immergence of English. Some words are preserved and many pockets of the population hope to revive Gaelic culture today. After a lunch stop in Mallaig (try to find some shortcakes to fill that spot!), our Tour Leader will share more stories and historic anecdotes alongside folklore and fairytales about the enchanted setting we find ourselves in until we settle in our new home for the next two nights: Mull.  

Do you believe in fairies? How about mermaids, seal people and sea monsters? Today’s stop, the Isle of Iona is a bewitched island, filled with magic, mischief and mystery. Every gale, every scent of seawater, and every patch of glen could hold a tiny glimmer of mystical intrigue if you look close enough. During our meander across Iona, we’ll visit Iona Abbey. Being the oldest Catholic church in the UK (and one of the oldest in Western civilisation), this sacred site holds an unearthly amount of history within its stone walls. If you wander to the edge of the land, you can look out onto the glistening waters and imagine the legends of the deep. Is that a flick of a fin you’ll see in the distance? Upon our return to Mull, we’ll toast to our Scottish journey and the friendships made with a final dinner together.  

One final adventure for the road? Before we head back to the point where our tale began, let’s create a few more memories for the postcards we send back home. We’ll briefly stop in Oban for some free time after we arrive at the mainland. The seafood capital of Scotland boasts a bustling port, crashing waves that rival the anger of the old gods, and all the colours of the rainbow dotted along the harbour.  

Our second-to-last stop takes us to Stirling where its magnificent hilltop castle will raise the hairs on the back of your necks as it presides over the city and all who wander there. Once we’re inside its gleaming walls adorned with immaculately painted crests, high ceilings and rich, decadent materials, we’ll soak up sweeping views, gasp at the enormity of it all, and wonder what whispers haunt the rooms. Our final journey aboard the minicoach is now upon us, so settle in, swap your favourite memories, and follow the back roads to Edinburgh with a heart full of Scottish stories.