After meeting you at your Edinburgh accommodation we’ll set off on a journey of discovery along the road less-travelled. Eastern Scotland is often overlooked by the big tour groups but offers an authentic and rich visitor experience, full of stunning landscapes, ancient history and inspiring views.

Day 1

Leaving Edinburgh we’ll travel along ‘the royal route’ as we pass Linlithgow Palace and The Kelpies. Arriving at Stirling Castle we’ll explore the ancient monument and discover were Kings and Queens lived, grand banquettes took place and near about strange events that Stirling has hosted over the years.

Departing north we cross into the Highlands as we travel through the formidable landscape of Spittal of Glenshee before arriving at The Royal Castle of Balmoral, the Queen’s Scottish retreat. Nestled into the Cairngorm National Park we’ll step through the grand rooms and cozy corners of Balmoral that offers a fascinating insight into the private life of The Royal Family. We then call at nearby Braemar where we stop for the evening.

Day 2

After a hearty breakfast we continue north before joining the Strathspey railway for a steam train ride across the river Spey. The historic preservation railway offers a quirky and unique way of travelling and your guide will meet you at the end of the trip.

We visit Cawdor Castle, the ancestral home of the Campbells of Cawdor Cawdor Castle and home to over 23 generations of the Cawdor family. After lunch we continue onto Brodie Castle with it’s grand medieval architecture and fantastic art collection. After a walk along the coast of Spey Bay and an opportunity to see dolphins in the Moray Firth we’ll enjoy a visit to Strathisla Distillery, including a hosted tour of the distillery and a premium whisky tasting experience.

Day 3

In the morning we visit Fyvie Castle in Aberdeenshire which comes complete with stunning baronial interiors, a racquets court and bowling alley, as well as the ice house. Learn the story of The Green Lady who is said to haunt the castle. We’ll then call at the sea port town of Aberdeen. Aberdeen is a vibrant city with its own old town, grand avenues that give it the title of ‘The Granite City’ and docklands area.

We then start south along the coast with panoramic views over the North Sea as we arrive at one of Scotland’s most photographed castles, Dunnottar. Famously perched on the top of a rocky headland jutting out into the sea, Dunnottar Castle has been fortified since the early middle ages. Learn about famous visitors including Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots and how the castle was the backdrop to saving The Honours of Scotland from Cromwellian troops in the 1650’s.

Day 4

On our last day we visit picture-postcard Glamis Castle, ancestral seat to the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne. Learn about the monster of Glamis and the White Lady who haunt the tower house and learn about the castle’s royal connections.

Arriving in the city of Dundee on the Firth of Tay we’ll visit the famous RRS Discovery, part of the Royal Recognisance Fleet, Discovery visited the Antarctic continent during the BANZARE exploration and was involved of both Scott and Shackleton’s expeditions. We’ll then cross the River Tay into The Kingdom of Fife.

We visit St Andrews, famous for its University and connections to golf, see the Royal & Ancient Golf Club and The Old Course before a driven tour of the town to see the ruined Castle and Cathedral as well as the quaint fishing harbour.

We culminate the trip with a visit to Lindores Abbey Distillery, on the site of Lindores Abbey where whisky was first produced in Scotland in 1494. Learn about ‘Aqua Vitae’ and taste the famous product that is again being produced here after a hiatus of 523 years.

We then continue south across the Forth Bridges with a brief scenic stop in Queensferry before arriving back in Edinburgh at the end of our journey.