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Introducing Scotland

The romantic landscapes and dramatic features of this small territory make travelers feel like the region is much larger than it actually is. Pair that with a friendly culture, plenty of outdoor adventure, and incredible seafood, and Scotland is the trip that stays with visitors long after they leave.

When is the best time to visit?
As a year-round destination with distinct seasons, travelers should pick the time they visit on what they plan to do. Spring, summer, and fall are better for outdoor recreation, while winter is a popular time to explore the holiday festivals and seasonal cheer.

Where to go in Scotland?
Delight your senses at the bright green rolling hills of the Isle of Skye, enjoy the fun-oriented culture of Glasgow, camp out or trek the mountains surround Loch Lomond, learn about the history and architecture of Edinburgh, and tour the distilleries of Islay.

Thinking about traveling around the United Kingdom? Learn more about planning a trip to England or Wales. Many travelers also combine their trip to the UK with a visit to Ireland.

How many days do I need?
You can briefly get to know Edinburgh in about 3 days, but to experience the breadth of opportunities Scotland has to offer, upwards of 1 or 2 weeks is much preferable.

Explore trips by duration: 5 days · 6 days · 7 days · 8 days · 9 days · 10 days · 11 days · 12 days · 13 days · 14 days · 15 days

Scotland Tours & Itineraries

Get inspired by trips other travelers have loved
Etive Mor waterfall, Glencoe
Map of Scottish Highlands Self-Drive Tour: Edinburgh, Inverness & Loch Ness - 8 Days
Scottish Highlands Self-Drive Tour: Edinburgh, Inverness & Loch Ness - 8 Days

Discover the enchanting history and dramatic landscapes of the Scottish Highlands with this 8-day self-drive itinerary. Starting in Edinburgh,  drive north to the rugged highlands, where you’ll explore ancient castles, visit important battle sites, sail Loch Ness, and ride the world’s most scenic railway.

Scotland's Edinburgh Castle has stood for over 1,000 years
Map of Scotland & Ireland - 14 Days
Scotland & Ireland - 14 Days

Fourteen days is ample time to experience the best of Scotland and Ireland, be it touring Edinburgh, hiking the Highlands, or reveling in the historic streets of Dublin. The adventures are almost too many to list: wildlife safaris in national parks, boating across Loch Ness, cycling around Glasgow, and exploring the untamed beauty of the Isle of Skye. If that's not enough, you'll hit the road on a drive to some of the most beautiful locales in southern Ireland, like the Wicklow Mountains and County Cork.

Neist Point at Isle of Skye
Map of Best of Scotland: Edinburgh & the Highlands - 7 Days
Best of Scotland: Edinburgh & the Highlands - 7 Days

This seven-day adventure combines Scotland's most memorable tourist destinations with a tour of the countryside in the magnificent Scottish highlands. You will start your trip by exploring Edinburgh's galleries, castles, and pubs before heading to the spectacular castles in Inverness. You'll spend two nights in Portree, where you'll visit castles and famous geological sites and tour the hiking routes before traveling to Glencoe, which is home to spectacular scenery.

The ruins of Castle Urquhart at Loch Ness
Map of Scenic Scotland: Edinburgh, Inverness & Skye - 7 Days
Scenic Scotland: Edinburgh, Inverness & Skye - 7 Days

This week-long itinerary perfectly introduces Scotland's most scenic locales—blending a self-drive adventure with unforgettable guided excursions and experiences. Beginning and ending in the charming capital of Edinburgh, you'll set off into the rugged Highlands for a road trip to remember. Step back in time at the Culloden Battlefield, cruise the legendary waters of Loch Ness, and tour whisky distilleries on the Isle of Skye.

