Highlights
- Discover Glasgow's exciting food scene on a walking tour
- Learn how to navigate a canoe in the Lake District
- Visit Liverpool's Maritime Museum on the Royal Albert Dock
- Explore London's dark history by night on an e-scooter tour
Brief Itinerary
Day | Highlights | Overnight |
---|---|---|
Day 1 | Arrive in Glasgow, Eat & Walk Tour | Glasgow |
Day 2 | Private Charles Rennie Mackintosh Tour | Glasgow |
Day 3 | Drive to Edinburgh, History Lovers' Old Town Walking Tour, Edinburgh Castle | Edinburgh |
Day 4 | Drive to Inverness, Stirling Castle, Pitlochry, Distillery Tours | Inverness |
Day 5 | Culloden Battlefield Private Tour, Free Time in Inverness | Inverness |
Day 6 | Drive to Fort William, Loch Ness Cruise, Urquhart Castle | Fort William |
Day 7 | Ben Nevis Hike or Day at Leisure on Skye | Fort William |
Day 8 | Self-Guided Glencoe or Loch Katrine Hike, Drive to Ambleside | Ambleside |
Day 9 | Explore the Lake District, Canoe on a Lake | Ambleside |
Day 10 | Drive to Liverpool, Maritime Museum, River Explorer Cruise | Liverpool |
Day 11 | The Beatles Classic Tour | Liverpool |
Day 12 | Drive to London, Villains of London Evening E-Scooter Tour | London |
Day 13 | Private Tower of London Visit & Tour | London |
Day 14 | Depart London |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Glasgow, Eat & Walk Tour

Day 2: Private Charles Rennie Mackintosh Tour

Day 3: Drive to Edinburgh, History Lovers' Old Town Walking Tour, Edinburgh Castle

Drive east today, to Scotland's handsome capital of Edinburgh. After checking into your hotel, you'll head out on a guided tour through Edinburgh's medieval Old Town, learning about its famous landmarks, plus the city's most intriguing hidden streets and alleyways. You'll feel like a well-informed insider by the end of the tour.
In the afternoon, visit Edinburgh Castle, which looms above the city. As one of the oldest fortified places in Europe, it's a castle with many stories to tell, from its time as a military fortress and royal residence to a prison of war. On a visit, you can see The Honours of Scotland (the oldest crown jewels in Britain) as well as its Great Hall where banquets and state events have taken place. Visit its immersive exhibition, Fight for the Castle, too, in its Argyle Tower. This tells the story of Edinburgh Castle during the Wars of Independence in the 13th and 14th centuries.Day 4: Drive to Inverness, Stirling Castle, Pitlochry, Distillery Tours

You'll head north to Inverness today with some memorable stops en route. The first is at the grand Stirling Castle, which sits on a volcanic rock above the River Firth with a fabulous view. Famous past inhabitants include Mary Queen of Scots and James VI and I. On a visit, step into its magnificent Great Hall, imagine working in its kitchens, and talk to costumed staff in its Royal Palace, which is one of the best-preserved Renaissance buildings in the UK and looks unchanged since the 1540s. On a sunny day, take some time to relax in its pretty Queen Anne Gardens too.
To break up your drive again, you could stop in the town of Pitlochry. Take a walk down its charming main street to stretch your legs or enjoy some lunch. Alternatively, head to Queen's View just outside Pitlochry, which overlooks Loch Tummel. Here, there's a viewpoint, visitor center, café, and shop. If you are a whisky fan, you could stop at the Blair Atholl Distillery to try the Manager's Tasting Experience or Dalwhinnie Distillery for a guided tour and masterclass. Make sure you choose a designated driver or arrange for a takeaway pack to enjoy once you arrive at your hotel.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 5: Culloden Battlefield Private Tour, Free Time in Inverness

You'll start the day with a guided tour of Culloden Battlefield, the site of the last battle on British soil, which took place in 1746. On top of a ridge, 4 miles (6 km) from Inverness, this is where Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite army was defeated. Learn about this as your knowledgeable guide takes you on a walk to the battlefield, then to its multi-media center. You'll see the Well of the Dead, the Main Cairn, and the Clan Graves, where the soldiers are buried. The site attracts many descendants whose families were forced, or chose, to leave Scotland.
Day 6: Drive to Fort William, Loch Ness Cruise, Visit Urquhart Castle

