- See Edinburgh and tour Edinburgh Castle, home of the Scottish Crown Jewels
- Witness the spectacular scenery of the Scottish Highlands
- Discover Loch Ness and take a scenic cruise
- Explore the ruins of Urquhart Castle
- Stop at the historic battlefield site of the Battle of Culloden Moor
- Tour Cawdor Castle and its lovely gardens
- See the rugged and beautiful Isle of Skye
- Included whisky distillery tour & tasting
- Learn about the history and culture of the Scottish Clans
Sights of Scotland Tour
Highlights
Experience a wild, otherworldly country filled with history, mystery, and magic—where craggy mountains stand sentry over misty moors, and grand castles overlook murky lochs, with our Scotland tour packages. Visit ancient cities and see why Scotland’s culture, history, scenery and food are unlike anywhere else!
Begin with a sightseeing trip through Edinburgh, Scotland’s UNESCO-recognized capital. You’ll have the chance to take a peek at Scotland’s Crown Jewels as you explore the ancient Edinburgh Castle, which has watched over the city for nearly a thousand years. See Scone Palace, the red stone fortress where Scotland’s parliament met, and ancient kings were crowned.
Cruise across Loch Ness, whose depths are said to be the abode of Nessie, the world’s most famous cryptid. Look out at the site of the brutal Battle of Culloden Moor, then explore the medieval Cawdor Castle. Sample a wee dram of Scotch Whiskey at a local distillery, and travel by ferry to the windswept Isle of Skye.
Continue down the coast to the rugged shoreline of Argyll. See the weaponry of Inveraray castle, then relax on the banks of sprawling Loch Lomond. Finally, enjoy Glasgow on a panoramic tour followed by a Farewell Feast. Your trip to Scotland is sure to leave you with fond memories to last a lifetime!
Check out our Travel Blog for more tips and ideas for your Sights of Scotland Tour!
What Guests are Saying
Active
Best suited for those who are comfortable with a steady-paced itinerary.
Walking distances typically start at 1–2 miles per day or more.
Longer travel days (4+ hours), multiple hotel changes, and early morning
departures should be expected.
Includes visits to sites with stairs, uphill walks, and uneven pathways.
Travelers should be prepared for extended sightseeing and potential changes in altitude or climate.
Not recommended for wheelchair users or those who require walking aids.
Click to Learn More
Tour Includes
1 Country
- Scotland
Locations Visited
- Edinburgh
- Cairngorms National Park
- Loch Ness
- Inverness
- Western Highlands
- Isle of Skye
- Glasgow
Hotel Accommodations
- 8 Nights
- Moderate hotels based on twin/double occupancy
Meals
- 8 Breakfasts and 4 Dinners
Service
- A professionally trained English-speaking local tour director who is knowledgeable about the area will provide you with a wealth of information. Their friendly service will make your trip a memorable experience.
Baggage Handling
- To and from your hotel room throughout your land tour for one piece of Checked Baggage per person.
Tour Starts:
Edinburgh, Scotland
Tour Ends:
Glasgow, Scotland
Day 1
Depart for Scotland
Your journey begins on your overnight flight.
Day 2
Arrive in Edinburgh, Scotland
If you purchased airline tickets from YMT, a representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to spend at your leisure. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening with your fellow travelers (included).
Meals: Dinner
Hampton by Hilton Westend or similar (Note: Porterage service is not available at this hotel)
Day 3
Edinburgh
Your first full day in Scotland starts with a comprehensive tour of Edinburgh. The beautifully maintained capital city is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and tour highlights include the Royal Scottish Academy, The Georgian House, and St. Giles Cathedral, as well as The Scottish Parliament, and Greyfriars Bobby. Your final stop this morning is Edinburgh Castle, home to the Scottish Crown Jewels, and Edinburgh’s oldest building, St. Margaret’s Chapel. Admission to the castle is included for you to enjoy a self-guided tour. The guided portion of the day concludes at lunchtime, after which you are free to remain in the city and explore on your own, or you can join our afternoon optional tour.
