6 Day Private Tour of Scotland Itinerary
Private Tours of Scotland tailored To Suit You
The itineraries we offer on our site are a template, where we hope you can find out more about what you’d like to do and see in Scotland, before getting in touch with our expert travel planners to design you a fully customized and truly unforgettable private tour!
Included
- Risk-free booking guarantee: Full refunds up to 7 days before the start date
- Certified driver-guides with 15+ years of experience, passionate about sharing their love of Scotland
- Exclusive experiences that others without our local insight will not include
- Travel in style in our luxury air-conditioned Mercedes vehicles
- Fully customizable bespoke and complimentary itinerary for your vacation
Day 1: Tour From Glasgow To Fort William
Your Braw Scottish Tour begins in Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city and cultural hub where this morning your driver-guide will collect you from your accommodation and head north towards the west coast town of Fort William.
Loch Lomond
First up, it’s onto the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. Formed between 10,000 – 20,000 years ago during the period of the last ice age, the enchantingly beautiful Loch Lomond is the largest freshwater lake in the UK.
The loch contains many islands, including Inchmurrin, the largest fresh-water island in the British Isles. It’s a natural gateway separating the lowlands and the rugged mountainous landscape of the Scottish Highlands and a must-visit destination popular for walkers, wildlife enthusiasts, adventure seekers and tourists.
Luss
We’ll stop in the beautiful and picturesque village of Luss which lies on the banks of the loch, to explore the tour and get up close to the famed loch itself.
Inveraray Castle
We continue your tour with a visit to Inveraray Castle: a country house near Inveraray in the county of Argyll, in western Scotland, on the shore of Loch Fyne, Scotland’s longest sea loch. It has been the seat of the Duke of Argyll, chief of Clan Campbell, since the 17th century.
Kilchurn Castle
Next up we have a visit to Kilchurn Castle: a ruined 15th and 17th-century structure on a rocky peninsula at the northeastern end of Loch Awe, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Access to the Castle is sometimes restricted by higher-than-usual levels of water in the Loch, at which times the site effectively becomes a temporary island.
It was the ancestral home of the Campbells of Glen Orchy, who later became the Earls of Breadalbane also known as the Breadalbane family branch, of the Clan Campbell. The earliest construction on the castle was the towerhouse and Laich Hall (looks onto Loch Awe).
Glencoe
Next, we shall visit the magnificent Glencoe Mountains.
The areas around Glencoe have hikes suitable for a wide range of activity levels so don’t worry if you don’t want to climb up to the top – we’ll still manage to get to some incredible viewpoints, particularly of the ‘Three Sisters’ scenic area.
After a long day touring, we retire for the evening at the charming nearby town of Fort William.
Day 2: Private Scenic Tour To Isles
Today we shall drive along the scenic route to the Isles – stopping at some incredible destinations along the way – before finishing the day in the magical Isle of Skye!
Neptune's Staircase
The first stop is a visit to Neptune’s Staircase. This amazing feat of engineering raises the canal by 19m (62ft) over a quarter of a mile of continuous masonry and takes around 90 minutes for a boat to travel up or down the locks.
Built by Thomas Telford between 1803 and 1822, it is the longest staircase lock in Scotland. An ideal location for enjoying ‘gongoozling’ the boats as they travel up and down the lock flight!
Glenfinnan Viaduct
Next, it’s onto Glenfinnan Viaduct, where we can stop for some pictures.
The famous Glenfinnan viaduct carries the railway to Glenfinnan Station across a 1,000 ft span, 100 ft above the ground. The Jacobite steam train runs from here to Fort William and Mallaig in the summer months.
The filming of the second and third Harry Potter books, Harry Potter and the Chambers of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban took place in this area with the Hogwarts Express calling at Glenfinnan!
Loch Morar
Next on your tour today is Loch Morar, a freshwater loch in Lochaber, Highland, Scotland. It is the fifth-largest loch by surface area in Scotland, at 26.7 km2 (10.3 sq mi), and the deepest freshwater body in the British Isles with a maximum depth of 310 m (1,017 ft). The loch was created by glacial action around 10,000 years ago and has a surface elevation of 9 meters (30 ft) above sea level.
Morar
Morar is a small village on the west coast of Scotland, 3 miles (5 km) south of Mallaig. The name Morar is also applied to the wider district around the village.
Morar has a railway station on the West Highland Line and is on the A830, part of the Road to the Isles, between Fort William and Mallaig. It is famous for Morar Beach, known as the “White Sands of Morar”, which featured prominently in the film Local Hero, as well as in Breaking the Waves. Loch Morar, the deepest freshwater body in the British Isles, is nearby, as well as the short River Morar which flows from the loch to the sea.
Morar was a favorite winter travel destination of the noted English composer, Sir Arnold Bax (1883–1953), during the 1930s. He worked on his Third Symphony and each subsequent symphony during his visits to the Station Hotel there.
Ferry To Isle of Skye
Next, we’ll arrive at the beautiful coastal town of Mallaig to explore its harbor before catching a ferry to the Isle of Skye.
