Sights of Scotland Tour

Depart for Scotland

Your journey begins on your overnight flight.

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 until the included welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)

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, St. Giles Cathedral, The Scottish Parliament, and Greyfriars Bobby. Your final stop this morning is Edinburgh Castle, home to the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, 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 to join our afternoon optional tour. (B)

Edinburgh to The Highlands

After a delicious breakfast, we’ll head to one of the most historically significant places in all of Britain—the iconic Scone Palace in Perth. Scone Palace is the home of the Earl of Mansfield, and has been the seat of parliament and the crowning place of the Kings of Scots since the 9th century. Robert the Bruce was crowned at Scone in 1306, and the last coronation was of Charles II in 1651. Continue to the Highlands to enjoy some free time. Today also includes a visit to the Leault Working Sheepdogs Farm for a 45-minute demonstration of up to eight dogs working as a team to herd sheep and responding to their own personalized commands and individualized whistles. Meet the collie pups, see the orphan lambs and perhaps take part in shearing a sheep. Before you reach your hotel, you’ll see Britain’s tallest mountain range in Cairngorms National Park. (B, D)

Loch Ness & Inverness

Enjoy stunning views of Inverness and the Moray Firth as you make your way into the Great Glen, and Loch Ness. Up to 755 feet deep at places, the murky lake has plenty of hiding space for the mythical Loch Ness Monster, or “Nessie,” as she has been referred to locally since her first sighting in 1933. You’ll take a short scenic cruise across the loch to Urquhart Castle, where you will have time to explore the ruins dating back to the 13th century. Enjoy the afternoon at your own pace, taking in the sights of Inverness, the ancient capital of the Highlands, populated since 565 BC. (B)

The Highlands

Our first stop this morning is the historic battlefield site of the bloody Battle of Culloden Moor. This brutal battle in April 1746 saw thousands of casualties and marked the end of the 60-year-long Jacobite Uprising against the English monarchy. Enjoy an innovative interactive exhibit about the battle, as well as area history at the Visitor Centre. Continue to Cawdor Castle, an ancient medieval fortress with three very different and extraordinary gardens. Explore the grounds on a guided tour before continuing to Glen Ord Whisky Distillery for an informative tour and tasting of beautiful Scotch Whisky—no trip to Scotland would be complete without it! (B, D)

Isle of Skye & Western Highlands

Today your tour takes you to the Isle of Skye, one of the Inner Hebrides islands. On the way, you will stop for a photo opportunity at Eilean Castle, a small tidal island strategically situated at the meeting point of three sea lochs. Then enjoy a panoramic tour of the Isle of Skye before taking a short ferry crossing, which will take you back to the mainland as you continue to Inverary. (B, D)

Argyll & Glasgow

Today’s itinerary takes you farther south along the rugged shoreline into Argyll. First, you will visit Inveraray Castle, built in 1743 in the Gothic Revival style. You’ll enjoy seeing the extensive collection of pikes, muskets and other weaponry. There will also be a short break on the banks of Loch Lomond, the largest lake in the country. After leaving the tranquility of the Highlands, your trip takes you into Glasgow, the biggest city in Scotland. (B)

Glasgow

During a panoramic morning city tour, you will see the remnants of the monastery at Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis, an ancient cemetery in the middle of the city. You will also visit George Square, named after King George III and the de facto center of Glasgow. The rest of the afternoon is yours until our final sit-down Farewell Dinner (B, D)

Depart for Home (B)

Depart for Scotland

Your journey begins on your overnight flight.

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 until the included welcome dinner at the hotel. (B, D)

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, St. Giles Cathedral, The Scottish Parliament, and Greyfriars Bobby. Your final stop this morning is Edinburgh Castle, home to the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, 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 to join our afternoon optional tour. (B)

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 9th century. Continue to the Highlands to enjoy some free time. Today also includes a visit to the Leault Working Sheepdogs Farm for a 45-minute demonstration of up to eight dogs working as a team to herd sheep and responding to their own personalized commands and whistles. Meet the collie pups, see the orphan lambs and perhaps take part in shearing a sheep. En route to the hotel, see Britain’s tallest mountain range in Cairngorms National Park! (B, D)

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 area history at the Visitor Centre. Continue to Cawdor Castle, an ancient medieval fortress with three very different and extraordinary gardens. Explore the grounds on a guided tour before continuing to Glen Ord Whisky Distillery for an informative tour and tasting of beautiful Scotch Whisky! (B)

Loch Ness & Inverness

Enjoy stunning views of Inverness and the Moray Firth as you make your way into the Great Glen, and Loch Ness. Up to 755 feet deep at 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. Enjoy the afternoon at your own pace, taking in the sights of Inverness, the ancient capital of the Highlands. (B, D)

Isle of Skye & Western Highlands

Your tour takes you to the Isle of Skye, one of the Inner Hebrides islands. You will visit the Clan Donald Centre, a heritage center for what used to be the biggest clan in Scotland, ruling the western part of the country and the islands. A short ferry crossing will then take you back to the mainland and you continue to Inverary. (B)

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. (B)

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 George Square, named after King George III and the de facto center of Glasgow. The rest of the afternoon is yours until our final sit-down Farewell Dinner. (B, D)

Depart for Home (B)