Scotland Fast-Paced Outdoor Adventures - 9 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Edinburgh, Ultimate Cycle Tour

Welcome to Scotland! You've landed in Edinburgh, a captivating historic and modern city known for its festivals, thriving arts scene, and friendly locals. On arrival, meet your private driver for a transfer to your hotel. Drop your bags, pop on some active clothing, and lace up your sneakers for this afternoon's adventure.

Discover off-the-beaten-path locations and secret spots with this small-group cycling tour. Jump in the saddle of a bike and make a full lap of the city on two wheels, taking in the sights and beautiful parts of Edinburgh that most visitors don't get to see. Cycle out of the city, around Arthur's Seat, and to the (sometimes) sunny seaside while your guide shares fascinating facts about the city. You'll pass canals, aqueducts, railways, gardens, beaches, mountains, and tunnels, covering 18 miles (29 km) and stopping for refreshments and photo opportunities along the way. 

Day 2: Drive to Pitlochry, Bruar Falls Canyoning

Today your great Scottish road trip begins. Pick up your rental car, load your suitcases, and hit the road north. After two hours, you'll reach Pitlochry. Nearby, the famous Bruar Falls are well known for canyoning, and today you'll try this heart-pumping sport combining nature and adventure. This canyoning experience features epic jumps from 7 feet (2 m) to 26 feet (8 m) with exciting flumes, vertical rock slides, and waterfall abseils. If you've never tried canyoning before, this thrilling adventure might just get you hooked!

After, find your accommodation in the quaint Victorian town of Pitlochry. Take a walk down the charming main street, find a late lunch, and stretch your legs. Then, visit the Queen's View just outside Pitlochry, which overlooks Loch Tummel, and on a good day, you can see the mountains of Glen Coe in the distance. Return to town and make a reservation at a local restaurant.

Day 3: Cairngorms National Park Wildlife Tour, Drive to Aviemore

Cairngorms National Park boasts some of the best wildlife diversity in the United Kingdom. This pristine landscape is home to a quarter of the threatened species, and on today's full-day wildlife safari, you'll encounter the wilder side of the protected park. Explore expansive heather-clad moorlands, pass through towering Caledonian pine forests, admire imposing peaks, and see pristine lochs from the back of a 4WD Land Rover Discovery. Your knowledgeable guide will seek out wildlife, including red deer, golden eagles, and ospreys, and some light walking may be involved.

This is your opportunity to really explore the remote beauty of the Cairngorms and see the conservation efforts and commitment to preserving Scotland's natural heritage. After your safari adventure, your guide will drop you back at your car. From here, drive one hour or less to Aviemore, a charming town and hub for outdoor enthusiasts who flock here for hiking, skiing, and mountain biking. Settle into your accommodation, then find a good place for dinner in town.

After your day with a rod immersed in nature, you'll have a choice—release the fish back into the water or ask the team to cook your catch for your supper. Afterward, jump back in the car and continue to Fort William, another 80-minute drive southwest. This loch-side town sits between crystal clear lakes and snowcapped mountains, drawing outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world. Check into your accommodation for the evening, take a gentle walk around the loch, and then seek out a steaming bowl of fresh local mussels for dinner.

Day 5: Drive to Isle of Skye, Guided E-Bike Trotternish Peninsula Tour

Day 6: Ferry to Mallaig, Wildlife Boat Trip, Drive to Glencoe

Make your way to Armadale this morning, a one-hour drive from Portree, and wave goodbye to Skye as your ferry crosses over to Mallaig on the mainland. From this small fishing port, you'll join a wildlife tour to discover the creatures that call Scotland's west coast home. Board a boat that will take you all around the small isles and Loch Nevis. You'll travel to Green Island on Knoydart Peninsula, where you might see a variety of birds, seals, porpoises, dolphins, whales, and basking sharks. Since it's Scotland, your boat has a whisky bar, and you can bring a picnic lunch from a local café.

Back on dry land, continue 90 minutes south to Glen Coe. Considered one of the most hauntingly beautiful of the Scottish glens, this hidden gem is often shrouded in mist. En route, you could pause at the Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous by the "Harry Potter" movies. The Jacobite Steam Train runs twice a day, so time it right to experience a little "magic" of your own. Once in the central town of Glencoe, check into your accommodation.

Day 8: Walk the Glasgow Mural Trail

Glasgow is a modern, creative city that has been shaped by its rich industrial heritage. This morning's walking tour takes you on an offbeat route across the city, exploring the best street art and modern culture with a local. Glasgow's first mural appeared back in 2008, and since the city has embraced this creative outlet to breathe life into the city, rejuvenate streets, and revitalize buildings.

Over two hours, you'll skip past the cathedrals, grand buildings, and monuments to experience the real Glasgow. Your local guide will lead you down alleys and under bridges to uncover some of the city's most beautiful pieces of art painted by world-renowned heroes and local artists. You'll hear the stories and inspiration behind each piece while learning about how the art scene in Glasgow has developed dramatically over the last decade. After, find a cozy pub to enjoy your final night in Scotland with a traditional meal and wee dram or pint.

Day 9: Drive to Edinburgh, Depart

And finally, your nine-day road trip across Scotland comes to an end. Hop in the car one last time and make the drive to Edinburgh airport. Make sure you allow enough time to drop off your rental car ahead of your flight home or onward. Safe travels!