Fairy Pools
Once on the Isle of Skye, time permitting we will visit the Fairy Pools, located in the south-west part of the Isle of Skye, off the west coast of Scotland.
The Fairy Pools are almost hypnotic, beautifully crystal-clear blue pools on the River Brittle. These famous pools attract visitors from all over the world. Most visitors complete the walk up to the pools to enjoy the magnificent view and for the fact that these magical Fairy Pools make for fantastic photos. Others, the more adventurous visitors, go there for some wild swimming in the blue, cold water.
The hike to the Fairy Pools is considered a fairly easy one, and most visitors take their time working their way up the river and exploring the other waterfalls and pools to be found on the way to the Fairy Pools.
Finally, we shall spend the evening on the Isle of Skye.
Day 3: Isle of Skye Full Day Tour
Today your driver-guide will collect your group from your accommodation and take you on a tour of some of Skye’s premier tourist sites, starting with the delightful town of Portree.
Portree
Set round its natural harbor and fringed by high ground and cliffs, the town is a popular tourists’ holiday destination and the harbor continues to be used by fishing boats as well as pleasure craft. It boasts excellent leisure facilities including a swimming pool, pony-trekking, and boat cruises plus plenty of shopping opportunities making it the ideal place for a pause for a spot of lunch or to just sit back and enjoy the views.
The Storr
The Old Man of Storr is situated in the north of the Isle of Skye in the Trotternish area. Famous for its magnificent scenery and views, the Old Man of Storr is a popular hotspot for hikers, hill walkers, and photographers. You can take the opportunity to walk up and down the Storr on a 3.8km route that takes 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete.
Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls Viewpoint
Even the landscapes of Scotland follow traditional fashion. Indeed, the 90-meter Kilt Rock, our next destination on the Trotternish Peninsula does look strikingly similar to a pleated kilt. Composed of sea-weathered basalt columns, the colors of the rocks might even appear to be tartan. And just as a man with a kilt might blow the bagpipes, this landscape makes some unusual music of its own; when strong winds blow many visitors have reported a haunting, beautiful sound. One might think there’s fairy folklore behind it, but it’s just the noise from the fence surrounding the lookout point.
From the cliff-top viewpoint, you can also get a nice look at Mealt Falls, a waterfall that plummets 328 feet (100 m) over Kilt Rock to the rock-laden shoreline below.
Dunvegan Castle & Gardens
Any visit to the Isle of Skye is incomplete without enjoying the wealth of history and clan legend on offer at Dunvegan Castle & Gardens, the ancestral home of the Clan MacLeod. Sir Reginald MacLeod (27th Chief) was the first Chief to open Dunvegan to the public in 1933 for charitable purposes two days a week. Since then, the number of visitors has risen from a few hundred to hundreds of thousands.
Neist Point
Moving on we will visit one of the most photographed points on Skye, Neist Point, you will not be disappointed with the sheer cliffs & birdlife a plenty. The fast-running tide on Neist Point also makes it an ideal place to spot Basking Sharks and Minke Whales feeding in the tidal stream.
Finally, we shall spend the evening on the Isle of Skye.
Day 4: Isle of Skye to Inverness Day Tour
This morning we’ll depart Skye and head back over to the mainland, first stopping at the incredible Eilean Donan Castle.
Eilean Donan
A small tidal island where three sea lochs meet, Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh, in the western Highlands of Scotland. A picturesque castle that frequently appears in photographs, film and television dominates the island, which lies about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) from the village of Dornie. Since the castle’s restoration in the early 20th century, a footbridge has connected the island to the mainland.
Loch Ness Cruise
Now onto the legendary Loch Ness. This beautiful loch located near Inverness is shrouded in mystery. Tales of a large monster living deep beneath the dark expanses of Loch Ness have circulated the world since the first photograph emerged in 1933. With over 1,000 eye-witness accounts, sightings and unexplained evidence, scientists continue to be baffled by the existence of Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster!
We will have a cruise on the Loch and view the castle on a one-hour voyage across the deepest, mysterious waters of Loch Ness. From here, treat those peepers – and your camera – to the breathtaking sight of the historic Urquhart Castle.
Urquhart Castle
The ruins of Urquhart Castle are located on a small promontory, overlooking Loch Ness. The ruins date from the 13th to the 16th centuries, and are built on the site of an early medieval fortification. The castle is one of the largest in Scotland in area, and one of the most visited castles in Scotland. Loch Ness is of course the home of Nessie, the monster supposedly living in the lake and, in fact, many Nessie sightings have been reported from where the castle stands.
Clava Cairns
After departing Loch Ness we will visit the Clava Cairns or the Prehistoric Burial Cairns of Bulnuaran of Clava is a group of three Bronze Age cairns located near Inverness. A hugely significant and exceptionally well-preserved prehistoric site, Clava Cairns is a fantastic example of the distant history of Highland Scotland, dating back about 4,000 years.
