The Best Edinburgh Highlights Day Tour

Your Private Edinburgh Highlights Itinerary

Your journey begins as you meet your guide at the steps of Edinburgh Castle, at the top of the Royal Mile in the city center.

Edinburgh Castle

Begin your day at the crown jewel of the city: Edinburgh Castle. 

With skip-the-line VIP access and your private guide, step through its mighty gates to uncover the Stone of Destiny, the Crown Jewels of Scotland, and the Great Hall where kings once feasted. 

Away from the crowds, pause in quiet courtyards as your guide shares tales of sieges, monarchs, and the castle’s role at the heart of Scotland’s story.

Our 14 day trip to Scotland was magical. Starting and ending in Edinburgh, Braw Scottish Tours organized a 10 day experience where words fall short. It was a lovely mix of Outlander sites, Edinburgh and Glasgow, the majestic Scottish countryside, Isles of Iona, Mull and Skye and the Highlands. Absolutely stunning! A shining star of our visit was James, our driver and guide. It was like we were on a 10 day road trip with the best of friends. He is an outstanding credit to Braw. The depth of his knowledge of the history and the personable way he delved into “the lore” was engaging, funny, and a pleasure. He took extra steps along the way to ensure we had the best experience each day, including making sure our accommodations were secure before leaving us for the evening,. Braw Scottish Tours is very easy to work with and I appreciate them making our trip a fantastic experience. I look forward to returning to take part in “The Sequel” to see even more of beautiful and historic Scotland while returning to a few of my personal favorite spots. I highly recommend Braw Scottish Tours for your travel to Scotland

Pam C ★★★★★

The Royal Mile 

Stroll down the Royal Mile, Edinburgh’s medieval spine, with its atmospheric closes and historic houses. 

On this private walking tour, your guide will unlock stories hidden behind the historic buildings of merchants, rebels, and poets. For those who wish, exclusive access can be arranged to a historic townhouse or the city’s underground vaults for a glimpse of Edinburgh’s hidden past.

St Giles’ Cathedral

Step into the High Kirk of Edinburgh, with its iconic crown spire. Your guide will lead you to the ornate Thistle Chapel, home of Scotland’s most distinguished order of chivalry. Take the time to appreciate its intricate wood carvings, stained glass, and quiet grandeur.

What a great tour! 14 days around the "middle" of Scotland. Edinburgh, Pitlochry, Inverness, Oban, Isle of Mull, Inverary and back to Edinburgh with brother, sister and my wife. Driver (Alan) was fabulous. Very knowledgeable, friendly, helpful...but at the same time not with you at your hotel or meals giving you some private time with your traveling companions. Braw extremely helpful figuring out things to see and places to be. Driver (in consultation with us) adapting the tour to fit the daily schedule and including some fun sites that we did not think of.

Geoff Johnston ★★★★★

Palace of Holyroodhouse 

At the foot of the Royal Mile lies the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the King’s official residence in Scotland. 

Enjoy a privately guided visit through its state apartments, the chambers once occupied by Mary, Queen of Scots, and the romantic ruins of Holyrood Abbey. For an even more exclusive touch, your guide can arrange private access to the palace gardens or galleries.

Lunch in the Old Town

Take a break in one of Edinburgh’s fine Old Town restaurants, where seasonal Scottish dishes,  from Highland venison to fresh salmon,  can be paired with local ales or fine wines. 

If you’re searching for a private tour company in Scotland, look no further! Braw Scottish Tours offers amazing personalized planning. Their customer service is top notch and worth every pence. My family just returned from a five-day tour of the Highlands with stops in Oban, Isle of Skye and Inverness. From our initial pick up at our hotel in Edinburgh to our drop off in Glasgow, Alan, our driver/guide, was everything we had hoped for and more. We traveled by luxury vehicle exploring the beautiful country of Scotland, weaving our way through mountains, villages and endless miles of sheep filled countryside. Alan made the trip even more special by taking us to hidden gems we never would have found on our own. I loved working with Deborah as we selected, then perfected the itinerary. Castles, lochs, highland coos, kelpies, fairies, whisky, and a few Outlander locations… need I say more? We're already dreaming about our next adventure with Braw Scottish Tours!

Elizabeth Fielder ★★★★★

Calton Hill: Views of Enlightenment

After lunch, your driver whisks you to Calton Hill, a UNESCO World Heritage site offering panoramic views across Edinburgh and out to the Firth of Forth. 

Among its Greek-style monuments, your guide will recount tales of the Scottish Enlightenment, when philosophers, scientists, and architects shaped the modern world.

Dean Village: A Hidden Gem

Step into a quieter side of the city at Dean Village, a riverside haven on the Water of Leith. 

Once the heart of Edinburgh’s milling industry, today its cobbled lanes and quaint houses form one of the city’s most photogenic corners. 

Your private guide will lead you on a gentle stroll along the river, pointing out centuries-old buildings and peaceful spots for reflection.

We were in Scotland for 21 days which included a Vacations by Rail tour, 4 days in Edinburgh and Glasgow with Braw, then 9 days at Aigas Field Center at Beauly. We have seen amazing glens, mountains, castles, lochs, cathedrals, historical sites, the Jacobite train, and a good deal of the Highlands and Islands. The entire 21 days were perfect, we could not have asked for a better experience. The most memorable part of our trip has to be our 4 days with Braw Tours thanks to our guide, Callum Couston. Able to turn in a moment's notice to meet our needs, Callum was personable, knowledgeable, funny, accommodating, a master storyteller, and an amazing driver. I think it speaks highly of their capabilities that in the trip of a lifetime, that they were the pinnacle of the experience. We will be highly recommending Braw to our friends, and if you are lucky enough to get Callum, you will be pleased. Neither of the other tours offered any time in Edinburgh and Glasgow other than to arrive and leave, and I contacted several other agencies before I found Braw on Trip Advisor to fill that gap. About a month before the start of our trip, my knee went wonky and I was having difficulty walking. There was no way I could make it up the steps to Edinburgh Castle, so Callum immediately took us to the Botanical Gardens, which we absolutely loved.

Cindy Tochterman ★★★★★

Private Whisky Tasting: The Spirit of Scotland

No visit to Edinburgh is complete without whisky. 

In the late afternoon, enjoy an exclusive tasting with a whisky expert, sampling rare single malts and blends paired with artisan cheeses and chocolates. 

Whether you are new to whisky or a connoisseur, this private session is tailored to your palate.

Your driver-guide returns you to your accommodation as evening falls, the city’s skyline aglow with golden light and spires against the horizon.

Optional Extras for Your Edinburgh City Tour

• Out-of-hours private tour of Edinburgh Castle or Holyroodhouse.
• Private dining experience in a Michelin-starred restaurant to end the day.
• Afternoon Tea