The Old Man of Storr overlooking Skye's coast.
Map of Hike Scotland's Highlands & Islands: Glen Coe, Ben Nevis & the Isle of Skye - 9 Days
Hike Scotland's Highlands & Islands: Glen Coe, Ben Nevis & the Isle of Skye - 9 Days

This active 9-day hiking itinerary travels through some of Scotland’s most spectacular landscapes. Starting in the heart of the Highlands, you’ll walk along the West Highland Way, experiencing the wild beauty of Rannoch Moor and Glen Coe. The first leg of your walking journey ends at the adventure capital of Fort William, where you’ll get the chance to scale Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak. After a memorable ride on the historic Jacobite Express Steam Train, board a ferry for the Isle of Skye, where you’ll have three days to explore the rugged mountains, secluded coves, and idyllic villages of the Inner Hebrides.

Driving toward Ben Stack on the NC500
Map of The North Coast 500: Road Trip through the Scottish Highlands  - 5 Days
The North Coast 500: Road Trip through the Scottish Highlands - 5 Days

Experience one of the world's most scenic driving routes on this 5-day journey along Scotland's North Coast 500. Beginning and ending in the Highland capital of Inverness, you'll follow the loop counterclockwise as you wind your way past mist-shrouded mountains, hidden lochs, and rugged coastlines. A relaxed pace allows you to take your time and explore plenty of sandy beaches, charming fishing villages, and unspoiled nature.

Make the Most of Your Time in Scotland

Have a fixed number of days? Maximize the things to see and do during your visit
A Scot plays the bagpipes in Edinburgh
How Many Days to Spend in Scotland

From ancient castles to whisky distilleries and Highland Games (not to mention a mythical monster in Loch Ness), there's a reason bonnie Scotland is awash with "Outlander" fans....

Scotland Travel Advice

Read our detailed insights to make sure you have the best trip
Sunrise, Loch Lomond
Planning Your Perfect Honeymoon in Scotland

Conjuring up romance effortlessly and with subtlety, Scotland is a stunning destination in which to celebrate your love for each other. For the backdrop to your honeymoon here,...

Our Latest Scotland Content

Stay a night in the charming coastal town of Oban in western Scotland
Map of Discover the Best of Ireland & Scotland  - 15 Days
Discover the Best of Ireland & Scotland - 15 Days

Explore the landscapes and culture of Ireland and Scotland with this 15-day journey. From the vibrant streets of Dublin to the rugged Highlands of Scotland, this trip blends history, nature, and adventure in two epic road trips. Begin in Dublin where the Book of Kells awaits, then rent a car and road trip past Galway, Connemara, and the dramatic Cliffs of Moher. Then, fly to Edinburgh and discover its historic charm before driving through Cairngorms National Park, Fort William, Loch Lomond, and Glasgow.

Hike along the Eshaness Cliffs in the secluded Shetland Islands
Map of Ultimate Scotland Tour of Glasgow, the Highlands & Shetland Islands - 15 Days
Ultimate Scotland Tour of Glasgow, the Highlands & Shetland Islands - 15 Days

This grand 15-day Scotland adventure takes you from Glasgow into the Highlands and out to the remote Shetland Islands archipelago. Along the way, you'll stomp around Stirling Castle, cruise Loch Ness and Loch Lomond, visit Cairngorms National Park, explore the ethereal Isle of Skye, meet friendly Shetland ponies, and ride the famous Jacobite Steam Train. Explore deeper and further than most tourists with an itinerary that weaves history, nature, and culture into two memorable weeks.

 Sip your way around Scotland while exploring nature during this 15-day tour
Map of Great Scottish Whisky Adventure - 15 Days
Great Scottish Whisky Adventure - 15 Days

Uncork the secrets of Scotland's single malts on this 15-day whisky road trip. Wind your way through pristine landscapes, from the Lowlands to the Highlands and out to the Hebrides islands, as you delve into the heart of distilling history. Witness the artistry of a cooper crafting casks, savor drams straight from the source, and breathe in the salty air of the Isle of Skye. Between distillery tours you'll explore castles and coastline, squeezing in pockets of nature and culture with this two-week trip.

