Day One – Highland Passes, Royal Residences & Whisky on Royal Deeside

Depart Edinburgh in the morning, heading north across the Forth Bridges and The Kingdom of Fife into Angus.

Glamis Castle

Our first major stop is Glamis Castle, one of Scotland’s most important royal and aristocratic homes. Steeped in legend and history, Glamis was the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and the birthplace of Princess Margaret. Explore the richly furnished interiors and formal gardens, learning about its long association with the British Royal Family as well as its links to Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

Continue north through the fertile landscapes of Angus before the scenery becomes more rugged as you approach the eastern Highlands. After lunch at a local country inn, the route climbs into Glen Shee, one of Scotland’s most scenic mountain passes, offering expansive views and a true sense of Highland scale.

Balmoral Castle

By mid-afternoon, arrive in Royal Deeside, a region forever associated with Queen Victoria and her descendants. Visit Balmoral Castle Estate, the private Highland residence of the British Royal Family since the 19th century. When open, explore the castle grounds, gardens, and exhibitions, gaining insight into royal life in the Highlands and the traditions that continue today.

Royal Lochnagar Distillery

A short drive brings you to Royal Lochnagar Distillery, which received its Royal Warrant from Queen Victoria in 1848. Enjoy a guided tour and tasting, learning how its close proximity to Balmoral helped shape its history and reputation.

The Fife Arms

The Fife Arms in Braemar is a distinguished 5-star hotel set in the heart of Royal Deeside, blending Highland grandeur with world-class hospitality. Housed in a historic coaching inn once patronised by Queen Victoria, it celebrates local culture through an extraordinary collection of art and antiques that reflect the region’s heritage. Elegant rooms and suites offer refined comfort, while award-winning dining showcases seasonal Scottish produce, fit for a Monarch.

On top of its warm, convivial atmosphere, roaring fires, and attentive service, The Fife Arms houses an unparalelled art collection including works from Scottish poet Robert Burns and paintings by Archibald Thornburn, one of Scotland’s finest wildlife painters and works by Pablo Picasso.

TONIGHT’S ACCOMMODATION

The Fife Arms, Braemar

One of Scotland's finest hotels, the Fife Arms matches Victorian Opulence, luxury amenities and an Art Collection to rival many galleries. Escape to the luxurious Fife Arms in Braemar deep within the Cairngorms National Park.

Room grade:

Board: Bed & Breakfast

Accommodation is subject to availability

Day Two – Braemar, Dunnottar & the Aberdeenshire Coast

Braemar Castle

After breakfast, begin the day with a short scenic drive to Braemar Castle, a distinctive star-shaped fortress that has played a key role in Highland and royal history, including Jacobite uprisings and government control of the region. The castle’s recent restoration provides an engaging and atmospheric visit, with views across Royal Deeside and the surrounding Cairngorms.

Dunnottar Castle

Leaving Braemar, travel east toward the North Sea, watching the landscape transition from Highland glens to rolling farmland. Late morning brings you to the dramatic clifftop ruins of Dunnottar Castle, once a stronghold of the Earls Marischal and famously the hiding place of the Scottish Crown Jewels during the 17th century. Perched above the crashing waves, it offers one of Scotland’s most memorable castle settings.

St Andrews

In the afternoon, continue south to St Andrews, one of Scotland’s most historic and royal towns. Long associated with the Scottish Crown, St Andrews was frequently visited by medieval kings and queens and later became internationally famous as the place where Prince William met Catherine Middleton while studying at the University of St Andrews—an event that added a modern royal chapter to the town’s story. Enjoy time to explore the cathedral ruins, castle, and historic streets, or take in views over the Old Course before returning to Edinburgh by early evening.