Scotland Tours & Vacation Packages 2024/2025

Scotland Travel Guide

Scotland Tours Things To Do

• 
  Follow the Castle Trail from Aberdeen

  With more than a dozen of Scotland's best-preserved and most dramatic castles, the Castle Trail in Aberdeenshire can be anything from a single day to a six-day sojourn. Marvel at the spectacular Craigievar Castle, a 15th-century masterpiece with oriental windows, towering gables, and conical rooftops. Or visit the fairytale-like Crathes Castle, standing amidst picturesque rolling hills and home to elaborately painted ceilings, fine antique furniture, and grand portraits.  

  You Should Know

  The 311-mile Castle Trail from Stonehaven to Craigievar in the north of Scotland gives you the chance to discover 19 different castles and magnificent coastal and mountain scenery. If you're driving, follow the distinctive brown and white Castle Trail signs that can be spotted throughout Aberdeenshire.

• 
  Take a Distillery Tour on Islay

  Islay (pronounced eye-luh) is a spectacularly beautiful island located off the west coast of Scotland in the Inner Hebrides. Islay's claim to fame is its fine single-malt Scotch whisky produced at nine distilleries, which have earned it the nickname of whisky island. The distilleries, located in picturesque secluded glens, welcome whisky aficionados for guided tours. Ardbeg, the most popular, and Bowmore, the oldest dating back to 1779, are both well worth a visit.  

  Best Time To Visit

  The distilleries are open year-round but the best time to go to Islay is during the weeklong whisky festival held in the last week of May. It's a chance for visitors to taste the unique smoky, peaty whiskies with a hint of seaweed and salty sea air. There are also Celtic music concerts, ceilidhs (social events with traditional music and dance), cooking-with-whisky evenings, charity events, golf, and Gaelic lessons.

• 
  Experience Beautiful Edinburgh

  Scotland's capital, Edinburgh, is one of Europe's most beautiful cities with majestic gardens, wonderfully preserved buildings, and narrow cobbled passageways that give it a rare charm. Browse the city's many fascinating museums, including the People's Story Museum to see how Scots lived in the middle ages or the Surgeon's Hall Museum to see the evolution of medicine. Or visit the grandiose Edinburgh Castle, a historic landmark that watches over the city the top of an extinct volcano.  

  Best Time To Visit

  If you don't mind jostling with 250,000 other revelers, the Edinburgh Festival Fireworks Concert, held at the end of August, is not to be missed. It's the world's largest pyrotechnic display with 400,000 fireworks set off during a 45-minute show, accompanied by synchronized live music by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Pack a picnic and snag a vantage point from the many viewing spots scattered around the city. Needless to say, you'll have to get there early to bag a good spot.

• 
  Encounter Unique Wildlife

  Scotland's rich and diverse landscape is home to a wide variety of animals and birds, some of which can't be found anywhere else in the world. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot graceful white-tailed sea eagles, fluffy red squirrels, playful dolphins, majestic humpback whales, bushy-tailed Scottish wildcats, and of course, the shaggy highland cows with protruding horns that have become synonymous with Scotland.  

  You Should Know

  The Loch Garten Osprey Center, located about 10 miles from Aviemore, is a nature lover's paradise, home to red squirrels, red deer, crested tits, and the elusive white-bellied osprey, a species of fish-eating seahawks that can be viewed up close from a "hide" that is open from April to August.

• 
  Discover the Magnificent Isle of Arran

  Dramatic mountain peaks, rolling moorlands, secluded beaches, and charming fishing harbors makes the Isle of Arran a startlingly beautiful place to visit all year round. Add to this delicious local produce and great cultural festivals, and you have a place that is something of a miniature Scotland. Taste local ice creams and cream cheeses, traditional oatcakes, and refreshing beers. Book a tour of the Arran Distillery and sample a dram of malt whisky or the creamy Arran Gold liqueur. And work off all that culinary indulgence with a bracing hike up Goatfell mountain, the island's tallest peak at just over 2,800 feet.  

  You Should Know

  The ferry crossing from Ardrossan Harbor on the mainland (located 32 miles from Glasgow) to Brodick, the main village on the Isle of Arran, takes 55 minutes. If you're bringing your car, it's advisable to book the car ferry in advance. In the summer months, you can also sail from the Kintyre Peninsula to Lochranza in the north of Arran, which a shorter crossing and takes only 30 minutes.