Scotland Travel Maps

Get the lay of land, and understand distances between the places you want to visit
Map 5 Days in Scotland - 3 Unique Itinerary Ideas
5 Days in Scotland - 3 Unique Itinerary Ideas
View article
Map 1 Week in Scotland - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
1 Week in Scotland - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Map 2 Weeks in Scotland - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
2 Weeks in Scotland - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
View article

Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Scotland
Travel specialist Stephen Molloy
active 12 mins ago

Stephen Molloy

Urbanist by training, he spent most of his twenties traveling and living overseas. Bitten by the bug, he lived in Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, California, Australia, DRC, Kenya, Pakistan...and...

read more...
Travel specialist William Armstrong
active 11 hours ago

William Armstrong

I am your English-born, UK and French expert for all activity holidays in off-the-beaten track destinations in UK and France. I have lived, worked and traveled extensively in both the UK and...

read more...
Travel specialist Jane Davey
active 8 hours ago

Jane Davey

I grew up in the UK and developed a real passion for the great outdoors, which inspired me to work in travel. As a child, I spent my holidays in the UK with my parents and my brother. My dad used...

read more...
Travel specialist Luigi Pasiani
active 2 hours ago

Luigi Pasiani

I am an entrepreneur with a huge passion for travelling, which was devoted to my holidays for the most part of my life. I experienced the very aspects of being a traveller, and I felt tourism...

read more...

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Trip Reviews for Scotland

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Our Amazing Ireland and Scotland Christmas Adventure
Scotland | Dec 17 - Dec 30, 2023

S
Stephanie M.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Jan 08, 2024
KimKim matched us with Justine Stewart: We are a mother (62 yo) and daughter (31 yo) who contacted several Travel Services before embarking on our Christmas Adventure to Ireland and Scotland. We chose KimKim because they matched us with Justine Stewart. Justine is the only person (out of five different agencies) who read our initial email and what we envisioned for our trip and truly captured what we imagined from day one. She was a delight to work with throughout the entire planning... Read more

KimKim matched us with Justine Stewart:

We are a mother (62 yo) and daughter (31 yo) who contacted several Travel Services before embarking on our Christmas Adventure to Ireland and Scotland. We chose KimKim because they matched us with Justine Stewart. Justine is the only person (out of five different agencies) who read our initial email and what we envisioned for our trip and truly captured what we imagined from day one. She was a delight to work with throughout the entire planning phase. Justine came up with wonderful suggestions for us. She was informative, responsive, and fun to work with. I was excited every time I received a chat message from Justine. She was effusive, warm, engaging, and down to earth. Her excitement in the planning stages made the trip fun to plan and then amazing to experience. Early in the planning phase, when we realized we needed to change the airport/city we were flying into, which affected our initial itinerary, Justine handled the adjustments smoothly. She was also helpful with my questions about travel insurance and gave me good advice and tips in that area. We traveled during the weeks surrounding Christmas, and although Justine was on holiday herself for part of that time, she still took the time to check in with us to make sure all was well. We feel like we made a new friend in Justine.

Claire and Eva
We were also well taken care of by Claire and Eva at KimKim, who helped us out over the two days we needed assistance due to a snowstorm.

Hotels in Ireland:

Cashel Palace – We pulled in at night to an amazing view of this grand accommodation. We drove down a long driveway and saw the beautiful red brick lit with lights. Once we arrived, we were given a tour and were delighted and amazed at the beauty of this hotel. They have a lovely Drawing Room, a cozy bar, and several wood-burning fireplaces. We took advantage and enjoyed them all. Our room was elegant, and we even had a Christmas tree!

Adare Manor – We felt like we were walking back in time when we entered this amazing hotel. From being greeted by friendly porters in the driveway to seeing the enormous Christmas tree in the reception area to the helpful tips and tour provided by the lovely Anne – we were swept up in excitement from our first moments there. We had a delicious lunch in the gorgeous Drawing Room while sitting next to another beautiful Christmas tree. We enjoyed a fun walk from the hotel into Adare Village, visited charming little shops, and saw the amazing thatched-roof buildings. Our dinner in The Carriage House was outstanding.

Glenlo Abbey – The front desk staff was very friendly. They informed us that they had upgraded our room – and it was spacious and lovely. The grounds around this hotel afforded us a beautiful walk.

