Scottish Castle Experience
4 day tour

Day 1

• Go on a private guided tour of the majestic Falkland Palace
• Walk the cobbled streets of the ‘home of golf’, St Andrews

You depart from the city of Edinburgh and travel north, crossing the Forth Road Bridge into the ancient Kingdom of Fife. Your first visit of the day is Falkland Palace, and on a private, guided tour you can discover more of this beautiful Royal Palace.

You continue to St Andrews where you have a chance to get lunch.

Your afternoon visit is at the House of Dun near Montrose. This beautiful Georgian house was built in 1730. On route to Aberdeen you make a photo stop at Dunnottar Castle, a dramatic ruined cliff top fortress.

From here, you continue to Thainstone House Hotel, a lovely 18th century mansion house, where you stay for two nights.

Day 2

• Wander through the beautiful gardens of Castle Fraser
• Relive the mysterious tales of Crathes Castle

Today is spent in the Royal Deeside area, famous for its many castles.

Your first visit is Castle Fraser, one of the grandest of the Scottish baronial tower houses. You can round the visit off with a walk through the beautiful 18th century walled garden. The tour continues to Banchory where you might be able to see salmon jumping at the Falls of Feugh.

Lunch is at Ballater, before continuing with your afternoon programme. Crathes Castle provides the highlight for the afternoon. Turrets, gargoyles, and the ancient Horn of Leys are just a few of the features of this historic castle.

You’re free to explore the house and stunning gardens at your own pace. Wandering through the outstanding, world-renowned June Borders, beautiful vistas of the castle can be seen through the fusion of colourful flowers.

You return back to Thainstone House Hotel for another overnight.

Day 3

• Admire the ancient tapestries at Fyvie Castle
• Learn about Britain’s last land fought battle at Culloden

Your tour heads further north and starts the day with a visit to Fyvie Castle. Fyvie Castle dates back to the 13th century and has a fine collection of arms and armour as well as 17th century tapestries.

You continue, travelling through beautiful scenery and on to Nairn, where lunch will be taken at nearby Brodie Castle. You have time to explore this imposing castle’s unusual plasterwork and art collection.

In the afternoon, you can take the Clan Walk at the Culloden Visitor Centre. The Clan Stone Walkway is designed to commemorate the Scottish Clans and their clansmen who fought at the battle of Culloden.

After the visit, you continue to Knockomie House Hotel. A dinner for our group will be held tonight in one of the private rooms.

Day 4

• Sample whisky in the area it’s casked at the Dalwhinnie Distillery
• Travel by boat to visit the imposing Loch Leven Castle

You travel south through some of the most stunning scenery Scotland has to offer.

You pass Inverness and travel to Kingussie for a photo stop at the Ruthven Barracks. From here, you continue to Dalwhinnie Distillery. Dalwhinnie is the highest Distillery in Scotland and takes its waters right from the source of the River Spey. A tour of the distillery is included and you have the chance to taste the ‘Water of Life’.

After a lunch stop in Pitlochry, you head to Loch Leven. In the middle of the Loch you find Loch Leven Castle, a late 14th century tower, which was the setting for the most traumatic year in the life of Mary Queen of Scots.

You enjoy a short boat ride over to the castle, following in the footsteps of Mary Queen of Scots. You can explore the island and tower house at your own leisure, before returning back to Edinburgh.