Meals: Breakfast
Hampton by Hilton Westend or similar (Note: Porterage service is not available at this hotel)
Add-On: Royal Yacht Britannia Tour with Dinner
Day 4
Edinburgh to The Highlands
Visit one of the most historically significant places in all of Britain—the iconic Scone Palace in Perth. Home of the Earl of Mansfield, it has been the seat of parliaments and the crowning place of the Kings of Scots since the ninth century. Continue to the Highlands to enjoy some free time, including a stop for lunch in the town of Pitlochry. Today, you’ll also visit the Leault Working Sheepdog Farm for a 45-minute demonstration of up to eight dogs working as a team to herd sheep. Meet the sheepdogs, see the lambs, and perhaps take part in shearing a sheep. Keep an eye out for the Highlander cows that also roam around! En route to the hotel, see Britain’s tallest mountain range in Cairngorms National Park. Upon arrival at your hotel in Inverness, enjoy an included dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Kingsmill Hotel or similar
Day 5
The Highlands
Our first stop this morning is the historic battlefield site of the bloody Battle of Culloden Moor. Enjoy an innovative interactive exhibit about the battle, as well as a guided visit of the battlefield. Continue to Cawdor Castle, an ancient medieval fortress with three very different and extraordinary gardens. Explore the grounds and castle on a self-guided audio tour before continuing to a whisky distillery for an informative tour and tasting of beautiful Scotch Whisky!
Meals: Breakfast
Kingsmill Hotel or similar
Add-On: Inverness Castle with Dinner
Day 6
Loch Ness & Inverness
Enjoy stunning views of Inverness as you make your way into the Great Glen, and Loch Ness. Up to 755 feet deep in places, the murky lake has plenty of hiding space for the mythical Loch Ness Monster, or “Nessie.” Take a short scenic cruise across the loch to Urquhart Castle to explore the ruins dating back to the 13th century. After stopping for lunch in Fort Augustus, continue on to the Commando Memorial, a commemorative statue that serves as a tribute to soldiers who served in WWII. Next, enjoy a stop at a woolen mill for some souvenir shopping End your day at Fort William in the early evening.
Meals: Breakfast
The Moorings or similar
Day 7
Isle of Skye & Western Highlands
Your tour takes you to the Isle of Skye, one of the Inner Hebrides islands. On the way, enjoy a photo stop at Eilean Donan Castle before crossing the bridge onto the Isle of Skye. Your tour of Skye will include several photo stops to take in the stunning scenery and picturesque mountains. Stop for lunch in Portree, the largest town and the capital of the Isle of Skye. End your day with a short ferry crossing to take you back to the mainland, and enjoy dinner (included) upon arrival at your hotel in Fort William.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
The Moorings or similar
Day 8
Argyll & Glasgow
Travel along the rugged shoreline into Argyll. Visit Inveraray Castle, built in 1743 in the Gothic Revival style, and see the extensive collection of pikes, muskets and other weaponry. Enjoy a short break on the banks of Loch Lomond, the largest lake in the country, and continue into Glasgow, the biggest city in Scotland.
Meals: Breakfast
ibis Syles Glasgow Central or similar (Note: Porterage service is not available at this hotel)
Add-On: ‘Meet the Piper’ & Dinner at The Pipers Tryst Restaurant
Day 9
Glasgow
During a panoramic morning city tour, see the remnants of the monastery at Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis, an ancient cemetery in the middle of the city. Visit Glasgow Green, The Kelvingrove Art Gallery, and George Square, named after King George III and the de facto center of Glasgow. The rest of the afternoon is yours. Join us later for our farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
ibis Syles Glasgow Central or similar (Note: Porterage service is not available at this hotel)
Day 10
Depart for Home
Meals: Breakfast
Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Hotels may differ depending on date. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations. By their nature, all tour vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights. Please ask your Travel Consultant for more information.
YMT Vacations itineraries may contain suggestions for activities for your leisure time; these suggestions do not constitute a recommendation nor an endorsement of any specific service provider and the decision to participate in any such activities should be made independently.
Reviews
The stops and sites were all amazing
The tour was great! The tour director and bus driver were awesome. The stops and sites were all amazing.