Waterloo Townhouse – We had a cute room painted in soft pink overlooking a little backyard.

Hotels in Scotland:

Ness Walk - This is a lovely hotel. We were greeted with a glass of champagne and treated well during our stay. The hotel is elegant and situated on a beautiful river walk along the Ness River. We ventured out and walked down the river and across a bridge into a delightful area of Inverness. We discovered a most incredible place – Leakey's Bookshop.

The Fife Arms is our favorite place we've ever visited. We fell in LOVE with The Fife Arms. They covered the outside of the hotel in twinkly lights, and there was a brightly lit Christmas tree across the street. Every restaurant (The Clunie Dining Room, The Flying Stag) and every room (the Drawing Room, Elsa's Bar, The Tea Room, the Reception area) was an absolute joy to experience. I wished for a wood-burning fireplace on this trip, and this hotel had three amazing fireplaces that were burning and crackling at every moment. The entire experience, the amazing hotel, the afternoon tea, the reindeer parade, the amazing meals, the Christmas stocking on our door in the morning – was all magical. We arrived to find a bottle of champagne chilling in our room and complimentary tastes of whisky and gin with drink biscuits if we desired. The Fife Arms' incredible staff made our Christmas trip truly unforgettable. We greatly appreciated Rachael Henley (General Manager) while dealing with stress and uncertainty due to our car transfer service. She gave us such reassurance that all would be well. We felt safe and taken care of as she reached out to the car transfer service on our behalf and had her team assist with information on weather conditions and snow gates. She and her team assured us we would figure it out. They were able to offer us accommodations for an extra night. All of their hospitality and kindness during our trip went above and beyond.

Hotel Du Vin & Bistro - This was an ideal location for us as we wanted to explore Old Town Edinburgh, which was mere steps away. The Night Manager, Paul, went above and beyond for us. On one occasion, a glass bottle shattered inside my nylon carry-on luggage bag. Paul cleaned and repaired it. On another, we had an airport pickup at the hotel at 5:45 am. Paul had takeaway coffees and croissants waiting for us, along with updated flight details and gate information, making our journey home smoother.

Outstanding Hotel employees:

Adare Manor - Anne
The Fife Arms - Rachael (GM), Sam, Josh, Alex
Hotel du Vin & Bistro - Paul

Great Drivers:

Dermott Coffey – to Cashel Palace – He was fantastic, warm, engaging, and fun!
Tony – to Adare Manor – Tony was great! He had quite a sense of humor.
Frank – Galway Taxis – to Dublin - Frank was professional and provided a quiet ride to Dublin.
Dave – Elite Transfers Dublin – to Dublin airport – Dave was warm, friendly, and funny!
Ahmed – Inverness Taxis - airport to Ness Walk and then to Braemar. He was professional.
David – VChauffeur.com – Braemar to Aberdeen - He was fantastic! David was professional, kind, funny, and compassionate. David's service was unparalleled.
Adrian – Edinburgh Executive Travel – to Edinburgh airport – professional, sense of humor, nice service

Wonderful Tours:

Galway Food Tours - Gina (Regina)
Gina was a delight on our Walking Food Tour in Galway. She was punctual, friendly, informative, and fun. Gina had an easy demeanor and kept the conversation flowing throughout our 2.5-hour tour. We fell in love with Galway, and Gina was a huge contributing factor as she wound us in and around Shop Street, the pedestrianized thoroughfare in Galway.
• We started our morning with a taste of delicious coffee at Little Lane Coffee Company, which showcases Irish Specialty Coffee Roasters.
• Then we stopped in at an amazing French Chocolaterie called Truffle. We enjoyed a raspberry-filled croissant and some divine chocolates. There was an actual wall of running chocolate that was amazing!
• We popped into Ean for wine and two delicious small plates.
• Next on our tour was Tigh Neachtain, a pub that opened in 1894, which we learned was the former home of Richard Martin, an animal rights activist and abolitionist. We enjoyed learning about the colorful history and sat in one of the small, cozy booths known as a "snug." We tasted oysters, mussels, meatballs, soda bread and beer.
• Next was a visit to the upstairs of a fine foods shop called McCambridge's, where we tasted three spirits – Irish Whiskey, Irish Poitin, and Irish Apple Brandy.
• We finished the tour with delicious Murphy's Irish Ice Cream.
During our tour, Gina also recommended three other locations – and we managed to make our way over to all three after the tour. We stopped in and bought some books at Charlie Byrne's Bookshop, which was enchanting. We visited the King's Head, another historical pub, for a pint of Guinness. After a lovely walk to the fishing village in Galway, where we captured wonderful photographs, we went to Gina's final recommendation, Sheridan's Wine Bar. It was cozy and charming!

