If you loved Treasure Island and tore through the seven books of the Harry Potter series, if you’ve ever recited a Burns poem or dazzled at the adventures of Sir Walter Scott, or if you’ve ever wanted to know the true story behind Shakespeare’s Macbeth, then this unique tour of Scotland is sure to be one you’ll never forget.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Edinburgh - Starting Your Tour in Scotland’s Charming Capital
This morning you land in Edinburgh, ready to explore this incredible country and learn more about her most famous scribblers and stories. A private car will pick you up from the airport and take you to your centrally located and incredibly luxurious hotel, where you can drop-off your bags and freshen up before hitting the streets of this inspiring and unique capital city. Your first stop while in Scotland is atop the gentle rise of Calton Hill, where you’ll gain purchase for phenomenal vistas over the ancient city below and out to the Scottish countryside and the mighty Firth of Forth. There are also a number of notable monuments atop the hill, from the eerie incompleteness of the National Monument, to the terraced tower that marks the victory of Horatio Nelson at Trafalgar, to the graceful columned rotunda serving as the monument to Scotland’s national poet, the immortal Robert Burns.
Descend the hill back to the city just in time for dinner at one of the city’s best restaurants. The Witchery near Edinburgh Castle is particularly fine, offering excellent fare, impeccable service, a charming ambience and one of the best wine lists in the city.
What's Included:
Day 2
Edinburgh - The Best of Scottish Writers and the Best of Scottish Culture
Day 3
Edinburgh - South of Edinburgh and Scott’s Stomping Grounds
Day 4
Glasgow - A Red Red Rose and the Bonnie Bonnie Banks
Day 5
Kirriemuir - The Gorgeous Countryside of Scotland
Day 6
Edinburgh - Turning to Glamis, Returning to Edinburgh
Day 7
Edinburgh - Departing Scotland
Trip Highlights
- Discover enchanting Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland and the inspiration for a wide swath of the country’s greatest writers, from Robert Louis Stevenson to J.K. Rowling
- Visit Rosslyn Chapel, made famous by Sir Walter Scott and mentioned in The Da Vinci Code, before setting out to Scott’s home at Abbotsford and Scotland’s best town for bibliophiles
- Turn south of Glasgow to discover the home of famed Scottish poet Robert Burns before heading north into the country of Scotland’s best-known outlaw
- Tour the scenic Lowlands north of Edinburgh, from the majestic halls of Glamis Castle to the charming village of Kirriemuir
Detailed Description
Flanked by the estimable literary nations of England and Ireland, the traditions of prose and poetry in Scotland are often overlooked, but make no mistake: this rugged and romantic nation has produced its share of wordsmiths and bards. From the beloved novels of Sir William Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson, to the immortal verse of Robert Burns, this weeklong tour will show you all the highlights of Scotland’s rich writing traditions, as well as the country’s scintillating scenery. And with locals that are as memorable as they are engaging, this is sure to be a trip that creates more than a few stories all its own.
Explore the homes and birthplaces of some of Scotland’s most famous literati, from Scott’s expansive estate at Abbotsford to the thatch-roofed cottage where Burns was born. Come face to face with some of the places that have inspired Scots for generations, from the shores of Loch Lomond and Loch Katrine to the august walls of Glamis Castle and Rosslyn Chapel. Visit the country’s biggest cities, including Edinburgh and Glasgow, and perambulate through some of her quaintest villages like Kirriemuir and Ayr. Of course, be sure to make a quick stop at Scotland’s National Book Town of Wigtown, where you can check out the wares of more than a dozen reputable booksellers.
Romantic novels of daring and chivalry from the 18th century and lyrical odes to the Scottish countryside, stories of patriots and heroes and celebrated songs of the best of Scotland’s scenery, even the place where Harry Potter was born can all be found in this incredible country. There is inspiration here waiting to be found, magic waiting to be discovered, and stories waiting to be told; so bring your travel journal and love of language because this is definitely a trip for the bookworm in all of us.
Starting Price
$3,500 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.88 stars based on 448 reviews.
This was my first time planning an overseas trip for myself, plus a friend, and integrating a third person into the trip halfway! There were lots of moving parts. Thanks to Zicasso's tour company, I started out not knowing what I wanted to see, to having a perfect trip, with fantastic accommodations, wonderful drivers, and amazing adventures!
Reviewed By Laura T.
We had an awesome experience! There was impeccable attention to detail! The driver/guides were terrific to work with. I will definitely recommend Zicasso’s tour company to my friends.
Reviewed By Krishna S.
We had an exceptional experience with the team at Zicasso's travel company, particularly our agent. She listened to our hopes and needs for a very complex trip, and created a journey that exceeded our expectations in every way.
Reviewed By Lorraine M.
The trip was fantastic and the Zicasso travel agent was very attentive to our wants. We felt very well taken care of.
Reviewed By Christine S.
To celebrate our daughter’s graduation from the University of Glasgow, Julie and I decided to organize a family driving trip through the islands and Highlands of Scotland. We wanted to see everything in Scotland.
Zicasso's travel agent helped us refine our plans to fit our timeframe and budget. She planned an efficient route and found us memorable accommodations in each of our stops. She also suggested some places not on our original wish list, including a boat trip to Staffa, which turned out to be one of the most memorable parts of our trip.
Our driver truly made it feel like the family vacation we had envisioned. While on some days we had a definite timeline to meet (the ferries will leave without you!), most of the time we were able to decide what we were in the mood for and he would happily accommodate us. We even were able to have an unscheduled stop on the drive back to Glasgow to see where our daughter had spent time last summer on an archaeological dig.
Where we stayed and what we ate were not big factors in our vacation planning request, but our travel agent found us lovely accommodations that made our day trips and ferry trips convenient. The restaurant specialist made dinner suggestions that made sense for where we were staying and arranged reservations for us so that we did not have to worry about finding a place to eat at the end of a long day.
Reviewed By George C.
The Zicasso travel agency was absolutely wonderful, helping us plan a customized trip to England and Scotland. Our travel group of 10 included teenagers through retirees. They truly listened to our interests and helped build an amazing experience for everyone. The individualized care and communication were wonderful. They were also incredibly responsive and helpful when our incoming flight was delayed. We'd highly recommend!!
Reviewed By Kate T.