Good choice of places to visit
Good choice of places to visit. Angela was a good guide. Mike a good driver. Both very friendly a helpful.
I love that so many sites
I love that so many sites were included in our tour!
Driver very knowledgeable
Tour guide and driver very knowledgeable.
Add-Ons
Make your vacation extra special by adding optional excursions to your tour. It’s a great opportunity to enhance your trip, these experiences slot seamlessly into your package, and we’ll take care of all the logistics for you. Remember that adding an optional experience might increase the overall activity level of the tour, so always keep that in mind when planning your trip.
‘Meet the Piper’ & Dinner at The Pipers Tryst Restaurant
Learn all about bagpipes, Scotland’s most legendary musical instrument! You’ll be welcomed to the National Piping Centre by a master piper clad in a traditional tartan kilt, and given a tour of the fascinating museum. Learn about the long history of bagpipes, how they spread throughout Europe and reached the British Isles before the 14th century, when they were first mentioned by Geoffrey Chaucer in the Canterbury Tales. The bagpipes served many purposes; as instruments of war inspiring historic Highlanders into battle, and in the Scottish Lowlands as part of weddings and celebrations. Your tour includes a full bagpipe demonstration, and you can even try your hand at playing one! Next, head next door to the adjoining Piper’s Tryst Restaurant for a delicious 3-course meal made with beautiful local ingredients. They call their food “true Scottish fayre with a twist.” We just call it delicious!
Inclusions
- Tour of National Piping Centre Museum
- 3-course Meal at the Piper’s Tryst Restaurant
Note: Admission not available for some departures
Duration: Approx. 3.5 Hours (Afternoon)
Activity Level: Moderate
Price: $119 USD
Inverness Castle with Dinner
Perched above the banks of the River Ness in the heart of Inverness, the Inverness Castle Experience rises over the city with sweeping views in every direction. Though not a traditional castle, the striking red sandstone building—originally a 19th-century courthouse and prison—stands on the site of the medieval fortress that once dominated the burgh.
Today, its historic North and South Towers invite you on a self-guided journey through the Highlands. Guided by the voice of the seanchaidh (storyteller), discover ancient legends, powerful local stories, and the people who shape the region today. Through immersive exhibitions, interactive displays, and hands-on experiences, the Inverness Castle Experience brings Highland history and culture vividly to life.
Inclusions
- Roundtrip transfer
- Entrance to Inverness Castle Experience
- Dinner at a Scottish Restaurant
Duration: Approx. 4 Hours (Evening)
Activity Level: Moderate
Price: $129 USD
Royal Yacht Britannia Tour with Dinner
Discover what life was like on board The Queen’s floating Royal residence, The Royal Yacht Britannia. Explore this famous ship that was home to The Queen and the Royal Family for over 40 years and that sailed 1 million miles around the world. Named UK’s no. 1 attraction in the 2014 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards, the ship has consistently been judged Scotland’s best visitor attraction by the National Tourism Agency, Visit Scotland. See the fabulous state apartments and royal bedrooms, the Sun Lounge, and much more, and learn how the ship’s crew of over 200 sailors operated behind the scenes. After your self-guided audio tour, transfer to The Doric, Edinburgh’s oldest gastro pub, for a traditional Scottish dinner.
Inclusions
- Self-guided audio tour of The Royal Yacht Britannia
- 3-course at The Doric: Starter: Soup of the day, served with fresh bread
- Main 1: Breast of chicken served with creamy garlic sauce, mashed potatoes, and seasonal vegetables
- Main 2: Baked fillet of salmon served with spinach and white wine cream sauce, new potatoes, green beans, and roasted cherry tomatoes
- Main 3: Homemade lentil pie — seasoned lentils and mushrooms slow-cooked in red wine, topped with cheddar mash and served with seasonal vegetables, and famous Sticky Toffee Pudding for dessert. A glass of wine, beer or soft drink is also included. Menu subject to change. Taxes and gratuities included.
Note: Admission not available for some departures
Duration: Approx. 6 Hours
Activity Level: Moderate
Price: $129 USD
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