Edinburgh and the Highlands

We invite you to have an unforgettable experience discovering a country  full of history, culture, legends and magnificent landscapes - Scotland . Our tour  starts in Edinburgh, the Scottish capital, and then we will take you to the Scottish Highlands, a magical land of immense natural beauty, where the scenery will take your breath away.

Edinburgh

The capital of Scotland is one of the most interesting cities in Europe. Summer is the best season to visit the capital of Scotland. Why? The weather is milder and there is a chance you can enjoy a long walk without your umbrella (... but don't forget to pack a raincoat and an umbrella, just in case). Besides,  Edinburgh is famous for its summer festivals.Between June and September, the city is invaded by music, street entertainment, art shows,  exhibitions and military parades. Tourists and locals crowd the streets and enjoy hundreds of performances a day.

 What can we see and do in Edinburgh? Let’s start a 7- day tour to Edinburgh.

Day 1 – On your first day in Edinburgh you can go for a walk around the city. If you are staying in a hotel in the bustling city centre, let’s say George Street or Queen Street, you will soon discover Princes Street, a busy street full of shops.  Down the street, you will find Princes Street Gardens, a colourful garden where you can sit down for a while and enjoy the views. Cross Princes Street and go up the Mound, turn left and you will see Edinburgh Castle.

Edinburgh Castle makes a stunning first impression, a must for every visitor. There is a lot to see inside the castle but you have to queue for a long time to get your admission ticket, so ... be patient! In the courtyard you will enjoy an overwhelming view over Edinburgh and you will have the chance to listen to the traditional bagpipers.

After visiting Edinburgh Castle, walk down the historic Royal Mile, where you can have a look at the shops, visit the Whisky Heritage Centre and St. Giles Cathedral and its wonderful Thistle Chapel. Then it’s time for a drink in an open air café. You can enjoy a wide range of street entertainment from music, dancing, plays, ….

Day 2 – Let’s go back to the Royal Mile. Walk down the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. On your way to the Palace you can visit the Writers’ Museum, in the 17^th century Lady Stair’s House. The museum is dedicated to the lives and work of Scotland’s great literary figures, particularly Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson.

You must also visit the Museum of Childhood, the first museum in the world to specialise in the history of childhood.

Don't forget to go to The People’s Story, housed in Cannongate Tolbooth, which  was a former tax collecting house, court and prison. Nowadays, it is a museum dedicated to the history of the people of Edinburgh.

Before reaching the Palace of Holyroodhouse, stop by the Museum of Edinburgh, which is packed with artefacts illustrating the development of the city, from the earliest settlement to the present day.

Time to take a rest and have lunch.

After lunch, enjoy the impressive Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence in Scotland of Her Majesty The Queen. Take a tour of Holyrood’s magnificent State Apartments, ancient rooms and ancient Abbey Church.

Nearby is the Scottish Parliament, focus for the ’buzz’ and energy so obvious in Edinburgh.

Then it’s time to go back to the hotel, take a shower and have dinner. Discover the cosmopolitan restaurants and bars playing their part in the city’s vibrant nightlife.

Day 3 – Start your day with a visit to Leith, Edinburgh’s port. Step on board Scotland’s best visitor attraction – The Royal Yatch Britannia, where you will get an insight into the lives of the British Royal Family.Britannia is permanently berthed in this historic port, only ten minutes from the city centre.

Time to have lunch. As you are in Leith, enjoy the great seafood.

Go back to the city centre and stroll through the Old Town and Grassmarket with its attractions and shops. Then cross Princes Street and visit Edinburgh’s elegant New Town, which is in stark contrast to the narrow streets of the Old Town. Consider a refreshment or two in the traditional bars of Rose Street or browse the fashionable shops of George Street. Go back to the Royal Mile and enjoy street entertainment.

Among the many festivals that make the city alive at this time of the year, Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a must-see. However, don’t forget to book your tickets online in advance because there won’t be any available in August. Click on the picture to watch a video about the Military Tattoo 2011.

Day 4 – Time to leave Edinburgh for a one-day tour to Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands. Explore some of the most beautiful areas of Scotland. Travel through Rob Roy country and visit the Weeping Glen of Glencoe, the infamous site of the 1692 massacre. After a short drive stop at Fort William in the shadow of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. After a brief lunch stop, follow the Caledonian Canal to Loch Ness and  Urquhart Castle . The Castle provides a superb vantage point to see the deepest part of the loch. Enjoy a visit to the Castle and, you can’t lose a short cruise on Loch Ness. It’s your chance to see Nessie with your own eyes (if she decides to show up!).

On your way back to Edinburgh, you must stop at Inverness for a refreshment.

Day 5 – Time to relax for a little bit! Walk by Salisbury Crags and climb Calton Hill. In the afternoon you can go shopping. Buy some souvenirs, try a kilt, the traditional Scottish costume and have some fun. For those who love art, go to the Scottish National Gallery.

In the evening you can either go to a fashionable bar or go to the theatre. You call also go for a walk in the streets of Edinburgh and enjoy the lively performances.

Day 6 – Go on another one-day tour to  Loch Lomond , the Trossachs and Stirling Castle. The tour travels towards Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city. After crossing the river Clyde, you arrive at Loch Lomond, Britain’s largest surface area of fresh water. You can take a boat cruise at the village of Balloch and then drive to the picturesque village of Aberfoyle.

After lunch, drive through this region of Scotland and enjoy its fantastic landscape. This is the home of Rob Roy and William Wallace, famous Scottish characters. Then it’s time to visit Stirling Castle, famous for its connections with William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and, of course, Mary Queen of Scots. This reminds me of the epic film Braveheart. Do you want to watch the trailer?

Day 7 – Time to go back home. You can still do some last minute shopping and sit for a while in Princes Street Gardens. Have a last glimpse at  Edinburgh Castle and don’t forget to take lots of photos so that you can remember this awesome trip to Edinburgh and the Highlands.