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edinburgh & the highlands

11 Days, 10 Nights

Starting At

$2399

per person based on double occupancy

Package prices are “starting at” and may fluctuate depending on dates of travel. Unless otherwise noted package price based on standard double room cost for 2 adults. Final cost for additional travellers and upgraded room options confirmed on booking. Any required deposit and payment schedule confirmed on booking. All prices in Canadian Dollars.

Trip Highlights

  • 10 nights’ accommodations

  • Hop-on hop-off tickets in Edinburgh with admission to Edinburgh Castle

  • Evening ghost tour of the Blair Street Underground Vaults

  • Loch Ness cruise

  • Visit the Eileen Donan Castle

  • Talisker distillery tour in the Isle of Skye

  • Choice of boat cruise or clay target shooting in the Isle of Skye

  • Private airport transfers

DAY 1 - Edinburgh

Welcome to Scotland!

A country steeped in history boasting magnificent castles, picturesque gardens, dramatic monuments, extinct volcanoes, hearty cuisine, world-famous whisky, and the worlds only knighted penguin: Sir Nils Olav!

Upon arrival, meet your airport transfer to take you to your centrally located hotel. Depending on your flight time, spend your day exploring your new surroundings, stroll down the famous Princes Street, the Royal Mile, or climb the steps up the Walter Scott Monument, a Victorian Gothic monument dedicated to the famous Scottish poet, for sweeping views of this beautiful city.

Edinburgh has more pubs and liquor licenses than any other council area in all of Scotland. You can do your own mini pub crawl and see how many you can cross of the list!

DAY 2 - Edinburgh

Explore Edinburgh at your pace with your 48-hour hop-on hop-off ticket on an open top double-decker bus for a true panoramic sightseeing experience.

Explore the famous sites such as the Royal Botanic Garden, Scottish Parliament, Georgian House, Gladstone’s Land and Holyrood Park. Your ticket includes admission to Holyrood Palace, Her Majesty the Queen’s home in Scotland, and admission to Edinburgh Castle! Perched above the city on Castle Rock, this historic fortress features exhibitions and artifacts taking you through Scottish history along with the magnificent Scottish Crown Jewels display. While in the Castle’s Great Hall keep an eye out for the small window high above the fireplace. This was known as the “lairds lug” (the Lords ear), this allowed castle residents to eavesdrop on conversations happening in the Great Hall. Learn the castle’s brutal and glorified history, riddled with battles, sieges and centuries of royal tales!

DAY 3 - Edinburgh

Make further use of your hop-on hop-off pass today as there is still so much to see in this historic city.

Edinburgh is notoriously one of the most haunted places in the UK, making it a prime destination for ghost-hunters. Dare to discover the city’s dark side this evening on your tour and visit the eerie Blair Street Underground Vaults. Follow in the footsteps of the infamous Edinburgh Mob, hear stories of Edinburgh’s dark past with tales of torture, murder, and witchcraft on the city’s streets, then settle your nerves with a dram of whisky in Megget’s Cellar before making your way back to your hotel.

DAY 4 - Inverness

Today you will pick up your rental car and leave the city behind as you venture onwards to Inverness. Inverness is often referred to as the “unofficial capital of the Highlands” and is the ideal location for stunning scenery.

The approximate drive time today is 3.5 hours but we recommended you make some stops along your route, most notably; the seaside town of St. Andrews, home to world famous golf courses and castles. After St Andrews, make a stop at the Battlefield of Culloden where a short but bloody battle claimed over 1,200 people in just 1 hour!

This evening, stop into Hootananny on Church Street where traditional Highland hospitality, drink, dance, and music all meet. On Saturdays, tables are often cleared for ceilidh dancing so don’t be afraid to kick up your heels and join the fun!

DAY 5 - Inverness

This morning meet your guide for a 2- hour bike tour around the waterways of Inverness. Ride the flat route on cruiser bikes along the River Ness and The Caledonian Canal, making many stops along the way to learn about the area.

After touring on bicycle, spend the afternoon at your leisure. Maybe visit the ruins of Beauly Priory, the charming seaside town of Nairn, the largest artillery fortification in Europe: Fort George, and of course the most famous Loch in the world, Loch Ness which you’ll be cruising on tomorrow!

