Tour duration

You are here

You are here

Essence of Scotland

7 days2 cities
United Kingdom1 country
Tour rating: 4.9 / 5, Based on 99 Reviews
Private tour to United Kingdom

Take in the authentic atmosphere of stunning Scotland while discovering gems of the capital Edinburgh and the picturesque Inverness. In 7 days private tour see the royal Edinburgh Castle, admire the awe-inspiring Isle of Skye, enjoy famous Jacobite Steam Train ride as well as Wild Safari Cruise.

7 days2 cities
United Kingdom1 country
From
 $2,698 
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
2
days
United Kingdom

The capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh has stunning architecture including the Holyrood Palace on the Royal Mile and the Edinburgh Castle.

Day by day
Hotel
Day-by-day program
1
day
Arrival in Edinburgh

Welcome to the gorgeous ancient city - Edinburgh!

Upon arrival, you are met by your driver at the airport, who transfers you to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day free so you can start exploring the magnificent city center on your own, dine in one of the local restaurants or take a good rest in your comfortable room.

No meals included.

2
day
Edinburgh Royal Mile

Following breakfast you get to explore the capital of Scotland - Edinburgh!

Together with the guide you start a 4-hour tour of the Old Town and explore this culturally and historically important part of the city. Today you walk along the famous Royal Mile which connects two royal residences - the Castle and the Palace of Holyrood House.

Before you visit the Edinburgh Castle you hear a comprehensive history insight from your guide and visit the castle independently*. Here you may see the Honours (Crown Jewels) of Scotland, the Stone of Destiny, the famous 15th-century gun Mons Meg, the One O' Clock Gun inside the castle.

Your guided walking tour ends before you visit the castle and after exploring the castle you may spend time in the city on your own or return to the hotel.

  • Note: entrance tickets to the castle are included.

Breakfast is included.

Your choice of hotels

We carefully select hotels to ensure your amazing stay. We will recommend the best available properties for your travel dates.

Market Street Hotel, Edinburgh

Set in historical Edinburgh Old Town, the Market Street Hotel offers unique guestrooms.

train
Edinburgh
Inverness
4 hrs

Enjoy the picturesque route from Edinburgh to Inverness while onboard a comfortable train with enough legroom, compartments for your belonging, power sockets and other amenities. 

Inverness, United Kingdom Gallery
3
days
United Kingdom

Inverness is undoubtedly a must-visit while in the Scottish Highlands! Full of myths and legends, spectacular nature and man-made wonders, the city is home to the monumental Inverness Castle, as well as the famous Loch Ness.

Day by day
Hotel
Day-by-day program
3
day
Arrival in Inverness

Following breakfast you have a check-out of your hotel in Edinburgh and meet the driver for train station transfer.

Upon arrival to Inverness, you are taken to the hotel for check-in and the rest of the day is at your own leisure.

Breakfast is included.

4
day
Exploration of the Isle of Skye

After breakfast at your hotel, you get to enjoy the beauty of the untouched nature in its glory, embarking on a full-day small-group tour to the famous Isle of Skye.

Early in the morning, you join a small group tour and leave the city of Inverness with the guide-driver, passing the legendary Loch Ness, observing the dramatic Highland scenery and paying a visit to witness the most photographed castle in Scotland, Eilean Donan Castle.

The next destination on your agenda is the picturesque Kyle of Lochalsh, a village on the mainland which serves as the gateway to the scenic Isle of Skye, a place of inspiration for many movie makers, poets, and travelers. Upon arrival on the Isle, you travel around the island’s east coast through the gorgeous Cuillin Mountains, experiencing truly breathtaking panoramas.

Then, you arrive at the lovely town of Portree, overlooking a sheltered bay and serving as the capital city of the island. While in Portree, you have some free time to explore the town and grab a snack.

Afterwards, you proceed to the northernmost peninsula of the Isle of Skye, Trotternish, to observe some unusual natural formations like the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, and the Quiraing, and take some memorable photos of this extraterrestrial place.

Following the tour, you are transferred back to Inverness. The route you take back differs from the one in the morning so you have even more opportunities to admire the Highland scenery.

  • Note: the duration of the trip is up to 12 hours. Entrance tickets are not included.

Breakfast is included.

5
day
Jacobite Steam Train and Wild Safari Cruise

Following breakfast in the hotel, you meet with the driver-guide and embark on a full-day trip to the western Scottish Highlands.

