6 Days & 5 Nights

Scotland Castles Trail - 6 Days

Renowned Eilean Donan Castle, with views of Skye, on Scotland's dramatic west coast
Explore Loch Ness, Cawdor Castle and Culloden Battlefield from Inverness
Imposing Dunnottar Castle perched on the Aberdeenshire seacliffs
Quaint seaside town of St Andrews with its white sand beaches and cobbled streets
Balmoral Castle, Scottish home of the royal family, set in the Cairngorm National Park

Discover a land steeped in myth and legend; from crumbling castles and plush royal residences to dramatic scenery and fine seafood accompanied by honey-hued drams. This trip has it all! Soak in the rich heritage of Highland and coastal castles abounding with tales of epic clan battles, the Jacobite Rebellion and Shakespeare's Macbeth. Not only will you behold Eilean Donan Castle, perhaps the most famous in Scotland, but you'll have the opportunity to visit Urquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness, and admire the fairytale turrets of pink Craigievar Castle. In the evenings enjoy hearty Highland cuisine followed by a dram or two as you mull over the next day's adventure with our information pack brimming with local expertise. All this set against the backdrop of Caledonian pine forests, idyllic countryside, sweeping coastline and charming seaside towns.

From £560.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Glasgow to Inveraray via Loch Lomond, Inveraray Castle and Loch Fyne

Easily accessible from the UK, Europe and beyond via plane, public transport or the well-linked road network Glasgow is the perfect place to begin your trip. Let us know if you'd like a pre-trip night in Glasgow and your specialist will happily arrange this for you. If you can, we recommend allowing time in your schedule for sightseeing and making the most of the vibrant foodie scene. Stroll around the city’s West End, where you can marvel at the impressive sandstone architecture of the University of Glasgow, founded in 1796, and nearby Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum.

Once you've had your fill of the city's hustle and bustle take a scenic drive through the National Park of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs as you follow the "bonnie banks" north into the Highlands. Spend the afternoon exploring Inveraray Castle, as featured in Downtown Abbey, and home of the chiefs of Clan Campbell since the 18th century. The castle and nearby town are situated on the shores of Scotland's longest sea loch - Loch Fyne. The loch is renowned for its delicious fresh seafood - for dinner seek out the best award-winning oysters at The Loch Fyne Oyster Bar.

Drive time: 1 hr 30 mins

Overnight Inveraray

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Brambles of Inveraray | 4 Star | Bed and breakfast

Stay at the Brambles nestled on the banks of Loch Fyne in the friendly west coast town of Inveraray. This boutique hotel seamlessly combines traditional Scottish charm with modern efficiency. The full Scottish breakfast is said to be among the best as well as the delicious home baking.

Check-In from 3pm

Creag Dhubh Country House | 3 Star | Bed and breakfast

Creag Dhubh is a beautiful country house dating from 1851 and retaining most of its original features. The accommodation is within walking distance of the town centre and with panoramic views across Loch Fyne to the Cowal Hills.

The Inveraray Inn | Hotel

Built in 1755, the Inveraray Inn is the oldest hotel in Inveraray and one of the most iconic hotels on the west coast of Scotland. Enjoy views to Loch Fyne while enjoying traditional Highland hospitality and excellent local food.

Day 2 Inveraray to Dornie with visits to Eilean Donan Castle, Rannoch Moor and the Glencoe Valley

Today choose between two scenic route options that meet just south of Fort William before continuing onto Eilean Donan Castle. The first brings you to the seaside town of Oban with its distillery and bustling harbour then heads north along the west coast to reach Fort William. Alternatively, drive through the wild interior of Scotland, via the Rannoch Moor and the iconic valley of Glencoe passing Scotland's most photographed mountain - Buachaille Etive Mor.

In Fort William you'll pass by the base of the UK's highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Here we recommend detouring to the Jacobite Monument and Glenfinnan Viaduct to look out for the Jacobite steam train, otherwise known as the "Hogwart's Express" made famous in the Harry Potter films. From Fort William continue through ever more mountainus scenery until Eilean Donan Castle comes into view. This impressive castle, is perhaps Scotland's most famous! Situated at the confluence of three sea lochs on a small island connected to the land by an arched stone bridge it makes for a truly inspiring sight. On a clear day don't miss a visit to the upper viewpoint to get the perfect photo of the castle with the Isle of Skye in the distance. Overnight in the small village of Dornie overlooking Eilean Donan Castle.