Dublin Tour Guide - John Caffrey
We felt immediately at ease when John greeted us at our hotel. He was such a warm, friendly, and engaging person. His wealth of knowledge, facts, and fun stories made the day fly by much too quickly. We visited a museum, the National Art Gallery, and Dublin Castle, as well as interesting statues and monuments to Patrick Kavanagh, Oscar Wilde, and George Handel. We passed by impressive government buildings and a war memorial and walked around the Trinity College campus. John treated us to coffee, biscuits, ice cream, and an Irish coffee along the tour! We felt so comfortable with John that we ate dinner with him at a nice pub where we enjoyed Irish stew and Guinness to complete our experience. We saw so much in Dublin in one day and would have missed so much on our own. John created a truly memorable experience.

Inverness Tours – Edinburgh Tour Guide - Scott Guthrie
We originally planned to do a full-day Outlander tour with Scott Guthrie. After the delay in our trip, we decided to cancel the tour since we ended up with only one day in Edinburgh instead of three. Ian, the owner of Inverness Tours, suggested the alternate plan of a walking tour in Edinburgh with the same guide, Scott Guthrie, who could show us some Outlander locations in Edinburgh. We agreed to a 2-hour tour. Scott Guthrie arrived wearing a kilt and a smile. He made our shortened visit to Edinburgh magical, intriguing, captivating, and memorable. We were thrilled to spend this time with him. He was a gentleman and a gem. He took us on an amazing tour that included some of the history and politics of Edinburgh, intriguing sites connected to the Harry Potter books and movies, and a couple of amazing Outlander filming locations. Scott was warm, friendly, entertaining, and fun. We ended up spending almost 4 hours with him and loved every minute. We continued exploring Edinburgh on foot for the rest of the day with a greater appreciation for the city and its fascinating history. We logged 37,351 steps on our walking app!

Restaurants in Ireland:

• Mikey Ryan's Bar & Kitchen – an amazing dinner! Classy and cozy environment.
• Cashel Palace – really nice breakfast
• Adare Manor
o The Drawing Room – fabulous lunch served in a beautiful room next to a Christmas tree
o The Carriage House – elegant and delicious dinner, amazing service!!
o The Gallery – gorgeous, high-ceiling room for breakfast
• Kai – We had an outstanding meal in a cozy environment!
• Glenlo Abbey breakfast room - a beautiful room and great breakfast service
• Aniar – 23 unique tastings! We were amazed as the dishes just kept coming. The Manager and Waiter who served us were beyond attentive and fun!
• The Winding Stair – This was a cozy, warm, welcoming place for dinner. We had a window seat and enjoyed the most delectable food!

Restaurants in Scotland:
• Kitchen Brasserie – We enjoyed a window seat and a delicious meal at this delightful restaurant.
• The Fife Arms
o The Clunie Dining Room – The staff is amazing and attentive. The food is excellent.
o The Flying Stag – It has a fun and funky décor; the food was outstanding!
o Afternoon Tea – They served an amazing assortment of sandwiches and sweets with coffee, mulled wine, and juice in a lovely, multi-windowed room with comfortable chairs and a wood-burning fireplace.
• Scran & Scallie – twinkly lights outside ushering us into a festive, charming restaurant with excellent food!
• A Wee Taste – charming, met the owner, delicious meat and cheese charcuterie board, lovely wine!