The cemetery was used in two periods. At around 2000 BC a row of large cairns was built, three of which can still be seen today. A thousand years later the cemetery was reused, and new burials were placed in some of the existing cairns and three smaller monuments were built including a ‘kerb cairn’. Traces of a smaller cemetery can also be seen at Milton of Clava, a short distance up the valley to the west. The cairns at Balnuaran of Clava extended along a gravel terrace raised above the River Nairn.
Finally, we will arrive at the Capital of the Highlands, Inverness where we will retire for the evening.
Day 5: Inverness To Edinburgh Day Tour
Today will be spent heading south to Edinburgh, stopping at some attractions along the way.
Cairngorms National Park Drive
On our route to our first stop, we will enjoy a scenic drive through Cairngorms National Park – the largest national park in the entire UK.
Five of the UK’s six highest mountains lie inside Cairngorms National Park. There are huge forests there, cascading waterfalls, and rich wildlife. The Cairngorm Mountains are the most popular ski resort in the UK and the park also offers many exciting hiking routes. It also offers many great mountain-bike and cross-country skiing trails – if you’d like us to arrange extra outdoor activities during this part of the tour, please let us know and we’ll include some options for you.
The House of Bruar
We can stop for some shopping at The House of Bruar, Scotland’s answer to Harrods which is widely acknowledged as Scotland’s most prestigious independent store, and its regal stature at the gateway to the Highlands makes it clear to see why. The store offers an extensive range of high-quality products in both the Men’s and Ladies clothing halls. There is also a taste of luxury from gourmet produce, artisan treats, and a fine selection of whisky and spirits in the Food Hall – which also houses the award-winning in-store butchery and delicatessen. Housing the largest collection of Cashmere in the UK, you will be spoilt for choice in the Knitwear hall – which carries a large variety of high-quality natural fibers. The use of natural fibers extends further into their ample offerings of Tweed garments and accessories, reflecting the Scottish heritage within the brand.
Queen's View Visitor Centre
We will then stop and visit The Queen’s View in Highland Perthshire overlooks Loch Tummel and is said to have been named after Queen Victoria, following her visit to the area in 1866.
The Queen’s View Visitor Centre lies at the eastern edge of Loch Tummel and is surrounded by part of Tay Forest Park. As well as a stunning viewpoint overlooking the loch and beyond the iconic Schiehallion, the area offers a range of woodland walks suitable for all abilities.
Dunkeld
We will visit the lovely village of Dunkeld which sits on the banks of the River Tay. The majestic Dunkeld Cathedral dominates this picturesque Perthshire village. Today, part ruin and part parish church, the cathedral features the tomb of the notorious ‘Wolf of Badenoch’!
Nearby, walk along Atholl Street’s variety of specialist shops or take a walk down by the river, which provides excellent views of Thomas Telford’s Dunkeld Bridge. You can’t miss the brightly colored ‘little houses’ of Dunkeld which were built in the early 1700s.
The Queensferry Crossing
As we approach the city we will cross over the newly built Queensferry Crossing where we will see 3 magnificent bridges which span the river Forth. Each of these bridges was built in a different century!
Finally, we will arrive in Edinburgh, the Capital of Scotland where you will spend the evening.
Day 6: Full Day Edinburgh Tour
Your final day touring with Braw Scottish Tours will be spent exploring Edinburgh.
Edinburgh lies on the East coast of Scotland, built upon a group of hills, and has a medieval old town and exquisite Georgian new town with gardens and neoclassical buildings that loom over the city.
You can a few of the following:
Edinburgh Castle
Proudly overlooking the nation’s capital city, we will visit Edinburgh Castle, one of the oldest, attractive and interesting fortified places in Europe. Alongside hosting the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny, each section of the Castle has an exciting tale to tell, whether that’s as a Royal residence, military garrison, or more ominously, as a prison and fortress.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Next on our Edinburgh tour, we can visit the glorious Holyrood Palace – the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland, Queen Elizabeth II.
We’ll spend an hour or so exploring the palace – including the 16th-century historic apartments of Mary, Queen of Scots – and its impressive surrounding grounds.
Royal Yacht Britannia
Continuing our Edinburgh adventure, we’ll visit perhaps one of the most famous (unsunk) ships in the world: The Royal Yacht Britannia.
This former floating palace spent 43 years traveling more than a million nautical miles around the globe in service of Her Majesty The Queen before (thankfully for us) being permanently berthed in Edinburgh – allowing the public to tour and explore this magnificent piece of engineering history.
Royal Mile
Next, we can take a stroll along the winding paths and cobbled streets of the Royal Mile the main thoroughfare of the Old Town.
Arthur's Seat
Finally, we can visit Arthur’s Seat: an extinct volcano and is the main peak of the group of hills in Edinburgh. We can drive straight over the top of this hill (or you may enjoy a short hike instead) where we shall have wonderful views of the city.
After a long day exploring many of Edinburgh’s sites, we head back to your accommodation for the evening where alas, all good things must come to an end as we say our goodbyes until the next adventure.
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