Drive time: 3 - 4 hours

Overnight Dornie

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Sealladh Mara | Bed and breakfast

Sealladh Mara is a charming accommodation situated in the quiet village of Ardelve, overlooking the historic Eilean Donan Castle and conveniently located within walking distance of the village of Dornie. Your host Phyllis will make you feel right at home during your stay.

Balmacara Hotel | Hotel

Welcome to the Balmacara Hotel, where the Isle of Skye beckons from the front windows, the glorious hills of Wester Ross from the back. The Balmacara Hotel is stunningly situated on the shores of Loch Alsh, approx. 3 miles from Kyle of Lochalsh, the Skye Bridge and Eilean Donan Castle. The Hotel enjoys an outstanding location for touring and provides an ideal leisure break destination. Most of the tastefully designed bedrooms have loch side views and the Isle of Skye can be viewed from our coffee lounge and restaurant. A family run hotel, an emphas is placed on high standards of personal service to ensure your stay will be a memorable one.

Balmacara Mains | Guest House

Balmacara Mains is a family run Guest House located in the Highlands of Scotland, overlooking the Isle of Skye. They provide comfortable accommodation, offering relaxing, contemporary rooms, with stunning views. All rooms are individually decorated and have all the amenities you require for a great overnight stay.

Day 3 Dornie to Inverness via Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle and the Culloden Battlefield

From Scotland's wild west coast drive through the magnificent valley of Glen Shiel with towering mountains on either side to reach the shores of Loch Ness, Scotland's most storied loch. Home to the legend of the Loch Ness Monster ("Nessie"), the loch also has positioned dramatically on its shores the 13th century ruins of Urquhart Castle. On a clear day there's nothing like a boat trip for taking in the spectacular scenery!

A visit to Culloden Battlefield, near Inverness, is a must - the battlefield was the sombre site of the final 1745 Jacobite Uprising battle. Explore your clan history at the visitor centre's ancestry hub or detour to nearby Cawdor Castle for a stroll in the peaceful gardens.

The Highland city of Inverness makes for an ideal overnight stop with many restaurants and pub options serving everything from hearty Highland fayre to locally-sourced cuisine. Why not round off the day with a dram in the Castle Tavern overlooking the castle and the River Ness?

Drive time: 1 hr 40 mins - 2 hr 30 mins

Overnight Inverness

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Ballifeary Guest House | Guest House

Ballifeary Guest House is an impressive Victorian Villa with many original features. It is ideally located only a matter of yards from Eden Court Theatre and a short walk from the River Ness where you can find many restaurants, Inverness Castle and the cathedral. Rooms have been refurbished to a high standard offering every comfort you would expect.

Ardross Glencairn Guest House | Guest House

Glencairn and Ardross Guest House is a family run guesthouse. The building is an elegant detached listed Victorian building situated in a quiet street close to the scenic River Ness. Room are comfortable and tastefully furnished and have all the amenities you require.

Cavell Guest House | Bed and breakfast

Built in 1842, your accommodation is a well-appointed Victorian villa with stunning views over the River Ness and Cavell Gardens. All rooms have TV, hospitality tray, hairdryers and free wireless Internet. They also have available on request bathrobes, slippers, toothbrushes and toothpaste, iron and ironing board and DVD player.

Day 4 Inverness to Ballater through the Cairngorms National Park seeing castles and whisky tastings

Today you'll stay in The Cairngorm National Park - Scotland's largest. Located within the park is Royal Deeside where you'll find not only Balmoral Castle and its sprawling estate, Scottish home of the royal family, but also the castles of Braemar, Crathes and Craigievar. Craigievar with its turrets and pink paintwork is particularly special and well-worth a visit.

If you've had your fill of turrets and battlements then we recommend a visit to the Royal Lochnagar Distillery or the picturesque Victorian village of Braemar, home of the world-famous Braemar Gathering & Highland Games. Near Braemar enjoy tranquil strolls in the Caledonian pine forest with views of the Cairngorm Mountains from the Linn of Dee viewpoint. The viewpoint over the River Dee gorge was one of Queen Victoria's favourite picnic spots.

Drive time: 2 hr 30 mins - 3 hr 20 mins

Overnight Ballater

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Alexandra Hotel | Hotel

The Alexandra Hotel offers a friendly service, comfortable accommodation and excellent meals. All rooms are en-suite with free Wifi, tea and coffee making facilities, satellite television and other essentials that go to make up everything you would expect of a quality family run hotel.

Balmoral Arms | Hotel

Balmoral Arms is known for its traditional Scottish hospitality and lively music scene as much as it is for its homely lounge, open fires and welcoming bar with quality homemade food. The lovely rooms have complimentary tea and coffee making facilities.