Set off south to Fort William this morning, stopping on the way at Dochgarroch to board a catamaran cruise on Thomas Telford's famous Caledonian Canal and the legendary waters of Loch Ness. You'll hear stories about the loch's elusive monster and will love the stunning scenery with views of Great Glen, Aldourie Castle, Bona Lighthouse, and the spectacular Urquhart Castle.
You'll visit the ruins of Urquhart Castle in the afternoon, discovering more than 1,000 years of history. Once one of Scotland's largest castles, there was much conflict here during its 500 years as a medieval fortress. During the Wars of Independence, it passed back and forth between the Scots and the English. You'll be able to snap some fantastic photographs here over Loch Ness. You can also imagine the banquets that took place in its Great Hall, peer into the prison cell said to have held legendary Gaelic bard Dòmhnall Donn, see its full-sized trebuchet (a type of catapult), and tour the castle with an audio guide.
Day 7: Ben Nevis Hike or Day at Leisure on Skye

You'll have a free day to explore the areas around Fort William today. If you're an experienced hiker and outdoor enthusiast, climbing Scotland's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, is likely to be on your wishlist. You'll enjoy fantastic views across the Highlands and lochs from its summit which is at 4,412 feet (1,345 m). Taking the Mountain Track, the whole hike usually takes an average of seven to nine hours, depending on your fitness and the weather conditions. For the safest experience, and to learn more about the mountain and its history, arrange for a local mountain guide to lead you.
Alternatively, you could set off early to explore one of Scotland's most beautiful islands, the Isle of Skye. In the north of the island, take in some of its spectacular natural attractions such as the Mealt Falls (also known as Kilt Rock Waterfall), the otherworldly Fairy Glen, and Quiraing, which you hike to. Or head to the central village of Broadford, where you'll find a good range of places to eat and may spot various types of birds as well as otters and seals. You could also fossil hunt in the soft rocks of its bay. There are organized activities in the summer here.
Day 8: Self-Guided Glencoe or Loch Katrine Hike, Drive to Ambleside

Day 9: Explore the Lake District, Canoe on a Lake

After a busy day of driving yesterday, you'll have the morning at leisure in and around Ambleside. Relax at your hotel or head out to explore. You could plan a short walk (around 1 mi/1.6 km) to the 70-foot (21 m) Stock Ghyll Force waterfall or to the National Trust-owned Stagshaw Gardens a similar distance away. Or take a cruise on Lake Windermere before enjoying a hearty lunch.
Day 10: Drive to Liverpool, Maritime Museum, River Explorer Cruise

Day 11: The Beatles Classic Tour

Liverpool is synonymous with The Beatles, one of the most famous music groups of all time. Today you will explore the city with an expert guide, hearing the story of how John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr took the world by storm. You'll be driven around key sites associated with the band in the city, discovering more about their lives with anecdotes, and visiting big-name attractions such as Strawberry Field and Penny Lane.
You'll then have a free afternoon to look around some of Liverpool's buzzing shopping areas, visit one or both of its cathedrals, mooch around the trendy Baltic Quarter, or enjoy some downtime in one of the city's top-class cultural venues such as Tate Liverpool, The Bluecoat, or the Walker Art Gallery.
Day 12: Drive to London, Villains of London Evening E-Scooter Tour

Set off early to drive south to England's capital of London today, dropping your rental car off upon arrival. One of the most famous cities in the world, you'll recognize many of London's top sites which include Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, the Tower of London, and Tower Bridge.
Day 13: Private Tower of London Visit & Tour

This morning, head to one of London's top sites, the Tower of London, for a three-hour tour led by a historian. You'll discuss British history and culture, and will discover the many roles the Tower has played, from a strategic outpost of William the Conqueror and the execution site of two of Henry VIII's wives to a prison. Your guide will also talk about the architectural developments of the Tower, and will mention famous prisoners such as Guy Fawkes. You may also see torture instruments from the past, the Tower's legendary ravens, the Crown Jewels, and the Beefeaters, who are the ceremonial guardians of the Tower.
You then may enter the oldest part of the Tower of London, the White Tower, exploring the state-of-the-art Norman fortress and royal palace. Alternatively, see graffiti carved into the walls by prisoners in the Beauchamp Tower, or visit the Bloody Tower, where two young princes were said to have been murdered in 1483. You'll have the rest of the day to explore London, perhaps taking a stroll down the River Thames, visiting one of its museums or art galleries, shopping for souvenirs, or eating and drinking in its many restaurants, bars, pubs, and cafés.Day 14: Depart London

Today is the last day of your tour. After checking out of your hotel, you'll be picked up for a private transfer to London Heathrow in a comfortable vehicle. At Heathrow Airport, you'll board your flight to your onward destination. Until next time!
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