We will absolutely use KimKim's services again. They matched us up with an incredible travel agent – Justine Stewart! We were assisted before, during, and after the trip with all questions and concerns. THANK YOU!

Hotel Reviews
Ness Walk
Inverness

This is a lovely hotel. We were greeted with a glass of champagne and treated well during our stay. The hotel is elegant and situated on a beautiful river walk along the Ness River. We ventured out and walked down the river and across a bridge into a delightful area of Inverness. We discovered a most incredible place – Leakey's Bookshop.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel du Vin & Bistro Edinburgh
Edinburgh

This was an ideal location for us as we wanted to explore Old Town Edinburgh, which was mere steps away. The Night Manager, Paul, went above and beyond for us. On one occasion, a glass bottle shattered inside my nylon carry-on luggage bag. Paul cleaned and repaired it. On another, we had an airport pickup at the hotel at 5:45 am. Paul had takeaway coffees and croissants waiting for us, along with updated flight details and gate information, making our journey home smoother.

Authenticity & Character
Nice, casual hotel in the heart of Old Town Edinburgh. Definitely has charm and character.
Location
Steps away from the Royal Mile and Old Town Edinburgh. It was SO convenient for us.
Staff
The Night Manager, Paul, went above and beyond for us. On one occasion, a glass bottle shattered inside my nylon carry-on luggage bag. Paul cleaned and repaired it. On another, we had an airport pickup at the hotel at 5:45 am. Paul had takeaway coffees and croissants waiting for us, along with updated flight details and gate information, making our journey home smoother.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Fife Arms
Braemar

The Fife Arms is our favorite place we've ever visited. We fell in LOVE with The Fife Arms. They covered the outside of the hotel in twinkly lights, and there was a brightly lit Christmas tree across the street. Every restaurant (The Clunie Dining Room, The Flying Stag) and every room (the Drawing Room, Elsa's Bar, The Tea Room, the Reception area) was an absolute joy to experience. I wished for a wood-burning fireplace on this trip, and this hotel had three amazing fireplaces that were burning and crackling at every moment. The entire experience, the amazing hotel, the afternoon tea, the reindeer parade, the amazing meals, the Christmas stocking on our door in the morning – was all magical. We arrived to find a bottle of champagne chilling in our room and complimentary tastes of whisky and gin with drink biscuits if we desired. The Fife Arms' incredible staff made our Christmas trip truly unforgettable. We greatly appreciated Rachael Henley (General Manager) while dealing with stress and uncertainty due to our car transfer service. She gave us such reassurance that all would be well. We felt safe and taken care of as she reached out to the car transfer service on our behalf and had her team assist with information on weather conditions and snow gates. She and her team assured us we would figure it out. They were able to offer us accommodations for an extra night. All of their hospitality and kindness during our trip went above and beyond.

Authenticity & Character
Elegant and classy, combined with such amazing charm!
Location
It is situated in the beautiful Cairngorms National Park. Breathtaking scenery! It is an ideal area for walks.
Staff
Sam provided fun, friendly, engaging service in the Clunie Dining Room. Josh was helpful in keeping guests and their car transfer services apprised of the snow conditions and snow gates. Alex helped us with booking an extra night when the snow conditions and our car service kept us from departing. Rachael is an amazing general manager who got personally involved in solving our travel issues.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The rooms were clean, comfortable, and beautiful. The beds were so comfortable.
Glenlo Abbey

The front desk staff was very friendly. They informed us that they had upgraded our room – and it was spacious and lovely. The grounds around this hotel afforded us a beautiful walk.

Authenticity & Character
Location
It is a short taxi ride away from the amazing city of Galway.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Adare Manor
Adare

We felt like we were walking back in time when we entered this amazing hotel. From being greeted by friendly porters in the driveway to seeing the enormous Christmas tree in the reception area to the helpful tips and tour provided by the lovely Anne – we were swept up in excitement from our first moments there. We had a delicious lunch in the gorgeous Drawing Room while sitting next to another beautiful Christmas tree. We enjoyed a fun walk from the hotel into Adare Village, visited charming little shops, and saw the amazing thatched-roof buildings. Our dinner in The Carriage House was outstanding.