DAY 6 - Inverness

This morning you’ll take a short drive to Loch Ness for a 1-hour cruise across the misty waters with views of the majestic ruins of Urquart Castle. Tour one of Britain’s largest freshwater lakes and keep on the lookout for the loch’s most famous resident, Nessie. Take a tour of Urquhart Castle, the site of great conflict during its 500 years as a medieval fortress.

The story of Nessie dates to 565AD with rumors it snatched up and ate a local farmer before it was forced back into the water by St Columba. Since then many people have come to see if they can spot the monster, attracting close to 1 million people per year!

DAY 7 - Isle of Skye

Marvel in the beauty of the Highlands today as you drive towards the Isle of Skye. The impressive and scenic drive is approximately 2.5 hours but allow for multiple photo stops along the way. On the way, stop at the 13th century Eilean Donan Castle, beautifully situated on a small tidal island and one of Scotland’s most iconic views. This classic combination of a sturdy-stone fortification perched upon a loch is about as Scottish as you can get.

This afternoon in Portree, you’ll take a 1-hour tour of the, the Talisker Distillery, the oldest working distillery on the Isle of Skye. Enjoy an introduction to Talisker whisky with an experienced guide, followed by a tutored tasting of 3 expressions! If you have worked up an appetite by now, stop in at the neighboring Oyster Shed for lunch and indulge in a dram of whisky with some lovely seafood in their picturesque picnic area.

While in the Isle of Skye, we suggest a sunrise from the Quiraing for those early risers!

DAY 8 - Isle of Skye

See Skye from the Sea today on a 2-hour cruise providing the opportunity of encountering resident white-tailed eagles and seal colonies. Due to weather conditions, the route may vary but points of interest along the Northbound route would include The Queens Beach, Red Caves, Loch Arnish, Isle of Fladda, Grianna Sgeir Seal Colony, Views of the Trotternish Ridge and the Old Man of Storr, Holm Island, Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Cave, 320 metre high Seacliff’s and our local Salmon Farm, or the Southbound route featuring Clach Dubh, The Foulin, Ben Tianavaig Crags, Red and Black Cuillins, Camustianavaig Bay, Duncaan, The Braes, Raasay House, Scotland Bay, Sgeir Grappach, Holoman Seal Colony, Queens beach, 320 metre high Seacliff’s and the local Salmon Farm.

After the cruise, consider visiting the famous Fairy Pools! In Glen Brittle lies this small group of natural waterfalls in vivid shades of green and blue with crystal clear water that tempts many brave souls to take a dip in the chilly pools. The easy walk is a 2.4km path roundtrip.

If lunch is on your mind, stop at The Old School Restaurant on your way to Dunvegan Castle where you can explore the castle and surrounding gardens.

DAY 9 - Isle of Skye

As your trip is winding down, tour the beautiful Isle of Skye and it’s marvel-studded landscape today at your own pace. You could do the most famous walk in the Isle of Skye, a 3.8km roundtrip hike (rated medium in difficulty) to the Old Man of Storr, approximately a 15-minute drive from Portree. Afterwards, drive 20 minutes to the famous sea cliff known as Kilt Rock & the Mealt Falls viewpoint, and travel to the Quiraing mountain pass.

DAY 10 - Edinburgh

Make your way back to Edinburgh today.

This drive is approximately 5.5 hours but plan on longer to allow for stops along the way. To make the most of the day, take the early Mallaig ferry and travel to the Glenfinnan Viaduct. Plan to arrive prior to 10:45 to witness the train crossing the viaduct - a beautiful scene that’s not just for Harry Potter fans!

Witness the wild beauty of Scotland and hopefully catch a glimpse of some of the resident hairy coos as you drive through Glencoe towards Edinburgh, make a stop for lunch before returning to the city.

Upon arrival, return your rental car and check in to your hotel for your last night in Scotland.

DAY 11 - Home

All good things must come to an end including your time in Scotland! Meet your transfer to the airport according to your flight times.

Don’t forget to tag KefiTravel in your Facebook and Instagram posts so we can relive the fun with you!

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