You drive along the famous Loch Ness and along Caledonian Canal before you arrive in Fort William. Here you board the famous Jacobite Steam train.

This 42-mile trip covers the most impressive must-sees, starting near the iconic mount Ben Nevis, passing Loch Morar, and River Morar, arriving next to the deepest seawater loch in Europe, Loch Nevis. Enjoy the dramatic views and see the most famous bridge in Scotland, Glenfinnan Viaduct, featured in the Harry Potter movies as well as beautiful villages of Lochailort, Arisaig, Morar, and Mallaig along the route.

Upon arrival at the turning point you have a 1-hour wildlife cruise safari. Travel out to Green Island on the Knoydart Peninsula and take a chance to witness wild seals relaxing on the rocks as well as a variety of birds, porpoises, dolphins, whales, and basking sharks frequently visiting the coastal waters.

After the cruise you meet your driver-guide for a transfer back to Inverness.

Breakfast is included.

Your choice of hotels

We carefully select hotels to ensure your amazing stay. We will recommend the best available properties for your travel dates.

Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness

If you are looking for a "home away from home" in Inverness, take a closer look at the elegant Kingsmills Hotel, located right in the heart of this beautiful Scottish city. The property prides itself on flawless service, great in-house amenities, and cozy well-fitted guestrooms, equipped with everything you might need for a comfortable stay.

train
Inverness
Edinburgh
4 hrs

Enjoy a nice ride on a comfortable train with the scenic landscapes of the Scottish Highlands and charming countryside passing by your window. During the 4-hour ride, you cross Scotland from north to south, seeing numerous cities, admiring the views of the Cairngorms National Park and beautiful coastline along the way.

Edinburgh, United Kingdom
2
days
United Kingdom

The capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh has stunning architecture including the Holyrood Palace on the Royal Mile and the Edinburgh Castle.

Day by day
Hotel
Day-by-day program
6
day
Arrival in Edinburgh

Following breakfast and check-out of your hotel in Inverness, you meet with the driver and have a transfer to the train station.

Upon arrival to Edinburgh, you have a transfer to the hotel for check-in and the rest of the day is at your own leisure.

Breakfast is included.

7
day
Departure

This is the last day of your adventure! In the morning after breakfast, you check out from the hotel and driver takes you to the airport for your flight back home.

We hope you had a journey of a lifetime and we will be looking forward to welcoming you back soon!

Breakfast is included.

Your choice of hotels

We carefully select hotels to ensure your amazing stay. We will recommend the best available properties for your travel dates.

Market Street Hotel, Edinburgh

Set in historical Edinburgh Old Town, the Market Street Hotel offers unique guestrooms.

What's included

  • Accommodation at remarkable downtown hotels in Edinburgh and Inverness;
  • Breakfasts at the hotels;
  • Airport transfers and all transportation according to the itinerary;
  • Private tour with professional English-speaking guide in Edinburgh;
  • 2nd class train tickets Edinburg Inverness and Inverness - Glasgow;
  • Entrance tickets to the Edinburgh Castle;
  • Small group tour to Isle of Skye;
  • Private tour with driver-guide to Western Highlands;
  • Standard Class Jacobite Steam train tickets Fort William - Mallaig;
  • Wildlife cruise safari;
  • Support line during the trip.

Note: hotels availability is subject to change. In case current hotels are booked out we will provide alternative hotels of an equal value for you.

Note: we include 1 vehicle for your arrival and departure transfers. If multiple vehicles are required additional transfer costs will apply.

Not included: international flights, multiple arrival/departure transfers, other meals not mentioned in the program, optional tours and services, all personal expenses, gratuities.

Read more Collapse

Tour Highlights

  • Fully tailor-made program according to your interest;
  • Your own professional local guides;
  • Full flexibility of hotel options;
  • Guided sightseeing tour of Edinburgh and Inverness;
  • Day tour to the famous Isle of Skye;
  • Riding the Jacobite steam train over the Glenfinnan Viaduct;
  • Enjoying a wildlife cruise safari;
  • Visiting the historic Edinburgh Castle.

What To Know

  • The currency used by default in the UK is British Pound, also known as Pound Sterling. To be on the safe side, make sure to withdraw some cash from the ATM beforehand
  • Many of the tours will require a lot of walking, make sure to pack comfortable shoes
  • It rains a lot in the UK throughout the year, so it is worth bringing a water-resistant jacket and an umbrella