Authenticity & Character
Every room and space in the hotel was amazing - The Reception area with a fireplace and enormous Christmas tree, the Drawing Room, which serves food, has a bar and looks out over the back of the property, the amazing high-ceilinged Gallery where they serve breakfast and afternoon tea, The Tack Room - a classy bar and lounge.
Location
The hotel sits on a beautiful and spacious property. It is lovely for walks or a horse and carriage ride. It is within walking distance of Adare Village.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cashel Palace Hotel

We pulled in at night to an amazing view of this grand accommodation. We drove down a long driveway and saw the beautiful red brick lit with lights. Once we arrived, we were given a tour and were delighted and amazed at the beauty of this hotel. They have a lovely Drawing Room, a cozy bar, and several wood-burning fireplaces. We took advantage and enjoyed them all. Our room was elegant, and we even had a Christmas tree!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
We were greeted by wonderful staff and given a warm welcome and a tour.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The beds were so comfortable!
Activity Reviews
Christmas at the Fife Arms
Christmas at the Fife Arms
Scotland

The Fife Arms is our favorite place we've ever visited. We fell in LOVE with The Fife Arms. They covered the outside of the hotel in twinkly lights, and there was a brightly lit Christmas tree across the street. We arrived to find a bottle of champagne chilling in our room and complimentary tastes of whisky and gin with drink biscuits if we desired. I wished for a wood-burning fireplace on this trip, and this hotel had three amazing fireplaces that were burning and crackling at every moment. On the first day, we enjoyed their afternoon tea, the reindeer parade, chestnuts roasting on an open fire, a drink in Elsa's bar, and a delicious dinner in The Flying Stag. On Christmas morning, we awoke to a Christmas stocking on our door. We enjoyed a lovely Christmas Brunch, which they staggered for guests at different times. We went on a couple of walks around the charming town of Braemar. Every restaurant (The Clunie Dining Room, The Flying Stag) and every room (the Drawing Room, Elsa's Bar, The Tea Room, the Reception area) was an absolute joy to experience. This trip was magical!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private transfer to or from the airport
Dublin

Dave with Elite Transfers Dublin picked us up early in the morning to take us to Dublin airport. We were leaving Ireland and flying to our next destination, Scotland. Dave was warm, friendly, and funny! He had some helpful tips for the next leg of our adventure, and he had us laughing on the way to the airport as well.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Outlander tour from Edinburgh
Outlander tour from Edinburgh
Edinburgh

We originally planned to do a full-day Outlander tour with Scott Guthrie. After the delay in our trip, we decided to cancel the tour since we ended up with only one day in Edinburgh instead of three. Ian, the owner of Inverness Tours, suggested the alternate plan of a walking tour in Edinburgh with the same guide, Scott Guthrie, who could show us some Outlander locations in Edinburgh. We agreed to a 2-hour tour. Scott Guthrie arrived wearing a kilt and a smile. He made our shortened visit to Edinburgh magical, intriguing, captivating, and memorable. We were thrilled to spend this time with him. He was a gentleman and a gem. He took us on an amazing tour that included some of the history and politics of Edinburgh, intriguing sites connected to the Harry Potter books and movies, and a couple of amazing Outlander filming locations. Scott was warm, friendly, entertaining, and fun. We ended up spending almost 4 hours with him and loved every minute. We continued exploring Edinburgh on foot for the rest of the day with a greater appreciation for the city and its fascinating history. We logged 37,351 steps on our walking app!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The Ultimate Day in Dublin - Private Guided Tour
The Ultimate Day in Dublin - Private Guided Tour
Dublin

