Introduction to Scotland
(7 Days – Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Edinburgh & Glasgow, Stirling Castle, Perthshire & St. Andrews
This private luxury tour is the perfect introduction to Scotland. It features private cultural touring in the beautiful city of Edinburgh and a stay at the country’s most luxurious countryside resort hotel, as well as excursions to Glasgow, St. Andrews, and one of Scotland’s most famous castles.
Begin in Edinburgh, the stunning capital of Scotland, with a stay in a sophisticated city hotel. During flexible touring with your private guide, tour the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See iconic Edinburgh Castle and walk along the Royal Mile, the road leading from the castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Explore historic buildings, as well as the narrow closes (alleys) and stairways that connect different levels of the city. Visit shops specializing in wool tweed and other distinctive Scottish products. Depending on your interests, you might like to tour the Royal Yacht Britannia, the former royal yacht of the British monarch; visit the Royal Botanic Garden or National Gallery; tour the unusual architecture of the Scottish Parliament Building and other contemporary design highlights in the city; or hike up an extinct volcano for panoramic views of Edinburgh and the nearby Firth of Forth tidal bay. In August, Artisans of Leisure can assist with tickets to the Edinburgh Tattoo or performances at the Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe. One day, take a private excursion to Glasgow to tour cultural highlights such as renowned art collections and Charles Rennie Mackintosh architecture.
Next, you will be transferred to Perthshire with touring en route. Visit Stirling, a strategic town on the edge of the Highlands that played an important role in the battles for Scottish independence. Tour Stirling Castle, which perches on a rocky outcrop and has panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. Also visit a distillery to learn the process of creating world-renowned Scotch whisky. Continue to Gleneagles, a luxury resort on 850 acres in the rolling hills of the idyllic Perthshire countryside. One day, enjoy a private excursion to nearby St. Andrews, a charming seaside university town and the birthplace of golf, or opt for flexible private touring of nearby castles, distilleries, or historic homes and gardens. During leisure time, enjoy the resort’s extensive activities, including options such as countryside walks, golf, fishing, horseback riding, biking, 4WD tours, shooting, gundog training, falconry and afternoon tea. Additional facilities include a spa, a kids club and exclusive Scottish boutiques.
| Itinerary Overview |
| Day 1Arrive EdinburghPrivate arrival transfer to hotel for 3 nightsDay 2EdinburghFull-day private city tourDay 3Edinburgh & GlasgowFull-day private excursionDay 4Edinburgh – Stirling – PerthshirePrivate transfer to resort for 3 nights, with touring en routeDay 5Perthshire & St. AndrewsFull-day flexible private excursionDay 6PerthshireAt leisureDay 7Perthshire – Depart Edinburgh or GlasgowPrivate airport transfer |
| Hotels |
| Edinburgh:The Balmoral HotelPerthshire:Gleneagles |
| Cost |
| Upon request |
All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.
Please Contact Us for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.
The Artisans of Leisure Style of Travel:
- Private touring with your own personal guides and drivers
- Preferred rooms in the very best luxury hotels
- Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our travel specialists
- Itineraries that are customized according to your interests and schedule
- Artisans of Leisure upgrades and amenities
- A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, skipping lines during touring whenever possible, restaurant and spa reservations, performance tickets, private airport transfers, internal transportation, VIP and fast-track airport assistance in many destinations
- Around-the-clock support in each destination during your trip
- Unique, insider travel experiences and access to the Artisans of Leisure network of experts around the world