No.45 | Guest House

No.45 is a stunning Victorian granite house originally built in 1890, set in an acre of walled gardens at the end of a private drive. No.45 has many original features including a pitch pine staircase and open fires. The house is furnished in Scottish style with tartan carpets, leather sofas and a stag's head. The eight bedrooms are each decorated in individual styles with modern en-suite bathrooms, televisions, tea trays and hair-dryers. Wi-fi is available free of charge. During the summer months breakfast is served in the conservatory looking out over the walled garden where you can often see red squirrels in the copper beech trees.

Day 5 Ballater to St Andrews visiting Dunnottar and Glamis Castles en route

Discover Scotland's dramatic east coast as you explore Aberdeenshire and Fife. Visit iconic Dunnottar Castle perched atop seacliffs on the Aberdeenshire coast. This stunning spot is thought to have been occupied since the middle ages but most of the remaining castle ruins date from the 15-16th century. The nearby town of Stonehaven, with its sheltered beach and harbour, makes for the perfect lunch stop.

Also not to be missed is Glamis Castle - the inspiration behind Shakespeare's Macbeth and childhood home of the Queen Mother. This spectacular castle is set in beautiful gardens with numerous trails for visitors to explore.

Overnight in St Andrews, Scotland's first university town and home to the country's oldest golf course (the aptly named "Old Course"). Spend an afternoon wandering its cobbled streets and exploring the 10th century cathedral and castle ruins. Stroll the 2 mile long West Sands Beach and sample the myriad of delightful cafes, restaurants and cosy pubs that pepper the town's streets.

Drive time: 2 hrs 45 mins

Overnight St Andrews

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Doune House | 4 Star | Bed and breakfast

Doune House is a carefully maintained Victorian townhouse with many original features and modern comforts. The accommodation has been completely modernised to offer the highest quality of comfort and the rooms have all the amenities you require for a great overnight stay.

The Saint | 4 Star | Hotel

The Saint, St Andrews, is located in the heart of the picturesque town famed for golf. There are 4 comfortable ensuite bedrooms that are spacious and have been decorated in modern style. The restaurant serves high-quality food with a menu that combines contemporary and traditional dishes.

Craigmore Guest House | 4 Star | Guest House

Jim, Glynice and their staff assure you of a warm welcome when you come to stay with at Craigmore Guest House. You will stay in one of their seven lovely rooms, all with our newly refurbished en-suite bathrooms with heated towel rails. Every room is equipped with tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryer, flat screen TV with DVD player and complimentary toiletries.

Day 6 St Andrews to Edinburgh via Fife coastal villages and Elie's Lighthouse. Onward travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 10kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 10kg is equivalent to 18 lattes. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Other Information

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Is it for me? Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

5 Nights in 3-4* B&B's, guesthouses and small hotels
5 Breakfasts
Detailed information pack brimming with our local knowledge
Our daily recommendations for places to see and visit
Our daily recommendations for top places to eat and drink
24/7 Emergency support from our UK office

Excluded

Car hire (available as an optional extra)
Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks
Personal equipment
Travel insurance (required)
Any entrance fees for attractions/recommended excursions

Extras

Additional nights at the start/end or along the route
Car hire (available as an optional extra)

When to go

When To Go

You can start this tour on any day of the week from March to October, subject to availability. The busiest times of the year are around Easter and May when accommodations fill up quickly, so book as early as possible if you are planning to travel then. If you travel before Easter, and after mid-October it is worth noting that some attractions may either be closed, have limited access (i.e. castle interiors may be closed but the gardens open), or may open later and close a little earlier in the day. We always recommend checking the links in our information pack for up-to-date opening times to avoid disappointment.

During the shoulder season - March to early April and after mid-October - the Scottish weather tends to be more unpredictable and is often colder and rainier. However, attractions and popular viewpoints will generally be quieter.

Weather and Climate

Scotland enjoys a temperate climate, meaning it's relatively mild all year, except in winter when temperatures dip below 0 degrees Celsius and it snows regularly in the Highlands. The Highlands are renowned for variable weather so you should be prepared for everything; from 'dreich' days (a Scottish word for rainy days that are a bit bleak) to days with beautiful blue skies and warmer weather. Whatever the weather it tends to be breezy so spare layers are always recommended.

From the end of April to October average daily temperatures vary from 9-15 degrees Celsius. Monthly rainfall varies from 10-16 mm per month on averarge. Generally, May to July are the driest and mildest months, but exploring later in the year from September to October is pleasant in cooler temperatures and the autumnal scenery is spectacular as the leaves begin to change colour. To see the purple heather blooming on the hillsides the best time to travel is from late July to early September.