We felt immediately at ease when John greeted us at our hotel. He was such a warm, friendly, and engaging person. His wealth of knowledge, facts, and fun stories made the day fly by much too quickly. We visited a museum, the National Art Gallery, and Dublin Castle, as well as interesting statues and monuments to Patrick Kavanagh, Oscar Wilde, and George Handel. We passed by impressive government buildings and a war memorial and walked around the Trinity College campus. John treated us to coffee, biscuits, ice cream, and an Irish coffee along the tour! We felt so comfortable with John that we ate dinner with him at a nice pub where we enjoyed Irish stew and Guinness to complete our experience. We saw so much in Dublin in one day and would have missed so much on our own. John created a truly memorable experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Galway Food Tour
Private Galway Food Tour
Galway

Gina was a delight on our Walking Food Tour in Galway. She was punctual, friendly, informative, and fun. Gina had an easy demeanor and kept the conversation flowing throughout our 2.5-hour tour. We fell in love with Galway, and Gina was a huge contributing factor as she wound us in and around Shop Street, the pedestrianized thoroughfare in Galway. • We started our morning with a taste of delicious coffee at Little Lane Coffee Company, which showcases Irish Specialty Coffee Roasters. • Then we stopped in at an amazing French Chocolaterie called Truffle. We enjoyed a raspberry-filled croissant and some divine chocolates. There was an actual wall of running chocolate that was amazing! • We popped into Ean for wine and two delicious small plates. • Next on our tour was Tigh Neachtain, a pub that opened in 1894, which we learned was the former home of Richard Martin, an animal rights activist and abolitionist. We enjoyed learning about the colorful history and sat in one of the small, cozy booths known as a “snug.” We tasted oysters, mussels, meatballs, soda bread and beer. • Next was a visit to the upstairs of a fine foods shop called McCambridge’s, where we tasted three spirits – Irish Whiskey, Irish Poitin, and Irish Apple Brandy. • We finished the tour with delicious Murphy’s Irish Ice Cream. During our tour, Gina also recommended three other locations – and we managed to make our way over to all three after the tour. We stopped in and bought some books at Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop, which was enchanting. We visited the King’s Head, another historical pub, for a pint of Guinness. After a lovely walk to the fishing village in Galway, where we captured wonderful photographs, we went to Gina’s final recommendation, Sheridan’s Wine Bar. It was cozy and charming! Gina helped us to engage with the charming city of Galway. Thank you!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Justine Stewart
Justine
Justine Stewart
Local specialist in England/France | Replied on Jan 09, 2024

Lovely Stephanie!

Thank you so very much for your amazing review :) I feel so lucky to have been a part of this adventure with you and Heather! Working together to plan this trip has been nothing short of wonderful. I am so thrilled to have shared some of my favourite places with you...and have you love them too! Your trust and enthusiasm in my recommendations has been next-level and added so much joy to the planning process. Getting to know you over the past few months has been an absolute delight...Safe travels until our paths cross again!

Justine & The High Point Holidays Team

Summer trip to Scotland.
Scotland | Jul 8 - Jul 16, 2023

Jay
Jay B.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Nov 19, 2023

We had a really enjoyable time. All of our expectations were exceeded, and we would be happy to use the service again. We didn't require a lot of help, but when we had a problem with a reservation, they were able to sort it out quickly and we fealt very well taken care of.

Local specialist: Neil West
Neil
Neil West
Local specialist in Glasgow & Fife | Replied on Nov 20, 2023

Hi Jay,

I really appreciate your thoughtful review & I'm thrilled to hear that you had a great time in Scotland. It's always a pleasure to be part of creating memorable experiences, and I'm glad I could contribute to yours!

Best regards,
Neil

My trip to Scotland was absolutely incredible...
Scotland | Sep 15 - Sep 22, 2023

Charlottesville
Charlottesville R.
Arvada, CO | Reviewed on Nov 16, 2023

My trip to Scotland was absolutely incredible. I just showed up, and everything was planned, including my train transportation.

Local specialist: Neil West
Neil
Neil West
Local specialist in Glasgow & Fife | Replied on Nov 17, 2023

Hello!
Thank you so much for the kind review. It was a lot of fun working on this trip & I'm so happy that you had an incredible time in Scotland.
All the very best,
Neil