Scotland Itinerary 8 Days: From Royal Strongholds to Highland Legends

The Market Street Hotel is a unique oasis away from the hustle and bustle of city life, yet at the pulse of the beating heart of Edinburgh. The hotel is located on the edge of Edinburgh's historic Old Town, at 6 Market Street, next to the City Art Centre. The hotel has 98 urban boutique-style rooms and suites and offers a rooftop Champagne Residence with panoramic views, designed to leave a lasting impression on today's intrepid travelers.

The dream of every whiskey lover. An early evening tour that includes a guided tasting of 4 single malts and 1 deluxe blended Scotch whiskey.

Visit the new Scotch Whiskey Experience for a sensational journey! Take a tour of a replica distillery and become part of the whiskey making process. Along the way, you'll hear the stories behind this magical craft, and expert tour guides and whiskey consultants will accompany you through every sip. They will help you discover the aromas and flavors that appeal to your palate and guide you to your perfect single malt whiskey.

At the time of the Jacobite Rising in 1745-46, Bonnie Prince Charlie used Culloden House as accommodation and headquarters before the fateful Battle of Culloden Moor. Today, the stately luxury hotel in Inverness is set in almost 40 acres of woodland and private gardens, where guests can enjoy the exceptional peace and tranquillity of the grounds. Hundreds of years of history, culture and luxury combine with a relaxed atmosphere and superb cuisine at Culloden House. The interior of the house offers a wonderfully comfortable drawing room with magnificent Adam stucco work, fine antiques and a large open fireplace.

Explore how Glenlivet became the original Speyside Single Malt Whiskey. In the Speyside Room, meet the people who are essential to The Glenlivet today, from local farmers to the barrel management team. Delve into the making of this distinctive whiskey through an immersive visual experience in the Process Room, followed by a tour of the distillery and a visit to Warehouse 1.

Please be aware that the Speyside & Process Room experience uses a combination of audio-visual aids, including sound, lighting, and time-lapse elements, which may not be suitable for all audiences. This educational experience is for guests over 18 only and includes three 15ml samples from The Glenlivet—two from the core range and one Distillery Exclusive Edition. Guests are not required to consume these samples during their visit. Bottle tasting packages are available for those arriving by car or for guests who wish to enjoy their samples later with friends.

Situated in the Sleat area on the southernmost tip of Skye, Duisdale House Hotel is a unique Highland retreat with stunning views and picturesque gardens. Built in 1865 as a hunting lodge, Duisdale House was given a new lease of life when it was converted into an impeccably stylish boutique hotel. Each of the individually designed rooms is unique and distinctive, complementing the historic features of Duisdale House while offering all the modern amenities required for a comfortable stay. When it comes to dining, guests can enjoy delicious meals in one of the two remarkable restaurants.

Welcome to Eilean Donan Castle

Eilean Donan is known throughout the world as one of Scotland's most famous landmarks. Situated on an island at the confluence of three large lakes and surrounded by majestic countryside, it is no wonder that the castle is now one of the most visited and important attractions in the Scottish Highlands.

Although inhabited as early as the 6th century, the first fortified castle was built in the mid-13th century and guarded the lands of Kintail. Since then, at least four different versions of the castle have been built and rebuilt over the centuries throughout Scotland's feudal history.

In a Jacobite rebellion in 1719, Eilean Donan was partially destroyed and lay in ruins for almost 200 years until Lieutenant-Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap purchased the island in 1911 and restored the castle to its former glory. After 20 years of painstaking work, the castle was reopened in 1932.

Overlooking the River Clyde, Mar Hall Golf and Spa Resort in Bishopton is a great place to stay for both leisure and business travelers. All guest rooms are equipped with internet access, in-room entertainment, hair care and body care products and you will receive a welcome tray, while the suites offer fully equipped kitchens and separate living areas. The hotel has restaurants and a bar. You can visit the resort's spa for body and beauty treatments, go for a swim or play a round of golf.

Embark on a one-day tour from Glasgow to Oban, journeying through the natural beauty of the West Highlands. This captivating excursion features shimmering lochs, picturesque mountain scenery, and romantic, historic castles. Visit the charming fishing town of Oban, the quaint Inveraray, and the haunting landscapes of Glencoe.

The tour departs Glasgow heading west, crossing the Firth of Clyde and passing the famous rock fortress of Dumbarton and its impressive castle. The first destination is Inveraray, a picturesque town built in the mid-18th century on the shores of Loch Fyne. Here, you have the option to visit Inveraray Castle, the historic seat of the Duke of Argyll, chief of Clan Campbell, set within beautiful gardens overlooking Loch Fyne, or explore the town itself with its whitewashed Georgian houses, wide streets, and stunning loch views.

Continuing north into the Highlands, the journey offers stunning scenery dotted with dramatic castles and beautiful lochs. Pass by Kilchurn Castle, one of Scotland’s most photographed castles, located on the banks of Loch Awe and beautifully framed by mountains.

A lunch stop awaits in the scenic harbor town of Oban, the "Gateway to the Isles," where you can explore the horseshoe-shaped bay and see McCaig's Folly, a 19th-century tower resembling the Colosseum in Rome. After some free time to explore, the tour continues, passing the 15th-century Castle Stalker, perched on a small island in Loch Laich, before reaching Glencoe, one of Scotland’s most haunting glens and the site of the MacDonald clan massacre in 1692.

The return journey takes you through the dramatic landscapes of Rannoch Moor and the Black Mount, with a final stop at the pretty conservation village of Luss on the "Bonnie, Bonnie Banks" of Loch Lomond. Here, enjoy a stroll along the shore or explore the village before heading back to Glasgow, where your Oban tour concludes.