3 days4-Day Scottish Castles Experience Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh
Length
4 days
Itinerary
4 days planned
Group
Max 16
Guides
English
Overview
Feel like a lord or lady as you wander through castles and manor houses. Stride ancient battlefields like a sword-wielding Highlander. And relive Scotland’s history defining moments of conceit and treachery as you listen to your driver-guide’s epic tales.
On this tour, you’ll join the ranks of esteemed history lovers while you travel through glens and mountain passes. You visit Scotland’s most impressive castles, tower forts, and palaces. And you even get a chance to visit a distillery that was started by one of the pioneering women in the whisky industry.
This small group tour is your ticket into Scotland’s medieval past and royal history.
Day by day itinerary
1Edinburgh - Dunnottar Castle - St. Andrews - Aberdeen⌄
The palace was the countryside home for many of the Stuart royalty. They would make use of the woodland areas in the vicinity to hunt.
Chance to get lunch and explore the cobbled lanes and ancient university buildings.
This is the archetypical Scottish castle. Mystrerious, ruined, and beautiful.
Overnight: Overnight in Aberdeen.
2A full day at Royal Deeside⌄
Stand before one of the largest tower houses in the land. Dating from the 15th century, Castle Fraser is a fabulous place to soak up the atmosphere of old Scotland and its colourful stories. Enjoy panoramic views and discover quirky features such as secret staircases, hidden trapdoors, a spy hole and a wooden leg.
Crathes Castle is every inch the classic Scottish tower house, and a fantastic day out for all the family! Discover a labyrinth of cultural history, from portraits and antique furniture to painted ceilings. Explore the famous garden and enjoy a walk through the wider estate.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Overnight in Aberdeen.
3Fyvie Castle - Elgin - Culloden - Forres⌄
A magnificent fortress in the heart of Aberdeenshire, Fyvie Castle’s 800-year history is rich in legends, folklore and even ghost stories. Discover the amazing collection of antiquities, armour and lavish oil paintings. Stroll around the picturesque loch, or visit the restored glass-roofed racquets court and ice house.
Chance to have lunch. If you are a history lover, make sure to marvel at the intricated carvings of a weathered Pictish stone, standing on the grounds of the ruined Elgin Cathedral.
Visit the powerfully moving site of the final Jacobite Rising – the last and most harrowing pitched battle to be fought on British soil. Explore the interactive visitor centre, view fascinating artefacts from both sides of the confrontation, and experience the battle in their immersive surround cinema.
A short distance away is Clava Cairns, an ancient complex of ring cairns and standing stones said to inspire the standing stones of Craigh na Dun in Outlander.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Overnight in Nairn.
4Cardhu Distillery - Blair Castle & Gardens - Perthshire - Edinburgh⌄
First distillery pioneered by a woman, Helen Cumming. *Please note that Cardhu silent season will run from 29 September to 17 October. During this time, tours of the production facilities will not be available. Instead, the group will enjoy animated videos and whisky samples
Gardens, antlers, and gory battles: delve into Scottish history at this famous castle.
Perthshire - home to some of the most remarkable woodlands, and have a break in one of the picturesque towns.
Meals: Breakfast
What's included
- ✓Transportation by top of the range 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach (small groups max 16 passengers)
- ✓3 nights en-suite accommodation in a B&B or 3-star Hotel (breakfast included)
- ✓Flavour Journey tour and Tasting at Cardhu Distillery
- ✓Admission to Castle Fraser
- ✓Admission to Blair Castle and Garden
- ✓Admission to Fyvie Castle
- ✓Breakfast
- ✓Professional driver guide
- ✓Admission to Culloden Visitor Centre, Museum & Battlefield
- ✓Admission to Crathes Castle
- ✓Admission to Falkland Palace
Not included
- ✕Gratuities
- ✕Hotel pickup and drop off
- ✕Meals and refreshments
- ✕Admission fees unless specified
Good to know
Starts: Please meet your Rabbie's guide inside the Edinburgh Bus Station, Gate J and Gate K, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ (Check in closes 15 minutes before departure)
Ends: Please meet your Rabbie's guide inside the Edinburgh Bus Station, Gate J and Gate K, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ (Check in closes 15 minutes before departure)
Cancellation: If you cancel at least 21 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 21 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- We apologise, but we cannot accommodate children under 5 years old on our tours. Children under 18 need to be accompanied by an adult. Please note that if this policy is not followed, we will have to refuse travel without issuing a refund. Thank you for understanding
- Please note: you will be required to choose between either a Bed and Breakfast or 3-star hotel at time of booking
- Booking three or more people? We can accommodate up to 8 guests in a group, please add each required room to your basket separately. To ensure that bookings for passengers traveling together are not separated, please inform us if you have multiple bookings.
- When booking three or more people, efforts will be made to book a combination of suitable rooms (double/twin/family). Preferences should be noted upon booking in the Special Requirements section
- Luggage Allowance: You're restricted to 20kg (44lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus one small bag for onboard personal items.
- Admission to Falkland Palace. Castle Fraser, Crathes Castle, Fyvie Castle, Culloden Visitor Centre, Museum & Battlefield, Blair Castle and Gardens included in a tour price.
- Cardhu Distillery tour and tasting included in a tour price.
- B&Bs tend to be located on the outskirts of towns and you should be prepared for a 20-30 minute walk to local facilities like pubs and restaurants. If you have difficulty with stairs, please mention it to us as lifts will not be available in this type of property. Hotels usually have a relatively central location but may be up to a 20-30 minute walk from local facilities. If you have difficulty with stairs, please let us know so that we can either book a ground floor room or a hotel with lift access, if available.
- Hotels usually have a relatively central location but may be up to a 20-30 minute walk from local facilities. If you have difficulty with stairs, please let us know so that we can either book a ground floor room or a hotel with lift access, if available.
- *Please note that Blair Castle will be closed on 5 October 2026, we will visit Scone Palace instead.
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