• 
  Spend the Night in a Lighthouse

  For a truly unique experience, you can spend the night at a lighthouse in Scotland. The Rua Reidh Lighthouse, located at the end of a 12-mile single-track road, is perched on top of black rocks, overlooking the churning North Atlantic with the Isle of Skye on the horizon. To spend a few days at this remote but breathtakingly scenic location, you don't have to give up modern conveniences. The keeper's quarters have been transformed into comfortable bedrooms with en-suite facilities. There is a self-catering apartment as well as a choice of guest rooms available on bed and breakfast and evening meal basis.   

  You Should Know

  There is no mobile phone signal, TV, or wi-fi, so be prepared to leave the trappings of modern life behind and enjoy a digital detox. Rua Reidh is a great place to relax and revel in the peace and tranquility of the area. There are plenty of walking paths and abundant opportunities to spot wildlife in this stunning location.

• 
  Get Active in the Outer Hebrides

  With just 12 inhabited islands and over 200 uninhabited islands, the Outer Hebrides in Scotland are a paradise waiting to be explored. Connected by bridges, causeways, and ferries, a journey through the islands is a fascinating experience. Imagine paddling to a deserted island and enjoying a barbeque on the beach with nary a soul in sight. This dreamy archipelago is best explored by water. Our recommendation? The crystal-clear waters are ideal for sea kayaking. If you don't have prior experience, local professionals can take you out.  

  Best Time To Visit

  The best time to go to the Hebrides is April through October when the weather is mild. June, July, and August, in particular, are delightful with the wildflowers in bloom.

• 
  View the Spectacular Burrell Collection in Glasgow

  Amassed by the shipping magnate, Sir William Burrell, the Burrell Collection is a magnificent cornucopia of objects from Asia and Europe representing five millennia of history and art. Located in the beautiful woodland setting of Pollok Country Park, the collection includes everything from Chinese ceramics and Islamic art to Rodin sculptures, impressionist works by Cézanne and Degas, a self-portrait by Rembrandt, and Bellini's Madonna and Child. Best of all, the museum has free entry.  

  You Should Know

  The Burrell Collection is a 10- to 15-minute walk from the Pollokshaws West train station. The train journey from Glasgow Central to Pollokshaws West takes about 10 minutes.

Scotland Tour Packages

• Spring/Fall - March to May & September to November - Best Season

  The best time to visit Scotland is during the spring and fall seasons. The weather is cooler (average daytime temperatures 45 to 55F) but there are still long stretches of sunshine. It's a great time to explore Scotland without the summer rush of tourists. 

• Summer - June to August - High Season

  The summer months are the warmest of the year with long hours of sunlight, especially in the far north. However, this is the most popular time for visitors to Scotland, so you'll have to book early. Accommodations and activities sell out months in advance, especially if you're visiting around the time of a major festival or event.

• Winter - November to March

  Winters in Scotland can be bitterly cold (average daytime temperatures 40F), and the unpredictable weather can make travel tricky. However, if you're willing to brave it, you'll be rewarded with spectacular winter scenery, lounging in front of roaring log fires, and shopping at charming Christmas markets.

Scotland Tours Frequently Asked Questions

• Which side of the road do they drive in Scotland?

  Road trips are a great way to experience Scotland. Driving in Scotland is on the left side of the road (opposite to the US). This means you need to focus a bit more. Sounds obvious, but if you're driving, don't stop suddenly to take photos. The views are sumptuous and you'll be tempted to admire them at every turn. However, it can be dangerous if you don't follow local traffic laws, including the proper use of single-track lanes. Better still, book yourself a Scotland tour and sit back and enjoy the views while your experienced local driver takes you around.

• What’s included on a Scotland tour?

  Your Scotland tour includes accommodation, transportation, many meals, and lots of guided sightseeing, along with the services of an experienced tour director to ensure your comfort and safety.

• How much do Scotland tours cost?

  Scotland tours start at around $200 per person per day. Check our website for the latest offers and deals on Scotland vacations.

• Which is the best Scotland tour?

  It depends on your interests. If you love the outdoors, choose a Scottish Highlands tour or a tour of the glens and isles. If you'd like a mix of urban adventures and nature, we recommend a highlights of Scotland tour. Of course, you can combine your Scotland tour with Ireland, England, and Wales.