Travel & Transfers

Getting to the Start

Your trip begins in the well-connected city of Glasgow.

If traveling in your own car from across the UK, or western Europe via the Channel Tunnel, you'll find Glasgow is easily accessible and well-connected by the M8, M77, M74 and M6 motorways. If you are driving or traveling from further afield we recommend an extra night in Glasgow at the start of your trip so you can make the most of your first day of sight-seeing.

By Road:

Glasgow is served by an excellent motorway network. It's a 1h 15m drive from Edinburgh to Glasgow on the M8 motorway.

Newcastle is approximately a 2 hr 50 mins drive from Glasgow, and Manchester, Birmingham and London are 3hr 40 mins, 5 hours and 7 hours respectively. If arriving in Folkestone from France and the Channel Tunnel it's an 8 hour drive via the M20, M40, M6 and M74 motorways.

Alternatively, if arriving in Glasgow by public transport and renting a car please see the excellent Traveline Scotland website for timetables and fares and more information regarding public transport in Scotland. Glasgow is well-linked across the UK, Europe and beyond by flying into either Glasgow or Edinburgh international airports. Glasgow and Edinburgh are just over an hour apart by road and it doesn't take much longer to travel between the two by an express bus or train service.

By Air: Located 8 miles west of Glasgow, the international airport is served by routes from around the UK, Europe and beyond. A regular shuttle bus service runs from the city centre to the airport.

By Rail: Glasgow is connected to central Scotland and England by good rail links. See the Scot Rail website for Scottish locations and National Rail for UK-wide locations.

By Bus: Services from UK destinations are operated by National Express. Services from Scottish destinations are operated by Scottish Citylink.

Car Rental

We don't include car rental in the cost of our discovery tours to keep things flexible as we realise many people may wish to use their own car. If you decide to arrange car rental through us, we have a partnership with Europcar and can arrange this easily for you. As standard we would book an Economy category car (suitable for up to 4 people) with included comprehensive insurance, prices are on a request basis. Please just let us know if you would like to upgrade your car.

Getting from the End

Your trip ends in Edinburgh, which is easily accessible from across the UK via great public transport and road links, or from Europe and beyond by flying into either Glasgow or Edinburgh international airports. Glasgow and Edinburgh are just over an hour apart by road and it doesn't take much longer to travel between the two by an express bus or train service.

Onward travel from Edinburgh is easy if continuing onward travel in your own car via good motorway links to the rest of the UK.

By Road: It's a 1h 15m drive from Glasgow on the west coast to Edinburgh on the M8 motorway.

Newcastle is approximately a 2.5 hour drive from Edinburgh, and Manchester and Birmingham, 4 and 6 hours respectively.

If dropping off a rental car and continuing your onward journey by public transport we recommend breaking the journey by adding an extra night in Edinburgh. For specific information regarding public transport in Scotland, please see the excellent Traveline Scotland website for timetables and fares.

By Air: Located 8 miles east of the city of Edinburgh, the international airport is served by routes from around the UK and the world. There are regular shuttle bus and tram services running from the airport into the city centre, with a journey time of around 30 minutes. There's also a taxi rank outside the airport to take people into the city centre.

By Rail: Edinburgh is also connected to central Scotland and England by good rail links. See the Scot Rail website for Scottish locations and National Rail for UK-wide locations.

By Bus: Services from UK destinations are operated by National Express. Services from Scottish destinations are operated by Scottish Citylink.

Baggage Transfer

This trip does not include luggage transport, as you carry your luggage with you in the car.

Info & FAQ

General Information

On confirmation of your booking, you will receive a personalised itinerary and comprehensive information pack. This carefully curated pack, designed with our own local knowledge and expertise, will include recommended driving routes, the must-see places and attractions to stop at en route, and our suggestions for the best places to eat and drink.

Car Rental

We don't include car rental in the cost of our discovery tours to keep things flexible as we realise many people may wish to use their own car. If you decide to arrange car rental through us, we have a partnership with Europcar and can arrange this easily for you. As standard we book an Economy category car (suitable for up to 4 people) with included comprehensive insurance, prices are on a request basis. Please just let us know if you would like to upgrade your car.

Online Documents

At Macs Adventure we care about the environment! We’re taking action to minimize the impact we have by converting the majority of our tour documentation for online delivery.

On this tour, all your detailed tour information will be digitally delivered. You will have access to this documentation via “My Account” on our website.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.